ashNOLOGY

The Zune has released an update today [3.1] , and this one really rocks. For those Sudoko lovers out there, you can now enjoy it on your Zune, that's right. The update also allows the Texas Hold'em game to be a multi-player, and they also added checkers, as well as fixed some problems. I totally called it when the Zune came out, that it is an excellent prototype for a Microsoft handheld gaming device, and before you know it, the 1st generation Zune was being hacked and games were played. Not too long after that the 2nd generation with flash-base Zunes came out, and voila. I would not be surprised if a separate handheld shows up on the market soon...can you imagine an xBox handheld? holly crap! that would be AWESOME!! South Korea is known for its hardcore gameness, the players there are of celebrity rockstar status. So, how would a country with such a large group of hardcore gamers, persuade the young to join the armed forces?..well easy, make a Halo suit . Yup! SK is working on...

I have run into a few intresting and entertaining news relating to games, and game technology, so I thought I should do another one of my "multi-article" posts =) Create your own game console (kit). Tatsunoko vs Capcom (mini-games). Want a Wii for Christmas? its now in stock, almost everwhere . Valve tries to trick the Half Life 2 Hacker . Enjoy =) -Ash

I'm so proud of Microsoft, not only because I love my 1st gen Zune, but because they are really utilizing it really well. They now have a Gears of War 2 limited edition, which would have the Crimson Omen logo in the back, and it would come preloaded with pictures, videos, and game soundtrack. This is a really great move, especially since there are SO many awesome 360 games out there, could this be a move for them to start making ZuneGames?...enthusiast all over the internet have done so, using the XNA framework, and share their games on forums such as ZuneBoards . I'm pretty sure the HALO Zune won't be too far from arriving now =) Here is more Zune News for November =) Enjoy =) -Ash

So, if you haven't heard, Mgestyk has developed an "eye-toy"-iesh device, only its for your hands. So you control everything on the screen, by motioning with your hand toward the screen. You can scroll through your albums, zoom in/out, and of course play video games. No keyboard, no mouse, and no controllers. Don't believe me?...here is a Demo Video with the device in action =) enjoy =) -Ash

So I learned a new term today, SlipStreaming. Basically, it means to "create the latest windows installation disc, with the latest drivers/service pack". Its a pretty cool thing actually. I found an article in the LifeHacker Blog that gives you a step by step instruction on how to create your ultimate installation disc. I will actually be making one to use at my work place, and then another one for my personal use. Here is how to Slipstream Windows XP with Service Pack 3 . Enjoy =)

I'm SO excited about this. FINALLY, the google phone is here. You read right, G1 will be the HTC developed phone, who will be carried by T-Mobile. It will be running Android, google's Open Source mobile OS. I read about the Android and downloaded their kit, but didn't get a chance to actually use it yet. Find out more about what we geeks call The gPhone , which will be hitting stores next month or so. Awesome. Google is SO going to take over the world, we will literally by a GoggleEarth. Have a great day.

So a recent job I've applied for had asked if I knew SQL, I unfortunately don't. But they said it was a "preferred" skill. So I thought to my self, well why not learn SQL. I'm already familiar with MS Access, true its not the same, but at least that makes me familiar with the database terminology. So I started searching the net for tutorials on SQL, and I came across an awesome tutorial. Its simple to understand, has examples, downloadable data, and its free. After I finished reading the first section on how to create a database, and populate it, it then gives you a little assignment to try it for yourself. Very neat. If you would like to learn some SQL for an upcoming project, or just to add it as a skill on your resume, make sure to check out the Web Developer's Note: SQL Tutorial , its really quite good, and it provides you with links to free software to use, such as MySQL . Have a nice day. =)