Starstew

PSPGo, and the merits of downloadable games

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 21:56:12 -0700

This is something I posted as a comment on 1Up.com’s news story about a Dutch retailer boycotting the PSPGo. Copy/pasting for posterity —

I’m glad PSP’s ‘go’ing pure download. It’s about time. I think digital distribution will be a great boon for the games industry, provided they can simultaneously keep pirating to a minimum. And I agree with whoever said that digital distribution will make the cost of doing business much cheaper, thus encouraging more independent developers and, hopefully, more quality niche games.

Downside is that we’ll lose the used games market. I like to be able to pick up old games on the cheap as much as anyone, but I’d much rather have the convenience and variety afforded by widespread digital distribution. And, ultimately, I’d rather see game publishers and developers, rather than GameStop, get money for every game bought. That’s healthy for the industry, pure and simple.

This download model and the coming “cloud gaming” model are what’s coming, and I welcome them. Think of all the petrochemicals we’ll save by not pressing, packaging and shipping all that crap.

Stella-soothing music

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 21:37:53 -0700

A genius playlist from iTunes, seeded by the first song, that really seems to soothe my little Stella to sleep when I’m dancing with her.

Computer Love (LP Version) — Zapp

Paradise — Sade

Getaway — Earth Wind & Fire

Sincerely, Jane (EP Version) — Janelle Monae

Give It To Me Baby — Rick James

Every Saturday Night — Ray Charles & The Count Basie Orchestra

Isn’t She Lovely — Stevie Wonder

So Ruff, So Tuff (LP Version) — Zapp & Roger

The Sweetest Taboo — Sade

Many Moons (EP Version) — Janelle Monae

Doo Wa Ditty (Blow That Thing) — Zapp

Kiss Of Life — Sade

Mr. President (EP Version) — Janelle Monae

I Want To Be Your Man (LP Version) — Roger

No Ordinary Love — Sade

Sci-fi suggestions

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:28:15 -0700

Recent email exchange with a co-worker turned to “what sci-fi movies do you like and think maybe should be remade?” Because it’s so easy to copy-paste, here’s what I told him —

I thought AvP was a fun idea, but they don’t even come close to the original Alien. So far removed from what appealed to me about that movie. Alien, for me, wasn’t centered around the action, but the suspense, the mystery, the horror of discovering the awful “truth” of the situation. It was cool to see the xenomorph/Alien skull on the Predator ship, the same way it was cool to see E.T. in Star Wars. The idea that those things exist in the same universe is fun. Just don’t think the stories were that great. Though as videogames, go for it!

One of my other favorite sci-fi/horror films is The Thing (John Carpenter’s remake). Also, The Day the Earth Stood Still is awesome. Don’t think they should remake Blade Runner, though I think they could explore that world even more. On the cheesey, but beloved, side are Buckaroo Banzai and Tron. Tron sequel is coming out next year, but I doubt they’ll ever revisit Buckaroo Banzai. I’d like to see some kind of cross-over between the Blade Runner and Max Headroom universes. That’d blow my mind. I like all the Mad Max movies. It doesn’t age all that well, but I liked the space-vampire movie Lifeforce.

Right now, my wife and I are watching The Day of the Triffids… which reminds me of recent sci-fi/horror I’ve liked… Blindness and 28 Days Later.

Did you see Moon? That’s my most recent favorite sci-fi. Sam Rockwell.

Looking forward to The Road.

Big Man Japan

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 09:19:53 -0700

Just watched “Big Man Japan” last night with my wife and 2-month-old daughter.

Impressions (from a Facebook comment) — Overall: delightful. The drama was low key, almost to the point of story being non-existent. Most of the movie was a string of slow interview segments, sometimes touching but mostly droning, that were punctuated by CG battles with whacked out giant monsters. Human characters were amusing stereotypes. Many of the monsters had human faces, so it was even weirder. The surreal factor was definitely entertaining. Themes of greed, honor, legacy and dependency. In all, a barely coherent, visually beautiful, surreal experience.

Akka Arrh by Atari

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:20:26 -0700

Akka Arrh by Atari

Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:15:14 -0700

Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition:

Bicycle advocacy group in Silicon Valley. Found them while I was looking for a place to donate my old bikes.

Stastny Fourth of July parties (1 of 2)

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 16:48:09 -0700

Stastny Fourth of July parties (1 of 2)

Stastny Fourth of July parties (2 of 2)

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 16:48:08 -0700

Stastny Fourth of July parties (2 of 2)

Ed greeting little sister Jen

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 04:30:05 -0700

Ed greeting little sister Jen

Ed and Jen greet Laura

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 04:30:02 -0700

Ed and Jen greet Laura

IMG_0985

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 12:43:11 -0700

IMG_0985

IMG_0987

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 12:43:06 -0700

IMG_0987

IMG_0990

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 12:43:03 -0700

IMG_0990

IMG_0991

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 12:42:57 -0700

IMG_0991

Jon at Maker Faire

Sun, 31 May 2009 10:55:46 -0700

Jon at Maker Faire

Speed Vest at Maker Faire

Sun, 31 May 2009 10:55:43 -0700

Speed Vest at Maker Faire

Lucky Ju-Ju at Maker Faire

Sun, 31 May 2009 10:55:40 -0700

Lucky Ju-Ju at Maker Faire

Lev bot at Maker Faire

Sun, 31 May 2009 10:55:37 -0700

Lev bot at Maker Faire

Spherobots at Maker Faire

Sun, 31 May 2009 10:55:33 -0700

Spherobots at Maker Faire

Caltrain Pano

Sun, 17 May 2009 22:57:00 -0700

Caltrain Pano