Monday, December 13, 2004

Nintendo DS: Looking at device usebility…

I couldn’t wait once the postman arrived - I cracked-open the box of the DS and, running off the mains, gave it a run. There are some good things to note and some annoyances…

I like it - I do. It’s a fun little box…what I’ve basically always wanted from Nintendo. Sizewise it is *just* a little large, but not so much that an average male’s hands would cramp. I’m just thinking in terms of pocketing the device, which would currently necessitate the use of cargo pants - and I was happy to avoid that fad back in the 90s. Ain’t gonna happen now. But this is more about the usability of the device than an accessory guide.

I hope, very much hope, that Nintendo gets the knack of using the touch-screen wisely. I played that Metroid Prime-thingamajob, basically “the photo that came with the wallet”, and it certainly was fun once you spent some time mastering the controls. Right now this is the only game I have - I’m on backorder until January for Super Mario 64 - and if this is what I have to go by it might take a while before developers deliver the kind of gameplay I’m looking for.

I think many new applications will use the touch-screen in a simple, gimmicky manor. Obviously the touch control is very nice, very fine; in fact, better than any analog stick I’ve ever used. It’s such a natural extension of the experience, to just reach into the game and play, it’s amazing that it’s not been tried before. But if used cheaply, like..ahem, some driving games I could mention...then the touch screen concept will die a quick death.

Right now, my biggest gripe is the dumb thumb-pad on the wrist strap. I think it was some kind of afterthought due to the fact that the game lineup was somewhat weak at launch…it helps to make slightly clumsy game controls easier to maneuver. But for me the pad itself moves around my thumb too much. I have to pause the game occasionally to reposition the strap and thumb, which is not conducive to the maintaining the level of immersion in the experience.

I think the games and their controls will mature, to be sure. I would always argue for sensitivity adjustments to any game that requires the screen to track an “analog” response. Also, either a longer strap or revised curved thumb cap, matching the wrap of the thumb, would be preferential to the existing flat pad. Lastly, a battery indicator showing available charge would be logical too…

Still, it’s a good first-try. I’ll be keeping it a while.

Posted by Admin on 12/13 at 07:30 AM
Posted in: Gadgetry  
(0) Trackbacks • Permalink

Saturday, December 11, 2004

Something wicked, this Monday comes…

After a long, ugly week at work I came home ready for the weekend. What I found made me wish it was Monday…a note from UPS saying they tried to deliver my Nintendo DS…

I’m jazzed, of course. I’ve not been a big fan of many game systems because they seem to have to be in the center of your lifestyle. They get in the way of life - if you want to play and your sweet girlfriend wants to watch CSI:Toledo, you know who’s gonna lose.

Historically, I’ve owned a Pong, ColecoVision, Sinclair TX81, Sanyo MBC-555, Vic20 & C64, Amiga 1000 & 2000, Atari Lynx, Leading Edge 386, Amiga 3000 (I never learn), Macintosh 605, Dell Pentium (I really don’t learn), Power Computing PowerCurve 601, Powerbook 333 “Wallstreet”, Sega Dreamcast, Sun 5 (2x), iBook dual USB and a Powerbook G4 1.5Ghz.

Clearly my track record is hit and miss - let’s see where this one takes me. When I get it, expect unpacking photos and a nice breakdown of the gadget love.

Posted by Admin on 12/11 at 04:32 PM
Posted in: Gadgetry  
(0) Trackbacks • Permalink

Thursday, December 09, 2004

2

First Post!

Yes, we’re alive and working now!
That only took the better part of a week. arrrgh…

Well, for those of you who read this blog - and that would be the 3 of you - this has taken a while to get started. For a cms I chose Expression Engine (herewith dubbed ‘EE’), the fabulously-flexible content management system from the fine folks at pMachine. But with all that power lie a few problems, mostly in the security area.

EE uses some tools under Unix to perform it’s magic on moving and managing images and objects. In the interest of keeping my system secure I’m not going to discuss what those limits are, but let’s just say that when you install it, check the file upload section first. If you’ve got problems seeing directories or moving files and images, and you’ve done the perquisite file permissions, you’re probably running in the security policy of your ISP.

Then smile, ask nicely and send them tech people beer. You’re going to need them on your side…

Posted by Admin on 12/09 at 09:52 AM
Posted in: Idle Chatter  
(0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Page 19 of 19 pages « First  <  17 18 19