Nate's blog

Today Zune realised the new Zune 4.0 software. Here are my initial impressions…. (this is by no means a full review)

I like:

• The new Zune mini player (Zune 1.0 had one and it was one of the best things about the program, but for some reason they got rid of it in Zune 2.o, I am happy that its back)

• The new Zune mini bar. (If you mouse over it you get a display a lot a lot like the mini player)
• The Smart DJ feature. (Its a feature that’s really neat and is original to Zune)

What I do not like:

• Movie rental. (The fact that some movies can only be rented. The fact that you can not rent them and play them on your Xbox + PC and the fact that older Zunes cannot play them.)
• The new app store. (Not clear how individuals can submit stuff and only new Zunes are supported.)

My overall impression:

The software got some much needed improvements and took some of the best things about Zune 1.0 and put them back into the software. But something that I think that Zune got really wrong is the fact that they got rid a lot of the support for older Zunes. Even thought the Zune HD is dramatically different I am sure that old Zunes would be able to play movies and certain apps just fine. The fact that older Zunes were so well supported was something that separated Zune from Apple and made them way better.

Hal 9000(Heuristically programmed ALgorithmic Computer)…Microsoft’s Project Natal
They both track your body movements and use your voice. They both even can reconogise you… scary.

During the past few days you may have been thinking, “Why has Nate not made any new posts”. Well dear readers, I recently made the mistake of buying an Xbox 360 have spend much of my free time on it. Below is my gamer card.

About 3 weeks ago I got around to bulding a new computer for myself. I have yet to post its specs… that is until now:

Update: See the new version of this post!

Want to piss off your friends? Here is my list of the top five keyboard shortcuts to use on people. (these will only work on Windows computers)

1) Ctrl+Alt+Down Arrow — This key-command will rotate your monitor 180 degrees, it can be very funny to watch someone go to login to a computer and find the screen facing the wrong direction. Unfortunately this will only work on computers with Intel graphics chipsets.

2) left ALT+left SHIFT+PRINT SCREEN — This shortcut will turn on the high contrast visibility setting on any given computer. This is a good way to confuse and piss of people.

3) Alt+F4 — This command is very well know and won’t always work, but if you can find a newbie doing something important having their program close on them can be very entertaining.

4) Windows Key+M — If Alt+F4 fails this command may still be able to do a similar job, instead of closing the active program this command minimizes all open programs.

5) Windows Key+ D then Alt+F4 then Enter — This can be very funny and get you seriously hurt, but it will do a good job of shutting down any version of windows.

Update: See the new version of this post!