CrossMediaBar XMB

CrossMediaBar XMB - a Graphical User Interface (GUI) developed by Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE).


The interface is used on Playstation Portable (PSP), Playstation 3 (PS3), Sony's Blu Ray Players and some of the Bravia TV's. In addition, Sony has also added the XMB to its latest range of VAIO laptops.


It is the most easiest and user friendly that I have used. It is self explanatory icons spread horizontally across the screen, selecting icons reveals several options vertically above and below the selected icon thus, forming a cross.

Navigation is very simple any device that uses this kind of interface has an up, down, left and right arrow keys into it such as the 4 way Directional pad or D-pad on Playstation Portable and Playstation 3. As for Blu Ray players and Bravia TV's a D-pad looking button is visible on a remote.

Did you know that?

The interface won the Technology & Engineering Emmy Award for "Outstanding Innovation and Achievement in Advanced Media Technology for the Best Use of Personal Media Display and Presentation Technology" in 2006.

Click here for a web based user guide for PS3's XMB

Windows 7 : Expiration

My copy of Windows7 Ultimate beta build 7000 have expired and I have followed it since the start of countdown until expiration. Sorry for the crappy pictures.

The nagging of pop-up message started from 15 days daily countdown to 10 hours hourly countdown until hour reached zero. Too bad this is the only time I took a picture.


After hour reached zero and about approximately 2 hours of continued usage I got a BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) END_OF_NT_EVALUATION_PERIOD so I guess this was the end of it. but when I restarted my computer out of curiosity and "what if's" I was amazed my copy of Windows7 booted-up and still working.


However, the nagging will never end along with the BSOD within 2 hours of usage.




So this is it! I think I will reformat my computer and temporarily install WindowsXP until Windows7 will be commercially available.

My simple preview on Windows7 click here

Battlefield Heroes

Battlefield Heroes - is a cartoon-style action first/third person shooter game developed by EA Digital Illusions CE or DICE for short.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

Operating system: Windows XP or Windows Vista
CPU: Intel Pentium 4/AMD Athlon 1.0 GHz
RAM: 512 MB (1Gb on Windows Vista)
Video Card: 64MB DirectX compliant video card, Pixel shader 2.0 and above. (AGP and PCIe only)
Sound Card: DirectX 9.0c compatible
Hard Drive space: 1Gb of space is required to install the game
Internet connection: 256kbit Cable/DSL connection

UPDATE:
This is a good game. However, I got kicked-out frequently from the server due to "ping too high" or "server is full" error.

WarRock

Fast-paced, adrenaline-pumping online shooter at its best!

War Rock allows players to experience the thrill of modern day warfare with up to 32 players online. Players have access to some of the most technologically advanced vehicles and weapons systems currently available. The Jindo 3D game engine brings the action to life with its patented physics engine which can display the most realistic special effects and animation. Players can operate vehicles like the Humvee, motorcycles, tanks, jet planes, boats, and many more. Through the Play Now system, users can play anytime they want. Users can choose and play with more than 20 different vehicles manufactured in various countries that are even upgradeable during battle. Source: WarRock.ph


This realistic online FPS (First Person Shooter) game is highly addictive wherein it features land, air, and sea combat which adds fun factor into it. The graphics are not that great but are acceptable. And best of all its FREE. However, items are available for purchase at the Item Shop to completely take the game to a whole new level.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Requirements:
OS: Windows ME/2000/XP
CPU: P3~800MHz
RAM: 512MB
HDD: 900MB
Graphics Card: Radeon 8500LE/Geforce MX400
DirectX: 9.0c

Recommended Specification:
OS: Windows 2000/XP
CPU: p4~2.0GHz+
RAM: 512MB or more
HDD: 900MB
Graphics Card: FX5700/ATI 9200 or better
DirectX: 9.0c or better

Taito Type X2

In case we don't know. The arcade machine that runs Street Fighter 4, resembles to a PC called Taito Type X2.

Taito Type X2 - is a system board, which pursues the advance architecture for Next-Generation arcade game.

Basic Specification

Chipset: Intel Q965 + ICH8 FSB 1066MHz
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.13GHz | Pentuim 4 3.4GHz | Celeron D 3.2GHz

Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Embedded
Memory: 512Mb (256Mb x 2)

Video Card: PCI Express x16-based graphics. Support cards include ATI RADEON X1600Pro/X1300LE or nVIDIA GeForce 7900GS／7600GS／7300GS, up to the latest and fastest graphic cards to date.

Sound: HD audio 7.1 Channel
HDD: 80GB (S-ATA2)
Power: 250w or 400w

More sources : Wikipedia