barely fatal

Now there’s nothing to report this week really. I’ve started playing Gothic 3, but it’s too early to say anything. Just so much: graphics are pretty, the music’s awesome, combat system could still be improved, though.

I’ve also tried the Battlefield 2142 demo. I supressed the urge to totally “rant” it into the ground after my first session, and it was a good decision. Actually I had a pretty good time in a second run, and tomorrow I’ll have an extensive match with a bunch of friends. So too early for a detailed preview, too, but yes, it does feel a bit like a BF 2 future mod. But who would have guessed that, huh? As long as it’s fun, … can’t say if it’s gonna be worth the money. Perhaps. Perhaps not.

You know, I really wanted to buy a Microsoft Zune. I mean, it’s like an iPod, just with a bigger screen, cheaper – and with built-in Wi-Fi support.

Virtually since … for … EVER I wanted to have an iPod, because I hate downloading Podcasts with iTunes, copying them on my (tiny 256 meg) USB stick by hand, and then using the Media Player to listen to them. It’s so complicated. But I’ve always held back, because of the steep price, and the lack of wireless synchronisation.

Now, Microsoft announces the Zune, and I rejoice. Only to find out that you in fact can’t synch your PC using Wi-Fi. You can only share songs with other Zune users, and listen to them, DRM-infested, three times in three days before they miraculously disappear. What kind of feature is that?

Now I can hope they’ll add full wireless abilities in the next revision, or someone hacks the firmware. Before that, I’ll continue carrying around my puny USB thingy. Hail to the stick.

Do you like Vla? I luuuuuv Vla.

So I rented V For Vendetta this weekend, and I liked it. I especially liked that the ‘hero’ never took off his mask, not once. Way to go, V. While you can question V’s methods you cannot argue that his motives are … understandable. And although the story is kinda unrealistic, the whole Big Brother issue comes closer and closer to what the current, real world is aiming for, and that makes this movie worth thinking about. So yes, I liked it, I even liked Portman, but I don’t think it’s such a big deal. The genre needed a freshening up, and the movie delivers.

I’ll be in Manchester in Decembre, for a week; the EuroStar 2006 conference. It’s about software testing so probably not very exciting for anyone but those in the business. Anything worth seeing in Manchester?

I ordered a new hard drive, Hitachi this time. Now I’m waiting and hoping that my old one survives for a few more days.

*AAAAAARGHHH* (warcry of IT-desperation)

My hard drive (Samsung SP2504C) is on the brink of death. At least, that’s what SMART says, the Reallocation Sector Count is too high. That means I have too many bad sectors. This HDD is 6 months old, getting it RMA’ed is gonna take weeks, as usual. At least it’s still spinning as of now – and I have a backup system. But it still sucks. Now I have to buy a replacement drive, copy the disc, then send it in and wait. And then I’ll have an extra disk I don’t actually need. That’s just great. 80 bucks and many hours of my rare free time.

Actually I wanted to write about Gothic 3 this week. But now I’m pissed. Maybe tomorrow. Good night everyone, I’ll go to bed. No more Samsung.