Bitcoins and Hats

So, I've gotten into the "fad" that is Bitcoin, the virtual P2P currency that seems to be an interesting exercise in time-wasting. None of my computers are sufficiently powerful to mine these Bitcoins at a rate that gets me anywhere, but that doesn't really stop me from trying, I suppose. With that said, those who have a reasonable amount of these digital spending tokens are more than welcome to donate to the following address:


1AaDLa5NjXuXXsBVC7VUfgWcNNiRsxycHX

And, for those of you who would like to see something in return, I will make the following offer. Back when the Orange Box was released, I bought it for two reasons: One, Half Life 2: Episode 2, and two, Portal, which I was already aware was an excellent game as soon as I had heard about it. Of course, I got the added bonus of Team Fortress 2, which I played and enjoyed for quite some time. However, I no longer have much of an interest in TF2, and have a large stock of random weapons, items and a few virtual hats.  Those active players who would be interested may contact me for trading purposes. I will accept any reasonable offers, both via PayPal, and the aforementioned Bitcoin transactions. My Steam ID is MtnDrew[FuG]. I may just decide to give some of the stuff I have away via the Steam trading functionality, as you can now trade for things other than in-game items.

Those of you wondering why I'm pushing for donations and trading digital goods should be aware that I'm doing it solely to finance a better graphics card. Sure, the GeForce2 MX 200 I mentioned in my previous posts is acceptable, but I would much rather have a Radeon HD 4650 or comparable, as it would be the most powerful AGP graphics option available, at this time. In order to afford this item, I would need between $50 and $75, or approximately 15 - 25 BTC, based on current exchange rates. Those who help me reach this goal will be thanked profusely, and honored with a very special video update on my YouTube channel.


EDIT: While I am still in the market for a more powerful graphics card, I have decided that I will leave it up to my own efforts to make that happen. I just can't take comfort in the knowledge that other people's hard-earned money would go to purchase something for my entertainment, when there are so many other, much more noble, causes that it could go toward. So, by all means, disregard any statements made with respect to donations or trading digital goods for cash money. While it seemed like a good idea when I first made this post, I realize that it means much more to find my own way to get what I want.

Thanks,

Drew AKA redrew89 AKA MtnDrew

Revising my Previous Statements

After running a few tests, I found that Fraps does indeed give me a half-watchable video when recording Minecraft on my less-than-impressive computer. Judge for yourself:

Updates, Upgrades and a Puny Video Card

As those of you who have read between the lines of my previous posts may infer, my computer's video graphics card recently suffered a catastrophic failure. My venerable GeForce 6200 AGP finally bit the dust, and I was rather saddened, as I knew that the integrated VIA/S3 UniChrome VGA graphics provided by my motherboard would not cut the mustard with any application that requires 3D acceleration. This meant that I was stuck in a world without Minecraft. Quite frustrating, as I knew that my Youtube subscribers were going to be stuck without content for a while, especially as I had just launched my Let's Play series (With actual gameplay, mind you!).

As luck would have it, a good friend of mine had some spare AGP cards floating around. He didn't need them, and was gracious enough to let me pick through what he had and decide if I could use any of them. The first card I selected was a GeForce FX 5500, which is a solid GPU, only one generation behind my old card. It had the same amount of VRAM, and I imagined that with it I would be able to get back business. However, I noticed that one of the capacitors on the card was bulged and leaking, and the card would not display anything, even during POST. So, the only other functioning AGP card with 3D support was a GeForce2 MX 200. Over 10 years old, this card was not my first choice when it came to graphical performance, but I figured anything would be better than nothing, right? So, I brought it home, installed it and set everything up. The verdict?

Success! Minecraft actually runs, albeit between 10 and 15 frames per second. Certainly not glamorous, but playable. I have to admit that I was impressed. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I can say that I was almost afraid that Minecraft would peak at 5FPS, and tank every time a sheep walked past. Special thanks to the guys who make Optifine, or else I might have had that issue.
 
With the bottleneck suddenly shifted from CPU to GPU, I know well that Fraps wouldn't provide me with acceptable performance when recording. So, unfortunately, my Let's Play, and any other Minecraft video content will continue to be on hiatus until I can figure something else out. However, there is another bonus I almost forgot to mention. The friend that gave me my glorious little GPU also offered me something else that I just couldn't refuse. A Hauppage WinTV TV-tuner card. Those who don't quite grasp what that is, let me explain: It's an add on for my computer that allows me to watch and record video from analog and digital TV sources. Meaning, I can now connect a VCR, DVD player, Sega Genesis, N64, Xbox/360, PS1/2/3 or any other device that normally would connect to a TV produced in the past 10 years (With the only exception being HDMI devices, but that's what adapters are for.). Retail, this device would cost at least $50, but my friend was kind and generous enough to let me walk out the door with it for absolutely nothing. Words cannot express my excitement. So, once I have it configured, don't be surprised to see me making some classic console-game videos. Gotta do something, right?

I've also taken the opportunity, since I had to reformat my computer anyway, to revisit an old friend. Ubuntu Linux has been a favorite piece of software since I was introduced to it in 2005. While I hadn't used it for nearly two years, I decided that I would take a look at the most recent release, 11.10. I have to say, I'm quite impressed with the way Ubuntu has evolved over the years. While I'm not sure about all of the particulars, it seems that GNOME, the desktop environment I was used to in previous releases, has been replaced/modified/mutated by a slick new interface known as Unity. Taking design cues from both Windows 7 and Mac OS X, Ubuntu 11.10 is stable, fast, and easy to use, even if you have never tried free software before. So, here's a tip, go to www.ubuntu.org and download the latest release, and burn the ISO to a CD, or you can use the Universal USB Installer from www.pendrivelinux.org to "burn" the image to a USB thumb drive. The great thing about Ubuntu is that you can boot from the CD or USB without installing anything on your hard drive. You can test out the new interface, browse the wide variety of tools and applications found both pre-installed and in the Ubuntu Software Center, and make sure all of your hardware and devices are working properly, before you decide to take the plunge and install Ubuntu as a dual-boot option.

So, that's what's going on in my weird little world. Please, feel free to visit again sometime soon! :)

Review: Flash Gaming is still cool.

While I have been sent back to Integrated Graphics Hell, I decided to get back into Flash gaming. I came across a game on Kongregate.com.

Title: Swords and Potions
Developer: Edgebee Studios

This title is much like other item-shop variations, with a unique interplay of management skills. You can hire up to four craftsmen, each of them able to produce different items. As you work with these employees, they gain skills, and can research new recipes to unlock new items. This adds a complexity in trying to keep a stock of hot items, and being able to have the next hot item ready. There are also higher level items, involving two or more craftsmen working together. So this also adds an atmosphere of teamwork to the game.


With the Holiday Spirit upon us, Edgebee and Kongregate have teamed up to produce a Global Event within the game. By crafting a gift item, you can donate it to help Kongregate raise as much as $10,000 to Child's Play. You can also give this item to friends and neighbors in-game.

The game is fast-paced and dynamic, with markets changing based on other players in your neighborhood, who might have items in stock that you don't. To give yourself an edge, you can have the opportunity to hire thugs that will spy, vandalize, and do other dirty work for you. They also provide defensive benefits, which can aid in preventing thieves from stealing your goods. There are also adventurers who will share loot with you for helping them in quests, and special offers for recipes and other items. The game adjusts to how you treat your customers, forcing you to haggle wisely, and make suggestions when you think you can get away with it.


For someone who never really "got" the item shop genre, I can say that Swords and Potions is a unique way to dip my toes into the water. The game's audio and visual design are fairly solid, with a good tutorial dialog to familiarize yourself with all of the game's mechanics. The gameplay is intense and competitive, and makes for a decent experience. 4/5

Apologies and Excuses

Sorry for the lack of content, folks. It seems that whenever I create a blog, I always find that my life gets severely hectic. My computer is in a sad state, which leaves me with lacking means to even play Minecraft, let alone make any more YouTube videos, until I can afford a new graphics card.

However, without as much new technology to distract me, I've learned a thing or two about cars in the past few days. Mostly about the exhaust system, because mine is falling apart. Of course, this is my means of conveyance we're talking about, so I can't let it go too long. I just crawled out from underneath my car, after using a few pieces of wire coat-hanger to tie the muffler and straight pipe back up so it won't drag on uneven roads. :<

Long story short, I have many things to take care of, so it may be a very boring thing waiting for me to update my YouTube channel, or this blog. However, don't despair. I will return someday soon. Until that day, take care, ladies and gentlemen.

Indeed, it is a blog.

Greetings fellow internet-goers, it is I, Drew aka redrew89. What I'm attempting to do is create a blog. This blog will be a central hub through which I will make available all things that I find interesting. It will also be a the best place to find updates for my YouTube channel, as well as other shit that I like. At the moment, here isn't much here, but you can always check back later and see what's happening.