Recent Comments:
Creative's ZEN X-Fi player with WiFi gets a lot more real {Engadget}
Jul 1st 2008 6:14PM I bought a Zen a week ago.
CREATIVE: who in the hell did your usability testing???
Just a few "bugs":
1. it won't turn on if plugged into a power source via the tiny USB port.
2. if it's running and you plug in power via the tiny USB the time & date are reset back to factory specs.
3. if you are playing (for instance) a book on tape there is no "Pause" capability.
4. if you are listening to a book on tape there might be 20 or 30 chapters involved. There is no reminder of what the last chapter you listened to.
5. I recorded a movie script I was memorizing. It was 3 files on my SD chip. Listening to the sequence was no problem. BUT when the last one finished why not have the big "OK" button do something intelligent? Such as: loop back to the first file. Instead it stops playing and I have to hit the tiny "One Step Back" button and then the "OK" button. Not very much fun in the middle of the night driving 55 miles per hour!
There are more gaffes in the usability design of the Zen but right now I have to leave.
Let me say, as a commercial photographer, I've put my portfolio on it and folks to whom I show my work are most impressed with the Zen.
BTW the purchase was a no brainer over Zune because the Zen had an SD slot.
Overall rating of my Creative Zen: 8 out of 10.
Terry Thomas...
the photographer
Atlanta, Georgia USA
http://TerryThomasPhotos.GooglePages.com
Creative's ZEN X-Fi player with WiFi gets a lot more real {Engadget}
Jul 1st 2008 6:03PM **********
Josh @ Jun 29th 2008 1:03PM
A really interesting concept.. a phone that doubles as a media player.. where have we seen that before..
**********
Josh: I have a Toshiba Pocket PC that's both a cell phone and MP3 player. And a real computer, too! Oh, and it has an SD slot so memory is unlimited.
Age? I got it used 3 years ago via eBay. So it must be 4 or 5 years old.
Nuttin' new...
Terry
Enclosed electric motorcycle is green and ghastly {Engadget}
Jun 22nd 2008 3:18PM What's not clear from the photo is how you get in/on it. Then out/off.
I agree with other posters. The inability to stick a leg out (if needed) to brace or support is a big mistake.
I wonder if any of these designer kids actually ever rode a motor scooter. Heck, what about a bicycle?
In my grade book they get an "F" for usability and safety.
Terry Thomas...
the photographer
Atlanta, Georgia USA
http://TerryThomasPhotos.GooglePages.com
Sony unveils 0.3mm thick OLED display {Engadget}
May 28th 2008 4:26PM But this past Monday night on "Andromeda Strain" they were using E-Paper.
Where is an article about that and when can I buy some at Office Depot?
Robosoft shows off Microsoft Robotics Studio-based service robot {Engadget}
May 28th 2008 4:23PM But, will it run Flight Simulator?
Nikon intros the Coolpix P80, encourages you to zoom {Engadget}
Apr 10th 2008 5:41AM Yes, while my Minonta DiMage A2 the EVF (Electronic Viewfinder) worked quite well. It was promoted as having VGA quality specs. As a Motion Picture Unit Still Photographer the A2 was a terrific camera on set - quiet and the EVF actually allowed accurate focus.
Check out my website and see if you can tell which were taken by the Minolta DiMage A2 or the Nikon D70 or scanned 35mm negatives.
Terry Thomas...
the photographer
Atlanta, Georgia
http://TerryThomasPhotos.GooglePages.com
Darwin meets PC gold-stripping alchemist, Darwin wins {Engadget}
Apr 4th 2008 12:26PM Anyone notice that the photograph of a computer which illustrates the article is incorrect?
Someone has flipped the image. The motherboard access panel is always on the left (as the user faces the computer).
Terry Thomas
President
PC Tech Support
Atlanta, Georgia USA
First manned flight using hydrogen battery doesn't cause rain, only tears {Engadget}
Apr 4th 2008 11:19AM I don't understand the "only tears" bit.
Terry
Microsoft Surface launching April 17th... with AT&T {Engadget}
Apr 3rd 2008 4:28PM AT&T? A leader in technology? HA!!!
I remember about 10 years ago or so when they had a tablet PC / Smart Phone heavily advertised. I took the time and trouble to find out which of their stores had it in Atlanta.
I used the word "it" correctly.
The AT&T Store had 1 (ONE) in stock and it was under lock and key. No one in the store knew anything about it - even though the company was spending millions of dollars nationally to promote the product.
In the years since I certainly hope that AT&T has gotten it's s*it together. And just because they bought Cingular doesn't mean they have.
Terry Thomas
President
PC Tech
Atlanta, Georgia USA
DIY head-tracker takes Wiimote hacking to dizzying new heights {Engadget}
Jan 3rd 2008 1:05AM Let's simplify the rig.
Get rid of the sensor bar and LED glasses altogether.
Instead put a IR source at the camera and put sticky reflector dots on your glasses. Or if you don't wear glasses go to a Dollar Store and get a pair of glasses which have "invisible rims". There is a piece of nylon holding the lens in place. Cut the nylon, the lens falls away and you are left with a pair of empty frames. Stick the IR reflective dots on the corners where the hinges are.
Note: I'll bet if the IR source is decently strong the reflective dots can be extremely small. Once again proving size isn't everything. :-)
Terry Thomas
President
PC Tech
Atlanta, Georgia
Patent Pending
(c) 2008 Terry Thomas
All Rights Reserved
Do Not Remove Tag Under Penalty of Law
