Author: GEEK
NEW! CraftBook.net!
New and still in development for the kids… CraftBook! this is a Facebook like site i created for the kids so they can get online with their friends and talk about Minecraft. Share ideas, worlds and Pictures without any of the drama or threats of Facebook.
Summer is over but I want a pool!
If you are in upstate New York then you know summer is over. Fall is in the air and our shorts are packed away. But these pools make you want summer heat to return.
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Steve Ballmer’s Tearful, ‘Dirty Dancing’ Goodbye to Microsoft
PCMag.com
Saturday, September 28, 2013 8:41 PM GMT
It’s hardly breaking news anymore that Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer will be officially exiting his role as Microsoft’s top dog — and proselytizer — in roughly 12 months or so, give or take however long Microsoft’s board spends on the incoming CEO search.
And while we can certainly spend plenty of time speculating the big secret — who might replace Ballmer — the other slight mystery as of late is how Ballmer handled one of his latest “official” goodbyes of-sorts. We’re referring to his appearance at the recent Microsoft employee meeting: his last, big romp in front of the assembled Microsoft masses as the company’s CEO.
Ballmer, known for his love of the flair (and dancing), didn’t disappoint. Videos posted to YouTube of the final bits of Ballmer’s hour-long speech show his triumphant exit, accompanied to the tune of “I Had the Time of My Life” from Dirty Dancing.
“My last song is one I’ve always wanted to use, but it was always deemed inappropriate – it’s a great song,” Ballmer exclaimed. “And I wanted to pick a song that was exactly perfect. A song that let me say thank you, a song that looked back retrospectively, and a song that celebrated the future. From one of my favorite movies, one of my favorite songs, and I think it has all that in it.”
The outgoing CEO – in both senses of the word – then spent the next good chunk of time clapping around the stage, hugging and high-fiving Microsoft employees, and trying to keep composure in an obviously emotional moment for a man who, previously, had been yelling at attendees to “soak it in” and describing Microsoft, quite simply, as “the greatest company in the world.”
“This isn’t about any one person, it is about the company, it is about a company that is important, that’s forward thinking, that’s innovative, that’s ethical, that hires great people and lets them lead great lives, that helps people around the world realize their potential,” Ballmer said.
“Microsoft’s like a fourth child to me. Children do leave the house. In this case, I guess I’m leaving the house,” he added.
As for who might be coming into the house following Ballmer’s official exit, speculation has been turned to former Nokia CEO (and now Microsoft executive vice president) as a likely top candidate. However, Ford CEO Alan Mulally has recently had his name jump onto the list of potential contenders, as it’s alleged that some of Microsoft’s “top 20” investors are backing Mulally as a result of the “turnaround expertise” he’s showcased while leading the American car manufacturer.
http://www.appy-geek.com/Web/ArticleWeb.aspx?regionid=1&articleid=13572866
PlayStation Vita 2000
Source: Engadet
To augment the new Vita’s built-in storage, Sony’s cut the prices of its own memory cards too. From 4GB to 32GB, they’ve been reduced to between 1,554 yen (about $15) and 6,804 yen (just over $68). There’s a new 64GB Vita card too, priced at 10,479 yen (roughly $105).
As for that original OLED model PS Vita, it’s getting a new ‘Play!’ Game Pack, which comes with pre-installed games and a memory card packed in — as well as 90 days of PS Plus, gratis. There’s no launch date as yet for this bundle, but it’s priced for Japan at 24,129 yen (about $241). The company says that it’ll ultimately discontinue the OLED WiFi model, but that the 3G/WiFi OLED version will continue to be available and will find its way into similar discount bundles in the future — make of that what you will. Sony’s press conference continues, but we’re hoping to get to test the device later on. Wish us luck.
Mini MAC on Raspberry Pi
Source: Engadget
Apple may please fans of diminutive hardware with the Mac Mini, but John Leake of the RetroMacCast has created something that can satisfy fans of miniature and classic hardware: a tiny replica of the original Macintosh. The aptly-dubbed Mini Mac sits at 1/3 the size of the original, is crafted from a PVC board and crams a Raspberry Pi inside. In order for the board to fit however, Leake had to solder wires instead of relying on connectors, trim the SD card and snip part of the USB cable. When it comes to visuals, the box packs a 3.5-inch display, which receives 512 x 384 output from the Pi. As for connectivity, the package supports a wireless keyboards and mice via Bluetooth, plus it exposes two USB ports, an HDMI slot and an ethernet jack. Not only does this slice of the 1980s have the looks to match the era, but it also features some of the old-fashioned functionality. Sure, floppies won’t fit into its faux drive slot, but it runs System 6 via the open source Mini vMac emulator. Head past the break to catch a video of the model or visit the source for build shots.