d MacSpot: August 2004

8.31.2004

The new iMac G5

Well, its here. The iMac G5. Apple has done it again. This iMac looks as good, or even better than the G4 model. It has great specs for an even better price than the G4 version. Apple is now giving us more computer for the money. If you haven't already watched the Paris Expo Webcast I recommend you do. If you only want to see the stuff about the iMac skip to the end of the video clip.

The iMac will sport a 1.6 or a 1.8 G5 chip. It will also come in a 17'' or 20" model. This is a great looking computer for a great price.

The best description of this new computer can be summed up in two words:

simplistic perfection

+MacMan






8.30.2004

500 Gmail Invites

Thats right!
On Friday September 3, 2004 at 5:00PST Kevin Rose will give away 500 Gmail invites on his site. This is a great oppournity for all of you non-Gmail users.

Don't miss out on this!

UPDATE:
As of 9.1.04 the Gmail giveaway count is up to 1750 invites. Because of this huge amount of invites and the fact that some people will not be able to make the time on this friday, Kevin has added a second give away day.

Event #1:

Friday September 3rd – 5:00PM PST
1,000 GMail Invites

Event #2:
Tuesday September 7th
Between 4:00-5:00PM PST (Live on The Screen Savers)
1,000+ GMail Invites

+MacMan

8.29.2004

FreeiPods.com

Some of you might be familiar with the site
www.freeipods.com

This site will send you a free iPod whenever you try out a service they provide and also get 5 friends to try it as well. I'm looking for some help finding 5 friends. If you are interested in helping I will be glad to give you a Gmail invite or something else to thank you.

My link is
http://www.freeiPods.com/default.aspx?referer=matt_batchelder@yahoo.com

Please use this link so I can call you as one of my referals.

Thanks
+MacMan

P.S. Check out the new link on the right hand side of the page. Some of my friends and I have started a gaming forum. We just posted it and would be happy if you gave it a look.

8.24.2004

Gmail Time

Ok people, here we go again. Google has bestowed apon me yet another Gmail invite. To recieve this invite I ask a few things,

1.Active participation in the Blog.
2.Help promoting the Blog (Linking MacSpot, ect)
3.Actually use the account, dont just get one to have one.

I'll be choosing the lucky winner soon so get started. If you are interested leave a comment. I need your First and last name, email address, and why you want the Gmail account.

Email me for questions/bribes
macspot@gmail.com

UPDATE: The invite has been given away. Check back later or look at the above post for another chance.

Good Luck to all!
+MacMan

8.17.2004

25 Free Digital Prints at Target

Hey,
Check out this deal.

25 Free Digital Prints at Target

This deal is pretty cool, but make sure you use it before it expires (8/22/04).

+MacMan

8.12.2004

Long Time No Post

Hey again,
Sorry I haven't been posting very often. My schedule just got tighter with school starting. I should have a new post comming up soon talking about using the Ken Burn's Effect in iMovie to make still pictures come to life. Keep an eye out for that.

I also want to welcome the new readers of MacSpot. I noticed that the counter has been busy lately and I love to see it. If you have any questions/comments feel free to post or email me at

macspot@gmail.com

Because I don' t want this post to go completly tech free get this. I just bought a new Sandisk Cruzer Mini 256mb for $35 (After $10 mail-in rebate and some instant savings) at CompUSA. I love it. ConMan has had one for a while and he loves his too. It is very handy and also looks a lot better than most of the other thumbdrives on the market. If you need or want a thumbdrive check out this one.

Also check out the new FireFox link on the side. If you don't already run FireFox or another form of Mozilla I strongly encourage you to switch. Why not, its free?

+MacMan

8.05.2004

Doom 3

"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science"
- Einstein

Doom 3 officially came out Aug. 4 for the PC and I of course rushed off to Best Buy after work to try and buy a copy. I was successful but it wasn't until today that I got a chance to play. The visuals in this game are amazing, easy the best I've seen. The music is awesome as well. Seems there are fewer weapons compared to games like UT 2k4 and I was alittle disappointed in the few types of multiplayer games (no CTF). I thought about what game to compare it to, to help describe it to a friend but I couldn't. It really isn't like CounterStrike, UT, FarCry, or Halo. It is an awesome game but so far (I am still in the beginning) it is pretty much going down one-way corridors and shooting stuff. I don't feel the skill demands compared to some of the above listed games. But still a great game, I suggest everyone buying it to try or playing on a friends or something. I paid $55 for mine, which is alittle high, so I suggest if you don't want to pay this just wait for it to go down.

On a more mac note, Doom 3 is being developed or converted for both the Mac and Linux but I haven't heard anything about when. Id Software seems to want to do a good job so isn't rushing this. It should also be out or coming out for the Xbox, I think.

8.04.2004

Peasant's Quest

WOW!!! I just finished playing a really fun game called Peasant's Quest. This game is great because it is not your average run-of-the-mill game. It is text-based with a graphical interface. To play the game you use commands such as get, ask, talk, use, and give. The object of the game is to kill Trogdor the dragon because he has burninated your cottage.

The game was made by Videletrix for HomeStarRunner. Homestar is a flash animation site. It is my favorite! The best part of the site are the Strong Bad Emails.(Strong Bad is a character on the site). Be sure to watch some emails before you play the game. This will give you a taste of what the site is like so you will enjoy the game that much more.

BE SURE TO WATCH THE EMAIL CALLED DRAGON! IT WILL MAKE THE GAME MAKE MORE SENSE!

Have fun playing this throw back game. Remember things aren't always as they appear. If you need help with the game or just have a general question leave a comment and I'll help you.

HINT: Try typing the word die in a non-critical part of the game.
HINT2: If you REALLY need help check out this walkthrough.

Happy Dragon Slaying
+Matt