Warning, tech talk to follow:

So I was having a few more issues w/ my cable modem connection. I was wondering if there was a way to speed things up because the connection seemed a little slow. I found out there is someone looking at the situation because it's a multi-city wide thing. And it's not really an issue anyway.

Anyway, when looking at how to possibly make the connection faster, I found out about cable modem settings, and what the optimum should be. Each modem has a certain IP you can access in a browser to find out it's info (if you have a Motorola Surfboard modem you can check it by going to http://192.168.100.1). This shows you what the modems settings currently are.

The first thing I found out is I wanted a downstream power level between -12 and +12. Anything below -15 or above +15 will give you quality issues. I had -16. Obviously not good.

The second thing was downstream signal to noise ratio (SNR). The higher the number over 30 the better. I had it at 31.

Then there was the upstream power. The lower the number from 55, the better. Mine was at 51.

So it was ok, but the downstream power really had me worried. I was using a splitter, which I have to use in order to watch cable tv in the loft at the same time as having a net connection. Using a splitter drops -3.5 from the power. It's unfortunately a neccesary evil.

I was also using a thinner coax cable to hide it better. This ran about 30 feet to my desk. Two problems here. One, the longer the cable, the weaker the signal gets, and the less power you end up having. Every 100 feet, I end up losing -5.6 power. Also, as I found out, the cable itself, because it was thinner, gave a weaker signal. When attaching a longer thicker coax, I gained about 5 in power!

But I hated having that big, ugly, hard to bend coax running 30 feet. So what I did was got a shorter coax cable, and bought a longer Cat5 cable to my computer. This not only shortened the span, but also boosted the power in return since I didn't have to run a longer cable.

Thus now I'm getting -9 in downstream power (up from -16), 36 in SNR (up from 31) and upstream power is 42 (down from 51 which is better).

All in all I'm pretty happy w/ the results. My connection should be much more reliable!

Cable Internet in da HOUSE!!! Finally have a net connection at home now. Took a while to sort through shit as Comcast can't write decent documentation worth shit, and actually make you run through this stupid "install" program to set everything up. All I really wanted was the info to put in the preferences for Mail and TCP. But no, had to do some stupid setup app. Then I needed to enter some account # and registration code that was apparently on my work order. But nope! Not on there. So in the end I had to call Comcast to get that. But after that shit, it's all up and good. I'm just waiting for my router which should be here this week and then we can get Annette up on the home network (along w/ my other computers). That will be nice.

Annette's been thinking of getting a new PC recently. I spec'd a Dell online for $459, with a 2Ghz P4. That's a pretty nice fuckin deal. I know all the parts in it must be generic crap, but for her, I think it'd be nice, and it's in her price range, so perhaps she'll go for it.

I also got my new headphones today. They're pretty nice, very comfy, and for only $20, super inexpensive. I'm pretty happy with that. Now I can play my games or watch TV and not interrupt Annette downstairs watching her TV (or sleeping). I'm completely out of my old apt now, so all my shit is finally over here. Things are getting organized bit by bit. By next week I should be all situated, and it should be less of a mess here. I'll be sure to post some pics once that happens.

I called Comcast last night, and I'll be getting a cable connection at home on Sunday. I'm pretty excited about that. My Netgear router also got shipped today from Amazon, so once I get that, networking the house should be easy.

I also was able to get an order in for a new computer here at work. I'm getting a Mac G4, Dual 1.25Ghz, 80GB HD, 768MB RAM, ATI Radeon 9000. Also I'll be getting a Samsung 19" LCD, which is great cuz it's the one I want to get when I get a new Mac at home so I can see how nice it really is. I'll be able to do the dual LCD display thing as well now, which will be great. I'm pretty excited. We just got a Dual 1.42Ghz G4 here yesterday and I tried it out, and shit that thing is fast! Then again anything is faster than this shitty 400Mhz G4 I have now.

Been playing some more Zelda as I get the chance too, and it's pretty good. There are some moments where I feel like it's gaming bliss, and others where I feel like things are a chore. The hardest part is not knowing what to do. I spent a while in the second area trying to figure out wtf I was supposed to do. After a while I figured it out, but I hate shit like that. Not that I want things to be obvious, but it's frustrating when someone tells you to do something and you have no friggen clue at all where to go. I guess I just wasn't paying attention enough.

Assuming I get my cable hooked up properly on Sunday I should be able to make some more posts. And maybe I can actually finish getting all the MAME ROMs I have fixed up as well. The weekend should be busy. I still need to clean my old apt and grab some more shit out of it, and basically "move out" officially this weekend. I'd also like to get things all organized once and for all in our new place. So a hectic weekend ahead, but I'm glad. I need a break from work.

Sweet, it looks like we have some extra State money here at the Walker that we need to use up before June or we lose it. Thus I get my pick of any new hardware I need, and it seems I can choose just about anything. Of course I'm going for the fastest Mac I can get, as well as dual flat panel displays. Hopefully that pans out.

Also ordered some new headphones today. I found a $70 pair of Aiwa cans on clearance for $20! Can't go wrong w/ that, especially since the pair of Aiwa's I have now are much shittier than the ones I just ordered and cost me 50% more!

I indeed got Zelda last night and am about an hour or so into it. The graphics are amazing first of all. The style of it is great, and I can't see how anyone could have thought this new style was bad. In a way it seems more like Zelda than any of the others. The visuals on the faces and the body reactions to things is just incredible. That's one thing that really stands out to me, everything seems so much more alive in this game. It's quite the sight to see.

One thing that was weird in it though is that if you look off to the distance things blur just a tad, just like they do in real life. Since I'm used to seeing everything in the distance being perfectly sharp in every other game this threw me for a loop, but I've since gotten used to it.

Also, the first dungeon I went through I didn't think was that well designed. Sure there were some good puzzles, but compared to the begining of the game, where the next move made sense if you were able to put 2 and 2 together, in the first dungeon, it was a little harder to figure out what needed to be done. After trial and error I did however. Still, the first hour of this is MUCH better than the first hour of Ocarina of Time which was just confusing as all hell.

Anyway, if you own a GC, do yourself a favor and grab it. You won't be dissapointed.

Only one more hour until I get Zelda! Muahahaha! And it's a good thing too, since I have no net connection at home, it will pass the time. I gotta call and get that shit hooked up. Of course, I have about 20 other things to do in the meantime (clean the old apt, take back the cable box, call the electric company, etc).

I also went through all my MAME ROMs last night. Since the Mac version of MAME hasn't been updated in the last 6 releases, I had a lot of auditing of ROMs to do. Looks like I have a ton of corrupt or missing ROMs. Oh well. I can't do much about those until I get cable. Oh, and my mouse broke last night too!! I guess I'll need to stop at Microcenter tonight and get me a new one. All this is going to take time away from my precious Zelda! AHHHH!!!

Finally moved into Annette's place. The move went well, and surprisingly I'm not very stiff at all, and had a lot of energy. Still trying to situate everything in the house, but so far it's going well. There's not much to do now except little things, mostly trying to find a spot for all the little stuff. Shouldn't be long now until everything is situated and it really feels like home.

Well, time to unhook the net connection at home. Won't have any interent access until work on Monday. Not sure how long we'll go before we get cable at 'Net's house, but hopefully it's soon. Everyone have a good weekend!

I was going to post something about the opinions people have on the war, both pro and con, but I'm not going to. Instead I will just say that none of us live in Iraq, none of us have had to go through what these people are going through, and very few of us have been through a war (as an attacker or an attackee).

It's easy to sit in our comfy chairs in a place that we can shout whatever we want and think we know everything. But we don't. The people of Iraq are the only ones who really know what's going on, and how it affects them. I think people should think more about how far removed they are from all of this, how they really don't, can't, understand this. Perhaps this would lead to a lot less bickering, fighting and mud slinging over here.

Yay! After almost a year of waiting, the new MacMAME is out! I guess I better download it tonight so I have something to do w/out internet access on my computer for a while. I also guess this will be the last OS9 version, so hopefully it's good.

One last night with web access at home. I'm somewhat looking forward to not having it for a while, so I can spend some extra time with Annette. The big move is on Saturday into her house, and I'm pretty excited.

Most of the last two days have been spent watching war coverage. While it's mostly been the same stuff over and over, tonight's broadcast on CNN has been pretty interesting, since they have a web phone traveling live with the frontmost troops. Fox has a similar setup with the much larger group of troups behind them. There were even shots of Iraqi soldiers putting up barbed wire on roads.

With much less actually happening, and fewer talking heads to interrupt the broadcasts, I thought tonight's news was actually good for a change. Seeing what's going on live is simply amazing. Hell I even heard a rational discussion about the events on ABC news.

I still hope that this is quick and that there isn't much distruction. At this point, I'm behind the troops, but I'm cautiously optimistic. If things keep going like they are, I will feel a lot better about things. If they turn worse, and things get bloody, I don't think I can support what is going on. Though, at that point, I don't know if America will either, especially with all the camera's and viewpoints we are seeing.

What happens after the war is another thing. So far the promise has been to turn the country over to the people to do something better, and I hope that's the case. Even if the people decide they don't want a democracy, I hope the US stays out of it and honors their wishes. I think it's the only way to ensure stability once Saddam is gone.

I found this web journal from an Iraqi in Baghdad. Reading it almost makes me feel like I'm there, it's rather surreal. It also makes me feel sorry for the people over there having to prepare for this, and brings some real insight into the situation, beyond just the crap we see on the over dramatic US news. I really hope the military is really smart about how they go about this, though I tend to have my doubts. Anytime now, we'll see how it really pans out.

Just got a call from Gamestop, and they're getting Zelda in on Monday. Which means I get to pick up it up a day early! Woohoo!

I was just watching the British House of Commons Debate on War with Iraq, which is where Tony Blair spoke yesterday. I really like the way the British Parlament is set up. Everyone is squeezed into this one little room, people cheer and jeer, and anyone can inturrupt the speaker at any time to bring up counter points, agreements, etc, which the speaker can then comment on. It's much more refreshing than when the President speaks and everyone just stands up and claps every 30 seconds at anything he says.

I also think I've learned more in the half hour I've been watching Blair speak than in the last six months of hearing Bush speak (or anyone else on the news for that matter). Blair is a great orator, and quite quick witted with his responses. I can only imagine Bush in this forum. He wouldn't survive 2 minutes.

You can also tell Blair is passionate about his convictions in this matter. Here you have half of his party booing him, yet he lays out rather well why he thinks what he does. He does it with a way in which you know he's done his homework because he's not stating everything matter-of-factly, but rather does bring in the opposing side's arguments, but then asks some hard quesitons about them for others to chew on. Again, very refreshing from Bush's hard line, over dramatic approach to everything.

While I still don't think a war is neccesarily needed, I can understand better now why people like Blair feel the way they do about the situation, which up until now just didn't make sense to me. I think there's a better way than using force, but I don't know what that better way is. Still, I feel better informed now, and can see the pros and cons of both sides of the arguement. And that's probably a good thing.

Blake's 7 on DVD! Man, I hope this comes out in America. Fuckin region restrictions.

Annette and I went to see our friend Mike tonight, who we don't see nearly enough. It was fun. Mike's about the only person I can seriously talk about web artish stuff with and not roll my eyes. Perhaps that's cuz I'm not totally into art stuff, but a lot of people are...way too much.

Anyway, I see we're going to war in 48 hours. Like there was any doubt it would happen. I just have one question. Um, why are we going to war again? I dunno, it just seems to me this just all came out of nowhere in the past few months. I guess I also don't like the idea of a "pre-emptive" strike. It's so...bullying. Yeah it would suck if something happened and Saddam did something bad in the future, but shit, at least then you have a reason to go over there and bomb the place.

I dunno, it's kinda weird. If you look at the Roman empire, I'm starting to believe the US is becoming like it. Too much influence, getting their nose in too much stuff, and we all know what happened to the Romans.

Then again I probably have no idea what I'm talking about. ;)

Yeah! A new F-Zero movie! It's a lot shorter than the first, but looks great. Damn I can't wait to play this game.

One cool thing about spring, all the fancy ass sports cars come out to drive around. Though I think some of these people are crazy. Sure it's in the 50's, and "warm", but taking out the convertable Jag for a spin is a bit much. Hopefully this will mean less Hummers on the road, those things are *so* damn huge, and they're EVERYWHERE!

Speaking of, has anyone seen one of those yellow Hummers? I swear, everytime I see them I think it looks like someone is driving a short school bus. I mean, a really short bus. All it needs is a flip out stop sign on the side and a "This vehicle stops at all railroad crossings" bumper sticker on the back and it'd be all set. I wonder if thier drivers ever even noticed it looked like that. Somehow I doubt they would have spent $70k on the thing if they knew it looked like they were driving a school bus around all day.

Which brings me to another thing. Why the hell would you need a Hummer in the city? Have potholes become that bad? And parking that thing...my god the parking!! You can't fit those things anywhere. It's like all screwed up. Dudes in the country should be buying Hummers to go off-roading and hauling shit out of the woods, and people in the city should be buying Mini Cooper's so we can actually *fit* into parking spots because Mr. Suburbia with his huge SUV can't fuckin park straight.

But I digress... ;)

My site's taking a while to get done, and I'd really like to get it done before I lose my cable connection in a few days, but I'm sorta pooped out on it. I'm probably about 75% done with it, but it's that last 25% that is taking a bit. So we'll see where it goes from here.

Woohoo! I just read that Skies of Arcadia 2 is in the planning stages right now! I hope this actually goes through and is developed, and that it's on the Cube. Man, I can't wait for this one. Though I'm sure I'll have to wait something like 2 years before it comes out here.

I really think I should go into the business of making MAME cabs when I finish mine. Again today I've had someone ask me if I can build one for them. Of course since I'm not done w/ mine yet the answer is a quick "no", but I've had several people ask me about such things since I've started my little project.

Ok, ok, perhaps I should finish my own project before I get any big headed ideas. Back to work I go...

Netter sent me one of those emails where you reply and answer the questions to learn more stuff about each other. I've seen better ones, but I thought I'd post it and let others add their own answers if they like to the comments field.

1. LAST MOVIE YOU SAW IN A THEATER? Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

2. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Not actually reading a book now, but just finished "Is it Worth Dying For?"

3. FAVORITE BOARD GAME? Risk

4. FAVORITE MAGAZINE? It used to be Next-Generation back in the day, but now it's probably Nintendo Power.

5. FAVORITE SMELLS? Spring when it's muddy out, and big forests.

6. COMFORT FOOD(S)? Beer?

7. FAVORITE SOUNDS? The sound of silence, the sounds of nature.

8. WORST FEELING IN THE WORLD? Dreading having to do something you don't want to do.

9. YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING? And either hop in the shower (weekday) or hop online (weekend).

10. FAVORITE FAST FOOD PLACE? Burger King

11. FUTURE CHILD'S NAME? God I dunno.

12. WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN LIFE? Happiness.

13. DO YOU DRIVE FAST? Nope. Life's not a race.

14. DO YOU SLEEP WITH A STUFFED ANIMAL? No, but sometimes it sounds like I'm sleeping w/ an animal if Annette is snoring. :P

15. STORMS...COOL OR SCARY? Way cool. How can you be scared of storms?

16. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST VEHICLE? 1986 Chevy Blazer.

17. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COLOR? White

18. IF YOU COULD LIVE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, WHERE WOULD IT BE? Usually I say Fiji, but really probably back home in Door County.

19. DO YOU EAT THE STEMS OF BROCCOLI? Of course.

20. IF YOU COULD DYE YOUR HAIR ANY COLOR, WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE? Well, I probably wouldn't, but if I had to, probably black or something.

21. GLASS-HALF EMPTY OR HALF FULL? Usually neither. I usually say "a half a glass of water". I guess I'm indifferent. ;)

22. WHAT WOULD BE YOUR IDEAL "JOB" IN YOUR GOLDEN YEARS? To not work and live off the interest of my huge bank roll. :D

23. HOW MANY DIFFERENT CITIES/TOWNS HAVE YOU LIVED IN? Sturgeon Bay, WI / St. Peter, MN / DePere, WI / St. Louis Park, MN / Plymouth, MN / Minneapolis, MN

24. FAVORITE PLACE TO RELAX? In Door County, or my parents cabin.

25. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? NFL Football

26. WHAT IS UNDER YOUR BED? The floor

27. SAY ONE NICE THING ABOUT THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS: I <3 Nettie.

It's only been a couple days on LJ for me, but I like it so far. I like it because most of these sites are actual journals. Just people telling what's happened in their lives, etc. I also like it for myself because it's pretty annonymous. I've always wanted to share my thoughts in a place where people didn't already know me, or the people who did were people who actually *do* know me. On my other websites, I can't do that. There are just way too many people who go to them, and I don't need everyone knowing my personal details. So I figure this is somewhat safe.

But back to the journal thing. I've always had a journal online in some form, dating back to 98. As time went on, online diaries became "web logs", and as most people now know, they're pretty much the norm on personal sites.

But I've always had a distaste for weblogs. They seem so...impersonal. Since I've been reading a few journals on LJ and also reading some old blogs I visit, it just solidifies this fact in my mind. Weblogs are supposed to "log the web". So a news story comes out and someone links to it, with a little reply to whatever article it is. I guess this is all fine and good, but it gives me no insight into the person's life. How do you feel today? What did you do? Got a good story to tell about work? Nope, I don't hear much of that.

Even when someone with a blog posts something "personal" like about a trip they took, they always talk like they're trying to teach you something. In fact, that's a lot of what blogs seem like to me. "Hey, here's some information you didn't know, don't you feel smarter now from visiting my site? Aren't I a genius for coming up with this witty comment about this article I found?" It's a lot of fluff and no personality.

Anyway, maybe I just read the wrong sites. I mean, the downside of journaling is that they're sometimes boring if you don't know the person. But if you do they're great. And I guess I can be accused of blogging as well. Hell, my old school journal in 98 basically turned into a blog. It's hard to not think in that frame of mind when you've been doing it for so long, and so worried that all these people are going to find out all this shit about you if you write personal crap. So, I'm going to try to do more of what I have done in the past. I don't really have anyone to hide from now.

Sweet, I just found out the stats for my site actually go back many years. It seems I just have to type the URL for past months into the browser. All this time I thought it only went back a year.

New Beasties song protesting the war. Free download but the shit is hosed and I can't actually download it. But the stream is available. It's alright, and pretty political.

Workin on the new 'Flo as we speak. If anyone cares, it's gonna be all video game stuff. Doing my Top 25 games right now, and damn it takes a long time. Not just to do the page, but to really get down the Top 25 games in the right order. I keep going back and forth on some. That's alright though, I guess I can change them at some point if I like. What good is a Top 25 list if it doesn't change all the time? ;)

I had this idea when working on some arcade cabinet ideas last night. Instead of doing a full arcade cabinet, I could just do a cocktail table. I figure this would work better for a few reasons. One, it's smaller and wouldn't take up as much space in Annette's house, two, it could just play old school games, since you can't fit two controls in there w/ all the buttons, and three, since it would only play old school games, I could reuse Annette's computer for it, saving me a bunch of $$.

The only problem is actually playing it. Using an cocktail table is a bit hard when you're serious about playing games. I know Netter doesn't like it much either. But we'll see. I still got time.

Looks like I got this thing up and running finally. Took a lot of CSS hacks to get the thing to look the way I wanted, but I was able to do it, which is not too shabby for a free account (and their crappy ass HTML templates).

It's good to be on, and I'm posting this from one of those updating programs instead of online. Pretty damn sweet thus far. :)