-=jowie=-

If you're the kinda person, like me, who likes to tweak almost any gadget you can get your hand on, you might find this next article interesting:

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wireless/wireless-features/30938-dont-mess-with-wmm

I normally go in and disable anything I'm not using on a WiFi router, including WMM. Looks like doing that will limit you to G speeds if you have a N router...

Free antivirus/antimalware software from Microsoft has moved out of beta and has been released to the general public. See below for system requirements.

Minimum system requirements for Microsoft Security Essentials

Operating System: Genuine Windows XP (Service Pack 2 or Service Pack 3); Windows Vista (Gold, Service Pack 1, or Service Pack 2); Windows 7

• For Windows XP, a PC with a CPU clock speed of 500 MHz or higher, and 1 GB RAM or higher.
• For Windows Vista and Windows 7, a PC with a CPU clock speed of 1.0 GHz or higher, and 1 GB RAM or higher.
• VGA display of 800 × 600 or higher.
• 140 MB of available hard disk space.
• An Internet connection is required for installation and to download the latest virus and spyware definitions for Microsoft Security Essentials.
• Internet Browser:
  • Windows Internet Explorer 6.0 or later.
  • Mozilla Firefox 2.0 or later.
• Microsoft Security Essentials also supports Windows XP Mode in Windows 7. For more information see the system requirements for Windows XP Mode in Windows 7

Get it here: http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

Click here to see them. Updated almost daily.

http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/

Finally, a follow up to FFXI?

http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/02/engadget-and-joystiq-live-from-sonys-e3-2009-keynote/

Scroll down to the 12:27PM timeframe. Key details:

• 2010 worldwide simultaneous release
• PS3 is the only console it will be on at launch
• PC version confirmed by SE
• Four languages available at launch. Japanese, English, German, and French.

I'll add more details and links as I find them.

Update 1:47PM PST: Screenshots from the announcement I've found online so far below.

Update 1:57PM PST: Found the trailer on youtube!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzQ61UI1pqU

Update 5:34PM PST: Stay tuned to GameSpot as they claim to have a meeting with SE tomorrow to get more details about the game:

http://e3.gamespot.com/story/6210893/final-fantasy-xiv-online-trailer-impressions 

Update 5:52PM PST: Watch Sony's full E3 event, FFXIV content starts right after FFXIII, at about 76 minutes into the video:

http://e3.gamespot.com/press-conference/sony-e3/

Update June 3rd 11:07AM PST: Quick link for all of GameSpots FFXIV content. Check out the SE press conference liveblog link, starts at 11:30!

http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/rpg/finalfantasy14/

We've started moving our stuff to the storage unit en mass the past few days, and things are starting to look bare in the apartment. Just the other day, I got an email from Quadrant saying they've got the building permit for our house all ready to go. Now they are just waiting for Jenn and I to go through our final selections appointment, which we have scheduled for next Tuesday. We've got everything pretty much finalized, so things are looking good!

This site is now on my new host. Please let me know if there are any issues using the contact link above.

It's been forever and a day since I've added a post. Big changes are coming. Jenn and I have bought a house. We have purchased a Quadrant home in their Kentlake Highlands division, new construction, and as such, we get to argue about all the little customizations we want. Its been a fun process, and our final date to make selections is May 19th. After that date, our selections are locked, and construction begins about 2 weeks after that. The house should be completed late August or early September. Just soon enough to get that $8000 credit from uncle Sam.More...

They work GREAT in the snow and ice, even slush. I never once got stuck in my WRX even with its summer performance tires, so I didn't try them on my car. But I was following my friend Ducky's 07 RX-8, he got stuck on the slightest of inclines that was packed snow and ice. Anyone familiar with the RX-8 knows they are RWD, and have very little clearance for chains. In fact, I believe Ducky told me chains are not usable at all due to the limited clearance. He got a set of Autosocks instead, and even with the limited clearance, we were able to put them on with a little patience. Maybe 10 minutes total for both tires. After they were on, he continued on without issue.

As for my girlfriends car, the 2005 Chevy Aveo, they worked great as well. However, the Autosocks do now have heavy wear, even some holes in them. This was due to the fact we left them on the car even when there was a few patches of clear pavement. We also took them on the highways, though we NEVER exceeded the max recommended 30MPH speed rating. My recommendation, take them off as soon as you are clear of the slippery stuff. This is what I told Ducky, and I believe his still look brand new.