http://rss.slashdot.org/~r/Slashdot/slashdot/~3/83995708/article.pl

Interesting that software is "at a dead end" is the analysis based on this news.  Why not rather announce that most software/programming tasks are fundamentally sequential and not paralel in nature, and conclude that there is a tremendous disconnect between what's going on in the hardware and software communities?

A little .NET news today.

It appears that something fundamental like Application.StartupPath is broken in .Net 1.1 in some situations.  If your application was not started via a shortcut, but some other system service like registering a device plug-in event with the WIA Automation tools then .NET will report the StartupPath as \windows\system32 instead of the actual location of your .exe. 

I've seen a few BD movies now: Black Hawk Down, The Descent, Ice Age 2, Total Recall, Underworld: Evolution.  The difference in quality is amazing.  Its easy to get used to how it looks until I switch to a standard DVD of the same content.  On large screens pretty much every flaw is visible and doing A/B between BD and DVD leaves no question that HD optical discs are "worth it" in terms of cost/benefit.  The HD optical discs on the PS3 and 360 are genious in that respect since many people have/would have the systems anyway.

Waiting for Virtua Fighter 5 and Lair now...

Opening my mail yesterday (I was way behind) a surprise property tax refund nagged me to buy a Playstation 3.  I'm surprised how much head-shaking and criticism this has been met with from my gamer friends.  The price and the weak launch lineup are the most commonly cited reasons.  The PS2 had a far worse launch with a worse shortage and weaker launch lineup and 75million consoles later I don't hear anyone complaining.  As for the price, well, I wanted a BluRay player for my home theater so even if I never play any games I'll get my $600 worth.  I was playing Blast Factor last night and I'm downloading Gran Tourismo HD tonight.  I've never been a fan of FPS games on a console (too stuck in the PC mode of play control) so I'll be passing on what are the big PS3 games right now: Reistance: Fall of Man and Call of Honor or Medal of Duty 3 or whatever it's called.  Indeed I think I'll be finishing FFXII on the PS3 and doing the downloadable games for a while until Lair comes out, and of course Final Fantasy XIII this fall.

I'm having a lot of fun, lighten up Sony haters.

(Of course when the Xbox 360 comes out with an HDMI connection I might have to score one of those to play that BioShock thinger that's coming out)

Jen started her new job today, much to her chagrin as she got used to her month off of not working or going to school.  She's on days this week (except for Tuesday) and then begins her regular nights schedule next week.  This is knocking a dent in family dinners and quality time but I suppose the consolation prize is I get get to work watch the Friday the 13th boxed set I got for xmas.

Congratulations Jen, and hurry up and start bringing home aditional bacon! ;)

http://feeds.cinematical.com/~r/weblogsinc/cinematical/~3/72107754/

I like horror movies and H.P. Lovecraft, very cool.

You can see some pictures of my movie room here:

http://forums.klipsch.com/forums/thread/844512.aspx

I will get some pictures onto Flickr when I get a minute.

Well, with a whole ton of painting work from my lovely assistant Jennifer the home theater is nearly operational.  I won't say "done" because curtains and trim work will have to be done at some point but for now I'm tired and I just want to watch movies.  Unless there's an issue with the projector or something I'll be sitting down with a full house by tomorow night.

This weekend we all attended Jen's Pinning Ceremony on Saturday and her official UWM graduation on Sunday.  I'm so proud of Jen for sticking with finishing up her four year degree despite raising our little girl, moving 3 times, building a house, quitting smoking, and putting up with me.  She starts work at the hospital in town on January 8th.  Enjoy the last of those long college-y vacations while you can, you'll never get a month off again.

The date has been pushed back a couple of times, but on or about next week Tuesday I should be sitting down to screen some films in my new room.  I'm fairly sore from sanding drywall mud for hours on end the past 3 days but I have it down to a manageable amount I should be able to finish tonight, with a friend of my brother's coming over to set up a knockdown texture finish tomorrow and Jen painting on Friday.  I will post pictures via flickr over the new week, but having people over for the grand debut will have to wait until I have curtains and some other stuff set up...