Entertainment online

Nintendo has been an innovator in the video game industry since the early 1980’s. From the very beginning, Nintendo engineers have had to prove themselves. The introduction of the analogue controller and even the “rumble pack” was met with a great deal of skepticism, yet are considered industry standards today. However, a single hand remote style controller is arguably a much larger innovation and is met with even more skepticism.

It has been reported on several websites that the Nintendo Revolution will be compatible with Gamecube titles. Of course this raises questions on how the new controller will function with these games

“What we are telling people right now is that there are several peripherals in the works that will be used for the older games,” said Perrin Kaplan, vice President of Marketing and Corporate Affairs for Nintendo. “Of course, people will be able to plug their Gamecube controller right in and use that, but if they want, they can use the Revolution’s peripherals for an entirely new and fresh experience.”

Will gamers be able to adapt to a single hand controller? I think the answer to this question will depend on game developers. The success of the controller and the console for that matter depends on whether-or-not game developers will be able to produce games which compliment the new controller.

This also raises questions over game cross-over from one system to another. With the introduction of a whole new controller, effectively changing the way we play games, well we see a drop in big title games available for multiple systems?

With the release of the new teaser and a slew of new images, people are forgetting that the new Nintendo Revolution controller is not at the final design stage.

“No, this is not the final design. You won’t see that until the release is here, but we are getting much closer,” explained Kaplan.

Over the next several months, more information will become available. Information which will either put much of the skepticism to rest, or more likely, create even more. With a product like the Nintendo Revolution controller, apprehension and skepticism are natural, making this a critical time for Nintendo. With the release of the Xbox before the end of 2005 and the processing power of the Playstation 3 Nintendo really does have to come up with something revolutionary to compete in the next generation game console market. Does Nintendo really have something special for us? Only Time well tell.]]>

Despite thousands of TV appearances and other interviews in newspapers, Michael Moore was still beaten at his own game when a documentary tracing the positive qualities of Bush was released that same year. Bush won the election and Moore lost his appeal to have his film nominated for the Oscar in the best picture category.

On a less politically charged and serious note, Hollywood has mainly influenced style and skyrocketed the sales of certain products. In, Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith sported a pair of Ray Bans and Will Smith gave its famous tagline “I make these look good.” The film was the reason for one of the sunglasses company’s highest revenues.

James Bond films are known to receive the majority of the financing from the BMW and other car dealerships. Recently Bond has driven a BMW z8 and an Astin Martin. Both vehicles saw great sales after the films were released.

The Karate Kid and Bruce Lee films flooded children, especially young boys to Martial art classes. The Lord of the Rings trilogy and the Harry Potter films encouraged children to read more books. “Reading a book became a fun pastime. Something you could discuss with your friends and not be afraid of being uncool,” says Julie Brown, a proud mother of two.

Open Water encouraged more scuba diving. Primer encouraged taking more physiques classes. Machiavelli Hangman (http://www.hangmanmovie.com) created an instant interest in the works of the Italian philosopher, Nicollo Machiavelli and his ethics.

“After Machiavelli Hangman, Machiavelli’s doctrine books have been selling like mad and there’s a surprising amount of searches on the internet engines like yahoo and google.”

Hollywood may have a great influence on its viewers, but in the end, it always falls on the viewer’s shoulders to make a rational decision. “Just because a film shows two people shooting each other dead, doesn’t mean that you have to go out and do it. You use your common sense. If it was like that, everyone would be running around killing each other… with large tanks,” says Brown.]]>

shape, comic book supplies will become part of your
collecting life. As soon as a magazine is printed there are
natural environmental forces going to work to try and
destroy the ink and the paper. You have put in a lot of
time, effort and enjoyment in acquiring all your comics.
You don’t want them to turn back to the dust and elements
from which they came do you? So the proper use of comic
book supplies is essential.

Elements such as humidity, temperature, pollutants, human
skin oils and even the chemicals of the printed materials
themselves, will start to deteriorate and discolor your
comic books from day one. Comic book supplies and tools
that have been developed over the years to help us combat
these natural forces are de-acidification paper, polymer
type storage bags, stiff backing material, storage boxes
and desiccants (dehumidification materials). Not only will
these comic book supplies protect your comics for your own
enjoyment, they will add to reinforce the future value of
each comic book.

Most all of these comic book supplies can typically be
located down at your local comic book shop. But as I have
discovered lately, there can be a world of difference in
preservation abilities depending on what materials are used
in the manufacture of comic book supplies. Quite typically
what you may find downtown will be of sufficient protective
quality to protect your comics for quite a while. Although,
polybags, to put your comics into, are quite common and
fairly cheap, Mylar bags are definitely the way to go. They
will protect for 100 years (that may be a little overboard)
as opposed to 2 or 3 years for poly.

There has been a lot of elaborate science, particularly
chemistry, which has gone into comic book supplies
preservation material manufacturing the last several years.
MicroChamber material has been developed that will increase
preservation from de-acidification and environmental
breakdown for a vastly superior time period as opposed to
typical comic book supplies materials available today.
Beware though, comic book supplies manufactured with this
new material can become quite costly. But if you have some
serious collector’s items, which you feel are worth a
significant amount of cash, isn’t the investment worth it?
It is also no secret that CGC uses these comic book
supplies materials in every comic book they grade.

I have created a page at my comic book site, which
incorporates links to some rather technical scientific
articles on preservation and using MicroChamber materials.
You can read an in-depth discussion at

www.comic-book-collection-made-easy.com/comic-book-supplies.html .

Be forewarned though, You may need a moderate understanding
of chemistry and physics to completely follow some of the
discussions. But the articles will open your eyes to what
is available in the comic book industry for comic book
supplies preservation supplies these days.

Now if you have a rather rare back issue that may well have
a high dollar value, here is a process worth considering.
De-acidification products are usually used to neutralize
acids in the paper prior to storage of most paper products
of a pulp nature. This is not to be taken lightly, as it is
considered by most to be an extensive form of restoration.
The current understanding of the process is that the
staples are removed and the sheets are submerged, film
developer style, in a bath of de-acidification material.
Then the entire book is rebuilt with new staples. This
process can cost around $50 per comic book, when done by a
professional, but will restore and increase the life
expectancy of your comic book by many years. This process,
in my opinion, should only be considered for already
deteriorated comics that may have a considerable future
worth if restored.

One final item to consider, especially if you live in a
high humidity area is the use of descants as part of your
comic book supplies arsenal. A desiccant is a chemical
sieve for water, and is available for industry use in small
packets or in buckets. For our purposes an 8-oz can (that
looks like you’d keep a grasshopper in) can be simply put
inside the box to absorb moisture and indicates when it is
full by changing from crystal colored to pink. These same
cans can then be reused by baking them for 3-4 hours in an
oven at about 350 F. Each canister can cost around $9-$10
from one supplier called GAYLORDMART. 1 canister per short
box and 2 per long box should be sufficient. Another
consideration is the little packets typically found in a
box of shoes. These are even more inexpensive, but would
require further research to insure no harm would come to
each comic book.

So as you build your valuable comic book collection, you
will want to put some serious consideration into the comic
book supplies that you will need. Materials and supplier
source will become important variables in your overall
decisions. I will have more interesting topics and sources
from time to time at my site, so come on over and visit.
You may even want to bookmark it.]]>

Of course you know about online dating safety and how to protect yourself from unwanted attention. But do you know the unwritten rules, the tips and tricks that will make your online dating experience much better?

Keep Your Expectations Low

It has been estimated that 96% of the people who use online dating services fail to find a compatible person with whom to have a dating relationship. Part of the reason for this, though, is that most people approach online matchmaking with unrealistic expectations. When they don’t find a perfect match after one or two dates they give up and try something else.

Despite what the advertising wants you to believe, your perfect match isn’t going to just fall out of the sky one day. It takes diligent searching, careful screening, and lots of dates to increase your chances of success. Keep your expectations low key; don’t set yourself up for failure by getting too excited when you see an interesting profile or meet an interesting person.

Don’t Respond Too Quickly

Most online dating services won’t tell you this because they make money from email messages between members, but don’t be too quick to answer when a message comes in. Many online dating experts suggest waiting 24 to 48 hours to respond, and also say never to respond on a weekend or holiday. Their reasoning is that when you respond too quickly it makes you appear desperate and also doesn’t allow you to pause and carefully compose an appropriate response.

Yes, it’s exciting when someone notices your profile and makes contact, but don’t let the excitement run away with you. Relax, take a deep breath, and if necessary refer back to the previous section on maintaining realistic expectations.

Keep It Light

When you answer an email, keep the tone light and friendly. Online messages are NOT an appropriate avenue for providing your entire life history or unloading about your past hurts and current emotional state. Don’t be shallow and flip, of course, but do be conservative with what you write. And, as always, don’t reveal personally identifiable information via online messages.

Don’t Drag Things Along

Once you have exchanged a few messages, it’s time to either meet in person or move on. As a general rule of thumb, if more than three to five messages have been exchanged and you haven’t set up a date yet, then it’s time to say goodbye. Don’t allow yourself to be sucked into email communications that drag on for weeks or months at a time. Email is not a substitute for meeting and getting acquainted in person.

Tell The Truth

One of the great temptations of online personal ads is to embellish the truth about you. Whether it’s shaving a few years off your age, overstating your career achievements, or understating your body weight, remember that the truth will be revealed once you meet someone in person. It’s pointless to lie about such things and it undermines trust right from the start. As Mark Twain once said – “When in doubt, tell the truth.”]]>

The recording industry claims to have lost 25% of it’s revenues since computer, so called thieves, have been using peer-to-peer file-sharing networks to obtain free music downloads.

The two latest file-sharing companies to be targeted by these copyright lawsuits are Grokster Ltd, known for its Grokster file-sharing software and StreamCast Networks Inc. from which the Morpheus free music downloading software is distributed.

Unlike Napster, Grokster and Morpheus put a spin on the popular file-sharing phenomenon. Instead of indexing the shared files like Napster did, these file-sharing products enables it’s network members to build their own indexes – thus allowing others within the network to download free music and movie files.

While some musicians are protesting they are being cheated by these illegal free music downloads – others are speaking out backing how music, movies, pictures and copy are being shared over the Internet.

Some music lovers actually use the file-sharing networks to check out an artists latest release before paying up to $18 for a CD that may only have one good song on it. You still will have those that will never make a purchase and continue to take advantage of the free music download networks.

Many file-sharing network users have said that using these networks is good for the music industry. File-sharing can bring listeners to smaller, independent bands that they may not otherwise hear on radio or in the mainstream.

With the likes of Apple’s iTunes store many have turned their backs on file-sharing networks paying 99 cents per song – Apple claims to sell more than 1 millions songs everyday. Although iTunes is limited still, thus giving file sharing networks a void to fill the unlimited access to music and movies that may otherwise not be able from iTunes.

In late 2003 record companies started suing individuals that were downloading free music. With file-sharing networks like Grokster and Morpheus it will be much harder for the recording industry to track down files that are uploaded by individual users.

With the Supreme Court now involved they are expected to make some type of ruling in June 2005 on what if any action should be taken against the makers of file-sharing network software.

The wrong decision could discourage the future development of products like the iPod or other file-sharing software programs that could be used for legal purposes.

Since Grokster and Morpheus do not monitor or have any knowledge of who or what is being downloaded, a federal judge in Los Angeles and the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the copyright infringement charges against both these file-sharing networks.

Based on the 1984 ruling of the Supreme Court that stated the use of Sony Betamax, which allowed users to make copies at home of copyrighted TV programs, was legal.

The recording industries angle last week was that the approach companies like Grokster and Morpheus are making by advertising their software will provide access to free copies of copyrighted materials should allow them to be sued and shut down.

While the jury may be out on this one for sometime – file sharing networks and free music downloads will continue with most users not really worrying about getting sued, since most do not download free music in excess of a few files per month.

Copyright 2005 - Tim Somers, 3G Enterprises, LLC]]>

The story is a cruel one, in which Andy Dufresne, an educated and kind man is wrongly convicted of his wife’s murder. During his time in prison he befriends several people, who are criminals, whereas Andy is not. His life is changed forever, as he deals with the troubles of incarceration.

Stephen King’s excellent character portrayal is not limited to his horror stories, and the characters in this story are some of his best. One could even believe this was based on a true story, but it is not, King has confirmed. The story is upsetting, puzzling and warming, and the movies popularity confirms people association with the story. I think it will always be a classic.

When released at the theatre The Shawshank Redemption did not achieve great success, despite the great buzz already generated by the Hollywood industry due to the great story. This was in part due to great competition at the time, and also the fact that the story is about a prison, which put many movie goers off. However, after the release to DVD the Shawshank Redemption sold in huge quantities making it a firm favorite.

The other stories from the Different Seasons book are
The Body – which became the movie, Stand by me
The Apt Pupil – which also became a movie called The Apt Pupil
The Club – which has yet to make it to the big screen

I would recommend the book to anyone who is a fan, as it is a great collection of stories. The Shawshank Redemption is a very popular story, whether read in a book or watched as a film.
http://www.shawshankredemption.net/]]>

Here are some powerful clues that can tell you if she is interested in you and the type of things she might be interested in in bed.

1) Is she biting her lower lip or licking it? She is definitely into you. This is a little signal that she isn’t even aware she is doing.

It ranks right up there with playing with her hair and crossing and uncrossing her legs.

2) Does she lean into you when you are talking? You have grabbed her attention.

3) Does she touch you alot? If she is caressing your arm or finding excuses to touch you then you have a huge chance of scoring tonight.

4) Does she love it when you order food for her and make decisions? This might be a sign that she wants you to take charge in the bedroom. If she enjoys having her hands help down by you during sex, she might be into a little light bondage.
Start with scarves to test her reaction.

5) Watch her while she eats her dinner. Does she really get into the meal, especially the dessert? Try adding some whipped cream or chocolate syrup to your night play.

6) Want a new way to turn her on? Try renting some erotic videos with a story line. Try the Red Shoe Diaries, Henry and June or Eyes Wide Shut. If she likes the scene in Eyes Wide Shut where they are wearing masks she may be open to experimentation and role play.

7) Want to get her in the mood? Try having a picnic on your living room floor. Include wine or champagne, strawberries, whipped cream and finger foods that you can feed each other.
She will find it romantic and you have the privacy she may need to show her appreciation.]]>

This game is played with a 52 card deck and is played between a dealer and a single player.

The player and dealer are each dealt 3 cards which are placed face down. The object of the game is for you to get a higher three card poker hand than the dealer. An important rule that people must remember when playing three card poker is regarding the hand ranks. In three card poker a straight is higher than a flush because there are fewer ways to make a 3 card straight than a 3 card flush.

There is little strategy and absolutely no bluffing involved in this game, which is why I said at the beginning that it is a game for the beginner. The main decision in this game comes when the player first looks at the cards he is dealt. Here he must decide whether to fold or to raise. In three card poker a raise means you are paying to see the dealer’s cards.

The minimum hand you must have before raising is at least an ace high with either a king or queen, otherwise one should fold. There is a twist in this form of poker though, whereby the dealer can have a higher three card poker hand than you and still lose the game. It works as follows, the dealer must have a queen high hand or better, or his hand does not count for the game. So theoretically if you are dealt a hand with just a ten in it you could still win the hand. For this twist to happen though, you will have to raise the dealer, so think carefully before raising with a weak hand…]]>

These are the Three Card Poker hand rankings which I will rank from lowest to highest:

High card : A single card value, no duplicates, not in sequence and all must be of a different suit. The hand must have a Queen or higher card to be classified a High card hand. For example King of hearts, 10 of clubs and 3 of clubs in one hand.

Pair : Two of the three cards must be the same value. For example Ten of hearts, Ten of clubs and 3 of clubs in one hand.

Flush : All three cards must be of same suit but not in sequence. For example 2 of diamonds, 6 of diamonds and 7 of diamonds in one hand.

Straight : All three cards are in sequence but not of the same suit. For example 2 of Clubs, 3 of diamonds and 4 of spades in one hand.

Three of a Kind : Three of the same card. For example 4 of Clubs, 4 of diamonds and 4 of hearts in one hand.

Straight Flush : The highest hand you can get in Three Card Poker. It is made up of the cards being in sequence and of the same suit. For example Queen of hearts, King of hearts and Ace of hearts.]]>

There are three distinct ways that you can play poker free online; play money poker, poker freerolls and bonuses. Here are a few pointers on each of the ways to play free.

Play Money Poker
Playing poker for play money is a great way to learn the game and get yourself familiarized with the poker table. Every online poker site has a section where you can play for play money before you risk any of your real cash. If you are a beginner this is a fantastic way to cut your teeth and find out the ins and outs of actual table play. You might have seen it on the TV before, but this is a giant step, playing your own hands, making your own decisions and all against other real players.
One word of caution about the play money tables however, the standard of play there is very poor. You might even win on your first attempt so don’t get carried away and think you can transfer this success to the real money tables immediately, you have another steep learning curve to overcome there too!

Freerolls
These are tournaments where the hosting site puts up a prize fund and lets any signed up members enter for free. That means you can play free online poker and have a chance of picking up a cash prize. Most of the big sites do some sort of freeroll or another, but there is an inherent danger with them, the time vortex.
This is where all of your time slips into a black hole as you sit there for hour after hour playing the freerolls for the chance of winning a prize that is, frankly, not really worth the effort unless you are badly in need of the cash and are a very good player.
The best thing about freerolls is that you get the chance to play large multi table poker tournaments and get to sample the pressure and relentlessness of that type of play.
They will give you a good grounding for when you make the WSOP!

Bonuses
The third way that you can use to play free online poker is by signing up and getting bonuses on your real money deposits. This is fairly self explanatory of course, you just play with the bonus money and keep your own. Hopefully you will manage to increase your bonus amount through winning, if not you can simply move on to the next site.
There are poker sites offering anything from 20% to 100% for new signups and existing players on the site. Shop around and get yourself the best deal.

There you have it then, three simple ways you can play free online poker!]]>