LOZ doesn't quite live up to the name, yet.

For a review of this disappointment please go HERE. 

Sigma 17-70 f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro HSM

Picking a camera body for my trip to Japan was easy, lenses are a whole nother story. After reviewing 4 different lenses I have decided on this one.  The only thing missing on this is OS, but it makes up for that in other areas.  It makes up a little for this due to it's f/2.8-4.5 aperature range.  Having the 2.8 at 17mm is really nice for indoors if you like to minimize flash, althouhg a boost in ISO is still  necessary if your subect is moving. Bokeh is decent, and it is very close to true macro at 70mm.  The picture below was taken at 70mm - f/4.5 - 1/25sec. shutter- ISO 200 - Hand held - Nikon D90. Lighting was from my desk lamp.

It's not the best out there and build is about medium, but the focus is fast and images are relatively sharp and I like the close focus.  For the price it's a very nice lens in my opinion.   If it had OS it would be the ultimate midrange lens.  I got mine from Amazon - Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC HSM Macro Lens for Nikon DSLR

Zork Lives!

I got my first taste of Zork on an Osborne CP/m machine.  In a dimly lit basement with a glowing flourescent lamp over head, I delved into the world of Zork, the Osborne's 94k 5-1/4" drive chattering away with every command. In green text on a 5" screen, Infocoms's ancient world of Zork came alive. 

But, that was a long time ago, since then there have been several releases and sequels with graphical versions as well, all of which are in my collection today. It has been a while since a new release, with ZGI being the last and one of my favorites. 

Just when you think it will never happen again, the guys at Jolt/Activision put some life back into the series with the online game Legends of Zork.  Success or failure, many thanks to them for keeping the legend alive.  Head over to Legends of Zork and try it out!  

Thanks to my brother at the Atomic Cheese Melt for finding this. Make sure to keep an eye out for his big fat review on this game.

Does your dentist have a simroid?

While we are on the topic of humanoids.  There is a simroid (simulator humanoid) for dentists in training. It even hollars out in pain if you make a mistake. A little creepy, but who would want to be a lab rat for dental students?  Source here.

HRP-4C Humanoid Supermodel

On march 23, the humanoid robot HRP-4C will take to the runway at the Tokyo fashion show. Developed by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, they say she is not ready for everyday tasks, but apparently they think she will make a great runway model.  Source here.

Site Banners

Indeed my graphc arts skills are lacking, but I have been trying to come up with a banner or two for link exchanges.  So far this is what I have.   If you would like to add this to your links, I have some different sizes premade here.