Android Versions

Alpha
Beta
Cupcake
Donut
Eclair
Froyo
Gingerbread
Honeycomb
Ice Cream Sandwich
Jellybean
Key Lime Pie
Licorice
Marshmallow/Meringue
Nougat
Orange Compote
Pudding/Pavlova
Quince Paste
Rocky Road/Red Velvet
Sorbet
Toffee/Taffy
Upside Down Cake
Vanilla
Whipped Creme/White Chocolate
Xmas Pudding?
Yogurt
Zeppole/Zabaione

My Top 20 Roku Channels

 

Netflix

Amazon on Demand

Hulu

YouTube (code was pulled, so if you never added it you no longer can)

iTunes Podcasts (code: ITPC)

Pandora

Twitter (code: V8MRS)

Weather4us (code: W4US)

USB Media Browser (code: KGULU)

MP3Tunes

Nowhere TV/Pod TV – a WEALTH of content under one channel! (code: H9DWC)

Radio Time, a.k.a. “tunein” – LIVE Radio Stations

TWiT.tv

Revision 3

BBC News (code: BBCN)

Shoutcast

Mediafly

LastFM

Crackle

JustinTV

BEST OF LIST 2012:

BEST OF LIST 2012:

TVs: Samsung, Sony & LG (tie)

Stereos: Sony

Desktops (non-gaming rigs): Dell

Laptops: Apple & Lenovo (tie)

Tablets: Apple

Music/MP3 Players: Apple

Operating System: Windows 8

PC Browser: Firefox & Chrome (tie)

Mobile Browser: Opera

Mobile Phones: Samsung

Mobile OS: Windows Phone 7 (once that app store builds it could potentially combine the curated simplicity of iOS with the freedom, cloud services and customization of Android)

Web Services: Google

Search Engine: Google

Video Service: Netflix (movies & older TV shows) & Hulu (recent TV shows)

Music Store: iTunes

eRetailer: Amazon

Cars: Ford, Toyota, Honda & Tesla (a 4-way tie!)

Watches: Casio

Video Streaming Device: Roku

Ranges: Viking

Refrigerators, Washers/Dryers and Dishwashers: G.E. & Kenmore (tie)

Tools: Craftsman

a History of All My Mobile Phones (due for a new one now)

Nokia 8200:  Tiny, sexy monochrome “dumb” phone (my 1st mobile).  This model is STILL way tinier than most current phones! Couldn’t do much more than make calls though.

LG vx4400B:  A colour, dual display flip “feature” phone (my 2nd mobile) .  This one was a workhorse that I used longer than any other.  I loved the illuminated rubber dial pad buttons, the data port to synch/backup with it’s own desktop software, the many included applications, the multicoloured (customizable) external display, the animated user-created wallpaper and the ability to download games at the time.

Samsung Omnia:   A “smartphone” with Windows Mobile 6.x (my 3rd and current mobile).  This is not only my first smartphone, but my first with a camera (and video).  It is sleek and thin, has a touch screen display that can also be used with a stylus, integrates with Office on my PC, has an FM radio tuner, a killer podcast app, microSD support for expandable memory and has a fully customizable display with widgets.  It also still has some minor app support – including Pandora, Evernote and YouTube.  Basically, in a nutshell, this mobile can do just about ANYTHING (not unlike iOS & Android today)…  it’s just a pain in the ass to do actually anything with it!  :-P

LETTER TO SEND TO YOUR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVE OR SENATOR REGARDING VOTING AGAINST SOPA/PIPA

NEED A GOOD LETTER TO SEND TO YOUR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVE OR SENATOR REGARDING VOTING AGAINST SOPA/PIPA?!? HERE IS WHAT I HAVE PENNED, FEEL FREE TO SHARE:
Senator and/or Representative [X],

Please realize that an open and free internet is what enables people to rise up against tyranny and oppression, as has been the case in the Middle East in recent years. Please also realize that the Media conglomeration seek nothing more than to hold onto as much power by greed and lobbying as they can for as long as they can – remember that they sued against VCRs, audio-cassettes, DVRs and MP3 players. How far will they take this?

Also, the PIPA & SOPA legislation will do NOTHING to stop TRUE theft and piracy, it will only serve to cripple the internet, free speech and shut down websites that are the backbone to an already perilous economy. Worse case scenario is that it could break the DNS system that keeps the internet functioning. Even it’s core founders (such as Tim Berners-Lee) acknowledge this!

From Wikipedia:

PIPA put the burden on website owners to police user-contributed material and call for the unnecessary blocking of entire sites. Small sites won’t have sufficient resources to defend themselves. Big media companies may seek to cut off funding sources for their foreign competitors, even if copyright isn’t being infringed. Foreign sites will be blacklisted, which means they won’t show up in major search engines. SOPA and PIPA build a framework for future restrictions and suppression.

Thank you and please stop PIPA/SOPA!

CES 2012 Keynotes (video links)

CES 2012 Keynotes:

Microsoft: http://youtu.be/qYDxMF9ea6E

Nokia: http://youtu.be/wYuv351hwCY

Sony: http://youtu.be/O63mNr79c0g

Intel: http://youtu.be/6D0LgROqDIU

Panasonic: http://youtu.be/BArrZHllRIA

Samsung: http://youtu.be/PSp3fY_4bqY

LG: http://youtu.be/6Goc0p38Mec

“Entertainment Matters” & YouTube: http://youtu.be/YrKtrxiNogM

My Letter to Steve Jobs Just 6 Weeks Before He Passed…

I wasn’t sure if I ever wanted to share this, but I wrote Steve Jobs personally only 6 weeks before he passed away.  I think it’s been long enough now for me to share it with you guys & gals – if you care at all.  So here it is:

TO:  sjobs@apple.com

Okay, so I’m not an Apple “fanboy” since I always try to embrace the merits in all technology platforms equally.  Still, I wanted to just say “thank you”!  You helped to co-create the PC industry we all take for granted today, you have brought beauty & taste to hardware design in 4 key areas, set a very high bar for the consumer experience and made discovering & purchasing music far more accessible (…and yes, I am a HUGE Beatles fan as well!  They ARE the greatest band of all time after all!)

I know you will still be a major player at Apple from the board for a very long time but I also know that Mr. Cook has long proven capable of continuing to evolve what you have begun.

I also look forward to all of us seeing you at the unveiling of the new Apple Campus!  :-)

Best wishes and thank you once more,

Steven Lauren
(metro) Washington, D.C.  USA
http://about.me/steven3x

P.S.

Please do us one favor?  Just once, if only once, be willing to appear with Leo Laporte and/or Tom Merritt on http://www.twit.tv for a brief interview?  I know those guys love and admire you and all you have done!  (just ask Woz!)  No pressure, I’m just a fan of both them and you!  Take care!  :-)

Ability Scores

ABILITY SCORES

Your D&D character’s Ability Scores determines his/her physical, mental, emotional and social aptitudes within the mechanics of game play.  There are 10 Ability Scores in total (5 physical and 5 non-physical), but only 8 you really need to roll for.

To do so simply roll 4d6 (four six-sided dice) and drop the lowest number.  Add up the remaining three for a range of 3-18 with an average score of 10.5  Then arrange the scores however you like based on the class you want to play while also using your Racial modifiers*.  At this point for all stats (except Comeliness) you can utilize a “Point-Buy/Exchange” system which enables  you to increase one stat by 1 point at the cost of reducing another by 2 points.

These are the 10 Ability Scores/Stats for my Campaign:

STRENGTH:   Simply brute force, physical strength.  The ability to push, pull, lift, carry and inflict melee damage.  This stat impacts all of the above and any skills related to it; most notably  “to hit” and “damage” rolls when engaged in melee combat, Fortitute saves and weight worn & carried.  This is the primary stat for the Warrior/Fighter Classes.

INTELLIGENCE:   Comprehension, deduction, reasoning, memory, recall and general mental aptitude – almost equatable to I.Q.  This effects skills and languages known as well as arcane (magic) spells and the capacity to utilize them.  It can also impact the “Perception” stat and therefor Reflex saves.  This is the primary stat for the Arcane Magi (aka “Wizards” or classically “Magic-Users”).

WISDOM:   This is actually a catch-all misnomer that has nothing to do with actual wisdom, age or experience.  Instead it represents such characteristics as will, judgement, guile, intuition and sheer mental strength.  This stat impacts divine (mystic) spells and the capacity to utilize them.  It has a significant impact on Will saves, Psionic potential, mind-over-matter, overcoming attacks of the mind or senses, the “Perception” stat (below) and is the primary stat for Priests.

(MANUAL) DEXTERITY:   Simply that – manual dexterity (not to be confused with “Agility” below).  The ability to manipulate objects with one’s hands and fingers.  This is useful for Rogues, artists, crafters, Archers, ranged fighters, non-spell casting (like in the real world) magicians, etc.  It impacts the ability to strike from a distance with a ranged weapon (like a bow or tossed dagger), to perform sleight of hand tricks, to find and disarm traps, picking locks and even Initiative rolls somewhat.  It is a major stat for Archers, Rogues, Bards, Buccaneers, Monks, Rangers and Illusionists.

AGILITY:   This is a character’s actual full body, physical Agility (not to be confused with “Manual Dexterity”).  This is the ability to dodge, balance, dance, roll, tumble, leap, etc.  It impacts skills like moving silently, hiding, dodging to avoid damage and climbing.  It impacts Armor Class (AC), Initiative and the Reflex save.  It is a major stat for Rogues, Rangers, Barbarians, Bards, Druids and Monks.

CONSTITUTION:   This is basically the general state of physical health and endurance of your character.  As such it can be valuable to ALL classes and characters.  It can impact your actual Hit Points (HPs), Fortitude saves, how many times you can be restored to life from death and your “Perception” stat as well.  The more ill or intoxicated you are, the lower your Constitution score and it is the only stat that means death when it hits 0.

CHARISMA:   This is your personal charm, persuasion, glib and social skills.  This dramatically impacts your ability to negotiate, talk your way out of predicaments, persuade, seduce, deceive, bully, threaten and attract/retain followers, comrades, hirelings and henchmen.  It also effects your Will save and is the key stat for Bards, as well as a major stat for Champions (like Paladins), Cavaliers, Enchanters, Illusionists and Priests.  It can also benefit all Rogues.

COMELINESS:   This is your physical attractiveness.  It isn’t really a stat that holds any weight in mechanical gameplay, but more so for “role playing” and fleshing out your character like gender, sexual orientation, skin/hair/eye colour, weight and height.  This is the only stat that is rolled independently (modified by race) and cannot be utilized in any “point buy/trade” system to add to (or subtracted from) another stat at character generation.  If it is exceptional it may afford a minor bonus to your Charisma score.  A low Comeliness score should not impact your Charisma score however.

PERCEPTION:   This isn’t a stat that is rolled for – rather it is the average of your Wisdom, Intelligence and Constitution scores that should be generated first.  This stat impacts the character’s ability to utilize his/her senses in all skills, attributes and saves – most notably finding traps or concealed/secret doors, spot checks, noticing anything odd or out of the ordinary and disbelieving Illusion/Phantasm spells.  It also effects your Reflex save and can impact your Armor Class (AC).  Perception is the primary stat for Diviners and is a major stat for Archers, Rangers, Rogues, Priests and Monks.

PSIONICS:   Psionics is a supernatural ability that only a rare few are blessed with.  It basically unlocks the deeper powers of the mind in ways that emulate magic or mysticism.

There are 6 “spheres” of Psionic disciplines:  Clairsentience, Psychokinetics, Psychometabolics, Psychoportations, Telepathic, and Meta-Psionics.  There are also Psionic Combat powers which co-exist between Telepathic and Meta-Psionics.

There are only FOUR types of Psionic beings:  Supernatural (like ancient Dragons or Mindflayers), Extraplanar (like Archons/Angels, Dieties, Demi-Gods, Devils/Daemons/Demons, Githyanki/Githzari), Psionicists (a character class that uses Psionics exclusively as a Mage would magic) and “Wild Talents” which are other characters/entities with a minor Psionic power or two stacked on top of their usual class.

A character’s stat for Psionics  =  2x Wisdom + Intelligence + Charisma + Constitution / 4

This score is combined with any racial or class-based modifiers to a roll to determine if your character will even be psionically endowed using percentile dice with a 1 in 100 chance as the default.  For example: Lawful +1, Monk +1, Human or Dwarf +1, Elf or Half-Orc -1, Chaotic -1, etc.  If your character IS lucky enough to be endowed the sphere and power will be randomized and the stat will effectively function as PSPs (Psionic Strength/Power Points).

*RACIAL MODIFIERS

[I am placing this here as I haven’t written my Races chapter yet]:

Humans = No Modifier

Half-Elf = +1 Charisma, -1 Constitution (and a +1 Comeliness)

Half-Orc = +1 Strength, +1 Constitution,  -2 Charisma (and a -3 Comeliness)

Halfling = +1 Charisma, +1 Wisdom, -2 Strength

High Elf = +1 Intelligence, +1 Agility, +1 Manual Dexterity, -1 Strength, -2 Constitution

Wild Elf = +1 Agility, +1 Manual Dexterity, -1 Constitution, -1 Wisdom

Dwarf = +2 Constitution, -2 Agility

Gnome = +1 Intelligence, +2 Manual Dexterity, -3 Strength

Top 5 Add-Ons for Google Chrome

A long time ago I posted my Top 5 Extensions + a Theme for Firefox: https://steven3x.wordpress.com/2011/04/01/256/.  To do justice to Google Chrome I feel the need to do the same for it now that I’ve been using it (on and off) for a couple of years now:

1. Mail Checker Plus:  https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/gffjhibehnempbkeheiccaincokdjbfe  If you use Gmail then this add-on is a MUST HAVE!
2. Neat Bookmarks:  https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/nnancliccjabjjmipbpjkfbijifaainp  One of my biggest gripes about Google Chrome is the lack of a Bookmarks menu drop-down without having to constantly show that FAT (compared to FF) Bookmarks Toolbar all the time or launch a new tab.  This is the best and closest to a classic Bookmarks menu button as I have found for Chrome.
3. AdBlock:  https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/gighmmpiobklfepjocnamgkkbiglidom  This version of AdBlock pales in comparison to it’s Firefox version, but it still works most of the time.  Once again, I am for the open and free internet funded by ad support; so this add-on to me is more about bandwidth and security.
4. Google Share Button:  https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/idaeealfhcijmeigljaopafdapgijdcb  The closest thing I have found for Chrome to “Shareaholic” on Firefox.  It enables you to quickly and easily share a webpage, news article, image or video to a multitude of social networking or personal blog sites.
5. LastPass:  If you are now, like me, using multiple browsers (in my case nearly all of them – but mostly Firefox & Chrome) then LastPass isn’t just for security.  It’s for convenience as well!
   

My favourite skin for Google Chrome (it doesn’t use “themes” like Firefox, but only skins like Firefox’s “personas”) is called “Brushed Metal”  https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/bfjgbcjfpbbfepcccpaffkjofcmglifg?hl=en-US.  Very clean and clear.  Still, it’s a matter of personal taste.

Why I Think “the Cleric” is the BEST D&D Class!

Everyone seems to think that “the Cleric” (or “the Priest”) is the worst class to play in RPGs (like D&D).  This is mainly because they view them as “nurse-maids” that spend all their time healing and supporting/bolstering others rather than involved themselves.  That is an issue any savvy player can promptly correct.

NOTE: This article is basically regarding the generic “Cleric” type of Priest and not the “Druid” (a.k.a. the Nature Priest/Shaman/Witch Doctor).

1. The Cleric can cast formidable spells while wearing ANY armor!
2. They can also be proficient in weapons favored by their deity.  Want a powerful Cleric?  Have him/her worship a Deity of combat or war.  Athena is an obvious choice, as she represents both Wisdom (the stat of Priests) AND Combat.  Most of these weapons are just as formidable as those wielded by Warriors or Rogues… but certainly more so than the Magi.
3. A Priest is the only major class that has the innate power to heal, cure ailments or restore life and vitality!  This is a power that can be performed not only on comrades, but himself/herself and with the brilliant rule set of D&D’s 3rd Edition any spell of the same level (or higher) can be dropped to cast a healing/curative spell!
4. Clerics have the INNATE power to affect the Undead!  [Good = Turn/Destroy, Neutral = Invisible To/Hold, Evil = Rebuke/Command]
5. Priests have some of the best Saves in the game, aside from Reflex! (hint: the trick is to have a HIGH Agility/Dexterity)
6. Clerics start out with some of the highest loot, aside from Cavaliers and Champions! (see below)
7. Unique powers bestowed upon your character by your Deity: Thoth = bonus knowledge/skills, access to some arcane spells? Zeus = lightning, air, storm spells?  Vishnu = a boost to Wisdom or bonus sun/light spells?  Asmodeus = immunity to fire or good, bonus spells of command, charm or fear?

If all else fails, a Priest can always drop to his/her knees and pray with a far greater chance of success than any other class (aside from Cavalier/Cleric style “Champions” like Paladins, Judges and the Black Guard/Anti-Paladins).