Tech Tok

Quake 3 levels viewed with Ogre

Ran across a cool, open source 3d graphics engine called Ogre. Looks like it’s been around for a while, not sure why I haven’t run across it before. They’ve adapted bits of it to render files in various game formats like Quake 3 (see above) and Tomb Raider.

You can download some Win32 demos to see what the engine is capable of.

Click “More…” to see several more screenshots of various Ogre-powered games and programs. (more…)

So feel free to order now. :-)

For the past 3 years I have been using Microsoft’s Wireless IntelliMouse Explorer on both my Mac and PC. My hand fits the shape of this mouse perfectly. The buttons are well placed and extremely useful. I swap batteries roughly once a month but I am using rechargeable batteries so I do not have to deal with the expense of buying new batteries (the Logitech MX 700 has a built in rechargeable battery that recharges when placed in the MX 700’s base station - a much better solution). There is a noticeable delay if the mouse has to wake from sleep but this only happens if the mouse is not used for an extended period of time.




The biggest issue I have with the Wireless IntelliMouse Explorer is that the mouse movement on the screen is not as sensitive as I would like when it comes to playing games. I resolved this by purchasing a Logitech MX 500. I always take the MX 500 to LAN parties but I am so hooked on using the wireless mouse at home that I continue using it for our Friday night gaming sessions. Space on my desk at home is limited and the MX 500’s cord is always getting caught. Another issue is that my finger positioning does not fit the shape of the MX 500 as well as that of the Wireless IntelliMouse Explorer. Apart from the cord and fit issue the MX 500 is one sweet mouse. For games it rocks. The MX optical engine is excellent. Logitech have since released the MX 510 with an updated optical engine for improved sensitivity and accuracy.

If only someone would release a wireless mouse with the shape of the Wireless IntelliMouse Explorer, the accuracy of the MX 510, and the built in rechargeable battery of the MX 700! Hey, someone finally has!!




Logitech has released the worlds first laser mouse (the MX 1000) featuring the Logitech MX™ Laser Engine, The laser engine is 20x more sensitivity to surface detail—or tracking power—than optical. With Fast RF™ cordless the MX 1000 provides for cordless performance that equals USB corded connection. Add to that the new tilt wheel for side to side scrolling and the rapid-charge base station and it appears that we have the makings of the ultimate mouse!  Holy smokes!

After reading a number of positive reviews I took a chance and placed an order with Grey-Tech.





Much to my relief the mouse works as advertised. I am using the MX 1000 under OS X and XP and the supplied CD provides configuration software for both OS’s. When playing games such as Far Cry, Doom 3, Quake 3, Urban Terror, and Unreal Tournament 2004 the mouse sensitivity and movement is superb. The mouse instantly wakes from sleep. There is no lag of any sort! My hand fits the shape of the mouse perfectly. Both mice have been in use for two weeks and show 2/3 of a charge remaining.

If you are looking for a new mouse then this is definitely one to consider.

I am a fan of open source and alternative software solutions. I have installed a number of applications that are available for no charge and I thought I would post my findings here on Tech Tok. I am very interested in any of your suggestions.

By the way, that thud you heard was Reid falling off his seat when he discovered I had made a post.  :-)

Here is a list of apps I am using:

	Mac	PC
Browser	Safari	Mozilla
Video Player	Video Lan Client	Video Lan Client
Graphics	The GIMP	The GIMP
HTML editor	Composer (Mozilla)	Composer (Mozilla)
Mail	Mail	Thunderbird
Office productivity	OpenOffice.org	OpenOffice.org
Music	iTunes	iTunes
IM	Fire	Suggestions?

This is more to help me remember than a really sueful article for anyone else.

There are three AMD sockets around these days:

Socket A

Original socket, used for older AMD chips like Thunderbird through to Athlon 2800+

Socket 754

First socket that could handle Athlon64 CPUs. Now relegated to low-end AMD CPUs like the Sempron, which are rated these days around 3000-3100+. Has only a single-channel memory controller.

Socket 939

Current main socket, used in high-end Athlon64 CPUs. I guess it has a dual-channel memory controller?

Ah, how I miss the days of there being one and only one socket.

I am completely lost on the Intel side of things. How many incompatible sockets are there now for all the various flavours of Pentium 4?

TekNews.net seems to be yet another news aggregation site, combining AnandTech, Toms Hardware, and X-Bit Labs. It is definitely geared towards people who want to know all about overclocking and the latest hardware (Hi Iain!)

I rather like the accessories that come with it: 1TB Home server

After I broke my Nikon 880 (3 megapixel) camera in Mexico, I’ve had trouble getting it properly repaired, that is to say, it doesn’t work. So I looked around and the SONY ultra-compact 7.1 megapixel DSCP150 strikes me as the best replacement at the moment: DSCP150

Today’s National Post has an insert called “marketnews Here’s How” with all kinds of HDTV news including the ExpressVu HDTV PVR announcement. In addition ExpressVu added several HDTV stations yesterday. I recommend a close look at a Yamaha Amp (with component video switching and S-video up-conversion) when getting in the home theatre system.