Biggs' Zone

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

No Gimmicks, Just Discipline

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On August 13, 2011

In General Cogitation

No Jenny Craig. No Weight Watchers. I didn’t count calories, I didn’t count carbs and I didn’t use any kind of diet pills or elixirs. So far I have nearly lost 15 pounds and all I have been doing is exercising regularly, making sure to push my body when it was necessary and managing my meal portions. I even still go to a pizza buffet once a week with co-workers.

I’m not going to say that all of those other gimmicks don’t work, everyone’s body chemistry is different; however if they don’t seem to be working for you then try plain old self discipline and routine.

Everyday, when I get home from work, I ride the recumbent bike using a preset program. The intensity of the program will depend on what I have eaten during the day and the pain scale of my knees. After the bike I will do some sit-ups, up to 70 now, with a 10 lb medicine ball. Every other day I will add some free weights into the routine. I have been doing it regularly long enough now that it has become a full routine for me.

My ultimate goal is to lose 40 pounds but I have set milestones for myself. I have already reached my first milestone. Two months ago I bought a new belt that was smaller then my normal belt. I have been wearing it now for two weeks. My new milestone is to fit into a new pair of shorts I bought while on vacation. I probably won’t be able to wear them this summer, but I should definitely fit in them by next summer.

Once I have lost the 40 pounds I will most likely push for another 10.

Biggs On: Google+

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On August 5, 2011

In General Cogitation

Google has thrown their hat into the social networking competition with their latest program Google+. I know several people that are trying it out, some really love it, some really hate it; so today I’m here to share my thoughts on it as I have been using it for about 2-3 weeks now.

It is definitely not as feature rich as Facebook, and when I say “feature rich” I really mean it doesn’t have any apps. There aren’t any games, there aren’t any surveys, its just a social dashboard. I really like the concept of “circles” where you can group your good friends, blah friends, family, acquaintances, co-workers, etc. You can post status messages to just a particular group that way your boss didn’t see that you were playing X-Box when you were “home sick” that day or that your parents won’t see that you went out drinking Friday night and woke up next to someone you never met before.

I’m not sure what the big deal has been with this whole “real name” issue I have seen scattered across the tech articles. I think the responsibility falls to the user, not to Google, to manage who will see your real name. Anyone who accuses Google of violating privacy because you don’t think _your friends_ should see your real name, well you are clearly a tool.

I would recommend giving Google+ a try, especially if you are tired of the overzealous presentation of Facebook. The one caveat I would keep in mind is that Google+ is still in beta so it will have bugs, it will misbehave, things may work differently from iteration to iteration.

Getting Caught Up

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On July 26, 2011

In General Cogitation

I am a little behind with posting regularly to my blog, primarily because I have been quite busy. I was on vacation for a week in Delaware; my in-laws rented a pretty incredible beach house near Dewey Beach for the 4th of July and the whole family made the trip. It was a fantastic vacation and I wish them both a very happy 60th birthday and hope for many more.

Work is busy, of course, but I’m doing well to keep my wits about myself. I have been learning how to develop iOS apps which is turning out to be pretty fun now that I have adapted to the convoluted syntax and semantics. I do have an app idea that I hope to prototype out by the end of the summer so stay tuned for that.

I have been doing very well to exercise regularly. While the scale doesn’t necessarily collaborate with me but it has been paying off. My clothes are starting to fit differently though the areas where I prefer to see results are taking a very long time to do so.

I’m still playing World of Warcraft and I have been actively beta testing Star Wars: The Old Republic which you may already know if you have been reading some of my other blogs. I wish I could share more about that beta with you but I am obligated under the NDA not to discuss details outside the game unless the information has already been released by Bioware.

I don’t have much else to say at this time but I will have one of my regular posts (ex: The MMO Times, Biggs On, etc) coming very soon.

Cheers.

**This post written and published from my iPad**

Biggs On: The ATM Conspiracy

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On June 17, 2011

In Biggs On

I hate getting political because I get too caught up in it and I start to piss people off but sometimes I read something that I can’t help but comment on (besides I doubt too many people read my mutterings anyway).

Be that as it may, I read something today that, again has me clawing at my head and muttering like a madman. Bubba, er I mean Obama, released a statement claiming that job-stealing ATMs are the reason for slow economic growth. We are approaching the anniversary of his so called “recovery summer” and his excuse for the slow growth is innovation and technology like “job-stealing ATMs”

I’m sorry, what?!?!

First of all innovation is pretty much the only thing Americans have left that we do better than any other country, and even that is slowly dwindling. So now our innovation is causing unemployment?? Hmm, yea, that is probably the most asinine thing I have ever heard.

I know we are inventing machines that can do the jobs of humans. If you are one of those people whose job has been replaced by a machine then do something else instead of whining about it, ya lazy ass!! You are still an expert at the job you use to do so learn about the machine and offer to train others or even learn simple repair and maintenance. Machines don’t run forever, they need maintenance and care.

Whining only irritates the rest of us that are smarter and more successful … Oops, did I say that out loud.

/endsoapbox

**This post written and published from my iPad**

My Bewilderment Leaves Me Speechless

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On June 16, 2011

In Gaming, General Cogitation

I’m a gamer, most of you already know that. I get just as excited hearing about games that I don’t or won’t play as I do about the games that I have been playing for years. As much as I can’t wait to read the latest headline about the next MMO, there does come a point where I want so smack some people for their stupid ideas.

I mean, not every idea for an MMO is inane but some are down right ridiculous. I chuckled when I heard about Lego Universe and I even got into the beta for it. It was cute, it brought back very fond childhood memories but definitely not something I would play long term. The challenge for many software companies was to dethrone the king, World of Warcraft. I think, however, that companies are taking the MMO thing a little to far. It has become an obnoxious craze.

Here is some words of advice to those aspiring game manufacturers: NOT EVERYTHING NEEDS TO BE AN MMO!!!!!!!!!

When I heard about Transformers Universe I wasn’t too surprised but I did roll my eyes a bit. Then, today, two unveilings had me clawing my head and muttering like an escaped mental patient: Pottermore, a Harry Potter MMO, and Family Guy Online. Now I do like Harry Potter and I love Family Guy but either one of those as an MMO is absolutely absurd! Will somebody please explain to me why someone thought it was a good idea to make an MMO based off of these two pieces of pop culture. It can’t be because they think it will generate ungodly revenue because not everything made into an MMO is a good idea.

Pardon me while I quote Garfield (the next likely candidate to be made into am MMO) but these people need to be dragged into the street and shot!

/endsoapbox

**This post written and published from my iPad**

The MMO Times: Post-E3 Edition

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On June 15, 2011

In MMO Times, MMORPG

Issue 17

Welcome back gamers to another issue of MMO Times, I hope all of you are still around and reading. Now that all the E3 excitement is over we are back to playing the waiting game for patches, release dates and beta tests. Enjoy gamers!

Dragon Nest Closed Beta Launching
Nexon’s Dragon Nest MMO launched a closed beta on June 15th. It will be a free-to-play and is slated to be released later this year. Check out the Massively and the game website article for more details about the game and signing up for the beta.
Article Link(s): Massively, Dragon Nest Website

Massively SWTOR Impressions
Ok, so one more piece of SWTOR information from E3. This article has the impressions from a few members of Massively’s gifted bloggers. I feel these guys were pretty honest and overall I think SWTOR received pretty good reviews considering its still in a closed beta.
Article Link(s): Massively

Transformers Universe
Yes, its a Transformers MMO and are you really that surprised? I’m sure World of Smurfz is just around the corner. Jagex brought this revelation to BotCon this year complete with a teaser trailer and concept art. Just enough to get all the Transformers fans hot and bothered. The website does have a sign up for the beta.
Article Link(s): Massively, Transformers Universe Website

Steam Offering F2P MMOs
I thought this was really interesting. Steam is now offering free to download and free to play MMOs such as Global Agenda, Forsaken World and Spiral Knights. They are also offering incentives in the form of free in-game items. Massively has the article.
Article Link(s): Massively

WoW-Like MMO … for iOS?
Yes iPad users, GameLoft has an MMO called Order & Chaos that is playable on iOS devices. The article link I provided is about how this MMO, which sells for $6.99 in the App Store, has made over $1 Million in less then a month. I’m very tempted to download this app for my iPad.
Article Link(s): Digital Trends

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