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Argh, what a hassle, this sure isn’t easy. The quad core imac can run Windows 7 64 bit, but you have to stand on your head to get it. First, Windows 7 doesn’t include the right video drivers (http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3173) and you have to have a USB keyboard and mouse). You first install:

1. Update Mac OS X to the latest version

2. Download the video driver thingy

3. Start Boot Camp and run Windows 7 64-bit

4. Put the Base Camp 3.1 new drivers on a USB key and get them onto Windows 7.

If it weren’t for PC games, I’d stay all Mac and just use an iPad for everything else

Time Capsule and AirPort Extreme Base Station Firmware Update 7.5.1 brings fixes for a pair of issues on Apple’s latest AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule base stations released last October

.This update provides several fixes for the latest Time Capsule and AirPort Extreme Base Station (Late 2009) including:

- An issue with wireless performance in the 5GHz band
- An issue with creating a Guest Network in the 5GHz band

Issues with 5 GHz performance on the new base stations had been well-documented, and users noted earlier this month that models had begun shipping with the 7.5.1 firmware version that seemed to address the problem. Today’s release, which is accessible through AirPort Utility, extends the fix to existing devices.

In order to support the new firmware version, Apple has also released AirPort Utility 5.5.1 for Mac OS X (10.24 MB) and Windows (10.70 MB). The updates also offer fixes for several other minor issues.

For those desperate to see an unboxing video of the iPad, here’s the first, from Stephen Fry. Fry, a well known friend of Apple, must have gotten one of the early shipments including all accessories:

OK, the latest firmware finally gives you a histogram in manual so you can check exposure. Also, it let’s you have 24fps for professional movies. Finally, there is a freeware firmware tool to add new features as well as something call the Drovus which does follow focus reviewed by <a href=”http://provideocoalition.com/index.php/freshdv/video/freshdv_reviews_cinevate_durus_follow_focus/>ProVideo</a>.

There are so many cool cameras out now, so what is a person to do. Well, here are recommendations based on what Rennie has said and I’ve seen:

1. Carry around camera: iPhone HD. Everyone is going to have one, but the best camera is one that is not available but the new iPhone HD that comes in June according to rumors. Just because you will always have it with you.
2. Panasonic Lumic DMC-GF1 with 20MM pancake lense. There is hot competition between this and the Epson EP-2. But it is a micro 4/3 camera with a very fast lense. The sensor is very sensitive so it can take nice photos at ISO 400. It is expensive, but so portable. The nearest competitor is the new Epson EPL-1 which is much less at $600 vs. $800, but has slower autofocus although it has much less noise. This camera delivers a great picture at ISO 400 and with the 20mm F/1.7 lense, it is terrific for indoor and also for large-scale scenario, plus being compact so you can throw it into your laptop bag.
3. Small dSLR: Nikon D90 or Canon EOS 550D. This is actually the sweetspot camera for most serious folks who want a great camera they can carry in their backpack. If you don’t have any lesnes, then I’d say the Nikon D90 right now is the fastest. It is 12MP, but noise is low, the autofocus is amazing and it has exposure detection that uses data from thousands of previous shot so it is incredible at picking the proper exposure. If you get this, you want the ultra wide zoom, a general zoom and then a very fast 35mm fixed lense for low light. If you have Canon lenses, then the new EOS-550D is the right choice. It is 18MP with the newest autofocus. It is just behind the Nikon on everything. Then you need the 12-24mm wide zoom, 35-70mm regular and then the 35mm fixed for low light. This is the right camera for carry around in your backpack.
4. Nikon D7 and Canon 5D Mark II. These are the full frame, incredible quality. Again, the hat tip goes to the Nikon, then the 5D if you already have Canon lenses. Incredible quality and low light performance to ISO3200.

Buddy has a Canon HF20 which makes 1080p in avchd format. The only way to get it into iMovie is to have the camcorder play back and then use iMovie to import from camera and then it transcode into the iMovie native format. Way cheaper than buying final cut pro

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/507191/how-many-actions Argh we’ve been playing Tide of Iron wrong. Thought it was just three units per turn, but it turns out it is three units per side and alternate until done. Argh. Thank goodness for the Internet.

Well we are about to take a trip and bring Macs and want to play some games, so time to figure out the story with running Windows on Macs. While we are at it might as well try to run Windows 7 64-bit on Mac via Base Camp. There is lots of junk on the Internet about this, but the key sites are:

• VirtualBox is a free virtual machine from Sun. This let’s you run Windows 7 in a virtual machine on hardware. Trying it now.
• Basecamp. A little harder to find, this is Apple’s page. Basically a fully upgraded Mac OS X Snow Leopard should have Base Camp 3.0 loaded. This can run Windows 7 installation, although it only talks about Vista. You just start Base Camp Assistant from Mac, create 32GB partition and away you go. This is nice because it is totally native and fast on say MacBook hardware. It is confusing because it only talks about Vista. There is another download called Basecamp 3.1 for 32- and 64-bit Windows which is really the new Windows drivers appropriate for Mac hardware.

Well, when traveling, its a little hard to take your PS3 or your XBOX and the iPod touch, PSP and DS don’t exactly have big screens, so what can you run on your trusty old PC (or Mac running Windows?). Well, gamerankings.com has some nice choices:

• Bad Company 2. Is great for all the platforms and works well with a keyboard too. $46 from Newegg. But it is in stock at Best Buy but for $49.
• Need for Speed: Shift. There are very few racing titles for PCs these days and most need a wheel, but Shift got a decent review and is just $26 from Newegg. Best Buy also shows stock in their local stores for the same price.

AT&T today announced that next month it will begin a nationwide rollout of its 3G MicroCell service that allows users to route their cellular phone calls around the house onto their broadband Internet connection as a solution for spotty cellular coverage. Supporting both voice and data services, the 3G MicroCell device carries a price tag of $149.99, although AT&T is offering rebates to users signing up for monthly MicroCell service plans to augment their existing cellular plans or switching to the company’s DSL or U-Verse broadband service.

AT&T today announced that AT&T 3G MicroCell plans to begin its national roll out beginning in mid April, with new markets activating in cities across the continental U.S. for the next several months. AT&T 3G MicroCell is an innovative solution that allows residential customers to route wireless phone calls and data connections (or sessions) across a home broadband connection. This solution is designed to benefit customers who live in homes that have coverage impediments that consistently interrupt wireless spectrum, such as dense wall and roof construction or unfavorable terrain.

Customers have the option of using minutes from their normal cellular phone plan or signing up for a $19.99/month companion plan that allows unlimited calling over the customer’s MicroCell without utilizing their cellular minute allotment.