It works; game officially changed.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4053837,00.html
"Residents in Ashkelon reported Thursday seeing Israel's new Iron Dome defense system intercept a Grad rocket fired towards the southern city from the Gaza Strip. IDF officials called the interception a "historical moment", saying it was the first of its kind in the world.
Two intercepting missiles were fired at the rocket, but the first succeeded in hitting it, an army official said.
Eyewitnesses told Ynet they saw the rocket explode in midair and realized that the system had intercepted its first rocket."
Showing posts with label In The Mail. Show all posts
Showing posts with label In The Mail. Show all posts
Friday, April 8, 2011
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Dropbox.com
Dropbox.com is one of those services that once you come across you wonder why no one created it before. The first thing I have to say about Dropbox is that if you have not already, click on the link and sign up (clicking on link to sign up gets you an extra 250mb free [see 'note' below]).
The simplest way to describe Dropbox is as a folder that exists both on your computer and in the cloud at the same time. When using it, if you did not know it was the Dropbox folder, you would not notice any difference from all the other folders you have. That explains the simplicity of the service. There are no new complicated menus or strange user interface, it is just a familiar folder.
Once you put files in the Dropbox folder the 'magic' begins. Anything you add to the folder will be uploaded to your account seamlessly, automatically, and in the background (no appreciable impact on your computers operation). If you make any modifications to the files, Dropbox only uploads the changes made. That means that the document/file is up to date without the need to upload the entire thing again. Those alterations are remembered and you can recover older versions of the file (30 day limit on revisions for free account, unlimited on paid).
What makes the service really useful is the ability to put that same folder on different computers. I said you could think of Dropbox as a folder that exists both on your computer and in the cloud. You can also put that same folder on any computer, or on any of a growing number of compatible devices/phones, at the same time. Any modification made to the folder on one computer is uploaded to the cloud and then downloaded to the other computer/devices; automatically, seamlessly, and in the background.
You can invite other users to share specified folders as well. That means the same sub-folder would exist on all of your connected computers and all of the person/people's devices. Just make sure you let the person know that any changes they make to the shared folder will effect you as well. Once your files are in the cloud you can also share any one in particular with direct links.
The free version of Dropbox starts you off with 2gb (2.25gb if you use the referral link provided and get the 250mb bonus). There are ways to get more space for free after you sign up or you can pay for additional storage. I will have a follow up post on how to get that extra free space. Update (2/6/2011): Maximizing Free Dropbox Storage Space End of update:
Note: I used a referral link for Dropbox.com which if you sign up from the screen you are brought to after clicking on it gives us both an extra 250mb of space free.
The simplest way to describe Dropbox is as a folder that exists both on your computer and in the cloud at the same time. When using it, if you did not know it was the Dropbox folder, you would not notice any difference from all the other folders you have. That explains the simplicity of the service. There are no new complicated menus or strange user interface, it is just a familiar folder.
Once you put files in the Dropbox folder the 'magic' begins. Anything you add to the folder will be uploaded to your account seamlessly, automatically, and in the background (no appreciable impact on your computers operation). If you make any modifications to the files, Dropbox only uploads the changes made. That means that the document/file is up to date without the need to upload the entire thing again. Those alterations are remembered and you can recover older versions of the file (30 day limit on revisions for free account, unlimited on paid).
What makes the service really useful is the ability to put that same folder on different computers. I said you could think of Dropbox as a folder that exists both on your computer and in the cloud. You can also put that same folder on any computer, or on any of a growing number of compatible devices/phones, at the same time. Any modification made to the folder on one computer is uploaded to the cloud and then downloaded to the other computer/devices; automatically, seamlessly, and in the background.
You can invite other users to share specified folders as well. That means the same sub-folder would exist on all of your connected computers and all of the person/people's devices. Just make sure you let the person know that any changes they make to the shared folder will effect you as well. Once your files are in the cloud you can also share any one in particular with direct links.
The free version of Dropbox starts you off with 2gb (2.25gb if you use the referral link provided and get the 250mb bonus). There are ways to get more space for free after you sign up or you can pay for additional storage. I will have a follow up post on how to get that extra free space. Update (2/6/2011): Maximizing Free Dropbox Storage Space End of update:
Note: I used a referral link for Dropbox.com which if you sign up from the screen you are brought to after clicking on it gives us both an extra 250mb of space free.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Creeper World - by Knuckle Cracker
Creeper World by Knuckle Cracker is a game with a really interesting concept. The enemy is called Creeper and literally flows from Emitters. The Emitters ooze the Creeper which then behaves as a liquid flowing down hill, pooling or filling up holes, and spreading across the map. You would not want to take a bath in the Creeper because it is toxic. If it makes contact with your buildings then your buildings will be destroyed. Most buildings are destroyed instantly when touched by the Creeper, while the Blaster and Mortar can survive for bit. Your duel goal on each level is to protect Odin City (your home base and humanity's last hope) from the Creeper, and to make a connection from Odin City to the Totems. Once all the Totems are connected and powered up a rift will open which Odin City flies through and you win.
The nature of the Emitters means that very early in the game you will get a very good idea of what you are dealing with. That is to say that there are not really many surprises from the enemy. There can be some surprises from Emitters set to start at different points in the game and from Spores. Spores are airborne Creepers that come in waves. You can shoot them down with SAMs or wait for them to hit the ground and deal with the Creeper that are released. Successful Spore impacts do not create Emitters, just release a one time burst of Creeper. Few surprises does not mean it is boring.
Each level you play generally has a three basic phases. The first is to move Odin City to higher ground or a better tactical position if one is available. This will give you extra time to prepare for the flood of Creepers. The second is to mount a defense to keep Odin City safe. The third phase is to push back against the Creeper and connect to the Totems.
When building your base it is important that everything be connected to Odin City. While your military units store some ammo, without a connection and consequently no resupply, they can quickly run out and be rendered useless until that resupply. Civilian buildings stop working if the connection is broken. The connections are formed with Collectors and Relays. Collectors also create energy which is the lifeblood of your base needed to build and to power weapons. Relays are useful to bridge larger gaps but only if connecting to other Relays.
Collectors are limited in their energy collecting by area. Overlapping Collectors will not generate any extra energy. The area is represented by turning the area around them green. Some levels will require more energy then you can produce with Collectors. Reactors are more expensive to build then Collectors, but they produce energy without being limited by area. Storage increases your maximum energy level and Speed increases the rate at which the energy packets move along your network. Those energy packets are how you build (gray), ammo for your weapons (red), and how you charge the Totems (green). They will automatically travel the shortest path to their destination.
To defeat the Creepers you have a few weapons in your arsenal. The Blaster is your best defense against against an advancing Creeper. It kills a single layer with each shot. This means that it is not optimal for dealing with pools of Creeper. Blasters can 'cap' Emitters. Capping means clearing away the Creeper surrounding the Emitter and then the Blaster will kill the Creeper as it is emitted. Blasters are unable to fire at higher terrains. Mortars are your best way of dealing with pools of Creeper. A Mortar shot kills all layers of Creeper within the blast. Their fire rate is much slower then the Blaster and require more energy for each shot. They are not limited by terrain height. SAMs are your only way of protecting yourself against Spores. That is their only function. If the Spore hits the ground it is up to your other weapons to deal with the Creeper they produce. Drones are the equivalent of long range Mortars. They are also the only weapon that needs to be targeted manually, and the only weapon that can be targeted at all. Once you build your Drone it will arm and then will be ready to go on a bombing run. Once it runs out of bombs it will fly home and rearm ready to be redeployed. Like Mortars the Drone's bombs kill all levels of Creeper meaning that they should generally be sent against pools that are out of range of your Mortars. Blasters, Mortars and SAMs can all be moved. There is one more weapon, but it is only available in the last level or on custom maps. It is Thor and it is a super weapon. There is no strategy required with it. Once built just send it at the Creeper and it will obliterate everything in its path.
The game may sound simple because it is easy to understand, but the strategy and tactics involved can get complex. You need to strike the perfect balance. If you try to overbuild early on then you will waist time without enough energy. If you expand to fast you risk insufficient defense and being over run by the Creeper. Expand to slow and you may not have enough energy to mount a successful defense. Stretch your network to far without Speed upgrades and your weapons may be overrun waiting for their ammo resupply.
Creeper World comes with 55 maps, each of which has replayability. If you beat all the levels in the game you get the 'Double Down' option which doubles the Creepers in the Level. There is also a map editor for you to make your own levels and a place were you can review and download other people's maps.
At less then $10 Creeper World is worth the money. If you are on the fence about buying the game you can play a few levels online or download a trial version both for free. You can also create your own map with the map editor without buying the game, but can not play them until you have a full version. You can look at other peoples maps but again need the full version to play them. You can buy the full version for $9.95 and then instantly download it.
Video embedded below.
Update (3/19/2010): My custom maps.
The nature of the Emitters means that very early in the game you will get a very good idea of what you are dealing with. That is to say that there are not really many surprises from the enemy. There can be some surprises from Emitters set to start at different points in the game and from Spores. Spores are airborne Creepers that come in waves. You can shoot them down with SAMs or wait for them to hit the ground and deal with the Creeper that are released. Successful Spore impacts do not create Emitters, just release a one time burst of Creeper. Few surprises does not mean it is boring.
Each level you play generally has a three basic phases. The first is to move Odin City to higher ground or a better tactical position if one is available. This will give you extra time to prepare for the flood of Creepers. The second is to mount a defense to keep Odin City safe. The third phase is to push back against the Creeper and connect to the Totems.
When building your base it is important that everything be connected to Odin City. While your military units store some ammo, without a connection and consequently no resupply, they can quickly run out and be rendered useless until that resupply. Civilian buildings stop working if the connection is broken. The connections are formed with Collectors and Relays. Collectors also create energy which is the lifeblood of your base needed to build and to power weapons. Relays are useful to bridge larger gaps but only if connecting to other Relays.
Collectors are limited in their energy collecting by area. Overlapping Collectors will not generate any extra energy. The area is represented by turning the area around them green. Some levels will require more energy then you can produce with Collectors. Reactors are more expensive to build then Collectors, but they produce energy without being limited by area. Storage increases your maximum energy level and Speed increases the rate at which the energy packets move along your network. Those energy packets are how you build (gray), ammo for your weapons (red), and how you charge the Totems (green). They will automatically travel the shortest path to their destination.
To defeat the Creepers you have a few weapons in your arsenal. The Blaster is your best defense against against an advancing Creeper. It kills a single layer with each shot. This means that it is not optimal for dealing with pools of Creeper. Blasters can 'cap' Emitters. Capping means clearing away the Creeper surrounding the Emitter and then the Blaster will kill the Creeper as it is emitted. Blasters are unable to fire at higher terrains. Mortars are your best way of dealing with pools of Creeper. A Mortar shot kills all layers of Creeper within the blast. Their fire rate is much slower then the Blaster and require more energy for each shot. They are not limited by terrain height. SAMs are your only way of protecting yourself against Spores. That is their only function. If the Spore hits the ground it is up to your other weapons to deal with the Creeper they produce. Drones are the equivalent of long range Mortars. They are also the only weapon that needs to be targeted manually, and the only weapon that can be targeted at all. Once you build your Drone it will arm and then will be ready to go on a bombing run. Once it runs out of bombs it will fly home and rearm ready to be redeployed. Like Mortars the Drone's bombs kill all levels of Creeper meaning that they should generally be sent against pools that are out of range of your Mortars. Blasters, Mortars and SAMs can all be moved. There is one more weapon, but it is only available in the last level or on custom maps. It is Thor and it is a super weapon. There is no strategy required with it. Once built just send it at the Creeper and it will obliterate everything in its path.
The game may sound simple because it is easy to understand, but the strategy and tactics involved can get complex. You need to strike the perfect balance. If you try to overbuild early on then you will waist time without enough energy. If you expand to fast you risk insufficient defense and being over run by the Creeper. Expand to slow and you may not have enough energy to mount a successful defense. Stretch your network to far without Speed upgrades and your weapons may be overrun waiting for their ammo resupply.
Creeper World comes with 55 maps, each of which has replayability. If you beat all the levels in the game you get the 'Double Down' option which doubles the Creepers in the Level. There is also a map editor for you to make your own levels and a place were you can review and download other people's maps.
At less then $10 Creeper World is worth the money. If you are on the fence about buying the game you can play a few levels online or download a trial version both for free. You can also create your own map with the map editor without buying the game, but can not play them until you have a full version. You can look at other peoples maps but again need the full version to play them. You can buy the full version for $9.95 and then instantly download it.
Video embedded below.
Update (3/19/2010): My custom maps.
Dilettante - by Bobby Fingeroth
Let me kick off the in the mail section with a Dilettante shirt and CD from Bobby Fingeroth. A catchy beat, great voice, and smooth flowing lyrics makes for songs well suited to listen to in the car or just leave on in the background. If you are a sample before you buy kind of music listener he is happy to oblige. Besides links to the samples and to buy his CD, there are some new tracks you can download at that page. You can also see him perform live regularly, usually at smaller venues in New York City. He can be reached at his website, Facebook, MySpace, or Twitter.
(Full Disclosure; Bobby Fingeroth is one of my many cousins)
(Full Disclosure; Bobby Fingeroth is one of my many cousins)
Sunday, January 3, 2010
In The Mail
In The Mail is a new label I am creating to indicate just that. Occasionally I receive various products/items that the sender wants/hopes I will review. These types of post walk a fine line. Technically speaking I am not being payed to post about something. I am however, receiving something of value. This label is meant to let you know. Just because someone sends me something does not mean that it will get a good review.
If you would like to send me something to review/plug email me a InTheMail@BermanPost.com .
If you would like to send me something to review/plug email me a InTheMail@BermanPost.com .
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