Episode 52: The Musical!

7/31/2006 4:33:41 PM

Host: Kristin Hatcher

This week the gang discusses Congress putting the smackdown on a sleazy practice of online sex sites, we dream about taking a spacewalk and lament the price tag, and Symantec makes comments about Vista security and we can't help but chime in.

Nigeria orders it's first one million OLPC laptops against Brad's will, AMD and ATI unite and Microsoft plans to automatically push IE7 when it's ready. Plus the Netscape vs. Digg fans battle royale gets nasty.

In gaming news Joel tells us that Madden NFL '07 is available on Pay-per-view (what?), piracy is affecting SiN (DUH!), a study shows that violence in video games has a desensitizing affect (No way!) and Take-Two settles their battle with the FTC over GTA. Joel also tells us what game is kicking his butt this week.

This is Episode 52 peeps. One full year of ranting, rambling and good plain fun. This extra-special episode is packed with all kinds of PUTV goodness - we have three call-ins, two original songs and two not-so-original songs, and new intro music. Check it out, comment on the forums and let us know what you think.

Thank you ALL for listening!

Important Links:
Study: Video Games, Like Other Media, a Desensitizing Agent
Dark Avatar
Brad's MySpace Page

  Download Full Show        57 Comments Segments :   Episode 52: Tech Segment  Episode 52: Game Segment 

Episode 51: For the Fans Only

7/24/2006 7:27:58 PM

Host: Kristin Hatcher

We got nothin'. Due to extensive technical difficulties we were lucky to have a show at all. In any event our lack of ability to get to the Internet and various other time constraints made this show appropriate for fans only. Hope you enjoy it. :D

Important Links:
Talking Mirror
Mormegil Blog
Zoomba Blog

  Download Full Show        39 Comments Segments :   Episode 51: Game Segment  Episode 51: Zoomba - The Director's Cut 

Episode 50: EU Fines Microsoft, Zune, Wi-Fi & More!

7/17/2006 6:29:36 PM

Host: Kristin Hatcher

This week we burn through some tech news, including (but not limited to) the EU slaps Microsoft with a ton of fines, the house votes to crack down on internet gambling and it turns out a majority of podcast listeners are Star Trek fans (is that true gang?). Also Microsoft makes an "iPod killer" called the Zune to which we (or at least Kristin) responds with a resounding "meh".

In gaming news we discuss a Sony "anti-used game" patent, inform you that Oblivion has come out with a new expansion pack and laugh at Uwe Boll. No wait, we laugh with him. Yet another console is getting ready to hit the streets and Microsoft's Zune will hook into the 360 but won't play games. Huh?

This is episode 50 folks. A big shout-out to our IRC peeps and all those who post on the forums and give us love. If it wasn't for you we'd...be talking to ourselves. Thank you!

Important Links:
Podcasts popular in the holodeck
The Real Microsoft's iPod Killer Argo Please Stand Up!
Yet Another Videogame Console

  Download Full Show        78 Comments Segments :   Episode 50: Tech Segment  Episode 50: Game Segment 

Episode 49: Net Neutrality, Fast Gaming Memory and More!

7/10/2006 5:46:45 PM

Host: Kristin Hatcher

Microsoft is hit with a second lawsuit over their "Windows Genuine Advantage", meanwhile OS X is phoning home too. A new challenger to YouTube arrives on the scene and offers to pay people for their videos, but does their business model make sense? Google threatens future anti-trust suits over the net neutrality issue, and Samsung is busy mass-producing ultra-fast gaming memory hardware.

In gaming news we wonder if the Wii might be a wee bit early and arrive in September? Sony is in the news again, this time with a controversial ad. President Bush receives a DS Lite and Brain Age for his birthday, but makes no comment on his current score. Also an Arab gamer refuses to play a video game against an Israeli gamer and loses his championship title in the process.

Joel tells us what game is kicking his butt this week and we find out that Microsoft might be releasing a challenger to the iPod later this year. SHOCK! No, not really.

We're rowdy! We're unprofessional! We dare you to listen to this show...if you think you can HANDLE it!

Important Links:
YouTube challenger offers to pay for video
Sony's New PSP Ad Draws Ire
Wii to Launch in September?

  Download Full Show        48 Comments Segments :   Episode 49: Tech Segment  Episode 49: Game Segment 

Episode 48: Microsoft and More! (Rated R)

7/3/2006 12:39:18 PM

Host: Kristin Hatcher

Lots of Microsoft news this week as they try to get their heads out of...the sand. A new lawsuit probably isn't helping matters much. We discuss Google "Checkout", a new way to buy products online. Also Apple is required to halt sales of some of its products in Europe because they are not able to meet the safety standards set by the EU.

In game news we really begin to get bawdy with the discussion of the news that Take 2 has been subpoenaed over content in Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto. Also PS3 games might be way expensive (surprise) and we check out the Half-Life 2 stats released this week. Finally, Joel tells us about the game that's kicking his butt this week.

It's as rowdy and unprofessional as you have come to expect from us. The Adult "tag" is just fair warning. Check it out!

Important Links:
Microsoft Scraps WinFS
Take-Two Subpoenaed
HL2 Episode 1 Stats

  Download Full Show        42 Comments Segments :   Episode 48: Tech Segment  Episode 48: Game Segment 

Episode 47: Hacker-U, EA Buys Mythic, and More!

6/26/2006 4:46:30 PM

Host: Kristin Hatcher

This week Brad makes his triumphant return from somewhere up north (and Kristin gets told exactly where!) In news, we discuss the French backing down against Apple on DRM, a 500 GHz (yes, that's gigahertz!) chip and you too can now go to school to become a 1337 h4x0r!!1 AT&T revises it's privacy policy to say it's still evil, just clearer about it and the Georgia Institute of Tech devises a way to foil pirates right in the theaters. We also discuss how the Chinese are digging Maxthon for it's proxy goodness and Brad saves not one but two turtles!

In game news, Joel, er um, "Dr. Love" talks about how Louisiana's violent game bill got blocked the very same day it came into effect, Mythic gets bought by EA and works toward Warhammer Online, and the Nintendo DS will soon have Opera for web browsing. Nintendo President Satoru Iwata also talks game pricing and Lumines Live for Xbox 360 will charge you twice; once for the game and once for multiplayer.

Brad divulges many details about the upcoming Galactic Civilizations II: Dark Avatar expansion pack and a listener calls in to ask us what our inspiration for starting the podcast was. Lots to hear in this longer episode, so gets to downloadin'!

Important Links:
Mastering the art of hacking.
Chilly chip shatters speed record.
EA buys Mythic.

  Download Full Show        40 Comments Segments :   Episode 47: Tech Segment  Episode 47: Game Segment 

Episode 46: Parallels, PS3 Pre-Order and More!

6/19/2006 6:10:47 PM

Host: Kristin Hatcher

Kristin talks about her trip to San Francisco for a Windows Vista Marketing Day and discusses Vista Beta 2 features that were exhibited. Speaking of Microsoft, Bill Gates announces his departure from The Vole in two years to lend more time (and money) to charity. Also, running Windows on a Mac at the same time without rebooting! More RIAA lawsuits, this time it's YouTube users.

Joel talks about the ESRB's new $1,000,000 fine for games with non-disclosed violent or sexual content. Also, Blizzard addresses rumors about other MMOs based on their other titles. Congress holds a hearing to discuss violence in video games (damning them all, of course). A grossly-expensive PS3 pre-order in the UK and, of course, the game that's kicking Joel's butt this week.

In our new segment, staff recommendations for an overall happier computing experience and more silliness than should be allowed by law!

Important Links:
Parallels
GriSoft's AVG AntiVirus
Open Source Beer

  Download Full Show        33 Comments Segments :   Episode 46: Tech Segment  Episode 46: Game Segment 

Episode 45: Google vs. China, Gamer Addict Clinic in Amsterdam and More!

6/12/2006 5:43:22 PM

Host: Kristin Hatcher

This week Google takes on the world + Dell (again), big giant laptops hit the market and no one has any idea who wants them, Norway demands iTunes that can play on any format and France is still yelling "me too"!

In gaming news, police have seized video games in connection with a shooting investigation, and our favorite anti-game guy has a hand in that. Plus a clinic for game addicts is opening in Amsterdam of all places. It'll cost you more to get on Sony's Station Access now, and Louisiana is sending a violent video games bill to the Governor.

Don't look now, but WindowFX version 3.0 has been released. Check out all the news you can stomach right here!

Important Links:
Big Laptops Await Fate in Market
Game-addict clinic opening in Amsterdam
WindowFX 3.0!

  Download Full Show        31 Comments Segments :   Episode 45: Tech Segment  Episode 45: Game Segment 

Episode 44: Pirate Bay, Half Life Add-On, and More!

6/5/2006 3:55:36 PM

Host: Kristin Hatcher This week we discuss Dell's new 'luggable', a 20 pound laptop that transforms into a briefcase. Also Swedish police take down the bittorrent site Pirate Bay, Apple expands on their used computer equipment recycling program, and Amnesty International turns their collective eye on Internet repression.

In gaming news Joel tells us about the first Half Life add-on available on Valve's website 'Steam', Microsoft plans a gaming handheld and a new survey in Japan says that most Japanese think the PS3 is too expensive. Well...DUH! Joel also talks about what game is kicking his butt this week.

Catch the show for ranting, raving and possibly some tech and game news thrown in to boot!

Important Links:
Dell designs a 'desknote'
Apple expands recycling program
Storm Hits the Pirate Bay

  Download Full Show        84 Comments Segments :   Episode 44: Tech Segment  Episode 44: Game Segment 

Episode 43: Vista Beta 2, Video Game Protester, and More!

5/29/2006 10:33:14 AM

Host: Kristin Hatcher

This week on the show we discuss how some schools are trying to make sure students keep their blogging habits "appropriate". We also talk about Microsoft's new Urge, and Vista Beta 2 being released. We also bring you an update on the Sony rootkit settlement.

In gaming news, two states have two radically different laws and two reactions to them. A new study shows that surgeons who 'warm up' by playing video games actually perform better than those who don't. And finally, we discuss a Reno professor who is protesting the war in his own special way inside the game "America's Army".

Joel Hulsey has the week off this week, but the rest of us do our best to fill the gaps.

Important Links:
Schools crack down on inappropriate blogs
Vista Beta 2 released
Nevada Professor Protests in Online Game

  Download Full Show        96 Comments Segments :   Episode 43: Tech Segment  Episode 43: Game Segment