Lips

A few weeks ago, I picked up a copy of Lips. Lips is a karaoke party video game.  The game play is pretty simiar to the rythm based music games, but instead of pushing buttons in time with an onscreen display, you have to sing along with the song.  Using the included microphones the game detects your pitch and compares it to what it thinks is appropriate for the song.

They put a lot of nice touches on the microphones.  There are embedded LEDs that pulse and change colors with the music.  Also, there is an embedded accellerometer in the mic, and you can impove your score in the game by moving around.  In a party situation, other people who are not singing, can use the controllers to play backup instruments.

I am not a singer, my wife is, but this can be a fun game, especially in a party situation.  

I do have some problems with the game. The main problem that I have is that it appears that this game was ported to the Xbox 360, but doesn't correctly implement some of the main features.

1. Achievements - Most games that allow multiple to play on a single Xbox 360 use the Xbox user that is associated with a controller to determine who gets Xbox Achievements.  So normally, if I and my wife are logged in, I will get achievements for the accomplisments that I do, and she will get them for hers.  But in Lips, only the person who launched the game gets the achievements, even if they were earned by the other player.


2. Downloadable Content - Most games that have downloadable content will use that content, if one Xbox account has downloaded it (The DRM that the Xbox 360 uses makes content available to every user on the first Xbox that downloaded it and the user who authorized the download on any Xbox.   But not Lips.  In Lips only the user who downloaded the content can use it to sing.  So if a different user launches Lips, that content is not available.

Update: This problem has been discussed the Lips Xbox forums.  You need to launch Lips as each user that wants to access the DLC.  Then you need to select the content that you want to add to your library.

links for 2008-02-22

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  HOW-TO: Printing from Ubuntu to a USB Printer on Airport Extreme Base Station - Ubuntu Forums
  
  
  (tags: ubuntu linux airport print)
  
  


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  Disk encryption may not be secure enough, new research finds | The Iconoclast - politics, law, and technology - CNET News.com
  
  
  (tags: disk encryption hardware security technology exploit)
  
  

Squeezebox for kids bedrooms

Tonight, I was sitting downstairs working on the computer, listening to the baby monitor.  Then the CD in baby's room started to skip, and it woke her up.  This made me think about this post that I wrote a while ago.

The kids have a tendency to scratch CDs and break CD and tape players (cassettes can not be played in one of their radios any more).  I started to think of the ideal solution.  I like the way that the SqueezeBox is able to play my whole colection of music, and I am able to control it remotely (to turn it off after the kids go to sleep, or turn down the volume). And that is without the media being damaged.

The one problem with the SqueezeBox is that it doesn't have built-in speakers.  Ideally Logitech would come out with a SqueezeBox that integrates speakers and an amplifier.  Something like the Roku SoundBridge Radio would be great. Unfortunately the SoundBridge Radio doesn't support the latest version of  SlimServer.

 

 

Wii Carnival Games

I picked up Wii Carnival Games because I though that it would be a good
game for our kids.  It isn't.  It is a pretty bad game.  There are some
things wrong with it.

When you play, you have to create a new
avatar, where you can customize the body and clothing.  Unfortunately,
you can just pick your Mii, and have to waste time creating a new one
that is not usable anywhere else.


Also, even though the game is rated E, young kids will not be able
to win or even score with most of the games, so they get extremely
frustrated.

I wouldn't recommend that you buy this game.

links for 2007-07-04

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  iPhone root password cracked in three days - Blogs - Byte Club - Builder AU
  
  
  (tags: security iphone root password)
  
  

links for 2007-06-17

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  20 Tips for More Efficient Google Searches - Dumb Little Man
  
  
  (tags: google search tips howto tricks)
  
  

links for 2007-05-27

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  A test of 3 portable navigation devices
  
  
  (tags: navigation portable device GPS)
  
  

That's My Boy!

Our 4 year old son has been taking a computer class at his school.  We got this note from his teacher after he finished the first session of classes.

Our last computer class for the term is next week. He is amazing! He is so focused when he is doing the mission. He needs little direction and just goes. We have add-on programs for the students who finish ahead of the rest. I've seen Morgan finish before the 2nd graders and go further in the add-ons then the rest of the class. You have one adorable and bright son there!

Top Ten Reasons To Be Thankful For Your Spouse!

This post has 10 reasons to be thank for your spouse.  I am so grateful for my wife.  Thank you sweetheart, for everything that you do.  I love you.

Wait 'Till Next Year

   

I just watched the documentuary, "Wait 'Till  Next Year: The Saga of the Chicago Cubs" on HBO.  It brought back so many memories of my childhood.

• Watching or listening to the game on WGN channel 9 or WGN radio.


• Listening to Harry Carry announce the games and lead the 7th inning strech.  (No one can sing Take Me Out To The Ball Game like Harry Carry.)


• Seeing the ivy at Wrigley Field on warm summer days

I really want to be able to take our kids to Wrigley Field to see a game.

[images via flickr: 1, 2, 3]

Thank you Ronald

Thank you for spoiling such an incredible granddaughter, that I am lucky to have married.  Thank you for welcoming me into the family.  Thank you for showing the same love to your great-grandkids.

I will miss you.  We all will miss you.  But you will be in our hearts, and I know that you will be watching us.

I love 10 months

Our daughter is almost 10 months old, and I love this age.  She is at a age where she is happy to fall asleep in my arms.  Before this age, she would only go to sleep after nursing.  I remember when our son reached the same age and was able to fall asleep with me.

Doctor insurance scam

We have been dealing with what appears to be a scam by an anesthesiologist. In September, our daughter was born by cesarean. We knew that the surgeon and the hospital was a part of our health insurance network, so we knew that their charges would be covered.

A couple of months later, we received a bill for the anesthesiologist, requesting payment, since the insurance company only payed 70%. Since the hospital assigned the anesthesiologist, and the hospital was under the contract with the insurance company, I though that it was strange that the anesthesiologist wouldn't be covered. I call my insurance company, and then they said that they agreed to pay 100%. But that is 100% of what they deem to be the correct cost. So I am still liable for the difference.

New addition to our family

My wife gave birth to our daughter yesterday. Kaya Mae was born at 2:39 on 9/8. She is a healthy 9lbs 6oz and 20.5" long.