nerd know

Ok here I go

russ — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 23:29:14 -0800

Ok so this is me. I am not sure this is going to work, but I am going to try it.

So my wife has been on a diet due to her pregnancy and the diabetes she is dealing with, so as many married men know that means that means I am also on a diet. My wife found this site called MyFitnessPal and it has really changed how I look at what I eat. We both were wondering why were not losing as much as we thought or wanted, so this has helped us understand what were were eating and what effect the portions have on us.

This site has the ability to keep track of what you eat, using brands you are familiar with. The database is pretty exhaustive, we have only found a handful of items that are not in it. There is a web, phone or tablet app, easy to bring it with you where ever you go. There are also some really good time savers in this application, like as you add items they are added to your frequently used items, so it is just a click to readd something you eat all the time (like that normal breakfast). It is easy once you get the hang of using it. The database even has the vitamins I take from Trader Joe’s.

Now it starts by asking you the normal nutritional questions and then gives you a maximum calories you can eat. It then keeps track of whatever you eat and drink counting your calories and even some basic nutritional information like Calcium or Sodium intake.

I have been using it for a few days now and I like it. It is obvious I like it because I have added the badge to my website.

So why I have my picture up here and put the badge up is to show what I can accomplish in this quest to lose weight. Also, this is a way for me to “keep myself honest”. The other pictures are going to be a testament to my before pictures. *fingers crossed*

I currently weigh 296 lbs (+- 4 lbs). My target weight is about 270 right now. We will see what happens.

Wish me luck!

My new Battletech Catalog Page

russ — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:25:58 -0800

So my collection of Battletech stuff has grown lately, it was large already. I have recently written down all the items I have, and I will add to it as I continue to collect them. I made a page to hold them all. It is here.

I also have put links to the reviews I have posted already and will continue to add reviews as I do them. I am intending to go thru all the old stuff and review it in some in fashion.

There have been tons of magazine articles written about Battletech and I am going to cover the ones I have, but I am going to need some help finding the ones I don’t have. I will be looking for more resources but if you see anything I missed, please let me know.

Let me know what you think.

Again here is a link to the Battletech Catalog.

16 Movies I might see this year, some you should too!

russ — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:44:26 -0800

Ok so I was checking trailers out and I saw these up coming movies and I am impressed with them and am interested in seeing a few of them. Are any of you interested as well?

1. The Cabin in the Woods

This is Joss Whedon’s newest movie.

2. GI Joe 2: Retaliation

3. The Expendables 2

With a cast like below, how can it be bad.

4. Jack the Giant Killer

A retelling of the old fairy tale in high definition.

5. Casa de Mi Padre

Here is Will Ferrel’s new movie, for the comedy minded.

6. The Man from the Train

More of a drama about revitalizing one’s life I would think. We all know it is hard to tell from the trailers.

7. Prometheus

Ridley Scott’s Prometheus looks like it could be really cool or really bad, I guess that is the problem with trailers.

8. Underworld: Awakening

I know it is like Resident Evil, just continues, but I like this series as well.

9. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

I like the interplay here and the way it seems the story it wants to tell. I just eat these movies up most time, as long as they are half way well done.

10. The Grey

The survival story does it well. And who doesn’t like Liam.

11. Wrath of the Titans

I like the original, and I think I will like this one too. No Academy Awards for it, but it might just be fun, which is the only thing that matters.

12. Dark Knight Rises

Need I say more than the title? Christian Bale would be the last thing needed, so see it.

13. MIB 3

I like these movies. Silly fun.

14. 21 Jump Street

Not sure if I will like this, but the trailer looks good.

15. Battleship

Looks stupid, stupidly fun. I am not expecting anything but a mindless ride that is easy to see what is next, but explosives and maybe hot babes might make up for it. With the low bar I am giving it, it will be hard to disappoint me, hopefully.

16. The Three Stooges

Not sure about this at all, the trailer looks good.

So these are just a few of cool trailers that got me interested in seeing them.

Movie Log: Valhalla Rising

russ — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:51:03 -0800

A couple weeks ago I watch this movie, Valhalla Rising, with my neighbors. IMDB gives this movie a 5.9 out of 10, and I think that adequately represents this movie.

Ok, the premise of this movie is that it you have One Eye (Mads Mikkelsen) who has been a captured slave pit fighter for these Norsemen for a while. He has some very graphic and brutal fight scenes, which are very cool. As the plot very quietly progresses, you have One Eye finally escapes his captures and kills them. Then he starts out on a quiet journey to who knows where. Oh I forgot to mention that he is mute. He eventually starts talking thru some small child who was with the Norsemen. So they start walking thru the rolling hills and run into some Christians that have recently killed a random Village. They are on their way to the Holy Land for glory and loot. So the kid and One Eye hook up with them on a ship as they sail for the Holy Land. At this time I know they are on their way to new land (North America). I am sorry, but it was very predictable.

Now we have the Christians, One Eye and the kid are all in North America and the rest starts to unravel. I don’t want to ruin (if I can) anymore than I have already. So I will let you see it. Know this is a slow, and I mean molasses slow, movie. He pulls off the hero that never speaks, and the cinematography is outstanding. If I was just rating this on cinematography, it would be a 10.

Alas I have to rate it on story, and all the other things as well so I have to rank it as Netflix®. If you need a reminder on my ratings, click here.

Tom Colicchio gets the nod….

russ — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 22:00:47 -0800

One of the techniques Tom Colicchio stresses in his book, Think like a Chef, is braising. Braising, for those who don’t know the term, means slow cooking in liquid, at low heat. The braise allows you to develop flavors while tenderizing the meat. I have tried a beef braise and now I applied the principle to a pork shoulder roast I found in the store today. I browned the meat after seasoning it and then poured water over the meat, adding 1 onion and a clove from an elephant garlic. I also added several sprigs of fresh thyme and rosemary.

Another thing I agree with Mr. Colicchio about is the use of the freshest herbs and ingredients when you are cooking. Simply put, there is no substitute for the flavors you get from fresh herbs. The one think I don’t agree about is the use of leeks or ramps, which are wild leeks. I just don’t care for the flavor leeks impart.

I left the roast in the oven for several hours at 300 degrees and the meat just fell off the bone. I made a gravy from the pan drippings, after I removed the remaining solids in the broth and the result was amazing. Tremendous flavor, using a few simple ingredients. Thanks Tom!

Battletech: Historical-Operation Klondike (Review)

russ — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:39:43 -0800

So I picked up this sourcebook from Catalyst. If you know me you know I love Battletech very much, and this has done nothing but stoke that fire. Operation Klondike was Nicolas Kerensky’s 800 warriors, that would become the foundation of the clans, taking the Pentagon Worlds. How they overcame adversity in the face of what could have been their extinction or their version of the Succession Wars.

Again the story is the sandwiched between the history leading up to the operation and the aftermath of what the clans would become. The history leading up to Operation Klondike is the end of the Star League, the Amaris coup has been overthrown and General Kerensky after decades has liberated Terra. Terra and the surrounding star systems need to be rebuilt and Kerensky sets the Star League Defense Force (SLDF) to the task. Then natural politics and greed start to creep in. The Houses start poaching good warriors from Kerensky’s troops, then the House Lords dissolve the Star League officially since they cannot agree to anything. With the Cameron line (Terran Hegemony rulers that started the First Star League) killed off by Stefan Amaris, there is no one that can guide and bring the House Lords together, not that they were doing much before.

So with everything that he had just fought for to reclaim, Kerensky was seeing it all slip by and being stripped clean by the House Lords. So hatching a plan that many generations would come to regret, Kerensky set about his “Exodus”. He had chosen to leave the Inner Sphere with his full force, the only thing he could think to do. He wanted to remove his force from what he could only think would be constant warfare. In his way he was trying to save the Inner Sphere from this constant warfare. Sadly the Succession Wars still came about.

With all the secret plans made and executed in 2784, the majority of the SLDF, with dependents, left the Inner Sphere, not to return (till they did as the Clans). It was a long journey and before they reached their final destination they even had a coup attempt on some of the warships. They reach the Pentagon worlds and started settling. Now after colonization started on the five worlds, life started returning to the normal ways it was in the Inner Sphere. The national identities that all the Exodus people had started grouping them together, thus all the racial bigotries started coming back. What they found out is that they took the people out of the Inner Sphere, but not the Inner Sphere sentiments out of the people.

Kerensky tries to hold it all together, but he dies before it can happen. His son Nicolas Kerensky tries to take control, but there are too many factions with too many petty agendas to win, so he takes a group who is loyal to his father and him and fights his way off world to another discovered world called Strana Mechy. This is where Nicolas will forge his new society so he can execute Operation KLONDIKE and retake the Pentagon worlds and test his new warrior program.

From his first landing on Strana Mechy Nicolas is planning what he needs to rebuild his society. They take over the planet and start building the main city, which is laid out in a 5 pointed star that represents the Warrior, Scientist, Merchant, Laborer, and Technician. The number 5 would shape the clans from then on. This new society started to reshape itself, one of the foundations of this new society was trials for position. All warriors needed to test into their position, and continue to test for everything. Over the next few decades they built this new society. They removed all the trappings of the Inner Sphere, and all affiliations to it as well. Nicolas trained and honed his fighting force, his production facilities and his ideals. He waited till he had the capability to grow warriors in iron wombs. Once he could guarantee the genetic legacy of his warriors and their “skills” he knew that he had what was needed to return to the Pentagon worlds with his 800 warriors. Operation KLONDIKE could begin.

Operation KLONDIKE was started in space. This was the largest combined arms army in the history of the Inner Sphere, the fleet they had was huge. There were large depots of mothballed warships that Nicolas Kerensky’s Clans needed to take before they could make landfall. Also there were a few nomadic groups that lived in space in small communities on board their ships. This part of the operation had been planned for a few years, so it went very well. So with space locked down, they started landfall.

The first planet explained in this Historical is Arcadia. The Blood Spirits, Ghost Bears, Star Adders and Steel Vipers are the clans that attacked and conquered Arcadia. Arcadia was hard fought, but not the hardest to win of the Pentagon worlds. Many of the traditions the Clans began with this operation and the clans involved did use many of them. One highlight of this planet is the author of Operation KLONDIKE is killed at the beginning of the drop on this planet.

Babylon is covered next, it was attacked by the Cloud Cobras, Coyotes, Ice Hellion, and Sea Fox (later to be known as Diamond Sharks). Another planet hard fought. One highlight of this is the start of the Khan of the Coyotes slide into insanity.

Now we move to look at Circe and the Mongooses, Nova Cats, Snow Ravens, and Wolverines (later destroyed and labeled the Not Named Clan). Interesting ideas of honor clash on this planet, as warriors that were honorable yet not clan are used and abused and not truly respected. This could be the seed or sign of seed of the hubris the Clans will have later.

The fourth planet, Dagda, had the Burrocks, Fire Mandrills, Goliath Scorpions, and Widowmakers (later absorbed into the Wolves) combat dropping to conquer it. The highlight I like in this campaign is the negotiation with the Technicians at Black Mesa (yes, it is called that). An orbital strike occurred and forced the technicians to rethink their defense, thus giving up. Another highlight was the attack of the Black Brian. Nicolas called in the Wolves and the Jade Falcons to finish this last holding on the planet, as they had finished their task on Eden.

The fifth planet of Eden was attacked by the Hell’s Horses, Jade Falcons, Smoke Jaguars, and Wolves. Nicolas was part of all the attacks, but spent a good deal of time on this one, as did his brother Andery. Andery was killed on this planet near the end of the campaign, ironically while they were attacking the holdings of a pivotal general that thwarted Nicolas Kerensky’s ascension to control the SLDF.

In the Aftermath you have Nicolas making policy without his foil or the grounding of his brother Andery. He then gets to shape the clans as he see fit. The Wolverines are destroyed in the coming years. Also the Widowmakers are removed from the clan roll call in these years. After that you get into the Golden Years of the Clans that lead them to the point of invasion 250 years later.

The personality section of this book covers the Khans and the founders. Their history and the varied reasons they were the way they were, and how that translated to the Clans they served or founded.

Then you have a breakdown of the Clans and their history and/or personality in respect of the other clans.

I was not sure why they did it, but they put the maps of each planet at the end instead of with each story of the invasion. The maps are really scarce with a few facts and information that really didn’t tell much.

The Rules Annex is wonderful. I have been really impressed with this new addition to the Battletech products and how they make it work. First they start with scenario rules and how you can build a scenario and a Mech force to represent the clans or the Pentagon defenders. They then move into clan or unit special abilities. What that means is that if you are playing Clan Wolf you will have a certain set of special abilities that can be used in your campaign. Absolutely brilliant. Then it gets better, they go with notable personalities and their abilities. These abilities range from roleplaying to table top game boosts (meaning they boost the Mech game). Another wonderful addition (or I have been gone from Battletech for a long time). Next comes what I used to be looking for all the time, new Mech designs and weapons. They do not disappoint and even have another version of my favorite Mech of all time, the IMP.

I have to say this source book really helps me capture the feel of the Clans and where they began. I am currently reading the War of Reaving and it seems the Clans take a big step backwards after trying to “save” the Inner Sphere. The new formats, information, campaign ideas and rules, and production value of this book are all excellent. I can only fault it by saying they should have beefed up the descriptions of the Pentagon Worlds and better maps of them too, just to better connect me to the world when running scenarios.

I recommend this product to anyone who likes the Clans and would like to know where they came from. What I have always liked about the BattleTech universe is that you can see people making these types of mistakes and letting their greed overtake them and destroy them, or even that people are trying to make the best of a bad situation and that is what comes of it.

My breakdown of the book and its sections.

Stories and historical background
Space battles for Pentagon
Arcadia planet war
Babylon planet war
Circe planet war
Dagda planet war
Eden planet war
Aftermath
Personalities
The Clans: Children of Kerensky
The Pentagon
Rules Annex
1. Scenario rules
2. Unit special abilities
3. Personality special abilities
4. Weapons and Combat Units

Army Testing grounds from DVice

russ — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 23:37:07 -0800

For the last several months I have been reading on DVice and they have been very interested in what the Army and other armies have been up too. It seems that the military, as always, have been busy updating their technology or offering money to update it. It is interesting to see all the things they are trying to make work. I have gathered a few of them here and will highlight six of them.

Solar Uniforms

Now this is a good idea in my book. If you are going to be in the desert sweating it out, at least make the uniform able to capture electricity. The Brits decided that this would be a great idea and them started the “Solar Soldier” project. It helps them to not have to carry all the batteries and then absorb heat to help keep hidden less infrared visible. Interesting till it gets dark. I wonder if they can add a venting solution to cool soldiers down with all that free energy.

http://dvice.com/archives/2011/03/solar-uniforms.php

Solar Tents

Common on, again we are fighting in a frigging desert and all other types of areas that can harness the sun, it took people long enough to put solar collectors on the structures we deploy when in “battle”. Hopefully these tents create more energy than they cost. I think I read a report that energy in the field costs around a dollar a Kilowatt, it makes me wonder what these tents cost versus their output.

http://dvice.com/archives/2010/12/us-army-tents-a.php

Paint Ball Gun Bomb Detector

So what this is about is the Army is looking for a delivery vehicle for bomb detecting chemicals. They are looking for a way to deliver said chemicals about 50 to 100 yards away from the person shooting. I can understand, as I really don’t want to be “that” close to explosives.

http://dvice.com/archives/2011/11/army-turns-to-p.php

Army MREs

Upon reading about MRE’s on Wikipedia, I find this article not as interesting as the menu for MRE’s have been changing since their creation. They are thinking of caffeinated dried jerky, and whatever zapplesauce is. They are just trying anything that makes the soldiers eat it, and not throw away the tasteless parts of the MRE. I am always interested in the science of making something tasty, yet still easy and good for you. I wonder how many people the Army really retains to do the the science of this (all the surveys and tallying the results), thus how much of my tax dollars goes (for the record, I really approve of this spending) so our troops can be at tip top fighting shape to protect our country and interests in the world.

http://dvice.com/archives/2011/10/army-spices-up.php

Army T-Shirts

Army now wants people to make T-Shirts with thermal properties that change with the environment. So they get hot when it is cold and they get cooler when it is hot. This way the do not have to issue different gear with the different climes our soldiers will face. Now this is just what the Army wants to pay some person to make for them, and pay they will as there will be someone out there that can make this work. Think of the possibilities just in the commercial market, REI would have a whole line of this kind of stuff.

http://dvice.com/archives/2011/08/army-wants-smar.php

Army smartphones

This one kind of chaffs me, as the Army has boat load of money (maybe not after this year’s appropriations) and they want ruggedized (whatever that is) phones that can be used by the soldiers. The first time they take a photo or video and post it to YouTube they will be all over the soldiers. Army, just pay the money and build it for twelve times the cost for half the functionality and be done with it please.

http://dvice.com/archives/2010/12/army-we-want-yo.php

What warning stickers would be put on this?

russ — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 18:59:33 -0800

Wired.com had this article on the five best toys of all time. The five things that the author says are the best toys in the world are Sticks, Boxes, Strings, Cardboard tubes, and Dirt. Now the author goes over the nostalgia and the humor of her five items, and I felt the point they were making. It made me think back to my childhood and all the things I did as a child to amuse myself.

But as I was reading the article the devil in my brain got on his hamster wheel and started to run full speed. He (yes, even though I am married, the devil still is male) whispered in my ear and asked “What warning stickers would have to be on a stick if it truly was a child’s toy?” Think about it, you have to have a warning sticker on a lawn mower to not be used indoors. There are thousands of warnings that now have be administered for an item to be sold in America. I mean what are some of the labels we would have to have to make this work?

“Warning: Using this Stick could cause deforestation?”

“Warning: Terrorists use sticks, don’t be a terrorist.” – Sorry that is more a Keep Kids Off Sticks ad campaign.

“Warning: Running with big sticks can pole vault you, either your stomach or genitals could be harmed.”

“Warning: Whacking your brother, even though he deserves is, will get you punished.”

What are some ones you are thinking of?

Original Article - The 5 Best Toys of All Time | GeekDad | [Wired.com]

Cisco’s Flip 8GB Ultra II HD (120 minutes)

russ — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:09:34 -0800

So I bought a new toy for NerdKnow, a Cisco Flip. It has 8GB’s of space and can record HD video for 120 minutes. It is compact and it is, well, refurbished. The video quality is great as you can see from the video below. Easy to use, and handy. It has a flip out USB port. I have tried it and the software to use it is pretty good.

My breakdown of PC Gamer’s Top 100 part 5

russ — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:08:46 -0800

So for the Month of March in 2011 PC Gamer decided to go over the Top 100 Games of All Time. So here is the list (last 20) that they went over:

20. Half-Life 2: Episode 2 – Released 2007.

Never played this, but recently bought it so I can. I will have to check it out. Gotta love Steam sales in December.

19. Planescape: Torment – Released 1999.

Hate this interface more than Eggplant. I REALLY HATE Eggplant.

18. Counter-Strike – Released 1999.

I liked this game, but spent most of my time watching everyone else after my death.

17. Minecraft – Released 2011.

How is this game liked by anyone?

16. Sid Meier’s Civilization IV – Released 2005.

Spent many hours on this game, lost many but also sent many of Earthlings to space.

15. Left 4 Dead – Released 2008.

Wow. Wow. This game deserves to be in the Top 15. Wow. It keeps you going all the time.

14. Half-Life – Released 1998.

This game kept me sane. How you ask? It

13. ArmA 2 – Released 2009.

Never that interested in this game. After reading about the lengths the “guilds” or player base goes to, I think I would pass on it and all future versions.

12. X-COM UFO Defense – Released 1994.

I bought this game on Steam and I have tried to play it, and I can’t. I tried, but to no avail. Way to confusing to start with.

11. Company of Heroes Online – Released 2010.

Not interested.

10. Ultima VII: The Black Gate – Released 1992.

Does anybody care about a game that old?

9. StarCraft II – Released 2010.

StarCraft 2, really? or is it Star Craft with a mod of better graphics and no personal servers?

8. Portal – Released 2007.

What, no shooting? What else could we do? That computer sounds so sexy though.

7. Diablo 2 – Released 2000.

Click. Click. Loot. Click. Click (1000 times more) Level 1.

6. Rome: Total War – Released 2004.

Made for the History Channel. LOL. No really, those shows are showing you this game.

5. Half-Life 2 – Released 2004.

This is your graphics card. This is your graphics card on Half-Life2, Half-Life2 is AWESOME!

4. Team Fortress 2 – Released 2007.

This is the best game to load up and just kill people. What more can you ask? Oh funny hats you say? Ok, you have them now.

3. Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion – Released 2006.

Own, never played. Want to… just not enough time.

2. World of Warcraft – Released 2004.

Cartoon war for cartoon players.

1. Deus Ex – Released 2000.

Cannot agree more!!!!!! Loved this game. Before Far Cry, you had the ability to attack the problem as you saw fit. I loved playing this game, even in 2011.