Toby's Ironman-In-Training Blog

Before being moved up to Kalsu, several of us bought Microsoft X-Box video game consoles in Kuwait, along with a few TVs, and four copies of “Halo”. We had some really good 16-way tournaments, and planned on continuing so once we arrived at Kalsu.

But, the generator power up here is pretty finicky, and a surge in the line toasted four of our X-Boxes. Since we couldn’t get to a PX nearby to exchange them (and didn’t have all the receipts and packaging anyway), we seemed to be pretty much out of luck. I wrote a letter to Microsoft explaining our problem, asking if they could send us some replacements as a Christmas gift.

Well, today I got a letter from Ann Heath, Coordinator of X-Box Marketing, saying they are “pleased and proud to send your platoon 4 replacement consoles and a selection of games. It is the least we could do to show our support and appreciation for your dedicated services during the holidays and throughout this last year.”

So, here’s a great big ol’ preemptive thanks to Microsoft for their generosity! (I just hope they arrive intact — some people at customs tend to get sticky fingers when it comes to large packages from businesses, it seems).

And, to show my support and appreciation, since I’m sure some perceive me as being anti-Microsoft (which isn’t true.. I think they are very good at some things and not very good at others), let me say the following: Windows whips all over Linux when it comes to the desktop (and will for a long time to come); Pocket PC is far and away the best PDA platform around (Palm Pilots would probably still be one-trick, monochrome, featureless pieces of junk if it weren’t for Pocket PCs setting the bar); and I can’t wait to get a Motorola MPx200 cell phone from AT&T Wireless, the first Windows Mobile smartphone in the U.S., when I get home.

If you’re like most computer users, you view the web with Microsoft’s Internet Explorer (”IE”) browser. You probably do this not because you compared it with other browsers and found it to be better, but because it’s what comes with your computer, and it works well enough. In fact, you may be unaware that there are even any other worthwhile browsers you can choose from.

Well, I’m here to tell you that you do indeed have a choice of which browser to use, and if it weren’t for the fact that IE came with your computer, I seriously doubt you would choose it for its merits. Keep reading and I’ll try to convince you to change the way you browse the web.
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So here’s a shameless plug for my favorite new toy. It’s a Neuros MP3 player (or, as they call it, a “Digital Audio Computer”).

They have a few different versions, but I got the bundle that comes with two “backpacks”… one that has 128MB of memory, and the other with a 20GB hard drive. The first is small and good for jogging or clipping on your belt to take pretty much wherever, while the second one can hold hundreds of CDs worth of music.

It’s a little bigger than an Apple iPod, but has a ton of cool features like broadcasting music through a nearby FM radio; identifying unknown songs you hear on the radio by “fingerprinting” them; MP3/WAV recording from the built-in mic, line-in, or radio; and upcoming support for the superior Ogg Vorbis audio format.

If you’re in the market for an iPod or similar device, you owe it to yourself to check out Neuros. I absolutely love mine, and they’re constantly updating the firmware and sync software based on user input. Their customer support is also superb.