Sun And Games

Let Me Help With Your Next Digital Camera

2009-07-08T17:31:00.000-04:00

GE digital camera problems are common, but why the problems exist are because of manufacturing. The cameras use the same technology as the other manufacturer's but for some reason the digital cameras are not making the grade. Before buying a GE digital camera, you need to look at the features and options as well as the reviews to see if the camera will do what you need it to do.

Another reason to look into compact digital camera reviews is when you are looking to buy one as a gift for another person. Before you begin your search, you should find out what the person needs in the camera. With all the different types around, you will find something that fits their specific needs.

The digital camera ratings guide will be a big help for anyone thinking about this innovation from Nikon. The camera offers a high-resolution image. Nevertheless, what are the other features? How easy is it to use? These are going to be some of the questions you might want to know answers to before looking at one.

Nikons digital camera problems are few except for the functions. You do need to know how to operate a SLR camera or you will have poor picture quality. The SLR digital cameras are not for beginners. The user's manual does take quite some time to read and understand all the features and functions of the camera.

The cameras themselves are excellent cameras for the money. If you have battery problems, you might need to consult with a repair person to see if there is a problem with the batteries. Sometimes on the Coolpix digital cameras, the lens will not retract if the battery goes dead.

So how do I like the camera? So far it's great! I've been testing things out, particularly with different lenses. The autofocus on the camera is very quick as well. The light metering is also very consistent for me so far. The only thing I found I did not like so far is its burst rate, which is a bit low (4 JPEG or RAWs).

Face detection is a feature that everybody is thrilled about in any camera. Add a self timer to this feature and you've got a feature every point and shoot camera owner must have used at least once. This digital camera secrets and this camera digital canon should help.

Finding an online digital camera store is easy if you have access to a computer. You will find so many stores that sell digital cameras from every manufacturer online. You will even find that Amazon has a huge selection of digital cameras and reviews.

Used Wii Games Library

2009-04-27T15:32:00.003-04:00

Wouldn't it be cool, if your hometown had a library full of used Wii Games? You know, one like the one they have now, full of all those books. Where, you could just take your free library card out of your wallet, slap it on the counter, and take home as many Wii games as you'd like, and play with them for like the next three weeks. Cool huh?

Well, in a way they sort of, except it's not totally free, and requires a little bit of hacking around on your part. I mean, I think we all know that eBay is full of all kinds of computer games (Wii, PS3, PS2, Xbox, etc,etc) for sale. I'm sure you can find hundreds of games on there you like to play, or simply haven't had the time to try out. I also sure you know that you can sell your games on eBay. Well, there ya go. Still not sure what I mean?

Well, first of all, I'm going to assume your not one of those people dying to build a collection of video game boxes to line your shelves. Like me ;) As an aside, I really am trying to break that habit.

Any way, here all you need to do to get some cheap used wii games. If you don't already have an eBay account, then go ahead and get yourself one. If your under 18, you may need your parents permission here. Anyway if not then just carry on. Next, find yourself a half dozen or so games you'd like to play, and buy them. This is going to take a few bucks at the beginning to get started. Next, play those games, till your eyeballs are popping out of your head, or you can't them any more.

Now, your ready to put those same games up for sale. Hopefully for at least as much as you paid for them. If your lucky, and the games are popular, you may even make a profit here. Once the games sell, it's time to reinvest that cash into a few more games.

I think, you get the idea here. All the games you'd ever want to play for free, free, free (or at least pretty cheap). Who needs all those old games cluttering up your crib anyway? Not when there are so many more games just waiting to be played.

Looking For Fun Bowling Games?

2009-04-20T18:14:00.004-04:00

If you've been looking for some fun bowling games, then you've come to the right spot. Now, I'm not talking about your grandfathers bowling game, and there are definitely no team bowling shirts required. Although, if your really want the shirts, don't let me stop you. What I am talking about, is playing the wonderfully fun game of bowling right in your home. Actually you can play bowling just about anywhere you want these days, but that's a discussion for further on.

There really are a lot of fun bowling games available for play right on the internet. When I do a search for the exact phrase "Free Bowling Games" in Google, there are 11,000 pages listed. Good lord, who knew there were that many Free bowling games available? I did the search again, and found 227,000 pages for the exact phrase "Bowling Games". I don't know about you, but even I don't like bowling all that much.

But hey, they wouldn't have put them out there, if nobody wanted them. I mean, you can play bowling on your computer, in a browser, on your cell phone, on your PS3, your Wii, your PSP, your DS, your DSI, your iPhone, your Blackberry, and I bet you could even go bowling in a bowling alley. Although, with all the other choices for bowling these days, I have to wonder how many people actually go to a bowling alley anymore?

Actually quite a few I'm sure. Bowling is really a sociable sport. It's meant to be enjoyed with family and friends. Not to mention a little pizza and beer as well. I mean hey, what's the point of throwing a gutter ball if you don't have friends to heckle and laugh at you when you do. It's all part of the fun huh. And sometimes, it's nice to just get out of the house, put on some embarrassingly un-fashionable bowling shoes, and throw a few balls.

But, on those days, when getting out of the house is just not going to happen, then it's time to download some fun bowling games. I prefer these ones to the browser based games, as there just a little bit better. Nicer to look at, and a little more like the real game. Go ahead give them a try. There's five free bowling game you can try out at the link. Guaranteed virus free, and fun filled.

Vintage Guitars & Vintage Boats

2009-03-20T16:55:00.003-04:00

Guitars are kinda cool instruments, and one of the better ones for sail boaters. Sounds like a strange thing to say I know, but it's true. Allow me to explain, boats are really big places, and so even though, it's great that my kids can play piano, it's a little hard to take the piano to the boat. For that matter, have you ever seen anyone sit around the campfire playing songs on the piano. Well, no of course not. They all play guitar. It doesn't have to be a vintage Gibson guitar, any old guitar will do. Actually, any old beat up guitar will do. A smaller kid sized one, may be even better, if your accommodations aren't all that big. If you've ever checked out the price of those older guitars, you may be in for a little sticker shock. Picking up an old Gibson electric and Marshall amplifier could set you back thousands of dollars. I like the acoustic types for campfires, and sailboat cockpits while under the stars. They just seem better suited for the mood. So, get out of your bedroom, and start playing your guitar where others can hear you. If you can sing, that's even better. I can't, so if I ever learn to play, I'll make sure to learn songs that everyone else knows the words to, so they can do the singing.

Looking For A 40th Birthday Present?

2009-03-12T14:24:00.003-04:00

I'm a little older than 40, but don't expect me to answer by how much. Well, lots of other people are turning 40 this year, and they have all sorts of friends that can't imagine what to get for them. It does seem like such an old age, at least it did for me. I didn't have a problem with 20, or even with 30, or come to think of it, at the time I didn't think too much about 40 either. But, now that I look back at it, it does seem kind of old. Maybe something about having a teenager around the house makes it worse, as they like to remind you about how young they are. Anyway, if your looking for some perfect gifts for a 40 year old, especially a guy, then you may need a little help. It is a big number, that for some reason, guys seem to have a harder time with. I guess, the trick is not to think about it. I know my Dad had a thing about birthdays, and never liked to celebrate his. I always thought that was a little silly, but maybe now as I get older, I can start to imagine why. Just a little, but not a lot.

Blacksmith Anvils, Forges, & Tools

2009-03-12T14:15:00.003-04:00

I'm as surprised as anyone to discover, that the career of blacksmith is still surviving to this day. At least the farrier type of blacksmith is surviving as a career. Horse still need to wear horseshoes, and farriers are the guys and gals that put them on. But blacksmithing in general still enjoys an avid following. While for the most part, is made up of hobbyists, anachronists, and plain old DIY folks, it is an interesting pursuit by many. If you take a perusal around the internet, you'll find all kinds of blacksmith tools of the trade still be sold and created. It's a popular part of being a blacksmith to make your own tools, but buying used tools that were originally created by other blacksmiths is still fun to do. Many blacksmiths do what they do for the artistic side of metal working. If you go to any of the big craft fairs, you should be able to find some interesting metal works done by many of these skilled artisans. If your considering taking up the fine art of being a blacksmith, you should visit the blacksmith tools for sale, to get you started.

A Bulldozer By Any Other Name

2009-03-12T14:02:00.002-04:00

Don't you ever wonder where strange names come from. For instance, who could have come up with the idea to name a heavy piece of machinery after a farm animal. Where did the "Bull" in bulldozer come from anyway. Apparently bulls like to partake in a sort of reverse tug-of-war pushing game against rival bulls. He who pushes the other further back the most, wins. Well, that seems pretty obvious, since a bulldozer really excels at pushing things, dirt, stumps, trees, boulders, and buildings around. How about Caterpillar Bulldozer. Now, if that isn't an oxymoron of words, I can't imagine what is. What would a bull and a caterpillar actually have in common. You would think nothing actually. The naming is connected with the Holt tracks built by the company of the same name. Apparently, when someone looked at the Holt tracks upside down then made a comment that they looked like a caterpillar. Can't say I've ever tried looking at a bulldozers tracks upside down, bu I could sort of imagine how they could look like a caterpillar. Anyway, the name stuck, and a while later the first Caterpillar Bulldozer machine was actually named. So there you have it, a caterpillar and a bull working together.

Computer Geek GPS Farmers

2009-03-12T13:50:00.002-04:00

It's pretty remarkable, where you'll find computer nerds these days, but farmers in tractors certainly had to be one of the last. I live in a pretty agricultural area, once I'm out of the city, and it never occurred to me, that farmers would make more use out of computers, than doing their accounting. But, in reality, they use it for all sorts of things, probably the coolest, is to put their tractors on auto pilot. Using GPS technology, more specifically Trimble GPS technology, combined with some pretty sophisticated software, farmers are putting their tractors on auto pilot. Apparently, by using GPS technology, and plowing, cultivating, preparing, and harvesting fields can be done incredibly more precise. This is important to farmers, as it means less time driving a tractor over the same section of field. That results in fuel savings, and manpower savings. By having computer driven GPS receivers in a tractor, that tractor can actually drive itself. I'm not sure if the farmer stays in the tractor as well, but it would seem a little safer to me. You'd hate to see a tractor run amok, and end up trying to plant peanuts down the highway. Trimble seems to have things worked out pretty good though, so that doesn't happen.

Chainsaw Lessons

2009-03-12T12:19:00.003-04:00

I used a chainsaw once, and it wasn't as bad, as you may have imagined. I still have all my appendages, and they're all still in the right place. That was an impressive feat considering my propensity for not being very comfortable around power tools. Now, it was only an electric chainsaw, and not one of those behemoth STIHL chainsaws used by real lumberjacks for felling huge California sized red woods out west. But, I did use it to take down a tree. I borrowed it from my father in law, who kept telling me to oil or sharpen the blades or something like that. It was a somewhat small tree, but a tree none the less. I actually left a stump of it up for a while (few years actually) as I had plans to carve it into a light post, that never actually took place. It seemed like a good idea at first. I wasn't planning on carving it with the chainsaw, but I thought maybe a lighthouse styled light post would be kind of cool as we do own a sailboat. But eventually, that stump fell victim to another chainsaw. A hired one actually, when the neighbor was getting his tree taken down, and my wife jumped at the opportunity to finally remove the eyesore from our front yard. Although, I've noticed a few houses in town, that have since had old stumps carved into rather amusing figurines on the front lawn. Not sure if they used a chainsaw or not.

Anyone Can Be A Farmer With A Cub Cadet

2009-03-12T11:59:00.004-04:00

Ever longed to spend some time on the farm, out on the back 40 tending to your crops, and just enjoying the quiet that farm life can bring. Chances are you haven't, since most people these days live in the city, and the closest they get to tending to crops, is the noise of their lawnmower, as they maneuver it around the kids swing set and climbers. Well, the good news, is that now you can pretend like you are a farmer with your own cub cadet riding tractor. If you've never seen one of these things, well there like a little tractor that the real farmers use. And they should I suppose, since they were originally conceived by International Harvester back when they say a need for the average homeowner to do a little more yard work with the help of a mini tractor. You can get a cub cadet, that just mows the lawn, but I'd recommend you go for the general utility model, so you can add a bunch of attachments. If your looking for Cub Cadet blades, check out that link. There's one for towing stuff, plowing snow, digging post holes, or whatever else needs doing around your yard. Other than that, they're just fun to bomb around on.

Ever Tried Welding?

2009-03-12T11:33:00.003-04:00

I've never welded anything in my life, but if I did, I think I'd want to do it with a Lincoln welder. May as well use the best. I'm not the most DIY sort of guy, and was never around big tools very often, but welding seems like a cool thing to try. Not sure it will make my list of to 40 things to do before I die, but certainly in the top 400. All those sparks, and bright lights, not to mention that cool helmet and shades you get to wear. I did work for a while in a steel fabricating plant, so I'm not sure why I never got to try it. Maybe because, I spent most of my time in the office reading blueprints, and making shop drawings for the boys on the floor to fabricate. There were a few weeks, though when the company went into receivership, that I spent working on the plant floor. There wasn't much work to do, so it was either spend a few weeks on the floor or be laid off. I don't remember actually doing very much, other than throwing rocks at the old equipment stored out back. I suppose that would have been my opportunity to use a welder then. If I could have found someone to show me how. You really do have to grab those opportunities, when they arise I guess. Well, maybe someday, I'll get to do a little TIG or ARC welding.

It's Good To Be A Big Blowhard

2009-03-12T11:23:00.004-04:00

That may seem like a strange heading, but it's not necessarily what you think. I'm talking about that oh so popular these days alternative energy generation. It's good for the planet and all. Since we have yet to discover another habitable one to live on, then it's probably best for all, if we take better care of the one we have. Sorry for the long intro, but what I'm trying to get around to talking about, is of course wind power. You do have a wind generator / turbine running at home don't you? Well if you don't, then why not? I have a buddy who complains too much about all the wind generators the government keeps putting up, because he thinks the cost too much money. Well, sometimes I think we need to make decisions not entirely based on money. Yep, that's right it's not all about saving money. Some times the planet trumps the bottom line. Wind generators are kind of cool anyway. They look so surreal when you see 10 or so in a farmers field. I'm not sure way, just kind of cool. Bird lovers don't like them, because apparently the birds are bright enough to fly around them. These are of course the same birds that find it necessary to fly right in front of a car when flying over a road. Not the brightest creatures . . . survival of the fittest and all. Wind power, it's the way to go.

String em up!

2009-03-12T10:24:00.002-04:00

Times are tough, we all know that, but we still need to play squash. Or tennis, or badminton, or racquetball, or whatever decent racquet sport it is your into. As sports go, racquet sports are not overly expensive to participate, but there are some costs. They always find a way to get you somehow don't they. I'm a big squash player, and with that one it seems to be racquet stringing. It seems like, every month or so I need new strings, and at $35 a pop, it doesn't take long, before I spend more on stringing a racquet then I actually paid for the racquet. There is a solution, but it requires a little up front cash, and a bit of time as well. You can learn to string your own racquets. For less than $500 you can get a pretty good stringing machine. If you buy your string buy the spool, and in bulk you'll be amazed how inexpensive it is. Less that nine bucks for a squash racquet for sure. There's a good web page with stringing machines, videos, and a few tips for how to look for the right machine. By the time you've done 12 racquets you should have made your money back. If you don't go through that many racquets, you could always string some for friends. If you play a lot, I'm sure you know plenty of people with racquets that need to be strung.

Perfect Machine For A Big Job With A Small Budget

2009-03-12T10:14:00.003-04:00

If you've got some heavy lifting work, that needs some serious muscle, but only have a small budget, than a skid steer may be just what you need. If your not sure, what a skid steer is, it's really the same as a Bobcat. It's like the miniaturized version of a bulldozer, backhoe, or front end loader. Plus a bunch of other stuff as well. With the right attachments, like an auger you could dig post holes for example. They're pretty amazing little machines, and if you take a drive by even a big construction site, your likely to see a few of them around. You can even rent them from many equipment rent-all places, if you don't have the money to justify buying one all right. eBay is full of used ones to, so this is always an option. You could probably even sell it after on eBay after the project is complete. There's a few good skid steer buying tips at that link. There's also a bunch for sale right from eBay. If you've never driven one before, you may want to get some lessons from someone who has, and practice a bit. They can be a little tricky. It's different from driving a car, as basically all the wheels or treads are independently controlled. That's how it's able to basically rotate in position.

Get That Degree : No More Excuses

2009-03-12T10:03:00.002-04:00

One of the biggest things that holds people back from doing more with their lives, is the same old excuses they use over and over. Well, it's time to put an end to all that. Furthering your education, and getting a degree is one of the best things you can do to improve your life. We live in an information rich age, and if you can't keep up with everyone's growing skill set, they you'll fall further and further behind. In these times of economic uncertainity, it's a better time then ever to go back to school. If your out of a job, chances are your old business sector is hurting. That's a message, that it's time to change. Learn something new. You can do it. One of the biggest challenges to getting a degree online, is family commitments. We're all busy with demands from family, spouses, children, siblings, and aging parents. But, an online education can make that challenge a little more achievable. I just read this article the other day, that had some great suggestions for both getting an education online, and spending more time with the family. It's a balancing act for sure, but one that's well worth it in the long run.

What Can A GPS Pedometer Do For You?

2009-03-12T09:48:00.004-04:00

It can do quite a few things actually. For one, it can keep better track, of your outdoor activities, whether they be running, biking, swimming, walking, hiking, or whatever. They can keep track of everywhere you've been, how fast you went, how many calories you burned, etc. They're really more a GPS, then a pedometer. If you remember what a pedometer used to be, it was a device that you attached to your belt, or belt buckle, and it kept track of the number of steps you took. A GPS pedometer is really a GPS, that has some nice features and software that caters to the outdoor enthusiast. It uses the same GPS technology, that Magellan, or TomTom use in your car or boat for giving directions, and making sure you don't get lost. It's also good for getting back to the starting line through the use of digital bread crumbs. This is really good, if your the type that get's lost easily in the woods, mountains, or cityscape. The pedometer unit also incorporates an ability to load all your comings and goings into your computer after your done. This is good for long term training, as you can track how much better your getting at whatever activity it is your participating in. The Garmin Forerunner is one of the more popular units to look at when shopping around.

King Of Reggae Music

2008-06-12T17:04:00.003-04:00

I believe, that it goes beyond question, that the king of reggae music has to be Bob Marley. Although his reach extended far beyond the scope of just one musical genre. He was a humanitarian, a rebel, a musician, a artist, a father, and a son. His music and his message are legendary, are timeless, as proven by the longevity of his persona. Bob Marley posters are still as popular as ever with the college crowd, and it's been over 25 years since his death. That's a great thing, as his message is as important today, as the day he sang it live.

Bob Marley posters

The Best Rated Digital Cameras Anywhere

2008-03-10T14:15:00.002-04:00

Shopping for digital cameras can be a little treacherous, so it always to help to find a few sites you can rely on for help. DpReview is pretty good, and cNet always has some good tips. They tend to get a bit monotonous, and all they're reviews start to sound the same to me. I found one new article the other day that I really liked though. It had helpful digital camera shopping tips and a few good resource links as well. The author had plenty of other good camera reviews to read.

Best Rated Digital Cameras

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi

2008-02-07T11:49:00.000-05:00

The Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi is what could be considered an entry level SLR camera. Meaning it's great for those users who have outgrown the world of point and shot photography, and are looking to do more with their photography skills. Going big into SLR photography can be expensive, with a huge learning curve. The Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi allows adventerous users to venture into the SLR world, but with a safety net. Many of the features such as auto settings, and point and shoot photo taking are available on the Rebel, to ease your way into more serious photography.

Honest Digital Camera Reviews

Solitaire RULES Half Life DROOLS

2005-02-28T17:01:00.000-05:00

Why Solitaire beats Half Life 2 . . . hands down!

It's a popularity contest.

Solitaire is hip, cool, and way more popular than Half Life 2. Don't believe me right? Well, the numbers don't lie. According to two of the biggest search tracking tools on the web (Wordtracker and Overture) more people are looking to play Solitaire then Half Life 2. Almost twice as many. Wordtracker says that every day 5,031 people searched for Solitaire, while only 3,610 looked for Half Life 2. Overture says 3,095 searched for Solitaire, while only 1,180 searched for Half Life 2. And these days, Half Life 2 is in its prime. It's having its 15 minutes of fame. Within 6 more months, when all the buzz has worn down, Half Lifes numbers will drop. After those same 6 months, Solitaire will be just as popular as ever. It's a classic; it never goes out of style. It's retro, old school, and bleeding edge all at the same time.

Save your money.

Ya gotta read the fine print folks. Flip that pretty shrink-wrapped box of Half Life 2 over, and take a peek at the little letters. You know, the ones with all the tech speak, that only the 14 year old in the family understands. Don't bother trying to read it; I'll translate for ya. It says, "Not only will you have to shell out 59.95 for this glitzy box in your hands, but prepare to cough up another $150-$ $200 (plus installation) to upgrade that pathetic outdated machine you have at home". Yea right. Is there a big "L" burned into my forehead? I'm willing to bet however, that if you can read this article, your PC has all the juice it needs to run the biggest baddest version of Solitaire ever created.

You'll never be bored.

If your looking to expand your Solitaire experience head on over to your favorite search engine, type in Solitaire, and hit enter. Google finds about 6.8 million sites. Pick one, and have a blast. I'm sure you can find one that's way cooler than the one that came with your windows machine. Now, how many variations of Half Life 2 are there to choose from? Umm I believe the title suggests there are 2. Not much choice there.

You don't have to train with the circus contortionist.

You'll really need to get your fingers limbered and loose for all the crazy keyboard commands, combinations, and permutations you'll need to master for Half Life 2. The original Half Life had 49 different keyboard / mouse control combinations to play the game. I suspect that version 2 has even more. Last time I checked, the version of Solitaire installed with Windows, only needed 2. Point . . . and . . . click. Once again, if you're reading this article (and obviously you are), I think you've got all the training you need for Solitaire. Ever seen a deck of playing cards before? Ok then, your trained!

Slingo, Platypus, Breakout, Tetris, Zuma, Magic Vines, etc, etc, etc.

If Solitaire doesn't get you all worked up, then look around a little. Don't just settle for the latest hype from today’s headlines. There are thousands of fun, easy to learn game gems out there, just waiting to be discovered by someone like you. They never get old, they’re always fun. Plus, you can download them right now, and be playing in minutes. They're great games, they don't need to be hyped. So, what are you waiting for, stop reading, come on in, and play play play!

About the author:
Chris Campbell is secretly envious of everyone with a PC good enough to play Half Life 2. When not writing articles praising the glory of independent games and their developers, he dreams of the day when everyone searching the web for "solitaire" ends up visiting his website: http://www.SunAndGames.com Then maybe he'll be able upgrade his PC, and finally play Half Life 2.

Another Crazy Week

2005-02-12T15:26:00.000-05:00

Well, this week has been pretty hectic. The kids were sick, Karen was sick, Karen's dad was sick, and some looney is threatning to take us to small claims court for not paying for service they didn't do for us. But, by weeks end everyone is either recovered or feeling better. Unfortunately the looney is still harassing us, but hey, as long as you have your health everything else is small stuff.

I had a pretty good week as far as the new business venture goes. I actually sold my first game. Pretty cool stuff I know. It wasn't a game I wrote, but it was sold from my website. I'm an affiliate thru the Reflexive games network. Which really means my website is like a salesman for their games. So that's a major step for me. As well, the site is starting to generate a trickle of revenue from my advertising. Not much, but there's really not much traffic coming through yet. All I need is a few thousand more visitors per day, and the money should come rolling in ;) Ha! I'm still pretty pumped about it anyway. Gonna try and get the word out there a little more. So, if you or your friends are looking for some fun games to play . . . . then click on over to SunAndGames. We're gonna make you smile . . . Guaranteed !

New Aruba Pictures

2005-02-03T11:59:00.000-05:00

Just a quick note, to say I've posted 20 or so new pictures from our trip to Aruba. Personally, I like watching them as a slideshow, but to each his own. Feel free to leave comments on any of the pictures. I know I need to add more descriptions to some of them.

Great Games You've Never Played

2005-01-31T19:00:00.000-05:00

Do you know what you're missing?
Some of the best computer games ever made are likely games you've never heard of. Created by individuals and small companies working in relative obscurity. They don't have million dollar budgets, some don't even have hundred dollar budgets. They don't have dedicated marketing departments, research analysts, sales teams, fancy offices, and cutting edge tools. They scrape together whatever tools they can, often discarded by the ultra rich game designers of big shiny game studios.

Making Miracles.
In spite of these deplorable working conditions, they create some of the most amazing games around. How do these game gems get created, and who are the miracle workers creating them. They're independent game designers. Sometimes called Indies for short. Working out of their bedrooms, garages, spare offices, and basements. They have a passion for what they do. They love games, they love the act of creation, and are relentlessly committed to their vision of what a game should be. They often build games they themselves would love to play. Simply because no one else will. These kind of games you won't find at the big box electronics store casting it's shadow over your end of town. These passionate Indies could care less what the marketing boys up on the 26th floor have to say about the latest game trends. Probably because their garages don't have 26 floors. They just know their love of games, and how much they enjoy playing.

Where do Indies come from?
Indie game developers come from all different areas. They're often former artists, programmers, or designers of some big name software companies. Maybe that quiet little programmer in that tiny corner cubicle dreams of being an Indie one day. Tired of the corporate rat race, and looking to express themselves creatively they become Indies. Some of been lucky enough to avoid the corporate avenue altogether and make a living doing what they love from the beginning. Regardless of their origins, they all have the passion and desire to create. To be able to put their name on something really great. They want to be recognized for their abilities and worth. But more than that, they want you to play their games, and have fun doing so.

Why are Indie games so good?
Indie games are good first and foremost, because they're fun. It's a game after all, and if it's not fun from the get go, then what's the point. They're also highly original, sometimes mainstream funny, sometimes just weird funny, sometimes morbid, sometimes creepy, and sometimes just downright gross. But, thats OK. Games should be a departure from the everyday. They should make you think in different, fantastic ways. So many big name games are just rehashed ideas done a thousand times before. Another sequel of the same old games from last year. Indie games are adventurous and risky. Indies take chances and devote their time to making something unique. So, take a look around, and try a few, till you discover the one that matches your own bizarre and fantastic interests.

What Makes a Hero ?

2005-01-29T23:46:00.000-05:00

Just finished watching the film "Hero" starring Jet Li, and a first tier cast of Asian actors. Most of whom I didn't recognize due to my over consumption of North American / Hollywood films. While I've never written a movie review, I thought it would be interesting to at least write down a few thoughts about the film. Part of my reason for blogging, is to become a better writer, and to tackle things I've never done.

Hero is considered a "swordsmen" movie. Got that phrase from watching the bonus features on the DVD ;) As I'm sure you can guess, it means pretty much all the action scenes use swords. This makes it different, from other martial arts movies where most of the fighting is done hand to hand. The "swordsmen" type movie, certainly gives the director a lot more to work with visually.

While the action sequences are certainly mesmerizing, what struck me most, was the amount of emotion and character development they conveyed. Action sequences in Hollywood movies are generally pure eye candy. While the action sequences in Hero are mesmerizing, they also propel the story, and aid in the character development. Specifically, I'm thinking of the fight scene in the forest which takes place in a whirlwind of yellow leaves around combatants dressed in flowing red robes. The character Flying Snow, speaks volumes by her lack of interest in engaging her assailant during this scene. Her sense of apathy creates tension, causing the viewer to wonder if she will even survive the duel, while at the same time, it's obvious that if she really cared, her opponent would be dead in seconds.

It's really the little things that make this movie so memorable. The way the edge of a blade can break the surface of a glass lake, as it propels it's master through the air. Where the Matrix coined the phrase "Bullet-Time", I think Hero owns the phrase "Droplet-Time". Jet-Li floats through droplets frozen in air, splattering each one on the way to deliver a fatal stroke. A droplet flies through the air from a battle of flying men over a crystal lake to land on the cheek of a recently departed loved one, and brings the battle to a dramatic end. Flying arrows that look like a sky of locusts. A rift of air cuts through a river of flowing leaves on the tip of a sword.

It really is a remarkable film. Visually stunning and vibrant with dramatic colours that shift with the tone and flow of the plot. One story told from several very different, but believable perspectives, that leave the viewer wondering . . . "which one is true?". And in between the story telling, are the poetic beautiful ballets disguised as action sequences, epic battle scenes, duels, and inner battles the characters fight within themselves. While a little different than what you may be used to watching, Hero is really a piece of art, that will draw you in and take you away, if you let it.

Security is for cadavers

2005-01-27T22:34:00.000-05:00

I've used GoDaddy as my domain name registrar for a number of years, and I always thought they were a pretty cool outfit that provided great service. Now I know why. I recently stumbled onto the blog of their CEO Bob Parsons. He appears to be a pretty cool guy himself, with quite a storied past. I really liked one of his recent posts entitled “Robert, they can’t eat you!” My rules for survival. I especially liked his justification for rule # 1:

I hear people say, “But I’m concerned about security.” My response to that is simple: “Security is for cadavers.”

The one thing I don't understand, is why his RSS feed only has 2 subscribers in my favourite aggregator Bloglines. I mean, hey I have one subscriber (me), and I have yet to make the 2.4 Million Mr. Parson is about to spend on his upcoming Super Bowl ad. Although, one more subscriber in Bloglines, and I catch up to him. Look out Bob, here I come!

The Voyage of the Northern Magic

2005-01-22T16:15:00.000-05:00

While I was in Aruba last week, I happen to have the good fortune to read the book The Voyage of the Northern Magic. This is the story of a young family who took four years of their life, and circumnavigated the world in a thirty-seven foot sailboat. Mom, Dad, and three boys aged 5, 9 and 11 when they left. The amazing part, is that they only sailed six times before starting their journey. And, those six times weren't even on the boat they used for their circumnavigation. Foolhardy? Yes. Courageous? Yes. Inspiring? Yes Breathtaking? Yes! Yes! Yes!

I happen to have started sailing myself just a couple of years ago in a boat (29.5 Hunter) not much smaller then theirs. I thought I was a little crazy when I bought the boat when neither my wife or I had sailed before in our lives (not counting that little dingy hanging up in my garage). Having had some sailing experience, the story of the Northern Magic was that much more incredible to me. They encountered horrific storms, met some real life pirates, gave themselves the trip of a lifetime, and still managed to make the world a better place with their generosity and compassion towards those they met.

While the story is about sailing around the world, the lessons they learn and impart are universal. I could certainly apply their lessons to my dreams these days of running my own business, and the obstacles I face. The one that really struck a chord with me was number seven off their list: Never, never, never give up.

While the story certainly has a happy ending, the epilogue to the book doesn't. Diane Stuemer, the author passed away from cancer, shortly after the book hit the best seller list. But, what an adventure to have had, and what great memories her family will have to remember her by. The family has a website, where you can learn more about their story.

Aruba, Jamica, Ooo I wanna take ya . . .

2005-01-21T05:46:00.000-05:00

Ok, time for a personal and fun post. And a quick one as well. All my posts can't be these long winded dissertations. Seems once I get going, I just can't stop. See, there I go again.

Anyway . . . back on topic. The family and I just returned from 8 nights in Aruba. It's our second trip to this little tropical paradise, and long overdue. The last time we went was 4 years ago. I wasn't all that excited about going at first. I think partially because, I booked the trip like a year ago, and I've been just so friggin busy between family, work and SunAndGames, that I hadn't spend much time thinking about it. A couple of days, before we left though, I was getting pretty pumped. We took a bunch of pictures, and video. It was a great time, and no one wanted to come home. I still can't figure out why the sand that's supposed to be outside my window has turned to all this white fluffy stuff. The highlight of the trip, at least for me, was sailing on the pirate ship. Rope swinging from an 85 ft schooner is not something you get to do every day. I did promise, this was going to be a short post, so time to finish. If you want to see more, check out the pictures. Since pictures are worth a thousand words, and I've got a whack of pictues to post, I guess this is not really a short post after all. Hmmm . . . maybe next time.

This Business Needs Some Big Mistakes

2005-01-06T22:22:00.000-05:00

I want to run my own business. Specifically, I want to be an independent games designer / publisher / programmer that runs his own business. Lately, it's been a bit of a struggle.

What have I done?

Over the last 9 months or so I've done a number of things. Brushed up on my C++ programming skills. Upgraded my computer graphics skill from horrific to just really bad. Read business books, programming books, games books, self improvement books (used to think those were only for wimps), how to build web site books, how to sell on the internet books, marketing books, etc etc etc. I've caroused in forums devoted to the business of independent games design, web site design, and internet marketing. I've read probably a few thousand posts. Personal success stories, personal failure stories, all the things you absolutely must do to run a games business, all the things you should never ever do to run a games business. Pros and cons for and against quitting your regular day job and devoting more time to the business. I've changed my daily schedule, so I'm up at 5am every day to work on the business. I've created and analyzed several personal budget scenarios, for how to manage on one income. I've collected a multitude of inspirational quotes.

"There are no such things as unrealistic goals, only unrealistic time frames"
--- The Power of Focus

"A dream is always a bargain, no matter what you pay for it."
--- Harvey Mackay

"Persistence and determination are omnipotent."
---Calvin Coolidge

etc etc etc

I have reams of collected notes, web links, more book recommendations, and half-completed business plans than I could read in a week. I have a game that is 90% finished, a web site that is up and running, as well as a big list of things to do.

Chris . . . we have a problem.

I also have a block. A block? Yes, a block. Writers block, programmers block, entrepreneur block. Call it what you will. Things have slowed to a grind for the last few months, and it's frustrating the hell out of me. Part of it could be that my day job has become more demanding, and is leaving less energy for me to devote to my business dream. Part of it is that tough phase in any project, where you just want the damn thing to be over with, so you can move on to something different. It's a chore at the moment, and not so long ago, it was fun. Too bad, I tell myself, just suck it up and finish what you started. However, the army sargent shtick, doesn't always seem to work when the sargent and the enlisted guy are one in the same.

Nothing to fear but myself.

I think I'm afraid. Afraid of what ? Afraid of failure, that's what. I seem to be able to devote endless amount of time to reading about how to build this business. Reading books, forums, blogs, how-to articles over and over. My news reader (bloglines) has 120 RSS feeds that I have been reading religiously. It's like an obsession. It's like I have to read every little post, to capture every grain of knowledge, so I don't make too many mistakes, and fail at this business dream. Because, than what happens? Back to working for "The Man" forever and ever. I don't think so. Pretty crazy huh? I agree.

Time to screw things up.

So how about this for a plan. Stop reading and trying to devour the entire sum of knowledge on the internet, and the local library. Here's what I need to do. I'm gonna get out there and make some mistakes. And make some big ones. Some I'll remember. Cause, those are the ones I'll only make once. The little ones I'll probably have to repeat a few times, before I learn. Finish the game. Polish the game. Polish the web site. Market the game, and then market it some more. Ultimately, make that first sale, and then the next one. One foot after the other.

Then what Einstein?

And then, start it all over again. With game number 2, 3, 4 and so on. Bigger, badder and better. This time though, not so many big mistakes ;)

What's the point anyway ?

2004-12-31T16:27:00.000-05:00

So, here I am, the latest member of the blogoshpere. But, why you may be asking yourself, and what is the point? Well, I've decided to start blogging for a number of reasons. And, it occurred to me, that perhaps the best blog entry to begin with would be the one that explained those reasons. Not so much to justify to you the reader my blogging existence, but primarily to convince myself that this is a good idea. You see, in spite of all the hype and buzz around blogs these days, I'm not entirely convinced. So, lets just start, and see where I end up.

Reason # 1: Crossroads are kinda tricky.

I've come to the point in my professional career, where things need to change, and things will change. Working for "the man" (at least the current "man") is just no longer satisfying. Perhaps it never ever was. I think, that for a lot of years I was just pretty good at going with the flow and doing what was expected to get by. Not to excel, thrive, or grow, but just enough to get by. And, I got by pretty well in some regards. Financially it was pretty good. Better than most. But, rarely on a personal level was it ever very challenging or rewarding. My current employer seems to be the worst of the bunch. Or, perhaps I'm just at the age where I'm finally starting to see things with a little more clarity. I know my expectations are higher, it's gonna take more than a decent paycheck to keep this guy happy. I'm hoping, that writing about it will help me to figure things out. Journaling as a problem solver is not something that came to me through divine inspiration, but one that several others have suggested, specifically Steve Pavlina and David Michael.

Reason # 2: It's good for business.

One of the possible paths in the before mention crossroads I'm at is that of entrepreneur. I've been investing a considerable amount of time in the business of becoming a full time independent computer games designer. Which encompasses everything from drawing pretty graphics, writing computer programs, designing web sites, building websites, learning about internet marketing, using good SEO (search engine optimization), and managing my time more productively between "the man", family, personal interests, and starting a new business. Now one of the things web marketing pundits will tell you is how beneficial blogging can be for your business. It's all the buzz these days. Blog Blog Blog . . . Blah Blah Blah. One of the best things you can do is to frequently mention your web site in your blog. It's even better, if you mention that your web site is a great site for downloading fun and free computer games. Of course, if you mention it too much, than those nasty old search engines like Google might just ignore you. Kinda like saying the same thing over and over and over to your kids. It just becomes like so much noise. Ironically, the search engines do seem to like it when you mention their name. Apparently it's a great way to get noticed by them, which in turn is great for your web site (SunAndGames in this case) because the search engines will then tell everyone about you. Cool huh ? So, I guess that's enough blatant self promotion. Now, what's next?

Reason # 3: So, how's the family?

My side of the family, is not always so good at staying in touch it seems. Present company included. Could be a genetic trait, or just a side effect of being a guy. Either way, it seems to me that with all this great technology available these days bringing the global village closer and closer, that family (specifically my family) should be a little more in touch. For all I know, some of them are probably a step ahead of me, and blogging their little brains out already. Of course, if I was more in touch, I'd know. There are a few English majors in the family after all. This seems like their turf I'm treading on here. But, if none of them are, than maybe this will start something. Would be kinda of nice to get a little network of family and friends together doing this kind of thing and just keeping up on each others lives. Easier than snail-mail, and it's not like ya gotta lick a stamp or anything gross like that.

Reason # 4: Writing's kinda fun . . . isn't it?

I used to really like writing, and maybe I still do. I remember being pretty good at creative writing in elementary school. Monsters, spaceships, werewolves and crazy stuff like that. I think I have something lying around in a scrapbook of some of my earlier works of literary greatness. Grade 1 or 2 I think. Perhaps, if I find it, I could use it for a quick and easy blog entry later on . . . stay tuned. Somewhere along the line, the creative and fun part of my writing disappeared. Most of the writing I do these days revolves around email and technical documents for "the man". Time perhaps to put a little more creativity into my writing efforts. Blogging can only help that. The more I write the better I'll get . . . I hope. Websites need content. Content is everything, and the only place to get truly original content, is to create it. Another way for SunAndGames to thrive, is if its owner (that's me) can write engaging, clear, and interesting content. Did you notice how I slipped the old web site name in there again. Think those search engines are ignoring me yet ;)

It's worth a shot . . .

Well that's good enough reason for me. And in the spirit of brevity, I think you'd probably agree. I've still got a couple of good reasons to write about, but I think I'll save those for a later blog. Always keep 'em wanting more ;) This has been kind of fun and a good start I think. Now, it's just a question of persistence and dedication to the task at hand.

And hey, as the "Great One" once said:

You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.
---Wayne Gretzky