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Train2Game T2G Train 2 Game silencing the critics
It’s come to my attention that a company/organisation called Train 2 Game have yet again taken action to silence the critics.
A very interesting thread on a blog (opusofmine) was shut down without any notice or legal right. I hereby evoke the right of free speech without prejudice or malice with the intent to bring this to the attention of anyone interested to know how this set up operates and indeed welcome anyone to share and contribute their feedback both for and against.From the thread which unfortunately has been blocked, it began with a report on how a meeting with a representative went…
After replying to an ad seen in the paper a call was received by a young man who did a charm offensive to make it seem as though the games industry lacked people who could have a laugh and a spark of creativity. After being repeatedly told that by being real they stood an excellent chance of going far in the industry and as such an appointment was made for a counsellor to present the course and discuss options - which as luck would have it later that week (as the representatives travel around the UK and aren’t often in town - or London for that matter).
The salesman (rep/counsellor) turned up around 7.30pm and instantly got off on the wrong foot by failing to introduce himself or shake hands (this was after a rude telephone call he’d made after getting lost and having to park and walk a little bit).
They did no fact finding only told both the person and their partner that they will never accomplish anything with the qualifications they have and therefore the only option was to apply to the course. They made the assumption that out of being a producer, engineer or artist that the latter was the only option and played a 5 minute show on DVD about this course and how it’s the industry standard. Having the owner of the organisation and Suzie Perry endorsement made alarm bells ring. They left no materials to read nor the DVD and after repeating the message if you’ll be a failure and let your partner and family down if you don’t take up the course the rep then left after saying they needed to know there and then if they could put forward the application as funding is tight and it only happens if you’re serious and if the rep puts in a good word. They ask to give a decision the next day and virtually have to force the bushy salesman out.
The next day they received a call from the rep that they managed to secure funding but had to get them to sign right away so was already waiting outside the home with the paperwork. They decline the offer after looking into it more and discovering that it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. The salesman gets a bit irate and slams the phone down after reminding them how their going to be a failure.From my findings this example is common and the tactics of pressure sales, mediocre qualifications that aren’t recognised as a true industry standard and being charged for doing a course which you could learn through online tutorials and use free software to achieve the same results should you apply yourself doesn’t warrant a bill of nearly £6000 - especially as there’s no real way to fail the course as you have as long as you need to complete it.
For all intents and purposes if you’re interested in getting into the scene go to university, or save your money and do it all online and apply to everywhere as you will have as much luck that way as any other…. after all if you’re imaginative and have a personality you will go far… funny enough that’s like the only good advice this set up offered!
Is it a scam or value for money? Your feedback is welcome and hopefully this thread won’t be shut down - after all its an open debate and they should have nothing yo hide so why so much hate for them and why keep pressuring to shut sites and forums down?
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BENQ G1 Compact Camera – Flash or Faux?
When I was asked to do a review for the new BENQ G1 compact camera I leapt at the chance – doing a review of a camera and covering something by BENQ I knew it should be cracking.
After taking the device out of the box and getting to tinker with its settings and work my way round the camera (which is quite fun without having a manual), I am pleased to say that it all operates as it should with straightforward intuitive controls and will undoubtedly please the basic and more advanced camera user amongst us.
Sadly if you are a bit more of a techie wizard or have used a DSLR you will probably find the rather cute settings like fisheye, panorama, oil painting and similar effects a little distracting and arguably something you’ll probably never use that much (as most photographers like to shoot the image in its true sense and do the tinkering later using a photo editing suite – or better yet, let the lens do the talking rather than letting any digital tweaking happen).
But as mentioned, if you’re a beginner and more advanced camera user or want something that works as a simple point and shoot type of camera you will probably find this fits the bill nicely.
I would have liked to have seen the camera take RAW images (it isn’t capable of doing so), and shutter lag (the time it takes from pressing the shutter button to it taking the shot) is a huge bugbear of mine. Although it wasn’t terrible, it did feel that a second or so did pass and if you’re trying to take a shot you may worry that you would have missed the shot which naturally could put others like me off. Similarly the start up speed of more than 5 seconds was almost infuriating as again, you may like to snap something but by the time it’s powered up, focused and taken the shot, you may have aged in the process.
Putting these niggles to one side, I must say the images themselves and the kitsch effects were rather fun and did allow for quite a bit of play which you wouldn’t be able to achieve without purchasing a far more elaborate set up and no doubt fork out for filters, lenses and be a trained boffin in photography to get the sorts of results you could achieve with just a few button presses. For those used to taking pictures with your mobile phone, you’ll certainly feel in familiar ground with some effects and results. The powerful lens and zoom options are what lifts it aside of the ferocious and muddled phone-camera-MP3 devices.
Digital or analogue? This probably does answer the question in a very succinct manner (or at least it will do if things progress this way a bit more).
So would I buy one? At just over £200 I would probably sway towards a cheaper model which does much the same but the swivel display screen and all the additional functions would make me look at it twice. It’s a bit like a car, on face value it looks like a speedy roadster and sitting in it on the forecourt you see the potential and the nice touches, but once you turn the ignition you realise it’s got a diesel engine, no turbo and it’s a little rough around the edges. Definitely, knowing BENQ’s ability to dazzle in their other fields of monitors and other such devices, it won’t be long until these cutting edge designs and features will (hopefully) make their way across to their exploration to the camera field. I certainly think that once this has been refined you would feel happy to pay a little extra to have this as either your primary or secondary camera. I just can’t wait until they try their hand at DSLRs as this would really shake things up a bit from the two main powerhouses of Canon and Nikon!
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DayDream - Intelligent Alarm Clock
Get Inspired with DayDream. The Brightest Alarm Clock on the App Store.DayDream delivers inspirational quotes, every morning. Start the day refreshed, relaxed and inspired.Designed by a team who care about passionate and inspired mornings.This is the perfect Alarm Clock in every way.
Video link: http://bit.ly/15UO0mv
Itunes link: http://bit.ly/VQKxBk
Features:- Reliable + intelligent alarm- Refreshing quotes every day- Animated summer sky- Personalised wake up greeting- Stunning alarm melodies- Innovative night mode -
P2742G a new powerful gaming notebook
The P2742G is a 17” Gaming Notebook packed full of impressive features for just £909. The P2742G includes the intuitive Windows 8, a powerful 3rd generation Intel® Core™ i7 processor, NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 660M GPU, and two gigantic storage bays to give gamers lightning speed performance, accessibility and playability.Few of the highlights are shown below and press release is attached…NEW - P2742G - Designed to attract attention Designed to attract attentionDesigned for gamers to enjoy an unparalleled gaming experience, the P2742G comes in two colours: eye-catching orange and svelte black. Be the envy of everyone when you turn up with your gaming notebook at your next LAN party! Maximum Storage, Lightning Speed Performance and Hybrid HDDFeaturing two bays for storage, the P2742G provides huge storage capacity up to 2TB and supports superior RAID 0 Technology for lightning speed performance. The RAID 0 Technology delivers a screaming fast performance for gamers. Use the power of Raid 0 Technology to your advantage while playing games thus adding lightning quick reflexes to your game giving you an even better advantage to win! For your viewing pleasure, experience picture perfect clarity with 1080p Full HD display, and crystal clear audio with certified THX TruStudio Pro™ Technology. Enjoy the Blu-ray Combo Drive that is excellent for viewing the latest media at home, work or with friends and family. Experience 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i7 / NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 660MPowered by an unrivaled 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i7 Quad-Core Processor that delivers screaming fast performance coupled with a high-end NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 660M GDDR5 2GB graphics processor that supports NVIDIA® Optimus™, NVIDIA® PhysX™ and DirectX 11 Technology, the P2742G provides an unprecedented gaming experience even for the most graphics-laden games. Experience smoother textures, mind blowing realism, faster FPS rates, and eliminate image tearing when playing your favorite game. The P2742G scores an impressive 12,193 on 3DMark Vantage! SRP: From £909 inc vat available from Amazon.
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P2742G a new powerful gaming notebook
The P2742G is a 17” Gaming Notebook packed full of impressive features for just £909. The P2742G includes the intuitive Windows 8, a powerful 3rd generation Intel® Core™ i7 processor, NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 660M GPU, and two gigantic storage bays to give gamers lightning speed performance, accessibility and playability.Few of the highlights are shown below and press release is attached…NEW - P2742G - Designed to attract attention Designed to attract attentionDesigned for gamers to enjoy an unparalleled gaming experience, the P2742G comes in two colours: eye-catching orange and svelte black. Be the envy of everyone when you turn up with your gaming notebook at your next LAN party! Maximum Storage, Lightning Speed Performance and Hybrid HDDFeaturing two bays for storage, the P2742G provides huge storage capacity up to 2TB and supports superior RAID 0 Technology for lightning speed performance. The RAID 0 Technology delivers a screaming fast performance for gamers. Use the power of Raid 0 Technology to your advantage while playing games thus adding lightning quick reflexes to your game giving you an even better advantage to win! For your viewing pleasure, experience picture perfect clarity with 1080p Full HD display, and crystal clear audio with certified THX TruStudio Pro™ Technology. Enjoy the Blu-ray Combo Drive that is excellent for viewing the latest media at home, work or with friends and family. Experience 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i7 / NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 660MPowered by an unrivaled 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i7 Quad-Core Processor that delivers screaming fast performance coupled with a high-end NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 660M GDDR5 2GB graphics processor that supports NVIDIA® Optimus™, NVIDIA® PhysX™ and DirectX 11 Technology, the P2742G provides an unprecedented gaming experience even for the most graphics-laden games. Experience smoother textures, mind blowing realism, faster FPS rates, and eliminate image tearing when playing your favorite game. The P2742G scores an impressive 12,193 on 3DMark Vantage! SRP: From £909 inc vat available from Amazon.
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Burt Destruction on iOS and Android
Help Burt Destruction and his best friend Bigfoot defeat the evil forces of Yeti and his seriously twisted henchmen in this exciting new platformer. Do you have the sweet skills and lightning fast reflexes to defeat the insane leprechauns, the McGuillicutty’s, and the giant evil German earthworm, Wormenstein? Collect coins, upgrade your powerups, upgrade your allies, and unlock crazy costumes on your quest to do battle against the pint sized Yeti and his evil minions! Go now, they need you! ★ Killer Cartoons - Watch as fully animated cinematics take you through Burt’s epic adventure. ★ Tons of Twisted Henchmen - Battle Hover Sharks, Robo Sloths, Donkey Manta Rays, Rabies Babies and more! ★ Action Packed Destruction - Awesome side-scrolling Platformer action with intuitive pick-up-and-play controls!★ Upgrades - Upgrade your character, powerups and allies to unleash even more destruction! ★ Burt is not alone! - Burt’s allies, Bigfoot and Dr. Dodo, swoop in and wreak havoc!★ Insane Worlds - Conquer numerous environments of Neverfun Land Abusement Park & Wormenstein’s Party Island!★ Unlock-able Content - Discover hidden artifacts, complete missions, change costumes, and battle through worlds on intense Difficulty Modes.
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Old Clockmaker’s Riddle on iOS from 24th January 2013
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Skype replaces Messenger
After many years and a losing battle to compete in a saturated market MSN Messenger is being retired and replaced by Skype (apart from mainland China).
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New HD Windows 8 tablet, ultrabook, and gaming notebook
GIGABYTE reveals Stunning Full HD IPS Windows 8 Tablet at CESPowerful Slate S1082, Convertible Ultrabook™ U2142, Extreme Ultrabook™ U2442, and Gaming Notebook P2742 Overview:GIGABYTE, a rising brand in the notebook industry, launched a range of new and innovative products for 2013, introducing the 11-inch S1185 Full HD IPS Tablet, 10-inch S1082 Powerful Slate, 14-inch U2442 Extreme Ultrabook™ and 17-inch P2742G Gaming Notebook. Each GIGABYTE model delivers incredible performance, ease of use and mobility, unlimited functionality coupled with beautiful and innovative design. Innovative technology and beautiful craftsmanship is at the heart of GIGABYTE Notebooks providing the most user-friendly experience to consumers. Full HD IPS Tablet S1185 and Powerful Slate S1082S1185 – Perfected for Work and PlayThe 11.6-inch S1185 is a Full HD IPS Windows 8 tablet ideal for work and play. Packed with 3rd Gen Intel® Core™ Processor, full HD capacitive IPS display for your viewing pleasure and sublime touch experience with Windows 8 apps, the S1185 delivers ultimate performance and wonderful user experience. With fixed standard VGA & HDMI ports, magnetically attached keyboard kit, GIGABYTE mouse buttons, Optical Finger Navigation for PC mode usage, and dual cameras, the S1185 is perfected to bring you the best of Windows 8 with the convenience and ultimate productivity for business or pleasure. S1082 – Powerful Slate for ProductivityBusiness and professional users need a slate that adapts to their mobile lifestyle and the S1082 is built specifically for them. The Windows 8 S1082 Slate is powered by the new energy efficient Intel® dual-core processor. The slate has two excellent options for storage. The large 500GB HDD version allows users to load all their important files and data and never worry about space limitations, while the SSD version provides a speedy user experience. The slate features a responsive capacitive multi-touch display and an optical finger navigation button as well as left/right mouse buttons for general use making it convenient to use while editing documents and presentations. The S1082 also includes HDMI, LAN and VGA ports so that users can connect to external displays for presentations. The S1082 also includes a built-in 3.5G antenna that helps you stay online all the time. A keyboard (with USB cable) and a carrying case are also designed specifically for the S1082, which increase the functionality of the device and makes it a notebook on the go. Sleek Ultrabook™ U2142 and U2442 with Ultra PerformanceU2142 – Masterclass Convertible Ultrabook™The 11.6-inch U2142, a convertible Ultrabook™, heralds a new era in innovative technology from GIGABYTE. The GIGABYTE Ultrabook™ U2142 has a swivel hinge and can be converted into a tablet or an Ultrabook™ thus providing the best of both worlds with the new Windows 8 system. The U2142 is sleek and stylish, weighs only1.39kg (m-SSD)/1.49kg (HDD) a lightweight, and just 20mm thin! It comes with 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ Processor, full I/O ports, and can fit up to 256GB mSATA SSD and an additional 1TB of HDD provides you with massive storage and lightning quick performance which highlights the benefit of having both SSD and HDD. It’s an excellent choice for users looking for both the power of a notebook with the touch capability of a tablet. U2442 – Extreme Ultrabook™ with High-performanceThe U2442 is exceptionally designed with a sleek form factor that is just 1.59kg/1.69kg and thinness from 18.5-21mm with an elegant shuttle streamline design. It is powered by 3rd generation Intel® Core™ processors and NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 730M / GT 650M discrete graphics and this Ultrabook™ has been designed to bring you ultra-performance. The dual air vent design efficiently eliminates heat and keeps noise to a minimum, effectively keeping the notebook from overheating. It also boasts an automatic light sensing backlit keyboard that adjusts the brightness and allows ease of typing even under low light conditions. The U2442 Ultrabook™ is able to pack a 128GB mSATA SSD and a large 750GB/1TB HDD into its super slim body. The dual-storage system provides the user with speed and massive storage options. Do away with external storage with the Extreme Ultrabook™. Premium Gaming Notebook with Incredible PowerP2742G – Magnificent 17-inch Gaming NotebookThe recently launched P2742G, a 17-inch premium gaming notebook packs incredible power and gives consumers amazing options for hardcore games. Powered by an unrivaled 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i7 Quad-Core Processor and NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 660M GDDR5 2GB graphics processor reaching 3DMark Vantage at 12,193 points this gaming notebook has been designed to bring you powerful graphics and performance. Featuring two bays for double the storage, the P2742G provides huge storage capacity up to 2TB and supports superior RAID 0 Technology for lightning speed performance. Designed for gamers to deliver an unparalleled gaming experience, the P2742G comes in two colors: eye-catching orange and svelte black. Be the envy of everyone when you show up with your gaming notebook for that next LAN party!
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Skywriter RC UFO Toy
Have you always wanted to find a way of putting your name in lights or get a message over to someone? Well perhaps this is just for you…
Skywriter is a UFO type of remote controlled toy which allows you an innovative way of getting a message (well, 7 characters at a time) over to anyone you like.
To be fair when I was looking at the box I was thinking ‘wow, I could start writing an anthology and flying the works of Shakespeare around the streets’. However, in real terms, it can cope with you inputting ‘I luv U’ or ‘Hi’, ‘Welcome’ or ‘Go away’ and similar short words or phrases. Truly this was a bit of a disappointment, but having to input any lengthy text would probably drive you mad – so it’s quite handy.
If you fancy a hovering and flying remote control toy then this will prove novel at first but if you’re a bit of an enthusiast then the chances are you’ll be looking to use something a little more dynamic and robust.
Overall, it’s a toy and not a real contender with other RC toys on the market. Its main selling point is largely pointless and down to its lightweight frame and short range, again, it is only really suitable for indoor use.
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