Roshni told me about a technology that enables blind men to see using a video cam which will send messages to the brain, allowing them to see even if its black and white. I made further research an article.

Blind men can see phosphenes, which are small points of light, with the use of electrical stimulation of their visual cortex. When an electrical current passes through the brain, the lights don't appear in one spot, rather they spread. Dobelle studes this effect and says that they are building a patient's map layer by layer. The first layer contains individual phosphenes and the next of multiples. They are aiming to know how the patient's phosphenes are related to each other so that the video feed can be translated in a way that will makes sense in his mind.

It's great to know that it's possible for the blind to see even though if it's not the exact and perfect vision. They will not miss much of the world after all.

I don't really know what made the game great. There's just something different about it, a different taste. However, like most strategic games, you are to build an army and make them strong with the use of strategy in order to have a successful attack and eliminate your opponent's camps and forces. In the game, you are to choose between three creatures: humans (terran), aliens who I consider clean (protoss), aliens who I consider as slimy and eewy (zerg). Each is different and special, but their strengths depend on the players.

Starcraft has expansions. I don't really remember what made the difference. I think it's just a continuation of the story which is featured in a campaign mode. The company responsible for it didn't make more expansions after that period. I thought it was the last of Starcraft although it remained popular. Indeed, it is popular. There is a Starcraft gaming event which professional players practice for a lot.

Fortunately, Starcraft has not yet reached its end. Starcraft II will soon be released with more focus on its multiplayer mode than the previous ones. Graphics were improved as exhibited by screenshots. The different creatures will make a comeback with new things. Starcraft II is a game worth waiting for.

I could still remember a classmate happily portraying Harry Potter while riding a broom. I could still recall my classmates' what-if questions. All of which requiring me to think about what would happen if all of us are witches, warlocks or wizards, who are schooling at a magical institution. Of course, simultaneous with these imaginations is the usual reality check. There's no Hogwarts. We're not capable of flying or doing magic with a piece of stick called wand. There are no aurors or war established by Voldemort.

Even though this world we call reality may be as usual as ever, I still won't trade it for anything else. But it is also nice to get out of the usual and just experience having fun with a product of human imagination. It's great to know that a Harry Potter Theme Park will soon exist. I just wish that I could go there and just have fun, but that seems unlikely to happen.

Content ref: http://www.universalorlando.com/harrypotter/
image ref: http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/
pictures/2007/05/31/potter_park_handout_256.jpg

-Gazmen, K.V.G.

Windows Vista, which is also known as Longhorn, is the latest operating system of Microsoft. Its development was completed on November 8, 2006 and released last January 30, 2007. It holds the longest time span of release between two Microsoft products. It has new and edited features such as an update graphical user interface (GUI), visual style, and Windows DVD maker.

I've never used Windows Vista before, but I've gone off exploring different operating systems, and among those that I've used, I consider Windows XP the best. With a Windows environment, it's easier to do commands. Maybe the reason for this is that I'm accustomed to its environment. Plus its wide range of options and features made other operating systems look like trying hard copycats.

For six years now, Windows XP has been our operating system. To be honest, it's pirated or as you may call it the one without license. I could still remember two years ago, when there was a raid and computer centers were temporarily closed. I wonder how long it would take for Windows Vista to be spread for free.

The MPG-230A mobile multimedia player from Accupix Inc is a nice gadget for movie buffs. This gadget has a light weight display headset and a portable multimedia player. The multimedia player supports playback and recording of movies, images and sound of various file formats. These files are stored on an SD memory card. There is also a USB connectivity for file transfer. It would be great to have something like this because I really like to watch movies. But it's too expensive. Maybe someday I'll be able to afford something like this.

-Parmanand, R, B.

MP Glass 230M is a huge television made into glasses. It's not really new. I've seen it in the news years ago. Some people say that gadgets like this already existed in the 1990s. You might ask what makes it worthy of an entry in a blog that has a theme of presenting new stuff. Well, I still consider it as something new since I've never seen one before, and you might as well blame my amazement on how it takes years before gadgets become available here in Zamboanga. Plus, I still think that not everyone knows about it.

The MP Glass 230M is similar to the virtual reality device found at the computer game, Sims. If it's fashionable, I don't know. It makes you look like Cyclops from X-men. It also has built-in headphones. Oh well, a picture paints a thousand words so here it goes:

The sad part is, you need to connect it to a DVD player, VCR, or game console. Nothings perfect anyway. It's just that my dream MP Glass is one that allows users to use a memory card to store movies. However, if I'll be rating it, I'll still give it five stars because it allows users to think that they're watching things with a 30-inch screen just 2 meters away from them and the headphones are Stereo sound.

I wonder when it will be available here. Wait. Why the heck am I asking? It's availability won't really affect the way I'll watch movies since I can't afford to buy a gadget that's worth $523. Looks like I'm stuck with the ordinary TV.

Image and content reference:
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/gadgets/mpglass-230m-movie-glas
ses-for-the-masses-164301.php

-Gazmen, K.V.G.

It has been six years since the first of the Harry Potter movies has been released. Even though it is the 5th of the saga, there's a new touch in it. A touch that's made by a new director, David Yates, together with a more mature Harry and Ron, a more daring Hermione, and new characters. Although there's a new man in charge, the special effects were still cool as ever. Also in one of the scenes is the awaited kiss shared by Harry and Cho.


-Gazmen, K.V.G.

I've seen the trailer and interviews about Transformers. The film has great special effects. They were really really good. I coudn't even connect the movie to the anime because of this. The anime version of Transformers is really old and even the color is not good. I never did a watch a full episode of it. It was not even eye-catching. But the movie is so different. Even though I'm not interested with such things, I want to watch the movie because of its stars, sounds, and special effects.

-Gazmen, K.V.G.

On July 21, 2007 is the release of the last of the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows. I could still remember the sign at National Bookstore concerning the reservations of the book. This only means that it would take a long time before I can avail a copy. Obviously, I have not read the book and the only sure thing that I know is the title and the cover design. Everything else, is a mystery. It's sad that it's the last of the series. I want Harry Potter to die a heroic death or something like that. I JUST WANT HIM TO DIE.

Image Ref: http://www.flickr.com/photos/n95photos/497849587/

I long believe that Sony products are synonymous to good quality. I like Sony mp3 players and their memory sticks. They have a lot of versions that have different sizes. I rarely use memory sticks, and if I use them, it would be for storing .doc and .ppt files only that don't really require a huge amount of space. So the increase in the sizes of their memory didn't amaze me. The changes were somehow expected. The only thing that fascinates me is the Blu-Ray for it can store up to 50GB.

I've heard about the Blu-Ray last summer. 50GB, that's striking. Well, with a bigger memory comes better quality and speed. It's not yet popular in the Philippines and I haven't seen one yet. Most people, like my father, are still quite contented with memories such as the one we have in this computer (average memory and speed).

Ref:http://www.uncrate.com/men/images/sony-BDP-S1-Blu-ray.jpg

-Gazmen, K. V. G.

I'm a great fan of National Geographic (this may explain the frustrated forensic scientist who works at Nat Geo in me), but not of Megastructures. It is said that one of the episodes featured an underground tunnel that connects London to other places.

The Channel Tunnel or "Chunnel" connects the United Kingdom to France. It's not really new, but it's certainly amazing for one to be built under the sea with an average depth of 45.7m under the seabed. It was declared by the American Society of Civil Engineers as one of the seven wonders of the modern world. Source of Info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Channel_tunnel

Now, people can travel by train in sea (I don't even know if I could call in that way). Humans have indeed break the barriers and are using their intelligence for a faster, easier and comfortable life.

-Gazmen, K. V. G.

'the world' is a project that is being done in dubai. it consists of man-made islands that when seen from afar, takes the shape of the world. from nat geo's shows, they say that all the islands are already sold out even if they aren't ready yet. 'the world' really attracts a lot of people. aside from this, there are also two palm islands that is in dubai - just near 'the world'. it also consists of man-made islands and when seen from afar, they take the form of a palm. these amazing sites of dubai really interests a lot of people. tourists are increasing rapidly.

Gemzon, I, C.

I've first heard about "The World" on a Vh1 show which featured estates of Hollywood celebrities. We may all know that owning islands among celebrities is becoming a trend already. What's new is that Nakheel has announced that it is developing its first island, Coral Island, found at the north coast of Canada. In three years, the first among the 300 islands that Nakheel is planning to develop near Dubai will be fully constructed.

Coral Island is a luxury resort which covers an area of 73 hectares (7.86m sqft). It will soon have a marina village, a specialist spa hotel, and a residential development. The island promises a great view for sunsets. Once fully developed, Coral Island will surely be a dream vacation destination.

As great as it is to know that the earth will soon recognize a new paradise, I still can't get it out of my mind what Mother Nature has sacrificed for such an ambitious dream. Where did the fishes and corals go? Is man not satisfied of destroying land, that he still conquered the sea? These are just questions raised by one who contributes well in polluting the earth.

I'm just caught in the middle.


Image Ref: http://www.theworld.ae/news_coral_island.html

-Gazmen, K. V. G.