Welcome to the new iPad

Apple has just revealed a new tablet computer, the iPad.

http://www.apple.com/iPad

It slots between an iPod Touch/iPhone and a full-fledged laptop. I get the impression that it is basically a super-sized, hi-res iPod Touch. The larger form factor allows for a larger on-screen keyboard, which reduces the criticisms of the tiny keyboard.

It stands to compete with full-fledged Windows tablet computers, the Amazon Kindle and other eBook-type devices, and even traditional laptops.

Pros:

Can run 10 hours of HD video on a single charge

Slick touch-based UI

Syncs with Mac computers

Can run iPhone/iPod Touch apps

Cons:

Does not run normal Mac applications

All apps come through app store; apps must be approved by Apple, presumably.

Does not have flexibility of a "normal" computer

Does not have the portability of an iPhone

2010 NFC Championship, an Amazing Game

Normally, I'm no big sports fan, but last night's NFC Championship had me on the edge of my seat the entire game. The Saints finally triumphed in overtime, 31-28, over the Vikings in what may have been one of the toughest games of highs and lows in my memory.

For four quarters of regulation time, neither team had more than a touchdown over the other. It was truly a back and forth slugging match. Neither team seemed to be at the top of their game, but the setbacks seemed to offset each other. For every fortuitous gain by the Vikings, the Saints seemed to have their own. On the other hand, for every setback for the Vikings, the Saints seemed to have their own as well. Fumbles and penalties made for an oft frustrating, even maddening game.

In overtime, the Saints won the toss, and that was what mattered. They got it into field goal range, and a perfect field goal sealed the win for the Saints. It was truly a momentous occasion for the Saints.

They are now going to the Super Bowl for the first time.

HDTV display technologies, short and sweet

LCD, Plasma, LED-backlit LCD, what's the difference?

The short answer is picture quality and energy use. I'll refrain from the descriptions of how it works, because, unlike myself, few people actually care about it.

Plasma:

• Picture quality - Plasma seems to do color and contrast very well. Blacks are very black, colors are very colorful. However, like a CRT, the pixels seem to blend together. They are not very distinct. Can have burn-in effects like a CRT.
  
• Power - These are the relative power hogs of the bunch. They'll use more power (on the order of $10-20 worth per year) than either of the LCD solutions
• Quick conclusion - good for movies or TV, not as a display for a computer. Standard def TV probably looks best on this.
  

"plain" LCD

• Picture quality - LCDs have very sharp pixels. Color quality is not as good as plasma. Has a smaller viewing angle than plasma.
• Power - these use less power than plasmas, but more than the LED backlit LCDs
• Quick conclusion - Good for double-duty as TV and computer monitor. It's comparable cost to Plasma would make it my number 2 pick.

LED backlit LCD

• Picture quality - It seems to have all the sharpness of the plain LCDs, but much better color reproduction. It still has the smaller viewing angle as plain LCDs. IMO, it has the best overall picture of the three.
• Power - uses the least amount of power. You're not going to save (in power costs) the difference in cost between this and a plasma or standard LCD at this time, unless you run it for ~ 15+ years or would usually have the TV on ALL DAY LONG.
• Quick conclusion - Number 1 pick. It does double duty with a computer well, has great color reproduction, and uses the least power. I think the extra cost is well justified.

Tater Tot Recipe (I don't like Cream of Mushroom Soup!)

Ingredients:

• 1 Bag of tater tots
• 1 lb tub of french onion dip
• 1 lb of Jimmy Dean sausage, crumbled
• shredded cheddar cheese (extra sharp, please!)

Recipe:

1. Spread the tater tots on a casserole dish (1 deep)
2. Bake at 450 (f) for 15 minutes
3. While that's baking, brown the Jimmy Dean sausage (1lb) like ground beef (make sure to crumble it well). It's better to leave it a little pink than to overcook here.
4. Spread about half of the french onion dip onto the tops of the tater tots, so it is just covering them, and put the browned and crumbled sausage on top.
5. Bake for 10 more minutes
   
6. Spread the rest of the french onion dip and sprinkle shredded cheese over the top of the casserole.
7. Bake for ~3-5 minutes until cheese is melted.

Eat and enjoy the lump in your stomach!

It should feed 8-12 depending on how much people want to eat.