2009 was a great year for gaming, with spectacular blockbusters like Assassin’s Creed 2 and Batman: Arkham Asylum and indie gems like Machinarium and Critter Crunch all competing for our precious gaming time. And this year looks to be even better. In fact, just narrowing down our list of most anticipated games to 20 was a task itself, and that doesn’t even include some of the great games that have already been released. But after much deliberation, we’ve settled on 20 great looking games that we absolutely can’t wait for. We apologize for any inconvenience this list may cause to your wallet.
Buy This Item: [Click here to buy this item]
The Verizon-bound Motorola Devour wasn’t much of a secret after the retail packaging leaked last week. We knew it was coming, but not so soon because big red VZW just announced it to the world. Don’t get too excited though, it’s not a Droid 2.0 as Android 1.6 is powering it instead of 2.0.
Buy This Item: [Click here to buy this item]
If you’re the touchy-feely type and you’re looking for a little pick-me-up under the hood of your all-in-one, HP’s “TouchSmart 600 Quad” series might pique your interest.
Starting at $1700, you can get the 23-inch touchscreen machine loaded up with an Intel Core i7-720QM quad-core processor running at 1.6GHz with 6MB of L2 cache. For $260 more you can step up to the i7-820QM CPU, which sports a 1.73GHz clock speed and 8MB of cache.
Other upgrade options include various flavors of Windows 7, hard drives starting at 750GB, DVD burner or Blu-ray combo drive, TV tuner, and more. Standard features include a 23-inch touchscreen at 1920×1080 resolution, wireless keyboard and mouse, card reader, webcam, five USB ports, game console input (HDMI, composite), and a 1GB NVIDIA GeForce GT230M graphics card.
HP TouchSmart 600 Quad series desktop PC [HP via Engadget]
Buy This Item: [Click here to buy this item]
For some reason, Tokyo-based USB accessory maker Thanko has rolled out a slew of spy gadgets in the past weeks and months. About four weeks ago, Thanko gave us a spy pen that shoots video in HD, and today we are getting the Motion Sensor Spy Pen [JP]. The device looks like a regular ballpen, but it detects people moving in its vicinity and starts recording them on video automatically.
Unfortunately Thanko doesn’t specify the range of the motion sensor but says the pen stops recording automatically once it stops detecting movement for 10 seconds. The pen shoots video in AVI format and 736×480 resolution at 30fps. Alternatively, it can take pictures (JPEGs) in 1,280×960.
The pen weighs 30g, has 4GB of internal memory and a battery life of about 70 minutes. Needless to say, you can transfer your video or photo files to your computer via USB (Windows XP / Vista / 7 and Mac OS are supported).
Thanko is already selling the Motion Sensor Spy Pen on its Japanese website (price: $70). Ask Thanko partner and import/export specialist Geek Stuff 4 U if they can get one and ship it outside Japan if you’re interested.
Here’s a sample video (taken with the spy pen):
Buy This Item: [Click here to buy this item]
The unknown pieces of the puzzle regarding Giancarlo Fisichella’s maiden season in the Le Mans Series have finally been unveiled earlier today, when Ferrari confirmed that their Formula One test driver will get behind the wheel of the F430 GTC Berlinetta for AF Corse, throughout the entire 2010 LMS.
The aforementioned team announced that it will field 3 racing crews during the upcoming season of the LMS, their first full-time campaign in the championship. Giancarlo Fisichella and Jean Alesi w… (read more)
Yamaha’s 2011 Rhino 700 FI Side-by-Side (SxS) vehicles, including a new Sport Edition, will arrive at US dealerships this summer, the manufacturer announced yesterday. For the 2011 model, Yamaha has given the Rhino a new steering wheel and adjustable seat belt and will be available in Hunter Green, Red and a White Armor Sport Edition.
The latter, new to the line, features fully adjustable piggyback shocks, one-piece cast aluminum wheels, injection-molded sun top, over fenders, Baja-inspired f… (read more)
American electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla announced today the launch of the right-hand drive version of it still single production model, the Roadster. In the UK, the Roadster will start at £86,950.
According to Tesla, UK companies that purchase a Roadster benefit from a 100 percent writing down allowance, meaning they can deduct 100 percent of the cost of the Tesla from their taxable profits, making it the only sports car that has ever qualified for a such a tax incentive in the country…. (read more)
Google Books has some serious opposers, some motivated by their beliefs, misguided or not, and others by their wallets. Still, even as the project is attacked by many, it’s good to know that at least some organizations understand its importance and the value it can bring. Thankfully, one of those organizations, Stanford University,… (read more)
NOT!
If the American health care system ranks below thirty other countries, as one of our commenters recently claimed, why is Danny Williams, the Canadian Premier of Newfoundland, coming to America later this week for heart surgery?
Why isn’t he traveling to Michael Moore’s idea of health-care utopia, Cuba?
Then again, when Moore made propaganda piece “Sicko”, he neglected to mention that when Fidel Castro needed surgery, he went to Spain.
To see more of Carl’s political and cultural observations, visit him at The Freedom Medium
Filed under: America (USA), Breaking News, Canada, Celebrity Communists, Insurance, Liberals, Medicine, News, News and Views, Politics, Propaganda, Wisdom Tagged: Canada, Cuba, Fidel Castro, Health Care Overhaul, Health Care Reform, Michael Moore, Obamacare, universal health-care 
Students at The John Marshall Law School will provide free tax preparation services to low-income Illinois residents through a program sponsored by The Internal Revenue Service.
The Voluntary Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) is available on Saturdays beginning Feb. 6 through April 10 – at the law school, 315 S. Plymouth.
The sessions run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to gain valuable experience in tax preparation while also giving something back to the community,” said Katie Kennedy, Director of John Marshall’s Center for Tax Law & Employee Benefits.
“John Marshall is the only Illinois law school involved with this program – intended for low income taxpayers, and those with special needs such as the elderly, non-English speaking and disabled individuals.”
Law students will complete 1040 and 1040 EZ tax forms – state and federal – supervised by John Marshall professor and tax attorney Juli Campagna and other local attorneys.
Both the students and advisors are required to complete an online training course designed by the IRS.
No pre-registration is necessary.
Qualified individuals should bring a valid ID, necessary tax forms such as a W-2 or 1099, their own social security cards and a card for every dependent they claim on their return.
Their W-2 is not enough to satisfy the IRS rules under which John Marshall must operate.
A social security number printed on a driver’s license is not enough to satisfy IRS rules, either.
If a taxpayer does not have a social security card, he or she may bring an SSA letter. There will be a Spanish translator available at all sessions.
For questions, or for attorneys or others willing to volunteer their time, please call 312-386-2858.
The John Marshall Law School is located in downtown Chicago and is easily accessible by public transportation.
For more information, access the school’s web site at jmls.edu.
If I were attending Super Bowl XLIV, I’d feel security measures the NFL has taken, in spite of a nerve-racking statement from someone who, thank goodness, has no affiliation with the NFL, yet pretends to know something about security.
I think that NFL vice-president of security Milt Ahlerich, will do a fine job.
Ahlerich had this to say:
“There won’t be any problems,” Ahlerich said. “This security plan is very robust and very well coordinated. We have a lot of confidence in how it is organized and how well it will be executed.”
What scares the hell out of me is this statement:
Filed under: Blundering Bureaucrats, Border Security, Conniving Politicians, Crimes Against Humanity, Disaster, Enemy Combatants, Fraud/Waste, Homeland Security, Liberals, Lily-Livered Liberals, Limp-Wrist Liberals, Muslim Terrorists, Political Prostitutes, Politicians for the Destruction of America, Politics, Terrorist Organizations Tagged: Department of Homeland Security, DHS, Janet Napolitano, Milt Ahlerich, NFL, Super Bowl, Super Bowl Security, Super Bowl Sunday, Super Bowl XLIV 
Conan moving to FOX? Not so fast. Network boss Rupert Murdoch says he’s not sold on that idea that a late night variety show, featuring NBC refugee Conan O’Brien, would be a profitable investment for the network — which already hosts ratings juggernauts like American Idol and The Simpsons. The media titan told reporters Tuesday that FOX executives are divided about whether it makes financial sense to launch a late night show, TV Guide reports.
Last month, Conan ended his nearly 20 year relationship with NBC when he opted to depart his post as host The Tonight Show rather than move the franchise to a half-hour later and clear the way for Jay Leno’s return to 11:35 PM.
Photographs of a man who shot at Gurnee police officers and robbed a credit union Friday night have been released by the FBI, with the hope they’ll lead to his capture.
Authorities said the handgun-toting bandit hit Community Trust Credit Union on Route 41.
Investigators said the best description they have of the suspect is that he’s a black man who donned all black clothing and a ski mask.
Credit union security camera images released Tuesday by the FBI show the man holding the handgun. The suspect’s height was estimated at 5 feet 11 inches to 6 feet.
Authorities said the lone robber struck the credit union at closing time, which was about 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The FBI, in a statement, said it’s believed the suspect fled on foot, disappeared behind a nearby building and possibly entered a waiting vehicle.
Using a handgun with a laser sight on it while fleeing, the suspect fired several shots at arriving officers, Gurnee police said. No one was injured.
Neither the FBI nor Gurnee police are saying how much money the robber took from the credit union.
Anyone with information about the bandit is asked to call the FBI at (312) 421-6700.
Read the original article on DailyHerald.com.
Armored Core 5 brings a rather big change to the franchise. Instead of the usual ten-meter-tall ACs, gamers will get to pilot mechs half that size. You can see the little buggers in action in
1. NFS Nitro : designed specifically for Wii
2. Any other NFS
3. Mario Cart
4. Ferrari challenge
5. ??
Any recommendations?
A couple of weeks ago, YouTube announced that it would be testing movie rentals on the site. It would start with five Sundance Festival films which were available for streaming for 10 days. YouTube wanted to see if people were willing to pay to watch movies on the site and also how smooth would everything go. Depending on how you look at it, the… (read more)
Some were seeking camaraderie, some guidance to navigate the system. Others wanted to alternate service projects with a friendly game of paintball.
Whatever their motivation, nearly 15 former military men and women found time Thursday between classes at Harper College to take part in the school’s inaugural veterans association meeting.
“There’s no one outside these doors who can understand what we went through other than us,” said Zachary Edelstein, a 23-year-old Arlington Heights man who served in the U.S. Marines. “I think it’s important we have this network of people.”
The number of Illinois veterans attending the Palatine community college jumped to 194 students in the fall 2009 semester, up 22 percent from the prior year.
Among the growing ranks of veterans-turned-college students is Michael James Tumilty, who served six years in the U.S. Air Force before enrolling in Harper’s nursing program. He’s helping to lead the new organization, which is open to all Harper students, along with associate political science professor Bobby Summers and Thomas Warfield, who works in the Office of Student Financial Assistance.
“With the number of veterans starting to come back from overseas, this really is just the beginning,” said Tumilty, who heard from nearly 40 veterans interested in joining, including some women.
During the first meeting, the priority was to discuss what members wanted the club’s purpose to be. One common theme to emerge was frustration with securing government benefits and dealing with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
“Making claims, now that’s a pain,” Dominic Rossi, 24, of Rosemont, said to a chorus of applause. “They need proof of this, proof of that. I could use help figuring out how to work the system.”
Summers said the group could bring in a series of speakers to mentor the veterans on paperwork, jobs and acceptance into four-year schools. Students also discussed studying together and serving as a resource for those interested in enlisting.
Earl Dowling, a former U.S. Army lieutenant and current director of the Office of Student Financial Assistance, stopped by and said the organization will serve to support veterans to make the most of their college experience.
“Each of you should consider yourselves pioneers,” Dowling said. “You’ll have moved on to the next stage of your life when this club really pays off.”
Italian newspaper La Stampa today published an exclusive interview with Fernando Alonso. In the same day that the Spaniard ruled the action at Valencia’s Ricardo Tormo Circuit, the Ferrari fans were given the chance to find out some more details about their new idol to be.
Conducted by well-known Italian journalist Alberto Mattioli, the interview focused on Alonso’s likes and dislikes, superstitions, attitude towards fellow F1 racers, friends in the paddock and dreams for the future. After b… (read more)
Incumbent James Swarthout is one step closer to spending four more years on the North Shore Sanitary District board.
Swarthout, the former Lake Forest mayor, took home the Republican primary nod for the sanitary district’s Ward 4 trustee seat over former sanitary district employee Alan Santi of Lake Bluff.
With 30 of 30 precincts reporting, unofficial vote totals show Swarthout won 1,326 votes for 79.5 percent of the total vote, while Santi received 342 votes for 20.5 percent.
No one was on the Democratic ballot.
Swarthout has served the eastern part of Lake County on the sanitary district board since 1973, except during the time he was Lake Forest mayor.
During his tenure, Swarthout said he always looked at the position as a job and the district as a business, not as politics.
Read the original article on DailyHerald.com.
