Grant Laird, Jr. Blog

Grant talked about Xbox 360 console game machine but is it deaf friendly machine? He would love to know if anybody have it, too.
Apparently, most of the features are obviously deaf-friendly except few things. Read on.

1. Playing Xbox Live (online via Internet against other players) is probably one of the most disadvantages out there. Most hearing players use headset to communicate each other even it is not required. Text messenger is optional but making the message thru controller is pain in the butt. (You can use your Hotmail or MSN account.)

2. They are selling messenger (mini keyboard) add-on to wireless controller (Optional - $30 dollars) but he thinks its waste because hearing players probably won’t bother doing it anyway. Also, they have Live Vision Camera (Optional - $30 dollars) – he’s not sure if it will benefit but each player must have gold membership to have webcam capability. ($99 a year; they have monthly, quarterly plan as well)

3. Few games like F.E.A.R. game doesn’t support subtitle. Many racing games doesn’t support subtitle but it wasn’t too bad since all we do is playing the race game. You can look up http://www.deafgamers.com for more list which games support subtitle. Bonus: You can download demo game to check out before you purchase the game.

4. DVD movies (Not downloadable movies) can be watch with subtitle. Obviously, closed captioning will not work at all. Optional: HD DVD Player do support subtitle as well.

5. You can retrieve virtually any pictures, videos, and music thru another networked computer with Windows-based Zune program or Media Center Edition. (Neat stuff – you can watch vlog thru Xbox 360 (hard drive or memory card) machine but not thru Internet like DeafRead.com; Perhaps someday)

6. According to Windows Vista Blog, they said Media Center Edition will expand in near future including Internet TV shows with advertising-supported. This is where he asked about captioning – they replied saying it will happen in future.

7. Downloadable movies, video clips, etc. (Video Marketplace) doesn’t support subtitle or caption at all. This is one of the biggest disadvantages.

8. General features on Xbox 360 dashboard is not a problem.

For more information about Xbox 360, click here.

To view more vlogs, click here.

Grant W Laird Jr
http://blog.grantlairdjr.com

Remember Doom II game?

I still think it is one of the best game we ever played in past 10 years. Of course Doom 2 video game is not in best resolution at this time. We played hard anyway and we finished all levels even with Ultimate, Final and another version.

However it’s been quite while since it launched, (1994) I did not know they now having better resolution for it thru open source program. I’ve tried it and it was breathtaking! I am playing again - it is even better than Doom 3 in many ways even I never played it. It is not just better resolution, there’s alot of cool effects such as glow, smoother, and more texture.

You can download it at no extra charge at http://www.doomsdayhq.com — you still need Doom 2 game to make it possible. If you need cheat or secrets help, click here.

Look and compare for yourself.  

Grant W Laird Jr.
http://blog.grantlairdjr.com  

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Have you ever play Paper Mario video game?

Few years ago, I borrowed Paper Mario from a friend and it was for Nintendo 64 system. I had a lot of fun playing with it. I did successfully complete the mission. My wife and my children helped each other too. We also looked up some hints from online.

Two Christmas ago, we got Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door for family – this time it is for Nintendo GameCube. For some reason, we did not play it much and forgot about it. Recently, I finally step up and start playing again now. I get tired of looking up online for hints.

I purchased Official Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Player’s Guide from Amzaon.com and it was worth paid for — plenty of pictures, easy to look it up whenever I need it.

Right now, I am in Chapter 2 – I know I’ve got long way to go but I am looking forward to it.

If you want to look up free hints online: Click here.

Grant W Laird Jr.
http://blog.grantlairdjr.com

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