I pay pretty close attention to NASA and current space related activities on a whole; I like to stay current on a subject that, I feel, is the single most important subject to the longevity of the human race. Of course, being an American, I am paying closest attention to our own manned space efforts, …
Continue reading Thoughts on some Criticisms of Space Exploration in the United States
Author:Chris
The Computer Chronicles – Plug and Play (1994)
These days, the computers we buy and use just work. Granted, they may not work well all the time, but they really do, on a whole, exactly what we want them to do, and without much issue. For those of us who do upgrade our machines, the process is mostly trivial – we just shove …
Continue reading The Computer Chronicles – Plug and Play (1994)
The Problem with Social Media
Ever since the birth of the internet, people have been sharing their thoughts and opinions on virtually everything. Even before the internet, on the BBS systems of the 80’s, people were discussing any subject you can imagine. In the mid 2000’s, social networks began to rise… Livejournal, Myspace, Facebook, Twitter… each one surpassing the next …
Continue reading The Problem with Social Media
How to avoid Retail Hell
It’s the holiday season, and you know what that means: Stores are packed beyond belief, sale after sale is driving to take your money, and that one item you really want is impossible to find. It’s also the absolute worst time in a retail workers life. It might not be for the exact reasons you …
Continue reading How to avoid Retail Hell
The Computer Chronicles – Software Piracy (1985)
I love watching old TV programs and the like related to computer technology. They are amazing time capsules, preserving the thoughts and opinions people had on then-current technology. It’s strange to see something that you know failed in the market be touted as something that will “revolutionize the future” or to see someone tout how …
Continue reading The Computer Chronicles – Software Piracy (1985)
Xbox One Backwards Compatibility
With the release of the New Xbox One Experience on November 12th, Microsoft also released Backwards Compatibility with Xbox 360 games. That’s right, you can play your Xbox 360 games on your Xbox One. Well… not all of them. Not yet, and it takes some patience, but, I’ll explain it here. 1: Make …
Continue reading Xbox One Backwards Compatibility
Temporarily Repairing a USB Flash Drive
Last week, my buddy Prince Watercress sent me his broken USB flash drive, to see if I could extract the data from it for him. Yes, he made the mistake of having critical data stored on one device, and that device failed him. I’m not blaming him, of course, but this serves as a wonderful …
Continue reading Temporarily Repairing a USB Flash Drive
Coming Soon: “Then and Now”
I’ve been gaming my whole life, in one way or another. Some of my earliest memories are video game related. Space Invaders and the original Mario Bros. arcade machines at a local laundromat, circa 1989; going to Chuck-E-Cheese and playing Roadblasters, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Simpsons, or Pole Position arcade cabs; or even just …
Continue reading Coming Soon: “Then and Now”
The logic of Like and Dislike in Social Media
Social media is all about sharing, discussion, and feedback. In general, social media services will always feature allowing users to comment, saying exactly what they think. There are, however, often simpler ways to express your opinion on a given post – a “like” feature. Be it Instagram, Facebook, Google+, Ello, or even YouTube, there are …
Continue reading The logic of Like and Dislike in Social Media
My Thoughts On The Windows 10 Start Menu
The biggest aspect of Windows 10, the reason so many people have been awaiting its release, is the return of the Start Menu. Since Windows 95, back in August of 1995, PC users across the world have used that little menu for quick access to most everything on their computer, from running their favourite games …
Continue reading My Thoughts On The Windows 10 Start Menu
Upgrading to Windows 10
Windows 10 was released to the public on July 29th, 2015. In the first 24 hours, it was reported to have been installed by 14 million users, which is an impressive initial adoption rate. Of course, that morning, I saw many friends online discussion their own upgrades, their computers prompting them that morning that the …
Continue reading Upgrading to Windows 10
My Final Comments on Windows 8
On July 29th, 2015, Microsoft will release Windows 10, the successor to Windows 8. Windows 10 will bring more improvements to the continually evolving Windows Operating System. This releases is being met with praise from both common users and tech-heads alike for numerous upgrades and improvements over previous Windows releases. Namely, over it’s predecessor, Windows …
Continue reading My Final Comments on Windows 8
#MarriageEquality
I normally avoid social subjects on Xadara. This site is more about my commentary on technology and entertainment, but I felt I absolutely have to say something here. Good job United States Supreme Court. I hate that it took until 2015 for this to happen, though. It isn’t that hard of an idea, if you …
Continue reading #MarriageEquality
My Top 10 80’s pop songs that aren’t by Michael Jackson
Ah, the 80’s. An amazing time in entertainment. The era that brought us the rebirth of the video game industry also brought us some of the best music in history; at least, in my eyes. I’m a big fan of much of the music from the 1980’s, and I thought it would be nice to …
Continue reading My Top 10 80’s pop songs that aren’t by Michael Jackson
Steam Now Offering Refunds!
The PC game distribution service Steam announced today they are finally offering a refund policy, something many gamers have been asking for for years from this leader in digital distribution. No longer will users be stuck with a game they don’t like in their library! The original post on the Steam website can be found …
Continue reading Steam Now Offering Refunds!