Reviewing printed vs on screen documents

I have observed interesting phenomena: reviewing printed document reveals more mistakes in text than looking on the same document on computer screen. And I think I'm not alone - I've seen other people had same problem too.

It has to be something with focus on a task of document reviewing and ability to concentration in given context. Computer screen vs paper document. What is this all about? Is paper document better to read? I think it's related with casual context related with each of the media.

My computer (screen) context is something like:

• work (reading, writing, drawing, programming),
• news,
• learning,
• entertainment (movies, games),
• sharing some functions with TV,
• promotes multitasking,
• contains more chaotic and less quality content that needs more filtering and preprocessing

Paper context:

• books (facts and fiction),
• documents (more important and less like just printed electronic versions for convenience),
• better quality content that needs focus.

Time spent at each media is about 95% for computer screen and 5% for paper, so rare paper usage can make it potentially more interesting for brain too.

While using computer I'm doing many things while multitasking, and filtering low quality information that is reducing deep focus. Paper media in comparison switches my consciousness into context that makes me more deeply focused, less distracted (no multitasking), and and that makes me finding fine text errors easy. I don't even need to think about it, it's how my brain programmed itself in choosing proper context. It's not strange that computers (and Internet) turn me into "information trash" mode when I can't see details.

I'm not mentioning eye-strain effect, because of good modern LCD screens and readers using electronic paper so impact is small and difference between media in that area is vanishing.

Idea, how to stay focused on text without paper version of document, is to read text in simple non distracting computer environment like full screen mode, no other windows, bells and whistles (easy), and treating it like high quality content with meaning (that's harder). It may need some time to rewire brain, but probably that's the way to go.

Fantasy Kommander - tactical turn based Flash game

It's a games genre I like: tactical decisions with a bit of strategical planning. Isometric look at the battlefield reminds me graphics from XCOM U.F.O series, but placed in medieval times with typical fantasy races like goblins, dwarfs and elves. You can buy new units every unit has a lot of stats and characteristics that could be upgraded with game money. Turn based engine is simple- your move then opponents move. Units movements are animated and the whole game looks nice. Units could take counterattack also during defence phase. Battles look more simple that description. The best tactic is old "circle around and attack from behind". Many levels are very time (turns limit) constrained that makes playing even more fun.

I have found Fantasy Kommander title at the Kongregate, but it could be hosted at other sites too.

Build your army and go for the victory!

Successful simple web based MMORPG

Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games are at the peak of popularity. People like to play with other live players and compete with them. Game producers are gaining more and more profits from that kind of games, giving better and better visual and audio experience in pseudo 3d worlds. Is there a place for a technically simpler web based games?

One of my friends told me to look at the one classic game of that type: Fallen Sword produced by Hunted Cow Studios Ltd.. Game started, as I know in 2006 and today has about 2 700 000 registered accounts. There is probably massive amount of inactive players, but the number is still impressive. As I checked during day there were always above 2000 players online. So people like not only WoW 3D style games.

The main game concepts remind some of popular MUD games, with added graphics, auction house and trade between players suport. You can buy special game money units, for real money using for example PayPal account. Those units called Fallen Sword Points maybe used to boost game character skills or other attributes. Although there is no way out for money as company states in terms of use, in game economics is quite strong. People are playing game for fun, but sometimes are trying to trade game money for little services, like giving temporary skills boosts called buffs, or "selling" fan-art avatars. Those gray areas are acceptable, in other cases the real winner is producer.

The game lacks some responsibility that can be gained through more AJAX like components, but overall speed is acceptable. I'm trying to figure out other interesting features - and ideas for game people may have. I like those kind of the non highest tech but very playable games. I had one web based game started and unfinished prototype in past, so I'm interested in subject from a business point of view too.

My own HTPC v0.8

During holidays and weekend I've played more with my HTPC.

At first I reconnected and fitted all cables to make more order behind PC and for "easy" access to keyboard and mouse (still on the cable). Cards in low profile PCI(e) slots are secured too.

I've tried to get better image quality on TV, but either Radeon tv-out don't have mode suitable to work with CRT 100hz Flicker Free TV, or it needs serious tweaking with tools like Powerstrip. I've tried various settings, but Radeon allows to change tv resolution up to 1024x768 and some quality settings. Nothing about vertical refresh rate. So I use best setting I get - 768x576 PAL resolution with visible flickering on high contrast static images like text in web browser. Radeon has deflicker feature but it works by filtering and lowering contrast in flickering areas so image is more fuzzy and misses details. Flickering isn't so bad, but I miss stable 100hz picture. It's basically suited for viewing SDTV programs and for that purpose it looks good.

I thought about purchasing Windows Media Center (my Windows Vista Bussiness licence doesn't include it) , but I will stay with Leadtek PVR2 software. It does it job, I managed to set up remote for work in TV and radio mode. I missed remote configuration for other than PVR2 functions, so I have searched for other software. I have to try commercial solution like Grider, but maybe there is something more cheap and specific. At least I found small utility called Winfast Remote Control Support. It has basic functions allowing controlling other applications like Winamp and sending key codes, so maybe it will be enough. I even tried to control mouse cursor from remote but it's to slow and skippy (max remote "resolution" is about 4 ticks per second). The best option would be controlling separate applications/windows in context aware way. Anyway it's hard to control PC without keyboard, so my next buy will be probably nice wireless keyboard/mouse set.

Because I get analog TV without EPG I have tried to get EPG from internet. It was quite easy because PVR2 can import XMLTV format files. I get wide tv programs coverage in one file. Some additional settings to map channel names to match those from XMLTV and it starts working. I have to set up automatic update of XMLTV file yet, and find way to add more XMLTVs for other programs.

Next I have tried to record some shows from EPG. Few clicks and at the evening I can watch all my favorite shows. Hibernating and waking up due to scheduled recording is working very well.

I think I have device I wanted. The most fun is setting it up and tweaking for my needs. Probably buying low price PVR will save me some money and much time, but I wasn't sure about final usability and match for my needs. Internet connection gives greater possibilities like youtube and other videos, IP-TV is other great option. I don't spend too much time for TV, but now I have a freedom of choice when I can watch my favorite show, and better manage my time.

My own HTPC v0.5

Before weekend I have bought tv tuner and gfx card with tv out connector, get my new small form factor low profile case PC with Windows XP, and initially assembled my HTPC. I called it v0.5 because of unsolved hardware and software problems.

I have low profile PC case, and low profile cards - unfortunately with long brackets only. I have asked local retailer about short brackets, but without luck. To check if everything is working I plugged cards without brackets. (Don't do try it at home - I had damaged two cards in that way in past). I will try to get short ones, or just cut the long I have and remake it into low profile standard.

I planned to connect tv-out to crt tv via scart connector using RGB signal. Unfortunately it seems that Radeon supports only YUV standard on tv-out. YUV to RGB converter is an option, but its extra cost and resulting picture quality may be degraded (it depends on converter). There is also more exotic option for some cards like Radeon 2400, to make simple VGA-SCART connector for RGB and sync signals, and force graphics card to work with TV frequencies. I have decided to use more popular S-Video connection- it should give almost as good quality as RGB. In near future I plan to upgrade my tv to some kind of HDTV LCD/Plasma set - most of current connection problems will be irrelevant.

I have tried to set display native tv resolution mode. I have now PAL 768x576 60hz resolution but it seems like it's interlaced. I have "100hz" TV set with internal picture scan, but it probably works only for standard 50hz PAL signal. I have tweaked TV driver with Powerstrip but still no luck.

TV tuner is Leadtek Winfast 2000 XP Expert - cheap and simple analog tuner cart without hardware encoding with remote control. Many reviews recommended that model. There is a lot of newer hardware, but it's hard to get reliable review for it. I'm still have most of programs in SDTV standard so it's sufficient for my needs. That plus separate tv and radio antenna input gives good integration with lasting analog sources. Picture quality is good enough- the same signal connected directly to tv gives noticeably sharper picture and more crispy details. It may be caused by tv tuner or graphics card tv-out mode.

Leadtek adds to tuner its software Leadtek Winfast PVR2. It has basic (and my priority) PVR functionalities like recording, time shifting and scheduled recording. It has it's own design - not so simple and aesthetic like Windows Media Center, but quite good and usable. Most used functions like channel switching, viewing and recording, can be operated from Leadtek remote. One sad thing I realized that separate application Winfast radio wont work with remote (maybe it's something with configuration). I hope I will also find way to use remote for other applications. I'm going to buy small wireless keyboard also, to get comfortable control over HTPC.

I'm planning to fix hardware problems and add more software features in future. Stay tuned.

I want media PC for christmas

Last weekend I was partying at my friend's place. I have opportunity to play his self assembled PC media center (they are calling ti Home Theater PC, right?). He used Windows Media Center as a basic software player. It was working very nice with Logitech remote for media playing, and wireless keyboard for more specific windows operations. The Windows Media Center interface is very aesthetic. I felt lack of more "power user" features, like changing delay between pictures in slide-show.

Because I have planned to install something like that HTPC, I think I'm now ready to assembly my own PC entertainment center for main reasons:
- cable programs recording for later viewing and other DVR features
- integration of media sources like cable and internet
- ability to play computer games with family