Again, the solution was the same, use the Windows 7 partition to fix it, and it did finally.

I can’t imagine what would happen when people’s iPads begin to fail like this…

I wouldn’t state excellent, as there were a few problems with pacing, I would have liked to see more of Jake trying to fit in with his Avatar when learning the Na’vi techniques, as he seemed to get the hang of it fairly quickly (though it was approximately three months later, so you do get the impression that a lot is missing).

Characters are a tad clichéd, though there were some nice surprises (the scientist who got jealous at Jake actually didn’t turn face and backstab him, he became a decent fellow).

The CGI was incredible, though I still think that Pirates of the Caribbean (Davy Jones in particular) shows what it can really do, when you think that those octopus appendages are real, when in fact he had nothing on his face at all. The Na’vi people and Pandora was beautifully animated, showing how amazing the plants move and live, even the floating mountains, vertigo-inducing, and naturally, the wildlife, which is terrifying.

I would rate this as a must see, if only for the spectacle. If I ever get round to buying a Bluray player, this movie would benefit most from it, with all the visuals, and most likely by then, 3D technology for the home.

In other news, my new computer is up and running, and able to run Mirror’s Edge at maximum quality with no slowdown whatsoever. I’m loving every second of it.

Bought my RAM:

CPU:

and motherboard today:

I need a case, graphics card and hard drives, all of which I plan to get by the end of the week.

The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition
Mirror’s Edge
Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena (includes Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay)
Mass Effect
Braid
Lucasarts Adventure Bundle (includes Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, LOOM, The Dig)
The Witcher: Enhanced Edition
Star Wars: KOTOR
STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl
Time Gentlemen, Please! (includes Ben There, Dan That)
Ghostbusters: The Videogame
Beyond Good and Evil
Painkiller: Black Edition (includes Painkiller and Painkiller: Battle out of Hell)
Defense Grid: The Awakening

Admittedly, the first three were during the Thanksgiving sale, but I’ll still include it here. For these 20 games in total (using all the packaged games as separate ones, I paid only £46.81, therefore meaning an average of £2.34 per game.

I’m looking forward to playing the old classics, and the new generation of games too, with a huge thanks to Steam for having such a generous sale.

Well, Apple, famous for their line ‘”It just works”, simply didn’t.

I bought the version 3 firmware from them, tried to update the iPod, and what happens? an unlimited reboot/recovery problem. I spent 14 hours (midday Saturday to 2am Sunday) trying to fix it. My problem was exactly as this guy’s iPod… I uninstalled iTunes and their drivers, created a new user, DFU mode, even using a iBrickr to try to boot it, all to no avail.

The last option was to use another computer, either Maria’s lappie or my vintage one downstairs. I opted for something different.

I installed Windows 7 RC, which I downloaded during summer, getting a key and everything (legally from Microsoft). Within the hour, Windows 7 was running on the netbook, and just looked gorgeous. iTunes was next, and low and behold, it not only restored it to original settings, but upgraded it to the new firmware, without any pain.

I would have to say, score 1 for Microsoft, because Apple’s own documentation (use a different USB port, cable, computer, OS) was horrid, and I dread to think if I have a Mac with a problem…

OVerall, I can install apps now (nice free games) and even an ebook reader!

Finally, something to keep me awake on the bus/tram/metro for these coming weeks…

Review here – 90%

All this for just €77 from Kotsovolos (think Dixons in Greece), a rare bargain from them, given they ten to rip people off.

Maria’s birthday was on Wednesday, and she made some crostini (toasted French bread with various topping on it), a lobster pasta in red sauce, and her lovely cake, strawberries on the top with a nice pink mousse and sponge inside. We had fun that day.

Yesterday, we went to the Mall, near Maroussi. A hell of a lot nicer than before Christmas, due to the absence of several million people milling about the place. They’ve finally built the bridge from the local Metro station, which saves us from having to walk along the motorway to get there (as we did last time). There were still some sales on, so  grabbed a bargain in the form of Call of Duty 2, and also a brand spanking new Logitech G5 mouse. No sign of the lush Logitech G15 keyboard, but it’ll only be a matter of time before it’s released here…

Bought some books, The Black Angel, and The Eight. I’m sure to start reading those over the next couple of weeks. The Asti Spumante code looks hilarious too, but I didn’t get it, yet…

Monday is the beginning of Lent (again you say? I know, I must’ve been wrong), and this time, to celebrate this occasion, you fly a kite… Don’t ask me why because I haven’t the faintest… Still, we’re going to the summer home and will undoubtedly purchase a cheap one and fly it for a bit, maybe on the beach, then have some kalamari, as tradition states.

Hopefully one day (as I’ll be away this weekend since we’re going on a trip to a ski resort, minus the skiing), next beta test, I’ll show you my new green mutant woman with accompanying vehicle.