Benana

The Benana is an elusive, nocturnal creature. It stands about six feet tall and is identifiable by its distinctive yellow coloring and soft brown fur. Its diet consists mainly of dust bunnies and leeks, but some Benanas have been known to eat cheeseburger drippings when food is in short supply. Generally, Benanas are not aggressive, but when provoked, they will emit a high pitched shriek and expel a highly potent nerve gas from glands behind the ears.

Up until now, there has been no evidence that these creatures even exist. This evening, however, David was able to capture a few photographs of an adult Benana in its natural environment.





Beware the Benana, for they are vicious.

Until next time,

~~Ben

The Axe-Knife-Hammer

When I hear "multi-tool" I automatically think of my Leatherman. In actuality, however, a multi-tool is just about any multi-function tool. Like a Swiss-Army knife. Or a spork.

The other day, David shows me the day's deal at Tanga (http://tanga.com/). Tanga is kind of like Woot with its one-day-one-deal business model, except that it has fewer electronics and more weird stuff. On this particular day was the mother of all mult-tools.



I saw this and immediately had to own it. From the photo on Tanga all we could tell was that it had pliers, a hammer, an ax, and some swiss-army type knives. With all that, it must have been huge. Google quickly told us that similar tools were about 10 inches long. When it finally came in, we were surprised at its size.



I don't have huge hands and this thing was definitely not huge. It's a little too big to carry in one's pocket like my Leatherman, but it would fit nicely in a backpack, or a purse, or a glove box. It also came with a cheap nylon pouch that would fit on your belt if you went hiking or something. And the wooden handle inlay adds a touch of class and ruggedness to your hiking.



The most striking feature is obviously the axe-hammer on top. It's not a huge ax, but could definitely take out a small tree. The hammer would be good to hammer a tent-pole, or hang a picture, or break a window if your car is sinking in a flash flood. What might not be apparent at first glance is the pliers.



It's a pretty decent pair of lineman's pliers, complete with wire cutters. What really makes it stand out, to me, is the spring loaded handle. It's basically just a piece of metal that pushes the handle out, but it does its job well. And, it's got a really solid latch that holds it closed, so there's no worry of it coming open and pinching your balls off if you've got it in your pocket. It one-ups my leatherman in the pliers department. Of course, it doesn't JUST have an ax, a hammer, and some pliers. Like any good multi-tool, it's a got a slue other fold out tools.



I'll start at the top: A plain old straight blade. Nothing fancy, but required. Bottle Opener. Hex wrench (note the stepping... so it fits multiple sizes). Some kind of chisel, pry bar, screw driver thing. Phillips screw-driver. Saw. Serrated knife. Nail file. Flat-head screwdriver.

None of the blades lock, but it's a relatively small sacrifice, considering the the rest of the package. My favorite part is still the axe, though. There are many tools that have axes, such as survival type hatches and military entrenching tools, but how many people can say they've got an axe on their pocket knife? This is definitely the most unique knife in my collection.

I would highly recommend this tool to anybody. Even my mother was amazed by its functions. She said she uses her swiss-army knife all the time, but wishes it had a hammer. Which this sucker has. The only problem is that we got this one off of Tanga. It's kind of hard to find elsewhere. I've seen similar tools all over the internet, but nothing quite like it. Some have the axe and hammer, but not the pliers. Some have the pliers and hammer, but no axe. Others are just too expensive (we got this one at $25). So, if you can find a good deal on something like this, I'd nab it. It's just too cool.

Until next time,

~~Ben

Dual Monitors for the Masses

Lets not beat around the bush. I'm a nerd. There's no denying it. I'm a nerd of many interests, however. Comic books, video games, TV, toys, anime, sci-fi, Star Trek, computers. Wide variety. I try to pretend I'm not, but I am. I geek out about things that most people would find excessive or boring or stupid.

One of the things I geek out about is my home computer. I want the fastest and the biggest. I don't do any read computing on my home PC but that doesn't stop me from bragging about my 3Ghz Xeon or the 2gigs of memory. I know that compared to some, that's nothing, but it makes me smile.

In the web-design industry, one of the things that people most frequently geek out about is the monitor. At work, they got me a new monitor to replace the tiny old one that I was using before. It was the biggest among the programmers and everyone ooooed and aaaahed. In the grand scheme of things, my single huge WSXGA+ was canceled out by the other guys' multi-monitor setups. Having a huge one is great, but having several is better. Scott Adams wrote a Dilbert strip about it today (http://dilbert.com/comics/dilbert/archive/dilbert-20071016.html).

At home, I used to have a 21-inch Dell Trinitron CRT. That sucker was great. It let me pull off 1600x1200 (UXGA) at 85Hz. A high refresh rate is important to me because if it's set too low, the flicker gives me migraines. Unfortunately, Dell Trinitrons had a defect where one of the resistors goes out and the pictures goes way too bright. Glenn and I managed to patch it with a little solder, but it eventually gave out. I had to down grade to a 19inch we had lying around. Luckily, it also let me have UXGA at 85Hz. Unluckily, it suffered the same defect and eventually crapped out.

Needless to say, I needed to get a new monitor. By this time I had grown accustomed to the obscenely large resolution. You see, a high resolution lets you have multiple windows open and lets you spread out some. This increases productivity greatly. I'm not too productive at home, but I was still compelled to use a high resolution, as smaller ones feel cramped and uncomfortable (like downgrading from a Buick to a Civic). I finally settled on a 22 inch ViewSonic. It natively supports UXGA (which means there's actually 1,920,000 pixels on the screen) and since it's an LCD, I don't have to worry about the refresh rate (I'm not going to go into this, but suffice to say that LCD's don't work the same as CRT's). I was happy.

Last weekend, my mom brought home a ViewSonic CRT that they were throwing away at work. Of course, with an extra monitor in the house, I couldn't help but try to set up a multi-monitor setup in my room. I managed to acquire an NVIDIA Quadro4 750 graphics card which allowed me to plug my LCD into its DVI-D port while at the same time plugging the new CRT into its VGA port. Cake. So, now I've got my main LCD at 1600x1200 and my CRT at 1024x768 (the highest resolution it could pull off at 85Hz) which brings my total pixel width to 2624. That's pretty awesome, though we'll have to see what happens when I get my PCHDTV tuner card in and have to rig up some way to get my computer to hook up to my TV.

Now, this isn't my first foray into the multi-monitor world. About this time last year, I was able to nab an old generic laptop for $200 off of e-bay. I also had this extra PC set up (with its own monitor and keyboard) off to the side where I could play with SQL Server. A while back, I stumbled over an amazing piece of software while googling mult-monitor setups. It is called MaxiVista (http://www.maxivista.com/). It allows you to use the monitors of networked PCs as extensions of your main PC's monitor, essentially emulating a PC with a dual-monitor video card. In addition, if you wanted, you could use it to remotely control the networked PC instead of using it to extend the desktop (like an awesome KVM [KeyboardVideoMouse] switch, without the monitor part). This let me use the laptop to run e-mail and AIM on its processor while I used my main PC to run Photoshop on its processor, both using the same keyboard and mouse, and at the same time I could let my SQL Server run in the background doing its own thing while I used its monitor the extend my main PC's desktop.

It was a super awesome setup. I have a stereo pic of it (http://www.poonheads.com/mUpload/images/200710162234124.jpg) but I won't post it here because it's kind of big. In the end, however, I was left with only my Dell because my laptop died and I had to return the server, as it was on loan. It was fun while it lasted.

So, this morning, I got to campus at 9:30AM where I realized that Maples had canceled class. I had forgotten because I am a dumbass. Since I had another class later that day, I decided to stay on class and fool around in the computer lab while my classmates studied for their 470 exam. The room was relatively empty and I was the only person seated at a row of 4 PCs. With 4 monitors (one for each PC) lined up nicely on the desk.

That's when it struck me. I was bored and had a room full of computers at my disposal, specifically, a row of 4 unused computers with nice monitors. I knew for a fact that this particular lab was all networked together and behind a firewall because I had assisted in its networking last semester. With this setup, it would be VERY easy to set up MaxiVista in this room.

I installed the server software for the main machine on the second machine from the aisle. That way, I could have the main monitor and one on each side. I didn't want to be too greedy and use the 4th, mainly because it would be too much trouble (MaxiVista DOES support up to 4 monitors on a single server). I set everything up and it worked like a charm. I didn't think it would hurt anything because this particular lab was utilized almost exclusively for MIS classes, meaning that it would mostly be people learning Visio and Project, SQL Server and Visual Studio.

Visual Studio is what I planned on using the most here. The one thing that always aggravated me was not being able to spread out when using Visual Studio in this lab. It was filled with monitors that sported either SXGA or, because of some misinstalled drivers, XGA resolutions. Now that I had installed MaxiVista, however, I would be free to spread out as much as I wanted. A total of 3328 pixels across. I could use one screen for the main design/code window, the left screen for the properties, tools, solution and server explorer windows, and the right screen for the browser.

I was in desktop real-estate paradise. Even though few of my colleagues were impressed, in my mind I had racked up some serious geek points. I think I'll go in early on Thursday to install the 4th client on the teacher's machine which is connected to the overhead projector. Sure, it's only SVGA (800x600), but how cool would it be to have a 4th monitor that's 6 feet across to act as a heads up display?

In short, having an obscene amount of desktop real estate will change your life. Once you try it, you won't be able to go back. Whether you us one huge single monitor or multiple smaller monitors (or multiple huge monitors, which can get really pricey), it doesn't matter. With more room to spread out, you'll instantly be more productive because you won't have to switch between windows. It's essential if you're a designer or coder or other serious computer user, but it's still really fun if you're just a web surfer.

I'll leave you with this tip: If you do end up using a setup with a higher resolution, DO NOT maximize your windows. They put things in separate windows so that you can open many of them at the same time. Try putting them side-by-side. It lets you view many things at once and makes switching between browser windows, word documents, and other applications, a lot faster than having to navigate to the task bar every ten seconds. You have all this extra room... USE IT. It's kind of like a Buffet line. You don't want to cover your whole plate in just Seseme chicken. You'll want to have some low mein and egg rolls and maybe some fried rice as well. If it's a really small plate, try using two or three. Same effect, just harder to carry. And then the old Chinese lady will yell at you when you drop one of them on the floor and she has to clean it up.

Until next time,

~~Ben

P.S. I use Windows XP in a custom box. I don't know if MaxiVista works in Linux or MacOS, nor do I care. I'm 100% positive that you can have multi-monitor support in both, but I don't know how, and again: I don't care.

Codename: Gung Ho

When I was a kid I played with action figures. I had a lot of them. As I got older, I stopped playing and took to collecting them. During high school, I almost exclusively collected anime characters and things with chainsaws. When I started college, I pretty much gave it up because I had better things to do and no good place to display my collection.

Last Christmas, I got a glass display case where I was able to display all the figures I had boxed up for the past few years. I hadn't really bought anything new, save a couple of Final Fantasy figures when Advent Children had come out.

Lately, though... There's been something wrong with me. I find myself heading to the toy aisle every time I go to Wal-mart or Target. I blame David Willis (http://www.shortpacked.com/). But say la vee, as they say.

Why am I telling you this? Well, I thought it might be a good idea to give a little background before I start telling you about my latest purchase: G.I. Joe's Gung Ho.

In the past there were two kind of GI Joes... The 3.5 inch ones and the 12 inch ones. Over the past couple of years, starting with the Sigma 6 line, they've started making 8 inch scale figures. This is awesome because it's like a middle ground. They're not super tiny, but they're not super big. They're a little cartoony looking, but I think that's one of the reasons I like them.

I've been wanting to get one for a while, but never could bring myself to do it for one reason or the other. Then they came out with Gung Ho, who, as we all know, is super awesome. He's a marine, and he doesn't wear a shirt, and he has a sweet mustache. This particular version doesn't go shirtless, but he's still awesome. Just look at that mustache:



Tell me that's a not mug to fall in love with.

As a toy, this is a pretty great figure. He's jointed in all the right areas, so he can assume tons of poses. He's got big huge feet that are jointed at the ankle which allow him to stand easily and remain very stable, even while he's carrying his huge-ass gun.



He came equipped with a machine gun, a removable helmet, a knife and sheath, a belt, body armor, and a hugely useless 'multi-tool'. It's this huge thing as big as the figure with foldable tools including an axe, a knife, a shovel and an awl. They could have given him a machete, or a backpack or something, but instead they give him a stupid multi-tool. It's not much of a gimmick. The machine gun's gimmick isn't much better. You pull the ammo strip through the gun and the barrel moves back and forth. Laa-aame. I have to say, though... His Kung-Fu grip makes up for it.



People always talk about G.I. Joes and the Kung-Fu grip. I've never seen one with any kind of kung-fu grip. Upon wikipedia-ing it, I learned that, originally, Kung-Fu grip was just a rubber hand which made it easier to hold his guns and stuff. Now, it's a hand with spring loaded fingers which makes it easier to crush your opponents into diamonds, like Superman. It makes me happy. I can now say that I've got the G.I. Joe with The Kung Fu Grip.

The only thing I don't like about my Gung-Ho is that he's got hair. Under his detachable helmet he has a dark brown buzz cut. Gung Ho is supposed to be super bald, which added to his characters. But, as long as I keep his helmet on, I can pretend.

In the end, it was a satisfying purchase and, at $10, I feel no buyer's remorse. Sure, in my day, a GI Joe should have costed 3 or 4 dollars, but with inflation, I figure 10 bucks is a pretty good buy these days. I'll probably buy another if I see one that strikes my fancy. Or if they make one of Scarlett (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarlett_%28G.I._Joe%29).

Until next time...

~~Ben

The Knife Collector

I like knives. I've been attracted to knives since I was a kid. There's just something about them that appeals to me.

I suppose it could be argued that it's some kind of latent homosexual tendency because of the phallic nature of the knife, but that argument could be made for a lot of things. I think it's more of a nerd thing rather than a gay thing. It would be one thing if I were a hunter who hunted and stuff, but I'm not. So it must be because I'm a nerd. For some reason, nerds tend to be attracted to knives and swords and guns. Nobody really knows why.

I feel so ashamed when I walk past the knife case at Wal-Mart or Academy and pause for a minute to look at the new Bucks. I try my hardest to be non-nerd in public, but it's so difficult sometimes. It's embarrassing, but sometimes you just can't hide who your are.

So, why knives over guns or leather thongs? Sure. As weapons, they're not as effective as guns, but I can't say I've ever been in a gun fight. Guns, however, are illegal in Russian knife fights, so I'd say it evens out. And leather thongs tend to make my balls hurt. I think the thing I like most about knives is the utility. You can do lots of things with knives. Like cut things. And if it's a Swiss-Army knife, you can uncork wine bottles. But mainly, you can cut things.

So, anyway. I like knives. I own a lot of knives. I have big knives and small knives. Some of them were really expensive. Others... not so much. In fact, out of all the knives I own, the one I use the most is a cheap, single blade tactical folder.

It's about 4 inches closed, 7 inches open. It's mostly stainless steel with cheap plastic grips glued onto the sides. It's got a pocket clip on the backside, which I never use because it sits on my desk where I'll always know where it is. The thumb post (which can be changed around for left-handed use) allows for one-handed opening, but I've loosened the action so that I can flick it open rather easily without using the thumb-post. It's a locking blade, but it won't lock unless I flick it open real hard. The clip point blade is partially serrated which makes cutting through cardboard really easy.

I mostly use it as a letter opener, but it lends itself to general desk type cutting. It cuts tape, sharpens pencils, opens packages and cleans fingernails. In a pinch, I suppose I could kill a bear with it, but I rarely get attacked by bears. And I've got other knives that would be better suited for that purpose, anyway. Also, it gives me something to play with while I thinking of something to write about.

So, it's not a super good knife (it's not even very sharp), but I like it. I'd probably be lost without it and if ever it gets lost in my seat cushion or under my keyboard, I would probably cry.

I've said all I can say about this particular knife. I have others, though. I'll probably discuss the rest of my collection in more detail in the future because coming up with new and exciting things to write about ever day is really tough. Regular features make my life a lot easier. So, look forward to future knife write ups.

Until next time,

~~Ben

The Super Pimps

Saw this in Sterling's Facebook photo album. Thought it was relevant.

From left to right: Ben, Louie, Sterling, Crazy Giant Ninja in Vegas, Pillboy

This is a photo of the reunited League of Super Pimps. Who are the Super Pimps? They're pretty much the precursor to The Poonheads. Before we had a name, or a comic, or anything... We were the Super Pimps. Then Louie moved to Nevada. And we cried. Then, last October, we went to Las Vegas, to attend Louie's wedding. We haven't seen him since. One can only assume he's happily married, living with his woman in the rain forests of Siberia, vaccinating ice squirrels for rodent AIDS.

Incidentally, many of the early comics were to included Louie as a main character.. The 4th Poonhead, you might say. Unfortunately, they never got made. Things came up and the comic changed directions. I did manage to create one comic that combined many aspects of those early ideas.

Well.. Andy Griffith is starting, which means I need to hit the hay. Until next time...

~~Ben

And now back to your regularly scheduled program

Where we join the Poonheads doing what they are usually doing... Just sitting around.

From left to right: Sterling, Pillboy, Ben

Picture taken by someone. I stole it off of facebook. Figured it was okay, since I was in it.

Moving in Stereo

As some of you may know, one of my many hobbies is stereoscopy. That is, taking 3D pictures. The concept is simple. You have two eyes. Each eye sees things from a slightly different perspective, thus creating depth. This effect can be duplicated with cameras by taking a picture with two cameras (a few inches apart) at the same time. Then, if you put the two pictures side-by-side, and cross your eyes so that the images overlap, you get a 3D picture.

With a 'stereo pair', you can do all sorts of other things. You can make an animated "Time-Space Jiggle", where the animation flashes on image, then the other, then the first, etc. tricking the mind into seeing depth. You can use a computer program to create a depth map. You can make up one of those "red-blue" 3d glasses images. You can even make a magic eye.

So what's my point? Well. Yesterday, I finished setting up a server in my room. This would be the 3rd computer in my room: My laptop, my desktop, and now my server. I was explaining to a friend about how awesomely geeky I feel, now that I have 3 monitors closely surrounding me for no real reason. He told me to take a picture. So I did one better. I took a stereograph. And, for your viewing pleasure, I present to you... My desk setup in 3D:

• The Stereograph Just cross your eyes until the two images are on top of each other


• The Animation with Time Space Jiggle. No eye crossing required

One day, I'll trade in my cheapo home made stereo camera for something that takes decent pictures. Until then, I'll continue using this baby.

So, until next time.

~Ben

Vegas Poonventure - short version

So, Louie got married this past weekend. Congrats to the happy couple. She's really awesome. Louie's a lucky guy. So what's this about a Poonventure, you ask?

Well, the wedding was in Las Vegas, Nevada. Since Louie is our long lost 4th Poonhead, we thought it only fitting to crash the wedding. So, Sterling, Pillboy, and I hopped a plane to Vegas for the second great poonventure.

I won't go into details right now, because I'm lazy and don't feel like writing too much. Lets just say that Vegas is a really cool, really crazy city that we wouldn't mind going back to. There was booze, sex, and violence. No, seriously. This poonventure had everything that a good poonventure should have. I've got so many stories from this weekend, that I could write a small book. It was a blast. Louie is probably the most awesome guy in existance.

Until I get some more time to write up some details, I'll leave you with a picture. It pretty much sums up the trip pretty well:

Sterling's Porn Card Collection (.jpg 2.3MB ... Very big picture. Lots of horrific detail)

Well. That's all I've got for now. Until next time. ~Ben