Thursday, March 17, 2005
| Shoot better photos with your camera |
The Tech Zone has a quick 3 page article on how you can take better digital photos. Why is this important for LAN parties you ask? Promotion and documentation of your events is key for future success. Check out their 9 tips that will help you become a better photographer.
The shutter is that part of the camera which opens briefly to allow light to strike the sensitive surface of the detector to produce an image. Fast moving object require extremely short shutter speeds in order to capture a crisp sharp image. Slower shutter speeds will produce a blur as the object moves. In general outdoor photography a shutter speed of 1/60th or 1/125th second will be acceptable. In contrast, shooting a formula one car in motion will require shutter speed of say 1/1000th of a second.
Read their TIPS so you will be prepared for the next LAN Party you attend or host. Then send us your great looking images for the entire world to see in our Party Pic o' The Day!
Where should those files be sent? news@lanparty.com of course!
��-Devil 2 UTuesday, March 15, 2005
| Sunbeam LAN Party Bag Review |
GideonTech recently completed a write up on yet another product for transporting your PC to and from LAN parties.
Here is a sample of their opening blurb:
Let's face it. Most people mod computers with the understanding that
sooner or later their creation is going to be taken to a LAN party.
Unfortunately the road to a LAN party is fraught with danger. Your
case can be scratched, dinged, or otherwise damaged. Not to mention
it's a pain to carry around all of the extra gear like your keyboard, mouse, and cables. Thankfully Sunbeam has a rather nifty solution to
all of these problems
Not quite sure if I agree with their opinion that hauling yourself and your gear to a LAN party is sooooooooooo dangerous and difficult :P ...but check out their REVIEW and form your own conclusions.
��-Devil 2 UFriday, March 11, 2005
| NewEgg LANfest2K5 Announced |
Just received some information that NewEgg will be hosting another big LAN party in the Southern California area. KFC and myself both attended this LAN last year and it was a blast.
Here is what they had to say in their newsletter:
PC gamers from across the nation assembled at the Pasadena Convention Center last April for Newegg.com's premiere local area network PC gaming competition, LANfest2k4. More than 400 attendees braved scorching temperatures to participate in what became the largest event of its type in Southern California history. This year Newegg.com will throw another LANfest, this time at a new location and on a much grander scale. A more robust multi-player tournament and larger BYOC area will headline this year's event. LANfest2k5 will also have more entertainment, prizes and the opportunity to hobnob with fellow gamers, spectators, vendors, media, industry professionals and Newegg.com staff. Stay tuned for more
Thanks to Code:[M]ayhem for the tip.
Rest assured, we will bring you more information on this event as details emerge. In the meantime, check out the ARTICLE I wrote about LANFest 2K4!
��-Devil 2 UThursday, March 10, 2005
| Texas Gaming Festival LAN Party Coverage |
The Texas Gaming festival recently held their big event in Dallas, Texas and Cool Tech Zone was on hand to cover the event. Check out what they have to say about the LAN, contests, and sponsors.
The Texas Gaming festival is a successful LAN event that has been taking place in Dallas, Texas for the past few years. Over the years, it has become one of the top most visited and sponsored LAN events in the nation with attendance easily surpassing the 500-attendee attendance. This year was no different. In fact, this was perhaps the most successful attempt at a LAN event especially when ATI decided to launch its X850 XT PE 512MB graphics card officially.
For the complete text and pictures, check out the Cool Tech Zone WEBSITE.
��-Devil 2 UWednesday, March 9, 2005
| Logitech MX518 Mouse emerges |
Everythingusb.com reports that Logitech has released details on the MX518 mouse, a replacement of the MX510.
More details have emerged for the new Logitech MX518. Slated to ship in April 2005, the $49.99 USB mouse will sport quick-shift controls above and beneath of the scroll wheel, allowing switching between 400, 800 and 1600-dpi without additional driver. For flexibility, gamers will be able to customize up to 5 levels of resolutions in SetPoint software. This feature will purportedly give hardcore gamers the speed and precision they need in any types of games.
First off, check out the NEWS posted by Everythingusb, then check out the Logitech WEBSITE for all the technical details.
We will keep our ears open for a review of this new mouse.
��-Devil 2 UTuesday, March 8, 2005
| The State of Linux Gaming |
As a popular alternative to Windows, Linux has gathered the support of computer enthusiasts for some time. But is it a platform for gaming?
HEXUS.net takes a look at this platform and the benefits it can offer a gamer in terms of loading speed, performance, and much more. The review takes a good look at the advantages and disadvantages of gaming on a Linux OS.
Well, Linux certainly isn't most peoples' thought for a games-based PC. Especially one being taken to a big tournament LAN party. However, by design or trickery, none of the tournament games at the event were out-of-bounds to my Linux machine, and rousing games of Call of Duty, Quake 2 and Unreal Tournament 2004 were shared by the HEXUS.net collective and any other gamers who felt like joining in.
Learn more about Linux gaming by reading the ARTICLE at HEXUS.NET.
��-Devil 2 UThursday, March 3, 2005
| 300-ft. CAT5e cable bundle for $16 |
While surfing the net toady, I found this quick deal on networking products...
If you have been wanting to wire up your garage to hold LAN parties (get it ready for the summer!) then this deal on a 300ft spool of CAT5e cable, 30 RJ-45 end caps, and a crimper is just what the doctor ordered. Computer Geeks has it on sale for $16, plus $9 for shipping.
Browse on over to DealNews for all the information and links that you will need for this deal.
��-Devil 2 U
| Add wheels to your computer case |
Creativemods have written a short article of use to those who transport or move their computers on a regular basis.... cough "lan partiers" cough.
While not a major advantage, wheels on your case make for an easy trip from your car into most LAN party lairs. While the concepts in this article are very useful, I would take it one step further and add beefier rubber tires instead. Plastic/metal casters are fine for use in your home, but it would be nice to roll your computer in from the parking lot on some wheels that can take greater abuse and absorb more shock.
See if wheels are the way to go over at the Creativemods.com website.
��-Devil 2 UWednesday, March 2, 2005
| Caffeine and Energy Products Reviewed |
A True Review has finished yet another article.
This one talks about the stuff that helps keep our LAN parties going all day and night. Yes, I am talking about that Solid Rocket Fuel known as CAFFEINE! In this review they take a look at several types of mints, chocolates, and gum that will keep you fragging until the sun comes up.
If you are a programmer, student or gamer you know about late nights and
long hours. Odds are, when you are wearing down during those late nights,
you are trying to get something in you that can keep you awake. You don't
always have to drink a caffeine or energy drink. Try a piece of gum, some
chocolates or a mint. These don't have caffeine you say, think again.
Check out the ARTICLE over at A True Review.
��-Devil 2 UTuesday, March 1, 2005
| CaseAce GearGrip LCD Shield Harness Review |
Need a safe way to transport your LCD around? Then you should check out LANmaniacs review of the CaseAce GearGrip LCD Shield Harness, reviewed by our very own KFC.
For us LAN geeks, when we go out in seek of new computer gear we tend to suit up for what were built to do, and that is to LAN! We will jazz up our machines by pimping them out in all of the ungodly ways imaginable, as well as purchasing components that will make our LAN going experience as less of a back breaker as possible. For instance small form factor computers such as the Shuttle have taken on a big influence within the LAN party area and in the same sense falls LCD displays.
KFC put this product through 8 months of testing, covering at least 20 trips to LAN parties, so this review has some real world use to report on.
The complete REVIEW along with some ghetto methods of LCD protection are available at the LANmaniac website.
��-Devil 2 UFriday, February 25, 2005
| Review: Radeon X800XT Plat |
A review of the Radeon X800XT Plat has been posted by Tweaknews. If you're in the market, read the review. Dr. Frag, thanks for the tip.
��-Mickey KnoxThursday, February 24, 2005
Despite the fact that the big list is currently not outputting LANParties, you should still be able to add LANParties as well as view those already in the system. If you'd like to see the ones in the system already... sorted by date, check out LANParties by Date. Ahh... always nice to have a back-up plan, eh?
��-Mickey Knox
In GameSpy's ever continuing quest to serve you, the readers, they recently moved bunches of sites around on their servers. That worked for lots of things, it broke some things. Currently, we're running into problems with outputting the big list. That is why you still see LANParties from the 19th (and none for this weekend). D'oh! We're actively working on the problem with GameSpy and hope to have it fixed ASAP!
��-Mickey KnoxWednesday, February 23, 2005
| ETF 1.2 Patch! The Fix All! |
The now popular Wolfenstein: ETF has a new patch for itself that bring the
game up to version 1.2.
For those of you that don't know, Wolfenstein:
ETF is a FREE mod for the FREE game Wolfenstein:
Enemy Territory! ETF is a conversion of Q3F
MOD for Quake III ported into Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory. Basically its the
Team Fortress MOD that we have all come to love. It's fast, addicting and makes
for a great LAN game. Especially since it's free, so nobody should have a problem
with installing it.
Now to tell you about what version 1.2 of the ETF brings to the table, I will
just let this quote from the ETF website
speak for itself.
***PLEASE NOTE: The full installer is corrupt in some places. This is
being fixed and reuploaded. The mirrors will have it on Wednesday. The Checksum
for full installer is: 737bd8a1e11e268fa80182d9bccffd99. If that is not your
checksum you have the wrong version.***
Screw setting a release date for ETF 1.2 because it’s released!
Yes you heard me correctly soldier! 1.2 is now released to the public
which fixes all the bugs that 1.1 brought to the table.
You can grab ETF 1.2 here in our file section and check out the change
log posted below.
We also encourage everyone that gave up on ETF because of the problems
in 1.0 and 1.1 to please give 1.2 a look because we believe you will have
a better experience with ETF 1.2.
1.2 Change Log:
- fixed client 0 not drawing, no more invisible players
- cg_drawfriend "team" no longer shows enemy agent team color
- players can no longer connect to wrong version servers
- added menu option to run server in permanent match mode
- fixed kicking/banning player displaying "disconnected" message
- fixed shadow/sniperdot graffiti
- loud sentry sound fixed
- sentry gun spinup fixed, was causing bad tracking, sentry is now only slightly
less powerful than in 1.0
- fixed prediction issues, hitscan weapons are now accurate again
- sniper returns to 1.0 damage settings, keeping 1.1 hitzone calculation/glancing
shots
- sniper rifle knockback is now 75% of 1.0
- slightly decreased recon's armor to compensate for higher 1.1 damage absorption,
same as in 1.0 now
- fixed bumping when trying to get out of water while carrying flag
To grab the 1.2 update for ETF go here
for the official ETF mirror page
To grab Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory go here
to download it from PlanetWolfenstein
��-kfc
| World of Warcraft Festival |
Okay you West coast World of Warcraft freaks, prepare to get your 3 day LAN on!!! That�s right; from April 22-24 the WoWFestival will descend upon Los Angeles. And we are not just taking your normal LAN party either. A huge schedule of other activates are planned such as workshops, contests, and live music. Jennifer, who tipped us off about this event, also rumored that someone might walk away with a new car!?!
...the winner gets to trade in World of Warcraft currency for a brand new vehicle.
If you live and breathe Warcraft, then head directly over to the WOW Festival website and read all about it.
��-Devil 2 U
Missed some news? Grab it here!
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| EdgeLAN | Lincoln, Nebraska, USA | 3/18/2005 |
| MOAL Party | Mt. Olive, Illinois, United States | 3/18/2005 |
| LAN Slam | Greencastle, Indiana, USA | 3/18/2005 |
| LanTek | Hollywood, FL, USA | 3/18/2005 |
| Xcelerator v.9 | Leesburg, VA, USA | 3/18/2005 |
| GunsnBits Lanparty | Langerwehe, NRW, Germany | 3/18/2005 |
| LANFIELD | Beja, Portugal | 3/18/2005 |
| Dayton LANfest | Dayton, OH, USA | 3/18/2005 |
| PDXLAN v4.05 | Portland, Oregon, USA | 3/18/2005 |
| Friday Night Frag Fest | Fraser, CO, USA | 3/18/2005 |
| fR@G-c0N | Farmington, Connecticut, USA | 3/18/2005 5:00:00 PM |
| LPB Gamers | Freeland, Maryland, USA | 3/18/2005 8:00:00 PM |
| uFrag | Vermillion, South Dakota, United States | 3/19/2005 |
| Jacksonville Area Gamers JAG | Orange Park, Florida, USA | 3/19/2005 |
| Little Rock LAN | Little Rock, AR, USA | 3/19/2005 |
| SCOGP MarchLAN | Sarver, PA, USA | 3/19/2005 |
| ProgressBar | Frisco, Texas, USA | 3/19/2005 |
| Lan Party Extravaganza | Kenmore, NY, USA | 3/19/2005 |
| Waseca Underground | Waseca, Minnesota, United States | 3/19/2005 |
| United Gamers LAN | Madison, Wisconsin, USA | 3/19/2005 |
| Ultimate LAN: Beta LAN 7 | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada | 3/19/2005 |
| Nerdfest LAN | Wichita, Kansas, USA | 3/19/2005 |
| LC3NGA | Elyria, OH, United States | 3/19/2005 |
| MultiMayhem | Minneapolis, MN, USA | 3/19/2005 |
| LAN Party KC | Olathe, Kansas, USA | 3/19/2005 10:00:00 AM |
| StangLAN 2005.1 | Sioux City, IA, USA | 3/19/2005 12:00:00 PM |
| Game Players Anonymous | Silver Creek,Western New York, Western New York, United States | 3/19/2005 6:00:00 PM |
| CR LAN Party | Conyers, Ga, USA | 3/20/2005 |
| Blake's LAN | Columbia, MO, US | 3/20/2005 |
| Paranoika LAN Party | L'Escala, Girona, Catalunya (Catalonia) | 3/23/2005 |
| Game Players Anonymous | Silver Creek,Western New York, Western New York, United States | 3/23/2005 7:00:00 PM |
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