This is exactly why the dangers of this potential connectivity option are much less hazardous than some would lead you to believe. They aren't talking about running data over every power-line in every building in Atlanta.
The main areas I see this being used consist of rural areas and developing countries (when running power lines, why not run inet lines too?). These areas aren't going to have much stuff that causes/recieves interference.
A new Nintendo System?
When Nintendo announced a lowcost-videogamesystem for China in September 2003 freaks from all over the world wondered what type of hardware they planned to release. The very first rumours expected sort of a 'GameCube Light' but on TGS 2003, a few weeks later, Nintendo stated that they will release a system to distribute localized classic SNES and N64-Games in China on 21st November 2003.
The Name of that videogamesystem is 'IQue Player' (roughly translated: God's Toy)
Nintendo's strategy is quiete simple, they want to sell lowcost hardware and cheap games to the chinese whose economy is going very well over the last years. More and more chinese people earn good money and want to spend it, still, they dont earn as much as the usal worker in western countries. Thats why the idea is to sell a affordable hardware and classic games. The Games can be transfered to an IQue flashcart in a lot of stores in the big cities in China where they only cost around $6 per download. By using a digitally signature they lock a flashcart to the bought unit. That fact, together with the ridiciolous low prices on the game downloads is Nintendo's strategy to prevent people copying the games. If you think about it, its a good idea to offer games for download at only 10% of the usal price. Its about to be prooved though, that this distribution channel is being accepted by the chinese people.
We ordered the System from import gamers first choice store, Lik-Sang.com. They sell two versions of the system which differ in the content on the bundled flashcart. In the Bundle priced $99 you would receive the full games Dr. Mario and Mario64 as well as 3 trial editions of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Wave Race and Starfox64. Bundle #2 costs $199 and features the full versions of all 5 games. The games are the good old Nintendo64-Versions but in chinese language.
Why would this IQue Player be of interest to western gamers?
IQue combines some very neat features on a very small space. Actually the complete system is integrated in the controller unit, this means. there is the reader for the bundled 64Mbit-flashcart, a multi I/O-port for video/audio and a USB-connector, probably supposed for linking-capability. All you have to do, is to connect the device directly to the TV-Set. Technically its an advanced Nintendo64-System which is capable to hardware-emulate SNES-Games too. However, don't cheer too early. Before we can call this a portable V64/SWC with integrated N64/SNES there is going to be some hacking required by someone.
Let's take a look first at everything and speculate afterwards about possibilities some people might already thought about including a few starting points.
When ordering at Lik-Sang.com, you get a package with the following:
- IQue Player
- 64Mbit Flashcart with the pre-stored games
(differs depending on the type of bundle you have chosen).
- Power Supply
- chinese instruction manual
(we have a scanned version of that manual on Dextrose)
- one AV/Sound-cable
(incl a neat power supply connector)
- four scratchcards you would use to download new games in china
Funny thing is, that the controller pretty much looks like a Dreamcast-controller rather than a N64-controller. One also notices that the former Z-Trigger has moved from the bottom of a N64-Controller to lower left side of the IQue Player beneath the shoulder button. The flashcart is being inserted in the slot at the frontside of the IQue while the AV/Sound-Cable is being connected to the backside where it doesnt disturb the gaming experience at all. Above the Multi I/O-Connector there is small USB-Connector. The rest of the button layout has been transfered from the N64 and extended by a on/off-button which is also being used to reset games and exit to the main menu of the IQue Player.
After connecting the IQue to the TV-Set, you will notice that all menus are in (simplified) chinese language. Its not a big problem though, since there are only two menu options. First one leads to th
So far I have successfully completed about 30 hours of secure conversation using my cell phone without any $4000 device. Using my cell-phone with the included data-cable, I can dial into Verizon's Express Network, and with a very good signal I get connection speeds comparable to some DSL lines. This is adequate for some VOIP applications and almost ALL web-to-phone solutions. if they tap my cell phone...they hear the notorious fax-machine screaming or simply see a "data-stream". it isn't until it gets to the other end that it is turned into an analog voice, and if the other end uses a similar configuration, it never leaves the digital realm. Which opens the solution up to SSL, WEP, etc... Just another though.
is it just me, or couldn't this type of thing be done using current devices with an update to the unit'ss firmware. I mean, certainly if my Toshiba CMD-9500 has the horsepower to play the latest Eminem song as a ring tone then it can do some basic encryption of my text messages and voice conversations. I'm not talking about 1024bit NSA level security, I mean just enough to keep that kid with a frequency scanner from hearing my girlfriend talk dirty to me.
Just a thought.
Driving is NOT a right. It is a priviledge. I see way too many people out there that think they are entitled a roadway. Yes we pay taxes (some are mandatory) to maintain roads, but that doesn't mean we have the undenyable right to drive. We are on public property when we drive (except your driveway), and therefore we have no right to privacy. Whenever people start clamoring about secret agenda's and Big Brother secretly trying to control your mind with RFID tags, the quicker we will get to a society where no one can break into your home, where no one can steal your car, where no one can do anything that violates SOMEONE ELSE's rights, without that action being recorded.
I am an open-minded person. I can see why some people wouldn't want "Big Brother" knowing every little thing they did. But,c'mon, you must agree that the benefits here FAR outwiegh any potential drawbacks (aside from the price maybe). The only reason that I can see people having a problem wih this situation is if they are attempting to hide something. I don't care if they implement a system where they know how many times I go to the bathroom, chances are its the same number of times they go. The potential for abuse here is blown WAY out of proportion by the "privacy" advocates. In my mind, the only thing people need complete privacy for is either masterbation or to do something illegal. No one cares how often you look at porn. However, if it CAN prove that a suspect was at the scene of a crime or help convict & contain a menace to society (al la Demolition Man), that suits me.
Give me a tag. I'll wear it proudly. I'm not hiding anything. Besides....all this is one step closer to my lifelong dream of being a Cyborg.
"Mind you, anyone who buys a Penis Patch probably deserves all they get!"
You mean all these patches on me aren't gonna work? I thought it was a little wierd when I opened the package and found 32 Scooby-Doo and 12 Scratch and Sniff (Pina Colada mind you) stickers in there.
Dangit...why would someone lie to me?
Damn you r-51704374-4191@growlarger.yfdjack.com!
Slashdot Mirror
This is exactly why the dangers of this potential connectivity option are much less hazardous than some would lead you to believe. They aren't talking about running data over every power-line in every building in Atlanta. The main areas I see this being used consist of rural areas and developing countries (when running power lines, why not run inet lines too?). These areas aren't going to have much stuff that causes/recieves interference.
A new Nintendo System?
When Nintendo announced a lowcost-videogamesystem for China in September 2003 freaks from all over the world wondered what type of hardware they planned to release. The very first rumours expected sort of a 'GameCube Light' but on TGS 2003, a few weeks later, Nintendo stated that they will release a system to distribute localized classic SNES and N64-Games in China on 21st November 2003.
The Name of that videogamesystem is 'IQue Player' (roughly translated: God's Toy)
Nintendo's strategy is quiete simple, they want to sell lowcost hardware and cheap games to the chinese whose economy is going very well over the last years. More and more chinese people earn good money and want to spend it, still, they dont earn as much as the usal worker in western countries. Thats why the idea is to sell a affordable hardware and classic games. The Games can be transfered to an IQue flashcart in a lot of stores in the big cities in China where they only cost around $6 per download. By using a digitally signature they lock a flashcart to the bought unit. That fact, together with the ridiciolous low prices on the game downloads is Nintendo's strategy to prevent people copying the games. If you think about it, its a good idea to offer games for download at only 10% of the usal price. Its about to be prooved though, that this distribution channel is being accepted by the chinese people.
We ordered the System from import gamers first choice store, Lik-Sang.com. They sell two versions of the system which differ in the content on the bundled flashcart. In the Bundle priced $99 you would receive the full games Dr. Mario and Mario64 as well as 3 trial editions of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Wave Race and Starfox64. Bundle #2 costs $199 and features the full versions of all 5 games. The games are the good old Nintendo64-Versions but in chinese language.
Why would this IQue Player be of interest to western gamers?
IQue combines some very neat features on a very small space. Actually the complete system is integrated in the controller unit, this means. there is the reader for the bundled 64Mbit-flashcart, a multi I/O-port for video/audio and a USB-connector, probably supposed for linking-capability. All you have to do, is to connect the device directly to the TV-Set. Technically its an advanced Nintendo64-System which is capable to hardware-emulate SNES-Games too. However, don't cheer too early. Before we can call this a portable V64/SWC with integrated N64/SNES there is going to be some hacking required by someone.
Let's take a look first at everything and speculate afterwards about possibilities some people might already thought about including a few starting points.
When ordering at Lik-Sang.com, you get a package with the following:
- IQue Player
- 64Mbit Flashcart with the pre-stored games (differs depending on the type of bundle you have chosen).
- Power Supply
- chinese instruction manual
(we have a scanned version of that manual on Dextrose)
- one AV/Sound-cable (incl a neat power supply connector)
- four scratchcards you would use to download new games in china
Funny thing is, that the controller pretty much looks like a Dreamcast-controller rather than a N64-controller. One also notices that the former Z-Trigger has moved from the bottom of a N64-Controller to lower left side of the IQue Player beneath the shoulder button. The flashcart is being inserted in the slot at the frontside of the IQue while the AV/Sound-Cable is being connected to the backside where it doesnt disturb the gaming experience at all. Above the Multi I/O-Connector there is small USB-Connector. The rest of the button layout has been transfered from the N64 and extended by a on/off-button which is also being used to reset games and exit to the main menu of the IQue Player.
After connecting the IQue to the TV-Set, you will notice that all menus are in (simplified) chinese language. Its not a big problem though, since there are only two menu options. First one leads to th
So far I have successfully completed about 30 hours of secure conversation using my cell phone without any $4000 device. Using my cell-phone with the included data-cable, I can dial into Verizon's Express Network, and with a very good signal I get connection speeds comparable to some DSL lines. This is adequate for some VOIP applications and almost ALL web-to-phone solutions. if they tap my cell phone...they hear the notorious fax-machine screaming or simply see a "data-stream". it isn't until it gets to the other end that it is turned into an analog voice, and if the other end uses a similar configuration, it never leaves the digital realm. Which opens the solution up to SSL, WEP, etc... Just another though.
is it just me, or couldn't this type of thing be done using current devices with an update to the unit'ss firmware. I mean, certainly if my Toshiba CMD-9500 has the horsepower to play the latest Eminem song as a ring tone then it can do some basic encryption of my text messages and voice conversations. I'm not talking about 1024bit NSA level security, I mean just enough to keep that kid with a frequency scanner from hearing my girlfriend talk dirty to me. Just a thought.
Driving is NOT a right. It is a priviledge. I see way too many people out there that think they are entitled a roadway. Yes we pay taxes (some are mandatory) to maintain roads, but that doesn't mean we have the undenyable right to drive. We are on public property when we drive (except your driveway), and therefore we have no right to privacy. Whenever people start clamoring about secret agenda's and Big Brother secretly trying to control your mind with RFID tags, the quicker we will get to a society where no one can break into your home, where no one can steal your car, where no one can do anything that violates SOMEONE ELSE's rights, without that action being recorded.
I am an open-minded person. I can see why some people wouldn't want "Big Brother" knowing every little thing they did. But ,c'mon, you must agree that the benefits here FAR outwiegh any potential drawbacks (aside from the price maybe). The only reason that I can see people having a problem wih this situation is if they are attempting to hide something. I don't care if they implement a system where they know how many times I go to the bathroom, chances are its the same number of times they go. The potential for abuse here is blown WAY out of proportion by the "privacy" advocates. In my mind, the only thing people need complete privacy for is either masterbation or to do something illegal. No one cares how often you look at porn. However, if it CAN prove that a suspect was at the scene of a crime or help convict & contain a menace to society (al la Demolition Man), that suits me.
Give me a tag. I'll wear it proudly. I'm not hiding anything. Besides....all this is one step closer to my lifelong dream of being a Cyborg.
You mean all these patches on me aren't gonna work? I thought it was a little wierd when I opened the package and found 32 Scooby-Doo and 12 Scratch and Sniff (Pina Colada mind you) stickers in there.
Dangit...why would someone lie to me?
Damn you r-51704374-4191@growlarger.yfdjack.com!