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technoblue

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  1. technoblue
    Indeed. I think a full series would have helped to set up more of that "humanity's final days" aspect which was rushed in the first few minutes. I also think a full series would have helped flesh out some of the more important characters, along with what drives them. The way it was done focuses more on Godzilla, which is fine, but I'm ever so curious about the other stuff going on. It's a new series. From what I've read, it stands on its own as an original retelling of the core story. But, yeah, it's dark.
  2. technoblue
    Godzilla started slow, and included a lot of overly complicated exposition, but eventually rewarded my patience in those final scenes. I can recommend it for that alone, although for the moment it does feel different compared to other Polygon Pictures productions. I've included the following comments in spoiler tags, since they include some after credit stuff. Devilman Crybaby....man, where to start? It's extreme, polarizing, gruesome, sexually violent, obtuse, eclectic, and I watched it all the way to the end. It also introduces a new artsy anime running style, which has no biomechanical benefit. I don't have any experience with other Devilman productions before this one, so I enjoyed watching the core story between Akira and Ryo unravel the way that it did. It isn't an anime for the faint of heart though, or those easily offended.
  3. technoblue
    An Ultra10? Sweet. It's been 8 or 9 years since I last worked with any UltraSPARC-based workstation, which is why my knowledge is fuzzy. Concerning the other topic, I noticed that this article from rasberrypi.org has been making the rounds: https://www.raspberrypi.org/blog/why-raspberry-pi-isnt-vulnerable-to-spectre-or-meltdown/ It's a good read, especially if you are interested in some background abstraction of scalar, superscalar, and out-of-order processors, as well as hardware optimizations like cache and speculative execution. I also appreciated the simple example near the end which illustrates how these side-channel attacks are able to access data from restricted areas.
  4. technoblue
    Thanks, @Marzan. I'll add those as well.
  5. technoblue
    Yes, attacking private memory space using an otherwise benign CPU optimization. For my part, I thought the SPARC/Solaris platform was too old to use any kind of speculative execution optimization, but I haven't really followed what Oracle did with SPARC. I always thought Oracle was into SUN more for Java than the hardware. Anyway, I do agree that all modern CPUs will need to be tested. This sort of news is a boon for verification and EDA. I just wouldn't be surprised if AMD isn't talking out of its arse. That's all I meant by it. The good news, since these hacks effect how the hardware and software (OS) interact with one another, is that the available OS patches should resolve the immediate security issue for most consumers. Personally, I'll be happy with hardware improvements too, especially if they do reduce the performance penalty caused by the OS patches. So far, though, the only early benchmarks I've seen are for LINUX and Windows.
  6. technoblue
    The CPU exploit is a combination of how modern processors access kernel memory and a CPU optimization known as speculative execution. In short, the intent of speculative execution isn't a negative one. It is supposed to provide additional concurrency for process intensive tasks at the hardware level when system resources are available and enhance the overall performance of CPUs. Here's the Wiki article for a quick reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speculative_execution Unfortunately for Intel, and to a lesser degree others like ARM, modern hardware designs have allowed this hole for hackers to use speculative execution to access kernel memory. For other CPUs, like legacy SPARC CPUs used on Solaris machines, kernel memory is not accessible to the user. Again, this is due to differences in hardware design. I wouldn't be surprised if AMD is not affected much, if at all, since they use a different design process from Intel. The only way to "fix" the issue for those CPUs that are affected is to 1) redesign the hardware or 2) apply a patch at the OS level, but the second option comes with a performance cost and who know how long it will take for the first option to make it to retail shelves. What's more worrisome for me, more so than the politics of which CPU is better, is how many other optimizations have created similar security holes at the hardware level. It's a scary thought when one starts to go down that road, because these are not simple fixes that can be applied with firmware updates and OS patches are merely a band-aid. Edit: clarification
  7. technoblue
    Good news for those who waited: https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/5/16854300/amazon-cancels-anime-strike-exclusives-shows-films And so, I have even more catching up to do. What do people here recommend from that old Anime Strike list? I remember Re:Creators and Made in Abyss getting a lot of praise last year and immediately added them to my Prime watchlist. Should I add any others?
  8. technoblue

    I'm not dead yet; I think I'll go for a walk.

  9. technoblue
    I'm currently watching and enjoying these two: Kizumonogatari (1-3 on BD) The Ancient Magus' Bride (streaming) After I finish, I have a these other BDs waiting in the wings: Your Name Riding Bean Little Witch Academia (TV) MSG Thunderbolt Bandit Flower
  10. technoblue
    I've had the unique opportunity of having Apollyon, Mightron, Despotron, and MP-36 in my hands. I went a little nuts looking for a G1-style Megatron that I could display with MP-10. I decided on MP-36, and then downsizing. I'm not too fussed by the fact that the two figures have two different engineering philosophies behind them. I still think they look good together. If Takara were to release another toon-accurate Optimus, then I think I would be willing to double dip if it had the same improved articulation as MP-36. It's hard to say which of the third-party Megatrons I enjoyed the most. Despotron was cool because of Maketoys penchant for articulation. Mightron was cool because DX9 didn't compromise on proportions in bot mode or alt mode, and that created some interesting transformation techniques. Apollyon...man I was hoping that X-Transbots would deliver a strong mid point between the other two, but my copy had QC issues out of the box. The toy looked nice as long as I didn't touch it, but then I couldn't appreciate it as much as I wanted to. Once I transformed it, issues started cropping up. I'm glad there are some copies out in the wild that are solid, though. As others have already said above, it's great that we have so many choices with Megatron today.
  11. technoblue
    Yeah, I get what you're saying. The reason I'm looking forward to more isn't so much the animation quality but the end result: having all the lost Hartnell and Troughton episodes in visual format. Kind of like how the VHS restorations worked, with the old static photos and linking narration. Anyway, until the BBC decides to spend more money on restoring lost Classic Who episodes, it is what it is.
  12. technoblue
    The penultimate release! I have the original live-action abridged version and the original animated version with Paul McGann and Lalla Ward. It will be fun to see Baker reprise the role and finish the scenes that were left incomplete due to the strike all those years ago. I also hope this is good news for future animated releases. I'd love to see more animated lost in time episodes.
  13. technoblue
    Good question. I'm still unsure what I want out of this hobby. In the beginning, I wanted a few pleasant distractions to calm the anxiety of writer's block and help focus my imagination on creative concepts and engineering. The community here was also a welcoming one, if a little rule bound. Personally, Macross was something that I have fond memories of, both the Robotech version and the original Japanese version. I was more familiar with Robotech for obvious reasons so finding a place where I could learn more about the original anime and the subsequent series was very cool. My collecting has since evolved from that simple purpose to the never ending "moving the goal posts" idea which isn't really where I wanted to take it. What I do like is having interesting pieces that evoke iconic scenes and remind me of characters or places in the different shows that really got to me. For instance, the first time in Macross Zero when I saw the VF-0 Valkyries in action, the time in SDF Macross when Hikaru is fumbling about the VF-1D with Minmay, Max and Milia's first encounter, anytime Roy was on screen in his Valkyrie, Guld and Isamu's face off in Macross Plus. The DYRL Valkyries outfit with Strike Packs. Yeah, it would be cool to have a smaller collection that is more focused. Anyway...tangible benefits. I have been considering the positives of letting a portion of my collection go. There is the obvious financial benefit and the increased space benefit. The not so obvious benefits, but the ones that are itching me to move forward, are the health benefits: physical, mental, and relationship health. It's all intertwined for me, I think. Having too much of this stuff weighs everything down. I guess that's how I'm built. I need to balance it all out so that other important facets of my life are not negatively affected by this collecting habit -- maybe even pay it forward when I decide that I have gone overboard. Related to which, another member mentioned Star Wars earlier. I was very much into Star Wars when I was young too. I had the Tie Fighter, X-Wing, Millennium Falcon, other smaller sets, and scores of action figures. Eventually, the play value of those things started to fade and I realized that having more space, a clean room, and a dedicated spot to do homework had more value to me than keeping that stuff. I ended up giving away the good toys and binning the junk toys. No matter my age, the value of things is ever changing for me.
  14. technoblue
    Orguss is fun, especially if you like Mikimoto's character art. It does start slow like Macross, though, with a few critical plot developments in the very beginning. Anyway, I guess you might say that I'm biased. I've also been lurking this thread for a while. My own collecting habits have become something of a challenge, and I've been thinking about how to cut back on purchases and what I am holding onto. The idea that I need to have one of everything doesn't really jive with my collecting goals anymore. I'm happy for those who have those goals and who are able to achieve them; but I've come to understand that my goals are different, and I need to define what i really want to get out of this Macross hobby. Oddly enough, I've had more success setting well defined goals with Bandai releases than with Yamato/Arcadia releases. I guess I need to figure out how to reset the latter, and then start over from 1 (or less than what I have). Maybe it's time to let go of all the older Yamato Valkyries that I've been holding onto. It'll be tough, but it might also be a good thing for me.
  15. technoblue

    Bandai DX VF-31

    technoblue replied to UN Spacy's topic in Toys

    Ugh. Yeah, that was a major fail. I wanted to checked the math myself, and went full duh using the store price. I'm sorry about earlier and I'm glad someone spoke up to let me know that I had calculated the percentage wrong. I might have gone a few days being oblivious otherwise. Apologies to @seti88 too.
  16. technoblue

    Hi-Metal R

    technoblue replied to joppewo's topic in Toys

    Smart. I did the same, so hopefully I didn't jinx anything. The interface is clean and simple--it does what it needs to do. I also like the currency option, but I'm set up for JPY for now. We'll see how it goes. I'm not keen on doing the PayPal Billing Agreement, so if I can avoid it and do this new thing, then that's a-okay.
  17. technoblue

    Hi-Metal R

    technoblue replied to joppewo's topic in Toys

    PSA: HLJ has updated more accounts with the new GoInterPay system this weekend. I'm in the US and received the update message today. If you were on the old system, you might want to check your email, or log into your HLJ account to make sure payments are still set up the way you want them.
  18. technoblue

    Bandai DX VF-31

    technoblue replied to UN Spacy's topic in Toys

    For sure. If you like the Valkyrie, you gotta pay. The options for overseas buyers are few. Other stores might make this easy to pick up in a single click, but I imagine the price will be in line with what BnJ posted. They are not often too far afield of other stores like NY, for example. The good news is that people can always opt out. If it isn't your thing, then it's an easy pass (my choice).
  19. technoblue

    Bandai DX VF-31

    technoblue replied to UN Spacy's topic in Toys

    Yeah. It is an eye opener for sure. It's starting to look like Bandai has opened a path for limited-edition high-priced premium releases. I don't know if that was their intent, but there it is.
  20. technoblue

    Bandai DX VF-31

    technoblue replied to UN Spacy's topic in Toys

    *sigh* When did we start adding hyperbole to markup calculations? BnJ price: 32000JPY Bandai event price: 21000JPY Difference: 11000JPY or 34% before shipping. But I do agree with those who are pointing out that the 11000JPY is paying it forward for gas or a train ticket, a ticket to the event (if required), the time away for an employee to stand in line away from work to get the toy...that stuff...
  21. technoblue

    Hi-Metal R

    technoblue replied to joppewo's topic in Toys

    Yeah. At first I thought Messer's scheme was decent. The more I thought about it, though, the more it was just too "on the nose" with his VF-31F livery for me. If they had changed the colors slightly to make it more unique or to show an evolution from old to new, then I would have been more interested. As it is, I can't get past seeing another VF-1S and since I'm already happy with Messer's 31F, I would rather save my money for other things.
  22. technoblue

    Bandai DX VF-31

    technoblue replied to UN Spacy's topic in Toys

    Actually, BnJ also acts as a proxy. Since this is an event item, and requires up front payment, the cost for having somone go to the event and get the Valkyrie has been added to the total price. Those costs are not free, and BnJ probably adds a proxy fee on top of them. Thankfully, I'm not keen on Hayate's reissued Valkyrie and will be skipping this version.
  23. technoblue
    Yeah, three Orguss variants are enough for me too--especially at this price. If MegaHouse decides to release any other mecha from the series, I'll think about diving back in again. For now, though, I'm happy to stop and give my wallet a break.
  24. technoblue
    Yeah, it was a fun show, and a nice interpretation of the old Hindu myth IMO. The added climate change sermons didn't bother me, and didn't seem out of place given the context of the story. I also liked AKB0048. Related to which, I thought it was odd that Macross Delta went full idol troupe after they finished AKB, but it's all water under the bridge now.
  25. technoblue
    As far as Kawamori outliers go, I really liked Earth Maiden Arjuna and Escaflowne. I couldn't get into Aquarion, although I did try it for a few episodes. Man, I wish we had Arjuna on blu-ray...
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