Seriously though, I have been somewhat slacking lately with my posts but I have been a little preoccupied with other things. I am making an effort to post more often now (more that just YouTube videos and whatnot). I will begin posting more worthy posts over the next few weeks. I am hoping to begin reviewing music that I am playing or listening to, more posts about my adventures into digital DJing as well as the usual random thought, YouTube video, etc…

So stay tuned…

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I was a little disappointed that the software for OS X that was supposed to be included did not make it onto the included CD, only the Windoze version was there. I had to download a demo version of the new Traktor Pro software and hunt down a proper configuration file in order for Traktor to understand the lingo that the VCI was speaking but after a little trial and error I was off and mixing.

The VCI-100 is all that I had read and more. There seems to be quite a bit of functionality yet to be uncovered. I am spending time today researching and learning MIDI mapping. I hope to have my layout completely functional with a little tweaking just for me. The mapping that I am using now is completely usable and not very limiting, but there are a few more function that could be mapped to currently unused buttons and knobs that would make using the kick ass effects in Traktor Pro a little easier.

Using the device is a dream when it comes to mixing tracks, the only time you really have to touch the keyboard or mouse is when you want to use the aforementioned effects or to adjust the cue points. Everything else including searching for, loading and previewing tracks. All normal transport controls are there as well.

Traktor Pro is a nice upgrade. I had used Traktor 3 on my Windows PC for a little while back when it was released, but never got a lot of experience with it beyond basic mixing. The effect are nice but so far I have only found a few really useful.

All in all I am very pleased with this purchase and look forward to learning more and completing some mixes that I have been working on in theory.

until next time, same Bat channel, same Bat time…

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First lets get the updates out of the way. It has been a while since I updated you on the iPhone and let me just simply say that I am still in love with this device. It has been overtaking the market week by week and it seems it is now on top of the smart phone market. I still have minor issues from time to time such as applications crashing and an occasional issue with slow response, but overall it has been the best phone I have ever owned. I still hope to see some new features like, cut and paste, true turn by turn GPS directions, and others.

The digital DJ rig has been purchased and will be arriving soon. as mentioned in an earlier post I decided to go with the M-AUDIO Fast Track Pro USB sound card and the Vastax VCI-100 USB MIDI control surface. I will provide more information once the package(s) arrive. I can’t wait.

OK now for the review, I have had the pleasure over the last week and a half to play one of the greats on XBOX 360, Gears of War 2. Now to be honest I never played the first Gears of War, so I was a little behind on the story lie for this game. This did not matter the new story gave enough history and back story to not have someone like me completely lost during the course of game play.

The graphics and game play were very good and entertaining, not to overpowering. The campaign was challenging enough to keep you interested but not so that it became frustrating. We finished campaign and did not feel like we were shorted by the story or the action. You get a chance to do thing that in most games you are left wanting.

I will post a follow up to this review within the week to cover online or multiplayer gaming in Gears of War.

That’s all for now…

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First things first. Always read all available information prior to banging your head against a wall, it will save you some pain. Second, getting ActiveSync to run in an environment mentioned above is no piece of cake.

I will attempt to break it down for you and try not to omit anything.

1. Ensure you are running Exchange 2003 SP 2 – this step is critical, ActiveSync will not function correctly without it
2. Ensure that RPC over HTTP Proxy service is installed on front-end and back-end servers
3. In ESM right click on each Exchange server and select properties and configure the RPC over HTTP tab for the corrisponding role held by that server (i.e. front-end or back-end) note: ensure to set the back-end servers up first.
4. Ensure proper permissions on Exchange Virtual server directories (Great link with this info as well as some items I may forget)
5. If you are planning on using a self signed certificate, visit your server and export your certificate using Internet Explorer then email it to your iPhone (instructions can be found here)
6. Now configure your iPhone for an Exchange account and keep your fingers crossed.

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Links:

http://ci.vestax.com/en/products/vci100_01.html

http://www.vci100.com

http://djtechtools.com

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/FastTrackPro.html

http://www.native-instruments.com/index.php?id=traktor3_us

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I’m against the $85,000,000,000.00 bailout of AIG.  Instead, I’m in favor of giving $85,000,000,000 to America in a We Deserve It Dividend.

To make the math simple, let’s assume there are 200,000,000 bona fide U.S. Citizens 18+.  Our population is about 301,000,000 +/- counting every man, woman and child. So 200,000,000 might be a fair stab at adults 18 and up.  So divide 200 million adults 18+ into $85 billion that equals $425,000.00.

My plan is to give $425,000 to every person 18+ as a We Deserve It Dividend.

Of course, it would NOT be tax free.  So let’s assume a tax rate of 30%.

Every individual 18+ has to pay $127,500.00 in taxes.  That sends $25,500,000,000 right back to Uncle Sam.

But it means that every adult 18+ has $297,500.00 in their pocket.  A husband and wife has $595,000.00.

What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.00 in your family?

Pay off your mortgage – housing crisis solved.

Repay college loans – what a great boost to new grads

Put away money for college – it’ll be there

Save in a bank – create money to loan to entrepreneurs.

Buy a new car – create jobs

Invest in the market – capital drives growth

Pay for your parent’s medical insurance – health care improves

Enable Deadbeat Dads to come clean – or else

Remember this is for every adult U S Citizen 18+ including the folks who lost their jobs at Lehman Brothers and every other company that is cutting back. And of course, for those serving in our Armed Forces.

If we’re going to re-distribute wealth let’s really do it…instead of trickling out a puny $1000.00 ( “vote buy” ) economic incentive that is being proposed by
one of our candidates for President.

If we’re going to do an $85 billion bailout, let’s bail out every adult U S
Citizen 18+!

As for AIG – liquidate it.

Sell off its parts.

Let American General go back to being American General.

Sell off the real estate.

Let the private sector bargain hunters cut it up and clean it up.

Here’s my rationale:  We deserve it and AIG doesn’t.

Sure it’s a crazy idea that can “never work.”

But can you imagine the Coast-To-Coast Block Party!

How do you spell Economic Boom?

I trust my fellow adult Americans to know how to use the $85 Billion We Deserve It Dividend more than I do the geniuses at AIG or in Washington
DC.

And remember, The Birk plan only really costs $59.5 Billion because $25.5 Billion is returned instantly in taxes to Uncle Sam.

Ah…I feel so much better getting that off my chest.

Kindest personal regards,

Birk

T. J. Birkenmeier, A Creative Guy & Citizen of the Republic

PS: Feel free to pass this along to your pals as it’s either good for a
laugh or a tear or a very sobering thought on how to best use $85 Billion!!

Why don’t people like this run for office? I’ll tell you why, because they know there is not a chance in hell of being elected.

Pitty

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