Hi there all, after a bit away I am back, I apologise for the delay in writing here again, things have been tight in time as of late and certain things really didn’t help either, for this post as there really is a lot to cover, I’m going to split it into sections as I have done previously when I have had a lot to say.
I’ll cover DDoS attacks on the server, development on SpikedEffect.com, the PSP homebrew scene developments and links to promised pictures of concerts, So hold tight… and here goes…
DDoS Attacks Targeted at the Server
Recently the server hosting both this blog and SpikedEffect.com got attacked by a distributed denial of service attack (DDoS) equalling about 10GB of data hitting the server per second… as a direct effect the hard disk drive(s) (HDD) of both the server and the backup server that was taking daily backups of the websites hosted on the server were fried. This compounded with the fact that my local backup of my website was corrupt it meant that the website and the blog were brought back alive from a backup taken in October 2006.
This obviously meant that I had to try recover what I had lost (including all my e-mail), especially from the blog, which unfortunately took up time that I was hoping to spend on other things, including updating this blog. It just irritates me to hell, do people not have anything better to do with their time? What’s the purpose of bringing down a server which hosts several websites? I’m not sure what their motives were, nor who exactly the attack was aimed at, but none the less there is no reason for it, if you have a grudge against someone how bout grow up and deal with it sensibly?
Ah well, what’s done is done now and all seems back to normal now, I’ll just be taking backups more often just in case the same happens again, which I hope it doesn’t… But I thought I’d let you guys know, just in case something is missing, that is why…
Recreation of the SpikedEffect.com Landing Page
Just recently I updated the landing page of www.SpikedEffect.com this was due to some of the information being out of date, and also because I felt it needed a bit of a makeover. Originally the start page didn’t have any mention of this blog, but I have now added a link to it.
However, I don’t think I am quite finished with it, what I may do is add the blog’s latest post title underneath the “SE’s Blogorama” and possibly, what I may do is also create the image for the main site link dynamically using the GD library for PHP and change the image within the “Gallery” polaroid to a random image from the actual gallery. It just all depends how much time I have to spend.
Yes, I know, its only a start page but think of it this way, like an interview it’s the first impression that counts and what I want to do is create a start page to create interest to entice further clicks. Hopefully, its a simple but affective way to gain a bit more interest.
The PSP homebrew scene growing strong day by day
It’s been an exciting time for the PSP homebrew scene, with particular interest coming from news which was released 2 nights ago… What news is that you say? Well officially confirmed 2 nights ago team noobz have released a firmware v3.03 downgrader, that’s right the most up to date firmware from Sony is able to be modded to support homebrew applications, and in turn it allows you to downgrade the PSP to firmware v1.5 using a homebrew application again supplied in the team noobz package.
What good is that? Aren’t you going to lose all the neat features found in firmwares v2.0 onwards? No, your not, downgrading to v1.5 allows you to then further upgrade to a custom firmware… Which custom firmware should you use? I’d highly back Dark_AleX’s custom firmware v3.03 OE-C… OE? What does that mean? It actually stands for Open Edition the ‘-C’ is just the revision of the firmware… So what advantages does v3.03 OE-C offer over Sony’s original v3.03 firmware? Well lets list the advantages:
- Runs almost all firmware v1.x Hombrew (does not need to be kxploited to run)
- Runs all firmware v2.x (PRX) Homebrew
- Run games with plainprx files
- Runs almost all ISO Backups (Some can be run without a UMD in the drive)
- Hide Corrupt Icons (from kxploited homebrew)
- Run non-kxploited Homebrew
- Browse ISO Backups via the Game Menu in the XMB
- Recovery Menu to avoid Soft-Bricks
- Load custom PRXs (Modules) from the Memory Stick at boot
- Create your own PlayStation 1 games (created from your originals) to use with the official Sony PlayStation emulator that was added in firmware v3.00+
- Allow non-Sony licensed MP4 AVC videos to run at the full resolution the PSP is able to play (480×272)
- Removes the bit rate limitation of 768 Kbps from MP4 files (limit now is 16384 Kbps)
- Allows you to run games and/or your PSP menu at 333MHz (quicker loading times)
The disadvantages are:
- Compatibility Issues with some 1.5 Homebrew (not many)
- Uses up more space on flash0 (this is one part of the PSPs on-board memory)
- If you modify your boot screen then run an update it could Soft-Brick your PSP (due to limited space on flash0)
- VOIDs your Sony warranty if it bricks (e.g. will no longer start-up)
- Due to space restrictions on flash0 Korean fonts and location free player has been removed from the functionality
As you can see the custom firmware increases the functionality of the PSP by enabling homebrew applications and also extends the functionality of the standard features, and this can’t be a bad thing especially as it gives you more reason to own one of these brilliant machines. In fact it probably helps Sony sell more of the PSPs due to these abilities and even though there is functionality present that could aid in piracy, just know I do not condone it, as piracy just hurts the PSPs view in eye of developers…
I’m not just saying this to cover my back either, to be honest think about it, the games industry is a business, and it takes a lot of time an investment to create the games for whatever format it may be, and if the sales of the software are not significant then it means it becomes financially unviable for companies to continue to develop for the format, and therefore the format dies… So having said that even though the custom firmware enables you to play backups of your Games in the format of ISOs, don’t forget that every game you buy aids the lifetime of the PSP and also goes towards encouraging bigger and better games for the PSP…
As a little treat for those v3.03 OE firmware users, who also use CloneDVDMobile to create thier videos, the following is what you can add to your devices.ini in your CloneDVDMobile program folder to enable creation of videos that take advantage of the now available 480×272 resolution found in v3.03 OE:
[PlayStation Portable (Full AVC/H264, Firmware Version 3.03 OE-B+)]
PixelLimit=130560
ResUnit=16
ScreenRatio=16:9
Manufacturer=Sony
Res1=480x272
ResAna1=480x272
VCodec=h264
ACodec=aac
ARate=48000
ABRate=64
Volume=400
Format=lavf
lavfopts=format=psp
lavcopts=aglobal=1:vglobal=1:vcodec=h264:coder=1:acodec=aac
FileType=MP4
; Uncomment the two lines below for firmware < 2.6
;NTSCFrameRate1=29.97
;NTSCFrameRateDeinterlace1=29.97
PALFrameRate1=29.97
DirPath=MP_ROOT/100ANV01/MAQ1
Quality=15
useMencoder=1
SubTitle=1
MaxVBitrate=768
ThumbNail=THM
AllowChapterFiles=1
That should allow it to create videos of the right resolution, be aware though I have kept the max variable bit rate at 768 kbps in the code clip above, but feel free to change it if you so wish just change the line “MaxVBitrate=768″ to whatever bit rate you wish to use as your maximum.
So for now that’s all I’ll say in regards to the PSP, but go ahead take the reigns and enjoy the possibilities… VNC into your PC from your PSP… stream music from your PC to your PSP… Welcome to the world of homebrew…
The PlayStation 3 (PS3) IS coming to Europe in March… Finally
As you are probably all well aware Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) released an official statement last week confirming that the PlayStation 3 (PS3) is being released in Europe on March 23rd 2007 and retailing in the UK at £425 for the 60GB version (which will be the only version available at launch), with the 20GB version maybe heading to Europe at a later unmentioned date.
Major developers have backed the announcement finally being made as it puts to bed a lot of rumours stating that the PS3 could have been delayed again for the European market, which would have been commercial suicide for the PS3 and SCEE.
A lot of people are still criticising the price of the PS3, and labels of “Rip Off Britain” are accumulating… But I think what people fail to realise is what they are actually getting, considering Blu-Ray players are retailing for around £500-£600 on Amazon UK, I think its a very good price for a system that brings you a Blu-Ray player, an extremely powerful gaming machine and a fully networked home entertainment system all in one.
If you also consider the fact that the PS3 development is still maturing and also take a look back at how the PlayStation 2′s games line up progressed over it’s lifetime, you can expect a lot to come from the PS3 and developers utilizing more and more of it’s power. This combined with the PS3′s ability to openly support Linux and be used as a personal computer, the possibilities are endless…
So I for one am eagerly awaiting the moment that HMV start taking their pre-orders because I will be one of the first in line to place one… Bring on the PS3!!
Things long gone, but not forgotten
In November last year (2006) I went to go and see P!nk (Pink) at the Manchester Evening News Arena (M.E.N. Arena) with Rachel (my girlfriend for those who don’t know by now) and I mentioned that I was going way back in April last year… Oddly though I never mentioned the experience here, nor uploaded the pictures from the concert…
Well good news, the pictures are now up from the concert (click the picture to the left to see them) and what a concert it was! The “I’m Not Dead” tour is obviously in correlation with the release of the album of the same name, however, she did in fact sing some of her popular songs from her previous albums including, family portrait, god is a DJ, 18 wheeler, Don’t let me get me, just like a pill and most obviously the grand finale for the concert with Get This Party Started.
It was a very well put on concert and P!nk is a fantastic entertainer and if I got the chance, I’d be happy to see her in concert again, as P!nk’s attitude stands her out from the rest of the female singers out there and it shows in the way she presents her songs. If you get the chance to see her live, I’d recommend it, it’s definitely worth a watch!
Just on another note, whilst I am talking about concerts, I never actually posted the eventual link to pictures for the Orson concert I went to at the Manchester Academy 2 way back in May last year, so I think I owe it to you all to link to it, even though you most probably have come across it browsing SpikedEffect.com. Be aware any future concerts I go to will have it’s pictures in the same sub-section in my gallery so if I mention a concert that’s where the pictures will be 
Limited time, yet lots to do…
So, a lot has been going on, but you’ve not heard much from me on here, that’s mainly due to the fact that when I do have time to myself I tend to go out and go somewhere to relax and just get away from things for a bit.
Exams for university have been and gone, and well I’m not sure how I did really, but illness during one of my exams surely didn’t help. I also have my final year project to continue work on in the coming weeks.
I don’t know though, I’m finding it hard at the moment to find incentive to concentrate on my work, you see, in today’s world there is only so much theory can get you by on, its experience that people tend to find more appealing when it comes to hiring you for a job. But none the less, I do try and keep my head down and keep on with it, I just can’t wait to get out into the real world and do something of real worth to today’s society.
And Finally My Day Ruined…
Well I am going to finish this post for today on some down news, I came into University today with my Laptop and powered it up to use in one of the labs… What do I get? A Blue Screen Of Death (BSOD) and my laptop restarting on it’s own accord on load time. I turn on my Laptop again and it presents the options to me shown when Windows failed to load… So, I choose “start up using the last known good configuration…” It loads… and then BSOD…
The thing is, this exact thing happened last October (2006) and it was a problem with a faulty IDE controller on my laptop’s motherboard which was meant to have been resolved… Obviously not… 
The laptop I have is a Pegasus Ti from RockDirect, that I bought it in December 2004, and since I got it it’s been sent back for repair 5 times (not including the forthcoming one that I am expecting)… that means I have had to send my laptop for repair at least once every six months on average and that’s just crazy…
The thing is I was told was that RockDirect was a reliable manufacturer of decent laptops, and with a standard collect and return 3 year warranty and some very well specified machines, it looked to match its reputation on the surface… But it seems in my particular case I’ve had nothing but problems since day one 
Maybe I’m just unlucky, but regardless I have written an e-mail to the technical director or RockDirect about my grievances and am now just waiting to hear back from him…
So for now, I’m going to sign off on this post, but I’ll keep you up to date on the laptop and any other news in my life… Thanks for sticking with me through this very long post… ciao for now.
Post Tagged With: concerts, DDoS, homebrew, music, PlayStation, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, PSP, web, web design.