So my laptop should be in my possession by either the end of this upcoming week (12/7 - 12/11) or the beginning of the week after that one.

So, I'm pretty excited for it!

In case you missed my last blog, it's a Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit.

It was the best I could find without spending 2k... From what I've heard, Win7 isn't very buggy especially for a new OS.

That was pretty reassuring.

I made it customized for all the right specs so I can make some great PC Machinima in it.

Speaking of Machinima, I ordered a Hauppauge HD PVR Capture Card. I'm mainly using Christmas money for most of it, and I'm buying the rest of it. It's the only HD External Capture Card. Plus, it can record things similar to how a Tivo does, so it's multi-purpose and I suppose that means I'll get my money's worth out of it.

After buying all that stuff I'll be a little strapped for cash...

Luckily, I've found many free software things that are basically an alternative to their expensive counterpart.

Examples

GIMP is being called "The free Photoshop".

I've been messing with something called CamStudio which can be used to make web tutorials and it's FREE!!

When I get my laptop, I plan to download an online MMORPG that's free called Silk Road Online.

And then after all those expenses, I'll either buy a good video editing software (Thinking of Pinnacle Studios) or FRAPS, the PC recorder, since CamStudio doesn't record games very well. Most likely the editing software will become my priority, but you never know. My Capture Card (I'm pretty sure) comes with editing software, so hopefully that will be up to par.

Thanks for reading.

I'll keep you guys posted.

Later.

I've been tagged by my friend tntkng, so here's ten things about me!

1. My name is Darren.

2. I am thirteen years old.

3. I am an aspiring Machinimist (I make Machinima).

4. I have a Youtube Channel

5. My favorite game so far is Fallout 3.

6. I have Recon in Halo 3.

7. My Xbox360 was originally an Arcade and I had to work all the way up to end up with what I have with it today (150 GB Hard Drive, Wireless Adapter, Messenger Kit, and most importantly, Xbox Live)

8. I think I'm the only person on earth who didn't like Mass Effect.

9. My favorite TV show is The Simpsons.

10. My favorite band is Linkin Park and my favorite song is New Divide.

So there ya go. Now you know more about me.

The three people I will tag.....

Let's see..........

I believe I shall tag.....

Junglemanchild (because he loves Fallout)

SalarianChemist (because they love Mass Effect)

and

syler4815162342 (because he likes The Simpsons)

Don't be mad!! :D

Okay. So I know I blogged not long ago saying that I was going to buy a Dazzle Capture Card and a Windows Vista laptop.....

Things have changed.

After talking to a Customer Service person on Dell.com, they informed me that the only Vistas that they sell are terrible computers. I, at first thought he just wanted me to upgrade, but he linked to me the only Vista they sell... Lemme put it this way.... It was so bad it was only $400....

So after a while, I decided it would be best to go with Win7. I've heard some pretty good stuff about it and all, and it seems like it's the best I can get at this time.

It can't be outrageously suckish, or else it'd be well-known. Sure, I bet it has it's flaws since it's new, but what doesn't have flaws at release nowadays?

And I figured out that Dazzle Capture Cards aren't compatible with Win7, so I spent like two hours on the computer looking for a Capture Card that works with Win7.

Found one. I'm going with the Hauppauge HD PVR (Personal Video Recorder).

It seems to fit my needs, as far as I've seen. It works with Win7 and all that jazz.

It records in HD and it also can record TV Shows like a Tivo does.

So I figure it's a little more expensive, but I'll get my money's worth.

I found one on Amazon for about $50 cheaper than most other sites, so that's most likely the one I'm going with.

Looks like everything's been figured out! :lol:

So I figured out I'll be ordering my laptop this weekend.. I figure that's pretty well worth blogging about :D

I'll most likely end up with a Windows 7. There's a possibility that I might save a bit of money and go to Vista, but since I don't wanna have to buy a new laptop in 5 years when Vista is out-dated, I think I'll probably go to Win7. The one I've been looking at has free 3-5 day shipping, so if I order it on Saturday I should have it by the next Friday.

And I'm probably going to ask my grandparents for my Capture Card this Christmas. I found one that I think would be perfect for my needs and isn't expensive.

So.... Yeah. If I don't blog before it comes, I'm sure I'll blog when I get it.

Peace :D

So I'm not sure if the Youtube uploader is fixed right now, but I got it to working for me. I just had to split my video in half and it worked. So there are two parts on my Channel now.

It's the Constructive Criticism one.

I know it's not amazing, but I think I did a decent job, conidering it's basically my first Machinima.

If you have an account, I'd appreciate it if you comment and rate (And subscribe if ya want :D).

My Channel

I just found this animation software today. You can make 3-D movies and stuff. I think it's pretty amazing...

It's free to download, but it's more like a trial, since they hardly give you anything to work with. You get two characters and one set.

Although you can buy a pack full of great stuff for just $10. I recommend it. I'd say to at least give it a try, since it's free.

Go to

www.xtranormal.com

Remember how I've been working on that video for Youtube?

Well I tried to upload it a few days ago, but Youtube won't let me for some reason. The site must be glitching, because I've heard numerous people saying how the Youtube uploader is malfunctioning lately.

I upload my video and wait two hours for it go. It uploads as usual.

Once I spend my time waiting for two hours, it just says "Error".

Flat-out "Error". Nothing more.

Then I go to "My Videos" and it says the Upload was Aborted.

It's really getting annoying.

I know it's not the format. I always upload in .WMV format, plus I saw .WMV on the list of acceptable formats. It's under 10 minutes long and under 2 GB. I don't see what the problem is.

I spent several weeks working on this project. Combined, probably a day spent editing.

All I wanna do is upload my damn video.

I've been getting really mad at Youtube. I've been keeping up with updates on my progress of uploading it in my Recent Activity thing on Youtube. Here's my latest update:

Look. Youtube is being glitchy and they're being to lazy to fix it. It's been three days that I've been trying to upload, and because of Youtube nothing. My format is acceptable by Youtube. It's what I always upload in. But Youtube can't take the time to fix a problem for its billions of users. I've worked for two weeks to bring a video to you guys and Youtube won't let me because they're too busy counting their money to fix the problem. You know who to blameQuote from my Channel

So, yeah... Hopefully the problem will be fixed and I can stop swearing at my computer.

Have a nice day.

I figured out why I couldn't get the Dashboard Update....

Because unlike many, I put in my real age for my LIVE account... My parents didn't care what I played, but I just decided to, since I figured there would be some button to just completely erase all Parental settings and make it like the account WAS an adult account.... I was wrong...And I'm not eighteen yet.

On the Xbox.com forums, they told me there was no real update to even download, and you could just download Facebook, Last.FM, and all that on the Community Page. But they said you couldn't even download most of them unless your LIVE account is an adult account.....

Although I also heard that they're thinking of letting anyone of 13+ download Facebook and Twitter and all that, since most of those sites only require you to be 13+ to use them.

Whatever. It's no big deal. I can do all that stuff on my computer.

I was just worried about not even having the option to get them.

Everything's normal now.....:D

Hey, everyone knows about the Dashboard Update that came today, right?

Well, I didn't get it... When I turned on my Xbox, I was planning to see that classic screen...

But, much to my surprise, it never showed up and I was connected like usual.... A few of my friends were using features like Facebook and Last.FM, but it won't let me download the Dashboard Update!!!

And I went to the Community part of the Dashboard to see if it wasn't a whole Dashboard update, but instead you just downloaded the features you wanted. Like you could download Twitter and not Last.FM or something...

But at the Community Page all it shows is the latest Gamer Spotlight....

Can anyone help?

(By the way, this is my 50th blog post :D)

So my family was discussing Christmas the other day.... My parents were asking me and my sister what we wanted (my sister is 17, btw) for Christmas. My sister had suggested what I was thinking: PS3.

I liked the idea. My sister and I agreed that we could share the system. I payed with my own money for my 360, so it's 100% mine. I wouldn't mind sharing another system with one of my own. So it worked out for everyone!

My parents said they'll see what they can find.

So, to any PS3 owners out there, are there any PS3 titles I should pick up?

I'm mainly asking about PS3-exclusive games, though.