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How do you pay with your palm?

@retro junkie  --> LATE REPLY!!  But... this is how it's done:
https://amazonone.aws.com

Not sure how widely adopted this service REALLY is... but it looks like it is a thing

Outside the new theme, I upgraded the forums to a new version! If you run into any issues, please let me know so I may fix.  I appreciate your help!

For the next 4-7 days... or unless it gets annoying.  It has light and dark features (top left by CHICKEN DINNER GAMING COMMUNITY). 

Please let me know what you think.  I DO notice the smiley set doesn't look totally right as you can see the white around the images.  I probably will revert to the procurve theme again until I find something "right."

Thoughts? Comments? Post it up!

At some point super early this year, I ended up receiving and using a MacBook Pro 2024... and have been using it as my daily driver since January.  I was asked to write a bit of a review by @CreepinDeth and @retro junkie .  I can now say that I can use Windows, Linux AND MacBook (MacOS) as my daily driver without issues.

It has the Apply M4 chip - 10 Cores CPU and GPU (4 performance, 6 efficiency), 16GB memory, and 512 SSD.  I am running MacOS... no changes.

It really runs many processes well.  I have at least 4-5 Safari windows open with 15 (at least) tabs each and several applications.  If I run something like Starcraft 2 or a game on top of the processes while on Discord, the system still works but chugs a little bit.

Overall... it handles everything well and the Apple apps (Pages, Numbers, Keynote, Notes, TextEdit..etc) are good enough to get by with most everything you need to do except some power applications.  You can do resumes and about everything else you need to do on the standard day... within good reason.

Gaming - I haven't done a ton of gaming, but it the MacBook handles games like StarCraft, Starcraft 2, Diablo 2 and Diablo 3.  Diablo 4, However, is still not Mac compatible.

Where the MacBook really shines... is audio.  The MacBook has amazing sound for a Laptop.  I was truly blown away.  Nothing will beat awesome studio monitors or other dedicated sound systems, but the audio on the MacBook is absolutely better than all other Laptops I've heard (not saying others do not exist out there).

Most of my automation, infrastructure and testing utilities are setup and works as standard... Such as AWS Cli, VS Code, Amazon Q, Terraform, GitHub and many other integrations I use for my certifications and projects (and keeping up on cloud/automation skills).

Peripherals are a little odd... but I'm working through that.  Such as, I have a decent Dell docking station with thunderbolt.. and the Logitech peripherals do not work exactly like the Native Keyboard and trackpad.  I didn't install software and am still working through some of those things.

If you have questions, please let me know.  Thoughts... comments, Post it up!

It's deep in the back log at this point.

LOL come on @targetrasp ... that's my statement. Do it... Do it naoow!

I get digital games... I do.  There is a time and place for them... and many find them convenient.  I like physical games for many reasons, for which you can see in many other topics on Chicken Dinner Gaming

However, the cases for sale with no games inside and only codes?!  Unacceptable!  The case state "Game Key Card Inside."  There is no game card inside... just in case you didn't get that lol.  How annoying is this?!

I know @SpartanEvolved has comments on this one!

Thoughts?  Comments?  Post it up!

Just a heads up... Switch 2 designator has been added to the Nintendo section:

https://www.chickendinnergaming.com/forum/index.php/board,9.0.html

Time for new Switch 2 Posts!  Let's GOOOOO

We are now in 2025... it's been 2 years since Google Stadia died and other cloud gaming platforms rolled up.  I believe we have the following left:

Xbox Cloud, Amazon Luna, Playstation Plus Premium and Nvidia Gforce Now.  To date, I have not tried any of these platforms.  I was going to try Amazon Luna, but was distracted with a massive gaming backlog (massive is an understatement) and ... life.

Where are you at?  Are you playing any of these services?  Any other services I didn't list that you are enjoying?  Post it up!

The actor who plays Red Guardian also escaped from Russian Prison in the Stranger Things series. It seems to be a trend with that actor! 

LOL... you know... I didn't think about that @Grindspine!  Way to tie that together.   You are 100% right... I completely forgot about that.  It's been awhile since we watched Stranger Things.  ROFL... that's hilarious.   

You know... I get some of that @retro junkie .  For me, I feel they brought out the Red Hulk at the right now.  It really looked like Ross was trying to change... in fact, that part was true. It was cool to see that and that he was trying to be better (considering his reputation before).  That's part of why Red Hulk was the climax of the movie... Ross was containing it until someone finally tipped him over the edge.  That alone was pretty crazy considering he was being turned into a rage monster Hulk.  The Incredible Hulk would never have been able to contain like that.

I ended up seeing it twice.  I thought it was a pretty good view.  It wasn't perfect, but overall, they did a pretty good job with this movie.  I get some of the points you mention, and while not perfect, it was a pretty solid entry into the Marvel films.

So... lately I have been extremely pre-occupied with certain life events that happened this year.  So... some of my birthday messages are coming late.  I swear I sent this... but ... I looked and I DID NOT.

Without Further... anything else lol... HAPPY BIRTHDAY @targetrasp   I hope you ENJOYED your digital cake. 

If you received the gift of gaming, you need to post it up... even a happy "birthday to me" type gift. 

We started watching Psych a bit again... watched movie 1 of Psych (again) as well ;lol. 

He kept saying "unLinked". Did he lose his Zelda hero character? 

LOL booo @Grindspine

I don't know, but what got me was that he immediately did this so close to when he purchased the unit.

@retro junkie -- man... that SUCKS lol... I didn't watch his follow up video, but I take it that it was borked so bad that he couldn't wipe and get it working  Man... this is insane lol. 

I've had the Switch 2 now since the 10th. Didn't open it for a week, lol. Finally booted up Mario Kart last weekend and it was fun. It's Mario Kart, so not much new other than prettier tracks and being able to drive around the world. That part is actually really cool.

@CreepinDeth -- thank you for the review ... I'd love to get one of these in the next couple months.  So far, I haven't been able to score any of them... but due to some circumstances right now, I haven't really been trying hard either.  Hoping the LG C1 OLED will be good enough of HDR.  It is for everything else right now.  I haven't researched it yet

There have been recent increases in game prices.  IE many Nintendo, Xbox and Playstation games are jumping to $79.99.  Not all manufacturers are following this structure... IE Sega.   However, certain games (Such as Switch 2 games) can or will charge for upgrades from the Switch 1 games to make them Switch 2 compatible.

What are your thoughts on the whole pricing strategy at this time?

I grew up on NES and Super NES games... where the game prices started getting VERY high.  Adjusted for inflation, many of the company arguments revolve around "it's cheaper than it was in the 90's... so it's time for an increase."   Do you agree with these sentiments?  I remember those days and the amount of games per person were MUCH less.  Plus, they had some value to the resale if they needed to sell a game.  Not digging on digital distribution, but there is 0 recoup value on digital distribution games... a big difference between the on-going analyses in price differentials.

What are your thoughts?  Post it up!

@retro junkie --> Dude... It has been forever since I've been to a peddler's mall.  There was one in town here I went to as a kid.  There were also Baseball card shows ... some at local fire stations... these are things kids and others just don't experience anymore.  A world that has gone by.

I remember the old "Play it loud" tagline... but I don't remember this Game Boy.  I had the original Game Boy, and I was able to see the screen pretty ok in most scenarios.  Although, I've heard of others not having the exact same experience I had.

This is a cool looking Game Boy... I just don't remember the case you show.  Awesome mod!  The screen looks great!  I wish I had the time to do this stuff.  Work and work activities consume... and it's awesome to see you doing projects like this.   Another great post, Retro!

@Mai Valentine - That's pretty crazy! I can't believe they aren't flying faster off the shelves.

I've been seeing many restock notices, but haven't seen any local stock.  I've called around a few places... and keep getting the same answer "heh... nope." 

Have you witnessed many restocks?

@Mai Valentine nothing like a Happy Birthday - a bit late.  Sorry for the late Birthday message!  Never-the-less, Happy Birthday!

If you received the gift of gaming, please post up your spoils! 

This is pretty awesome @retro junkie !  In the past, I was very fond of the Lunar games, though I really didn't get through them or that far into the stories.  The PS1 collector edition packages were pretty awesome as well.

It's cool to see that you bought it up front! AND are excited to play    Now that's commitment lol 

I am definitely interested, but that extra time is low.  Are you still playing?  What do you enjoy most about it?  ARE you enjoying it as much on the Switch?

I did end up going to see it. I really enjoyed it. It had the right amount of action, humor, and character driven moments.

@Mai Valentine  That's awesome and agree!  Hi... I'm Bob lol 

It was good, better than the most recent Capt. America movie. The actors all carried the roles pretty well.

What else did you both like about the movie?  The Red Guardian is becoming a favorite for me.  I can't wait to see where else this will go... and What Bob will become.  That has an interesting potential

@CreepinDeth @SpartanEvolved @mastermario  --> Thoughts?

I am not the one.  I have been scared to watch it. I have been burned so many times by Marvel and the way they have churned out some of the poor stuff recently. Whenever they release it on Disney+ I will check it out. I am not into going to the theater much anymore, especially since we do not have one locally. Really Thunderbolts is the movie I am looking forward to...................

lol come on @retro junkie

Anthony Mackie did a great job reprising the role and adding the mantle of Capt. America to his Falcon role. Harrison Ford did not impress in this role. The writing was okay for a Marvel movie, but didn't leave me wowed.

It wasn't the best... but I thought it was a pretty great movie.  Not sure about wowed... and they definitely did hold back a bit.  But I definitely dug the direction of the series so far.

The mission impossible steel book would be awesome!  I have the collection before Dead Reckoning Part 1 and Final Reckoning (Dead Reckoning part 2??)

Thankfully, I was able to see these in matinee... and it was fairly cheap to go see it

No one else saw this movie?  @mastermario @Grindspine @SpartanEvolved

This one has to be on @retro junkie's radar!

@Mai Valentine - Did you see it?  If so, what were your thoughts?

I think it stands alright on its own.  There are definitely tie-ins with the MCU and at least 1 of the older series on Disney+.  I won't spoil it just in case.

Hey @Mai Valentine !   Yeah... I will eventually get one as well.  Some factors right now are keeping me from purchasing stuff right now as well.  But also.... Good luck getting one... what the heck.  The purchasing bots really are killing it anymore.

I used to be able to get stuff before day 1 ... or at least on day 1.  I haven't been able to do that since the ps5.

ok... so... bumping this up.  Not one saw it?  No thoughts or comments?

There has to be one of you...   

 

I don't know if any one else is pumped for this movie... but Mission Impossible: Final Reckoning!  is in Theaters - May 23rd, 2025.  Hard to believe Dead Reckoning was launched 2 years ago... time flies when you're having fun... 

Some have said this is the final movie, others have stated this is not the final movie and the series may continue.  Others have said someone will die (not a spoiler, this is literally every Mission Impossible)...

Either way, I'm pumped for this movie.  Are you looking forward to Mission Impossible: Final Reckoning?

Thoughts? comments? post it up!

@retro junkie --> so it's a hack of Fire Red.  I am not aware of this as much.  How much do they change?

LOL... and you over ground your characters so they pummeled everything.  That's pretty funny.  Always keep a nerf 

We just got out of the theaters for Marvel's newest move Thunderbolts*.   In this movie, a band of misfits and loners get together.  This movie features a few characters - namely Red Guardian, Winter Soldier, US Agent, Ghost and of course Black Widow (Yelena).

Spoiler - in case you have NOT seen the movie or previews:

Spoiler: ShowHide

The movie title was changed at the end to be "The New Avengers" lol   

^^^^  I think this was more tongue in cheek though.

This was a pretty good movie, it received great Reviews... and I thoroughly enjoyed watching it.

Has anyone else seen this movie?  If so, what are your thoughts?  If not, is it on your list?

Thoughts? Comments?  post it up!

@retro junkie  Yeah... I'm willing to bet this goes down as a 50/50 love/hate movie lol.   It would be cool to have something that rivals the prior Avengers movies.  However, It's cool to see you down for the experience 

Like I said in the past, I just didn't like Avengers: Age of Ultron... however, once how I saw how it tied a few things together and a few of the nuances in the scenes... I really liked the movie.  I was too harsh of a critic - IMO.


@targetrasp --> lol net nerd! 

lol Are you going to open it @targetrasp ?  Or leave it as a case queen now (generally this is a guitar term... but we'll use it for games this time)?

Happy birthday Snatcher_L ... and fellow steel book collector!  This is a bit late, but hope you had a wonderful birthday.

IF you received the gift of gaming... post up your spoils!