speedyb.co.uk

Contrary to reports, and possibly even some wishes, I'm still alive ... barely.

I've not really the energy presently to compile my present on-goings, however most of my life is presently pivoting wildly around personal matters (Nothing bad, mostly good, so don't worry there) and I've always tried to keep the site away from getting too personal, though that leaves me with the issue of where to aim the site? I'm not too sure at present, though a few ideas have bubbled up in my mind, none are really fitting or make sense. Maybe some suggestions would help?

I can say though, given my new un-tethered internet access (I now own an iPhone) I've been twittering more recently, therefore I'd like to share a few more ways of tracking me via the internets during the interim periods of updatery:

• Twitter.com/speedyb
• FaceBook.com
• speedyb.muxtape.com
• Last.fm/user/SPeedY_B
• Xbox Live

Naturally, there are all the methods on the Contact Page to get in touch with me, and my cam over at Camportal to view a small window into my life. So until next time... stalk me elsewhere ;-]

Posting from iPhone FTW! :-)

yes, that is all.

If you own Microsoft's Xbox 360 console, you may know they recently gave users the ability to chat to one another over the Windows Live network (Previously, MSN Messenger), on-top of the already-in-place messaging system between Xbox owners, along with this there are text input opportunities in games which require the players name or anything similar. Previously users were to choose from either using the horrid on-screen keyboard, which took forever to type anything, or connect a USB keyboard which is great if you have your console set up on a desk or in any other close vicinity to your seating area.

Given the nature of the wireless controllers it would only make sense to attach a text input device to the controller itself, which they have indeed done. The keyboard fits snugly onto the bottom of the controller, and can be easily thumbed at whilst playing games. When I first saw the chatpad I thought that it may impede on both the weight and comfort of using the controller in general, however this is not the case. Fixing the chatpad to the controller is a simple affair, aligning the headset connector and pushing until everything clicks into place. You will certainly notice the chatpad is connected, not only due to the now seemingly gargantuan size of the controller but also because you can feel the rear of the device raised up from where you fingers would normally fall on the back of the controller.

Using the chatpad is as you would expect... press the letters and in the appropriate places, they appear on screen. The keys are presented in a QWERTY layout, though some keys such as backspace are on the bottom row rather than at the top, thumbing at the keys gives you a satisfying/annoying (delete as appropriate) click-y noise, offering audible and tactile feedback similar to an old mobile phone keypad.

Obviously due to space restrictions you're not getting a full keyboard laid out on the face of the device, instead you're given what are effectively two shift, or function keys, which alter the input of most other keys when pressed, these are presented in the form of an orange button and a green button located in the bottom corners of the input area.

When using the chatpad, to my surprise and delight, when pressed the keys illuminate a feature I had not previously read about, or even expected. Much like my new Apple Keyboard, it takes a little while to get used to the keys and getting anywhere near up to speed with typing full sentences is something I'm nowhere close to achieving, perhaps Microsoft should make a dashboard achievement for attaining a certain level of words per minute when using Live Messenger.

The device is great, though I feel much like the Live Vision Cam - which I also own - it's use is very limited, most of it's life will be spent entering text into Messenger, which I use primarily on my Mac rather than my Xbox, therefore I think that the Chatpad may be a worthwhile purpose if the price is right for such a limited gadget, or if you're a heavy user of messaging feature on the console otherwise if you're able to use a USB keyboard with your console... stick with it.