Matt's thoughts

Matt's thoughts

Matt Benic  //  Game & mobile dev gun for hire and environmental worrier.

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Dec 18 / 6:01pm

DSTV Mobile on Nokia N96

With all the marketing Multichoice is doing around DSTV Mobile, I thought I'd brush off the N96 and put it's DVB-H receiver to the test again (previous attempts proved fuitless). This time around it all worked pretty smoothly on the first attempt-if a bit confusingly. Nokia's "Live TV" allowed me to purchase a DSTV Mobile subscription (currently free). I did find though that on restarting the phone after removing and reinserting the SIM, the app had lost my subscription data-no big deal for free promos, but I can see some really irritated users when their paid subscription goes missing. Note that while the app doesn't use 3G to receive the actual TV signal, it does need a cellular data connection to validate licensing (which means no using the service out in the bundus to catch the cricket or rugby).
The app itself is actually pretty well put together, with different program guide views in portrait and landscape, the ability to set program alarms and auto-tuning events, and both fullscreen and windowed (with programming info) views. Parental controls are enabled by default, and set to an age limit of 15, so it's possible first time viewers will have to hunt around for the default unlock code (12345 in case anyone gets here searching for it). Another interesting quirk is that the app locks the video down against both screenshots of content (note the attached shaky cam files taken from my iPhone) and TV out. I suppose I'm not entirely surprised, but this level of lockdown seems seriously ridiculous considering you'll ultimately need a full DSTV subscription anyway when the service goes paid in a couple of months.
The content available in the DSTV mobile package is fairly limited, with the focus heavily on sports, but what's there comes through clearly. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised at both the video and audio quality and the glitch-free nature of the experience, this is no frustrating streamed video. Not being much of a TV watcher, and given the content, I can't say I could see myself paying for the service but I can definitely see the value to avid sports fans and even the 'distract the kids' value of Cartoon Network.

(download)

(download)

Filed under  //  mobile   south africa  

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Sep 25 / 7:29am

Molting rain spider

Photo

We lucked out catching this rain spider while it was molting at a
friend's house. The wives wanted to kill it :P

Filed under  //  southafrica  

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Aug 28 / 7:13pm

Reefsteamers train to magaliesburg

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(download)

Today we took the Reefsteamers steam train from Maraisburg station to Magaliesburg. The train departs a little after 9am, winding out of Joburg at a nice lazy pace. We had initially tried to book a 3 seater coupe, but they were sold out for this trip so we settled for regular single seats. This turned out not to be a great idea, the regular seating area is way too noisy for those of us without kids and the screaming tolerance they build ;) We were lucky enough to find a coupe who's occupants hadn't pitched and 'upgraded'. I'd definitely suggest anyone planning on taking the trip to hold out for one of these compartments, they make for a great experience. Make no mistake, these are vintage commuter trains in their original state, no Rovos level niceties, but they are a nice way to relive those old trips to holiday spots by rail.

After about two and a half hours of relaxed travel through the countryside (including some shunting stops on the single gauge track), the train dropped those travelers who had booked for lunch at the Magaliesburg Country Hotel, and then carried on to drop the rest off at the self catering picnic grounds. Sadly the lunch at the hotel wasn't much to write home about, but the dessert at Wimpy around the corner was great. Whether going with kids or without, I'd suggest skipping on the hotel dinner and rather going for a Wimpy burger or the picnic option.

The trip back was somewhat shorter at about ninety minutes, due to fewer shunting stops, but was no less relaxing-especially with bellies full of food.

Overall, this was a fun experience at a reasonable price. It would also definitely be a great way to entertain kids and introduce them to an older, slower paced way of doing things.

Filed under  //  south africa   travels  

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Aug 22 / 10:21am

Death of optimism

I have always been supportive of South Africa and positive about it's people and future, the guy who would argue down naysayers at work, at the dinnertable, wherever negative sentiments might arise. For every pessimistic complaint about our politicians, our crime levels and our problems I would provide a counterpoint.

My family has been on the victim's end of it's fair share of property and contact crime. We've been tied up, stabbed and held at gunpoint in armed robberies. We've had cars and small items and even the entire stock of our shop stolen. Most families in this country have had similar experiences, regardless of race or background. Despite this I have always sung South Africa's praises to all who would listen, firmly believing these problems would be solved.

For every corrupt politician shamelessly leeching funds needed by the poor and downtrodden to fund an opulent lifestyle, I have firmly believed there is another dedicated, hardworking individual with a love for their homeland  and the fire of justice in their belly. For every potholed road I've been able to point to a glowing new advancement in public transport. For every dirty downtown street I've been able to counter with encouraging stats about waste management and recycling. Dropping educational standards? Growth in industry and sheer number of people getting an education will sort that out in the long term.

But none of that matters anymore. As of this Thursday past my optimism is gone, taken by the thugs with knopkierries beating on a door, the other side of which had been barricaded by my wife and one of her patients to keep these monsters out. Who were these vicious villains? Were they drugged up kids on a narcotic warpath? Career criminals looking for their belongings? Perhaps escapees from the mental ward come to exact their revenge on the institution? No, they were my wife's highly trained and respected colleagues in medical work. Nurses and other staff that work in the public hospitals. Professionals entrusted with the care of our sick and downtrodden, wanting to drag co-workers out of the hospital and physically assault them for not partaking in their illegal strike. Health care workers forgoing their oath of service to haul non-striking theater staff out of active operating theaters, regardless of the already anesthetized patients who's lives lay in the balance.

At the same time schoolbusses were announcing they would discontinue their services during the strike action for fear of being targeted. By schoolteachers. Let me spell that out: school buses full of children the potential target of violence by school teachers. I  am completely in favor of industrial action, of underpaid and undervalued workers having the right to express their unhappiness and disillusion, especially when these are the workers carrying out two of the most important jobs imaginable: caring for our sick and teaching our young. However strike violence is not a valid part of this action, and nothing on earth justifies these same caregivers turning on each other and on their charges, nothing.

Because of the hair-trigger nature of racial debate in our country I have to emphasize that this is not about race. There were members of various races on both sides of that door. This is simply about the people of our country failing at a basic human level-to have empathy for our sick and young. Even in times of war, hospitals and schools are considered places of safety and refuge. Violating them in any way whatsoever is looked on with great scorn and leads to trials in The Hague. Yet here are our own medical staff and teachers violating that universal principle-for a pay rise. What kind of a people must we be, when those in our community we are expected to trust more than any other must be feared like common thugs? How can we be expected to carry on "Leading SA" and hoping for a bright future for our beautiful rainbow nation? Well I for one can't. My hope and faith and optimism -fundamental parts of my being- have been wrenched from me by the dogs that threatened the life of my wife while she was in the act of helping someone.

Cry the Beloved Country. Indeed.
Filed under  //  opinion   south africa  

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