And THEN my global domination plans would be complete. The Villain Chair found here -> MWA HA HA BWA HA HA AH HA HA

Don’t for once think I’m kidding about this!

Most people know that my life centers around video games. My son is quadriplegic with very limited use of his left hand — so for the most part, escaping into video games has allowed him to use all of his limbs virtually, unlock his imagination and it had additionally excelled him in problem solving and quick thinking. 4 years ago he was locked inside his own mind and through technology he’s become an unleashed force to contend with. It’s amazing to watch his progress and the shock and pleasant surprise I got when he went from merely stating his daily needs “Hungry.” “Water.” he now has the confidence to carry on a conversation and express his feelings.

To carry on this progression, I was thinking of upscaling our gaming platforms, but then it hit me, “Shouldn’t I be looking at new computers?” I mean seriously– all the software programs out there in addition to games that we can’t really access on the pieces of crap we currently have can really further unlock more worlds for him.

Next to a standard LT keyboard

Example: Here is a keyboard that I searched high and low for- Childsize Keyboard that is ideal for people who type with one hand. I was a little annoyed that it took me an hour just to find that one, not to mention similar equipment that could help him cost over $1,000.

Now the PS3 and Xbox 360 are awesome consoles, but the more I searched– I discovered that most games these days cross on all platforms including the PC. Buy a decent desktop PC to hook up to our Bravia and presto- the perfect set up for Jonathon.

I’m going to do a little bit of more research to fully convince him to go the PC route [when able] since right now he’s still starry eyed for the latest generation of consoles, especially after 3 weeks of playing on the newest version of PS3.

Touchpad- must have one.

Our PC experience has left him soured on the idea of getting a new one, but mainly because he hasn’t been able to fully utilize it. Aside from lacking the power to properly install software for programs he could benefit from, it’s nearly impossible finding adaptive equipment, let alone equipment geared for his particular special needs. He tried head pointers- but his can barely control his head movement and he really does like to connect via his hand through a keyboard/mouse and/or controller.

Now the more I think about it– our Xbox and PS2 days may be over with and a full devotion to the computer may be under way. Maybe.

From OhGizmo!: a review of the USB Scent Flowers which give me hope that my super lame (but not as lame as this) ideas might really be bazillion dollar gems.

By Evan Ackerman

If you’re selling a borderline useless USB accessory, you have to keep in mind who your market is. Do you really think that people who spend so much time in front of their computer that they need a peripheral to make it smell better are going to be attracted by scents like Ocean Breeze, Purple Lavender, Pink Jasmine, or White Chamomile? Of course not. Those are outside smells. Instead, you should try scents like Vanilla, Chocolate Chip Cookies, or Bacon. Or you could try even more familiar scents for the hardcore gamer, like Cheetos, Mountain Dew, and Shame.

In the mean time, though, you’ll have to content yourself with the aforementioned flowery smells. $9.99 gets you a USB Scent Flower plus three refill cartridges that should last you a couple months.

[ USB Flower ] VIA [ Chip Chick ]

Oh the scent of gamer shame– how it burns my nostrils with its lingering stench. I think it should come in ‘victory’ so we know at least once what it smells like.

I’m really starting to dislike this site stemming from the recent snarky remarks made by founder Mark Zuckerberg. It’s difficult to bitch about a site that has provided, for a short while, a safe and private way to reconnect with people I haven’t seen in 20+ years and I did quite a bit of pulling to get people I know to join up and leave their old social network behind, so I’m torn.

Here’s the situation where I feel that a lot is being unsaid and I think that the jump in people joining the site perhaps made it difficult to maintain the growth and keep the initial integrity of the site that once offered us a safe haven to interact without be stalked and spammed by strangers.

Enough about that though– here’s the nifty new feature that is aimed to shut us up about leaving FB behind for more primal means of social networking (like using phones, e-mail, texts, messenger and um– visits to those who are local).

You can now update your status and respond to comments made to a status via your e-mail, which does help the FB addicts whose work blocks the site.

Yay. Awesome.

“One of the easiest ways to stay updated on relevant conversations happening on Facebook is through email notifications, which inform you about comments made on the posts you’ve created or commented on. These notifications—for comments on such content as status updates, photos, videos and Wall posts—allow you to stay informed about your Facebook friends’ activities without being logged in when you’re on the go, on your phone or at work.

Today, we’re launching the ability for you to participate in these conversations by replying directly to these email notifications. When you receive an email notification about comments, you can just click “Reply” and start typing a comment at the top of the email. Then hit “Send” from your email and your reply will automatically be added as a comment on Facebook without you having to even log in.”

It’s difficult to bitch over something that is a service provided to you for free, but I get the feeling they know this and are starting to test the waters of what they can and cannot do with our information.

For all you social networking addicts out there- Yay, e-mail updates and responses. Party on.