back to my point-and-click roots

by MK

Capcom's unique adventure, The Adventures of Zack and Wiki, is not for everybody. However, for those that grew up with such classic puzzle/adventure titles as Shadowgate, Uninvited, Myst and Day of the Tentacle, this fine piece of code is not only nostalgic, but a wonderful addition to your point-and-click library.

Despite a few finicky mechanics and frustrating sequences, the puzzles are satisfying and logical--a departure from some of the lesser adventures of the same ilk. The overall graphics and sound are stylized and above average--feeling very un-Americanized and keeping true to the Japanese designers' vision.

I would highly recommend this game for anyone who's looking to solve some excellent logic puzzles without too much game-play stress. This one slipped under the radar and is a must-own for gamers that appreciate the adventure/puzzle genre.

It must be the Onion that's makin' me cry so hard...

by MK


Here's another little recommendation for all you podcastaholics out there: The Onion News Network's video blog. This is a fantastic comic vlog (I apologize for using that term) for those who need a quick laugh on the go. With (on average) one minute satirical news stories, each episode takes up little room on your mp3 player, and is an excellent addition to one's regular podcast subscriptions.


The tone of the podcast is akin to The Daily Show or Colbert Report, but the premise mirrors a normal slice of FOX News, CNN or any other 24-hour news source. They might be a little tactless for some listener's taste--they do poke fun at fairly recent tragic news stories--but the humor is clever, pointed and astute. Obviously, making fun of current all-day news channels is neither difficult nor original, but The Onion does it with the skill that has made their own underground satirical newspaper a favorite since its conception in Madison, WI in 1988.

For those new to The Onion--you'll want to check out both the podcast and the print media. For those already familiar with the comic masterminds, it is a must-download. I must tell you that I laughed out loud and disturbed an old lady sitting next to me at the airport--and the blame rests squarely on the shoulders of the aforementioned podcast. Be warned and enjoy.

neo-americana?

by MK

With the incredible amount of options in podcastland, it can be difficult to sift through and find those diamonds in the rough. One of the more popular and most deserving unearthed diamonds is Chicago Public Radio's very own This American Life.

If you don't already listen to National Public Radio, this program may have slipped by your radar. You may have seen it in the iTunes store and decided it wasn't for you. You may have even figured that you'd "get around to it eventually." For your own sake, eventually should be now. This wonderfully written and produced program is expertly narrated by Chicago radio personality Ira Glass. The charm of the program is simple: it's the best non-fiction you've never read. These stories from around our increasingly identity-challenged country have enough comedy, drama and raw storytelling power that they actually help re-connect one with a sense of national pride and charm.

Some of the stories are extremely relatable, while others are extraordinary. The beauty is that, in each case, it's easy to get wrapped up in the beautifully constructed plots. And, to use an appropriate idiom, some of this stuff you just can't make up. It's like having a well-traveled friend with fantastic anecdotes regularly show up on your mp3 player on a weekly basis.

This American Life is ideal for your daily commute, holiday travel or simply that private, quiet time that we all need to unwind. And even if you're not a fan of non-fiction, talk radio or podcasts--this program will make you seek out time for yourself to sit, listen and remember that you live in America.

nano, nano: I'm a late convert

by MK


After much persuasion and equal parts denial, I have finally purchased Apple's ipod nano. I will always be a PC person at heart, but this powerful little media player has convinced me that it is well worth the $150 price tag despite its torturous commercials (when does the Geneva Convention come into play?).

In essence, this is a review for those not already familiar with all things Apple. If Steve Jobs has already gotten his hands on you (I've heard they're actually made of money), then you probably would feel embarrassed by catching on so slowly. However, for those that still appreciate the flexibility that a Windows-based operating system can give--I'll tell you why you should get to know this little, feature-rich dynamo.

Firstly, the sleek design puts most comparable multi-function portable players to shame. Samsung, SanDisk, Insignia and virtually every other mini-electronic manufacturer has released a similar product with similar features, but none of them look quite as sci-fi as the nano. And, with a 4gb and 8gb model available--it can hold its fair share of music, videos, podcasts and games. That brings me to the most impressive aspect of the 1.74 ounce marvel: features. The sharp little screen displays movies and television shows with such clarity, the miniature size of the screen is a non-issue. It's truly portable and truly entertaining. You can browse your music with a fantastic feature titled "Cover Flow" which feels like a hand-held jukebox, showing album covers in a 3-D carousel. Add this to an intuitive (albeit occasionally finicky) touch-wheel navigation system, and you've got yourself a toy that's as functional as it is fun to explore.

Now, to all of my PC brethren: Yes, you must use iTunes in order to fully utilize the features on the new nano. Though this may take a little getting used to for those who drag-and-drop in Explorer on a regular basis, I must finally--and publicly--admit that iTunes is a powerful and user friendly program. I know it may sound a bit like heresy, but it's the simple truth: iTunes makes the ipod products superior to their current counterparts. Subscribing to podcasts is easy--everytime I plug in my nano, iTunes updates unlistened episodes of my favorite radio or video broadcasts without even the touch of a button. You can even drag album art (if the iTunes Store hasn't already found it automatically) into a little window in your playlist with ease by finding the image online first. In essence, it's great for those novice users that want a highly-graphical interface and equally enjoyable for power users that need options and flexibility to feed their technological needs.

All in all, I would highly recommend Apple's ipod nano without hesitation. If you want a completely portable, feature-filled media center that's NOT part of your phone, drop the modest amount of change at your local electronics superstore and enjoy one of this year's best consumer buys.