Apoc
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Posts by Apoc
How to ditch cable tv for good
May 18th
One thing is certain these days: Cost of living is only going up. One way many consumers find they can cut a huge chunk out of their budget is by limiting spending on entertainment. I am going to show you how to do that for the lowest cost possible.
The good news is, you don’t necessarily have to give up your favorite shows to ditch cable.
What you will need
An internet connection
Ok, so this is admittedly one place you won’t necessarily be completely ditching cable. You will still need it for internet access. You can get away with other services, such as DSL, but nothing is going to beat the reliability of a good cable internet connection. Fortunately, this is probably something you already have.
A television or other display
For the purpose of this article, we’re going to go ahead and assume you have this.
A media center PC OR streaming media player
A media center PC is going to cost you more up front, but will provide a lot more entertainment for you in the long run. It doesn’t have to be a powerful PC to do this job. Important factors to consider are power consumption, heat generation, and of course, start up time. A media center PC will have a slower start up time, and consume more power than a streaming media player. You can usually re-purpose an old laptop computer for this.
How to do it
1. Cancel your cable TV. Enjoy the freedom! Be sure to keep your internet connection. This dropped my monthly bill from $130 to $60 for Roadrunner Turbo, which is more than capable of HD streaming.
2. Get premium content: I subscribe to Hulu Plus ($7.99/mo) and Netflix streaming (also $7.99/mo).
Hulu is there to provide you with access to new shows as they are aired, usually within a day of their live television broadcast. Sure, you have to wait, and yes, there are still commercials. Still worth it in my opinion. If you want current television legitimately, this is the best way to go about it.
Netflix streams movies, and has a fairly robust collection that, like Hulu, is always growing. But in truth, the best part about Netflix is access to previous seasons of a lot of shows.
Between these two, I am never bored, and always have plenty of material to watch, both old and new. Movies are there when I want them.
3. Pick your method of delivery:
The media center PC is by far the most powerful, with the least restrictions. It is also the most expensive option. You can repurpose almost any computer with proper outputs (this gets easier if you have HDMI output on the PC) as a media center PC. I personally recommend using Boxee software and a media center remote control for this. Be aware that while Boxee is currently in negotiations to provide access to Hulu, this is not yet in place as of the writing of this article. The good news is, with a media center PC, you can simple install Hulu Desktop for the time being. Boxee also has nice social media integration, which is always welcome. There are a lot of other alternatives, many of them free. Just do a little research to find the right one for you. Boxee also has a set-top box for media streaming available for about $200, but be warned it has been plagued with firmware problems. Still, it is a nice product, and I would love to have one.
The media streaming box is by far the cheapest and easiest to set up, with the least power consumption.
Many Blu-Ray players have Netflix capability built in now, and if you already have one of these, you might be set. Far fewer have Hulu Plus enabled. You can also get away with using an XBoX 360, Playstation 3, or Wii in many cases if Netflix is all you want, although some support Hulu as well. If you own any of these, check out the offerings you have available to you before spending more money.
Now, if you want streaming media AND have a tight budget, but don’t already own a device capabpe of the job, there’s good news for you.
The Roku HD player is only $59.99, and provides both Netflix AND Hulu Plus, with integrated Wi-Fi. I just ordered one of these myself using a special from Amazon, and got mine for $35 because the Kindle my girlfriend received for a college graduation present came with a free coupon.
If you own a Kindle, I suggest keeping your eyes peeled for this promotion. It is an excellent deal.
My favorite thing about the Roku is that it doesn’t matter if you have a nice, new HD TV, or an older set (I haven’t upgraded, too stubborn to spend the money) since you can use the analog A/V plugs. The Boxee Box is HDMI only, but this is not a problem so long as you have a TV that supports it. In many cases, you can get away with a computer monitor that supports HDMI, and in fact get a much clearer picture, at the cost of a smaller screen.
The Roku, as well as some of the other products here do have an option to add additional “channels” to them, such as YouTube or CNN. Many times, you can get all the same things that you get on cable for free online.
Are there shows you can’t live without, but aren’t available for streaming?
Rift Assassin PvP–Level 39
May 5th
So I got bored and made a PvP video showcasing why I love PvP as an assassin rogue in Rift.
It’s like playing a rogue in WoW, only it’s still effective at killing and CC’ing people.
Rift–Assassin Rogue PvP–Level 39
MadVapes / TopVapor Top Banana e-Liquid Review
Apr 25th
Today, I finally received my 30ml bottle of MadVapes Top Banana e-liquid in the mail. I’ve been very excited to try this flavor, since it had some pretty good reviews on their web site, but most particularly, I worried because this was the cheapest source of e-liquid I have been able to find yet. There may still be cheaper, but this is pretty cheap.
I paid $8.29 for a 30ml bottle of 35mg strength (holy mother of God!) liquid. You can also buy 60ml for $14.99, which beats the $35 I paid elsewhere for that amount. So, needless to say, I was a bit skeptical.
I used a Joye Ego XL battery with Boge 510 cartomizers for daily vaping, so for the purpose of this review, that is what I sampled this liquid in. I will be trying it in my Ego-T tank system once it arrives in the mail.
I decided to open a fresh cartomizer for this one, since I didn’t want any lingering flavors from my other Boge 510 carto’s to taint the banana.
My first reaction to this flavor was that it was extremely harsh. It seemed to burn my throat pretty badly, and had a SERIOUS throat hit. I was not sure if I was going to like it at all. I decided to set it down for about 20 minutes and let it settle some more. The flavor WAS good, but harsh.
After waiting 20 minutes, I came back to it to give it another shot. I put my zip tip on the carto and gave it a good vape. I was blown away.
Just based on the sheer fact that I paid under $10 for this bottle of e-liquid, I can say it was totally worth it, and probably more.
This flavor balanced out nicely to be VERY smooth, even at my 36mg nicotine level. The throat hit is very noticeable, not not at all too harsh. You feel it in your lungs, but just enough to know it is there, and it feels more like a real cigarette. It does not hurt at all. It also seems to dry my mouth out less than my PureSmoker Firecracker Cinnamon, which to date has been my favorite.
As for the flavor itself, the reviews on the web site are 100% on point: It tastes exactly like Runts banana flavored candy. So, the flavor itself is very synthetic tasting, but it’s supposed to be, and they nail it in that respect, because I LOVE the banana Runts. It is not too terribly sweet, and rather more of a mild undertone. It does not taste “thick” or “creamy” like many sweet flavors do.
Overall, I think I will be ordering more liquid from MadVapes. The price is on point, and it’s quality, American-made juice.
Vapor Production: 7.5/10
Throat Hit: 8.1/10
Flavor: 7.1/10
Overall: 7.5/10
Electronic Cigarettes–Introductions, How-To’s, and Reviews
Apr 21st
Not too long ago, I was a smoker, and a heavy one at that.
And then my life was changed forever. I was finally able to quit, cold turkey, with no withdrawal. I didn’t miss cigarettes at all. I ripped off my nicotine patch and threw out the remainder of my Camel Snus.
Forget what you may have heard about e-Cigs. I am here to tell you the real deal.
A point to note is that e-Cig manufacturers and sellers are prohibited from marketing them as a smoking cessation device, because they claim there is no scientific evidence to back up that claim. Well, I can tell you that there IS evidence to support that claim, but that’s not what this article is about. This is to familiarize you with e-Cigs, and inform you of what they are, how they work, and what options you may have in choosing the right e-Cig for you.
What the hell is an e-Cig?
An e-Cig is an electronic device, in some cases the same size and shape as a traditional cigarette, designed to deliver water vapor containing flavoring, and, should you choose, a dose of nicotine. They do NOT produce smoke, although they appear to. It is only water vapor. Some flavors produce a scent, while others do not, but there is no lingering smell, and what smell that does exist quickly dissipates.
Ok, so it’s not smoke… how does it work?
e-Cigs produce water vapor by heating a liquid over an “atomizer”, powered in most cases by a small battery. The heat from the atomizer blends the chemical mixture with water and air, and produces a vapor cloud. This chemical typically consists of vegetable glycerin, and propylene glycol, ingredients found in fog machine juice. These are not harmful in any way, unless you happen to be allergic to them. If you are allergic to fog machines, you are allergic to e-Cigs, and should not use them.
There are no known negative effects to inhaling these chemicals.
A typical mixture, commonly found, is a 50/50 PG/VG blend. Propylene glycol, or PG, is known for providing more of a “throat hit”, and as such feels more like a traditional cigarette. Vegetable glycerin, or VG, is used to produce vapor, and the higher the concentration of VG, the more vapor you will typically see, but the less you will feel. Additionally, pure VG juices tend to be thicker, and can clog atomizers, hence the need for a balanced mix.
What kind of flavors are available?
Literally ANYTHING you can imagine. e-Cigs are not subject to the same limitations as cigarettes, and are not taxed as such. Without these limitations, manufacturers are permitted to use any flavor they want. I, for example, am particularly fond of cinnamon flavors, and I have recently ordered a banana flavor, and if it turns out I like the manufacturers juice, I intend to try cotton candy flavor as well. I have even tasted “Cherry Coke” flavored juice which tastes EXACTLY like cherry Coke when inhaled. The possibilities are endless, and you can even mix flavors.
I’ve smoked my entire life, and tried everything. This won’t work for me.
Never say never. I smoked for 16 years, and within 15 minutes of starting on my new e-Cig kit, I haven’t ever wanted a cigarette since. I actually get more nicotine from my e-Cigs than I ever did from smoking, because I ordered an extremely potent blend of 3.2% (32mg). Most cigarettes are 16mg (1.6%) concentrations. You can get anything ranging between 0% (nicotine-free) and I have seen as strong as 3.8% (holy jesus).
Ok, sounds good, what’s the catch?
This is the part where I’d love to tell you there’s no catch, but this is an honest review. I do NOT work for any of these companies, so I can be honest.
The up front cost of getting into e-Cig CAN be daunting, especially as you’re sampling different products to find what works for you. There are a ton of options available, and each person likes or prefers something different. However, with that being said, most people can get what they need to get started for less than the cost of a carton of cigarettes, no matter where you live.
Options? What kind of options?
e-Cigs, being electronic by nature, have a multitude of methods for delivering vapor. I will go over these with you.
First, let’s look at some of the batteries.
Large Batteries
Joye Ego
(Also available, the Ego XL, with a high capacity battery – this is what I use on a daily basis)
The Joye Ego is probably one of the best systems available. The starter kit comes with everything you need to get started, including a random sample of juice to try.
It has a fairly high capacity battery (even better if you get an XL), of which you get 2. It also includes 2 atomizers, and several fillable cartridges to get you started.
It’s important to note, that as with most kits including juice, this is not enough to last you for long. It is a sample. The battery will probably last you at least a year if properly care for. Atomizers can last for months if not damaged. Cartridges can be cleaned. Juice is not renewable, and you must buy more. I will get into that later.
Joye Ego-T
(Same battery as the Ego, with a different juice delivery)
A slight variation of the Joye Ego, the Ego-T is what is called a “Tank” system. Tanks typically hold more liquid, and provide an experience similar to that of “dripping” (I will explain later) without the need to manually drop liquid on to the atomizer. Many people find this more convenient, and the tanks hold a pretty good amount of liquid. Probably the most reliably re-fillable option.
Small Batteries
There are a lot of variations of these around the internet. I wanted to link to the Volcano Cigs version of this, but their site won’t let me save the image, so I have pictured the Joye 510 kit instead.
The 510 kits are typically shaped more like a traditional cigarette, either with a manual or automatic battery, like Blu Cigs. These batteries do NOT last long, and typically include a “PCC”, otherwise known as a portable charging case that you can carry with you, that has a better battery in it and is used to recharge batteries on the go. This is by far the smallest method you can use, and is typically a starting point for those just making the transition to e-Cigs. I personally do not recommend them, because you can do much better.
It’s important to note that there are hundreds of options available, these are just a few of the best to start with.
Okay, I got a battery, how the hell do I “vape”?
The batteries are a much smaller part of “vaping” than the atomizers you screw on to them. I will go over the options now.
Cartridges
Cartridges are the method most people like to start with. They are fairly easy to use, and generally regarded as disposable. These are 2 pieces, the atomizer, and a plastic cartridge containing a filler material.
Pros: Cheap, easy, disposable
Cons: Typically low capacity, although higher capacity versions are available
Cartomizers
My preferred method. Sturdy, re-usable, all the benefits of cartridges, few of the weaknesses. These hold more liquid, are one piece, and simply screw on to the battery. Easiest method to using e-Cigs.
Pros: Very cheap, sturdy, easy, re-usable
Cons: Very difficult to clean strong flavors out of them. If you burn the filling, they are done.
Clearomizers
I own a few of these. Excellent vapor production, but a moderate throat hit. These must be filled via syringe.
DO NOT buy these from VolcanoECigs.com
Pros: Almost as cheap as cartomizers, you can see how much you have left, and as such, avoid burning them out.
Cons: Many are low capacity. Cheap, delicate plastic, breaks easily. Difficult/Tedious to fill.
Tank Systems
I have not used this yet, but I understand it is pretty much exactly like direct dropping onto an atomizer, and is supposedly the best flavor and vapor production you can get.
Pros: High capacity, excellent vapor/flavor.
Cons: A bit more expensive. Can be bulky.
Direct Dripping
Probably the cheapest way to vape. You only need a battery, an atomizer, and a drip tip, or “zip tip” (pictured). The best flavor, vapor, and throat hit you will get. Involves manually adding 2-3 drops at a time.
Pros: Best overall performance
Cons: Tedious. Inconvenient. Not recommended if you’re out and about, and certainly never “drip and drive”.
Ok, it all looks pretty cool. I’m convinced! Where do I get juice, though?
I’m glad you’re on the fence now!
As for your juice, the world is open to you. I recommend searching for whatever flavor you desire, and make sure the company has a good reputation before you order. And READ REVIEWS!
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/ has a list of suppliers and web sites you can get anything mentioned in this article from. It’s the best resource available for e-Cig users, and any questions you have are probably answered there.
Here are some web sites I recommend to get started:
http://www.volcanoecigs.com/
Note: Update on Volcano. DO NOT buy from them. Horrible customer support and their clearomizers are defective and flimsy. It’s been 5 days and I can’t get them to replace my defective equipment. You’ll get MUCH better support from Pure Smoker.
http://www.madvapes.com/ <- The cheapest liquid I have found yet with good reviews. I ordered some of this today, and if it’s good, I will leave the link on here.
Conclusion
I hope that you find this article a good read, and I hope you found it educational. There is a lot of mystery and ignorance surrounding the subject of e-Cigs, and I wrote this article to simplify things.
Don’t buy in to the E-Cig crap they sell at 7-11 or in your local mall. These are horribly overpriced, underperform, and are just generally crappy. The bad thing about that is that most people will try them, hate them, and then just never try e-Cigs again because they had a bad experience.
Even if you did already try those, try some of the products I mentioned in this article, I promise you won’t be disappointed
And hey, if you’re a e-Cig manufacturer or supplier reading this, and I promoted you, feel free to send me some free stuff, k?
