So lately I've been getting a lot of questions related to building computers and video production, as well as some random questions from people who seem to be completely insane. So in an attempt to answer some of these questions I've decided to lower my standards and occasionally upload one of these really low quality, handheld, poorly-lit, Youtube-style "video blogs." The first of which covers some of the how-to's on the videography side of the OS Xbox Pro Video Worklog.
Check it out Here.
And thank you to everyone who voted for me in the Intel Core 2 Challenge contest. The winners will be announced tomorrow!
It was brought to my attention that I made a mistake regarding the comparison of the OS Xbox Pro's processor to that of the Mac Pro systems.
It turns out the entry level (single) quad core Xeon found in the Mac Pro are "Nehalem" based processors, which are basically i7's, and considerably more powerful that the Q9550s my system is currently running. And also, for the record, the Q9550s is 2.83ghz - I merely overclocked it a bit as that number is a closer match to the 2.93ghz Xeon. My apologies for the confusion.
That said, it is important to remember that many of the decisions I made included getting the size down to only 1/5th that of a Mac Pro tower. The premium I paid for the energy efficient Q9550s being the most important - as it costs almost as much as an i7. I suppose I could have also used cheaper 3.5" hard drives like in the Mac Pro, or gotten a better value on a graphics card that wasn't low profile. Come to think of it - If all I wanted to do was build a Mac pro on the cheap, I could have saved a few hundred dollars - But then it wouldn't have been awesome.
Seeing as I only accomplish something once a year or so - I think it's safe to say you're probably here because of the OS Xbox Pro. So you might be interested in knowing that said mod is a finalist for the Intel Core i7 Custom Challenge and could use your vote.
Having absolutely nothing to do for the past year or so I recently decided to build a new computer. Nicknamed after it's completely lame theme - project "Granny Smith" is finally complete, and I already feel like a much more trendy and creative person. I'm totally going to open up a twitter account now. Check out the "Mods" section and take a look at the OS Xbox Pro.
That right, I only update my website when I need something from you people. You 3 people. I'm currently a finalist in Skinit.com's $10,000 TV Spotlight Challenge! So head over and rate my entry into the competition and also be sure to drop by Skinit's Youtube channel and comment the username of who you think should win.
Anyway, I've decided to start updating my site a little more often. I've recently moved back up to Northern California and am currently looking for work, however I have a few interesting projects I've been planning that some people might find interesting. So stay tuned! And someone please give me a job!
Not content with the title "Top 5 mod" and the 1/6th of a page that came with it, the CinematographHD seems to have outshined the mod that nobody wanted to see and claimed both the January 2009 "Rig of the month" in Maximum PC and CPU Magazine's "Mad Reader MOD." The only thing that would be cooler is if it got featured in another magazine, perhaps in February 2009. Oh wait...
And thanks to the people that voted on the Cisco thing. I ended up as a runner up and scored a $500 gift certificate. Now I can buy more stuff! Yay!
So I just submitted and entry into Cisco's "Digital Cribs" contest. They're looking for people who have integrated technology into their home. Seeing as most of my furniture is actually computer systems, I thought that I might have a shot at this one. So if you got a moment check out and rate my entry for the contest.
So when I got an e-mail from an old friend saying he saw me on the internet, I thought my dark secret had been revealed. But instead I found out that my Cinematograph made it onto various weblogs, includeing Engadget and Gizmodo. This, in fact, is probably why you are here now. Take that every single potential sponsor that turned me down. So feel free to look around, and if you have a chance drop by Custom PC magazine where you can register and vote for the Cinematograph to be the "Mod of the Summer."
So quite a bit's happened since my last update. First, my Newegg commercial took the grand prize. Modshop shut down leaving my new BT320g out in the cold. I went to Nvision 08 where I debuted my CinematographHD. And finally I just launched my machinima series "Campaign." I'm so busy I don't even have time to make a single joke or even Photoshop a new front page picture.
There were 2 things on fire during the month of May.
The first thing that was on fire was a building in Hamilton Field, Novato. I was there the other day minding my own business, smoking the marijuana cigarettes whilst siphoning gasoline out of peoples cars, when suddenly one of the building burst into flames! I happened to have my camcorder with me so I got some pretty good shots. Unfortunately though I did not have my microphone on, so I simply threw the footage on a time line and matched it up with the first file with the word "Fire" in it from my music library. Check it out in Low Quality or High Quality.
The second thing that was on fire in the month of May was my computer The Desk!!!, which owned in the monthly competition at www.modshop.net, grabbing me $1200 and a copy of windows vista. Who says buying the newest computer tech is a bad investment?
Well, My site is finally on line which means that last entry was officially me talking to myself. I finally decided what to do with that picture thing on the bottom right of the screen as default. It will be something that I change whenever I feel like it. Right now, though, it is an open sign marking my site going up, accompanied by some pictures of character's I made up that have been sitting in a folder since high school. It was a animated show called "The Adventures of Flat Cracker Man," which was about a team of anthropomorphic food items that protected the city from other, evil, anthropomorphic food items. I know! The people at Aqua Teen Hunger Force totally stole my horrible idea!
Anyway, thanks to my friend Mr. Giggles for his constructive criticism as I get back into writing HTML. I have a little something up on all the main pages now, so head on over to the video or mods pages and check out some of my stuff.
For those interested in the mod stuff I have one currently in the works. Expect to see more information later this month. In the meantime, head on over to the Modshop and help me win some money!
So this is my website. It's been over 5 years since I spent so much time in notepad, so please let me know if there are any errors. I'm trying to come up with some sort of original design so I'll take any feedback in that area too.
Anyway, I suppose I should introduce myself in the case someone other than my mom is visiting this site; My name is Will Urbina, hence the Will-U. The Volkswageny logo I started using after I took my parents old '74 VW Super beetle and turned it into something a little more fun to drive.
Anyway, I just finished up at Cal State Northridge and am currently looking for a job. Please check out the Video section to see some of the work I have done. Another interesting section of my site is my Mods page. There you will find info on the computer cases I have built. I actually have to build those pages right now....