When we had new additions to the family, we’ve been humming along with hand-me-down cribs.  However, as they grew older and bigger (exponentially, it seems), one of the cribs started to make squeaking noises, and although I didn’t fear that it would just crumble, it was just annoying.

So we decided to look for replacement, and Ikea didn’t cross my mind at first…until I saw the prices of the cribs.

When I looked up the reviews of Ikea cribs, it turned out that they make the decent cribs and a lot of people swear by them.

I went to an Ikea outlet closest to home, all set to buy the Sniglar, when I saw the Gulliver (in white) for $10 more (on sale as of this writing).  As far as I know, the differences between the Sniglar and the Gulliver is that the Gulliver has wider corner posts, and it can be converted into a toddler bed.

A few observations: This crib is really basic; no drop-side rail (which is outlawed by now, anyway).  It’s lower than most cribs; it may be a problem for descendants of Wilt Chamberlain so you may want to check it out at your local Ikea to see if the height of the crib is going to be a an issue or not.  And it has no wheels…which is not a big deal…I couldn’t remember the last time I moved a crib once placed in its designated area.

On the upside: it’s made of wood.  Real wood.  Nothing here is made of particle board…which is why it’s sturdy…really sturdy (and somewhat heavier than it looks)…don’t let the pictures fool you.

So far, no complaints.  I’ll update this post in about 6 months.

Popularity: 4% [?]

It’s one of the rare occasiomns where the number of star ratings on the App Store just failed me.

At version 1.02, it’s one of the apps where the developers chose style over substance. I would not reiterate the review here: just go to the App Store page for this app and search for my review under user name “bubuli.” As of this writing, the review is ranked “most helpful.”

Update 5/6: I just updated the review to expound on my complaints about the app…but alas! the “Most Helpful” count got reset!  So you will just to weed through the review until it got ranked up again.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Prologue
This is what I call version 0.1 of the review.  It will probably evolve over time depending on how much procrastination has invaded my schedule.

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Popularity: 19% [?]

Total miles: 149.74

Just a quick review on the Ergon grips (I have the Ergon GP1): These are the most expensive pieces of garbage I have ever used.  Yes, I installed them correctly.  The pain/numbness on the wrists/palms did go away…in exchange for additional pain on the elbows! Furthermore, you lose grip on the 3 outer fingers because of the bulge…so what happens?  more pressure on your thumbs…my thumbs still hurt from this morning’s 10-mile ride.  I need to get rid of these ASAP!  For the love of the kittens, do not listen to the positive reviews on the intarwebs…

Popularity: 22% [?]

AlienBees finally started shipping their much-anticipated CyberSync Strobe Radio Triggers.  Fortunately, I happen to be one of the first people who got their grubby hands on this product.  Unfortunately, I’m also one of the first ones to express disappointment on this not-so-well-thought-out-designed product.

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Popularity: 100% [?]

I finally saw “Kite Runner” on DVD after reading the brilliant novel.

One thing’s certain: the person who wrote the screenplay should be shot.  Literally.  How anyone could screw up writing a screenplay based on this novel is just beyond me.  I have a written list of what’s wrong with the screenplay, but it’s so damn long I’m too upset to write it here (yeah, even to *cut and paste*…leave me alone).  Not even Kubrick could have saved this trainwreck.

There are only two things good about this movie: the opening credits (i liked the calligraphy-style lettering), and
Shaun Toub’s superb acting (the rest of the actors could have been replaced with wooden planks).

This movie needs to be re-done.

Popularity: 18% [?]

I’m not sure if the game reviewers who gave this game a negative or a mildly-positive review actually played the game. As a gamer who have recently completed the game I can unequivocally that this is one of the best action games I have played so far. If you enjoyed “Resident Evil 4″. “Gears of War”, and “Chronicles of Riddick,” quit reading further and buy this game. You can thank me later.

Now, let me do a rebuttal on the common complaints with the naysayers of this game:

• It’s pretty much a “Gears of War” copycat. OK, so what? I would see it as a negative if it has worse controls than GOW…but the funny thing is, I’d go out on a limb and say that DS has better controls than GOW. With GOW
• Graphics is nice but not much better than anything that’s out there. DS IMO is so much better than any Unreal Engine game out there? Why? I got two words for that: consistent framerate. And while it also suffers with the “everything blue or brown” just like most Unreal-Engine-powered games, it has better textures and particle effects (for the most parts)…
• …and one other thing I have noticed: weapons physics is frighteningly accurate. Shooting with a rifle has lag and recoil that’s very similar to a real rifle, shooting with a gatling gun is so much different than shooting an uzi. And the best part: controlling the mech-like thing called the “Jackal.” Controlling that thing has never been satisfying since…Chronicles of Riddick (controlling the mech towards the end of the game)…NO! forget about that POS “Lost Planet”…not even close.
• They say there’s a “lack of compelling story.” Holy crap. This isn’t “Indigo Prophecy.” If this was an adventure game, I’d whine about that. But it’s not. GOW doesn’t have a compelling story, either…but I didn’t hear anybody bitching about that.

Negatives? Of course, there is…but not enough to keep you from thoroughly enjoying the game.

• Yes, I *somewhat* agree that there are some parts of the game that all you do is kill zombies and soldiers. But with the glaive, each kill is satisfying. I nit about this is that there’s not much animation for decapitations and finishers.
• It’s short.
• Boring multiplayer.

There you have it. It’s a very good game, but it’s a bit short of making it to “great game” status. At least it should keep you busy while waiting for GTA4, MGS4, and GT5P.

Score: 9 out of 10.

Popularity: 22% [?]

Introduction

 A few of the many questions that you may be asking as you read this review is “Why the D2x?  Why now?  Why even bother?”  I’m not going to lie: I was set on buying the D300 when I thought about casually browsing that famous auction site for the prices of the D2X and its slightly improved sibling, the D2Xs.  Lo, and behold!  I found auctions ending with prices lower than a new D300!

Then I realized that I need to reevaluate if I really need the new features of the D300.  As you read through the review, I would be outlining my frustrations with the D200 and as you get to the end, choosing the D2X over the D300 may make sense… 

Or maybe not.  At the least, you’ll be entertained…

Or maybe not.

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Popularity: 43% [?]

…is up at FredMiranda.com. I’m probably going to write a lengthy one once procrastination is no longer my favorite hobby.

Popularity: 16% [?]

For someone who almost lost his job playing the original Guitar Hero day and night, this installment of the franchise has been a major disappointment.  I’m gonna make it short because right now I still could not believe I paid $100 for this piece of crap of a game.

• The song selection.  The sub-title of the game is “Legends of Rock.”  The song list is laughable.  Some of the bands…never even heard of.  The game becomes increasingly difficult very quickly.  I’m playing this game on Medium…and I’m telling you this is HARD.  There’s no way a casual user can finish that battle with Lou on MEDIUM on less than TEN TRIES.
• Graphics suck.  I’m not a graphics whore…but there’s just no reason for these developers NOT to go 1080p with those simplistic polygonal characters.
• The Guitar controller suck.  There’s always a delay no matter how many times you calibrate it; the tilt is overly sensitive.  It gets VERY ANNOYING when doing battles…you will find yourself screaming “OMGWTFBBQ!!  I DID NOT WANT TO EXECUTE THAT BATTLE ATTACK YET!”
• Sound.  It’s not on all songs…but sometimes there’s no STRUM SOUND!  WHAT THE HELL?
• It’s TOO EXPENSIVE.  OK, so they made the thing wireless. BFD.  It’s not even Bluetooth on the PS3; you have to use some stupid dongle…and they packed AA batteries instead of rechargeables…what a bunch of cheap bastards.  Compare this with Rock Band that will sell for about $160.  Yeah, I know…HUGE RIP-OFF.

I’m so glad I pre-ordered Rock Band.  I should have never bought this game.

Score: 4 out of 10.

Popularity: 16% [?]