4D F.E.A.R. Boxing

I just recently got into playing F.E.A.R. the single player game.

From playing F.E.A.R. Combat years ago, I knew that you could kick people if you didn't want to use the guns.  What I did not realise is that if you had no guns or holstered them away, the guy would start throwing punches.  So I started running around seeing how far I could get just throwing punches.

While playing F.E.A.R. just using fists, this funny tune from yesteryear came into my head.  With this funny tune, F.E.A.R.  and a little something extra, I present to you 4D F.E.A.R Boxing - a video montage.

How to Build Offline Maps for Mobile GMaps

These steps are to remind me how to build offline maps for Mobile GMaps for my Torch 9800.  If you follow these steps you do so at your own risk.  These steps may be updated from time to time.

Requires gMapMaker from http://www.mgmaps.com/cache/

Depending on the area being mapped, so far the space one city takes up is around 500 to 600 Mb.

Be warned.  It takes hours to download maps.

1. Go to http://www.mapcacher.com/ 
2. Mark a square around the whole country.
3. Set Zoom level from 0 to 9.  Ignore Level of detail setting.  Set Type of map to Google Road Maps.
4. Click Generate and save the map file giving it appropriate name.  
5. Click Reset and zoom into level 6 of where to map.
6. Mark a square about 1/4 of the map's viewable area. (Assuming screen size 1280x800).
7. Set Zoom level from 10 to 12.  
8. Click Generate and save the map file giving it another appropriate name.  
9. Click Reset and zoom into level 10 of where to map.
10. Mark a square about 1/4 of the map's viewable area. (Assuming screen size 1280x800).  This is for the smallest size maps with the highest details.  If larger area is required at this detail, the file size will increase significantly.
11. Set Zoom level from 13 to 17.  
12. Click Generate and save the map file giving it another appropriate name.  
13. Run gMapMaker.
14. Set Max Parallel Downloads to 2.  Tick Group by zoom.  Set Operating Mode to MGMaps mode, download tiles using a .map file.  Set Hash size to 1.  Set Tiles per file to 256.
15. Click Go and select the first .map file and click open.  Wait for download to complete and click close.  Approx 27 min.
16. Click Go and select the second .map file and click open.  Wait for download to complete and click close.  Approx 45 min.
17. Click Go and select the third .map file and click open.  Wait for download to complete and click close.  Approx 5h 30 min.
18. There should be a folder in the gMapMaker program folder called MGMapsCache.  Rename MGMapsCache to something appropriate like TkMap.
19. Connect Torch 9800 to the PC with USB.  You must get the Torch 9800 to appear as a mass storage device on a computer.  
1. On my Windows XP PC I had to use Sync Media option on the Torch 9800 so that it appears as a mass storage device.  I don't know why if I select USB drive option, the mass storage device does not work.  
2. On Windows 7 I had to select the USB Drive option and prevent Blackberry Desktop Software from opening.  For some strange reason, when Blackberry Desktop Software opens and connects, it removes the phone as a mass storage device.
20. Use windows explorer to copy the whole folder TkMap from the PC to the Torch 9800.  NOTE:  Do not use the BlackBerry Desktop Software to copy as this will encrypt everything and MGMaps on the Torch cannot read the encrypted files.  Copy time approx 14 min.
21. Finished.  MGMaps should be able to access the maps now.

Warning
If you do use Mobile GMaps, do not install Google Maps.  I was doing some testing and noticed that installing Google Maps on to the Torch 9800 deletes Mobile GMaps from it.  All the stored locations for Mobile GMaps was also deleted.

Old Drawings

I don't know what to do with these, so I'll just put them here.

They are very old and I cannot even remember what I copied from.

A.T.A.C. vs Interceptor

The full name of this article is 5.11 Tactical A.T.A.C. 8" Side Zip vs Magnum Interceptor 8.0 SZ WP.

Left: A.T.A.C. - Right: Interceptor

Protection
Both boots offer good protection for the feet and provide good ankle support. I have (accidentally) kicked and been kicked on the feet and ankles and it sure helps to have either of these boots on.  The A.T.A.C.s have slightly more padding on the sides so it softens impact a little better.

Although these boots are not steel capped, they do help if someone steps on your toes.

I am unsure if this means better protection, but the sole of the A.T.A.C.s are much harder than the Interceptors.

Zips

The side zips on both boots save a lot of time when wearing and removing them. I do not know how long the zips will last but hopefully a very long time for myself since I do not actually use boots for rough duty.

In this department the A.T.A.C.s are better than the Interceptors. The zips on the A.T.A.C.s moves smoother and the velcro straps to hold the zippers in place are larger than the Interceptors.

A.T.A.C. Zip

Interceptor Zip

The A.T.A.C.s are slightly easier to wear than the Interceptors due to the open flap at the zip area. Of course the Interceptors have a closed flap probably to provide full waterproofing on the side. I am not sure if the non-waterproof Interceptors have an open flap, but I have seen that the waterproof version of the A.T.A.C. also has a sealed side area where the zip is.

Non-waterproof Open Flap

Waterproof Closed Flap

Waterproof

The Interceptors I bought have a waterproof/breathable membrane. I do not know if this is the same Sympatex Plus that Magnums had on the old Stealths, but so far they work just as well.

My A.T.A.C.s are not waterproof but there is a waterproof version which I guess work the same.

These come in very handy in the rain or just going through puddles of water.

Foot Comfort
This is where the Interceptors and I would say Magnums in general are way ahead of the competition. The first time I tried on Magnum Stealth Waterproofs my feet felt good, but as I wore them more, it was clear that these boots were the most comfortable footwear I have ever worn in my whole life. Better than any cross-trainers or basketball boots. Don't try to play basketball in them(I have tried), but walking, running and standing around feels very comfortable in Magnums.

The Interceptor like the Stealths before it, are very comfortable and feel much nicer on the feet than the A.T.A.C.s. For me this is most evident when standing around. After about ten minutes my feet start to ache in A.T.A.C.s.  I can stand about one hour in the Interceptors before the aching starts.

I am happy to say that while walking or running in A.T.A.C.s, my feet feel fine.  Not as comfortable as the Interceptors but still OK.


Other Stuff
Both boots do not have any metallic hardware so no need to take them off to walk through airport scanners.

Both boots have non-slip oil resistant soles.

The Interceptors are slightly lighter than the A.T.A.C.s.  I am guessing this is due to the extra padding in the A.T.A.C.s


Biases
I am an office worker, so why on Earth do I have two combat/security boots?  Too much Rainbow Six led me to buy Magnum Stealth Waterproofs just for fun. When time came to dispose of them, I immediately looked to buy a new pair of Magnums. After a long time I could not find a shop nearby that stocked them, so I thought why not try a different brand and bought a pair of 5.11 Tactical A.T.A.C. 8" Side Zip boots.

After wearing the A.T.A.C.s for a while, it was clear not all combat/security boots are equal!  Back to searching for Magnums I go. When the opportunity came, I snapped up the Interceptors in a flash - good ol' Magnum comfort.

I only wear boots three to four days a week and I do not perform rough duties with them. As such I cannot say whether these boots are very durable. My old Stealths lasted me seven years under these conditions.

Next, I gotta try Magnums with the separate zipper thingy.

Track Building Days of Past

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away there was a game called Stunts.  And a great game it was.  Insane unrealistic stunt driving with a track editor.

Today the Stunts equivalent is TrackMania.  Sure, TrackMania does not have licensed cars and does not have car collisions, but it does have insane unrealistic stunt driving and a track editor.  Thanks to sites like the TrackMania Carpark and TrackMania Track Exchange, people can also share car models and crazy tracks.

Although I don't have TrackMania Sunrise anymore, I did find these videos made back in my track building days.