If you have a new PSP and want to use it with a Mac running OSX 10.5 there are a few cool toys that you should be aware of. There are unique problems with them all and they don’t do what they advertise completely – but still, makes things a little easier.

MarkSpace Missing Sync for PSP

I use the blackberry version of this so syncronise my… um… blackberry. It is fairly robust software (well, it hasn’t crashed in 10.5 like everything else seems to) and works fairly well.

It has one fatal floor in that it doesn’t recognise the new Sony PSP Slim & Lite (sometimes referred to as a PSP2000 or PSP version 2). There is a fix on the MarkSpace support page, but it took quite a while to work out what was going on – then even longer to trawl through their site to find it.

For those interested – it is what I am currently using as it is the most reliable.

PSPWare

From the Nullriver Software site… “PSPWare integrates your Sony PSP (PlayStation Portable) with your Mac, simply, effectively and non-intrusively!“.

Well… Mac – Yes, Simply – Yes, Effectively – Mostly, Non-Intrusively – Are you kidding?

It is a nice attempt at a package, it is quite simple and effective. But it messes with a lot of stuff – it changes how the device is mounted by the operating system and adds files to the memory card presumably to identify it again for later sync’s.

The only reason I am not using this package is because I have the other solution in place for my blackberry already, and it hasn’t crashed yet whereas PSPWare seems to crash every second or third attempt at syncing (when used under OSX 10.5 Leopard).

Of note…

Interestingly neither of these packages support talking to iTunes under 10.5 – PSPWare crashes and Missing Sync tells me I don’t have iTunes installed. This isn’t so much of an issue for me as a 4GB card doesn’t really give me any space to store my music, and I prefer my iPod anyway.

I really only have the PSP for video – not for games. Something to be aware of is that it takes almost half a day on a PowerBook G4 to get a DVD onto the device.

Other things…

If you are looking to put your DVD’s onto your PSP for later viewing you will need HandBrake. Both software packages will re-encode videos to make them suitable for the PSP. The annoying this for me so far has been that even videos that are suitable get re-encoded. Adding hours to the whole process.

Since the 1970′s there has been some fairly cool stuff done with falling water droplets to make shapes, words and images.
Pevnick Design have a functional solution that is used at trade fairs etc and looks pretty cool.
One of the better videos of it is below, unfortunately it has some arty wanker who seems to be taking credit for the technology and coming up with the concept. Don’t be fooled, he is just some twit that likes playing with cool toys. Ignore him, and just enjoy what the technology can do.
There are a heap more videos on the Pevnick Design website also, and a bit more technical information can be found on gizmodo.

Thank you to Johnsee from SandStorming.com
The image reads “Instead of driving to get CDs, buying pre-packaged software from megacorporations and wasting energy, you can help fight Global Warming by using P2P. Help save resources, fight pollution and save the environment. – It’s what Jesus would do.”

I was quite impressed with this evolution of dance video. If you have 6 minutes or so to spare – give it a watch.

Not being content with publishing biased news, The Courier-Mail has published online an interesting little test. It is the Left Brain v Right Brain Test.
Essentially they are asking if you see the dancer below turning anti-clockwise or not.
I see it turning clockwise, and for the life of me can’t make it turn the other way.
Click the image to be taken to the test and for some information about character traits in left v right brains.

Queensland Parliament E-Petitions for Daylight Savings has been posted online. I thought this was a hoax at first – but it is actually real. I am surprised at just how few signatures there are.
If you live in Queensland and are smart enough to understand that daylight savings doesn’t actually “fade the curtains”, “confuse the cows” or “cause serious hardship to farmers” then sign the form!