Knock off gear – China – Knock off Diary

OK. So those not been to China, will not know: the nation’s idea of innovation is looking at other peoples ideas and copying them… Being from the Shanghai area, as you can imagine, it’s more of a way of life…

Coming and looking around the markets and stalls, you’ll think you’ve found a bounty of Western goods! With the same standards, and finish quality, same functionality etc.

Dream on

I’ve bought several items now in varying degrees of ‘knock-off’ ness.

For the Chinese, there is no line between ‘knock-off’ and genuine.
Knock-off is the genuine, so you got to be careful about what you do and where you spend your money…

I’m going to be keeping a kind of ‘knock-off’ diary. Browse at your leisure… (If you need anything, shoot me an email and I can sort u out!)

Here’s a list of the current ‘knock-off’ goods, their failure level and the prices paid.

Elder Scrolls Online – BETA

So.

Been selected to play this very popular, (Game of the Year), the Ubiquitous and Renowned Skyrim IV – The Elder Scrolls.

Elder Scrolls Online
Elder Scrolls Online (BETA)

The new game I’ve been invited to play on BETA is The Elder Scrolls Online.

Skyrim

For those who’ve not played, Skyrim is a game where you wonder in a simulated environment, which looks something like this.

It’s set against a backdrop of a war.

Skyrim - Elder Scrolls
Skyrim – Elder Scrolls

You wander round doing quests, building things, stealing things, talking to people, exploring.

Because of the graphics, you can see why the game first gained it’s appeal.

There isn’t anything you HAVE to do.

I like that. Continue reading “Elder Scrolls Online – BETA”

Kunshan wgc – World gaming conference 2013

Spent the day at the world gaming conference which basically consisted of a load of nerds and girls dressed up in bunny costumes.

Got some of the girls in bunny costumes on film so read on.

World Gaming Conference Kunshan  2013
World Gaming Conference 2013

Entrance

Place was jammed. The queue was at least two hours long when I got there.
Being from England this presents a great opportunity to doff one’s cap in a mustn’t grumble manner.

So I queued for 45 minutes.

Very nice experience. Chatting to some Australian teacher. Works at web English and his Chinese friends all very nice.

When I got in eventually, this was like a large explosion in my head, almost indescribable.

Anyway, got there in the end.

The whole event was being staged at the Conference Center in Kunshan. Two buildings. Large and modern with all the character of a pair of grain silos. Still. Hung out in there for a little while.

Murlock!
Murlock!

Bought a MURLOCK!

He’s looking to grow a little perhaps. Seems a bit anemic at the moment. Got him from the Warcraft Tent. They had lot’s of bits and pieces in there which seemed familiar to me from back in my Warcraft days.

Couldn’t resist the Murlock. They have a kind of legendary status in Warcraft. Maybe the first thing you’re going to do is get into a fight with some Murlocks. They’re pretty useless really.

This one is a baby Murlock. He wouldn’t do any serious damage to my warlock!

World Gaming Conference 2013
Players Lounge

Hung out in the players lounge.

Didn’t realise at first. Thought it was a TV behind the stage for official types. It was only when the people got up onto that stage. I’d been sitting and chatting with these people that were the competitors for the past hour or so.

Met a friend

World Gaming Conference 2013
Hai. (looks better from the side)

That I used to play badminton with.

Didn’t remember exactly what it was I said to her. She said it was a good one liner anyhow. Didn’t recognise her at first.

All in all a good day.

Even though I’m not massively into gaming anymore found it pretty good to wander around and came home feeling pretty glad I’d gone even though the shocking reputation gamers have. They are not to be shunned, some are normal people. I mean who doesn’t play games on their mobile phone??

Tablets are just made for games, judging by the popularity of the event, games are a guilty pleasure that people just don’t want to admit they’d had. (Like this girl on the right). Continue reading “Kunshan wgc – World gaming conference 2013”

Root Toshiba Excite AT200

Toshiba Excite At 200
Toshiba AT200

Just got this little tablet off Taobao.

Priced at just 1,200 Yuan, or around £140 it seemed pretty cheap for a Toshiba tablet.

1st day of use, I discover there is no apps store and Google Play Store isn’t installed. Nor is any other app store.

Next step! Root the AT200! Get the Google Apps installed and have the thing do what I want.

Shock Horror!

Toshiba have something written into their EULA! Yes Toshiba and Android have conspired against the customer!

Contrary to previous court rulings on allowing users UNRESTRICTED access to their devices, in this case you aren’t granted those rights. Toshiba will not let you access and change core aspects of this tablet.

You don’t have the rights and abilities you might have when you buy a new PC.

Can’t add or alter things in the operating system, making it useless for many developers and professional level users.

Let this be a warning to any buyers of the Toshiba Excite AT.

Nice looking tablet. Without full user rights.

Suitable for me so

/grumble over