Final Fantasy XIV Collector's Edition

I bought my Final Fantasy XIV Collector Edition for PC from www.game.com.au and it arrives today afternoon.

Here are some photos of the contents included in the package.

The box of FF XIV with an illustration, strangely familiar, could be related to some FF character in the past but I am not sure of it.

The side of the box, stating the contents included in the package, including a map of Eorzea, a flask, and a security token.

Things included in the package, including the game itself, a notebook with various illustration of beast and characters in it, the flask inside the white box, a security token, and the map of Eorzea.

The flask with a leather handle with "Final Fantasy XIV" embedded on it. Note that the cover of the flask pops right out instead of twisting it open.

The map of Eorzea imprinted on a piece of cloth. Hardcore FF fans might pin them up on their wall beside their PC, but I could not bear to damage the cloth by pinning it and kept it in the box.


Currently FF XIV still uses p2p for game updates, which is unsuitable for some people living on campus or with restricted p2p access. But I found a good website hosting the updates required for the game with direct download in tehkrizz.

Collector edition buyers will also receive an onion helm which reduces the time of sickness induced when KOed. Allowing players to resume their intensive journey after 1.30 minute instead of 5 minutes.

Alienware M17x captured!

My Alienware M17x has arrived this 2 hours ago and I snapped photos of the unboxing.
I ordered a 17 inch laptop bag and an external monitor too. It was a hassle to get all 3 boxes to my dorm as the box containing the laptop is heavy enough by itself. I spent about 20 minutes just to take all three boxes to my dorm.


3 large boxes, containing my  Dell Monitor, Alienware M17x, and Alienware laptop bag.


Grand opening


Alien head


Box containing accessories


Cloth covering laptop


Box containing accesories


Opening of accessory box


All accessories provided. Containing an Alienware cap, Alienware mouse pad (Hard), Leather manual, power cables, and installation disks.


Another angle


Another angle


Laptop covered in cloth



Removed safety foam


Plastic protector protecting from scratches


Removed plastic sheet


Bottom of the laptop, Impressed by the vents.


Alienware nameplate, customization not available for production outside US. What a shame.


Front of the laptop


Left side. Not many review mention the existence of the Kensington lock.


Behind, only have power socket.


Right side


Opened laptop


Other angle


Keyboard, unlighted


Keyboard again.







Lighted, bright condition


Lighted, dark condition


Lighted, dark condition, angle 2

Windows Experience Index 7.2

This first program I installed is Microsoft Words 2007, LoL.

Yet to play any game using this laptop though.

Alien(ware) is coming for me!! I will be the one doing the probing though.

After my previous post about Final Fantasy XIV, I realized that my 3 year old laptop is not going to do well in future gaming, hence I ordered an Alienware M17x with the latest i7 processor and CrossFire graphic cards. 6 more days of anticipation! Hope that Dell does not delay its arrival. Also hoping that my Alienware would not be defective. It is kind of worrying as there are many cases about related to Alienware productions, such as bad LCD screens, flickering screens, creaking palm rest, Blue screens, Bricking etc.

Will review it or take photos of the unboxing of Alienware M17x when I got it. Hope that it arrives in one piece though.

Update:
Laptop custom clearance granted after 3 days.(Friday-Monday)).
Currently arrived in Australian Main Hub.

Final Fantasy XIV Beta! Mine!

I've been granted a beta account for Final Fantasy XIV Beta!
Installed it and take a whole day to update it.

The graphics of this game is supremely amazing and the character customization are quite versatile, similar to Dragon Age: Origins though. The movement are quite similar with Dragon Age too, WASD normally, and when you hold your right mouse button, you can navigate with it, same as Dragon Age. Te playing style is similar to Cabal Online where the character will only attack when you press on the hotkeys. Overall, the graphics are amazing.

The only bad thing is that my laptop is ancient, bought 3 years ago with mid specs, causing the frameskip of the game to be 18 or less, which causes alot of problems while walking and trying to click on things.

Conclusion: Stunning graphics + Interactivity + Storyline = Good game.
This game is worth buying, but its graphic supremacy will cause a number of low-spec users to shy away.

I am planning to get Alienware 17' as soon as there are promotion for it. Hope that I could get one soon.

Explanation of PD (Pupillary Distance) and the use of it, Sponsored by ZenniOpticals

Firstly I will explain the meaning of Pupillary distance (PD). PD is the distance between the centers of the pupils. The PD is used to align the lenses to eliminate the excessive misalignment since there are different choices of frames, which will affect the focus of the lens. Higher prescription will have more effect on the unwanted horizontal prism.

The information used was cited from:

Aitken, S., (2007) Back to basics in dispensing: Pupillary distance measurement. The Optician, 233, 18-20.

This post was sponsored my ZenniOptical, the #1 online eyeglasses store, providing services at affordable price, taking into account of details, such as Pupillary Distance of the customers.

As for the basic step of security and authenticity of an online store, this online store was verified and certified by BBB and other sites, which could be accessed on the top right hand corner in that site.

Just a brief overview of the product of this store, this online eyeglasses store has large choices of frames, price ranging from $8 to $30. A basic prescription Eyeglasses would just cost $8.00, and it could be upgraded with premium anti-reflective coating for $4.95 and 7 sunglass colour tint for $4.95.

Message to all Professionals who just started taking into account of PD:
Always declare of what you are going to do and explain the process in detail instead of not telling the customers anything, causing them to shy away or reject it as they are not familiar/insecure with the process.