R4 Revolution or M3 DS Simply - 4 Cool Things You Can Do With Your Nintendo DS

The Nintendo DS is an amazing gaming machine that offers a unique interface, a huge range of awesome games and a stylish, compact design to satisfy all your portable gaming needs. The introduction of flash media cards for the DS has opened up a world of new uses for Nintendo's flagship portable, allowing it to run homebrew games and applications.

This introduction allows you to play MP3s, watch movies, play games from older consoles through emulators, and play ROM backups of your games.

The R4 and the M3 DS Simply represent the latest in the development of flash based memory cards for the DS. The two cards are essentially the same and differ in name only, both utilizing microSD memory cards and plug into Slot 1 (The DS game slot). Both feature drag and drop support for ROMs and Homebrew (meaning no fiddly patching of files, you literally just copy the files to your micro SD card) and have an easy to use interface with Moonshell built in as default, allowing playing of MP3s and movie files. Both can be used without having do dangerous mods to the system or use buggy pass cartridges.

The following are 4 cool things you can do with your DS using the R4 or M3 DS Simply.

1. Play ROM backup files - Contrary to popular belief, flash memory cards for the DS are not simply for playing pirated games (although it certainly is possible, and is a question of your personal ethics whether you do or not) and can be used in a variety of legal ways. Putting backup ROMs of games you own on the R4 or DS Simply is a great way to make your DS even more portable, as you won't have to carry your game cartridges around with you. This is also a great option if you have young kids, who can easily lose the DS's tiny cartridges.

2. Play MP3s and Movies - By using the excellent program Moonshell (Which comes bundled with the R4 and M3 DS Simply) you can turn your DS into a portable media player, able to play MP3s and DPG movie files. This is great for those like myself, who previously walked around with bulging pockets trying to carry my DS, Ipod, phone and PDA. A set of good headphones gives sound quality rivaling the iPod for MP3 playback, and The DS Lite's super bright, high resolution screens are great for watching Simpsons episodes on the train. Moonshell will play MP3s natively, and a small free-to-download application called DPG Converter will quickly and easily convert your movies and shows to Moonshell's DPG format.

3. Turn your DS into a PDA - Using the excellent homebrew program DSOrganize, you can turn your DS into a full featured PDA, utilizing input via the touch screen. Among it's many features it contains a Scheduler, Calender, Notes, Drawing application and reminders, and my favourite of all the uses of DS Homebrew, the ability to play streaming radio off the internet through the DS's wifi connection.

4. Run Homebrew Applications - Homebrew software, which is software created by programmers and hobbyists for the sole purpose of experimenting with the system, has exploded since the release of the new, easy-to-use R4 and M3 DS simply. Ranging from simple games to full fledged applications, there's a universe of homebrew available for free download from the internet. Some of the newest software allows wonderful new uses for the DS, such as using the DS as a VOIP phone (through the built in microphone), a wifi hotspot detector, a web browser and the above-mentioned DSOrganize PDA software. There are also a series of emulator programs that allow one to play games from the NES, SNES, Gameboy, Sega Master System and Sega Genesis.

For more info on the Nintendo DS, The R4 Revolution and where to get yourself an R4 and Homebrew games and programs, check out Welcome Distractions - Nintendo DS

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Printout Games To Make The Occasion More Fun

Printout games are resources you can find online and print-out using your own home printer for hours of home or party fun. There are all different types of printout games available, including traditional games such as Scrabble, Word Find and word search puzzles. Many of these can be found on the Web and are available for free.

But you can also find more complex and exotic games. For example, there are a wide variety of children's party games. Bridal shower games can also be found online, though the best of these are usually not free. However, the cost of printout games tends to be very reasonable, and it can be well worth your while to create your own collection of printable games on your computer that you can print and use over and over again.

Question-and-answer games are one of the most popular types, and these are often used at bridal or baby showers. In these games, individuals will partner up as a team and answer questions about each other either for points or to move forward on a printed-out game board. There is also the capability to customize many of these types of printable games, so that you can ask exact questions about family and friends.

Children will also of the games, and they can be perfect for those rainy days during the summer when there's nothing much to do inside the House. Of course, you could just stick the children in front of television for hours on end, but a far better solution is to play printable games that will exercise your child's mind, as well as being a lot of fun.

Print out children's games come in hundreds of types, including puzzles, board games, trivia, question and answer, and "Jeopardy style" educational games that help your kids to learn while they play. It's also a great way to bring the whole family together to spend some quality time.

It's good to know that in this age of satellite TV, the Internet and video games, a family can still come together as a group and enjoy playing simple games that are decidedly low-tech, but still just as much fun as they were ages ago.

In fact, one of the great things about the Internet is having free and instant access to so many wonderful games and educational resources. Schoolteachers can find specific learning games online available for download, which will fit perfectly with many lesson plans. All of the grammar school subjects are represented in these games, including mathematics, history, social studies, English and even physical education.

And once a printout game has been downloaded to your computer, it will be available to use any time you want to print it out. This can be incredibly convenient for teachers who can use the same games over and over just by reprinting them.

When it comes to printing out the games themselves, there are different ways you can go. Many people will simply print out the games on standard -- cheap -- printer paper. But in order to make your printout game as professional as possible, it is preferable to use thicker card stock, rather than regular paper.

Printout games are tons of fun for children and adults, are easy to print and use, and can be found on many different web sites online.

Craig Thornburrow is an acknowledged expert in his field. You can get fun printout games and baby shower games at http://www.funprintoutgames.com

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How to Read Guitar Tabs

One of the most exciting parts of learning how to play guitar is being able to play your favorite songs. Most beginners, when they start out, dream of being able to shred their favorite songs by their favorite bands. While the ultimate goal should be to learn how to read music, the best way for beginners to learn songs quickly is to learn how to read guitar tabs.

Guitar tablature is very similar to sheet music, only you don't necessarily have to know the notes and values of traditional sheet music to read tablature. One of the biggest differences there is between sheet music and tabs is that sheet music has only five lines, while guitar tabs have six lines, each representing a string on the guitar.

Reading Guitar Tabs: Step 1 - Learning the Strings

One of the first things you'll need to know in order to learn how to read guitar tabs is how the strings (the six lines) are arranged in the tablature. The high E (thinnest string) will be the very top line, followed by the B string, the G string, the D string, the A string, and finally the very bottom string will be the low E.

Step 2- Learning the Frets

The next step in learning how to read guitar tabs is to learn what all the numbers mean that are on the various lines (strings) of the tablature.

The numbers located on the lines represent frets on your guitar. Frets are the spaces between the little metal bars on the fingerboard of your guitar. If there is a number 5 on the line that represents the low E string, this means you press the low E string down on the fifth fret and play that note. If there is a 0 on the line, this means you play that particular string open.

Step 3 - Learning the Symbols

It's also extremely important when learning how to read guitar tabs that you know what the symbols on the lines represent. If there is an "x" on the line, that means that string isn't played at all.

Sometimes when a particular guitar chord is tabbed out, there will be a few strings with the "x" on it in between some of the notes of the chord. This means that those strings are not to be played as part of the chord. If you see a "b", this means the note bends; if you see an "r", it means to release the bend. If you see an "h", this stands for hammer-on, and if you see a "p", this stands for pull-off. "PM" stands for palm mute, and "t" stands for tap. If you see a "/", this is indicating a slide. (Consult your favorite "how to play guitar" guide for detailed explanations of how to play what those symbols are indicating. Check out my favorite list of resources right below this article!)

Learning how to read guitar tabs is one of the most crucial skills a beginner can learn. Once you've acquired this valuable skill, you'll be able to start learning some of your favorite songs, and your practice time will become a whole lot more fun. Learning how to read guitar tabs will put the wind in your sails as you endeavor to become a true guitar hero.

Have fun!

There are three resources I'd suggest you check out to learn more about guitar tablature. See my how to read guitar tabs blog entry at GuitarHack, this how to read guitar tabs page on Squidoo, and this how to read guitar tabs article on Hubpages. You'll be glad you did!

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How to Play All Classes in the Too Human Demo

Too Human takes a cyber punk retelling of Norse mythology. Instead of the typical gods that you would expect to see, the Norse gods are cybernetically enhanced humans. You play Baldur, one of their gods. In fact, you are the son of Odin. As the son of Odin, it is your job to keep watch over and protect the human race from an approaching army of machines led by the demented Loki and bent on the destruction of mankind.

There are five classes you can choose to play, but the demo only allows the option to play the Champion. With five choices and only one option, one can feel a little unsure of whether or not to buy this game to make the final decision.

How about trying all of the classes?

Berserker

With the Berserker you will find they favor fast, close-quarters combat. They are the only class in the game that can dual-wield swords or staffs.

Defender

The Defender's job is to be the tank. Massive amounts of armor makes him a perfect beating post to ensure the enemy's attention is on no one but him, so that his allies with less armor can unload their fury upon the enemies around him.

Commando

The Commando is your tactical, long-range combat class. This class can stand in the back and deal out explosions and damage if your defender can keep the attention of all of the enemies before you. If you don't have a defender around, the Commando can summon spiders that have their own array of attacks to distract foes.

Champion

The Champion is your overall balance of armor and damage. He can help the defender manage baddies around him, but can also do his fair share of damage to wipe out anything in front of him.

Bio Engineer

This is the guy who is going to ensure everyone in your group is going to stay alive. With different ways to heal both himself and the party, he is a highly needed addition to any group fighting against the forces of Loki.

"Great," you are thinking. "But how do I get to play all these awesome classes in the demo?" Silicon Knights have not forgotten you, but you are going to have to work for it. They have put this in as an intentional Easter egg for those who want to get as much as they can out of the demo.

To get these classes in the Too Human demo, you need to use a different kind of cheat code.

After you have finished downloading the demo, disconnect your Xbox Live. If you don't do this, then you will not be able to play as any of the other classes except the Champion.

Once you have disconnected from Xbox Live, go to the console settings in your Xbox menu, select the clock setting and change the date to 2009. Xbox Live sets your clock automatically if you are connected.

Now that you have done this, go back into the demo, and you will be able to play the game in the Berserker or the Commando class.

For the Defender or Bio Engineer classes, you need to select the character and over and over as fast as you possibly can for 4 to 5 seconds, and then press either left or right.

Now that you can play all the classes, you can get more out of your demo of Too Human. Be sure to check out the rest of the cheat codes for Too Human at: http://www.xboxcheatcodes.com

http://www.Xboxcheatcodes.com offering cheats and cheat codes, free hints, with exclusive video game previews and daily news for all X Box, Xbox 360 games

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