Author: Bullz-Eye Staff (Page 191 of 302)

Where Exactly is Online Poker Headed?

September 30, 2013 / Bullz-Eye Staff

That answer to that is a simple one at first glance: it is headed into an era of regulation and accountability, one in which a Full Tilt Poker-like squandering of player funds will be just as impossible as the Absolute Poker/Ultimate Bet insider cheating. An era in which the perpetrators of such schemes won’t have to be held accountable, because it will be impossible for anyone to do anything as vile and despicable as conning people out of their hard-earned money. At first glance, the future does seem bright, and the game may yet get there indeed, but those who know a thing or two about the inner workings of the online poker industry understand that the legalized/regulated sort of online poker utopia depicted above – if it exists at all – is really far down the road, so far down in fact, that the industry may never get there in its current shape and form.

Online poker regulation has been underway in Europe for a while now, and what has been made clear by the process thus far is that small operators, be they honest or crooked, do not have a seat at the table. This fact has been reflected in the dwindling poker room review sections of major online poker portals like pokerstop.com, which saw many of their listed operators evaporate, the sites fallen victim to this current period of transition. Online poker giants like PokerStar and a handful of others have managed to secure licenses in most of Europe’s regulated markets, but whereas before there was one major online poker compact where players from all over the continent and even the world could play at the same table, the post-regulation market has become a mosaic of smaller parts, a fragmented shadow of its former self, where raising proper player liquidity has become a major challenge.

Although the EU has generally been opposed to this market-fragmentation which – at the end of the day – is about favoritism towards local interests, but only if the outside operator looking to break into the market isn’t a PokerStars-like 500 lb gorilla, many of the member states have gone ahead implementing protectionist measures thus essentially denying smaller operators any semblance of a chance to ever peddle their games and promotions to their citizens.

In the US, the outlook isn’t any brighter for the small guys either. As the legalized area of the US online poker market is slowly but surely expanding, having started out in Nevada and having later secured a foothold in New Jersey too, it is increasingly obvious that the new playing ground is by no means level. Local big dogs are muscling in, but since they possess neither the technological prowess nor the required experience in the vert, they strike up deals and partnerships with the major online poker operators to put together a viable business. The two legal online poker operators (Ultimate Poker and WSOP.com) currently pushing the frontlines in Nevada have thus far only managed to shed a light on the incondite nature of the intra-state market, which – in its current state – is basically screaming for inter-state compacts.

Starting up an online poker business under these conditions is no longer a matter of joining an established network and putting up a website, although that may indeed turn out to be a good thing in the long run.

Lifestyle

betting online gambling online poker poker

Dark Side of the Rainbow – What Is the Pink Floyd/Wizard of Oz Connection?

September 26, 2013 / Bullz-Eye Staff

It’s a popular pastime that takes place in basements and dorm rooms every day: an attempt to prove the claim that Pink Floyd’s iconic album “Dark Side of the Moon” syncs up perfectly with the 1939 classic “The Wizard of Oz.” While some claim to have done it successfully, others (with disappointment) dismiss the claim as an urban myth.

But no matter how many people try and fail, the mystery still persists. It’s time to get to the bottom of it.

Just Press Play

First, let’s go over how this works. The most important thing to remember is that for this supposed synchronicity to work, you have to start playing the album at the right time. Various theories abound about when the perfect moment to hit play appears, but the vast majority of theorists believe that you need to start the music as soon as the MGM lion emits his third roar before the beginning of the opening credits. You’ll know that you have done it right if the name “Mervyn Leroy” appears on the screen when the music on the album transitions. Once you get the timing right, turn off the sound on the television, turn up the music and watch to see what happens.

A Happy Coincidence?

While no one seems to know who was the first to try playing “Dark Side of the Moon” while watching “The Wizard of Oz,” those who have done it since point out that there are a number of incredible coincidences. During the scene in which Dorothy walks along the edge of the fence surrounding the pigpen, you can hear the line “balanced on the biggest wave,” for example, and “Great Gig in the Sky” plays while the tornado carries Dorothy and Toto away to the Land of Oz. Perhaps the most mind-blowing moment for many viewers comes when Dorothy first steps out of her house in Munchkinland, and “Money” begins to play as the film switches from black and white to color. Later on, we meet the Scarecrow while the song “Brain Damage” plays.

For all of the coincidences, the awe is short lived. “Dark Side of the Moon” runs a mere 43 minutes, while the film runs 101 minutes. That means that more than half of the film does not have any correlation; in fact the music stops just after Dorothy meets the Tin Man.

Much Ado About Nothing

For all of the attention that the Pink Floyd/Wizard of Oz connection gets, the actual creators of the album vehemently deny any connection. Alan Parsons, the sound engineer on the album, pointed out that when it was produced in 1972, there was no easy way to screen the film in the studio to match it up. Free movie websites, VCRs and DVD players were not yet commonplace, and correlating music to film was an arduous process. Parsons also pointed out that variations between the sound recording and video could vary up to 20 seconds, making it virtually impossible to perfectly sync separate recordings.

Still, while Pink Floyd thinks that the connection is a pile of hogwash, they have a sense of humor about it. Drummer Nick Mason once remarked that the album had nothing to do with “The Wizard of Oz” — it was based on “The Sound of Music.”

Oz: The Great and Powerful?

When the “prequel” to “The Wizard of Oz,” “Oz: The Great and Powerful” was released in 2013, a few curious souls wondered if the modern filmmakers would continue the tradition and match up the new film with “Dark Side of the Moon.” Slate magazine’s John Swansburg attended a screening of the film with the album loaded on his mobile device. Alas, there weren’t many significant synchronicities.

That being said, other Pink Floyd albums have been paired with classic films; “The Wall,” for example, has shown some synchronicity with Disney’s “Wall-E” and “Alice in Wonderland.” The track “Echoes” from the earlier album, “Meddle,” has also been paired with the fourth and final act of Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey.” Similar coincidences have been found, although none have reached the level of notoriety that “The Wizard of Oz” connection has.

Regardless of whether the matching of “Dark Side of the Moon” and “The Wizard of Oz” is intentional or not, the idea that they might has become entrenched in pop culture and will probably still be a popular activity for bored college students for years to come.

About the Author: Although she is a huge fan of both Pink Floyd and “The Wizard of Oz,” Kayleen Griffin has never tried syncing the two. She blogs about pop culture for several sites when she’s not watching classic movies.

Entertainment

Dark Side of the Moon Dark Side of the Rainbow Pink Floyd Wizard of Oz

Pranksters Rig House Plumbing to Pour Beer Instead of Water (Sponsored)

September 24, 2013 / Bullz-Eye Staff

In retribution for all the gags Russell Brown has played on his friends over the years, his brother Sean and their friends decided to team up for the ultimate payback. By leveraging the group’s collective experience as plumbers, electricians and carpenters, Sean and his buddies were able to plumb beer throughout Russell’s entire home in Auckland, New Zealand. With the help of Tui Brewery, they managed to tap every faucet (including the shower) to spout cold beer to the surprise of Russell and his wife.

Check out Russell’s fantastic reaction when he figures out what’s going on in this video and here at www.youtube.com/littlejohnnynz.

Entertainment, Humor, Videos

pranks Russell Brown

What’s the Deal With Electronic Cigarettes?

September 20, 2013 / Bullz-Eye Staff

According to leading American business magazine Forbes, electronic cigarette sales are expected to surpass $1 billion by the end of 2013. Known tobacco companies realize the potential profit of the e-cigarette and are making business moves to capitalize.

Lorillard (manufacturer of the brands Newport, Kent, True, Old Gold, Maverick, Triumph, Satin, and Max) purchased Blu ECigs, distributed it to 80,000 stores nationwide, and spent millions of dollars to heavily market the e-cig through all mediums of media.

Altria Group (Basic, Black & Mild, Copenhagen, Marlboro, Optima, Parliament, Skoal, Virginia Slims) created their own electronic cigarette to compete in the growing industry. “If the technology continues to innovate the way that it has been, in 10-15 years from now, we are the replacement to big tobacco,” says Andries Verleur, CEO and co-founder of e-cigarette maker V2 Cigs.

The question remains:

What is an electronic cigarette?

With media exposure covering all aspects of the electronic cigarette industry, it’s difficult to not be curious about the innovative piece of technology. According to the ProSmoke Electronic Cigarettes, the e-cig is an electronic device that vaporizes a solution of nicotine, water, and flavoring to simulate the feel and look of cigarettes.

“Unlike nicotine gum or the nicotine patch, the e-cigarette actually functions much like a regular cigarette. However, rather than burning and smoking, it vaporizes a solution that contains nicotine. The nicotine is still delivered to the body, but in vapor form rather than smoke which contains carcinogens and tar. ProSmoke E-cigarettes do not burn like a typical cigarette, yet feel the same and have the choice of multiple nicotine levels, including no nicotine.”

How does the electronic cigarette work?

Typically, electronic cigarettes are constructed using three components:

– Cartridge: The cartridge usually holds the liquid nicotine and is where the user inhales on the cigarette. The liquid in the cartridge is vaporized by the atomizer for the user to inhale. Users can refill the cartridge with various “flavors” of liquid nicotine or replace it with pre-filled flavor cartridges – usually sold by the vendor.

– Atomizer (or cartomizer): The atomizer is usually a small heating element in the center of the e-cig. High performance electronic cigarette brands have atomizers that can be used for months, while other brands combine the atomizer and cartridge together for less performance, but simpler usage.

– Power: Electronic cigarettes have rechargeable batteries and are usually the biggest part of the device. The battery is usually an electronic airflow sensor – activated when you take drags through the device. Other e-cigs use power buttons that must be held while inhaling.

The device vaporizes the smoke by heating the nicotine liquid with minimal temperature – just enough to create vapor instead of smoke. Usually, the liquid (most likely propylene glycol, which is a common ingredient of the e-liquid) is vaporized at 185°C – 210°C. Regular cigarettes are known to reach up to about 900°C due to the oxygen provided while inhaling – creating various carcinogens and tar in the process. In essence, common sense would say electronic cigarettes are fundamentally healthier for the human body than tobacco cigarettes for that reason alone.

Are they satisfying?

Some electronic cigarette users have successfully quit tobacco use by making a slow transition from one vice to another. With the many flavors that e-cig vendors offer, it’s difficult to not want to make the switch. Electronic cigarettes are typically $50 – $150 and sell cartridges (which can be an equivalent of multiple packs of cigarettes) for around $5 – $10. This can mean a cheaper vice for individuals who enjoy nicotine.

Tobacco smokers should consider the electronic cigarette if they’re interested in saving money, using an alternative to tobacco, and enjoy the rush of nicotine without the taste of smoke and tar.

Lifestyle, Vices

e-cig e-cigarette maker electronic cigarette sales electronic cigarettes tobacco tobacco free

Phiaton’s new over-ear headphones

September 17, 2013 / Bullz-Eye Staff

Phiaton sent us a new set of over-ear Bridge headphones and right away we were very impressed with the design. Check out the photo above and you’ll notice the machined aluminum design with the soft black perforated leather and the red accents. With headphones these days everything starts with the design as we all want to look good while enjoying our music in public. These new headphones are also very comfortable as well.

The sound quality was also excellent with a deep bass response as the new Phiaton headphones feature the following specs:

– A dual -chamber structure providing richer detail and clearer, more powerful bass
– Frequency range: 15 Hz ~ 22 kHz
– Impedance: 16 Ohm
– THD: Less than 1% at 1 kHz
– Sensitivity: 99 dB at 1 kHz
– Maximum input power: 1,000 mW
– Weight: 250 g (without cord) / 0.55 lb (without cord)
– Cord Length: 3.6 ft / 1.2 m

Check them out here! The holidays will be here before you know it so these can be a great gift option for the fashion-conscious music lover.