Hello Everyone.

Today, I figured I’d make a post on a subject that I’ve blogged about many, many times before — AceIRC. Now, AceIRC is a Global IRC Network–like so many others out there. You may have read the wonderful AceIRC Hate Post on a wonderful (horrible) website known as McInTEC. The reason this post surfaced was simply because Jason–the owner of McInTEC–got angry because we [AceIRC] revoked some permissions of his staff position on AceIRC because of TOS violations. Jason took it upon himself to close his channel, leave the network, write a horrible post bashing me and the network I stand firmly behind, and then having the gall to come back on the network (before his permanent ban was enacted), and ask me–someone he publicly stated he HATED–to help him configure his personal IRC network so he could permanently break away from Ace, and have his own place to bash us, and spread lies to other users, drawing them away from AceIRC. Oh well!

AceIRC is amazing… plain and simple. Along with the wonderful staff members AceIRC has, managing the network adamantly, we have wonderful users. Users make or break an IRC network, and we’ve been successful for five years. AceIRC recently celebrated it’s fifth birthday, by the way — Happy Birthday AceIRC!

If you’d heard anything bad about AceIRC that would discourage you from connecting, disregard it, as it’s probably lies [and/or slander] spread by the wonderful McInTEC Community who’s owner was banned from AceIRC after breaking the rules so many times, it’s not even funny. I don’t want to turn this into a hate post, but that community is horrid. They enjoy saying horrible things about Ace, because they’re angry that they were kicked out because they didn’t play by the rules. Fuck them! If they want to go ahead and break rules, let them do it elsewhere. I find it horrible that they’re “president”, Jason McIntyre enjoys blaming myself, and some of the people from the Datablab Community for everything that goes wrong there, without looking at it rationally. Good riddance.

Now that our horrid history with them has been listed, it’s time to get on with the post — LOL. AceIRC is a great IRC network, with channels discussing tech, SciFi RPG, and even just general chatting in #chat. AceIRC’s personable staff include the netadmins: VorteX, our chief; Zyrell; Vass; and myself (nickname: sam; and yes, lowercase is better). Also, we have our services administrators: CGinCA; Sugar; and timburke, one of the head members of the Datablab Community. Our IRC operators include: Adduc, a Datablab Community leading member; FG; Vince; XWolfe; and Rico. AceIRC’s main tech channel is Datablab, with a website located at www.datablab.com. Datablab is a technology discussion community, founded by timburke, and currently managed by three Ace IRCops: sam; timburke; and Adduc. Osxdude also assists in the operation of the Datablab Community, and is one of our main chatters. If you’d ever like to invite people to Datablab, or visit yourself, you can find us by visiting illinois.us.aceirc.org/datablab in your favorite IRC client.

AceIRC has been a wonderful place for myself to be, and I’ve enjoyed all of the time I’ve spent there. Upon becoming an IRCop, the staff there welcomed me with open arms, just like they welcome any new user to the network. Come join a wonderful network — AceIRC.

Visit the website at www.aceirc.org.

Sf.

Well, I forgot my fourteenth application, which was Internet  RadioBox, an application that allows you to listen to ShoutCAST streams while connected to the internet. Anyways, hope you enjoy this video… Also, sorry the audio isn’t all that great. I probably could’ve recorded it seperately, and made a nice audio track to go along, but I just decided to whip this video up quickly, so I didn’t do any of the fancy stuff… OH WELL!

HEY! HEY!!!!!! Here we go…

Alright everyone. I’ll be reviewing a 16GB 2nd generation iPod Touch today, so lets hit it. Oh… by the way… there will be a video to go along pretty soon.

Physical Aspects: The iPod is extremely sleek and stylish. No odd colour scheme. No weird curvature. No bulky hardware. The iPod Touch is much thinner than any other mobile device I have used, or had, and I’m going to enjoy using it. It has a smooth curve to it, and a wonderful reflective back. The only thing I don’t like is how many fingerprints it shows, but I assume that is something you’d already know going in, as it is a device of this type (touchscreen).

Sound: Now Now. The sound of the device is relatively unmatched. Apple has managed to make their luxurious iPod’s sound amazing, even with the small earbuds that are included. It has good bass, and an overall balanced sound to it. The earbuds however, aren’t exactly my favorite, as they can hurt your ears after having them in for a while, but overall, the sound is amazing, and the earbuds are comfortable enough for general use, but not really for extended use, as they don’t really have a lot of “padding.”

Storage: The storage is phenomenal, plain and simple. I, of course, have the 16GB model, and all of the songs I have on it seem like nothing. Not to mention the few TV shows I’ve got on it, and loads of applications. Not much to say here… 16GB is a lot, when it comes to a portable device.

Applications: Applications make the iPod Touch interactive, and totally awesome. I have various applications, from Rooms (IRC Client), to Tetris, to Radio Box (Online Radio Program, i.e. ShoutCAST, etc.), and they all are perfect. There are thousands of applications available in the App Store, located within the popular iTunes Store. Many applications are available free, but some aren’t. I’ve seen apps for $0.99, and I’ve seen apps that run $25 (Jaadu VNC). The plethora of applications available make the iPod Touch awesome, and even MORE interactive.

Screen: The multi-touch capability is unmatched by competitors. The iPod’s screen, although it always shows fingerprints, is an amazing work of technology and art, complimenting the iPod itself.

Well… that’s about all I have to say in this part of the review. I’ll post my Part Two to the review in about a week or so, and I’ll accompany a video to go along. Check back soon!

~Sam

The following is an article I posted on my very good friend, Justplaindave’s site: Dave and Ethell’s Place. I added a few things in this post, but the main post is the same. If you didn’t have a chance to read it on his site, please enjoy it here:

IRC is an easy and friendly method to communicate with people across the internet. IRC stands for Internet Relay Chat, and is a protocol for chatting (sending text) through a network of servers and users, to communicate with one another, and servers. IRC is one of the things I use while I spend time on the internet, and is always filled with excitement.

IRC consists of servers, networked together, that allow users to connect to them and join channels–chat rooms–and communicate with other users. The inner-workings of IRC are phenominal, and allow for easy communication with users. The official chat room for Dave and Ethell’s place is #davesplace, which is located on the WyldRyde IRC Network, which can be connected to by connecting to irc.wyldryde.org in your favorite IRC client. Also, the official chatroom for the Datablab Tech Community (Sam Ferry, Co-President) is located in #Datablab on the AceIRC network, which can be found by connecting to irc.aceirc.org in your client of choice.

There are various IRC clients available for use, and some are easier to use than others.

Common clients for Windows include:
– X-Chat (Available for Windows, OS X, and Linux)
– IceChat
– mIRC – An IRC client incorporating its own powerful scripting engine.
– Irssi (Available for Windows, OS X, and Linux)

Common clients for OS X include:
– Colloquy
– X-Chat Aqua
– Irssi (Available for Windows, OS X, and Linux)

Common clients for Linux include:
– X-Chat (Available for Windows, and Linux)
– Irssi (Available for Windows, OS X, and Linux)
– BitchX (Available for Windows, OS X, and Linux)
– Konversation

There are many IRC networks, big and small, to choose from, all you have to do is look around. You can find thousands of networks on SearchIRC, but there are a few commonly known ones circulating around. Networks such as: WyldRyde, AceIRC, and iPocalypse. All of these networks have channels that discuss anything and everything, from tech, to lifestyles, to news and politics, or general discussion.

All you have to do, is look.

~Sam

AceIRC Now has forums! Click on the image to see the design of the brand-new AceIRC Forums! This post is going to be short and sweet, because the image speaks for itself. I welcome you to the AceIRC Forums, visit http://forums.aceirc.org to check them out. These forums are new, and already prospering with plenty of new members, and a nice logo designed by our very own Tim Burke! Check out AceIRC, and their forums today. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed with this amazingly friendly IRC network.

~Sam

IRC, or Internet Relay Chat, is one of the main things I use when I am on the internet. IRC has been around for a while, and it is what is says–its chat. IRC is an easy way to keep in contact with groups of people, as it can be used on anything from a dial up connection to a 20mbps cable line! IRC can be used with web clients (Mibbit.com… Google it.), or IRC clients (mIRC, Xchat, Colloquy, IceChat… Again, Google it.), which are programs you can use to get onto IRC.

IRC works by a network of linked servers transferring data between each other, sending the messages the users send to the channel, or chat room. The main IRC network I am on is a href=”http://aceirc.org”>AceIRC/a>, which can be found by connecting to irc.aceirc.org (for the server) in your IRC client, or by going to a href=”http://aceirc.org”>AceIRC.org/a> and clicking the “Chat” link. IRC is an easy, and fun way to keep in contact with people, have large discussions, and interact with communities with people all around the world. All you have to do, is connect.

Thanks,

~Sam

Alright. Today’s post is incredibly depressing for me, and probably others.

Last night, I had a huge uprising with McInTEC (Again, yeah, I know). This endowed me a ban from his IRC network, after being personally invited by him, and some others. Doing so caused him to write a long and painful blog post, doing nothing but bashing me, and a good friend of mine, using our names, and IRC handles (Of course). After doing so, someone from his community came into #Datablab on AceIRC and spammed the living hell out of that post. After doing so, a great friend of mine, TXBrad, left my channel, no doubt by influence of McInTEC. Now, this is what disappointed me. I expected immaturity from McInTEC (Jason), and possibly the guy who spammed my channel… but NEVER TXBrad. Period. Now, unfortunately, this is goodbye for TXBrad and I, someone who has been my friend for a long while.

Here’s what happened (In a nutshell): I made a suggestion for McInTEC-IRC, and Jason didn’t want help from me (of course), so he started saying things in the room. I left McInTEC-IRC, and ended the fit. Then, Jason proceeded to PM me on Ustream’s network, wondering if I had a “problem.” Anyways, this eventually drew me back to McInTEC-IRC to finish what had been started. It was long and painful. Later, I found Jason, and asked him why the heck one of his people would spam the hell out of that horrible post in a community chatroom on AceIRC. Jason proceeded to say “If you say anything to me again, I’ll call the police,” or something of that nature. Anyways, I became very disappointed in McInTEC from this point, and decided to confront the person that did this. TXBrad proceeded to leave my channel, and deop me in his. He–obviously–hates me now. All I have to say is: “Whatever.” From this point, the immaturity is–unfortunately–rising from McInTEC.

On their IRC network, I apologized, I forgave, and I left. They proceeded to do immature things, like the spamming. This shows the immaturity, and unwelcoming qualities of McInTEC. Now, I’m not going to bash them more, and I’m not going to spam AceIRC. All I am going to do, is sigh, and be disappointed in McInTEC. I was once a part of McInTEC, a staff member. It was once a great community. But, things change. If you decide to visit McInTEC, think twice, please. For what has happened between two people, and McInTEC, can happen with you as well.

This is all I have to say.

~Sam

Now… You may or may not know about my conflicts with McInTEC, and Jason McIntyre. Well, today, I am going to change something. If you don’t know, McInTEC’s one-year anniversary is today, to happy birthday McInTEC Community.

Ok, so, where do I begin… The McInTEC Community was introduced to me by a long-time friend, LinuxFan, of Digital-IRC. When he invited me, I came to the channel now and then, and popped into the Ventrilo server time, and time again. Then, I started chatting in #McInTEC (when it was on WyldRyde) more, and more. Jason gave me halfop in the channel, and I continually kept chatting there, and became an avid member of the community. One day, in Ventrilo, I was introduced–by Jason–to Darian Caplinger, also known as VorteX, the owner of AceIRC. When McInTEC made the move to AceIRC, I was there too (invited by VorteX, a bit earlier). I became a huge part of the community, and eventually became McInTEC Staff, and a web admin for McInTEC.net. McInTEC was my life.

I got to know Jason, and he became one of my best friends; He was someone I could talk to, my ‘brother’. He was someone who was always around, and would always listen.

A conflict arose…

Some feelings arose between the McInTEC Community, and I. One night, something happened, and I left the McInTEC Community. That same night, I said some things that I would grow to regret saying, and I knew I would regret leaving McInTEC, because of all the amazing people I would lose association with. Later still, McInTEC left AceIRC… in a more ‘permanent’ fashion.

I would like to say sorry to McInTEC, to Jason, and to everyone, but also, I would like to wish a happy birthday to the community, and to Scootz. McInTEC will always be remembered as an influence in my life, for the better. I will miss being with McInTEC, and will always be grateful to Jason for all the good people he introduced me to, and for being a great friend. Batty, Scootz, Domo, Blaze, Will, VorteX, and Andrew. I met them all through McInTEC, and will always be glad I did. Each one of these people have influenced my life in some way, and I will always be thankful for that.

Happy anniversary (or birthday), McInTEC.

Tyler Graffam, an amazing friend of mine, and someone who has influenced me in many ways has influenced me to write this post, and I felt I had to. Thanks Tyler, and thanks McInTEC.

~Sam

Edit: 7:56 PM CST – 11.01.2008

I figured I couldn’t go without writing a bit about some of my favorite people at McInTEC, so you can see how amazing they all are, in their own ways, and how I will miss them all.

Jason – Jason was my brother, and my friend. Jason started McInTEC last year, and it has continued to grow from the start. Jason is an amazing person, and a good person to get to know. Jason is a hard-working guy, and he still makes time for the community. Eventhough I am not around McInTEC much anymore, all of the people there are lucky to be a part of the community, and lucky to know Jason.

Scootz – Scootz was one you could always count on. Someone who was always there, day or night, and would help you with anything. When I needed help with mIRC, VB, or a PHP script, Scootz would virtually stop what he was doing to help. Scootz is an invaluable part of the McInTEC community, and an amazing person. Alike Jason, anyone would be lucky to know Scootz.

Batty – When I was up late in the vent server, Batty would always be there too. Batty is one of the most intelligent people I have ever spoken to, and a good friend to have. I remember times where Batty and I were in the Vent server at three in the morning, and he would always be active, and friendly. Batty would help me with anything from my router, to Rubik’s cube, and I am lucky to know him.

TXBrad – TXBrad is one of my best friends. Brad and I have known each other for quite a while, and I believe we met through McInTEC. TXBrad has been a friend to me, and would always listen, have good ideas, and be able to help out with anything you needed. TXBrad is another invaluable part of McInTEC, and I am lucky to know him.

JazzGuru – I remember when JazzGuru first came around McInTEC, through Ustream.tv. JazzGuru was active with McInTEC daily, and an amazing person to know, and have around. JazzGuru always has good ideas, and strong opinions. He is a person that I will always remember, now that I am not around McInTEC anymore.

Osxdude – Osxdude is a friend I still have to this day, and someone I met through McInTEC. Osxdude is a key part of Datablab today, and a fun person to be around. Osxdude always has a good idea, and is a very intelligent person to know. He can help you with almost anything, and will do it in a friendly way. I am privileged to know him, as well as everyone I have met through McInTEC.

Andrew – Andrew is someone I met a while ago, and I met him through McInTEC. Andrew is one of the most intelligent guys I have known, and, like Osxdude, can always help you with almost anything. Andrew is another key part of Datablab, and I am privileged to know him, too.

VorteX – VorteX is someone that doesn’t hang around McInTEC, but someone I met through Jason. VorteX is like an internet father-figure of sorts, and he gave me my first REAL chance as an IRC operator, and taught me so many things about IRC, I couldn’t list them all. VorteX is one of those people I don’t know where I’d be if I didn’t meet them, and I have Jason to thank for it.

These are just a key few of the many amazing people around McInTEC. Thank you, Jason, for introducing me to them all. Without Jason, I don’t know where I’d be right now.

~Sam

Hey everyone! I am in a sort-of… blogging mood today, so I figured I would post about one of my favorite IRC networks, AceIRC.

AceIRC is a friendly IRC network with trusted, and reliable staff, reliable servers, and friendly users. AceIRC currently hosts the Datablab tech community, as well as BravoFleet, and PATH. AceIRC is a friendly place to be, and a nice network for all. On Ace, you can find channels such as #Datablab, #Cellist, and #BravoFleet. AceIRC was friendly to me from the first time I connected, and when I became staff, I got to enter the family that is AceIRC. AceIRC has always treated me kindly, as I am sure it will to many users in the future! Connect to us on AceIRC at IRC.AceIRC.org.

You can find me, usually using the nickname Sam, in channels like #Cellist, #Help, #Datablab, #BravoFleet, and many others.

Come visit me, and all of the friendly people here on AceIRC!

Thanks,

~Sam