The XBox 360, Not Just for Video Games

On November 22, 2005, microsoft released the long awaited xbox 360, the next generation of its popular xbox gaming console. The xbox 360, however, goes farther than any game system that users are currently accustomed to. The XBox 360 is more like a fully functional, broadband connected entertainment gadget that appeals to gamers but is equipped to entertain the whole family.

Although smaller than the original XBox (The 360 weighs in at a mere 7.7 lbs), this version packs so many nifty features in a small package. If you also happen to own a HDTV, you will truly be able to appreciate the advanced graphics features and support for windscreen (16:9) format. Of course, the console will work on regular television as well, but the depth of the graphics will be particularly stunning on more advanced televisions. The XBOx 360 carries a ATI graphics processor and 10MB of embedded DRAM. This setup allows the XBox 360 to draw up to 500 million triangles per second for the ultimate in realistic graphics.

The XBox 360 unit also has a 12x dual layer dvd rom drive that serves the dual purpose of playing XBox games as well as ordinary DVDs. There is also additional support for surround sound audio for the ultimate home theater experience and realistic gaming.

For game save and other media storage, you can optionally purchase a 20GB external harddrive which also serves to make the XBox 360 backwards compatible with original XBox games.

The XBox 360 goes well beyond the range of gaming and video with its built-in ethernet port that allows users to connect via their broadband connection to XBox live (available in various flavors). XBox live will allow you to play live over the internet, use voice and even video chat and, of course, purchase additional goodies for your XBOx. In addition to ethernet connectivity, you can optionally purchase wireless adapters that comply with the standard wireless 802.11 protocol for integration into your existing wireless network. For other data transfer tasks, such as uploading of your digital photos, digital home movies, and music, you can use the integrated usb 2.0 port. With all of these features, it is a piece of cake to stream all of your digital files.

As you can see, the XBox 360 offers a little something for everyone. Kids can enjoy the futuristic gaming capabilities (check game ratings for age appropriateness), and Mom and Dad can enjoy the file sharing, music and video streaming, and home theater features.

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Diamonds - Color, Clarity, Carat

diamond colors are graded from letters D to Z with color grade D as the rarest. A grade D diamond is colorless. The lesser the color, the higher is the value of a diamond. Colors can filter the light and will lessen the reflected light affecting the brilliance of the diamond. Some stores offer diamond bracelets and other jewelries in fancy color. These jewelries are graded differently from the white diamonds.

Clearer diamonds are more expensive than diamonds with flaws or imperfections. Like colors, clarity of a diamond is also measured. An internally flawless diamond is rated as FL and IF while a diamond with imperfection visible to the unaided eye is rated as SI2, I1, I2 or I3.

Carat is the weight measurement for diamond. The weight is directly proportional to the size of the diamond therefore the larger the diamond, the higher the carat. It is very rare to find big sized diamonds so the value significantly rises as the size gets bigger.

Another factor to consider when buying a diamond is the grading report, diamond certificate or diamond quality document. The certificate must come from a diamond grading lab documenting the characteristics of the diamond including the four Cs. A team of gemologists prepares the report using industry tools that are designed to measure the quality of a diamond.

The diamond stone may say it all but the style and design also matters when diamond bracelets are desired. Make her stand-out among the crowd. A diamond bracelet is all she needs.

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Get Caught in the Web at a Spider - Man Birthday Party

spider-man is famous for leaping from building to building and now he can bound into your home for a spider-man birthday party. Boys of all ages long to pull on spider-mans suit and shoot webs and bound around town. Bring this home for his next birthday.

Invitations for the spider-man party can be purchased at any party supply store or can be created from home. Use the theme colors of red, black and blue card stock and draw webs on the cover. Invite the guests to party with Zach Martin and his super hero pal spider-man on July 14, 2008.

Extend this color palette of the spider-man party invitations to the decorations of the party. Again many of these items can be purchased pre made but for an inexpensive route use red, black, and blue streamers, balloons and decorations to liven up the party. Feel free to incorporate both the movies and the cartoons into the party to give the overall feel of spider-man. Take black streamers to create a spider web hanging from the wall or ceiling.

A spider-man cake can easily be made or decorated with webs and Spider-man figurines. Make sure to include his nemeses green Goblin, Scarecrow and Doc Ock as party of the cake decorations.

A terrific craft and party favor for any spider-man party would be having the guests make their own spiders. Use black napkins, pipe cleaners and googly eyes to create an easy craft that guests can take with them once the party is over.

Using some of these ideas at the next spider-man party will have all guests tied up in the web of excitement.

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