All Your Base Are Belong To Us — The Kip Lange Homepage

Seen Don Shula’s remarks about the Patriots? That they should have an asterisk placed next to them in the record books if the run the table and go 19-0 this year (he’s tried to back off a little since he made the remark)?

I love what Tedy Bruschi had to say about it:

“If someone questions your integrity, if someone questions who you are, if someone questions the organization you’ve been a part of ever since you walked into the league, would it upset you?” linebacker Tedy Bruschi [stats] asked. “So yes, it does upset me. I can’t control how people feel about it. I can’t control what comes out of their mouths. I only control what I do out there and what we do as a defense and what we do as a team. We keep winning and playing hard. If they want to keep saying those things, maybe we just need to play a little bit harder.”

Hehe. The Spygate thing, here in New England? We love it. Let these guys pile it on. Because it motivates the Pats more and more to beat the heck out of teams to prove they’re the real deal. Which they most certainly are.

However, I’d like to add that I think that if the Pats do go 19-0, Don Shula’s precious geriatric 1972 Dolphins team should have an asterisk placed next to it, because they only went 16-0.

The “fabled” 1972 Dolphins also only played two teams with a record over .500 that season. Kansas City and the New York Giants, both of whom ended up with the unbelievable records of 8-6.

In addition, I believe the Dolphins were fined a first-round pick…for hiring Shula, there were some shennigans that went on there.

Also, those evil Patriots who run up the score, they’re nothing like the 1972 Dolphins, I suppose, who on 11/12/72 beat New England…52-0

So Shula should stick to yelling at kids to get out of his yard and shut his trap about football and asterisks.

Let’s also not forget that taping a team’s signals is not illegal. It’s not what the Pats got in trouble for. You can tape a team’s signals. Yes, you can. You can do it from the booth. Every NFL team does it. But you can’t have a cameraman on the opposing sideline do it. That’s the only infraction we’re talking about here.

I think the NutriSystem has finally driven Shula insane, myself.

Okay, I’m going to break my vow of silence on things political for a moment. I wrote this a while ago, but it’s still very relevant…

WE UNHAPPY FEW

I’m the only one I personally know who wants to win the war in Iraq.

What of us, we band of brothers, we unhappy few who do support this war? Who find it repellent, as all wars are, but also recognize the clear and present danger Iraq still presents in one of the world’s most volatile regions? Our opinions are discounted. The debate, according to my Gen-X peers, is over, and we have already lost.

If this attitude wins, we have already lost.

The number of war supporters has shrunk dramatically as too many Americans press the snooze button on the terrorism alarm. For the remaining supporters, it’s now a world of whispers and long silences when people ask us our opinion — nobody really wants it. At social functions, I clam up so self-consciously that it’s almost physically painful. I don’t want to get up on the stump and wave the bloody shirt, but being surrounded by people who assume you must agree with them in your heart of hearts when you don’t is a decidedly unpleasant feeling.

I’m a political pariah. My liberal friends, over ten years out of college now, sometimes seem as if they were trapped in amber the first time their Political Science 101 professor warned them of that creeping evil that is known as the conservative. And though they “support the troops”, when they speak of setbacks and casualties, their eyes light up with a feral intensity. They want Uncle Sam’s nose bloodied. They’d actually enjoy defeat. Those of us who support the war are regarded as some sort of annoying rash to be treated with a topical Political Correctness cream. It is all too obvious that many of my fellow Gen-Xers have never had occasion to learn what earlier generations of Americans knew in their bones: Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. But that message, taught to me by my parents, wasn’t lost on me — something for which I am eternally grateful, even as my peers regard it as pitiful: what a shame it was he attended U.C. Berkeley and escaped without the proud badge of liberal guilt!

My friends interminably explain where I went wrong. And after scratching that itch, they can’t fathom its return; why I refuse to budge. They wonder if I’m a dangerous infection – while ignoring the diseased insanity of radical Islam.

Conservative defectors I know mostly concur that it’s time to withdraw and let the sects sort themselves out, no matter what the price in blood. They echo the sentiments of House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey: “The only hope for the Iraqis is their own damned government, and there’s slim hope for that.”

Yet there is so much hope.

The war is treated in tragically American fashion; “Hurry up!” we shout, as if operations in Iraq were a frozen dinner that should take less than five minutes to microwave. Yet to withdraw prematurely from Iraq is to lose. America toppled a bloodthirsty dictator – and made him pay for his grievous crimes against humanity. We forged an interim government – shaky, yet it’s there. Surely these are good things. But winning means stabilizing Iraq before we leave and preventing genocide afterward. Is that a day or decade away? Unknowable. What we do know — or should — is that this war is a crucial test of our resolve in the international terrorism arena. This is a war that is necessary, a war that could have a profound positive effect – if we steel ourselves and win it.

There is no quick fix. Consider post-WW II Japan and Germany. How did those countries fare when they lay merciless at the hands of America? We would not even accept their defeat, because we are American, and we are a good people. We – as much as the defeatists hate this phrase – stayed the course. Indeed, we are still in Japan and Germany, and both would be in a shambles had we not labored for years to help them recover.

But the clarity needed to understand that this a just war and a war we must win is being systematically bled from the populace. Detractors rush us, like Orwell’s Winston Smith, into Room 101 in order to re-educate us; to hammer into our skulls that good is evil, evil is good; that war is never necessary. That two plus two equals five. Yet true freedom is the freedom to say:

My name is Kip Lange, and I support the war in Iraq.

Okay. So I went to the dentist for a checkup for like the first time in about eight years. I’m going to have to have my other wisdom tooth extracted; no big deal there.

The big deal is that I have around thirty-one cavities. The dentist came in the end, took my hand in a firm handshake, looked at me, and said, “I will rebuild it for you. I will rebuild it. But you must come to the appointments. I will rebuild it.”

Made me feel like the Six Million Dollar Man.

And then I had to make eight dental appointments.

Kids, don’t drink so much Coke (or snort it, either, for that matter), and for God’s sake, go to the dentist every six months or so, or you’re gonna end up like me.

But I will be rebuilt.

Heh.

If you’re using an older browser, the sidebar may, in some instances, get pushed all the way to the bottom of the page.

I could fix this if I really wanted, but it doesn’t show up in the later browser versions, and I’m not that bored yet.

It occurs when I post a long, continous thing, like a long link, or one really long word. It stretches the post out past where the sidebar should be and shunts the sidebar to the bottom.

So get a newer browser if that’s happening to you. 🙂

’nuff said.

HOMEFIELD ADVANTAGE!

Okay, folks, the third Madden roster update (along with a couple of patches to improve on and offline gameplay) has been released. Here is a list of the changes in the third update (I’m a little a late on this, sorry, it was released October 4th — better late than never, I guess):

(side note — EA seems to be on the ball this year with updates, I gotta say)

Transactions

S Will Demps – Signs with Texans
C Chukky Okobi – Signs with Cardinals
CB Anthony Madison – Released by Bucs
CB Sammy Davis – Signs with Bucs
DE Bryce Fisher – Traded to Titans
QB Charlie Frye – Traded to Seahawks
TE Michael Gaines – Signs with Bills
T Todd Steussie – Released by Rams
T Patrick Estes – Released by 49ers
DT Attiyah Ellison – Signs with 49ers
LB Johnny Baldwin – Signs with Chiefs
LB Wesly Mallard – Released by Broncos
LB Buster Davis – Signs with Lions
DT Russell Davis – Released by Seahawks
T Rashad Butler – Signs with Texans
LB Jordan Beck – Released by Falcons
K Justin Medlock – Released by Chiefs
K Dave Rayner – Signed by Chiefs
G Tutan Reyes – Released by Jaguars
WR Reche Caldwell – Signed by Redskins
DT Ed Johnson – Added to Colts
HB Pierre Thomas – Added to Saints
K Billy Cundiff – Released by Falcons
DE Copeland Bryan – Added to Bills
S Bryan Scott – Signs with Bills
LB Jamie Winborn – Added to Broncos
QB Ken Dorsey – Added to Browns
DE Greg White – Added to Bucs
WR David Boston – Released by Bucs
WR Mark Jones – Signs with Bucs
HB Luke Lawton – Added to Colts
DT Antonio Garay – Added to Bears
K Morten Andersen – Signs with Falcons
TE Delanie Walker – Added to 49ers
FB Madison Hedgecock – Released by Rams/Signed by Giants
T Adam Koets – Added to Giants
DE Brent Hawkins – Added to Jaguars
LB Nick Greisen – Released by Jaguars
DT Russell Davis – Signs with Giants
DE Mike Devito – Added to Jets
WR Wallace Wright – Added to Jets
LB Anthony Cannon – Added to Lions
CB Tony Beckham – Added to Lions
C Nick Leckey – Released by Cardinals
CB Tramon Williams – Added to Packers
HB Ryan Grant – Added to Packers
FB John Kuhn – Added to Packers
WR Carlyle Holiday – Removed from Packers (Injury)
CB Curtis Deloatch – Signs with Panthers
LT Frank Omiyale – Signs with Panthers
TE Christian Fauria – Signs with Panthers
CB Dante Wesley – Removed from Panthers (Injury)
RT Mark Wilson – Added to Raiders
FS Hiram Eugene – Added to Raiders
FB Richard Owens – Signs with Rams
HB Cory Ross – Added to Ravens
DE Edgar Jones – Added to Ravens
S Omar Stoutmire – Signs with Redskins
DE Anton Palepoi – Released by Saints
DE Josh Cooper – Added to Saints
DT Ellis Wyms – Signs with Seahawks
CB Allen Rossum – Signs with Steelers
DT Jesse Mahelona – Released by Titans
FS Vincent Fuller – Added to Titans
C Eugene Amano – Added to Titans
QB Byron Leftwich – Signs with Falcons
DT Tank Johnson – Signs with Cowboys
LB Andre Frazier – Released by Bengals
LB Dhani Jones – Signs with Bengals
G Will Montgomery – Signs with Jets
LG Rick MeMulling – Signs with Redskins
FS Jamaal Fudge – Added to Jaguars
LE Andre Coleman – Added to Chargers
RE Chris Wilson – Added to Redskins
WR Shaun Bodiford – Signs with Packers

Ratings Up

LB Rob Morris – 81 to 83 OVR
LB Freddie Keiaho – 73 to 75 OVR
HB Marion Barber – 86 to 87 OVR
HB Derrick Ward – 72 to 77 OVR
DE Cullen Jenkins – 84 to 86 OVR
LB Nick Barnett – 88 to 90 OVR
DT Johnny Jolly – 73 to 77 OVR
SS Atari Bigby – 71 to 73 OVR
DE Juqua Thomas – 72 to 78 OVR
SS Sean Considine – 83 to 85 OVR
WR Jason Avant – 70 to 73 OVR
FS Jim Leonhard – 67 to 71 OVR
CB Dre Bly – 90 to 92 OVR
TE Jeff King – 77 to 79 OVR
WR Lance Moore – 71 to 73 OVR
WR Glenn Holt – 66 to 68 OVR
WR Roscoe Parrish – 69 to 73 OVR
FS Jim Leonhard – 71 to 76 OVR
DT Amon Gordon – 69 to 73 OVR
HB Travis Henry – 88 to 89 OVR
DE Elvis Dumervil – 79 to 81 OVR
WR Brandon Marshall – 80 to 82 OVR
HB Jamal Lewis – 84 to 86 OVR
WR Josh Cribbs – 62 to 64 OVR
QB Derek Anderson – 78 to 79 OVR
LB Barrett Rudd – 80 to 82 OVR
WR Ike Hilliard – 76 to 80 OVR
DT Darnell Dockett – 85 to 86 OVR
DE Antonio Smith – 74 to 78 OVR
LT Mike Gandy – 80 to 82 OVR
LB Gerald Hayes – 82 to 83 OVR
LB Stephen Cooper – 74 to 77 OVR
LB Napoleon Harris – 78 to 80 OVR
DT Alphonso Boone – 75 to 78 OVR
FS Bob Sanders – 96 to 97 OVR
LG Ryan Lilja – 87 to 89 OVR
RG Jake Scott – 88 to 91 OVR
RT Ryan Diem – 91 to 93 OVR
LB Freddie Keiaho – 75 to 79 OVR
QB Tony Romo – 84 to 89 OVR
P Brandon Fields – 67 to 74 OVR
C Jamaal Jackson – 84 to 86 OVR
LB Omar Gaither – 81 to 82 OVR
LB Rocky McIntosh – 78 to 81 OVR
HB Artose Pinner – 68 to 70 OVR
LB Stephen Nicolas – 68 to 70 OVR
WR Roddy White – 74 to 75 OVR
DT Aubrayo Franklin – 75 to 79 OVR
DT Isaac Sopoaga – 74 to 78 OVR
DE Bryant Young – 86 to 88 OVR
LB Manny Lawson – 78 to 81 OVR
LB Patrick Willis – 84 to 85 OVR
DE Marques Douglas – 80 to 82 OVR
DE Justin Tuck – 70 to 75 OVR
LG Rich Seubert – 84 to 87 OVR
LT David Diehl – 84 to 88 OVR
RG Chris Snee – 92 to 94 OVR
WR Plaxico Burress – 90 to 92 OVR
C Dennis Norman – 63 to 67 OVR
DT Marcus Stroud – 94 to 95 OVR
WR Dennis Northcutt – 77 to 78 OVR
MLB Mike Peterson – 92 to 93 OVR
CB David Barrett – 75 to 76 OVR
DE Kenyon Coleman – 76 to 79 OVR
WR Calvin Johnson – 88 to 89 OVR
DT Shaun Rogers – 94 to 96 OVR
HB DeShawn Wynn – 72 to 73 OVR
WR James Jones – 75 to 78 OVR
TE Donald Lee – 77 to 78 OVR
SS Atari Bigby – 73 to 75 OVR
C Dan Koppen – 87 to 90 OVR
HB Sammy Morris – 78 to 79 OVR
WR Randy Moss – 93 to 97 OVR
WR Wes Welker – 83 to 86 OVR
RT Nick Kaczur – 81 to 82 OVR
RG Stephen Neal – 87 to 89 OVR
LG Logan Mankins – 92 to 94 OVR
LT Matt Light – 91 to 94 OVR
DT Vince Wilfork – 92 to 93 OVR
DE Ty Warren – 89 to 90 OVR
DE Jarvis Green – 79 to 82 OVR
ROLB Rosevelt Colvin – 85 to 87 OVR
QB Tom Brady – 98 to 99 OVR
WR Ronald Curry – 79 to 80 OVR
RT Cornell Green – 75 to 77 OVR
RG Cooper Carlisle – 80 to 84 OVR
MLB Kirk Morrison – 88 to 90 OVR
ROLB Thomas Howard – 82 to 85 OVR
WR Terrell Owens – 94 to 97 OVR
C Brett Romberg – 68 to 72 OVR
DT Cliff Ryan – 67 to 69 OVR
LB Brandon Chillar – 73 to 75 OVR
HB Musa Smith – 76 to 77 OVR
LE Dwan Edwards – 66 to 68 OVR
LOLB Jarret Johnson – 77 to 80 OVR
RE Haloti Ngata – 82 to 84 OVR
P Derrick Frost – 76 to 80 OVR
MLB Lofa Tatupu – 94 to 95 OVR
HB Najeh Davenport – 77 to 79 OVR
ROLB James Harrison – 73 to 83 OVR
MLB James Farrior – 93 to 94 OVR
CB Deshea Townsend – 84 to 85 OVR
RT Willie Colon – 70 to 75 OVR
WR Santonio Holmes – 81 to 82 OVR
WR Roydell Williams – 67 to 70 OVR
CB Cortland Finnegan – 73 to 79 OVR
DT Tony Brown – 73 to 77 OVR
K Rob Bironas – 82 to 85 OVR
LE Antwan Odom – 75 to 78 OVR
LT Michael Roos – 82 to 84 OVR
MLB Ryan Fowler – 72 to 75 OVR
RG Benji Olson – 91 to 93 OVR
RT David Stewart – 76 to 80 OVR
LG Jacob Bell – 87 to 89 OVR
ROLB Chad Greenway – 79 to 81 OVR
QB Matt Schaub – 83 to 84 OVR
RG Fred Weary – 77 to 78 OVR
CB Charles Tillman – 91 to 92 OVR
DT Tommie Harris – 97 to 98 OVR
DE Mark Anderson – 85 to 86 OVR
HB Kenny Watson – 73 to 77 OVR
MLB John DiGiorgio – 67 to 70 OVR
WR Brandon Marshall – 82 to 83 OVR
DT Amon Gordon – 73 to 77 OVR
DE Elvis Dumervil – 81 to 83 OVR
WR Braylon Edwards – 86 to 87 OVR
MLB Leon Williams – 74 to 76 OVR
QB Jeff Garcia – 84 to 86 OVR
HB Earnest Graham – 72 to 74 OVR
MLB Barrett Ruud – 82 to 84 OVR
MLB Gerald Hayes – 83 to 84 OVR
DT Darnell Dockett – 86 to 87 OVR
HB Edgerrin James – 91 to 93 OVR
DT Gabe Watson – 73 to 76 OVR
LB Shaun Phillips – 86 to 88 OVR
WR Vincent Jackson – 81 to 84 OVR
TE Antonio Gates – 98 to 99 OVR
SS Antoine Bethea – 85 to 86 OVR
HB Marion Barber – 87 to 88 OVR
LG Kyle Kosier – 85 to 87 OVR
TE Jason Witten – 92 to 93 OVR
K Nick Folk – 71 to 76 OVR
RG Leonard Davis – 90 to 92 OVR
HB Brian Westbrook – 94 to 95 OVR
WR Kevin Curtis – 81 to 83 OVR
DE Trent Cole – 82 to 85 OVR
C Jamaal Jackson – 86 to 88 OVR
WR Roddy White – 75 to 78 OVR
HB Fred Taylor – 89 to 90 OVR
SS Sammy Knight – 74 to 83 OVR
QB David Garrard – 82 to 83 OVR
MLB Mike Peterson – 93 to 94 OVR
WR Shaun McDonald – 70 to 74 OVR
QB Brett Favre – 89 to 90 OVR
LE Aaron Kampman – 94 to 95 OVR
C Justin Hartwig – 82 to 84 OVR
RG Jeremy Bridges – 81 to 84 OVR
C Jeremy Newberry – 83 to 84 OVR
CB Stanford Routt – 68 to 77 OVR
HB LaMont Jordan – 83 to 85 OVR
ROLB Thomas Howard – 85 to 86 OVR
LOLB Brandon Chillar – 75 to 77 OVR
K Matt Stover – 94 to 96 OVR
CB Kelly Jennings – 78 to 80 OVR
HB Willie Parker – 89 to 90 OVR
HB Adrian Peterson – 87 to 88 OVR
ROLB Chad Greenway – 81 to 83 OVR
MLB E.J. Henderson – 84 to 85 OVR
DT Amobi Okoye – 79 to 80 OVR
FS Von Hutchins – 76 to 79 OVR
FS C.C. Brown – 71 to 75 OVR
MLB DeMeco Ryans – 88 to 89 OVR
WR Andre Davis – 67 to 70 OVR
QB Vince Young – 87 to 88 OVR
DT Albert Haynesworth – 85 to 87 OVR

Ratings Down

HB Carnell Williams – 88 to 87 OVR
DT Justin Harrell – 78 to 76 OVR
FS Nick Collins – 80 to 79 OVR
CB Paul Oliver – 76 to 73 OVR
LB Joey Porter – 93 to 92 OVR
G Chris Liwienski – 82 to 79 OVR
G Rex Hadnot – 84 to 82 OVR
T L.J. Shelton – 83 to 78 OVR
T Vernon Carey – 84 to 81 OVR
HB Reuben Droughns – 80 to 75 OVR
S Gibril Wilson – 89 to 86 OVR
WR D.J. Hackett – 82 to 78 OVR
QB Rex Grossman – 84 to 83 OVR
CB Ricky Manning – 86 to 84 OVR
CB Leon Hall – 80 to 78 OVR
DE Tim Crowder – 78 to 77 OVR
FS Will Allen – 80 to 78 OVR
LG Anthony Davis – 82 to 78 OVR
DE Gaines Adams – 84 to 82 OVR
CB Antrel Rolle – 84 to 82 OVR
DE Bertrand Berry – 92 to 90 OVR
DT Quinn Pitcock – 75 to 69 OVR
DT Dan Klecko – 77 to 73 OVR
CB Chris Houston – 80 to 77 OVR
CB Corey Webster – 80 to 78 OVR
DE Michael Strahan – 94 to 92 OVR
CB Aaron Ross – 80 to 79 OVR
LB Kawika Mitchell – 85 to 80 OVR
DE Reggie Hayward – 88 to 86 OVR
WR Dwayne Jarrett – 77 to 76 OVR
WR Drew Carter – 70 to 72 OVR
CB Tory James – 85 to 83 OVR
WR Donte Stallworth – 84 to 82 OVR
C Andy McCollum – 82 to 76 OVR
WR Brandon Lloyd – 78 to 73 OVR
WR Devery Henderson – 82 to 80 OVR
WR Terrance Copper – 76 to 73 OVR
FB Dan Kreider – 93 to 88 OVR
LB Lawrence Timmons – 80 to 77 OVR
RT Max Starks – 83 to 79 OVR
WR Paul Williams – 70 to 65 OVR
CB Kelly Herndon – 80 to 78 OVR
DT Randy Starks – 79 to 75 OVR
P Craig Hentrich – 85 to 83 OVR
LOLB Rufus Alexander – 73 to 68 OVR
WR Sidney Rice – 78 to 76 OVR
C Mike Flanagan – 87 to 82 OVR
TE Daniel Graham – 88 to 86 OVR
WR Ted Ginn – 79 to 77 OVR
DE Jevon Kearse – 88 to 86 OVR
WR Reggie Williams – 78 to 77 OVR
WR Mike Walker – 74 to 71 OVR
FS Nick Collins – 79 to 78 OVR
CB Ken Lucas – 88 to 86 OVR
CB Fabian Washington – 85 to 83 OVR
HB Michael Bush – 78 to 75 OVR
FS Brian Dawkins – 97 to 96 OVR
DT Corey Simon – 83 to 81 OVR

Injuries

LB Michael Okwo (Bears) IR – Shoulder
T Orlando Pace (Rams) IR – Shoulder
S Yeremiah Bell (Dolphins) IR – Achilles
DT Dusty Dvoracek (Bears) IR – Knee
S Mike Brown (Bears) IR – Knee
T Jon Jansen (Redskins) IR – Ankle
S Jason Simmons (Texans) IR – Knee
DT Jason Ferguson (Cowboys) IR – Bicep
S Ko Simpson (Bills) IR – Ankle
CB Jason Webster (Bills) IR – Forearm
DT William Joseph (Giants) IR – Back
WR Chansi Stuckey (Jets) IR – Foot
CB Justin Miller (Jets) IR – Knee
CB B.J. Sams (Ravens) IR – Knee
TE Mark Campbell (Saints) IR – Back
FS Nate Salley (Panthers) IR – Knee
DE Adrian Awasom (Giants) IR – Back
LB Manny Lawson (49ers) IR – Knee
SS Gerald Sensabaugh (Jaguars) IR – Shoulder
MLB Paul Posluszny (Bills) IR – Forearm

Contracts

DT Pat Williams (Vikings) – 3 year extension
TE Chris Cooley (Redskins) – 6 year extension
QB Kyle Boller (Ravens) – 1 year extension
P Nick Harris (Lions) – 5 year extension
QB JaMarcus Russell (Raiders) – 6 year contract
G Brandon Moore (Jets) – 3 year extension
DB Jordan Babineaux (Seahawks) – 5 year extension
DT Tony Brown (Titans) – 2 year extension

Weapons

HB Brian Westbrook (Eagles) – Becomes Speed Weapon
HB Willie Parker (Steelers) – Loses Speed Weapon
CB Walt Harris (49ers) – Loses Smart Corner
HB Edgerrin James (Cardinals) – Becomes Trucking Weapon
HB Marion Barber (Cowboys) – Becomes Trucking Weapon
QB Tony Romo (Cowboys) – Becomes Accurate QB
WR Kevin Curtis (Eagles) – Becomes Speed Weapon
DT Albert Haynesworth (Titans) – Becomes Power Move Weapon

Well, given the fact that Comcast, my ISP, has stepped across the line and violated the Net Neutrality principle, I feel I should spread a little news about how to keep Comcast’s nose out of your business in the first place.

What you need to do is get your hands on a copy of Peerguardian 2.

First, remember that what Comcast is going after is basically Bittorrent. With a vengeance. Other P2P programs don’t offer the kind of power that Bittorrent does, and that scares the crap out of Comcast.

Now, the bad news. Peerguardian 2 does not support Winodows Vista yet. So if you got Vista, I’m sorry, but you’re shit out of luck for the moment.

What Peerguardian does — for everyone who can use it — is update itself with lists (which you can customize, add to, remove, etc.) of known IPs that are out there to scam, hamper, or eavesdrop on P2P transfers. You turn it on, it tunes out the bad IPs. This makes the problem of fake files a lot less of an issue, but it also gives you a degree of anonymity.

Now, if you use Comcast, they’re your ISP, so they may be able to get around Peerguardian problems. But it would take some serious work, and, in my experience, the one thing any Comcast employee is strictly against is any form of hard work.

So download Peerguardian at http://phoenixlabs.org/pg2/. Follow the instructions. Add the main Peerguardian block list and any other good block lists you can find.

This should keep Comcast from snooping around you so badly. No guarantee, of course, they could still sneak it, but using PG2 is a big step towards making yourself truly anonymous during P2P file downloads.

Also, note: Comcast is more interested in what you’re uploading than what you’re downloading. Now, unfortunately, if it weren’t for people who uploaded files, using the honor system of P2P, they’re be nothing to download at all. So share if you can, don’t leech. That’s all I ask.

…it is to be a New England sports fan today.

Ahhhhhh.

This isn’t even a contest, in my opinion.

Let’s get this out of the way first: both games look great. Both games go up to 1080p (which is way overrated but whatever). Then again, if you’re looking for the best-looking game for the PS3 (did you think I was talking about the XBotch?), go for SCEA’s NBA ’08. Of course, NBA ’08 is nothing but a dunkfest, and the gameplay is horrible, so scratch it off your list immediately.

There’s only one pertinent question here, and that is, do you want a basketball game that plays like an arcade game, or do you want a basketball game that plays more true to the game, like a simulation?

If you want arcade-style play (dunks and whatnot), go with EA’s NBA Live ’08. If you want a simulation-style game, go with NBA 2K8.

Frankly, in my opinion, there’s no contest. NBA 2K8 is a clear winner. Of course, everything in NBA Live ’08 is in 60 FPS, while NBA 2K8 will sometimes drop lower — never in gameplay, but in instant-replay sometimes, things like that. Gameplay is a smooth 60 FPS the whole way.

I originally bought NBA Live ’08, spent about three hours playing it, and immediatley took it to Gamestop, traded it in, and got myself NBA 2K8 and have been playing that happily ever since.

Go NBA 2K8. So sayeth the Kip.

Okay, the first thing you need to do to be able to trick your iPhone into playing custom ringtones that aren’t from iTunes (screw you, Steve Jobs), is to get the program iPhoneBrowser or the equivalent (iPhoneBrowser is for Windows, there are plenty for Macs, just look around). You do not need to “jailbreak” your phone, don’t worry. This will not void your warranty.

I think you can get iPhoneBrowser from here: http://code.google.com/p/iphonebrowser/downloads/list. Make sure you put it in the right directory, though, or it won’t work (needs to be in bin directory of the Apple Mobile Device folder, I believe, just read the instructions).

Now, use the following method to get those custom ringtones on your iPhone: http://modmyiphone.com/wiki/index.php/Free_Custom_Ringtones_on_iPhone_1.1.1

** IMPORTANT NOTE ** — There is a link from that page that will tell you how to keep your custom ringtones from disappearing. Unfortunately, to do it, I believe you have to have your iPhone “jailbroken” (wide open firmware-wise) which will void your warranty if you’re not extremely careful. Maybe will void your warranty, period, I don’t know if you can truly “unjailbreak” an iPhone. If you don’t want to jailbreak your phone, which I don’t, either, you just have to keep a copy of your modified Ringtone.plist file somewhere on your computer and copy it to your iPhone using iPhoneBrowser or the equivalent after every sync. It’s not as hard as it sounds, trust me — NONE of this is as hard as it sounds or seems. It’s really very, very easy.

Anyway, I hope this helps some people out. I think it’s crazy that Apple insists you buy off of iTunes in order to be able to convert a song or sound into a ringtone. Come on, Apple, get with the program, this is the kind of trick Microsoft pulls, not you.

Happy hacking…