So I finally managed to get some sort of broadband to the house. Admitedly it's only a 1/2 meg but it will do for gaming and e-mail. I still have my fast pipe for downloads. Unfortunately I couldn't remember any of my old details to retrieve my gamer tag so I have a new one. Look me up if you know me.

I just got my latest geek toy this morning... A USB phono/line in adapter for my laptop so I can record direct from a mixer.

To celebrate I had to record something so here is the first mix. It's what I would call lunchtime house - nothing too demanding on the ear. There are a couple of dodgy mixes in the middle that come from trying to mess around too much. Future ones will be more professional, I promise. Tracklisting is as follows:

1. Choo Choo Project - Hazin' + Phazin' (Vocal and Original Mixes)
2. Missy Elliott - Lose Control (Jacques lu Cont dub)
3. Mylo - Drop the Pressure (Club Mix)
4. DJ Gregory - Elle (Copyright Re-edit)
5. Kathy Brown - Never Again (Classic Mix)
6. Milk & Sugar - Let the Sun Shine (Vocal Club Mix)
7. The Knowledge - As (Until the Day) (Solar Mix)
8. Daddy's Favourite - I Feel Good Things for You (Original Mix)
9. David Morales presents The Face - Needin' U (Original Mistake)
10. Audiobullys featuring Nancy Sinatra - Shot You Down (Bang Bang)

Now playing: James Snape - Mix 1

Did anyone see The Gadget Show (cached) on Friday? They managed to get access to the Microsoft campus and, in particular, look around a series of rooms designed to show a future house with integrated technology. There was some really amazing stuff, mostly voice activated and with a heavy integration of RFID. What really stood out was a lack of computer monitors – kitchen recipes appeared on the work surface, wardrobe information such as washing instructions and designer advice appeared in the mirror and the phone messages showed up in a wall tile that looked the same as the rest of the wall when not displaying anything.

It seems that the Microsoft staff were a little shy though – not a single one appeared on camera (even in the background). Maybe Robert could do something for Channel 9? Lets meet the designers and see what they have to say…

At the moment I busy with work that I can’t blog about right now. One thing I can mention is that today I placed an order for the new GTI in diamond black as shown in the picture. It’ll be here at the end of April but in the meantime, some stats for those that care about such things:

• Engine – 2.0 litre, 4 cylinder, 16 valve turbo
• Gearbox – 6 speed DSG
• Top speed - 145 mph
• Torque – 280 Nm at 1800 rpm
• Power – 197 bhp at 5100 rpm
• Acceleration – 0–60 in 6.7 secs
• Breaking – 60–0 in 34 m

 Can’t wait…

I test drove the new Golf GTI today and had about the most fun you can have in a car. It was the kind of experience that leaves you with an enormous smile for hours after. It looks awesome, the handling was excellent and the speed of the thing is astounding. For a better description from someone who knows about driving, I hope TJ will provide some content as he was with me at the time (and managed a very scary power slide around a tiny roundabout).

There is, however, only one problem with it – they can’t make them fast enough. The waiting list for new orders is already running into June. I better place my order next week.

OK, everyone else in blog-land has done this so here’s mine:

Well I've just completed the campaign and I agree with Eric Gunnerson - it's a bit of an anti-climax at the end. You just finish a level (with obligatory level boss) and you get a quick cut scene and the credits. Do let the credits run as there is a bit more video at the end though.

The game is excellent but I'm left wondering if wasn't easier than the previous version. It only took a week this time instead of two or three. Hopefully the live games can prolong the interest.

I took the next step last night - to try and connect to Xbox Live™... Not an easy problem because the router is upstairs (Xbox is downstairs), so I've bought a Wireless-G adapter. The adapter was easy to setup but connecting wasn't - reboot the router, modify the firewall, install a firmware upgrade (and panic when I then lost the internet completely).

I did manage to get connected but I think the delay on my broadband (it's via satellite) is going to cause issues. Whenever I play I get massive lag so as I move along I'll find myself back where I was a couple of seconds previously. I'm at a distinct disadvantage when going one-on-one with another player as I'll be shooting at their position 2 seconds prior.

I get two months of free trial so I'll see how things go. Hopefully everything will work OK because I guess I'll have completed the game in a few days and will need something to continue the interest. Check back in a month or so for progress.

I apologise, this blog has been a little quiet this week. The reason is that I've got a copy of Halo 2. For some reason whenever I start playing I lose about six hours. It's very immersive. I won't spoil anything but I can say I love the details:

• In a vacuum the sound changes as if your ears have 'popped'
• The sniper rifle scope (when not zoomed) shows the landscape it's pointing at
• The "story" adds to the game which is unusual for video games

Oh and I'm glad that you don't need to wait until later levels to access the cool gear like the original - the writers assume you have already played the first one.

That's all, I'm off for another six hours.

I hear there is a nasty case of flu around at the moment which is likely to hit the UK by 11th November. It's unofficially being called "Covenant Flu". If you catch it then wrap up warm and don't leave the house until the symptoms have disappeared.

The autumn TV schedules are causing me a bit of a headache. Do I watch Hex or Carnivàle, The West Wing or Stargate Atlantis (or Champions League Football), Long Way Around or Spooks? The TV companies are really battling for viewing figures this season. Something has to give...

It's time to turn to toys. I need some sort of hard disk recorder that can record the programmes that clash. As I have a Sky subscription, it's a bit of a no-brainer, it has to be a Sky+ box. They have also just released a new version with 160GB (80 hrs) storage and a subscription deal that makes it only £150 more expensive than the standard model.

A couple of clicks on a web site, Google AutoFill for the credit card details and it'll be here next Friday. Sweet.

My old digital camera was starting to lose the technology race so I've bought a new Canon Digital Ixus 500:

Sorry for the poor quality image; had to use my phone camera to take a picture of it!

I bought it at Amazon because I didn't have to leave my seat and they delivered it in 2 days. The only problem I have is the "Customers who bought this item also bought:" part of the page - it's too easy... So in addition I now have:

• 1 of: Tamrac TA5688 Sub-Compact Digital Camera Pouch
• 1 of: Canon NB1LH Spare Li-Ion rechargeable battery
• 1 of: ByteStor 1GB USB2.0 Flash Pen drive
• 1 of: ByteStor Compact Flash Card USB Reader
• 1 of: ByteStor 1GB High speed Compact flash

I couldn't resist this when I saw it in the shop... Maybe I can use it as a stand in at meetings? But then again I feel the need to keep it in its box as it looks kind of geekier there... I took a few more pictures too.

If you squint hard I reckon it looks a little like like Robert Scoble. In fact, if you look at the notebook that comes with it the task bar is unmistakably Windows but there was no tablet pen supplied so I guess it can't be him after all...

My latest gadget arrived today - a Wi-Fi Seeker. It's a key chain sized device for detecting wireless 802.11b and g networks. Just point and push the button, the lights tell you if there is a signal and how strong it is.

It managed to point out the access points in the office and also my internet provider at home (I have wireless broadband as I'm too far from the exchange for ADSL). I reckon it works pretty well.

As for it's usefulness, we'll have to see. But that isn't the point - you have geek toys "just because you can".

My new toy arrived today. A Toshiba Portege M200. Now if I can just get the TechEd fee paid I'll be sorted for next week.