1UP staff remembered Game Boy Advance - 1UP.com

We're all looking forward to the launch of Nintendo 3DS this weekend, but the timing of the system is an interesting coincidence: It falls within a week of the Japanese debut of the system's "grandfather," the Game Boy Advance. The 3DS is pretty clearly derived from the the DS, which was initially presented as an alternative to the Game Boy rather than a replacement. But Nintendo retired the GBA a couple of years ago, and it's pretty clear that the Game Boy line -- which kept the company in the black for a decade and a half -- has been retired, never again to see the light of day. The GBA, we're sorry to say, was the end of that particular family tree.

In retrospect, the GBA fits somewhat oddly into the history of Nintendo systems -- a fact reflected by its unusually short lifespan. The GBA was barely around for more than three years before the DS arrived; Nintendo's hand was likely forced by Sony's announcement of the PSP, which made the GBA -- essentially a portable Super NES -- look painfully dated. Nintendo kept the GBA on life support for a while longer with a few interesting games and the so-tiny-it-was-cool Game Boy Micro, but once it became clear that the DS was a hit, the GBA was dropped with a quickness.

When it launched in 2001, the GBA had been a long, long time coming. Rumors of a 32-bit portable Nintendo handheld were circulated as early as 1996, and in fact a prototype of that system -- a huge, chunky box called Project Atlantis -- was shown off at Game Developers Conference 2009. The enduring popularity of the original 8-bit, four-color Game Boy (thanks largely to Pok?mon) allowed Nintendo to hold off on launching the GBA until it could be produced cheaply and in a far more compact form. In fact, both the Game Boy Micro and folding Game Boy Advance SP represent two of the most compact portable systems ever made: small, sturdy, simple, and fun.

The SP also addressed the single most crippling flaw of the original Game Boy hardware: the screen lacked any sort of integral light and was, frankly, awful. In fact, the dimness of the screen was memorably lampooned by Penny Arcade and, more famously, addressed by enterprising hardware hackers, who created an aftermarket mod called Portable Monopoly (later renamed Afterburner after the owners of the Monopoly board game bitched about trademark violations). And even the SP bungled things; Nintendo may have added a light, but they forced people to buy an adapter in order to use headphones.

But despite its design flaws, and even if it goes down in history as a sidenote -- a momentary distraction between the classic age of Game Boy and the blue ocean of DS -- it was crammed with great games. And perhaps more importantly, it's where Nintendo perfected its tricks. Annual incremental hardware updates? Yep, the SP opened the door for moderate tweaks and a far greater array of collectible colors than the company could possibly have dreamed in the Play It Loud days. Selling our memories back to us at a premium? Absolutely: the NES Classics series proved to Nintendo that it could rake in a fortune with imperfect ports of 20-year-old games sold for the cost of some new releases. Yeah, the GBA was quintessential Nintendo, for better or for worse. But considering it gave us games like Boktai, Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow, WarioWare, Ninja Five-O, Mega Man Zero, and more... well, it's hard to be bitter, you know?

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California closets encourages owners to get organized on the National course... - PR Newswire (press release)

SAN RAFAEL, California, March 22, 2011/PRNewswire /-it is spring cleaning week and cupboards of California ®, the leader in custom home storage solutions and an authority in the design, encourages owners everywhere to take part in this week as a way of clutter in their homes and finally to relieve the stress in their lives daily.  Investigation on of a recent California closets owners shows that people have the desire to organize, but don't know what direction to take to achieve effective and sustainable results.  In fact, 38% of women said that after having organized their wardrobe on their own, it remains only well organised for three months. Taking a few small steps the national week of spring cleaning, it is possible to make sustainable changes that will free up the time to enjoy the coming months.

"True organization is an art and a science." If you simply rearrange, congestion will return a month later. do it right, and you'll have organizational bliss, said Ginny Snook Scott, the closets of California Organization Chief Officer.  "National spring cleaning week is a great motivator to retrieve your persistent mess House." Better yet, you are not alone.  In our investigation, we found that more than half of women have hold on their list of tasks, and we want remind that week to make it. »

"Many people are afraid of being labeled as" hoarders ", as given on the reality shows, but the majority of women (53%) is actually defined as"romantic"- they have poorly to let go of something memorable concert to the art of kids tickets ' favourite clothing which is more appropriate articles.  The best response is not garbage bags, but the best systems of organization; There should be a home perfect for everything in your home.  Real organization can save four weeks per year of the research of things and will under stress.  Our investigation confirmed this; in fact, 43% of women said better organization would improve their lives by making them feel relaxed and in control.

Survey of California closets, women have been split with what they wanted more organized.  While the clothes closet was the most popular space among women (28%), the kitchen pantry (26%) was a second close and the Office at home (22%) was also not far behind. Unsurprisingly, most men (34%) are interested in the organization before garage to other parts of the House.  Anywhere starts organization - to tackle parts or drawer by drawer spring cleaning - reality will match your imagination-eventually.Custom storage solutions immediately create better life situations with great emotional benefits. However, there are some basic tips and tricks that are easy to integrate, regardless of the space:

Rooms closet:  When organizing a clothing closet, place hangers back and return the elements of the closet with the hanger to the front.  After six months, remove clothing not focused and store it elsewhere or give to a charity.  Home Office:  Create and label correctly hanging of files that can be easily accessible to store receipts, invoices, receipts and other loose materials in order to avoid accumulation not desired paper on desks and counters.Kitchen: Store the preserved and spices on their side in drawers to prevent "Food Museum" at the rear of the Cabinet.  This also helps avoid buying duplicate of foods and spices that were lost in the back. Kid room: Make sure that stems and shelves are low enough to achieve; an adjustable system will change with the needs of the child growing up. Garage: Use of containers, racks, baskets and the wall hooks to keep the content of garage at the coast of the floor for safety and ease of access.

Most people don't realize that a crowded House means a better valued House.  Potential buyers are serious storage space, with more than half (53%) wanting a walk-in closet in the master suite.  95 per cent of respondents said closet space is important or very important when searching for a House.  And custom solutions organization not only resolve the frustration of disorganization of today, but are an investment that adds to the resale value of the House when the time comes to sell.

For spring more cleaning advice and information on our survey, visit the California closets Blog and connect with the community of California closets on Facebook or Twitter.

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CDEC to celebrate the inauguration of the AZAHAR PLACE with a ceremony on March 22 - Ventura County Star

The Economic Development Corporation of Cabrillo (CEDC) will celebrate the inauguration of a new development in Ventura is called "Place azahar", March 22 (Tuesday) at 10 p.m. Place Azahar is a community under development by the CEDC will be 60 homes for affordable rental housing for residents with low income when it is completed in may 2012. Location of Azahar is located at the intersection of the Parkway citrus and Peach Avenue in the city of Ventura.

Plan General Ventura, adopted in August 2005, calls for the development of individual community plans for each of the many neighborhoods of the city of the policy of setting the character, building form and types, streets, green and parking spaces. Azahar is the first development of fill since the adoption of the Code by the city of Ventura and Plan of the community of Saticoy wells in 2009. The new complex will be part of the Place Citrus Master Plan to be total 23.4 acres. Ultimately, the Master Plan will include houses townhouses, condominiums and a two acre public park. Location of Azahar is located on a parcel of rectangular shape, 5.13 acres with primary access for the reader to citrus.

Location of Azahar will provide 30 rental units for general occupation and 30 houses for the families of agricultural workers, who earn about 26 000 $ 52,000 $ for a family of four. Rent will range between approximately 419 $ $1,100 depending on family income. General occupation apartments will be available to rent for families earning 60 percent of area median income (AMI) and agricultural workers apartments will be rented to families who earn 30%, 35%, 50% and 60% AMI. Property and asset management professional team the CEDC, to manage the property when it is finished.

"From our study of market for the project, there is an application of 2,628 apartments for low income in the city of Ventura." Our project will provide 60 of them, "says Dan Hardy, project manager and Coordinator for the development of the new community. "This will be third affordable CEDC Ventura and second rental development.". We are pleased to have established a partnership with the city and many other organizations to realize this new beautiful community. Studies show that families who have decent, safe and affordable places to live thrive in their communities. »

Azahar Place will consist of 18 residential buildings and a strengthening of the community. One bedroom units will be designed as apartments with an adjoining car. All other types of unit will be designed as two units of style townhouse with two cars story attached. The project will consist of 4 units of a House at sunset, 15 units of two bedrooms, 35 three bedroom units, 5 units of four-bedroom and three bedroom unit for on-site property manager. Amenities include site attached. private patio areas 2,059 sq. ft. community centre which will house the Office of computer room management and goods, kitchen, a classroom and a zone meeting. The residents of the new community will be a large public park of two acres with barbecue and picnic areas, full of basketball and a playground.

The project will be designed to complement the surrounding neighbourhood that consists primarily of single-family residences. To provide a more convenient living environment for families, all the apartments have blinds, carpets, a storage closet, a cloakroom, a closet without an appointment, a refrigerator, a stove and oven, elimination of waste, a dishwasher and a washer and dryer set. Devices will be evaluated for the Energy Star to help reduce public bills for residents. Apartments will have several built-in storage space, full bathroom with cupboards lin and private outdoor areas. The project will be developed with access alley garages and trash.

CEDC will seek LEED Gold Certified by the U.S. Green Building Council designation for this project and the Department of energy "energy Star" and certifications "builders Challenge", Association of Home Builders Green Building national standard and the city of Ventura Green Building Standard. "Azahar Place will be very green and we're trying to get near net zero energy consumption, said Hardy." The project to exceed Title 24 to 30% energy standards and he will use photovoltaic systems and hot water solar throughout.

CEDC is a private of nonprofit affordable home and community development corporation which provides services of complete housing, with an approach, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, and the region of Santa Maria of strengthening community. Since its incorporation in 1981, CDEC has built more than 1,400 units of affordable for sale and rental collective housing, operates 715 affordable rental units and has helped more than 8,000 people and families with homeownership educationconsulting and loan services. CEDC is a member of NeighborWorks ®, a national network of more than 230 community development and affordable home developers. This year marks 30th year of the CEDC to operation.

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