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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Closet Organizing systems recognized as Leaders in the industry of the Closet - Online PR News (press release) system

Cupboard, closet leader systems & designers of the firm in Chicago, he was honored with Top Shelf Award, which recognizes the closet industry leaders.Online PR News – 21-March-2011 - Chicago, he ? closet organizing systems based in Chicago, Illinois received the top shelf Award in the category of garage for their redevelopment project which included custom cabinets garage red and black. High plateau Awards, said during the closets & Home Organization Conference & Expo recognizes leaders in the industry of the closet.

Closet organization systems has received his 8 awards in the past 3 years to cement his place among design firms better closet and cabinet.This year marks the 10th time closet organizing systems has been selected as a finalist for their design of a custom closet system (http://www.closetos.com/closet-systems) and expertise. One of their first winners is cherry blossom melamine promenade to the closet created for a client who wanted a masculine look with a high degree of functionality. The cloakroom has traditional fronts, expert group raised and storage combines open and closed at different depths. Another project that has been recognized is their home office design.

By mixing melamine and wood, they were able to get a look really high range to a minimum price. The most recent award in the category of systems of garage cabinet (http://www.closetos.com/garage-storage-chicago) focuses on their ability and expertise in various types of custom closet and cabinet systems.Closet organization systems manufacture and install cupboards products, using a variety of melamine laminated plastic, species of domestic and exotic wood on the unique needs veneer. Closet organizing systems are dedicated to provide their customers with the highest finishing quality, superior quality materials and a service customized to each project.

They use technology of CAD software cabinets design and release our components of parts manufactured directly to our machines CNC controlled working wood.To learn more about closets organizers in Chicago, please visit Closetos.com (http://www.closetos.com/).Closet organizing systems is a manufacturer of custom-designed storage closet and cupboards for residential and commercial applications. They are a variety of cabinets systems, systems of records, book shelves, built in style, garage storage cabinets, spaces of custom Office and leisure centres.

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Cupboards everything which can give a place behind closed doors - Journal in Rapid City

Closets are no longer places to hide clutter. More homeowners are transforming their spaces cupboards in shop Windows, even if only for their own pleasure."Closets are huge now." "Everyone in organization," said Jennifer Landguth, owner of spaces after in Rapid City.The company designs, creates and installs systems corporate home based on the needs of the owners.

"It used to be a stem and a shelf - and if it was the kind of fantasy, perhaps he had two rods and a few shelves,"she said."".Now, people are their closets more useful and more effective. The owners do not have to renounce style when it comes to their closets spaces.The construction of his new home, Linda Rydstrom Rapid City had Lage Construction Inc. build large cabinets without an appointment. After having lived in the House for some time, she called the spaces after to add the finishing touches to his cupboards. In the House of his daughter, Rydstrom was a closet-in-a-closet created to hide all his daughter's personal collections, while she is away at College.

"She likes just to hang on to all its tricks," said Rydstrom. "I didn't want to get rid of everything, but I wanted to go see all the time, either."It was installed in the closet to hide doors storage area, but the closet is still a closet in nice, neat-looking, she said."All her stuffed animals and things that she cannot live without - but still does not want to take in his apartment at College - are locked.". "It's kind of a win-win for us," said Rydstrom.

For its own custom closet Rydstrom had constructed to House his favorite purses of the showcases. She had an organizational system created for his shoes with identification of labels outside each of the drawers. She also had spaces after you create and install systems of the company for its walk-in pantry and garage.Terry Hoscheid, a general contractor and owner of the Midwest closet Company in Rapid City, also creates custom closets. He created cabinets gun lock integrated into closets so that they correspond to the rest of the wardrobe.

"Rather than buy a separate gun case, we can custom-build it right in the design of a closet," he said.In some the largest type of House, he built and installed vanities and make-up mirror.He said "women can actually put their make-up in the closet".Integrated or peak-out clothes baskets are popular cupboards options blend without being obvious, what they are.Custom work can be as complex as the rest of the House, said, wood, glass doors or crown molding. Because the work is custom, Hoscheid tells people that if they can be considered, it can be done.

"It is really a question of your finances where you can go," he said.Closets can also save space in the bedroom by incorporating furniture and storage in a single unit. He said that a choice fashionable room and bedroom of the child is to combine a dresser, adjustable Office and an area for hanging clothes. As the child grows, the Office may be triggered to grow with the child."We have made several of those," he said.Hoscheid said some owners integrate their masters cupboards with centers for recreation, with a TV, in the Centre, hanging of the spaces on each side a chest of drawers below and slide-out shelves for shoes.

"So it looks like an entertainment centre in the room, but it is really their wardrobe, he said."Also, doors can be built to hide the TV when it is not in use.Even if the owners have no walk-in closets, said Hoscheid there systems available that can double or triple the space of existing conventional shelf and rod style cupboards.He said "There is really no limit more to what you can do with cupboards,".Landguth said when it began its business four years ago, she begins to noting that the people were much more attention to their closets.

"We have been in the business of building for 20 years, and I saw this trend increases each year." "People have a lot of things and they want that the good places", she said."My philosophy on the Organization as a whole is if you can become organized, then you have more time to enjoy life and keep all his place.

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Fairbanks home a model energy efficiency - Daily Democrat Foster

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) - Karl Kassel fell in love with the site during the ptarmigan hunting in 1975. At the top of the Murphy Dome, its octagonal wooden House overlooking Denali and the Murphy dome Valley. He was 2 below zero outside and 70 degrees inside when he woke up a recent Wednesday. It was not heated at home for three days.

Solar energy of its windows, solar photovoltaic panels, wind turbines and thermal panels was being hidden for the next winter."If it remains well sunny for days to come, we will probably not have light the fire until October," he said.Kassel, his wife Billie and their 15-year-old son moved into the home off the grid last January.

"It is crazy the amount of energy which is available here in Fairbanks, that we waste," said Kassel, which dreamed since the 1970s up to the House. "I said, ' I'll do." It is logical, the available energy efficient designs are here. We know how to do this. Why are not we? ""So Kassel hired Thorsten Chlupp, general contractor and owner of Reina LLC, to build a very efficient House who made the most resources of the region. They designed a House that combines passive solar architecture, renewable energy technologies and energy storage to make the variable sunlight to Fairbanks last almost throughout the year. They are studying its performance to make the design more effective, less expensive and less dependent on fossil fuels.

The South side of the House of 1,800 square feet of Kassel is primarily windows, leaving each drop of available solar radiation.The Octagon is more effective than a design square by 20 percent, because it has a lower surface-volume ratio and corners more sweet, which is where you lose most heat, said Chlupp.It was as hot in the gateway in the Arctic shaded by the window of the Sun.

"You have no loss, you do not have any messy," Chlupp said. "You can feel very comfortable in a House like this in the 64, 66 degrees."The Interior has a theme of plein air with the sculptures of the tree, an island of freeform in the kitchen with cabinets of birch manufactured locally with hand-picked rock handles. The House contains 16 tons of rock from excursions on the river and a rock band. A blue river crosses of sand on the floor of colored concrete and the living room is filled with flower beds containing two tonnes of dust.

"We like being outdoors and floating in rivers," says of Kassel. "If we have designed the House to look like camping on a bed of gravel."All these elements, more close to 13,000 gallons of hot water, are designed to absorb and store the maximum amount of heat.

The heating system focuses on energy savings in the tank of water for later use. Heat moves, through glycol by thermal solar panels in loops in the floor and a 120-gallon domestic hot water tank in a closet. When Kassel starts a fire, in the masonry heater coils carry heat in the water tank. When the inner tank reaches 140 degrees, it diverts additional heat in a heat exchanger to a 12,000 gallon tank buried outside.

The electricity produced by a solar panel of 1.6 kW and 3 kW wind turbine first powers of the refrigerator, water pumps and needs of other public services. The system produced 400 watts Wednesday afternoon and the House, with lights, was only using 290. The extra power has accused a Bank of battery sitting in the closet, which stores about three days worth of power, said Kassel.

Once the battery is full, wind and solar are channeled into an electrical heating element for heating the water tank."Photovoltaic panels are awesome," said Kassel. "They operate more efficiently in cold weather, and you get double light from the Sun because the reflectivity on the snow."The wind is also a surprisingly constant resource, he said."Several days ago, I not really feel a breeze on the ground, but my wind is 80 feet and it is fair to hum."

If there is no sun, steps from wind and heat in the water tank not enough, it is time for a fire. Kassel used two strings of wood in the last year to meet two-thirds of its request for heating. The rest came from a propane heater.It has a backup diesel generator, which only kicked on three times in the last year, to recharge the batteries.He went through 170 gallons of propane - counting devices - and is expected to consume 20-30 litres of diesel fuel this year.

Although the House has already screams efficiency with walls 18 inches, triple-pane windows and learn how to shave the consumption of energy - and fresh - still more efficient lighting, Chlupp and Kassel.With bigger reels in the masonry heater, it would not need the propane. A thicker Foundation, with a UNDP under the floor, would also reduce heat demand, said Kassel."It is a great lesson that we learned here." We need more weight, "he says.Chlupp wants to eliminate any unnecessary part of the system.

"The simplification of the mechanical system is what I'm after - less pumps, less electricity, less what can go wrong,"he says."Kassel has spent $100,000 on renewable energy systems, he said.He received a refund of the sum of $7,500 of the State and is eligible for more than $20 000 in tax credits renewable energy through federal programs that give credits of 30 per cent of renewable energy systems.

The rest would pay for itself within 7 to 16 years, according to the system, the conditions, the price of oil and many other factors, he said.But it is not to focus only on the payback period."It's the kind of investment that is difficult to put a value on." ... When you paint your home, what is the recovery period? ", he asked.You cannot quantify the comfort, small footprint and stable energy costs, he said. Or knowing that one of the most effective houses around you.

"Seven months to Fairbanks without heating your home." ... How many people in this town are not heat their home now? Information: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, http://www.newsminer.com

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Closet Organizing-Learn acute Organizing suggestion For Your Closet Now

A closet is one of the certain main issues of your accommodate. It is a place where you collections quintessential objects such as your dress, shoes, coats, yet food on moment. Without knowing where these substance are, your daylight hours will not be nearly as creative as it may possibly be.slightly just, many staff dissipate so a large amount of episode hunting for bits and pieces they've

either mislaid or that have been buried in their closet, that they lose a apposite deal of productivity in the set of rules. not up to are a handful effortless yet exceedingly effective info to dramatically alleviate the occasion you dissipate looking for misplaced items.initially and intrinsic, discard all of your plain dress. ensemble that you know you won't be wearing in all probability comprise the great majority of your closet.

Unfortunately, it is sundry bits and pieces reminiscent of this that source the big majority of the clutter found out in many people's home's at the present time. If you won't be by the use of an item for the foreseeable ensuing, after that pay money for relieved of it.Be ruthless in this process; withdraw totally zero untouched. yet even though some bits and pieces may possibly contain gushy review to you, without problems by human being there cluttering

up your closet, they are dramatically restricting your productivity. It's either sentimental judge or productivity; hold your prefer.afterwards, understand the areas that source you the chief worries, such as your shirts, shoes, jackets, etc. whatsoever they can be, you will appetite to brand changes in that zone to buy your closet manufactured. For example, if you search out that your coats originator the major havoc, subsequently procure an organizer for them. If

you get hold of your shoes are the prime source of the clutter, pay for personality boxes to place each one in, as a substitute of dumping each shoe on summit of each distinctive.yet, utilize the closet floor. This may well racket corresponding to a controversy to certain things you've heard about bureau, excluding the floor may be especially efficient at keeping your closet configured when cast off satisfactorily.variety definite that you fold clothes earlier laying it on the floor, and stock it

in one zone furthermore, stacking bins might be absolutely successful at keeping your more modest items intended. brand assured that you hold each variety of object together; for instance, don't combination your shoes as well as your jackets, or jeans as well as shirts, etc.You can't have beneficial closet

organizing without a system. get your hands on out whatsoever perform for you, and basically take repeating it. For illustration, if you get hold of that youthful bins textbook advisable for you, at the moment do that. If shelves book enhanced, do that. The more or less basic allocation is to identify no matter what behave and stock doing it more than and above yet again.These are without difficulty a few trouble-free yet dramatically successful ways to carry your

closet intended and nonetheless kept. The fact is, if you are admire various workforce, you lose a right volume of your productivity each sunlight hours easily looking for objects you've occupied. Organizing your closet could be a principal step in the by the book direction. go after these suggestion, and grandfather clock your closet get hold of plotted out breakneck, and your productivity augment as a outcome.