Circlets

License Transfer Tool on Xbox.com

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 02:28:18 GMT

Today, Xbox released the license transfer tool on Xbox.com. This tool allows you to consolidate licenses from any of your previous consoles to your current one. Check it out here: www.xbox.com/drm.

Why would you need to use this? First, some background about how licenses work. When you download content from Xbox LIVE Marketplace, the content is licensed to your console and to your Xbox LIVE account. This allows you to:

use the content offline on the console the content was originally downloaded to, and
take your profile with you and use the content on any console where you can sign in to Xbox LIVE.

Now, if you happen to switch consoles, be it through repair, exchange, or upgrade, you can still download and use your content on the new console online (bullet 1), but you can't use it offline (bullet 2). This is because the content was licensed to the old console, not the new one.

To get licenses back on the new console, two things have to happen. You have to:

mark the licenses for transfer to your new console online, then
download the transferred licenses to your new console.

In the repair situation, Xbox Customer Support takes care of the first part for you. You send your console in, and, if you get a different replacement console back, they transfer the licenses in their system. You then download the the licenses to your new console when you get it back. Now, with this tool, you can go to Xbox.com and do the same thing for a console you exchanged or bought at retail.

After the first part is done (through support or on Xbox.com), you go to Account Management on your console, select Download History, and download each piece of content again. If you kept your hard drive and the content is still on it, it'll be a really quick download because it's only downloading the license.

You can only do it once every 12 months. This is because this is really designed to cover the exchange/upgrade scenario and not moving licenses around on a regular basis. Also, if you do have to send your console in to support after using this tool, support will still be able to transfer the content on their end. The 12-month restriction is for you using the tool on Xbox.com. A replacement through support is an exception and doesn't count against this limit.

Also, make sure you watch your movies before you transfer, since those won't be moved over. It'll transfer the licenses for other content (including videos and TV shows), just not the movie rentals.

And no, you don't have to have your old console around to do this. You only need to be able to sign in with the gamertag that downloaded the content both on Xbox.com and on your new console.

If you want to know more, take a look at the license tool FAQ. It should answer a bunch of questions about how the tool works.

Of course, if you've only ever had one console, and only downloaded stuff to that console, you don't need this tool. But it's nice to know it's there.

Toys!

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 18:26:49 GMT

Behold the McFarlane Halo 3 Series 1 figures and Series 1 vehicles sets! I actually got these a month ago, but finally brought them into work. Yeah, like I need more toys at my desk.

Vehicles

Bad guys

Master Chief and Cortana

Spartan soldiers

Halo multiplayer people are sure to recognize the iconic gesture in the last one. Viva la teabag!

The figures are pretty proportional when you stand next to each other. Master Chief and the spartans are a little under 5" tall. The brute is around 6", and the grunt is a little under 4". (Actually, I think the jackal and grunt could have been a little smaller, but whatev.) Cortana is way out of scale compared to the figures, but is about right if you're pretending to be Master Chief yourself. Plus, she lights up. The vehicles are on a different scale altogether. The bases in the pic are about 4" wide.

No, I didn't get any sort of deal on these. I bought them my own self from BigBadToyStore.com.

Edit: Ok, it seems that some of you are fixated on Cortana's crotch. (Shacknews, I'm looking at you.) The base has blue LEDs that light up her whole figure, but the flash in the other pic washed it out. Here she is in all her blue glory:

Yes, I do realize I probably just made things worse.

I'm Ellectric!

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 09:15:13 GMT

It's SuperMarch, and the Xbox.com personalities have been turned into superheroes! When I saw the art, I was inspired to recreate us in the City of Heroes character creator. So, based on this:

I created this:

These are all real characters on the Champion server (on my account, not played by the real personalities, sorry). I took some liberties with the costume options that didn't quite match the art and made up the bottom halves of the characters, since they weren't shown. I also did some demo manipulation (for those of you who know what that is) to get everyone on the screen with capes and auras. So, how does it look?

More pictures! The Personality Superfriends are:

Trixiecat, Claws/Reflexes Scrapper

Hardcore Gamerscore, Invulnerability/Super Strength Tanker

Ellectric, Force Field/Electricity Defender

X-Dad, Gravity/Radiation Controller

Major Nelson, Energy/Energy Blaster

SoozyQ, Archery/Devices Blaster

Oh yeah, here's a version of Major Nelson that didn't make the cut. I call him Major Nelly.

So pretty.

Media sharing vs. Windows Media Center

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 20:35:28 GMT

It's been almost two years since I wrote my Windows Media Connect vs. Windows Media Center article, and I thought it'd be a good idea to update and repost it, since so much has changed over the last year or so. Much of this entry will be identical to the old article, with updates to reflect changes to media sharing software, Vista, and Xbox 360 system updates.

There are two ways to stream media to your Xbox 360 console from your PC: through media sharing software, and with Windows Media Center. Previously, only Windows Media Connect was used for media sharing, but with the release of Windows Media Player 11 and Zune last year, Windows Media Connect was retired and taken over by those two media players.

The Media Center landscape has changed, also. Xbox 360 used to only support Windows Media Center on Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, but it's now included with and supported on Windows Vista Home Premium and Ultimate.

The main thing to remember is that media sharing (Windows Media Connect, Windows Media Player 11, and Zune) is different from Windows Media Center. Media sharing is more of a background connection, while Windows Media Center is a standalone application with its own user interface. Any XP or Vista machine can run Windows Media Player 11 or Zune, but only Media Center PCs and PCs with Vista Home Premium or Ultimate can run Windows Media Center.

Here's a quick chart to compare the two technologies, and help you recognize which is which. I'm not explaining exactly how to set up, troubleshoot, and access your media here; there's info on Xbox.com that should help you with those details.

	Windows Media Player, Zune software, and Windows Media Connect*	Windows Media Center
Computer Operating System	Windows XP Home Edition Windows XP Professional Edition Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Windows Vista Home Basic Windows Vista Home Premium Windows Vista Ultimate Windows Vista Business	Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Windows Vista Home Premium Windows Vista Ultimate
Program Setup	If XP, on PC, install XP SP2 and .NET Framework 1.1. If Vista, no updates are necessary. On PC, run setup program from www.xbox.com/pcsetup. On console, select Music, Pictures, or Video on the Media blade and select your PC.**	On console, select Media Center button on Media blade, follow directions On PC, run setup program from www.xbox.com/pcsetup.
Media Setup	Share media first on computer then access it on the console	Launch Media Center on console then use it to add and navigate PC media
Media Access on Console	Through the Music button on the Media blade Through the Pictures button on the Media blade Through the Videos button on the Media blade In the Xbox Guide (music)	Through Media Center button on Media blade
Console Behavior	Pictures are viewed in the Xbox Dashboard (area with thumbnails, slideshows) Music can play in music player in Xbox Dashboard (area with player, song list, and visualizations) Music plays in background Music can play during games Videos are viewed in the Xbox Dashboard	Launches Media Center Extender software on console Media Center is a standalone application that runs on the console Access pictures, video, and music using Media Center interface only (not in background, not during games)
Available Media	Music Pictures Video	Music Pictures Video

* Windows Media Connect is no longer supported by Microsoft, but it still works if you have it set up. However, Windows Media Player 11 will take over for Windows Media Connect if WMP 11 is installed. For more info about media sharing, see my Media Sharing blog post.

** The console now remembers the last media source you chose. If you're not presented with a list of sources, press X to get to the list.

Happy holidays

Wed, 26 Dec 2007 02:48:36 GMT

I'm sure you've been inundated with holiday greetings all week, but go ahead and add mine to the pile. Happy holidays, and I wish the best for you and yours in the coming year.

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Fri, 21 Dec 2007 02:30:25 GMT

I got an early Christmas gift this week. Remember what was at the top of my holiday wishlist? Well, my holiday wish has come true. Mah sweetie gots me a weighted companion cube! Squeeeeee!

I will hug it and squeeze it and name it George.

O weighted companion cube, never leave me. I promise to never incinerate you again. ♥♥♥

Elle on Gamer Girls Radio

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 20:43:12 GMT

I was a guest on Gamer Girls Radio today! Head over there to listen to my lilting voice (not!).

Thanks, Dangerdoll, Gaminatrix Cori, and Peachi, for having me. It was a blast!

Happy Holidays from the Xbox.com personalities

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 22:18:24 GMT

It's time for a little holiday Q&A with the Xbox.com personalities. Want to know TriXie's favorite holiday movie? My favorite holiday food? SoozyQ's game of the year? Here you go:

Xbox.com Personalities at the Holidays

I'm so glad TriX didn't mix up my answer to question 4 with my answer to the last one. That would have been awkward.

For gift recommendations and more holiday fun, check out Holiday 2007 on Xbox.com.

December 07 system update article up on Xbox.com

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 18:27:01 GMT

The year goes by so fast, doesn't it? Full details about the December 4th system update are now live on Xbox.com. No more speculation, it's all there.

There are two things that we actually kept secret that a lot of you will appreciate: Windows Live ID switching and child account promotion. I know! Finally! Plus, there are lots of changes all across the system.

Anyway, the article:

A Fistful of Features in the December 2007 System Update

And, as always, you can see all the news about the latest system update on the Xbox.com system update page. And, a core dump of changes is here (full list) and here (abridged version).

Edit: Videophiles, the Xbox team's video playback FAQ has been updated with the nitty-gritty details about the latest changes. Have at it!

Xbox 360 is this many

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 23:18:28 GMT

*holds up two fingers*

Lest Xbox LIVE hog the spotlight, lets not forget that we're also celebrating the second birthday of our beloved Xbox 360. Xbox.com has a list of 406 reasons to love Xbox 360. I'm on the list, too. You like me, you really like me.

Happy Birthday Xbox LIVE!

Fri, 16 Nov 2007 02:26:44 GMT

Today is Xbox LIVE's fifth birthday! We had a party and everything. There was cake, and it was not a lie.

Picture was shamelessly stolen from TriXie's space. Go to her gallery to see more pics of the festivities.

Also, don't forget to check out the event on Xbox.com. Lots of goodies! Here's to many more years of Xbox LIVE!

v2 Zune cozy

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 09:04:05 GMT

The next-gen Zunes launch today! In honor of this event, I knitted a few new Zune cozies in the new sizes.

More pictures in my Zune Cozies gallery.

They're super easy to make. They're just like last year's Zune cozies. Follow these instructions, adjusting for size.

Zune 30: 6" round, 5" tall

Zune 80: 6" round, 4.5" tall

Zune 4/8: 4" round, 4" tall

(While the Zune 80 is smaller around than the 30, the difference isn't that noticible with a knitted cozy.)

Happy Zune day!

Xbox LIVE is 5IVE article up on Xbox.com

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 18:30:28 GMT

November 15th marks the fifth birthday of Xbox LIVE. And Xbox.com is throwing a party to celebrate. I've got sentimental in a new article, too:

The Stars of Xbox LIVE

Happy birthday, Xbox LIVE!

When hobbies collide

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 08:08:19 GMT

Run for your lives! It's a crochet katamari!

And yes, the nubs are magnetic. I can pick up all sorts of crap with it.

I made it using this pattern. The king will be very pleased.

Knock it off.

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 05:00:47 GMT

Hey spammers! Quit clogging up my comments with your crap, ok? I'm tired of cleaning out your garbage from year-old entries. I've already had to disable trackbacks because of you. I'm keeping comments open but you're really pissing me off. Now go away or I shall taunt you a second time.

Crazy people on the internet

Sat, 06 Oct 2007 06:56:39 GMT

Ok, I just came across some guy that's going to play Halo 3 for 72 hours straight. It just started today, and they've got 2 days 15 hours left as of this writing. It's streaming live now:

wouldyou72.com

I'm in the chat room right now. Don't know how long I'll stick around, but take a look if you're interested.

Edit: The guy quit after 25 hours. His friends are trying to salvage it, but laaaaaaame.

Hooray!

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 20:18:24 GMT

Been having a little fun with Halo 3. There's just something heartwarming about making a grunt's head explode in a shower of confetti.

Hooray indeed.

GamerchiX in the L.A. Times

Mon, 03 Sep 2007 21:47:57 GMT

Writer Alex Pham interviewed TriXie last week about the GamerchiX. Then TriX invited me and a couple of coworkers to pose with her for a photo shoot. The story is in today's paper. You can read it here:

A refuge for women in a hostile game space

The pic:

TriXie's up front, with Dammy and PMS GibGirl standing behind. I'm on the floor, throwing the horns like a total dork.

10 Things You Didn't Know article up on Xbox.com

Sat, 01 Sep 2007 04:43:58 GMT

The summer has been so crazy for me with my manuals and stuff I haven't had time to write an article since... gasp... May!

For my first article back in the saddle, I present:

10 Things You Didn't Know About Xbox 360

You'll find some refreshers and maybe some new stuff. You probably already do know, since I've mentioned some of them here on this blog.

Oh, and if you're old enough, you might recognize that drawing from the Fast Times at Ridgemont High movie poster, with TriXie and me posting around Major Nelson as Spicoli. Be sure to check out the other Back to Old School articles!

PAX done

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 03:58:09 GMT

All done. Today (Sunday) was busy, but there was a windy-downy feel to it all. I hung out at the booth again, handing out t-shirts and hamming it up for the live feed over at Gamerscoreblog. I don't think I'll look at fuzzy lamps the same way ever again.

The Microsoft booth was packed towards the end when they were giving away a Mass Effect Xbox 360 console. Oh, and there was a stink, after all. The ventilation was working, but every so often you'd walk by someone with their own personal stench. And people farting. (Damn you, Taco del Mar!)

Posted some photos, too.

Photo Album: Miscellany

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 21:17:46 GMT

Miscellany

Stikfas: Pirate vs Ninja

Stikfas: Heroes and Villains

Stikfas: Adventurer

Stikfas: Fairy

Stikfas

Cuboyds

Dunny

Dunny and Labbits

NoHoHon

Master Chief

More Photos...

Photo Album: SuperMarch

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 10:42:30 GMT

SuperMarch

supermarch

HeroPersonalities

Trixiecat

Hardcore Gamerscore

Ellectric

X-Dad

Major Nelson

SoozyQ

Major Nelly

Photo Album: Zune Cozies

Wed, 26 Dec 2007 02:56:10 GMT

Zune Cozies

Zune Cozies Left

Zune Cozies Right

Zune Cozy 1

Zune Cozy 2

Zune Cozy 3

Fancy Zune Cozies

Fuzzy Zune Cozies

Plain Zune Cozies

Zune Cozy Silk Garden

More Photos...

Photo Album: Arts & Crafts

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 08:04:00 GMT

Arts & Crafts

Xornament Front

Xornament Back

X-Maxx

Fluffy, Eater of Souls

Katamari1_

Katamari2_

Photo Album: Screens

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 20:05:59 GMT

Screens

Video chat: How's my hair?

Video chat

Video chat: Elle discovers the blurry effect

Video chat: TriXie discovers effects too

Video chat: More effects

Video chat

Video chat: Look ma, film noir!

Video chat

Video chat: Elle tries force choke on TriX

More Photos...

Photo Album: PAX07

Mon, 03 Sep 2007 22:37:15 GMT

PAX07

Sky Bridge

Expo Hall

Master Chief

Kitty at the Xbox Community booth

Xbox Community booth

Kitty and e

Xbox kiosks

OMG! Wil Wheaton!

The line to see Wil Wheaton!

More Photos...

Photo Album: PAX06

Sun, 04 Mar 2007 09:05:26 GMT

PAX06

Line for Friday's PA panel

Diva at the GamerchiX table

GibGirl

Sweet talking the ladies at the GamerchiX table

More GamerchiX

Inside the exhibition hall

Xbox 360 kiosks

More 'chiX

Diva and Kitty

The infamous e

More Photos...

Photo Album: E306 community party

Sat, 24 Feb 2007 21:33:28 GMT

E306 community party

From outside the booth

Dude playing a game

Another dude playing a game

Look, a dude playing a game

Dudes and a chick playing games

More game playing

People not playing games

He's not playing either

But he is

Them too

More Photos...

Photo Album: E306 pre-post-briefing

Wed, 14 Feb 2007 15:17:15 GMT

E306 pre-post-briefing

TriXie stomps on some celebrity on the Walk of Fame

Grauman's Chinese theater

The Roosevelt Hotel

The Xbox.com production room at the Roosevelt

Pool!

The Hef

One of the big party rooms

The other big party room

Some weird neat wall thing

Throwies!

More Photos...

Photo Album: Zune

Tue, 13 Feb 2007 13:36:03 GMT

Zune

Zune Logo

Zune x 3

Black

Brown

White

Brown

Black

White

Brown & Black

Black & White

More Photos...

Photo Album: OOBE

Tue, 13 Feb 2007 13:34:10 GMT

OOBE

Welcome

Box

Open1

Open2

Open3

Power

See

Watch

Connect

Talk

More Photos...

Photo Album: E306 show

Sat, 27 Jan 2007 23:34:10 GMT

E306 show

Nyko girls

Wonder Woman gets kicked out

Girls FTW photo shoot

Girls FTW

Tecmo girls

Geometry Wars

Atari

Street Smart Cool Cat wants a plug

Me and Jeremy of Pure Pwnage! Eeee!

Adam West at 2K

More Photos...

Photo Album: E306 Xbox Live Gold Experience party

Sat, 16 Sep 2006 17:11:25 GMT

E306 Xbox Live Gold Experience party

The party gets going

DJ Z-Trip

Playing some games

Even the pillows have a theme

From above

Gamertags on display

Scott of the Crystal Method

Kickass party

Scott of the Crystal Method

More partying

More Photos...

Blog list: Tips, Tricks, & Tidbits

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 02:28:50 GMT

Tips, Tricks, & Tidbits