You will need OSCulator and Garageband on your computer.

Andy writes:

I’ve always wanted to have my own drum kit in the house, but like many folks a real kit is expensive, large and extremely noisy. I noticed on the web that many a rock enthusiast wanted the same and turned to the likes of Guitar Hero and Rock Band. Using these plastic virtual instruments for more than their original intention is testament to the hacking communities we have today. So my adventure began…

Andy takes you through a step-by-step how-to that will get you on your way.

Check out the link for the full tutorial.

Guitar Hero Drums as a real drum kit

The information in this article could help you speed up your matchmaking online with your video games. (I’m not sure about that. But it can help your internet at home to be faster across the board.) Tweaking your DNS might be a process of trial and error, so be patient.

1. I’m not an expert on this stuff. As a result, there might be holes in my article, and if you have suggestions, I’d love to hear them. I’m just trying to put together a “starter kit” for gamers.

2. It is up to you to make sure that you understand what is involved in tweaking your DNS settings. However, I found the process to change my DNS settings to be very easy, and the result is that I have sped up my internet browsing at home.

3. I’m passing along some links that have info on how to check your DNS (Domain Name Service) settings on your home network, and you might be able to speed up your internet browing and make sure that things are running smoothly on XBOX LIVE, the Playstation Network, the Wii network, and your PC gaming.

4. Make sure that you save the appropriate articles to your computer and write down your existing functional settings. None of this will do you any good if you screw up your settings and then can’t get back online to fix them.

5. Many of the links below are to articles from Lifehacker.com, one of my favorite tech blogs. They inspired this post. So, here’s my usual shout-out to them! Love ya, Lifehacker.com!

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Microsoft’s glossary on networking terms is fairly good:

XBOX LIVE Glossary

According to that glossary, DNS is:

Domain Name Service. An Internet service that translates domain names into Internet Protocol (IP) addresses.

The Internet is based on IP addresses, so every time you use a domain name, a DNS service translates the name into the corresponding IP address. For example, the domain name http://www.example.com/ might translate into http://198.105.232.4/.

See also: PCMag’s original report on Google’s Public DNS, which also gives an overview of what DNS does.

See: HowStuffWorks “How Domain Name Servers Work”
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Diagnostics

Here’s where you really want to start to see whether your DNS settings need to be fixed.

General advice: How to Troubleshoot a Flaky Internet Connection

Start with these links and see whether you need to tweak your DNS settings in the first place:

1. How to Know When Your DNS Servers Are Failing
2. Namebench Helps You Find the Fastest DNS Server for Your Computer
3. namebench

I downloaded and used Namebench to find out whether my DNS settings were optimal. In my case at home, you can see that there was a huge advantage to switching my DNS setttings. My web browsing is noticeably faster.

Here’s a screengrab of my results from Namebench:

In my case, I switched the DNS settings on my modem, my XBOX 360 and all of the computers in my home to the recommended settings above. So far, I’m a happier camper.

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How to tweak DNS settings

Hack DNS for lightning-fast Web browsing. This article is super-awesome and is probably the best link on here. Check it out.

Google’s instructions for computers, modems, routers, etc. Unfortunately, Google didn’t include XP. So check out:

For Windows XP: Change DNS Settings in Windows XP

This link shows you how to troubleshoot your XBOX 360’s network problems, but it also shows you how to get to where you change your DNS settings. While you attempt to perform the network test on the Test Xbox Live Connection screen, IP address status displays “Failed”

See also: Troubleshoot DNS Connection Issues for Xbox 360 NXE | Xbox …

Playstation 3: Internet Connection Settings (advanced settings)

How to find and change Nintendo Wii DNS server IP address

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On Google’s DNS service:

1. Google announced a free DNS service
2. Google’s DNS looks pretty blazing
3. a bunch of evil things Google will be able to do with such a service
4. Hands On with Google’s Public DNS

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DNS services

Namebench will probably suggest other (and possibly better) DNS servers to you, but here are a few resources to get you started:

1. Google Public DNS
2. OpenDNS
3. UltraDNS
4. DNSServerList.org
5. Free Fast Public DNS Servers List

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Before you think that this is another wave of the Xbox 360 accessory assault, know that this adaptor is 7 times faster than the old model and also has twice the range. Considering that Xbox Live will soon have Facebook and Twitter along with the service’s bajillion other features, this is a pretty useful accessory.

Like other DS systems, the DSi LL comes with two styluses and a charger, but also comes with three already installed DSiWare titles: DS Easy Dictionary and two Brain Training games.

I am not sure of Nintendo’s strategy with this system, whether it is another toy for Japanese consumers or an answer to the PSPgo. Nonetheless, it seems as though every time I turn around, Nintendo or Sony are releasing a new handheld. Maybe I am stretching a bit, as the original DS was released in 2004 and has only now had three subsequent iterations, and the PSP with four in just as many years. Regardless, Nintendo rarely missteps with their handhelds and considering their popularity, I will not be surprised if we get one here in North America.

Today Nintendo announced they are finally releasing a black version of their family-oriented console, a limited edition to be released in the UK and Ireland first on November 6th. Two weeks later on November 20th, the console will be released in the rest of Europe. Nintendo’s Senior Product Manager Rob Lowe says “We are keen to launch the black Wii in time for the Christmas sales season and this starts slightly earlier in the UK and Republic of Ireland [than elsewhere].”

The system will be bundled with all black accessories – Wii Remote, WiiMotionPlus and Nunchuk as well as Wii Sports Resort and Wii Sports. Also to be launched at the same time will be the Classic Controller Pro, which will be an enhanced version of the Wii’s Classic Controller. Standard Wii accessories will be available in black at the same time as well.

No official word yet on a US release date, however our press release stated that Nintendo often releases products in Europe before the US (which refers to Nintendo’s possible intentions to release the system in the US). Stay tuned for more info.

You are probably wondering why these two are pairing up; one of the key characters in Capcom’s yet-to-released Dark Void is Nikolai Tesla. If you have seen the car company’s logo, you may also notice the similarity between it and the overall look and design of Dark Void. The game has a steely and refined steam-punk look with one of the main player abilities being equipped with a jetpack.  Personally, I am looking forward to Dark Void because I have been anxiously awaiting another solid jetpack game since playing The Rocketeer on NES way back when.

Anyways, if you want to enter into the sweepstakes, visit http://www.darkvoidgame.com/tesla.

The question on everyone’s mind is “will it work?” The PSPgo requires users to have a wireless internet connection to access Playstation Network, where games can then be purchased and downloaded. Some might find the lack of games’ physical data storage to be more of a hassle. But considering the everyday expansion of wireless availability, this data storage choice only seems to make sense.

A computer scientist at the University of Warwick in England has devised a way to use an Xbox 360 to detect heart defects and help prevent heart attacks. The new tool has the potential to revolutionize the medical industry because it is both faster and cheaper than the computer systems that are currently used by scientists to perform complex heart research.

Check out how blazin’ fast it is:

To create a heart model now, researchers must use supercomputers or a network of PCs to crunch millions of mathematical equations relating to the proteins, cells and tissues of the heart, a time-consuming and costly process. Scarle’s Xbox system can deliver the same results at a rate five times faster and 10 times more cheap, according to the study.

Tell me that’s not awesome. I dare you. I don’t think this is the end of this trend. I’m sure that more researchers will find ways to put video game consoles to work in clusters. Check out what’s already gone on: 12 ways video games actually benefit real life

Check out the article: How Xbox Can Help Fight Heart Disease

Unfortunately, this offer will not be around or cover the Xbox 360 Modern Warfare Limited Edition (you know you were wondering).

Microsoft has more information at www.xbox.com/eliterebate.