Saturday May 31, 2008 
Monday April 21, 2008 Just launched on Friday: Anime Today Forums
Posted by rich ( Apr 21 2008, 03:22:16 PM CDT ) Permalink
Friday April 18, 2008 I want to like Novell... Really...
To download SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, Novell require a login. When creating an account, they state "By completing this form, I am giving Novell and/or Novell's partners permission to contact me regarding Novell products and services." with absolutely no option to opt out of being contacted by a partner.
After registering (with a disposable email address), they require you to answer a questionnaire:
How many employees work in your entire organization?
What is your company's industry?
What is your current relationship with Novell?
What is your primary area of interest?
What are your current requirements/requests of Novell?
Annoying. And it required an activation code to install it.
How do new technologies get adopted by me, and subsequently by the businesses I work with? Let me obtain it, hassle free, and try it out. Telling me that my contact information will be distributed to third parties, steering me through questionnaires after seeing a list of download that I might be able to get after I hand over just a bit more information, doesn't qualify in my mind. And that was after I had already handed over my name, address, phone number, and email address just to register on their site.
Posted by rich ( Apr 18 2008, 03:59:06 PM CDT ) Permalink
Thursday April 17, 2008 ANIME TODAY Interviews VIZ Media VP Gonzalo Ferreyra
Right Stuf, Inc. is pleased to welcome Gonzalo Ferreyra – the vice president of sales, publishing and home video for VIZ Media– to episode 64 of ANIME TODAY.
In this new interview, Ferreyra discusses how anime and manga are interconnected, plus the challenges and opportunities that arise when both anime and manga components of a series are available in the same market.
Also in Episode 64:
- Chad tells listeners “What’s Hot” in the world of anime and manga.
- Just back from the Tokyo International Anime Fair, Shawne shares his photos and impressions of the event.
- Stan Dahlin, founder, guest relations and events chair of Kawaii Kon 2008, previews the event, which takes place on the weekend of April 18-20 in Honolulu, Hawaii.
- L.B. Bryant, the webmaster of Otaku Review, reports on Sakura-Con 2008’s industry panels and musical guests, plus shares details about his interview with actor/director Todd Haberkorn.
- Shawne reminds listeners about the last days of “The Savings You Seek” on DVDs and more from FUNimation.
- Rich and Nick remind listeners about the contest for the first two volumes of the Del Rey manga Fairy Tail and about updates to the official site for The Third: The Girl With the Blue Eye.
- Marie checks out the Clamp Double Feature, a two-disc set that includes Tsubasa RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE: The Princess in the Birdcage Kingdom and xxxHOLiC: A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
- Listen to musical clips from the JapanFiles.com release, Echo Park by advantage Lucy.
- And finally, ANIME TODAY highlights some of the newest fan reviews from RightStuf.com visitors.
Ready to listen in? Download episode 64 now!
Meet other ANIME TODAY listeners, submit your suggestions for future episodes and more at the official ANIME TODAY forums at AnimeOnDVD.com.
Just joining in? Learn how to subscribe or even check out the Anime Today Archive episodes!
Posted by rich ( Apr 17 2008, 09:49:31 PM CDT ) Permalink
Tuesday April 01, 2008 ANIME TODAY Interviews Del Rey Manga Associate Publisher Dallas Middaugh
Right Stuf, Inc. is pleased to welcome Dallas Middaugh – associate publisher for Del Rey Manga – to episode 63 of ANIME TODAY.
In this new, two-segment interview, Middaugh discusses his career in the publishing industry, the start of Del Rey’s manga imprint, the state of the North American manga industry and its relationship with manga fans, Del Rey’s upcoming collaboration projects with Marvel Comics (X-Men and Wolverine) and Dean Koontz (Odd Thomas), and what Del Rey Manga has in store for in 2008, including Faust and the launch of Fairy Tail, a new title from Hiro Mashima (Rave Master)
Also in Episode 63:
- Chad tells listeners “What’s Hot” in the world of anime and manga.
- Rich reminds fans about the last three days of the “Spring Cleaning Clearance” at RightStuf.com.
- Kris and Judy have “spring break” on the brain and talk about visiting onsen in the “Anime and Gamers’ Guide.”
- Rich and Nick announce the winners of the contest for Dragon Ball Z video games on several game platforms and kick off a new contest for the first two volumes of the Del Rey manga Fairy Tail.
- Marie checks out the new anime Tweeny Witches.
- Judy-sensei teaches listeners onsen-related words in this episode’s installment of Japanese 101.
- Listen to musical clips from the JapanFiles.com release, Time Machine RK by Rocket K.
- And finally, ANIME TODAY highlights some of the newest fan reviews from RightStuf.com visitors.
Ready to listen in? Download episode 63 now!
Meet other ANIME TODAY listeners, submit your suggestions for future episodes and more at the official ANIME TODAY forums at AnimeOnDVD.com.
Just joining in? Learn how to subscribe or even check out the Anime Today Archive episodes!
Posted by rich ( Apr 01 2008, 11:25:44 PM CDT ) Permalink
Sunday March 16, 2008 Buell Ulysses 1,000 Mile Service and Suspension
Yikes ... I brought the bike into Zylstra H-D/Buell last week, $328. I don't remember what the Sportster's first service was, but I don't think it was quite that much.
Another important lesson: I'd been lazy and never taken the time to setup the suspension according to the guidelines in the owner's manual. I finally did today, and WOW, what a difference. It feels like a completely different, and even more incredible bike. I'd never really seen what a dramatic difference suspension could make in a vehicle's handling.
Two annoyances: I cannot get used to having to shut off the blinkers manually. Also, the throttle feels like its very soon, 1/8" - 1/4" inch of looseness. I asked the dealer to look at it during the service, and they said it was properly adjusted. I can't believe that's correct, and I forgot to check the Buells that they had sitting on the floor to see how their throttles were adjusted.
Posted by rich ( Mar 16 2008, 09:45:42 PM CDT ) PermalinkANIME TODAY Interviews Actor, Director & Writer Monica Rial
Right Stuf, Inc. is pleased to welcome actor, writer and director Monica Rial – who can currently be heard as “Sakura” in Tsubasa RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE, “Misuzu” in Air TV and “Lala Gonzales” in School Rumble – to episode 62 of ANIME TODAY.
In this new, three-part interview, Rial – who has acted in more than 150 shows to date – discusses her introduction to the anime industry, her work as a columnist for NEWTYPE USA and as a ADR script adapter, how her foray into directing has brought a new perspective to acting, and her views on the current state of the anime industry.
Also in Episode 62:
- Chad tells listeners "What's Hot" in the world of anime.
- Shawne reminds fans about the “Neon Genesis of Savings” to be found on ADV Films products and shares details about Right Stuf and Nozomi Entertainment’s recently unveiled license and upcoming DVD release of Maria Watches Over Us (Maria-sama ga Miteru).
- Tuan Pham previews Anime Boston 2008, which takes place on the weekend of March 21-23 at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, Massachusetts.
- Kris and Judy discuss unusual Japanese ice cream flavors in the “Anime and Gamers’ Guide.”
- Marie checks out the manga Honey and Clover by Chica Umino.
- Rich and Nick provide a rundown of upcoming conventions, courtesy of AnimeCons.com.
- Judy-sensei has a “sweet” lesson plan in store for this episode’s installment of Japanese 101.
- Rich and Nick remind listeners about the contest for Dragon Ball Z video games on several game platforms.
- Listen to musical clips from the recent JapanFiles.com release, Slumber by LiN Clover.
- And finally, ANIME TODAY highlights some of the newest fan reviews from RightStuf.com visitors.
Ready to listen in? Download episode 62 now!
Meet other ANIME TODAY listeners, submit your suggestions for future episodes and more at the official ANIME TODAY forums at AnimeOnDVD.com.
Just joining in? Learn how to subscribe or even check out the Anime Today Archive episodes!
Posted by rich ( Mar 16 2008, 09:23:21 PM CDT ) Permalink
Saturday March 08, 2008 ANIME TODAY Talks Manga With TOKYOPOP’s Stu Levy
Right Stuf, Inc. is pleased to welcome Stu Levy – the president, C.E.O. and Chief Creative Officer of TOKYOPOP – to episode 61 of ANIME TODAY.
In this new interview, Levy discusses how he was introduced to Japanese pop culture, the challenges of pioneering the right-to-left manga format in North America, the effects of a saturated manga market, how TOKYOPOP differentiates itself from other publishers, social networking, his company’s film and television projects, his personal favorite titles and what TOKYOPOP has in store for 2008.
Also in Episode 60:
- Chad tells listeners "What's Hot" in the world of anime and manga.
- Shawne reminds fans about the “Bebop ‘n’ Bargains” on titles from Bandai Entertainment.
- Rich and Nick announce the winners of the contest for a New York Anime Festival souvenir package and unveil a new contest for Dragon Ball Z video games on several game platforms.
- Marie checks out Mine Yoshizaki’s Sgt. Frog manga.
- Judy-sensei talks about “coming and going” in a new Japanese 101 lesson.
- Judy-sensei gets sentimental in the newest Japanese 101 lesson.
- Listen to musical clips from the recent JapanFiles.com release, Greetings from Tokyo by Ketchup Mania.
- And finally, ANIME TODAY highlights some of the newest fan reviews from RightStuf.com visitors.
Ready to listen in? Download episode 61 now!
Meet other ANIME TODAY listeners, submit your suggestions for future episodes and more at the official ANIME TODAY forums at AnimeOnDVD.com.
Just joining in? Learn how to subscribe or even check out the Anime Today Archive episodes!
Posted by rich ( Mar 08 2008, 06:59:15 PM CST ) Permalink
Sunday February 17, 2008 ANIME TODAY Interviews Anna Morrow, the Voice of “Honoka” in THE THIRD
Right Stuf, Inc. is pleased to welcome Anna Morrow – the voice of “Honoka” in THE THIRD: THE GIRL WITH THE BLUE EYE – to episode 60 of ANIME TODAY.
In this new interview, Morrow talks about how she recently got her start in the world of anime voice acting, her first big role as the heroine and the lead character of THE THIRD, and what sets “Honoka” apart from all the other characters she’s played.
Also in Episode 60:
- Chad tells listeners "What's Hot" in the world of anime.
- Shawne reminds fans about the “Sensational Savings” on titles from Manga Entertainment.
- Kris and Judy talk about Valentine’s Day and White Day in the “Anime and Gamers’ Guide.”
- Rich and Nick announce the winners of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles contest and remind listeners about the contest for a New York Anime Festival souvenir package.
- Marie checks out the shoujo fantasy manga Shugo Chara by Peach-Pit.
- Judy-sensei gets sentimental in the newest Japanese 101 lesson.
- Rich and Nick provide a rundown of upcoming conventions, courtesy of AnimeCons.com.
- Marie fields a listener’s question about manga for younger teen (and “tween”) readers.
- Listen to musical clips from the recent JapanFiles.com release, Go on by Swinging Popsicles.
- And finally, ANIME TODAY highlights some of the newest fan reviews from RightStuf.com visitors.
Ready to listen in? Download episode 60 now!
Meet other ANIME TODAY listeners, submit your suggestions for future episodes and more at the official ANIME TODAY forums at AnimeOnDVD.com.
Just joining in? Learn how to subscribe or even check out the Anime Today Archive episodes!
Posted by rich ( Feb 17 2008, 03:41:50 PM CST ) Permalink
Friday February 01, 2008 ANIME TODAY Interviews FUNimation Founder & C.E.O. Gen Fukunaga
Right Stuf, Inc. is pleased to welcome Gen Fukunaga – the founder and C.E.O. of FUNimation Entertainment – to episode 59 of ANIME TODAY.
In this new, 45-minute interview, Fukunaga discusses the challenges of the current North American anime marketplace, the move toward online distribution and packaged anime collections, the advantages of having an in-house dub studio, and FUNimation’s plans for the rest of 2008.
Also in Episode 59:
- Chad tells listeners "What's Hot" in the world of anime.
- Shawne reminds fans about the “Super Savings” they can find on select ADV Films titles.
- Kris and Judy talk about Japanese slang in a new installment of the “Anime and Gamers’ Guide.”
- Marie discusses the anime adaptation of The Twelve Kingdoms.
- Rich and Nick announce the winner of the Viz Pictures contest for a Love*Com gift pack, remind listeners about the contest celebrating the new TV season of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and kick-off a new contest for a New York Anime Festival souvenir package.
- Judy-sensei teaches a crash course on anime slang in the latest Japanese 101 lesson.
- Chad Diederichs joins us for a preview Katsucon’s 14th annual convention, which takes place on the weekend of February 15-17, in Washington, D.C.
- Listen to musical clips from the recent JapanFiles.com release, Fresh Cuts From Japan CD 2.
- And finally, ANIME TODAY highlights some of the newest fan reviews from RightStuf.com visitors.
Ready to listen in? Download episode 59 now!
Meet other ANIME TODAY listeners, submit your suggestions for future episodes and more at the official ANIME TODAY forums at AnimeOnDVD.com.
Just joining in? Learn how to subscribe or even check out the Anime Today Archive episodes!
Posted by rich ( Feb 01 2008, 09:03:03 PM CST ) Permalink
Friday January 18, 2008 ANIME TODAY Looks Forward to 2008 With Zac Bertschy of Anime News Network and Protoculture Addicts
Right Stuf, Inc. is pleased to welcome Zac Bertschy – executive editor of Anime News Network (AnimeNewsNetwork.com) and managing editor of Protoculture Addicts – to episode 58 of ANIME TODAY.
In this new interview, Bertschy takes a look back at the successes and surprises of 2007, experiments in packaging and distribution, the differences between what series are popular with Japanese and Western fans, and the issues and challenges facing the North American anime industry in 2008.
Also in Episode 58:
- Chad tells listeners "What's Hot" in the world of anime.
- Shawne reminds fans about the final days of Right Stuf’s “Savings That Rule” on books and DVDs from Viz Media.
- Judy-sensei returns with a new Japanese 101 lesson about weather-related phrases.
- Marie recommends the manga With the Light, one of the inaugural releases from Yen Press.
- Rich and Nick remind listeners about the Viz Pictures contest for a Love*Com gift pack and kick off a new contest that celebrates the new TV season of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
- Rich and Nick provide a rundown of upcoming conventions, courtesy of AnimeCons.com.
- And finally, ANIME TODAY highlights some of the newest fan reviews from RightStuf.com visitors.
Ready to listen in? Download episode 58 now!
Meet other ANIME TODAY listeners, submit your suggestions for future episodes and more at the official ANIME TODAY forums at AnimeOnDVD.com.
Just joining in? Learn how to subscribe or even check out the Anime Today Archive episodes!
Posted by rich ( Jan 18 2008, 05:52:56 PM CST ) Permalink
Sunday January 06, 2008 Starting Ulysses mileage: 863 (barely getting started)
Went for a nice, 42 mile ride around Des Moines today, this afternoon the temperature was around 44 or so, so it really wasn't too bad. I wasn't planning on it, really, until I went to get groceries this afternoon and saw another motorcycle out and figured, why not?
First picture is from Gray's Lake, still frozen over, but they're flying the red flag indicating that it isn't safe to walk out on.
These are the penguins from the Jolly Holiday Lights display in Water Works Park.
I still need to fix the bent bits on the bike from when it was backed into, right after they showed up the temperature here dropped and I've done nothing out in the garage since mid-November.
Posted by rich ( Jan 06 2008, 04:10:28 PM CST ) PermalinkStruts Sprout - Annotation-Powered Simplicity for Struts
Some time ago, I was looking for a way to simplify the build process for a Java application I've been working on for quite some time. It started out using XDoclet 1.2 to generate the EJB and Struts configuration files. As the years have gone by, that version of XDoclet hasn't aged very well, and even the improvements made in Java 5 proved problematic for it. Eventually, some folks released an updated xjavadoc for use with it, but it never worked quite correctly (support for some syntax changes were incomplete).
Some time ago, I made the changes needed to move to EJB 3, and eliminated XDoclet from that portion of the build, but I was still using it to generate the struts-config.xml. I always meant to do something about that, but ended up just dragging my feet on it. I'd stumbled across Sprout a long time ago, it seemed interesting, but I never did anything with it at the time.
Finally, in December of last year, XDoclet had annoyed me enough so I went back to looking at Sprout. Its support for configuring Struts wasn't complete enough to cover what I needed it to be able to do so I dropped the author, Seth Fitzsimmons a note asking if he'd done anything with Sprout beyond the version posted to his web site. Unfortunately here's what I received back: "I haven't touched Sprout (or Struts, for that matter) for about 3 years now, but it's been waiting all that time for someone like you to find it useful. You're welcome to either continue to use my svn repo as you change things or move it elsewhere."
So we chatted a bit by email, and I decided to set it up as a Google Code project: Struts Sprout and add the features to it that I needed. Finally, today, I got around to adding some of the code that I wrote back in December to the public site. Once I have a chance to make the classpath scanning a little more robust, and write some examples using the new annotations, I'll post a download with a new version number, but until that time, at least the changes are available in Subversion.
Posted by rich ( Jan 06 2008, 12:49:50 PM CST ) PermalinkANIME TODAY Looks at the Year in Anime With Chris Beveridge of AnimeOnDVD.com
Right Stuf, Inc. is pleased to welcome Chris Beveridge – the founder and webmaster of Anime On DVD (AnimeOnDVD.com), – to episode 57 of ANIME TODAY.
In this “anime year in review,” Beveridge shares his thoughts about 2007’s biggest anime stories, industry trends in licensing and packaging, the future of high-def anime and what fans can look forward to in 2008.
Also in Episode 57:
- Chad tells listeners "What's Hot" in the world of anime.
- Shawne reminds fans about the final days of Right Stuf’s BIG New Year’s Clearance sale.
- Dustin Phillips, chairperson of Ohayocon 2008, previews the signature events, panels and more that await for those attending the eighth annual convention in Columbus, Ohio.
- Kris and Judy talk about new video games, available in Japan and in North America, that can help anime fans keep their New Year’s resolutions in the “Anime and Gamers’ Guide.”
- Rich and Nick announce the winners of our contest for Geneon Entertainment “Volume 1” gift packs and kick off a new contest for a Love*Com gift pack from Viz Pictures.
- Marie recommends the Hell Girl anime.
- Judy-sensei starts 2008 with a new Japanese 101 lesson.
- And finally, ANIME TODAY highlights some of the newest fan reviews from RightStuf.com visitors.
Ready to listen in? Download episode 57 now!
Meet other ANIME TODAY listeners, submit your suggestions for future episodes and more at the official ANIME TODAY forums at AnimeOnDVD.com.
Just joining in? Learn how to subscribe or even check out the Anime Today Archive episodes!
Posted by rich ( Jan 06 2008, 12:34:07 PM CST ) Permalink
Friday December 21, 2007 ANIME TODAY Interviews VIZ Media’s Wendy Shimamura
Right Stuf, Inc. is pleased to welcome Wendy Shimamura – associate product manager for VIZ Media’s Home Entertainment division – to episode 56 of ANIME TODAY – to episode 56 of ANIME TODAY.
In this all-new interview, Shimamura discusses the highlights of VIZ Media’s 2007 anime releases, its download-to-own products and Toonami Jetstream project, next-generation formats, growing the shoujo anime market, the challenges facing the anime industry and what’s coming up in 2008.
Also in Episode 56:
- Chad tells listeners "What's Hot" in the world of anime.
- Shawne provides an update to the “12 Days of Anime” – a second “Bundle of Anime Joy”(!) – with an assist from the Right Stuf Glee Club. (Remember: The promotion only lasts through midnight on December 25, 2007.)
- Kris and Judy share a list of Japan’s “hot products” for 2007 in the “Anime and Gamers’ Guide.”
- Rich and Nick announce the winners of the Anime Today and Nozomi Entertainment MySpace contest and remind listeners about the contest for Geneon Entertainment “Volume 1” gift packs.
- Marie recommends the manga Her Majesty’s Dog by Mick Takeuchi.
- Judy-sensei teaches about “New Year’s” greetings in the latest installment of Japanese 101.
- Rich and Nick provide a rundown of upcoming conventions, courtesy of AnimeCons.com.
- And finally, ANIME TODAY highlights some of the newest fan reviews from RightStuf.com visitors.
Ready to listen in? Download episode 56 now!
Meet other ANIME TODAY listeners, submit your suggestions for future episodes and more at the official ANIME TODAY forums at AnimeOnDVD.com.
Just joining in? Learn how to subscribe or even check out the Anime Today Archive episodes!
Posted by rich ( Dec 21 2007, 03:45:52 PM CST ) Permalink