I'm annoyed with reviews, because so many are giving Bio Shock a 10/10, a 5/5, etc. That implies its a perfect game, that they could find nothing wrong with it. I thought it was a great game, but I could name lots of things about it that annoyed me.
1. No Multiplayer. I realize the plot doesn't allow for it, but give us some death match. 2. Constantly searching for items. The scenerey is amazing, but I find I'm always ignoring it, to find another health pack, ammo, etc. 3. Some Plasmids are mostly useless, or quickly obsolete. 4. Constantly have to listen to recordings for plot. It gets a little old.
You get the point. Most of these things aren't that big of a deal, but in any game, there's always room for improvement. Its a great game, and I completely recommend it, but I wouldn't give a perfect 10.
I usually choose not to buy products offering a mail-in rebate, but when I do get scammed,I file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (bbb.org). Its free, and they almost always get results.
"But we would never dream of defying a court order"
I'm pretty sure a lot of citizens would and do defy court orders. As a matter of fact I'm still waiting for $1,800 I won from a landlord 3 years ago. (Which if anyone has any ideas on how to collect, I'm all ears.)
I won't disagree that most corporations have some pretty slimy practices, but ordinary citizens aren't all saints either.
I'm not for drunk driving, but its not as simple as "fines". This stays on your record FOREVER (at least in my state) and can prevent you from getting jobs, access to certain countries, etc. Its not just a nuisance fine.
As a side note, I understand that drinking and driving is a serious crime, but it doesn't need to stay on your record forever. We all have made some really stupid decisions in our lives, I'm glad they're not all permanently recorded.
I realize the article said these BMW's could seamlessly change fuel types, but I wonder if one is harder on the engine than the other. I've read that vehicles running on E-85 get different wear than on normal gas. Or that bio diesel can actually be better for diesel engines.
Does LOX effect these engines different than standard gas?
Gamers are gradually getting nickle and dimed for everything. Games like WoW started with a monthly fee AND an upfront fee, AND you have to pay for the expansion. Then there's things like Shadowrun, which would basically be worthless without a Live subscription. Some games are shipping where you have to pay to unlock content that shouldn't be locked in the first place. And soon we'll be expected to pay for demos.
I personally refuse to purchase any of these games, but as long as there are those willing to (of which there are many), we can only expect things to get worse.
"Well, the PS2 came out almost 7 years ago, and, at least as of May, was still outselling the PS3 and XBox360 put together each month."
What's interesting about that, is the PS2 game selection at stores is getting smaller and smaller. If I didn't know otherwise, I'd assume that nobody is interested in the PS2 or its games anymore. If the console is selling so well, and is now completely profitable, wouldn't you want to push it for as long as possible?
"if the number of Vista installs (not purchases, a large proportion of windows installs are unlicensed) is growing faster than the number of XP installs, then Vista is better than XP."
Vista installs are growing faster than XP installs because most new computers ship with it. For example, I recently purchased an HP laptop, which credits M$ with a Vista sale, even though I hate the OS. Since I didn't want a Dell, I didn't have a lot of options. So if by BEST choice, you mean ONLY choice...
"Ubuntu's popularity does mean it is the best distro"
Really? So, I guess that means that Windows is the best OS, because its the most popular. And Vista must be the best version of Windows, because currently more people are buying Vista than XP.
-"I'm not a gamer, but several friends who are have had no problems with their Xbox360 hardware."
I think the keyword there is SEVERAL. Its pretty easy to find a small group of people who had a great experience with lots of terrible products.
My experience with the 360, however, has been different. I have seen MANY red lights on store demo 360's, and I've had one myself. The store ones may get used a lot, but they're always in a plastic bubble environment safe from food, being knocked over, etc. And mine had plenty of ventilation, in a clean area. Not to mention the thing is fragile as hell. The slightest bump in the room and your disc gets gauged to hell.
All these people aren't just making these stories up. If they were, wouldn't we hear the same thing about Nintendo's products?
- Not sure this is any different than any other form of sibling recognition...
I'm assuming you're referring to the parent comment...
-"Maybe they can't recognize siblings at all. Maybe the genetics are close enough so that the plant can not distinguish its own root from that of its siblings."
So you recognize people genetically closer to you? I'm pretty sure if I'd been adopted I wouldn't be able to point out my sibblings in a crowd. I'd be a lot less likely to give some guy that looks like me $20, then I would to someone I grew up with. Extreme cases aside, sibbling recognition is socially learned (at least in humans).
The term "Competition" is thrown around a lot with ISP's. I know in my area, Comcast bought everyone out. Even though they claim great connection speeds, mine frequently dip far below advertised rates, or disconnect entirely. I'd switch to the "competition" if there were any.
"whatever, the point is that they need to have the freedom to investigate."
I couldn't disagree more. I've seen police racing down my residential neighborhood, through stop signs, just to pull a guy over for rolling a stop sign. I've seen them drive the wrong way down a one way street, to give a guy a speeding ticket.
And by far the worst...last summer I was DD for a night, and without ANY reason, I was pulled over (by 6 officers), screamed at (using words Chris Rock wouldn't even say), handcuffed, slammed around, and never told what I did wrong. Finally I was told to get out of their sight. I assure you, none of this was provoked.
My point is, police (and politicians) of ALL people, need to be held to the highest, strictist standards. If they don't abide by the law, they don't respect it. If you don't have to follow the law, why would you care about corruption of it?
I know the bumper sticker that says "Freedom Isn't Free" refers to wars and the cost of defending our country. But I think the saying is MUCH more appropriate for garbage like this. If having freedom means I'm slightly more vulnerable to a terrorist attack, FINE. To all the cowards out there who will sacrifice anything for the slightest illusion of safety, I say "Freedom isn't Free", move somewhere else.
How is it that everyone not willing to give up Civil Liberties is considered "Soft on Terror"? People are cowards if they don't vote for every anti-terrorist bill? If you ask me, the people who will so readily give up their freedoms, and even send a nation's youth to war, are the real cowards.
I'm curious about the effect this will have on piracy. I would assume that people are MUCH more inclined to steal a permanent copy than pay a monthly fee forever. Perhaps it will also spur a growth in open source apps.
What I'm really worried about is reduced content. We're seeing things like PS3's new Gran Turismo where you're expected to pay additional fees for cars, tracks, and other content that should have been included in the first place. Verizon cripples the ass out of their phones to force you to buy things like a "Music Essentials Kit" for $29.99. Even EA's NHL07 expects money for stupid things like old Jerseys.
I miss the days when companies tried to impress you into purchasing a product, not screw you out of money.
I'm not trying to troll, but I think the expanions should have been a free upgrade. For one thing, adding free new content gives players incentive to keep playing (and they're already paying). I'm guessing there are at least few players out there who have lost interest, and a $40 expansion isn't enticing, but maybe a free one would be.
Also, this expansion has "de-valued" a lot of characters. For example, my once powerful 60, is now getting 2-hitted by characters only a few levels higher, because 61-70 characters are disproporionately more powerful. Not being able to access new content is one thing, but it actually puts others at a significant disadvantage (items, levels, battlegrounds, etc.).
I realize Blizzard is in the business to make money, but a free expansion could have made financial sense too.
I don't understand what incentive a pubisher has to give any console exclusive rights. Anyone? I can't imagine the extra sales don't offset the cost of porting a game. Furthermore, if the original title wasn't ported, I would assume sales any sequels would also be negatively impacted. It just seems obvious to port all titles to all relatively popular consoles.
I couldn't agree more. Almost everyday I see Police doing something that is the opposite of protection. For example, to catch speeders, Officers often sit under an overpass, with their squad cars perpendicular to the road. Needless to say, there is not sufficient room for their vehicle, and cars need to swerve around them, begging for an accident. I've seen officers go the wrong way down a a one way road to stop someone for running a stop sign. And I personally have been frisked handcuffed and screamed at, then told to get back in my car and leave, without being told what I had done wrong.
I'm sure some police are great. But I'm also sure there are many that do anything but protect citizens.
Unfortunately, I have a blackberry for on-call purposes. It is supposed to be for emergency use only, but since people know that I have to be watching it, I get sucked into things all the time. So, I suppose there is increased productivity in that respect, but its definately not by choice. However, recieving spam at 4 a.m that destroy a night of sleep, is quite counterproductive.
You can tell a lot about someone by their taste in music. I think the music you listen to reflects (but not necessarily defines) your personality. What would your first impressions be if someone says they mostly listens to angry music? Dance music? Ska? The Cure? Greatful dead? etc.
An M$ rep came to demo Vista at my company and had similar problems too. While trying to show us the new features there was an akward pause followed by "...well, at least it should work...". If a demo doesn't work under ideal conditions, how can I trust it to work under normal abuse?
Its frustrating to see sites take the fall for things that aren't their fault. Holding isoHunt responsible for people downloading illegal content is stupid. Why stop with isohunt? Why not hold google responsible for letting me find torrent sites? Why not hold schools responsible for teaching me how to search for things on the internet? Why not hold dell responsible for letting me run files I shouldn't?
"I never understand the view that good enforcement of a law is a bad thing. Either the law is just, in which case enforcement can not be bad, or the law is unjust, in which case good enforcement will highlight this to a significant proportion of the electorate, ensuring that it is fixed sooner."
I don't think that could be further from the truth. MANY stupid laws are enforced simply because they're finanicially beneficial to the department. I think you'd agree that tickets have been around for a long time, but they're still enforced. Do you really think they're just?
Two people roll a stop sign, who do you think is more likely to receive a ticket...
a.) A black guy in a rusty old buick at 1:30 a.m.
b.) A white guy in a business suit, driving a BMW at 3:00 p.m?
Same crime, but I'm willing to bet one is WAY more likely to be pulled over. Same crime 2 different likely outcomes -> NOT just.
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I'm annoyed with reviews, because so many are giving Bio Shock a 10/10, a 5/5, etc. That implies its a perfect game, that they could find nothing wrong with it. I thought it was a great game, but I could name lots of things about it that annoyed me.
1. No Multiplayer. I realize the plot doesn't allow for it, but give us some death match.
2. Constantly searching for items. The scenerey is amazing, but I find I'm always ignoring it, to find another health pack, ammo, etc.
3. Some Plasmids are mostly useless, or quickly obsolete.
4. Constantly have to listen to recordings for plot. It gets a little old.
You get the point. Most of these things aren't that big of a deal, but in any game, there's always room for improvement. Its a great game, and I completely recommend it, but I wouldn't give a perfect 10.
I usually choose not to buy products offering a mail-in rebate, but when I do get scammed,I file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (bbb.org). Its free, and they almost always get results.
"But we would never dream of defying a court order"
I'm pretty sure a lot of citizens would and do defy court orders. As a matter of fact I'm still waiting for $1,800 I won from a landlord 3 years ago. (Which if anyone has any ideas on how to collect, I'm all ears.)
I won't disagree that most corporations have some pretty slimy practices, but ordinary citizens aren't all saints either.
"just pony up for the fines already"
I'm not for drunk driving, but its not as simple as "fines". This stays on your record FOREVER (at least in my state) and can prevent you from getting jobs, access to certain countries, etc. Its not just a nuisance fine.
As a side note, I understand that drinking and driving is a serious crime, but it doesn't need to stay on your record forever. We all have made some really stupid decisions in our lives, I'm glad they're not all permanently recorded.
I realize the article said these BMW's could seamlessly change fuel types, but I wonder if one is harder on the engine than the other. I've read that vehicles running on E-85 get different wear than on normal gas. Or that bio diesel can actually be better for diesel engines.
Does LOX effect these engines different than standard gas?
Gamers are gradually getting nickle and dimed for everything. Games like WoW started with a monthly fee AND an upfront fee, AND you have to pay for the expansion. Then there's things like Shadowrun, which would basically be worthless without a Live subscription. Some games are shipping where you have to pay to unlock content that shouldn't be locked in the first place. And soon we'll be expected to pay for demos.
I personally refuse to purchase any of these games, but as long as there are those willing to (of which there are many), we can only expect things to get worse.
"Well, the PS2 came out almost 7 years ago, and, at least as of May, was still outselling the PS3 and XBox360 put together each month." What's interesting about that, is the PS2 game selection at stores is getting smaller and smaller. If I didn't know otherwise, I'd assume that nobody is interested in the PS2 or its games anymore. If the console is selling so well, and is now completely profitable, wouldn't you want to push it for as long as possible?
"if the number of Vista installs (not purchases, a large proportion of windows installs are unlicensed) is growing faster than the number of XP installs, then Vista is better than XP." Vista installs are growing faster than XP installs because most new computers ship with it. For example, I recently purchased an HP laptop, which credits M$ with a Vista sale, even though I hate the OS. Since I didn't want a Dell, I didn't have a lot of options. So if by BEST choice, you mean ONLY choice...
"Ubuntu's popularity does mean it is the best distro"
Really? So, I guess that means that Windows is the best OS, because its the most popular. And Vista must be the best version of Windows, because currently more people are buying Vista than XP.
Popular != Best
-"I'm not a gamer, but several friends who are have had no problems with their Xbox360 hardware."
I think the keyword there is SEVERAL. Its pretty easy to find a small group of people who had a great experience with lots of terrible products.
My experience with the 360, however, has been different. I have seen MANY red lights on store demo 360's, and I've had one myself. The store ones may get used a lot, but they're always in a plastic bubble environment safe from food, being knocked over, etc. And mine had plenty of ventilation, in a clean area. Not to mention the thing is fragile as hell. The slightest bump in the room and your disc gets gauged to hell.
All these people aren't just making these stories up. If they were, wouldn't we hear the same thing about Nintendo's products?
- Not sure this is any different than any other form of sibling recognition... I'm assuming you're referring to the parent comment... -"Maybe they can't recognize siblings at all. Maybe the genetics are close enough so that the plant can not distinguish its own root from that of its siblings." So you recognize people genetically closer to you? I'm pretty sure if I'd been adopted I wouldn't be able to point out my sibblings in a crowd. I'd be a lot less likely to give some guy that looks like me $20, then I would to someone I grew up with. Extreme cases aside, sibbling recognition is socially learned (at least in humans).
The term "Competition" is thrown around a lot with ISP's. I know in my area, Comcast bought everyone out. Even though they claim great connection speeds, mine frequently dip far below advertised rates, or disconnect entirely. I'd switch to the "competition" if there were any.
"whatever, the point is that they need to have the freedom to investigate." I couldn't disagree more. I've seen police racing down my residential neighborhood, through stop signs, just to pull a guy over for rolling a stop sign. I've seen them drive the wrong way down a one way street, to give a guy a speeding ticket. And by far the worst...last summer I was DD for a night, and without ANY reason, I was pulled over (by 6 officers), screamed at (using words Chris Rock wouldn't even say), handcuffed, slammed around, and never told what I did wrong. Finally I was told to get out of their sight. I assure you, none of this was provoked. My point is, police (and politicians) of ALL people, need to be held to the highest, strictist standards. If they don't abide by the law, they don't respect it. If you don't have to follow the law, why would you care about corruption of it?
I know the bumper sticker that says "Freedom Isn't Free" refers to wars and the cost of defending our country. But I think the saying is MUCH more appropriate for garbage like this. If having freedom means I'm slightly more vulnerable to a terrorist attack, FINE. To all the cowards out there who will sacrifice anything for the slightest illusion of safety, I say "Freedom isn't Free", move somewhere else.
"...that the Liberal Party was soft on terror"
How is it that everyone not willing to give up Civil Liberties is considered "Soft on Terror"? People are cowards if they don't vote for every anti-terrorist bill? If you ask me, the people who will so readily give up their freedoms, and even send a nation's youth to war, are the real cowards.
I'm curious about the effect this will have on piracy. I would assume that people are MUCH more inclined to steal a permanent copy than pay a monthly fee forever. Perhaps it will also spur a growth in open source apps.
What I'm really worried about is reduced content. We're seeing things like PS3's new Gran Turismo where you're expected to pay additional fees for cars, tracks, and other content that should have been included in the first place. Verizon cripples the ass out of their phones to force you to buy things like a "Music Essentials Kit" for $29.99. Even EA's NHL07 expects money for stupid things like old Jerseys.
I miss the days when companies tried to impress you into purchasing a product, not screw you out of money.
I'm not trying to troll, but I think the expanions should have been a free upgrade. For one thing, adding free new content gives players incentive to keep playing (and they're already paying). I'm guessing there are at least few players out there who have lost interest, and a $40 expansion isn't enticing, but maybe a free one would be.
Also, this expansion has "de-valued" a lot of characters. For example, my once powerful 60, is now getting 2-hitted by characters only a few levels higher, because 61-70 characters are disproporionately more powerful. Not being able to access new content is one thing, but it actually puts others at a significant disadvantage (items, levels, battlegrounds, etc.).
I realize Blizzard is in the business to make money, but a free expansion could have made financial sense too.
I don't understand what incentive a pubisher has to give any console exclusive rights. Anyone? I can't imagine the extra sales don't offset the cost of porting a game. Furthermore, if the original title wasn't ported, I would assume sales any sequels would also be negatively impacted. It just seems obvious to port all titles to all relatively popular consoles.
I couldn't agree more. Almost everyday I see Police doing something that is the opposite of protection. For example, to catch speeders, Officers often sit under an overpass, with their squad cars perpendicular to the road. Needless to say, there is not sufficient room for their vehicle, and cars need to swerve around them, begging for an accident. I've seen officers go the wrong way down a a one way road to stop someone for running a stop sign. And I personally have been frisked handcuffed and screamed at, then told to get back in my car and leave, without being told what I had done wrong.
I'm sure some police are great. But I'm also sure there are many that do anything but protect citizens.
Unfortunately, I have a blackberry for on-call purposes. It is supposed to be for emergency use only, but since people know that I have to be watching it, I get sucked into things all the time. So, I suppose there is increased productivity in that respect, but its definately not by choice. However, recieving spam at 4 a.m that destroy a night of sleep, is quite counterproductive.
...while protecting privacy and free speech" Copyright enforcement and "privacy and free speech" are like oil and water.
You can tell a lot about someone by their taste in music. I think the music you listen to reflects (but not necessarily defines) your personality. What would your first impressions be if someone says they mostly listens to angry music? Dance music? Ska? The Cure? Greatful dead? etc.
An M$ rep came to demo Vista at my company and had similar problems too. While trying to show us the new features there was an akward pause followed by "...well, at least it should work...". If a demo doesn't work under ideal conditions, how can I trust it to work under normal abuse?
Its frustrating to see sites take the fall for things that aren't their fault. Holding isoHunt responsible for people downloading illegal content is stupid. Why stop with isohunt? Why not hold google responsible for letting me find torrent sites? Why not hold schools responsible for teaching me how to search for things on the internet? Why not hold dell responsible for letting me run files I shouldn't?
"I never understand the view that good enforcement of a law is a bad thing. Either the law is just, in which case enforcement can not be bad, or the law is unjust, in which case good enforcement will highlight this to a significant proportion of the electorate, ensuring that it is fixed sooner." I don't think that could be further from the truth. MANY stupid laws are enforced simply because they're finanicially beneficial to the department. I think you'd agree that tickets have been around for a long time, but they're still enforced. Do you really think they're just? Two people roll a stop sign, who do you think is more likely to receive a ticket... a.) A black guy in a rusty old buick at 1:30 a.m. b.) A white guy in a business suit, driving a BMW at 3:00 p.m? Same crime, but I'm willing to bet one is WAY more likely to be pulled over. Same crime 2 different likely outcomes -> NOT just.