Does anyone think there would even *be* a Mal Reynolds if there hadn't been a Han Solo first?(and yes, they both shot first!) To be fair, would there have been a Han Solo if there hadn't have been other anti-heroes? Really, get over it. Lucas is a hack and always has been. He just stole Kurosawa's work and remade it for sci-fi by copying the the ideas of more talented authors like Herbert. Heck, we could say Kurosawa stole his ideas from Shakespeare, and Shakespeare stole his ideas from the Greeks. It's the way the work is transformed for the times and the audience that really matters.
I agree, it truly felt like V-day on Bungeling Bay (or perhaps I'm just being too nostalgic). The only other game that I can remember with a more significant and rewarding ending was the original Questron.
EA executives say they are doing all they can to fix things. Because the game occurs online, EA can tinker with content to make it more fun, something the company can't do with offline titles.
Since when can't "offline" titles get new content added to make a game more fun. I bought Neverwinter Nights about 6 months ago and I'm still getting new content.
Should I be in the mood to watch something a little darker or more emotionally complex there wouldn't be anything out there for me (and no, mature topics doesn't have to contain gore, violence or sex).
I feel the same way about video games.
Unfortunately the game industry is in the phase of trying to make every game appeal to a broad audience ($)... sometimes at the expense of creativity and innovation.
Having played a lot of nintendo as a kid, I kind of expect them to grow up too.
I haven't shopped with Amazon since the whole 1-click patent scandal broke. In fact, prior to this posting, I placed an order with a competing book store for some technical books.
Yes, Amazon might have saved me a few bucks but I don't really want to support companies that are so willing to abuse the US patent law and tie up the courts with frivolous IP suits.
Having played a few MMORPGs, I've found that they lack the lasting appeal of SPRPGs (single player).
I do not enjoy interacting with people on-line. Most of the players out there are rude, selfish, childish, and haven't a clue how to roleplay. In fact, human players tend to ruin the emersion factor of RPGs.
With EQ, I felt like I was playing in a virtual "traffic jam". Also, I felt that my actions, no matter how powerful in game, were really meaningless -- no matter what I did, I could not affect the world around me... The monsters just kept spawning... The quests just kept recycling...
I enjoy RPGs for their story. Becoming part of some fabulous tale and having a direct impact on the outcome of it through in-game actions. MMORPGs just can't do this because they have to cater to the masses.
Don't misunderstand, I'm not saying that you are wrong for enjoying MMORPGs; it's just that you obviously get something out of them that I don't.
Every CD I've looked at so far on cdbaby costs $15 bucks.
Why?
Indys shouldn't have all the bloated overhead of the "big guys" and their product should be much cheaper.
Today any moron can put together a basic studio for under $5k. This alone should reduce the cost of CDs significantly.
Money is why I've stopped buying music. Not because of stupid copy protection, but the simple fact that the industry does not get it -- their product isn't a good value (i.e. it costs far more more than it is worth to me).
Why invest so much money trying to replicate what just about all plants do naturally? I mean, geez, perhaps we will surpass plants' abilities to process Carbon Dioxide, but do you think it will run on water, Carbon Dioxide & dirt?
If we all lived by this philosophy, mankind would still be living in the trees...
during the initial Bernie Shifman exchange several months ago, he asked for someone's address for legal contact. Anyone else catch what I'm fearing....?
That reminds me of this quote:
Don't attribute to malice that which can be explained by stupidity...
Which "couple of states?" Which judges? If what you say is true it is groundbreaking legal precedent. Do you by any chance have a source? A case reference? Something other that what you read on/.?
"... the purchaser commonly obtains a single copy of the software, with documentation, for a single price, which the purchaser pays at the time of the transaction, and which constitutes the entire payment for the 'license.' The license runs for an indefinite term without provisions for renewal. In light of these indicia, many courts and commentators conclude that a "shrinkwrap license" transaction is a sale of goods rather than a license."
Many are quick to point out that the JVM--Java's runtime--supports other languages as well. While this is true, it seems this is more of a hack than a feature of the JVM.
A virtual machine runs bytecode. Bytecode is generated by a compiler. The high-level language is superficial. How exactly is this a hack?
No offense, but you gotta be a dumb bastard if you figure that you did that.
No offense taken. I just don't agree with the EULA -- it is an unbinding contract and borders on fraud... This whole issue revolves around bad laws (like the DMCA) and will eventually be overthrown by more consumer-friendly, computer-savvy courts.
The corporate lawyers have convinced Blizzard that they have to protect their "intellectual property" with this kind of crud when all it really does is disenfranchise legitimate users. Blizzard's property is already protected under existing trademark and copyright laws.
If I want to fiddle with a few bits of the Diablo executable, I believe that it is my right as a consumer. Period.
After all, if google doesn't make money, they'll go under and we'll all lose access to the best search engine.
My concern is that google won't be as useful as a search engine now that the highest bidder can get their sites listed first. Hopefully, I won't waste more time searching for what I really wanted... It is a shame though, but this appears to be the post dotcom reality.
Ironically, I switched to google because the old search engines were being polluted and diluted by ad money.
If the cable has a proprietary interface that Sega holds a patent for and this company in Hong Kong is making them without a license then it is clearly a violation.
I'm not a media empire mogul, but why waste time and money on something so risky? Why not capitalize on the success of DVDs and come out with DVD 2.0?
DVD 2.0: A new format of DVD that supports HDTV but fixes that pesky "weak encryption" problem of original DVDs. Ultimately, it won't stop people from ripping them, but it should slow them down (look at Xbox DVDs for example). And the best part? Everyone has to buy a new DVD player (backwards compatible to DVD 1.0 of course), and they have to re-purchase their favorite DVDs encoded for HDTV! [Yes, this sucks, but it would make the most sense from an execs point of view].
Gag, I think I'll sell my TV and move to Montana...
Yep. WORDS [are] a way for poor communicators to pretend to design. WORDS are notoriously bad at factoring in real-world requirements, exceptions, usage patterns, and user scenarios. In every case I've seen WORDS used for modeling, [they have] created systems which [sound] clean.. but which failed to function usefully once implemented due to lack of conceptual underpinnings. It will be nice to see this particular documentation fad slip beneath the waves, and people get back to describing what they want to do in thoughtful [pictures].
Slashdot Mirror
- Sil
Oh, wait... wrong forum.
I agree, it truly felt like V-day on Bungeling Bay (or perhaps I'm just being too nostalgic). The only other game that I can remember with a more significant and rewarding ending was the original Questron.
I'd have to agree. It's going to take months for my "Surfing Lessons" business to recover...
- Sil
India?
Since when can't "offline" titles get new content added to make a game more fun. I bought Neverwinter Nights about 6 months ago and I'm still getting new content.
- Sil
Jack Valenti (in his best Darth Sidious voice): "I'll make it legal".
if all movies were G rated.
Should I be in the mood to watch something a little darker or more emotionally complex there wouldn't be anything out there for me (and no, mature topics doesn't have to contain gore, violence or sex).
I feel the same way about video games.
Unfortunately the game industry is in the phase of trying to make every game appeal to a broad audience ($)... sometimes at the expense of creativity and innovation.
Having played a lot of nintendo as a kid, I kind of expect them to grow up too.
What moderator scored this as a troll?
I haven't shopped with Amazon since the whole 1-click patent scandal broke. In fact, prior to this posting, I placed an order with a competing book store for some technical books.
Yes, Amazon might have saved me a few bucks but I don't really want to support companies that are so willing to abuse the US patent law and tie up the courts with frivolous IP suits.
- Sil
I have the exact opposite opinion.
Having played a few MMORPGs, I've found that they lack the lasting appeal of SPRPGs (single player).
I do not enjoy interacting with people on-line. Most of the players out there are rude, selfish, childish, and haven't a clue how to roleplay. In fact, human players tend to ruin the emersion factor of RPGs.
With EQ, I felt like I was playing in a virtual "traffic jam". Also, I felt that my actions, no matter how powerful in game, were really meaningless -- no matter what I did, I could not affect the world around me... The monsters just kept spawning... The quests just kept recycling...
I enjoy RPGs for their story. Becoming part of some fabulous tale and having a direct impact on the outcome of it through in-game actions. MMORPGs just can't do this because they have to cater to the masses.
Don't misunderstand, I'm not saying that you are wrong for enjoying MMORPGs; it's just that you obviously get something out of them that I don't.
- Sil
Every CD I've looked at so far on cdbaby costs $15 bucks.
Why?
Indys shouldn't have all the bloated overhead of the "big guys" and their product should be much cheaper.
Today any moron can put together a basic studio for under $5k. This alone should reduce the cost of CDs significantly.
Money is why I've stopped buying music. Not because of stupid copy protection, but the simple fact that the industry does not get it -- their product isn't a good value (i.e. it costs far more more than it is worth to me).
Looks like I better call Old Glory Insurance and take out a Robot Attack policy...
If we all lived by this philosophy, mankind would still be living in the trees...
That reminds me of this quote:
Don't attribute to malice that which can be explained by stupidity...
So, what exactly is the best thing to do at four in the morning?
Here is one in the case of Adobe vs Softman
Of interest to me, was this quote:
"... the purchaser commonly obtains a single copy of the software, with documentation, for a single price, which the purchaser pays at the time of the transaction, and which constitutes the entire payment for the 'license.' The license runs for an indefinite term without provisions for renewal. In light of these indicia, many courts and commentators conclude that a "shrinkwrap license" transaction is a sale of goods rather than a license."
However, there are cases that don't side against an EULA, as in ProCD, Inc. v. Zeidenberg
The courts don't appear to be able to make up their minds on the issue. What's new?
A virtual machine runs bytecode. Bytecode is generated by a compiler. The high-level language is superficial. How exactly is this a hack?
No offense taken. I just don't agree with the EULA -- it is an unbinding contract and borders on fraud... This whole issue revolves around bad laws (like the DMCA) and will eventually be overthrown by more consumer-friendly, computer-savvy courts.
The corporate lawyers have convinced Blizzard that they have to protect their "intellectual property" with this kind of crud when all it really does is disenfranchise legitimate users. Blizzard's property is already protected under existing trademark and copyright laws.
If I want to fiddle with a few bits of the Diablo executable, I believe that it is my right as a consumer. Period.
I bought it.
They earned the right to sell it and protect it.
I paid for the ability to play it any way I want.
I'll still buy Blizzard games as long as they provide enough entertainment for the money.
So will I. However, I believe that it is my right as a consumer to do with it as I will...
Dude, I'll eat the cookie... serves me right for posting late at night (and for not reading the article)...
My concern is that google won't be as useful as a search engine now that the highest bidder can get their sites listed first. Hopefully, I won't waste more time searching for what I really wanted... It is a shame though, but this appears to be the post dotcom reality.
Ironically, I switched to google because the old search engines were being polluted and diluted by ad money.
Is "proprietary interface" an oxymoron?
I'm not a media empire mogul, but why waste time and money on something so risky? Why not capitalize on the success of DVDs and come out with DVD 2.0?
DVD 2.0: A new format of DVD that supports HDTV but fixes that pesky "weak encryption" problem of original DVDs. Ultimately, it won't stop people from ripping them, but it should slow them down (look at Xbox DVDs for example). And the best part? Everyone has to buy a new DVD player (backwards compatible to DVD 1.0 of course), and they have to re-purchase their favorite DVDs encoded for HDTV! [Yes, this sucks, but it would make the most sense from an execs point of view].
Gag, I think I'll sell my TV and move to Montana...
sarcasm ON
.. but which failed to function usefully once implemented due to lack of conceptual underpinnings. It will be nice to see this particular documentation fad slip beneath the waves, and people get back to describing what they want to do in thoughtful [pictures].
Yep. WORDS [are] a way for poor communicators to pretend to design. WORDS are notoriously bad at factoring in real-world requirements, exceptions, usage patterns, and user scenarios. In every case I've seen WORDS used for modeling, [they have] created systems which [sound] clean
sarcasm OFF