Games like the old spectrum classic 3D Ant Attack should be archived as examples of the evolution of computing entertainment.
3D Ant Attack was a 3D platform game released in 1983 for the Sinclair/Timex ZX Spectrum that could be argued to be the precursor to the Tomb Raiders of today.
Abandonware sites effectively archive such classic games in a similar way to the classic computer/consoles museums that exist legally.
Considering the ongoing trend for eye candy over gameplay we need the old games to be around as examples of good game design.
For example RARE, nee Ultimate Play The Game produced games for the old 8-bit computers that are still relevant today in terms of game design and sheer playability. Play UPG games like Cookie, Knightlore, Tranz-Am and JetPac and see how games should be designed. You can't even download the spectrum originals from Rare's site so without Abandonware their work could be lost.
P.S. For decent warez site vist new-warez and don't forget to visit astalavista if you need to get round pesky copy protection on old software (and a damn good site for security info too)
There are some differences between UK and Am. English vocabulary and pronunciation, but the core grammar, phonology, and morphology are 99% the same. It does not take long after arriving on the other shore to get the hang of understanding and being understood in the other variant.
Its those slight difference in vocabulary that can catch the unwary.
For example the following could lose the meaning in being translated between US and UK english (and vice versa):
To prove your point here in the UK it has been decreed that US English should be taught to our children especially for scientific terms.
The reasoning being that as the rest of the world now speaks US English, native English is now deemed to be unecessary.
So in future thou shall not spell analyse with an s its analyze.
Everything now goes with a Z (No the're not saying thou shall not use VDM to any any maths junkies reading this.)
From a cultural point of view its bad for us in the UK as its one more Americanisation of our culture...
BUT rationally it makes sense.
UK English used to be the universal language now its going to be US English through the influence of American culture more than anything else
If we think calmly about this, does it really matter if we all speak US English ?
Microsoft produces closed source software, without a lot of reverse engineering who is going to be able to prove their using GPL code ?
In reality it will probably be a Microsoft employee who will leak whether or not they are using GPL code after all they know whats going on.
Rememeber not every Microsoft coder is anti open source software. Don't assume that just because someone works at Microsoft they believe in Microsoft's politics. Most coders have a strong belief in ethics and professional responsibilites...someone would leak this if it was true.
Good article though, but the Microsoft using GPL code angle is purely theoretical and seems to rest on the argument that if Windows is getting more stable they must be using GPL code.
Iron Maiden borrowed the "Stanger In A Strange Land" name for a song called "Stranger in a Strange Land" (Doh!)
The title is borrowed from the famous Robert Heinlein book but the song is not related to the book in any other way.
In case any/.'s post Maiden sung about Heinleins book..."Stranger In A Strange Land" is about an expedition that got lost in the North Pole. Their bodies were found almost perfectly preserved in the snow. Adrian met one of the survivors and this inspired Maiden to write the song.
Oh and U2 Sung Stranger in a Strange Land too, but that again was NOT about Heinleins book
At least his memory will live on as long as the internet shall survive, in perverse way its seems appropriate that his ftp site has been slashdotted.
Somehow all that comes to mind is the phrase 'Only the good die, all the evil seems to live forever' seem appropriate (maybe its just my warped sense of humour)
... but I find it hard to read more than 5 pages of an online novel without having at least a couple of coffee breaks
When electronic books become cheaper and more widespread this will cease to be a problem.
They have the portability of mobile web access (wap, i-mode etc) with the readability of a traditional book.
The book readers that are slowly becoming available have backlit display, are virtually indestructable (i.e. in moments of boredum you throw them at your collegues) and allow you to download new books or journals to them as you see fit.
Of course unlike a traditional book or newspaper content will be able to be updated....
Slashdot Mirror
You'll know when linux reaches the mainstream...
When we get clippy the interactive Red Hat configuration wizard
Games like the old spectrum classic 3D Ant Attack should be archived as examples of the evolution of computing entertainment.
3D Ant Attack was a 3D platform game released in 1983 for the Sinclair/Timex ZX Spectrum that could be argued to be the precursor to the Tomb Raiders of today.
Abandonware sites effectively archive such classic games in a similar way to the classic computer/consoles museums that exist legally.
Considering the ongoing trend for eye candy over gameplay we need the old games to be around as examples of good game design.
For example RARE, nee Ultimate Play The Game produced games for the old 8-bit computers that are still relevant today in terms of game design and sheer playability. Play UPG games like Cookie, Knightlore, Tranz-Am and JetPac and see how games should be designed. You can't even download the spectrum originals from Rare's site so without Abandonware their work could be lost.
P.S. For decent warez site vist new-warez and don't forget to visit astalavista if you need to get round pesky copy protection on old software (and a damn good site for security info too)
Its a non-US government site but is very well designed for its purpose.
Whats good about their site:
Most web pages available in a choice of 11 languages (US English excluded ;) )
Whats new section detailing daily events in the EU and new web pages uploaded
Custom search engine
More than one method available to find information i.e. search engine, menus, by subject
Heavily text based, i.e still usable for the visually impaired or on text based browsers (ie Lynx)
User centred design (Obligatory Kharma Whoring Nielson reference)
Like Slashdot the site is updated on a daily basis, so the content is never out of date
Who else has got the hots for Katherine Harris? I know I certainly do!
Marks out of ten I'd give her one.
Why worry about volcanoes when in reality methane causes far more ozone depletion.
Surely overpopulation in the world leads to greater ozone depletion than the odd volcanoe ?
Its not just us humans either, the proliferation of cows for food production, significantly adds to the ozone depletion caused by methane.
Oh well just my Denari
One thing the /. post doesn't mention is that the Dune screening is only in the US.
So if you get the Science Fiction channel in Europe you'll just have to wait a little longer.
Damn I'm jealous....
Shouldn't Nasa investigate our own oceans more thoroughly first, they won't find aliens in long dead oceans on Mars.
Everyone knows that the real discovery is here on Earth. X-Com knew for years that the terror from the deep is hiding here on Earth.
The Aliens are here and hiding in the oceans....
Nah you've got Hemos and Katz all wrong.
;)
When they said intellectual property must be free...
They meant free as in 'free undred quid
Apologies to the non UK-English speaking Americans reading this post its meant to be funny
Its those slight difference in vocabulary that can catch the unwary.
For example the following could lose the meaning in being translated between US and UK english (and vice versa):
What a gay day
Marks out of ten I'd give her one
I'm just popping out for a fag
'Bob'
Give us an 'E' Bob
franger banging
Got any Vera's
You're Mum
Camper than a VW
Your's looks a bit like Anne Widecambe
Your tits have secondary harmonics
Hmm I fancy a scooby snack
shag
John Thomas
Unlike common US terms that anyone understands
For example everyone understands WASUUUUUP!!!!
To prove your point here in the UK it has been decreed that US English should be taught to our children especially for scientific terms.
The reasoning being that as the rest of the world now speaks US English, native English is now deemed to be unecessary.
So in future thou shall not spell analyse with an s its analyze.
Everything now goes with a Z (No the're not saying thou shall not use VDM to any any maths junkies reading this.)
From a cultural point of view its bad for us in the UK as its one more Americanisation of our culture...
BUT rationally it makes sense.
UK English used to be the universal language now its going to be US English through the influence of American culture more than anything else
If we think calmly about this, does it really matter if we all speak US English ?
I bet they haven't paid for their licenses twice yet though....
Another Microsoft visit in six months then ?
Playing DVD's you've made from all you're Leechster Downloads.
After what better use for DVD than looking at pron....
mmmm gigs of pron make Homer horny
...on slashdot
/.
Proof that enhanced colour vision leads to trolling on
Microsoft produces closed source software, without a lot of reverse engineering who is going to be able to prove their using GPL code ?
In reality it will probably be a Microsoft employee who will leak whether or not they are using GPL code after all they know whats going on.
Rememeber not every Microsoft coder is anti open source software. Don't assume that just because someone works at Microsoft they believe in Microsoft's politics. Most coders have a strong belief in ethics and professional responsibilites...someone would leak this if it was true.
Good article though, but the Microsoft using GPL code angle is purely theoretical and seems to rest on the argument that if Windows is getting more stable they must be using GPL code.
Yeah this Christmas at a cinema near you "The Fellowship of the Ring"
Starring:
Bill Gates as Sauron
Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson as Gandalf
Association for Competitive Technology as misc Orcs and Wargs.
AOL as Saruman
The first thing I thought when I saw a Furby was cool new Gremlins.
Considering the similarities I always wondered why they never had legal problems with the 'look and feel' of a gremlin being so close.
They look a little alike,do Furbies sound like Gremlins ?
Slightly offtopic I know, but I'm too curious too worry about kharma burn
Iron Maiden borrowed the "Stanger In A Strange Land" name for a song called "Stranger in a Strange Land" (Doh!)
/.'s post Maiden sung about Heinleins book..."Stranger In A Strange Land" is about an expedition that got lost in the North Pole. Their bodies were found almost perfectly preserved in the snow. Adrian met one of the survivors and this inspired Maiden to write the song.
The title is borrowed from the famous Robert Heinlein book but the song is not related to the book in any other way.
In case any
Oh and U2 Sung Stranger in a Strange Land too, but that again was NOT about Heinleins book
As no one else seems to have posted it....
For the 1% who don't know what it means.
Factually its an abbreviation:
For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge.
So when someone say go f**k yourself it doesn't really make sense as an insult.
One site I feel should be mentioned is mikehuntsonfire and also check out
sickfuckers.com
SickFuckers got registered so you're in with a chance here...
FYI MikeHunt is a cool underground site that in their own words "puts out the evilest books, videos & comix this side of hell!"
Oh and their index page is pretty funny because the opening link is "CLICK TO ENTER MIKE HUNT". I know pretty inane stuff...
I never thought this link would EVER be on topic....time to sit back and watch my kharma burn !!!
At least his memory will live on as long as the internet shall survive, in perverse way its seems appropriate that his ftp site has been slashdotted.
Somehow all that comes to mind is the phrase 'Only the good die, all the evil seems to live forever' seem appropriate (maybe its just my warped sense of humour)
Well apart from Latin what have the Romans ever done for us ?
... but I find it hard to read more than 5 pages of an online novel without having at least a couple of coffee breaks
When electronic books become cheaper and more widespread this will cease to be a problem.
They have the portability of mobile web access (wap, i-mode etc) with the readability of a traditional book.
The book readers that are slowly becoming available have backlit display, are virtually indestructable (i.e. in moments of boredum you throw them at your collegues) and allow you to download new books or journals to them as you see fit.
Of course unlike a traditional book or newspaper content will be able to be updated....
Isn't about time God got round to writing a sequal.
Imagine the publishing opportunities, after all 2000 years is long enough for any mortal to write a sequal why should god be any different ?
More importantly has anyone made a lego version of the Bible yet ?
Hmmm I thought you meant Alien Gremlins.....
Remember Mugwai are affected by water and turn into Gremlins...
OK I was on the wrong track...
The only way to defeat bacteria is to feed them Microsoft Bob, the only lifeform lower down the foodchain
Remember not to get them wet, or they'll multiply!
You forgot...don't feed them after midnight or they'll multiply