no, that's my bad. Looking back at the post, it really wasn't clear whether I was being sarcastic or clueless. Entirely understandable. You can't tell anything on April Fool's day....next time I'll add sarcasm tags or something. Then there won't be confusion.
I think your post proves how effective this april fool's joke was.
I pulled a quick one on a buddy of mine really early this morning (about 12:15...I don't waste my time!)...told him Ghoti Hook was gonna have a reunion tour this month. He went crazy! He told all his roommates and was really excited...asking me about the dates for the tour and locations and stuff...he took it [ghoti] hook, line and sinker. It went to the point that I felt really bad having to tell him the truth..then he got real superninjapissed. Yeah...I think I'm gonna steer clear of him for a few months...
That's fine, I have a bit of an explanation for the survey available on the site. Basically, it's just a popularity survey, and everyone knows that all popularity surveys are based only on looks. So, I linked to an image of each news anchor/reporter.
at the risk of losing karma over this...that is probably the funniest thing I've seen all day. If I had moderator points (and hadn't already posted like 10 times for this story), I'd totally mod you up.
Remember, we're also reading a transcript of his spoken answers to the questions. Just using different emphasis(es) on different words, it can change the entire sound and meaning of the sentence. When you listen to him, he might be stressing different parts of the sentence and he might sound like he's changing his mind or something. Bumbling, maybe...but I wouldn't say "Like an idiot."
From what I understand watching the DVD extras and all the stuff on Lotr.net, I think they just used a video overlay technique and actually put the body of Gollum right over Andy. They didn't actually erase him, they just sort of put Gollum right overtop of him. At least, that's how I understand it. That just shows you how much of his action and movements made Gollum.
Yeah, if you read the article, Serkis talks a lot about some of the stuff he did..he thought he was going to originally be a voice actor too, but in the end the entire character of Gollum *is* Andy...just with some digital skin.
As far as the DVD commentary, I'm not sure...it would make sense that they shot it with him once...just to get all the angles right so it looks like it is from his perspective, but I wouldn't think they'd edit him out, that sounds sort of ridiculous. Any film experts have an opinion?
Yeah right! The average slashdotter would have asked a much better question: "Who would win in a fight between Gollum and Wil Wheaton?" Or "Did they use a beowulf cluster to render your body?" etc. Trust me, no self-respecting slashdotter would have asked about Nobby.
Besides the typo, I think Andy Serkis did an excellent job. Watching the Oscars get handed out tonight will probably be an unfortunate reminder to Serkis that the Academy just isn't ready for a computer generated actor.
I think Gollum's performance was amazing, and after reading about it on lordoftherings.net and watching the little video about Andy Serkis (and from the bonus footage on FoTR), I think it is simply amazing how everything down to the facial expressions came from a real actor. That's just incredible.
I'm not trying to be redundant or anything here...but the second I saw the newspost, I thought of Officespace and how incredibly clever I was coming up with that name. I was thinking of my +5 "Insightful" score and how after people saw how clever I was and how knowledgable with movies I was, my self-confidence would be boosted and I'd be certain to find a woman. However, after clicking "read more" and discovering that 99.9% of all the posts refer to Officespace in one way or another, I was horribly dissappointed. But..I still wanted to post just to show that I'm still clever even if I wasn't the first one.
This is true...but for now on I'm going to wait until I get back to my dorm to read them instead of reading the articles while standing in the middle of the mail-hall...I got some strange stares when I was standing in the middle of the hall laughing uproarously in reference to the "Lord of the Rings II: More Stuff Happens" article. Also, walking and reading doesn't seem to work for me just because of the traffic on the roads between the mailhall and my dorm. I haven't been hit yet, and I'd like to keep it that way.
Ever since I started college, my grandmother never fails to cut out the dave barry column and send it to me...I know I could read it online, but nothing beats holding the newsprint in your hand and laughing.
Talk Like Pirates day is the best. Dave Barry rules. That is all.
I've read through all the comments and posts below this one, and a couple of things that Matth hasn't mentioned is that he probably hasn't installed the patches simply because he's been to bloody busy changing servers over to Linux, to PREVENT THESE PROBLEMS! Heck, he even switched all the workstations for the techs and whatnot at this business over to linux. It isn't laziness or lack of preperation that prevented this patch from being installed, he's making sure his network is totally secure by switching a windows network over to a linux network. Also, one admin for a whole PILE of servers, only two of which he would even have any sort of control with (colo? We're not going to install security for them!!). I think it is perfectly understandable if two servers weren't updated...heck, I'm half scared to install any new service pack from MS.
Stuff happens...matt isn't a "fresh out of college" MS loser, I've known matt for about 5 years, and he's ALWAYS used Linux. Heck, just look at his UID...he isn't new to slashdot or linux. So...everyone can just "step off.":-) Stuff happens, deal.
I think the text is ambiguous enough to allow either interpretation. MSNBC (and space.com) have "might spot" and "likely be spotted," which are both pretty conditional and relative phrases. I think either interpretation holds true simply because there is so much gray area and they (purposely) keep it ambiguous. *shrug*
Yeah..you're right. I should have proof-read it or at least compared it to the space.com article. *shrug* I just thought it was interesting and thought the slashdot crowd would too. If I had mentioned the 50k years or the 10000 light years, it probably wouldn't have been posted. *grin* Hind-sight is 20/20 I guess.
Umm...Tolkien was never very specific about whether the balrogs had wings or not. Besides the shadow being spread out "like" wings, there is also this sentence:
"...suddenly it drew itself up to a great height, and its wings were spread from wall to wall..."
The Fellowship of the Ring II 5 The Bridge of Khazad-dûm
This subject is probably one of the most debated among Tolkien scholars and buffs alike. Anyone who throws this topic out with a simple: "balrogs didn't have wings" should probably at least explain that it is a hotly debated topic. Here's a couple of links for anyone interested in the debate:
I probably would agree that they don't have wings, but Tolkien wasn't grumpy about it...as I recalled when the topic was brought up he told people to read the books and make their own decisions. Tolkien was very adament that one person's understanding of creatures in the book was different from other's, and one wasn't better than the other (which is probably why he had an aversion to making a movie of the books...).
Reading through the threads, I get the idea that you definitely dislike Peter Jackson and you definitely dislike the movies. Well...here's an option: DON'T WATCH THEM! IGNORE THEM! If you go and watch the movies and then expound upon them at length at a website (pro or con), you're still promoting them. If you're some sort of tolkien purist that believes the movies are evil and hacks, then stop promoting them.
Personally, I loved the movie (and I can deal with almost every change that was made from the books). If you go watch the movie, don't take the book with you. Remember...it isn't Tolkien making the movies, and these aren't the books put on screen. These are movies (not books) based upon the story by JRR Tolkien. Jackson has no obligation to stay true to the book (other than his own fanhood), his only obligation is to make a great movie. And, if the academy awards and the turnouts are any sort of clues, then he did a great job.
My advice: go watch the movies and check your books at the door...you won't be needing them. The movies aren't a supplement to the books, they are entirely different and you can't enjoy them if you nitpick over every detail. Movies are supposed to be entertainment...
Oh..I can't forget to shamelessly promote my review of the movie at my website.
I'm definitely a native of the area, and I have a whole lot of friends from the roaring branch area (the whole brannaka clan!). I can't believe someone from roaring branch reads slashdot *grin* Actually..the light was definitely from trout run, williamsport would have been more south, it was coming nearly directly from the west..right down the valley. If you look at the pictures, you can tell (ok, if you knew where the pictures were from, and what direction they were taken in you could tell). Williamsport would have been about 70 degrees to the left (south) in most of the pictures...though you can still definitely tell where williamsport is at night.
Ok..a beowolf cluster, vodka and cowboyneal are all reasonable and make sense...but why a telescope? Do you think you're going to be able to see the meteors through the telescope? They move sort of fast you know...also, you would need one heck of a wide angle lens...
A camera is more of an essential than a telescope..and I don't mean for taking pictures of your nights debauchery with cowboyneal, I'm talking about taking pictures of the meteors.
Slashdot Mirror
If I wanted to watch geeks playing on computers I'd either go to work or get a mirror. Webcams...bah!
no, that's my bad. Looking back at the post, it really wasn't clear whether I was being sarcastic or clueless. Entirely understandable. You can't tell anything on April Fool's day....next time I'll add sarcasm tags or something. Then there won't be confusion.
I think your post proves how effective this april fool's joke was.
I pulled a quick one on a buddy of mine really early this morning (about 12:15...I don't waste my time!)...told him Ghoti Hook was gonna have a reunion tour this month. He went crazy! He told all his roommates and was really excited...asking me about the dates for the tour and locations and stuff...he took it [ghoti] hook, line and sinker. It went to the point that I felt really bad having to tell him the truth..then he got real superninjapissed. Yeah...I think I'm gonna steer clear of him for a few months...
Sorry, Slashdot really needs sarcasm tags. I guess I'm too subtle...or too easily confused with clueless people.
How is this any different from vice city?
sorry, I'll indicate sarcasm next time. I need to start remembering to do that. :(
I've never heard of anything like this before!!! This is as crazy as Salon posting pro-war articles!. I'm befuddled!
That's fine, I have a bit of an explanation for the survey available on the site. Basically, it's just a popularity survey, and everyone knows that all popularity surveys are based only on looks. So, I linked to an image of each news anchor/reporter.
at the risk of losing karma over this...that is probably the funniest thing I've seen all day. If I had moderator points (and hadn't already posted like 10 times for this story), I'd totally mod you up.
What a pun..oh man.
not a problem. However, to show how sorry you really are, you should go to fjordboy.com and vote for your favorite news anchor.
Sorry, I'll be sure to indicate my sarcasm with blinking lights next time.
Remember, we're also reading a transcript of his spoken answers to the questions. Just using different emphasis(es) on different words, it can change the entire sound and meaning of the sentence. When you listen to him, he might be stressing different parts of the sentence and he might sound like he's changing his mind or something. Bumbling, maybe...but I wouldn't say "Like an idiot."
From what I understand watching the DVD extras and all the stuff on Lotr.net, I think they just used a video overlay technique and actually put the body of Gollum right over Andy. They didn't actually erase him, they just sort of put Gollum right overtop of him. At least, that's how I understand it. That just shows you how much of his action and movements made Gollum.
Yeah, if you read the article, Serkis talks a lot about some of the stuff he did..he thought he was going to originally be a voice actor too, but in the end the entire character of Gollum *is* Andy...just with some digital skin.
As far as the DVD commentary, I'm not sure...it would make sense that they shot it with him once...just to get all the angles right so it looks like it is from his perspective, but I wouldn't think they'd edit him out, that sounds sort of ridiculous. Any film experts have an opinion?
Yeah right! The average slashdotter would have asked a much better question: "Who would win in a fight between Gollum and Wil Wheaton?" Or "Did they use a beowulf cluster to render your body?" etc. Trust me, no self-respecting slashdotter would have asked about Nobby.
This one was probably my favorite:
So true.
"...his roll as Gollum"
hehe..."Roll."
Besides the typo, I think Andy Serkis did an excellent job. Watching the Oscars get handed out tonight will probably be an unfortunate reminder to Serkis that the Academy just isn't ready for a computer generated actor.
I think Gollum's performance was amazing, and after reading about it on lordoftherings.net and watching the little video about Andy Serkis (and from the bonus footage on FoTR), I think it is simply amazing how everything down to the facial expressions came from a real actor. That's just incredible.
I'm not trying to be redundant or anything here...but the second I saw the newspost, I thought of Officespace and how incredibly clever I was coming up with that name. I was thinking of my +5 "Insightful" score and how after people saw how clever I was and how knowledgable with movies I was, my self-confidence would be boosted and I'd be certain to find a woman. However, after clicking "read more" and discovering that 99.9% of all the posts refer to Officespace in one way or another, I was horribly dissappointed. But..I still wanted to post just to show that I'm still clever even if I wasn't the first one.
This is true...but for now on I'm going to wait until I get back to my dorm to read them instead of reading the articles while standing in the middle of the mail-hall...I got some strange stares when I was standing in the middle of the hall laughing uproarously in reference to the "Lord of the Rings II: More Stuff Happens" article. Also, walking and reading doesn't seem to work for me just because of the traffic on the roads between the mailhall and my dorm. I haven't been hit yet, and I'd like to keep it that way.
Ever since I started college, my grandmother never fails to cut out the dave barry column and send it to me...I know I could read it online, but nothing beats holding the newsprint in your hand and laughing.
Talk Like Pirates day is the best. Dave Barry rules. That is all.
I've read through all the comments and posts below this one, and a couple of things that Matth hasn't mentioned is that he probably hasn't installed the patches simply because he's been to bloody busy changing servers over to Linux, to PREVENT THESE PROBLEMS! Heck, he even switched all the workstations for the techs and whatnot at this business over to linux. It isn't laziness or lack of preperation that prevented this patch from being installed, he's making sure his network is totally secure by switching a windows network over to a linux network. Also, one admin for a whole PILE of servers, only two of which he would even have any sort of control with (colo? We're not going to install security for them!!). I think it is perfectly understandable if two servers weren't updated...heck, I'm half scared to install any new service pack from MS.
:-) Stuff happens, deal.
Stuff happens...matt isn't a "fresh out of college" MS loser, I've known matt for about 5 years, and he's ALWAYS used Linux. Heck, just look at his UID...he isn't new to slashdot or linux. So...everyone can just "step off."
I think the text is ambiguous enough to allow either interpretation. MSNBC (and space.com) have "might spot" and "likely be spotted," which are both pretty conditional and relative phrases. I think either interpretation holds true simply because there is so much gray area and they (purposely) keep it ambiguous. *shrug*
Yeah..you're right. I should have proof-read it or at least compared it to the space.com article. *shrug* I just thought it was interesting and thought the slashdot crowd would too. If I had mentioned the 50k years or the 10000 light years, it probably wouldn't have been posted. *grin* Hind-sight is 20/20 I guess.
This subject is probably one of the most debated among Tolkien scholars and buffs alike. Anyone who throws this topic out with a simple: "balrogs didn't have wings" should probably at least explain that it is a hotly debated topic. Here's a couple of links for anyone interested in the debate:
Encyclopedia of Arda's entry on Balrogs.
more Arda entries on the subject
from greenboks
some geocities site
I probably would agree that they don't have wings, but Tolkien wasn't grumpy about it...as I recalled when the topic was brought up he told people to read the books and make their own decisions. Tolkien was very adament that one person's understanding of creatures in the book was different from other's, and one wasn't better than the other (which is probably why he had an aversion to making a movie of the books...).
Reading through the threads, I get the idea that you definitely dislike Peter Jackson and you definitely dislike the movies. Well...here's an option: DON'T WATCH THEM! IGNORE THEM! If you go and watch the movies and then expound upon them at length at a website (pro or con), you're still promoting them. If you're some sort of tolkien purist that believes the movies are evil and hacks, then stop promoting them.
Personally, I loved the movie (and I can deal with almost every change that was made from the books). If you go watch the movie, don't take the book with you. Remember...it isn't Tolkien making the movies, and these aren't the books put on screen. These are movies (not books) based upon the story by JRR Tolkien. Jackson has no obligation to stay true to the book (other than his own fanhood), his only obligation is to make a great movie. And, if the academy awards and the turnouts are any sort of clues, then he did a great job.
My advice: go watch the movies and check your books at the door...you won't be needing them. The movies aren't a supplement to the books, they are entirely different and you can't enjoy them if you nitpick over every detail. Movies are supposed to be entertainment...
Oh..I can't forget to shamelessly promote my review of the movie at my website.
I'm definitely a native of the area, and I have a whole lot of friends from the roaring branch area (the whole brannaka clan!). I can't believe someone from roaring branch reads slashdot *grin* Actually..the light was definitely from trout run, williamsport would have been more south, it was coming nearly directly from the west..right down the valley. If you look at the pictures, you can tell (ok, if you knew where the pictures were from, and what direction they were taken in you could tell). Williamsport would have been about 70 degrees to the left (south) in most of the pictures...though you can still definitely tell where williamsport is at night.
Ok..a beowolf cluster, vodka and cowboyneal are all reasonable and make sense...but why a telescope? Do you think you're going to be able to see the meteors through the telescope? They move sort of fast you know...also, you would need one heck of a wide angle lens...
A camera is more of an essential than a telescope..and I don't mean for taking pictures of your nights debauchery with cowboyneal, I'm talking about taking pictures of the meteors.