Does anybody remember the one-handed controller for the PS a couple years back? I believe it was the ASCII Grip. Sure it was unruly, and not dual-shock, but for a good RPG, it was ideal. You could sit back and eat some popcorn/chips/bacon and not get your controller all greasy/salty/nasty, etc. Although I never had one (and judging by the way it went out of production, neither did anyone else), I seriously considered getting one, and now every time I'm playing a console RPG, kick myself for not buying the only one I ever saw for sale.
It's days like this that I look around my room and smile, knowing that I haven't bought a CD in months, rather the room is ever so slowly filling with vinyl. yep. Good old 12" singles. Sometimes I'm glad that I'm not a slave to (North American) popularity and prefer some good old-fashioned techno which comes on non-copy-protectable slabs of black plastic.
. ..But the day they take that away. ..
And the internet radio thing is another story altogether. Anyone who reads this and happens to be in the US (I have no "representative" to write to) write your representative and get Certain legeslation rejected. Please?
Not necessarily will no movie ever be made like that again. Just look at any episode of Farscape to see that most of the time they use real honest-to-goodness "puppets" (if that's still a politically correct term) in lieu of CG. Granted, the puppetry can get a bit cheesy, but it's good work fitting of being made by the company Jim Henson created. And yes, it's not a movie but it still shows that CG isn't taking over completely.
On the other hand, I'm still a huge fan of a good CG scene now and then, though. In order to save posts, shame on whoever posted and commented on entirely CG movies and didn't mention Final Fantasy. If we all can try not to slam it for a second, I still think it was a spectacular use of the software available and all in all did come very close in places to looking real.
I couldn't agree with that any more. I can't count the number of times that I've gotten so fed up with a little bug in some abstract function and not 3 minutes after walking away to do something else (usually coffee-related) the answer just jumps out and it was so simple! It almost makes me want to not go back to the computer, unfortunately that's where the problems start, and we get to the next topic I wanted to cover: prime coding hours:
Yeah, I do some of my most productive work between the hours of 12:00AM and 3:00AM on a Sunday night, but that's usually due to the fact that an assignment is due the next morning (since I'm still apparently "learning" this stuff). However, the only reason that this is happening is because I wasted the weekend with other pursuits.
Finally, music is everything. I personally like to start off with whatever's been going through my head for the last week, but by the time some serious coding comes up, it's time to kick on the Hard House radio streams, and get something with a lot of mindless bass going. Personally, I think I do better coding then, but that's just an opinion.
-= FLAME MODE =- At least we didn't bomb some of your soldiers while they were on a training mission because we saw some flashes and got trigger-happy. -= End Flame Mode =-
And yes, as already stated, google.ca is just google, with a more localized domain.
So I've been thinking more and more about this as I still can't download Farscape on the "new" Morpheus (Curse it's infernal codes), and I'm starting to come to a a conclusion that should get thrown out to see if it's not off base. ..
So KaZaa (which still sounds like 'l337 Skr1pt k1dd13' speak) lets Morpheus use their network, since it'll pull in those people who want to use peer-to-peer and also know enough that spyware is out there and it's bad, mm'kay? One day, when Morpheus has something like a few million users, they pull the plug. Question: Where will these newly-deprived users go? For the most part, KaZaa. Now how many 'new things' are suddenly added to KaZaa and not mentioned? Seems to me like the main purpose of Morpheus in the beginning was more of a "gateway drug" to get otherwise intelligent people to use KaZaa. I think if the management at our favorite spyware-headquarters didn't know that they were using it to drag people in when they would eventually shut it down, they would have never let it run at all.
Just to be safe, I'm still stocking up on CD-R's before the levies may or may not happen (thinking of the last time they threatened this). I needs somewhere to back up my episodes of Farscape, seeing as I can't get it on TV (Space just started showing Season 3, but no cable makes Ae;rog a sad, sad individual).
On the other hand, (and someone please correct me on this), doesn't the FTA basically allw laws to be applied universally? I don't know how this will affect things like levies, and all my info comes from a raging Anti-FTA source, but if it does, could that mean no cheap CD's for you guys either?
But I'm sick and tired, and shouldn't be posting in this condition. . . .
Man, it's times like this that I wish my MP wasn't such a useless figurehead. I'm probably still going to write to him, but just to be safe, I'd better start stocking up now. Looks like the days of $0.50 CD-R's are over.
I'm sure glad everybody voted CA, just so they could split up into factions and never get anything done.
. ..that they haven't evolved at all from the SNES days.
For the most part, I can see where you're coming from on this one. Story usually is given a backseat to graphics and gameplay, however there have been a few games that are definitely NOT like that.
Begin Rant Mode:
Xenogears, is in my opinion possibly the greatest RPG ever made. The game takes 60 hours to finish if you hurry, and most of that is story. Yeah, so it crams a bunch of story down your throat in the second disc. I would have loved to have played it out, too, but the story that you do go through is fantastic. And as far as depth goes, it's only in the last few hours that you finally figure out who you're even fighting and for most of the game, and you're continually finding out new aspects to a story that is more involved than any I've ever seen.
End Rant Mode:
But that's just me ranting because I don't have my PS with me and no time to invest in the game. Pick it up, if you have a week or so to blow, though. And maybe more people would have liked the FF movie if they had gotten the story from the guy that wrote Xenogears (and yes, I really liked the movie anyway.)
I'm not sure what the rest of the places out there are (not) doing, but I'm currently in a 5-year, dual-degree program of Engineering Physics (EP) and Computer Science at the University of Saskatchewan (yes, it is a good school as far as Engineering goes). I've noticed most universities don't offer anything like our EP program, but it's basically a physics degree with more engineering applications. Kind of Theoretical EE, with some other stuff on the side. And unlike other stories I've heard, about 90% of graduates from this program find work before they've finished the degree.
It's not exactly a common path, but it's a great way to get involved in high tech/R&D areas. I'd personally recommend it to anyone that is looking to do something more with physics/engineering and still wants a CS degree (Granted, it's a three-year degree, but I'm seriously planning to turn it into a four-year).
Y'know, I was just watching old promo movies for Xenogears and saying to myself "Damn, self. That was the Sweetest game ever." I don't ever remember being so enthralled in a game that you just sit down and play it for days and days on end. As far as plot goes, nothing even comes close to touching it as far as I've seen. The intro movie makes no sense until you're just about right on top of the final boss, mostly because the story takes you from the VERY beginning. You end up discovering so much about the world, the entire view of it changes.
Yeah, but that's just ranting and raving. Truthfully, Xenogears is still one of the best games ever made, just for the depth. Now to find some cash before Xenosaga. . . . .
Yet I can guarantee you that there's a vasy majority of people who could sit down and learn the 5 chords needed to play almost all the popular alt-rock songs out now.
*Enter Surly Abrasive Mode* (so what about karma?)
House and trance are two completely different things, and even such an "amazing" musician as yourself could figure this out. Hell, even Lars Ulrich could do it. it's a lot more than just a "bunch of druggies dancing to a steady bass thumping". Saying that is like saying that Rock is "a bunch of jocks and hicks standing around a couple guys plaing the same chord over and over again and droning on about some pointless crap." But by the looks of your post then this may have hit a bit too close to home. Maybe if you opened you eyes and your mind (try it for a change) you'd learn that "electronic" music is a term as broad as "Rock & Roll". I'm sure that you know that alternative is different than death metal, right?
*End rant mode*
And no, if you haven't guessed, I'm not the biggest fan of Rock. Personally, I find it boring and petty and having to listen to RHCP makes me want to vomit blood, but that's not saying that it doesn't have musical insight and value. Yeah, the good artists are extremely good at what they do. When you listen to something you just get used to the more subtle nuances (that means little differences*) of that style. I listen to trance and pick out pitch variations and the melody behind them. I imagine you can hear things that I'd never have heard in the latest Tool CD (or what-have-you).
But the point of the thing is that you can't take the work of an artist (you try DJ'ing and see how "easy" it is) and turn it into an algorithm**. it's an equivalent to having a computer write songs and (crappy) lyrics.
* Note: (if something is not like something else, then it's different)
Now this is one of those points that should have a +6, if there were such a beast.
The whole point of a DJ is do do new things. Sure, you could program a few random tricks into the machine, but if the people are unanimously "in favour "of something, then it's more likely to happen. I'm a really big fan of going out to the clubs (when the opportunity arises) just to hear what the DJ has to play. If I want to hear what the crowd (note: small, western-Canadian city) wants I'll just turn on the top 40 or go to Ryly's and hear the same old mainstream crap.
I'm one of the opinion that a DJ should entertain and make you think at the same time. The best (and I'm adding Timo Maas to the list) can take something you'd never thought of or play something new and end up with something so amazing that it sticks in your head and you wonder how you ever lived without it. You just can't get that sophisticated with a computer. If I ever have some spare time to get back at it, it'll be with good, old-fashioned vinyl and a couple decks, not my computer.
Re:The only worry is about pirate games...
on
Gamecube Guts
·
· Score: 2
But when you look at Nintendo's track record, that seems to be exactly what they intend to do. I'm quite sure that the N-64 cartridge-based thing was not entirely due to load times. Some of that had to be to discourage piracy.
With the Dreamcast, it was the same thing. They used a larger (AFAIK 1Gb) CD, but enterprising people were able to strip out the essentials in order to fit it onto 700mb. I seem to remember friends talking about not having music on a game because it wouldn't fit or some such comment. Correct me if I'm wrong of course.
The other thing about burned games is the tendency to wreck the system (I've heard horrible grinding noises from my friend's coupled with the sound not working on games). For a DC, that amounts to about 100 bucks (Canadian), so it really isn't too bad. For a GC, that's substantially more.
And to think that just Friday I happened to run across a Casio calculator ad in a physics magazine, whereupon a friend and I laughed hysterically at the thought of having to actually buy a Casio calculator. Is this poetic irony? Oh HP, why hast thou forsaken the geeks?
But the question still remains, who really wants to visit the MSN site anyway? I'm one in the opinion that the MSN site is already simply pro-microsoft messaging, so what's the big deal. Sure, other sites do block certain browsers, but I'm in the opinion that web developers should try their best to make it look good in all (I sure do; still design on Netscape 4.7, but add features that work in one browser (by way of the navigator.appname function.) Yeah, that discriminates against non-JS users, but there are ways around that, too, you just have to accept not having a snazzy front end.)
The thing you have to ask is is it worth it. If you don't care what MS does with their pages, use Mozilla (or Konqueror, if that turns your crank) and read something else. If the hits go down they might reconsider.
By 2010, AC posting outlawed on the grounds that it does not pass the Turing test, therefore all random drivel and unenlightened flaming to be done by intelligent computers (to perfect "Hard AI") and the previous AC-kiddies turned into soylent green.
40 years ago, ceratin "futurists" envisioned a world where domestic duties such as picking up trash and cleaning were done by a multitude of small robots. How strange that, albeit 20 years later than planned, we actually do have robots that pick up trash!
Can't be too long 'till the 30-hour workweek! Woohoo!
Donated CD's, you say? Well judging by the speed that my current 100-pack is diminishing, the idea of giving them away is going to send me into the red before you know it.
But that brings up a good question: How much does one donate to something like that, and what cost is that looking at? I got a deal with 100 CD's and cases for $0.50CDN apiece, but that was a deal. How much do you usually send? and where can I get some of those free CD's in the neverending quest to archive the internet (another noble pursuit)
Still, much closer than I can get here. The only real radio show that is out there is after midnight on Thursdays on public radio. And yeah, they sure seem like mainstream, but hey, it beats "Britney on one channel, RHCP on the other". Can't live with 'em, can't convince the people that they suck. Oh well. I guess I can just start downloading more after seemingly breaking my LP habit.
Finally someone comes out with a radio service that can get me the 24-hour electronica fix that I so crave! And 3 channels nonetheless!! Not too sure what everyone else's situation is but here there's rock, country, rock, oldies, country, talk, country, and maybe some rock. Doesn't go so well if you just have this insatiable urge to listen to some Digweed in the car (mind you, I have no CD player or AM radio to speak of (then again, it's AM)).
Had I the cash to throw down on something like that I'd definitely have it by tomorrow. Sadly there's these things called food and shelter. . . . .
But I hope that this takes off, if only for the sake of having what may actually be some quality programming and reception! Who knows. I might be able to afford it in a while. Oh yeah, and if you don't like techno, I think there's some other channels, too.
Okay, the first message I posted was written before I happened to see a news broadcast of the reaction by certain factions in Palestine, and in that I admit I acted a little hasty. The reactions are very, very inappropriate. However, the basic premise of the post holds.
We can't interpret the reactions of a group of people as admissions of guilt and if there is a reaction against Palestine for simply reacting in an emotional way (given the situation they've been in), then the world is truly doomed. I agree that some reaction against the forces involved is necessary, but not just against people who did not cause the tragedy. As far as I can see (and I'm no expert in middle-eastern relations) the Palestinian people have been getting the proverbial kick in the balls from the US for quite sime time now (seemingly) and this may just be the reaction that happens when emotionally-charged people are given a situation. It's akin to (but not exactly) the reaction that will occur when the diabolical fiends who coordinated this are brought to justice. People will be so happy that the people who they see as bringing them suffering are punished. And no, I'm not saying that the US is directly causing the Palestinians to suffer, but oftentimes people who are only slightly informed will make such assumptions (the vast majority being common people (of any race or nationality).
So what I'm trying to say is that yes, some of the the Palestinian people's reactions are very inappropriate, but there shouldn't be a reaction against it for the sake of goodwill and not plunging into all-out war. Attacking them would be like a very large child pounding the living crap out of a smaller (yet maybe just as loud) child for laughing when the bigger kid trips and breaks his leg.
Palestinians can rally in the streets today, and celebrate the mass extermination of human beings.
Not that I'm condoning violence in any ay shape or form, (this act was utter atrocity), but your statement about Palestinians and immediately assuming they're responsible is bare-faced racism just like you accuse them of condoning. we have to remember at this time No group has claimed responsiblity and Arafat and even the Taliban have denounced the act. It is still unknown which group carried out the attack, and (I'm going to get modded down here), but the chance even holds that it could even be an American group (however small). We need to stop pointing fingers until there is sufficient evidence that this was an attack by group X.
We need to focus on the aftermath and helping the survivors, and sadly I'm over half a continent and a closed border away or I'd be out there now. I hope we can put it behind us and work on the task at hand first, before condemning potentially innocent groups.
Slashdot Mirror
Does anybody remember the one-handed controller for the PS a couple years back? I believe it was the ASCII Grip. Sure it was unruly, and not dual-shock, but for a good RPG, it was ideal. You could sit back and eat some popcorn/chips/bacon and not get your controller all greasy/salty/nasty, etc. Although I never had one (and judging by the way it went out of production, neither did anyone else), I seriously considered getting one, and now every time I'm playing a console RPG, kick myself for not buying the only one I ever saw for sale.
It's days like this that I look around my room and smile, knowing that I haven't bought a CD in months, rather the room is ever so slowly filling with vinyl. yep. Good old 12" singles. Sometimes I'm glad that I'm not a slave to (North American) popularity and prefer some good old-fashioned techno which comes on non-copy-protectable slabs of black plastic.
.But the day they take that away. . .
. .
And the internet radio thing is another story altogether. Anyone who reads this and happens to be in the US (I have no "representative" to write to) write your representative and get Certain legeslation rejected. Please?
Not necessarily will no movie ever be made like that again. Just look at any episode of Farscape to see that most of the time they use real honest-to-goodness "puppets" (if that's still a politically correct term) in lieu of CG. Granted, the puppetry can get a bit cheesy, but it's good work fitting of being made by the company Jim Henson created. And yes, it's not a movie but it still shows that CG isn't taking over completely.
On the other hand, I'm still a huge fan of a good CG scene now and then, though. In order to save posts, shame on whoever posted and commented on entirely CG movies and didn't mention Final Fantasy. If we all can try not to slam it for a second, I still think it was a spectacular use of the software available and all in all did come very close in places to looking real.
First of all, get away from your computer
I couldn't agree with that any more. I can't count the number of times that I've gotten so fed up with a little bug in some abstract function and not 3 minutes after walking away to do something else (usually coffee-related) the answer just jumps out and it was so simple! It almost makes me want to not go back to the computer, unfortunately that's where the problems start, and we get to the next topic I wanted to cover: prime coding hours:
Yeah, I do some of my most productive work between the hours of 12:00AM and 3:00AM on a Sunday night, but that's usually due to the fact that an assignment is due the next morning (since I'm still apparently "learning" this stuff). However, the only reason that this is happening is because I wasted the weekend with other pursuits.
Finally, music is everything. I personally like to start off with whatever's been going through my head for the last week, but by the time some serious coding comes up, it's time to kick on the Hard House radio streams, and get something with a lot of mindless bass going. Personally, I think I do better coding then, but that's just an opinion.
-= FLAME MODE =-
At least we didn't bomb some of your soldiers while they were on a training mission because we saw some flashes and got trigger-happy.
-= End Flame Mode =-
And yes, as already stated, google.ca is just google, with a more localized domain.
So I've been thinking more and more about this as I still can't download Farscape on the "new" Morpheus (Curse it's infernal codes), and I'm starting to come to a a conclusion that should get thrown out to see if it's not off base. . .
So KaZaa (which still sounds like 'l337 Skr1pt k1dd13' speak) lets Morpheus use their network, since it'll pull in those people who want to use peer-to-peer and also know enough that spyware is out there and it's bad, mm'kay? One day, when Morpheus has something like a few million users, they pull the plug. Question: Where will these newly-deprived users go? For the most part, KaZaa. Now how many 'new things' are suddenly added to KaZaa and not mentioned? Seems to me like the main purpose of Morpheus in the beginning was more of a "gateway drug" to get otherwise intelligent people to use KaZaa. I think if the management at our favorite spyware-headquarters didn't know that they were using it to drag people in when they would eventually shut it down, they would have never let it run at all.
One giant user grab? I think so.
Just to be safe, I'm still stocking up on CD-R's before the levies may or may not happen (thinking of the last time they threatened this). I needs somewhere to back up my episodes of Farscape, seeing as I can't get it on TV (Space just started showing Season 3, but no cable makes Ae;rog a sad, sad individual).
On the other hand, (and someone please correct me on this), doesn't the FTA basically allw laws to be applied universally? I don't know how this will affect things like levies, and all my info comes from a raging Anti-FTA source, but if it does, could that mean no cheap CD's for you guys either?
But I'm sick and tired, and shouldn't be posting in this condition. . . .
Man, it's times like this that I wish my MP wasn't such a useless figurehead. I'm probably still going to write to him, but just to be safe, I'd better start stocking up now. Looks like the days of $0.50 CD-R's are over.
I'm sure glad everybody voted CA, just so they could split up into factions and never get anything done.
. . .that they haven't evolved at all from the SNES days.
For the most part, I can see where you're coming from on this one. Story usually is given a backseat to graphics and gameplay, however there have been a few games that are definitely NOT like that.
Begin Rant Mode:
Xenogears, is in my opinion possibly the greatest RPG ever made. The game takes 60 hours to finish if you hurry, and most of that is story. Yeah, so it crams a bunch of story down your throat in the second disc. I would have loved to have played it out, too, but the story that you do go through is fantastic. And as far as depth goes, it's only in the last few hours that you finally figure out who you're even fighting and for most of the game, and you're continually finding out new aspects to a story that is more involved than any I've ever seen.
End Rant Mode:
But that's just me ranting because I don't have my PS with me and no time to invest in the game. Pick it up, if you have a week or so to blow, though. And maybe more people would have liked the FF movie if they had gotten the story from the guy that wrote Xenogears (and yes, I really liked the movie anyway.)
That would be Chiana if you're into sex with aliens who don't look like us, or Aeyrn if you're into sex with aliens who do look like us.
I'm not sure what the rest of the places out there are (not) doing, but I'm currently in a 5-year, dual-degree program of Engineering Physics (EP) and Computer Science at the University of Saskatchewan (yes, it is a good school as far as Engineering goes). I've noticed most universities don't offer anything like our EP program, but it's basically a physics degree with more engineering applications. Kind of Theoretical EE, with some other stuff on the side. And unlike other stories I've heard, about 90% of graduates from this program find work before they've finished the degree.
It's not exactly a common path, but it's a great way to get involved in high tech/R&D areas. I'd personally recommend it to anyone that is looking to do something more with physics/engineering and still wants a CS degree (Granted, it's a three-year degree, but I'm seriously planning to turn it into a four-year).
Y'know, I was just watching old promo movies for Xenogears and saying to myself "Damn, self. That was the Sweetest game ever." I don't ever remember being so enthralled in a game that you just sit down and play it for days and days on end. As far as plot goes, nothing even comes close to touching it as far as I've seen. The intro movie makes no sense until you're just about right on top of the final boss, mostly because the story takes you from the VERY beginning. You end up discovering so much about the world, the entire view of it changes.
Yeah, but that's just ranting and raving. Truthfully, Xenogears is still one of the best games ever made, just for the depth. Now to find some cash before Xenosaga. . . . .
Yet I can guarantee you that there's a vasy majority of people who could sit down and learn the 5 chords needed to play almost all the popular alt-rock songs out now.
*Enter Surly Abrasive Mode* (so what about karma?)
House and trance are two completely different things, and even such an "amazing" musician as yourself could figure this out. Hell, even Lars Ulrich could do it. it's a lot more than just a "bunch of druggies dancing to a steady bass thumping". Saying that is like saying that Rock is "a bunch of jocks and hicks standing around a couple guys plaing the same chord over and over again and droning on about some pointless crap." But by the looks of your post then this may have hit a bit too close to home. Maybe if you opened you eyes and your mind (try it for a change) you'd learn that "electronic" music is a term as broad as "Rock & Roll". I'm sure that you know that alternative is different than death metal, right?
*End rant mode*
And no, if you haven't guessed, I'm not the biggest fan of Rock. Personally, I find it boring and petty and having to listen to RHCP makes me want to vomit blood, but that's not saying that it doesn't have musical insight and value. Yeah, the good artists are extremely good at what they do. When you listen to something you just get used to the more subtle nuances (that means little differences*) of that style. I listen to trance and pick out pitch variations and the melody behind them. I imagine you can hear things that I'd never have heard in the latest Tool CD (or what-have-you).
But the point of the thing is that you can't take the work of an artist (you try DJ'ing and see how "easy" it is) and turn it into an algorithm**. it's an equivalent to having a computer write songs and (crappy) lyrics.
* Note: (if something is not like something else, then it's different)
** An algorithm is something to do with computers
Now this is one of those points that should have a +6, if there were such a beast.
The whole point of a DJ is do do new things. Sure, you could program a few random tricks into the machine, but if the people are unanimously "in favour "of something, then it's more likely to happen. I'm a really big fan of going out to the clubs (when the opportunity arises) just to hear what the DJ has to play. If I want to hear what the crowd (note: small, western-Canadian city) wants I'll just turn on the top 40 or go to Ryly's and hear the same old mainstream crap.
I'm one of the opinion that a DJ should entertain and make you think at the same time. The best (and I'm adding Timo Maas to the list) can take something you'd never thought of or play something new and end up with something so amazing that it sticks in your head and you wonder how you ever lived without it. You just can't get that sophisticated with a computer. If I ever have some spare time to get back at it, it'll be with good, old-fashioned vinyl and a couple decks, not my computer.
But when you look at Nintendo's track record, that seems to be exactly what they intend to do. I'm quite sure that the N-64 cartridge-based thing was not entirely due to load times. Some of that had to be to discourage piracy.
With the Dreamcast, it was the same thing. They used a larger (AFAIK 1Gb) CD, but enterprising people were able to strip out the essentials in order to fit it onto 700mb. I seem to remember friends talking about not having music on a game because it wouldn't fit or some such comment. Correct me if I'm wrong of course.
The other thing about burned games is the tendency to wreck the system (I've heard horrible grinding noises from my friend's coupled with the sound not working on games). For a DC, that amounts to about 100 bucks (Canadian), so it really isn't too bad. For a GC, that's substantially more.
And to think that just Friday I happened to run across a Casio calculator ad in a physics magazine, whereupon a friend and I laughed hysterically at the thought of having to actually buy a Casio calculator . Is this poetic irony? Oh HP, why hast thou forsaken the geeks?
But the question still remains, who really wants to visit the MSN site anyway? I'm one in the opinion that the MSN site is already simply pro-microsoft messaging, so what's the big deal. Sure, other sites do block certain browsers, but I'm in the opinion that web developers should try their best to make it look good in all (I sure do; still design on Netscape 4.7, but add features that work in one browser (by way of the navigator.appname function.) Yeah, that discriminates against non-JS users, but there are ways around that, too, you just have to accept not having a snazzy front end.)
The thing you have to ask is is it worth it. If you don't care what MS does with their pages, use Mozilla (or Konqueror, if that turns your crank) and read something else. If the hits go down they might reconsider.
But maybe I'm just ranting.
Prediction:
By 2010, AC posting outlawed on the grounds that it does not pass the Turing test, therefore all random drivel and unenlightened flaming to be done by intelligent computers (to perfect "Hard AI") and the previous AC-kiddies turned into soylent green.
Soylent green! Now with more stupid people!
40 years ago, ceratin "futurists" envisioned a world where domestic duties such as picking up trash and cleaning were done by a multitude of small robots. How strange that, albeit 20 years later than planned, we actually do have robots that pick up trash!
Can't be too long 'till the 30-hour workweek! Woohoo!
New category? It'd be the first thing I read!
And my suggestion for icon is a little hamster on a wheel, since Hamsters are excellent power sources
*Note: the previous comment in no way endorses the gross misuse of our valuable, reusable hamster resources
Donated CD's, you say? Well judging by the speed that my current 100-pack is diminishing, the idea of giving them away is going to send me into the red before you know it.
But that brings up a good question: How much does one donate to something like that, and what cost is that looking at? I got a deal with 100 CD's and cases for $0.50CDN apiece, but that was a deal. How much do you usually send? and where can I get some of those free CD's in the neverending quest to archive the internet (another noble pursuit)
Still, much closer than I can get here. The only real radio show that is out there is after midnight on Thursdays on public radio. And yeah, they sure seem like mainstream, but hey, it beats "Britney on one channel, RHCP on the other". Can't live with 'em, can't convince the people that they suck. Oh well. I guess I can just start downloading more after seemingly breaking my LP habit.
Finally someone comes out with a radio service that can get me the 24-hour electronica fix that I so crave! And 3 channels nonetheless!! Not too sure what everyone else's situation is but here there's rock, country, rock, oldies, country, talk, country, and maybe some rock. Doesn't go so well if you just have this insatiable urge to listen to some Digweed in the car (mind you, I have no CD player or AM radio to speak of (then again, it's AM)).
Had I the cash to throw down on something like that I'd definitely have it by tomorrow. Sadly there's these things called food and shelter. . . . .
But I hope that this takes off, if only for the sake of having what may actually be some quality programming and reception! Who knows. I might be able to afford it in a while. Oh yeah, and if you don't like techno, I think there's some other channels, too.
Okay, the first message I posted was written before I happened to see a news broadcast of the reaction by certain factions in Palestine, and in that I admit I acted a little hasty. The reactions are very, very inappropriate. However, the basic premise of the post holds.
We can't interpret the reactions of a group of people as admissions of guilt and if there is a reaction against Palestine for simply reacting in an emotional way (given the situation they've been in), then the world is truly doomed. I agree that some reaction against the forces involved is necessary, but not just against people who did not cause the tragedy. As far as I can see (and I'm no expert in middle-eastern relations) the Palestinian people have been getting the proverbial kick in the balls from the US for quite sime time now (seemingly) and this may just be the reaction that happens when emotionally-charged people are given a situation. It's akin to (but not exactly) the reaction that will occur when the diabolical fiends who coordinated this are brought to justice. People will be so happy that the people who they see as bringing them suffering are punished. And no, I'm not saying that the US is directly causing the Palestinians to suffer, but oftentimes people who are only slightly informed will make such assumptions (the vast majority being common people (of any race or nationality).
So what I'm trying to say is that yes, some of the the Palestinian people's reactions are very inappropriate, but there shouldn't be a reaction against it for the sake of goodwill and not plunging into all-out war. Attacking them would be like a very large child pounding the living crap out of a smaller (yet maybe just as loud) child for laughing when the bigger kid trips and breaks his leg.
Palestinians can rally in the streets today, and celebrate the mass extermination of human beings.
Not that I'm condoning violence in any ay shape or form, (this act was utter atrocity), but your statement about Palestinians and immediately assuming they're responsible is bare-faced racism just like you accuse them of condoning. we have to remember at this time No group has claimed responsiblity and Arafat and even the Taliban have denounced the act. It is still unknown which group carried out the attack, and (I'm going to get modded down here), but the chance even holds that it could even be an American group (however small). We need to stop pointing fingers until there is sufficient evidence that this was an attack by group X.
We need to focus on the aftermath and helping the survivors, and sadly I'm over half a continent and a closed border away or I'd be out there now. I hope we can put it behind us and work on the task at hand first, before condemning potentially innocent groups.