However, in the case of Fata1ty (again... WTF you put that 1)...
He's able to leverage his relative fame into endorsement deals. For instance, some new ABit motherboards are coming out will bear his name and his specs. They will expand from there to full computers.
It's important for these gamers NOT just to be good at the game, but to make a NAME for themselves. It's the name recognition that will bring the money.
Now, it brings up an interesting side bar... Game companies seem to cheer on individuals that PLAY, but not individuals that MAKE games. Yet, the gamers really want to connect with the game producers.
And yeah, this mode of operation works well for companies - after all, no company wants to hire a prima dona, and every company wants a faceless, replacable work force.
Did you notice that this time, the US reaction is more laid back? Perhaps the US will begin to take up tourists of their own (eventually).
Frankly, it surprises me that the Russians are the first to realize the profit potential.
So, here's a question... If the US and Russia started to compete for space travellers (and you had the money), which agency would you trust? Why?
It seems one is gathering experience catering their programs to the rich folks, yet the other would have some "whiz bang" technology. Tough call, really.
Consider Audio Lunchbox your "gateway drug" to a cooler music scene. Mixed in with all the indie music are some more mainstream artists like Sponge and Pennywise. Soon, you'll be clicking away at all the "extra" bands they have - the real meat of the service.
I allowed Audio Lunchbox a few weeks worth of free banners at my site a little while back(they used to have an orange theme!), because I knew these guys were fighting the good fight.
What is surprising to me is the amount of new bands that they've got using the service. Since the last time I was on their site, they've literally added hundreds of bands.
Full list of retired products, taken from MSDN board...
> Office XP Developer > Visio 2000 > BackOffice Server 2000 > Office 2000 Developer > Office 2000 Tools > Office 2000 Multilingual > Office 2000 Premium SR-1 > Office 2000 Service Pack 2 > Outlook 2000 > Project 2000 > SQL Server 7 > SQL Server 7 Service Pack 3 > Embedded Visual Tools 3.0 > Visual Studio 6 MSDE > IE 5.5 > MapPoint 2002 > Visual Studio 6.0 SP3 and SP5 > Windows 98 > Windows 98 Y2K > Windows 98 Resource Kit > Windows 98 SP1 (all win98 except SE) > Windows NT 4.0 (Terminal Server and Option Pack) > ISA Server 2000 > Visual Basic for (Alpha Systems) > > The following products will be updated to versions that do not contain the > Microsoft Virtual Machine: > > Office XP Professional with FrontPage > Publisher 2002 > Windows NT 4.0 (Workstation, Server, Enterprise Server) > Small Business Server 2000
Stop thinking like a geek, and start thinking like an accountant. Defrayed costs are good. The longer you can avoid dumping money into a project that has no immediate impact on the bottom line, the better.
As time goes on, hardware gets cheaper, labor rates get to be more and more like commodities, and automation of key processes starts to step in.
Heck, they probably had to bring in additional people on a temp basis to solve this issue! Not economical!!
While I can't say I support this rational, it is certainly understandable, and yeah - by forcing a rebuild NOW rather than an unspecified LATER... They incurred higher costs.
Why? Because the web provides me access to humor that is very, VERY specialized. Find comics like these in a Sunday Paper, or a comic shop, or anywhere else.
Yeah, for me, fun would be what it's all about. Because I know I'm not becoming some Unix guru overnight - let alone some kind of configuration master.
I'm not thinking it's "all or none", either. I've got Ghost, so no big whoop. See, what I'm really wondering about is... Are all the kinks worked out? Am I going to be frustrated trying it.
Cause if I do this, it's going to be on my GOOD computer, not some back alley thing I abandoned 3 years ago.
I don't know about all the political stuff... I mean, for as much as Microsoft is bad for being profitable, I can see Open Source being bad because I don't want to see a bunch of programmers working for free. I mean, unless you're a monk or something, you're just not making a living through charity!
So, I don't get too deep and philisophical about my computer. I trust that someone somewhere will care enough about it to get it done right, and that's where that little thought train ends. You have to trust others eventually in life, I figure my OS is as good a place to start as any...
Re:OK, so maybe I'll give this "Linux" thing a try
on
Review of SuSE 8.2
·
· Score: 1
I did notice a little note in my UT 2003 package that said that it runs under Linux (UT 2003 is currently my favorite "new" game for PC).
***By the way...
Your rant about COM development rings true (especially sharing objects). But I don't have the luxury of doing things any other way (income, it's all about the recession economy income, my friend). And when the choice is mastery of one platform versus 2-inch deep knowledge of two platforms (one of which isn't used at work), I have to choose mastery.
And in my own personal rant...
I've seen plenty of developers screw up BOTH the cute VB front end, AND the database back end.
OK, so maybe I'll give this "Linux" thing a try
on
Review of SuSE 8.2
·
· Score: 3, Interesting
Well, while I was in my hippie college days (4 years ago?), I actually tried Linux (SuSE, actually). I thought it was kind of cool, but somewhat difficult to set up. It didn't support anything.
Now, I know this post might be a Karma burn, but what the hell. I don't post too much on Slashdot anyway. I just thought I'd ask for some opinions here.
I am a Windows developer in a Windows world. for the most part, I've really liked it (see, told you it was a Karma burn). I haven't found much that I hate about Windows at all. And I'm not the type of guy to invent reasons to hate an operating system (come on guys, life is too short for that!). I don't think I could ever use the term "M$" without slapping myself silly.
I've used other OSes, but I've never switched. Just hasn't been practical.
My income is currently tied to Windows. While somewhat "plain", I have enjoyed the Windows interface.
So, I guess the question here is... Is it time to try Linux again? What's different now? Slashdot seems to trumpet the arrival of even the most minor Linux upgrade.... Is this different?
Can I install Linux and be productive in less than 5 hours? Can I insert a CD and have the install routine work? Are there any games yet?
Here's a newbie (and odd!) question for you: Can I develop Windows applications from within Linux now? Or at least run VS or VS.NET?
Just wondering. Hope it wasn't too terrible a sin to post this...
This isn't a particularily stunning move (that SOMEONE would take an interest in Sega), as Sega has been a target for quite some time. Sega has been bleeding money - earning less than expected even though they ceased hardware production.
The reason? Poor sales of the "2K" sport series, combined with heavy marketing of the series. They've been unable to dethrone EA, even though they're producing quality product.
Personally, I've got a soft spot for Sega because of Phantasy Star and "blast processing".
Here's a good Genesis game (Thunder Force III): Review.
Here [Fatman Games] is another good article on the topic of repairing your NES (my new site). It is fully illustrated, and has several helpful links.
I've found that while the top-load NES and the pin replacement techniques produce good results, nothing beats taking care of your GAMES. Some games that I've bought used just don't play well, regardless of how much I clean the system or the game.
Here's my take on the tracks presented: 1. Slow Melodic - Between the deep "bong" noises (bong noises, indeed), you can hear the faint cry of an abused robotic child. They have tortured the soul of this Speak N Spell.
2. Rhythmic Loops - This is almost too short to care.
3. Loop N Pitch - This has an enjoyable mid-eighties video game flare to it. If I didn't know better, I'd think that this came from a mutilated Atari.
4. Slow Loop N Pitch - It's the same as #3.
5. Rythmic Loop 4 - Is neither. It sounds like an abused telegraph.
6. Glitch Pitch - probably the most interesting of the collection, I'd imagine that this is similar to a robotic death.
7. Rythmic Loop 1 - This track has the annoying qualities of an alarm clock coupled with the repetative nature of your boss. Not recommended for those with heart conditions.
8. Random Noise - Sounds EXACTLY like the intro to Metroid Prime. It's scary.
9. Glitch - Sucks. Nuff said.
10, Rythmic Loop 2 - is the closest thing to outputting something worthy. This has coffee edge with 9-volt-battery-on-toungue power.
11. Loop w / Randomize - I think this is the sound my bathtub makes when emptied.
12. Distortion - SATAN has possessed the Speak N Spell. It's actually pronouncing things - but in this case, at best, it sounds like a smoker that has a tube cut in their throats.
My end analysis:
WHAT DID THESE TOYS EVER DO TO YOU, MAN?!? Poor things.
Sure. I guess my point is that I'd celebrate a new pricing model (if cheaper) over a new manufacturing process any day.
It's similar to how computing costs have dropped over the past few years. Slimmer margins have encouraged increased volume, which in turn forces manufacturers to find better processes, which lowers manufacturing costs, which starts the process anew.
When there's very little price difference between top of the line and next-to top of the line, people usually pick top of the line, or as close as they can afford.
I see this happening with the "PC commodities" - HDD, RAM, etc. Hopefully the trend will continue to encompass all components.
What did you pay for a top of the line computer 10 years ago? I still have an ad for a PS/2 with XGA graphics, 80 Meg HDD, that retailed for over $10,000.
It would be difficult to find a computer over $5,000 today (unless you're buying a mac!), and with present-value in mind, that means it's less than half price for top of the line.
OK, I can see that the manufacturing process is a bone of contention. I had heard from sources like this: http://techzone.pcvsconsole.com/news.php?tzd=1313 that the.13 manufacturing process increases efficiency.
The industries would pursue this unless there was financial gain from it, like PERHAPS better failure rates.
Slashdot Mirror
Unfortunately, it's only clips of previous efforts. Here's hoping someone coughs up today's video (for free) pretty soon.
Still a good link, BTW...
However, in the case of Fata1ty (again... WTF you put that 1)...
He's able to leverage his relative fame into endorsement deals. For instance, some new ABit motherboards are coming out will bear his name and his specs. They will expand from there to full computers.
It's important for these gamers NOT just to be good at the game, but to make a NAME for themselves. It's the name recognition that will bring the money.
Now, it brings up an interesting side bar... Game companies seem to cheer on individuals that PLAY, but not individuals that MAKE games. Yet, the gamers really want to connect with the game producers.
And yeah, this mode of operation works well for companies - after all, no company wants to hire a prima dona, and every company wants a faceless, replacable work force.
Yeah, what you said. Firefox works just fine.
Did you notice that this time, the US reaction is more laid back? Perhaps the US will begin to take up tourists of their own (eventually).
Frankly, it surprises me that the Russians are the first to realize the profit potential.
So, here's a question... If the US and Russia started to compete for space travellers (and you had the money), which agency would you trust? Why?
It seems one is gathering experience catering their programs to the rich folks, yet the other would have some "whiz bang" technology. Tough call, really.
Consider Audio Lunchbox your "gateway drug" to a cooler music scene. Mixed in with all the indie music are some more mainstream artists like Sponge and Pennywise. Soon, you'll be clicking away at all the "extra" bands they have - the real meat of the service.
I allowed Audio Lunchbox a few weeks worth of free banners at my site a little while back(they used to have an orange theme!), because I knew these guys were fighting the good fight.
What is surprising to me is the amount of new bands that they've got using the service. Since the last time I was on their site, they've literally added hundreds of bands.
Full list of retired products, taken from MSDN board...
> Office XP Developer
> Visio 2000
> BackOffice Server 2000
> Office 2000 Developer
> Office 2000 Tools
> Office 2000 Multilingual
> Office 2000 Premium SR-1
> Office 2000 Service Pack 2
> Outlook 2000
> Project 2000
> SQL Server 7
> SQL Server 7 Service Pack 3
> Embedded Visual Tools 3.0
> Visual Studio 6 MSDE
> IE 5.5
> MapPoint 2002
> Visual Studio 6.0 SP3 and SP5
> Windows 98
> Windows 98 Y2K
> Windows 98 Resource Kit
> Windows 98 SP1 (all win98 except SE)
> Windows NT 4.0 (Terminal Server and Option Pack)
> ISA Server 2000
> Visual Basic for (Alpha Systems)
>
> The following products will be updated to versions that do not contain the
> Microsoft Virtual Machine:
>
> Office XP Professional with FrontPage
> Publisher 2002
> Windows NT 4.0 (Workstation, Server, Enterprise Server)
> Small Business Server 2000
IE 5.X is part of this forced retirement.
Stop thinking like a geek, and start thinking like an accountant. Defrayed costs are good. The longer you can avoid dumping money into a project that has no immediate impact on the bottom line, the better.
As time goes on, hardware gets cheaper, labor rates get to be more and more like commodities, and automation of key processes starts to step in.
Heck, they probably had to bring in additional people on a temp basis to solve this issue! Not economical!!
While I can't say I support this rational, it is certainly understandable, and yeah - by forcing a rebuild NOW rather than an unspecified LATER... They incurred higher costs.
I check Penny Arcade, Little Gamers, and Real Life Comics an awful lot. Probably too much to be healthy.
Why? Because the web provides me access to humor that is very, VERY specialized. Find comics like these in a Sunday Paper, or a comic shop, or anywhere else.
Personally, I read reviews of online games to see if the guy's a mark.
Ah, the guy from IGN is on the server... EX-cellent.
*FatmanGames is GODLIKE!*
There are quite a few very successful classic game shows out there - like the Austin Game Expo that happened in late July. Link to Review.
As long as there are people like me, and the thousands of people that attend these shows, classic gaming will never die.
"60 users aged 25 to 55 with computer skills but no prior experience with Linux or Windows XP"
So, people with really old computers, or pathetic liars? They haven't ever seen Windows XP in Wal Mart, or ANYWHERE?
How long did they have to search for these people?
Just FYI - you answered my questions. Which many others DID NOT. Many others used the questions as a chance to rant.
I honestly and truly appreciated this response.
And yeah, I'll be giving Linux a try (but keeping my Windows Ghost).
Thanks.
By the way, does Ghost RUN under Linux? Or do I have to do the boot disk nonsense?
Say I get a Linux config I want to keep - how do I keep that?
Yeah, for me, fun would be what it's all about. Because I know I'm not becoming some Unix guru overnight - let alone some kind of configuration master.
I'm not thinking it's "all or none", either. I've got Ghost, so no big whoop. See, what I'm really wondering about is... Are all the kinks worked out? Am I going to be frustrated trying it.
Cause if I do this, it's going to be on my GOOD computer, not some back alley thing I abandoned 3 years ago.
I don't know about all the political stuff... I mean, for as much as Microsoft is bad for being profitable, I can see Open Source being bad because I don't want to see a bunch of programmers working for free. I mean, unless you're a monk or something, you're just not making a living through charity!
So, I don't get too deep and philisophical about my computer. I trust that someone somewhere will care enough about it to get it done right, and that's where that little thought train ends. You have to trust others eventually in life, I figure my OS is as good a place to start as any...
I did notice a little note in my UT 2003 package that said that it runs under Linux (UT 2003 is currently my favorite "new" game for PC).
***By the way...
Your rant about COM development rings true (especially sharing objects). But I don't have the luxury of doing things any other way (income, it's all about the recession economy income, my friend). And when the choice is mastery of one platform versus 2-inch deep knowledge of two platforms (one of which isn't used at work), I have to choose mastery.
And in my own personal rant...
I've seen plenty of developers screw up BOTH the cute VB front end, AND the database back end.
Well, while I was in my hippie college days (4 years ago?), I actually tried Linux (SuSE, actually). I thought it was kind of cool, but somewhat difficult to set up. It didn't support anything.
Now, I know this post might be a Karma burn, but what the hell. I don't post too much on Slashdot anyway. I just thought I'd ask for some opinions here.
I am a Windows developer in a Windows world. for the most part, I've really liked it (see, told you it was a Karma burn). I haven't found much that I hate about Windows at all. And I'm not the type of guy to invent reasons to hate an operating system (come on guys, life is too short for that!). I don't think I could ever use the term "M$" without slapping myself silly.
I've used other OSes, but I've never switched. Just hasn't been practical.
My income is currently tied to Windows. While somewhat "plain", I have enjoyed the Windows interface.
So, I guess the question here is... Is it time to try Linux again? What's different now? Slashdot seems to trumpet the arrival of even the most minor Linux upgrade.... Is this different?
Can I install Linux and be productive in less than 5 hours? Can I insert a CD and have the install routine work? Are there any games yet?
Here's a newbie (and odd!) question for you: Can I develop Windows applications from within Linux now? Or at least run VS or VS.NET?
Just wondering. Hope it wasn't too terrible a sin to post this...
Yeah, great. So instead of getting porno spam and nigerian scam letters via e-mail, I'll have absolutely no way to shut out the idiots at all.
I'll be able to hear every last cheerleader, construction worker, madman, pimp, and whiner from all over the planet, all at once.
I'm doomed.
This isn't a particularily stunning move (that SOMEONE would take an interest in Sega), as Sega has been a target for quite some time. Sega has been bleeding money - earning less than expected even though they ceased hardware production.
The reason? Poor sales of the "2K" sport series, combined with heavy marketing of the series. They've been unable to dethrone EA, even though they're producing quality product.
Personally, I've got a soft spot for Sega because of Phantasy Star and "blast processing".
Here's a good Genesis game (Thunder Force III): Review.
I should also mention other sites that rock:
Play Nintendo games on your Dreamcast - DC Emulation
Add Composite AV to your Nintendo 2 - Here
The Howard and NESter Archive - Here
The Seanbaby NES page (funny, not safe for mere mortals) - Here
Here [Fatman Games] is another good article on the topic of repairing your NES (my new site). It is fully illustrated, and has several helpful links.
I've found that while the top-load NES and the pin replacement techniques produce good results, nothing beats taking care of your GAMES. Some games that I've bought used just don't play well, regardless of how much I clean the system or the game.
I also had a NES week a while back that had some great reviews and articles. Good for the 8-bit flashbacks.
IANATE (I am not a trained ear), but...
Here's my take on the tracks presented:
1. Slow Melodic - Between the deep "bong" noises (bong noises, indeed), you can hear the faint cry of an abused robotic child. They have tortured the soul of this Speak N Spell.
2. Rhythmic Loops - This is almost too short to care.
3. Loop N Pitch - This has an enjoyable mid-eighties video game flare to it. If I didn't know better, I'd think that this came from a mutilated Atari.
4. Slow Loop N Pitch - It's the same as #3.
5. Rythmic Loop 4 - Is neither. It sounds like an abused telegraph.
6. Glitch Pitch - probably the most interesting of the collection, I'd imagine that this is similar to a robotic death.
7. Rythmic Loop 1 - This track has the annoying qualities of an alarm clock coupled with the repetative nature of your boss. Not recommended for those with heart conditions.
8. Random Noise - Sounds EXACTLY like the intro to Metroid Prime. It's scary.
9. Glitch - Sucks. Nuff said.
10, Rythmic Loop 2 - is the closest thing to outputting something worthy. This has coffee edge with 9-volt-battery-on-toungue power.
11. Loop w / Randomize - I think this is the sound my bathtub makes when emptied.
12. Distortion - SATAN has possessed the Speak N Spell. It's actually pronouncing things - but in this case, at best, it sounds like a smoker that has a tube cut in their throats.
My end analysis:
WHAT DID THESE TOYS EVER DO TO YOU, MAN?!? Poor things.
Sure. I guess my point is that I'd celebrate a new pricing model (if cheaper) over a new manufacturing process any day.
It's similar to how computing costs have dropped over the past few years. Slimmer margins have encouraged increased volume, which in turn forces manufacturers to find better processes, which lowers manufacturing costs, which starts the process anew.
When there's very little price difference between top of the line and next-to top of the line, people usually pick top of the line, or as close as they can afford.
I see this happening with the "PC commodities" - HDD, RAM, etc. Hopefully the trend will continue to encompass all components.
Really?
What did you pay for a top of the line computer 10 years ago? I still have an ad for a PS/2 with XGA graphics, 80 Meg HDD, that retailed for over $10,000.
It would be difficult to find a computer over $5,000 today (unless you're buying a mac!), and with present-value in mind, that means it's less than half price for top of the line.
OK, I can see that the manufacturing process is a bone of contention. I had heard from sources like this: http://techzone.pcvsconsole.com/news.php?tzd=1313 that the .13 manufacturing process increases efficiency.
The industries would pursue this unless there was financial gain from it, like PERHAPS better failure rates.