Motorola has mastered creating popular hardware with terrible software. Verizon does 'enhance' this though, by disabling phone features (such as MP3 ringtones). I can't count the number of times I've had to do SEEM edits for people just to enable this feature alone.
My Motorola v30i (I made that up, not sure of the model number) would leave the internal screen's backlight on for whatever you set the delay to (2-15 seconds) even AFTER you closed the phone. You could see the light was still on through the gap between the two halves of the phone. 2-15 seconds of backlight may not be a killer, but how hard would it have been to just have phone closed = backlight off?
While I can see your logic, I think what Nintendo's strategy for the Wii is the games that will truly draw gamers (consumers) to the system are the games that can only be done with the Wiimote. I fully expect the various Maddens, etc. of the Wii's game selection to switch to the 'Standard' controller options by the 2nd or 3rd generation of software. I think it simply comes down to a developer's ability/initiative to 'think outside of the box', to make games that utilise the Wiimote to its fullest extent, in a way not possible with traditional controllers. Either way, Nintendo is throwing interesting variables into what was quickly becoming a race of the better graphics/technologies.
Dammit, I should have known one of you people would try that. Anyone new to MUDding: Medievia is based off a MUD codebase called Diku, but the author refuses to acknowledge this despite overwhelming evidence. Anyone into opensource software knows how uncool this is. Not to mention it doesn't do anything substantially original, which was the basis of my question.
Hmmm... I find it interesting that my Walmart, in rural Vermont, somehow got more 360's despite being in a market with virtually no gamers. Makes you wonder what Walmart's distribution center strategy was for the 360 launch.
I'm interested in hearing about any MUDs any of my fellow/. MUD geeks have found that they feel are doing something new and original. I'm an avid MUDder but I'm starting to grow sick of the Dikus, etc. The most original I've seen lately is Nodeka, but I'd enjoy seeing any others that are doing something different. Any recommendations, my unwashed nerd masses?
I understand your sentiments in regards to the OP's anonymity, however as far as the Premium/Core ratio you are mistaken. I'm one of those crazy people who spent the night at Walmart to get a 360 (I had the extra money and the day off so why not), and our Walmart has 8 cores and only two premiums (!). This is a very rural market of course, but you still can discount the OP's claims based solely on his statement about the Premium/Core ratio, as from what I've heard this is actually pretty common.
The reason there aren't that many online games for the PS2 is not because they lack a centralized online service, the reason is that online console gaming really hasn't caught on yet.
[...]
What I am, essentially saying, is that if there are only 500,000 (on the XBox, probably 1,000,000 on the PS2) who are actively looking for good online games it isn't worth the Developer's time to focus on online too much;
How can you say the reason for PS2's relative non-performance in the online arena is because "onling gaming hasn't caught on", and then go on to state that you believe the PS2 has twice the number of people interested in online gaming (500,000 vs. 1,000,000)? Xbox Live has clearly been more popular than PS2 online, yet more people are interested in online gaming who own a PS2? This would indicate that something is wrong with Sony's online strategy if potential online gamers aren't using the service when Live has been relatively successful.
I honestly can't say I agree with you here. If even one of my professors had done this I would've saved over $100 on crap textbooks we don't use in class anyway. One teacher told us that when last year he tried to not require textbooks he received a quick reprimand from the dean, saying that their contract with the 'eFollet' (how the hell do you even pronounce that name?) on-campus bookstore required that every class demanded at least one textbook bought from the store. Corporate money grubbing bullshit if you ask me.
This is like the fourth place I've seen this story posted with the same or similar wording, and I must ask, how many of us here are so socially inept that they find these ads 'exremely' funny. You must be he same people hat laugh whenever they see a dancing singing cat in a commercial.
After considering this I've come to the conclusion that/.ers are a bunch of whiney biotches (and no, I'm not new here). As you've so astutely pointed out, the situation won't change until the 'dupes' start affecting OSDN's bottom line, which is to say never. Mark my words, dupes will not ever effect the bottom line because, put quite simply, no one gives a fuck. The most vocal dupe-avengers are the ones who are so obsessed with Slashdot that they'll continue coming here no matter what. The rest of us see a story we've seen before and go 'Hmmm, guess I won't click on that link'. Oh NO! My day is now ruined, I didn't click, read, and reply and each and every story posted on Slashdot!
BTW what the hell happened to Martin Sargent and Unscrewed. 'It was cancelled dipshit', I know but what's the deal? It certainly wasn't one of the worst shows G4 chose to air, anyone got some inside dirt as to why Martin is no more?
While I agree with almost every negative sentiment expressed here towards the abomination that is G4tv there is ONE show on the network I have set up to record every week on my DVR. Icons is a kick ass show for anyone with even an inkling of interest in game development or just games in general. It covers everything from the history of Atari to the development of the OddWorld games, with interviews with all of the key players in the video game industry. It's often very compelling, and goes into way more details than you would generally expect from a 'Making Of' special. Check it out.
Slashdot Mirror
LMAO. Classic. Took me a second too.
Sooo... you took your parents' microwave when you moved out?
Motorola has mastered creating popular hardware with terrible software. Verizon does 'enhance' this though, by disabling phone features (such as MP3 ringtones). I can't count the number of times I've had to do SEEM edits for people just to enable this feature alone.
My Motorola v30i (I made that up, not sure of the model number) would leave the internal screen's backlight on for whatever you set the delay to (2-15 seconds) even AFTER you closed the phone. You could see the light was still on through the gap between the two halves of the phone. 2-15 seconds of backlight may not be a killer, but how hard would it have been to just have phone closed = backlight off?
While I can see your logic, I think what Nintendo's strategy for the Wii is the games that will truly draw gamers (consumers) to the system are the games that can only be done with the Wiimote. I fully expect the various Maddens, etc. of the Wii's game selection to switch to the 'Standard' controller options by the 2nd or 3rd generation of software. I think it simply comes down to a developer's ability/initiative to 'think outside of the box', to make games that utilise the Wiimote to its fullest extent, in a way not possible with traditional controllers. Either way, Nintendo is throwing interesting variables into what was quickly becoming a race of the better graphics/technologies.
Oh my god. I just got 0wned.
I don't usually do this but: 0wned.
Dammit, I should have known one of you people would try that. Anyone new to MUDding: Medievia is based off a MUD codebase called Diku, but the author refuses to acknowledge this despite overwhelming evidence. Anyone into opensource software knows how uncool this is. Not to mention it doesn't do anything substantially original, which was the basis of my question.
Hmmm... I find it interesting that my Walmart, in rural Vermont, somehow got more 360's despite being in a market with virtually no gamers. Makes you wonder what Walmart's distribution center strategy was for the 360 launch.
I'm interested in hearing about any MUDs any of my fellow /. MUD geeks have found that they feel are doing something new and original. I'm an avid MUDder but I'm starting to grow sick of the Dikus, etc. The most original I've seen lately is Nodeka, but I'd enjoy seeing any others that are doing something different. Any recommendations, my unwashed nerd masses?
I understand your sentiments in regards to the OP's anonymity, however as far as the Premium/Core ratio you are mistaken. I'm one of those crazy people who spent the night at Walmart to get a 360 (I had the extra money and the day off so why not), and our Walmart has 8 cores and only two premiums (!). This is a very rural market of course, but you still can discount the OP's claims based solely on his statement about the Premium/Core ratio, as from what I've heard this is actually pretty common.
Start a fund raiser! Via email!
[...]
What I am, essentially saying, is that if there are only 500,000 (on the XBox, probably 1,000,000 on the PS2) who are actively looking for good online games it isn't worth the Developer's time to focus on online too much;
How can you say the reason for PS2's relative non-performance in the online arena is because "onling gaming hasn't caught on", and then go on to state that you believe the PS2 has twice the number of people interested in online gaming (500,000 vs. 1,000,000)? Xbox Live has clearly been more popular than PS2 online, yet more people are interested in online gaming who own a PS2? This would indicate that something is wrong with Sony's online strategy if potential online gamers aren't using the service when Live has been relatively successful.
ZombieMud (www.zombiemud.org) is another popular one with a lot of hype lately. I'm also fond of Aardwolf (www.aardmud.org)
I honestly can't say I agree with you here. If even one of my professors had done this I would've saved over $100 on crap textbooks we don't use in class anyway. One teacher told us that when last year he tried to not require textbooks he received a quick reprimand from the dean, saying that their contract with the 'eFollet' (how the hell do you even pronounce that name?) on-campus bookstore required that every class demanded at least one textbook bought from the store. Corporate money grubbing bullshit if you ask me.
Thank you, kind sir for not using 'ironically' in place of 'coincidentally'. Pedantic slashdot nazis around the world salute you.
I predict now, record-breaking hits on that Amazon link. Seriously honey, it's books , I swear. And before anyone else says it, holy fuckin' commas.
If only you had posted non-anonymously sir, you would be on my friends list.
This is like the fourth place I've seen this story posted with the same or similar wording, and I must ask, how many of us here are so socially inept that they find these ads 'exremely' funny. You must be he same people hat laugh whenever they see a dancing singing cat in a commercial.
After considering this I've come to the conclusion that /.ers are a bunch of whiney biotches (and no, I'm not new here). As you've so astutely pointed out, the situation won't change until the 'dupes' start affecting OSDN's bottom line, which is to say never. Mark my words, dupes will not ever effect the bottom line because, put quite simply, no one gives a fuck. The most vocal dupe-avengers are the ones who are so obsessed with Slashdot that they'll continue coming here no matter what. The rest of us see a story we've seen before and go 'Hmmm, guess I won't click on that link'. Oh NO! My day is now ruined, I didn't click, read, and reply and each and every story posted on Slashdot!
BTW what the hell happened to Martin Sargent and Unscrewed. 'It was cancelled dipshit', I know but what's the deal? It certainly wasn't one of the worst shows G4 chose to air, anyone got some inside dirt as to why Martin is no more?
That's a mighty long equal sign you got there. Dare I say it's from the US, and not the dinky asian counterpart(=)?
While I agree with almost every negative sentiment expressed here towards the abomination that is G4tv there is ONE show on the network I have set up to record every week on my DVR. Icons is a kick ass show for anyone with even an inkling of interest in game development or just games in general. It covers everything from the history of Atari to the development of the OddWorld games, with interviews with all of the key players in the video game industry. It's often very compelling, and goes into way more details than you would generally expect from a 'Making Of' special. Check it out.
Sorry Jefferson, Nixon, and Truman. Come on someone here gets it it's Futurama
Ummmm... I know this is supposed to be a joke/troll but there was a knitting peripheral released for the Famicom in Japan, so ya never know =]