This is wrong, as Nintendo has been supporting LAN gaming (although only lately).
Nintendo has recently directly supported LANs in their games. Mario Kart:Double Dash and 1080:Avalanche released last year supported this feature, and it will also be in Mario Tennis.
The anti-violence article is actually quite even-handed and fair except for the one "correlation" remark.
Firstly, she mentions that the studies that claim videogames are not determental to society are funded by the videogame companies themselves (sound like a certain OS maker we all know here?). She then mentions that there are beneficial games out there too.
But everyone here is talking about censorship, when she doesn't even mention it in her article!
What she does recommend is (gasp!) spending time with your children, and closely watching what they do, especially if certain signs appear (they only like violent games, spend too much time, etc.).
In fact, this article seems to be promoting common sense among parents, a stance usually quite popular here!
I think Microsoft and game developers are realizing that outside of a few special cases, PC games are not so hot for business. As it stands now a moderate success (250,000 units or so) on the XBox would probably make more money than a moderate success on the PC (probably closer to 100,000). Not to mention the testing becomes much easier with only one target platform.
As a result, the mediocre games get a poor treatment just to get it out there for free. It really becomes a self-fufilling prophecy like you say, though.
While the analyst in the article is claiming its because of the Xbox's power, and a few developers mention its functionality, the real reason they're doing this is DirectX.
Microsoft made a smart choice when they used standard PC components and DirectX. All the games mentioned will also be available for Windows. From the publishers perspective, it's a no-brainer. Spend a few weeks to port the code (as opposed to months for GC/PS2) for the Xbox to take into account its controller, and maybe XBox Live, and you end up with a 10 million plus market to exploit.
Even though the margins are smaller, some of these games might have slipped under the radar as PC games. On the Xbox (and consoles in general), the volumes are much larger.
However, the article also mentions how this should carry over to the XBox 2. With the rumored PowerPC Architecture and lack of standard hard-drive, these ports would be on the same level as the other consoles. Perhaps XNA is intended to fill this gap?
If you have the Sent-Mail folder on your IMAP server, there are a variety of web-mail programs (for example, Horde) and client programs (Mozilla) that will save sent messages to an IMAP folder.
More generally, if you want any mail folder world-accessible, put it on an IMAP server. It's what IMAP was designed to do!
If we had a way to store the data on our PCs, then retrive it anywhere, in a consisant manner (meaning Mozilla would place nice with it - and it would play nice with Mozilla (like a shared sent folder)) then I think we'd be 99% happy and not need 1gig of email hosting.
This is funny because you're basically saying:
If I had 1 gig of mailing hosting on my computer I'd be 99% happy and not need 1gig of email hosting.
Because you're basically suggesting running a mailserver on your own machine. In reality, a mailserver is a complex thing and not everyone knows enough to run one. So instead we have hosting companies (which host 30gigs or more for a small fee) or Google (which hosts 1 gig in return for showing you ads). Otherwise, feel free to run a mail server and it will handle all of the functionality you mentioned!
The reason I like books is that I can refer to them while the window I am working on remains in the foreground on my computer.
If screen space were cheap, and I could have a couple of tablets/screens that I could use all at once, I would use online resources exclusively, as they are usually faster to use.
However, I currently only have on monitor, and a lot of desk space. So I'm going to buy books instead to take of this space.
PacMan only requires 1 GBA, and so is not as expensive as many of the other connectivity games.
The connectivity ploy is an attempt by Nintendo to give their console something unique that will drive people to GameCubes. There are easily 4 times more GBAs out there than GameCubes, so in theory, their idea could work.
Honestly, if you think about the targets for this game (Who has 3 friends with GameBoys? Kids and hardcore nintendo fanboys.), it seems like this is not the sort of game that will be accessible to most people. The rest of us will have to suffer.
While Microsoft probably still loses some money on the console (they probably would have liked to drop the price further, but they're not cutting their wrists yet), it is possible that Microsoft is making profits in some territories (notably North America and England).
You may be right on how it is heading, but I think we should wait untill the next generation of machines before predicting doomsday. Because a console's power is becoming a less-appreciated selling point, console are slowly beginning to compete on features, such as DVD-playback and online functionality. Despite Microsoft's near limitless cash reserves, I don't think they would continue pursuing the Xbox product line if it continues to underperform and does not generate much in profits beyond the next iteration of the brand.
Nintendo and Sony have always made significant profits on their consoles, so as long as Microsoft does not conduct any more illegal activities (such as dumping), I don't think there will be an extremely aggressive price war as you suggest.
There is one key difference between the GameCube and the Dreamcast, Nintendo managed to make a profit.
Now this has been in more doubt lately when they reported a loss for the quarter before the price cut, but overall Nintendo has managed to make a profit out of all their operations.
Sega, on the other hand was losing money for years leading up to the Dreamcast's demise. The problem wasn't just the Dreamcast, the problem was Sega. They had lost a lot on previous consoles as well.
If Nintendo can continue to make a profit as the number two console, they will probably continue that indefinitely. Sure, they'd like to be number one, but as long as they make profits they'll take it. No one's saying their number one, but they're not bleeding cash, either.
If, however, Nintendo continues to lose developers, there is the possibility of a problem further down the road. But I think most developers will see the next Nintendo as a freash start, and if it has the specs that they need, they'll be just as quick to sign back up again.
The GameCube is now Nintendo's cash cow. They're trying to milk it for all it's worth at this point by releasing sequels and nothing terribly innovative (which would be tied to expensive R+D). They'll get some cash out of their game sales untill the next console comes out, but they're not out to rule the world.
Firstly, import taxes in general have been greatly reduced since the 80's when foreign cars were first becoming popular in the US. Secondly, an increasing proportion of so-called "foreign cars" are being manufactured within in US (or at least North America). Thirdly, an increasing number of "domestic" cars and parts are being manufactured outside of North America. All of this is due to the increasing globalization and reduction of tariffs in all directions.
On the subject of Mexico:
Firstly, the minimum wage in Mexico is 43.65 Pesos, or just under $4. Not exactly 60 cents. Secondly, Mexico and the US are part of the North American Free Trade Agreement, which means they have unlimited tariff-free trade (with a few exceptions).
Finally, on the subject of Free Trade:
Contrary to popular beliefe, Free Trade does not make all people poor. Free Trade merely knocks down artifical price barriers on goods and services sold. This means that products will be available at their fair price. This can be a signifigant change if these barriers previously existed. Whenever there is a major change, there will be temporary (structural) unemployment. This is the same as the introduction of any new technology, such as computers, the assembly line model, or the internet. Over time, due to market forces, prices will stabalize and the playing field will be level again.
Unless of course, you choose to not adapt to the new system.
Nintendo's big problem is a series of bad business decisions they made back in the N64 generation
While Nintendo has made many bad decisions, it was in no means restricted to the N64 generation.
Before PlayStation, Nintendo (in North America) was king, and they told developers what they could and couldn't do. You want religious references? Not in America! Gory, bloody games? Tone it down, or you want have access to our machine! You say you would like Nintendo to have an optical drive? Come on, you can do it better with a cartridge!
Granted, they had good reasons for many of these decisions, but you can see from a Developers perspective how this can get tiring, when you can do almost whatever you want on this new PlayStation-thingy! The customer followed the developers, because we all know its the games that make the system.
How about another example? On the release of the GameCube, there was only one official Memory Card, with 59 'blocks' of memory. So these sports games (read: easy money) games come along with their stats and seasons modes, requiring upwards of 100 blocks! So what now, you have to buy a 3rd-party one? Or wait a year after the console's release to buy the 251-block card for only 25% more money? Someone from NOA mentioned that the memory card situation was a major factor driving people away from the GameCube.
However, not everyone (Nintendo included) sees this all as bad decisions. Nintendo now has quite a reputation built up as being easy to use, friendly enough so that anyone in the family can play, and with a high quality level, as well as a low price. Bring this up in an electronics showcase, and this seems like a bad business decision. But any toymaker would kill for the reputation and brand loyalty Nintendo still has.
However, things could change again just as easily for Nintendo, for the better or for the worse.
Slashdot Mirror
Yeah, it's not like they ever do that.
This is wrong, as Nintendo has been supporting LAN gaming (although only lately).
Nintendo has recently directly supported LANs in their games. Mario Kart:Double Dash and 1080:Avalanche released last year supported this feature, and it will also be in Mario Tennis.
The anti-violence article is actually quite even-handed and fair except for the one "correlation" remark.
Firstly, she mentions that the studies that claim videogames are not determental to society are funded by the videogame companies themselves (sound like a certain OS maker we all know here?). She then mentions that there are beneficial games out there too.
But everyone here is talking about censorship, when she doesn't even mention it in her article!
What she does recommend is (gasp!) spending time with your children, and closely watching what they do, especially if certain signs appear (they only like violent games, spend too much time, etc.).
In fact, this article seems to be promoting common sense among parents, a stance usually quite popular here!
I think Microsoft and game developers are realizing that outside of a few special cases, PC games are not so hot for business. As it stands now a moderate success (250,000 units or so) on the XBox would probably make more money than a moderate success on the PC (probably closer to 100,000). Not to mention the testing becomes much easier with only one target platform.
As a result, the mediocre games get a poor treatment just to get it out there for free. It really becomes a self-fufilling prophecy like you say, though.
While the analyst in the article is claiming its because of the Xbox's power, and a few developers mention its functionality, the real reason they're doing this is DirectX.
Microsoft made a smart choice when they used standard PC components and DirectX. All the games mentioned will also be available for Windows. From the publishers perspective, it's a no-brainer. Spend a few weeks to port the code (as opposed to months for GC/PS2) for the Xbox to take into account its controller, and maybe XBox Live, and you end up with a 10 million plus market to exploit.
Even though the margins are smaller, some of these games might have slipped under the radar as PC games. On the Xbox (and consoles in general), the volumes are much larger.
However, the article also mentions how this should carry over to the XBox 2. With the rumored PowerPC Architecture and lack of standard hard-drive, these ports would be on the same level as the other consoles. Perhaps XNA is intended to fill this gap?
Really? Because PalmOne is definitely not interested in growth markets at all, honestly!
They're still a big player in the PDA market, and it's in their best interests to milk that share for as long as possible.
That's the model used by the developers of the Linux kernel, but it is by no means a standard, even in the open source world.
On keeping the data in sync:
If you have the Sent-Mail folder on your IMAP server, there are a variety of web-mail programs (for example, Horde) and client programs (Mozilla) that will save sent messages to an IMAP folder.
More generally, if you want any mail folder world-accessible, put it on an IMAP server. It's what IMAP was designed to do!
This is EXACTLY was IMAP is supposed to do.
If we had a way to store the data on our PCs, then retrive it anywhere, in a consisant manner (meaning Mozilla would place nice with it - and it would play nice with Mozilla (like a shared sent folder)) then I think we'd be 99% happy and not need 1gig of email hosting.
This is funny because you're basically saying:
If I had 1 gig of mailing hosting on my computer I'd be 99% happy and not need 1gig of email hosting.
Because you're basically suggesting running a mailserver on your own machine. In reality, a mailserver is a complex thing and not everyone knows enough to run one. So instead we have hosting companies (which host 30gigs or more for a small fee) or Google (which hosts 1 gig in return for showing you ads). Otherwise, feel free to run a mail server and it will handle all of the functionality you mentioned!
I think others have already answered this question.
The reason I like books is that I can refer to them while the window I am working on remains in the foreground on my computer.
If screen space were cheap, and I could have a couple of tablets/screens that I could use all at once, I would use online resources exclusively, as they are usually faster to use.
However, I currently only have on monitor, and a lot of desk space. So I'm going to buy books instead to take of this space.
PacMan only requires 1 GBA, and so is not as expensive as many of the other connectivity games.
The connectivity ploy is an attempt by Nintendo to give their console something unique that will drive people to GameCubes. There are easily 4 times more GBAs out there than GameCubes, so in theory, their idea could work.
Honestly, if you think about the targets for this game (Who has 3 friends with GameBoys? Kids and hardcore nintendo fanboys.), it seems like this is not the sort of game that will be accessible to most people. The rest of us will have to suffer.
A soundtrack for Super Metroid:
Relics of the Chozo.
While Microsoft probably still loses some money on the console (they probably would have liked to drop the price further, but they're not cutting their wrists yet), it is possible that Microsoft is making profits in some territories (notably North America and England).
You may be right on how it is heading, but I think we should wait untill the next generation of machines before predicting doomsday. Because a console's power is becoming a less-appreciated selling point, console are slowly beginning to compete on features, such as DVD-playback and online functionality. Despite Microsoft's near limitless cash reserves, I don't think they would continue pursuing the Xbox product line if it continues to underperform and does not generate much in profits beyond the next iteration of the brand.
Nintendo and Sony have always made significant profits on their consoles, so as long as Microsoft does not conduct any more illegal activities (such as dumping), I don't think there will be an extremely aggressive price war as you suggest.
There is one key difference between the GameCube and the Dreamcast, Nintendo managed to make a profit.
Now this has been in more doubt lately when they reported a loss for the quarter before the price cut, but overall Nintendo has managed to make a profit out of all their operations.
Sega, on the other hand was losing money for years leading up to the Dreamcast's demise. The problem wasn't just the Dreamcast, the problem was Sega. They had lost a lot on previous consoles as well.
If Nintendo can continue to make a profit as the number two console, they will probably continue that indefinitely. Sure, they'd like to be number one, but as long as they make profits they'll take it. No one's saying their number one, but they're not bleeding cash, either.
If, however, Nintendo continues to lose developers, there is the possibility of a problem further down the road. But I think most developers will see the next Nintendo as a freash start, and if it has the specs that they need, they'll be just as quick to sign back up again.
The GameCube is now Nintendo's cash cow. They're trying to milk it for all it's worth at this point by releasing sequels and nothing terribly innovative (which would be tied to expensive R+D). They'll get some cash out of their game sales untill the next console comes out, but they're not out to rule the world.
A simmilar corss-platform solution exists:
SDL
It's always growing, it's open source (sort of), and it already supports many of the things in DirectX.
Actually, neither of us is right or wrong...
There is not conclusive proof that free trade will either make everyone better off, or everyone poor.
Tiro has made a much more objective post on the subject.
I'm not sure about the spending figures, put the personnel is is per million population.
Yes, I missed that calculation when I browsed the page.
The rest of my comments on Mexico and the Auto Industry are still valid, though. Tiro was also able to elaborate and correct some of my statements on Free Trade.
Not to mention the US only trails Japan by a thin margin in R&D spending as well as personnel
On the subject of so-called foreign cars:
Firstly, import taxes in general have been greatly reduced since the 80's when foreign cars were first becoming popular in the US. Secondly, an increasing proportion of so-called "foreign cars" are being manufactured within in US (or at least North America). Thirdly, an increasing number of "domestic" cars and parts are being manufactured outside of North America. All of this is due to the increasing globalization and reduction of tariffs in all directions.
On the subject of Mexico:
Firstly, the minimum wage in Mexico is 43.65 Pesos, or just under $4. Not exactly 60 cents. Secondly, Mexico and the US are part of the North American Free Trade Agreement, which means they have unlimited tariff-free trade (with a few exceptions).
Finally, on the subject of Free Trade:
Contrary to popular beliefe, Free Trade does not make all people poor. Free Trade merely knocks down artifical price barriers on goods and services sold. This means that products will be available at their fair price. This can be a signifigant change if these barriers previously existed. Whenever there is a major change, there will be temporary (structural) unemployment. This is the same as the introduction of any new technology, such as computers, the assembly line model, or the internet. Over time, due to market forces, prices will stabalize and the playing field will be level again.
Unless of course, you choose to not adapt to the new system.
I found some end-of-2003 numbers here:
http://print.pcvsconsole.com/?hank=549
Which unfortunately do not come with a source. The numbers seem to be roughly in line with expectations, though.
Nintendo's big problem is a series of bad business decisions they made back in the N64 generation
While Nintendo has made many bad decisions, it was in no means restricted to the N64 generation.
Before PlayStation, Nintendo (in North America) was king, and they told developers what they could and couldn't do. You want religious references? Not in America! Gory, bloody games? Tone it down, or you want have access to our machine! You say you would like Nintendo to have an optical drive? Come on, you can do it better with a cartridge!
Granted, they had good reasons for many of these decisions, but you can see from a Developers perspective how this can get tiring, when you can do almost whatever you want on this new PlayStation-thingy! The customer followed the developers, because we all know its the games that make the system.
How about another example? On the release of the GameCube, there was only one official Memory Card, with 59 'blocks' of memory. So these sports games (read: easy money) games come along with their stats and seasons modes, requiring upwards of 100 blocks! So what now, you have to buy a 3rd-party one? Or wait a year after the console's release to buy the 251-block card for only 25% more money? Someone from NOA mentioned that the memory card situation was a major factor driving people away from the GameCube.
However, not everyone (Nintendo included) sees this all as bad decisions. Nintendo now has quite a reputation built up as being easy to use, friendly enough so that anyone in the family can play, and with a high quality level, as well as a low price. Bring this up in an electronics showcase, and this seems like a bad business decision. But any toymaker would kill for the reputation and brand loyalty Nintendo still has.
However, things could change again just as easily for Nintendo, for the better or for the worse.
In my experience, Fido is quite similar.
No, CityFido is similar. Fido's other popular packages include their cheap pre-paid rates, and their Fido to Fido packages.
Fido is also the only Canadian carrier to offer the HipTop, which seems to be popular among the young crowd.