There's also Bookr, which hasn't been updated in a few years but can do some basic PDF reading as well as straight ASCII text. I imagine that if you wanted to add support for formats like the non-protected form of.LIT, you probably could since Bookr is open source.
You might be happy to know that EAX is being phased out. Most all new games from the last four or so years support OpenAL audio which has a component called EFX that is replacing EAX for the most part-- and it works with ALL modern sound cards, not just those from Creative Labs.
I doubt they use Caller ID data, since that's so easily spoofed. They probably use the much more secured cousin called ANI. When I worked at AT&T back around the 1999-2000 time frame, we used ANI on pretty much every call. While we were unable to use it as sole verification of who was calling, ANI had a 95% successful ID rate for telephone lines and the remaining 5% was 'no data'-- never did I see an incorrect entry.
If AT&T could do this on lines coming from the Baby Bells, I certainly believe they could easily achieve 100% on calls from their own cells. After all, if they can bill it to the right number, they can certainly pull origin ID off a call to its own number.
It only redirects LAN-mode games (from ANY console, not just X-Box)-- XBL modes are not supported at all due to a heavily-encrypted client-server protocol that nobody has really done anything to try to reverse engineer.
It runs on more than just a router, it's also a PC-side application.
I absolutely hate light backgrounds-- on a CRT, I can see the refresh rate flicker no matter how high I set it and I get a really nasty headache in a hurry. On a LCD, it just hurts my eyes.
So, at least, for ME.. well, I pretty much have to go with light grey on black.
That's generally fine on a terminal or X, but forget it on Windows. Too many applications with hard-coded colors that make the assumption of black on white to even consider it; I've tried. It's one of my major pet peeves with Windows.
Yeah, pretty much, on the FMV topic-- The preliminary 3D stuff Square had been playing with was SD models of the FF6 characters, and it was all purely done in a FMV style setup. I think it's pretty clear they'd been aiming to put more of the story sequences either in FMV or realtime rendered.
I think it certainly hurt Nintendo to lose Square. I feel Pokemon would have happened either way, but it certainly didn't help Nintendo to lose one of its biggest third-party developers at a time when JRPGs were starting to hit the limelight in the mainstream.
Frankly, the N64 was too little (expensive cartridges, quirky controller, not enough games), too late (by at least two years! KI was supposed to be on 'Ultra 64' in 1995!), with Nintendo's president easily as arrogant as Sega of America's at the time. Both managed to injure their relations with the third parties and the fans.
Um.. no. They didn't "crawl away from Nintendo", they left because Nintendo insisted on using cartridges on a platform where it was obvious they couldn't handle what Square was aiming for.
Secondly, as has PREVIOUSLY been noted above, Square's stuff sells about as well in the rest of the world COMBINED as it does in Japan. At a 50% ratio, it makes sense to stick with the devil you know and not have to rebuy all your devkits and retrain. As for the Wii, Square's always been more interested in pushing graphics boundaries. I wouldn't be terribly surprised to see a traditional FF title on Wii, but they're FAR more likely to do spinoffs.
By the way, Akira Toriyama only did work for two series of any relevance to this-- Dragon Quest and Chrono Trigger. There's no reason to say "poached" as he'll do work for pretty much anyone who pays the cash for it.
In other words, you're talking out your ass on every single point here.
Some people do grow up with that ability; I used to have it, until the constant ear infections destroyed that range of my hearing. Most who DO have it lose it by the time they're 30, though. Most others don't have the ability to hear that range-- it's not that it's tuned out, it's just that they can't hear sounds at the upper range of what humans typically can hear.
Some of THOSE people can hear stuff on the bottom edge that you can't..
"EARLY" IBM? I was seeing bad-sector based protection throughout the entire lifespan of floppy software and WELL into the CD era with a number of *common* CD-based protections using specially damaged spots of the disc.
This is kinda off the initial topic, so I'll forgo any karma boosting:
I believe that expansion port was used for the Miracle Keyboard, the piano tutoring setup that cost easily as much as the NES itself. The Famicom had a similar port, and I believe that was used with the Famicom Disk System and _possibly_ one or two other devices (barcode reader, maybe?)
Already exists. A few years back (not sure if it's true anymore) VG-Network had their downloads section linked to an ad blocking checking system. If you had an adblocker of any kind it could detect, you'd be told you couldn't proceed without turning it off.
XBL sure has its share of issues with NAT setups and voice chat, many modern FPS titles on PC have built-in voice support (UT2004, for instance), and there are plenty of servers online you can say "Meet me at X" for.
There's nothing here that's beyond just "I prefer the X-Box", really. Don't get me wrong-- I have one, I also have a PS2 and a half-dozen other consoles. My point is that there's really nothing in the XBL experience you can't already do on PC, but there's a HUGE supply of idiots on the microphones on XBL and there's the controller (that could be a positive or negative, depending on your opinion of keyboard and mouse)
In a way, by misunderstanding my point you've proven it. I'm saying exactly what you're saying in reply to br00tus -- I'll quote:
'I should begin with that I am a confirmed Debian booster. I run Debian at home and love it. Anyhow, at work an old server was decommissioned and I was told I could have it, so I burned the latest unstable CD and tried to install Debian. No go. I have heard a lot about Gentoo but have never really played with it so I decided to try that. No - didn't work. So then I had some Red Hat CDs lying around so I tried that. No go again.'
Okay, we have Linux issues without a precise description of WHAT was barfing..
'In years past I have always noticed that FreeBSD always makes it easy to install. Makes it easy meaning it recognizes hard drives, network cards, even 56K modems, without a problem. I installed FreeBSD with two 3.5" standard FreeBSD install disks a few years ago over a 56K modem with no problem. Like the Apple commercials say - "it just works".'
Now we have a comment about FreeBSD working. Essentially meaningless in the context you and I agree on.
As for the machine I was speaking of, memtest came out roses. I really should have noted that in the original posting. In the end, I was forced to give up and leave it on Windows until my workplace could replace the machine with something a bit more modern.
I'm actually disappointed by the design. I was expecting something more like a Windows executable that takes system settings and does 90% of the install process from actually INSIDE Windows. It wouldn't be impossible by any means-- just a bit tough since filesystem drivers aren't available for a number of the popular ones (ReiserFS, for instance..)
I really don't want this to sound like I'm trolling, based on the content, so be warned in advance.
About three years ago, I ran into a server (HP, if I recall correctly) that had the strangest problem I'd ever seen: Neither Gentoo or FreeBSD would run on the thing. You could install it, but the thing would randomly kernel panic within 5 minutes of being up, and you couldn't trace where exactly the crash was.
If, on the other hand, you shoved Windows XP onto the thing.. it would run perfectly fine.
To this day I'm still not quite sure what was wrong with that box.
My point? Nothing's perfect. The problems you described having aren't necessarily indicative of problems with the distro-- of course, you didn't really go into any real detail on WHY the installs failed-- and for every report of one of a "Linux just won't work on this machine" type of trolling (not saying you are, but I see those all the time around here) in favor of BSD or whatever there's a thousand reports of it just being fine on a given hardware.
Both the original X-Box and the PSP have had required system updates on-disc in the past. The former in the DASHUPDATE.XBE and the latter in requiring updated firmware to boot new discs on a regular basis. Sony is likely following suit with the PS3 (it's a little early to say convincingly that they are). Expect to see "You must update your system to firmware 1.50 before you can play this game." messages.
This is why you use a tool to create a large amount of dummy space at the beginning of the image before burning it. By pushing out the data to the outer edge of the disc, you reduce the stress on the drive.
I've had my Dreamcast since US launch, and I've been using burned backups of Japanese stuff on it since then without issue.
Really? I'm going to say I was a lot happier with the SNES controller in general. It's a slight refinement of the basic NES d-pad, but the face buttons and ergonomics are vastly improved. The original NES controller qualifies as one of the LEAST ergonomic controllers ever created. I'd say up there with the Jaguar's abomination.
I've never understood all the people saying the PS2 controller is "unnatural" but claiming the X-Box Type S controller is comfortable.
The Type S is uncomfortable for me because it's way too thick, and I absolutely loathe the face buttons. It also has a godawful d-pad-- playing an oldschool fighting game like Street Fighter 2 is an exercise in misery. The DualShock only requires I shift my thumb a bit to the right to use the analog, and all of the buttons are flat, making them a lot more comfortable (especially when using the pressure sensitivity). I'd prefer a centerpiece to the d-pad on the DS, but I've gotten used to not keeping my finger towards the center of the pad like I used to with the SNES.
Not too fond of the 360 controller, but I WILL grant that the X-Box controllers don't cause as much pain as the Dreamcast or N64's analog sticks
I'm an ex-Eudora, ex-Pine, and current Thunderbird/mutt (depending on OS) user, though I've never heard of Mulberry.
In a nutshell, what's so special about this client as compared to what I've used? I'm not opposed to taking a look at a new client if it's really that good.
Yeah, it's really uncommon to run out of metal blades in general unless you're a poor shot and waste a lot of them. Still, once you get them, they tend to get a LOT of use in stages.
On the other hand, Mega Man 2 was the game that taught me an interesting lesson in terms of Mega Man games-- as soon as I get to the final boss, I think to myself, "Okay, what's the most USELESS weapon in my arsenal? That simply HAS to be its weak point."
Bubble Lead. Top Spin. Electric Spark. Strike Chain.
It's always the most difficult to use weapon, the one that almost NEVER is effective elsewhere in the game.
Slashdot Mirror
There's also Bookr, which hasn't been updated in a few years but can do some basic PDF reading as well as straight ASCII text. I imagine that if you wanted to add support for formats like the non-protected form of .LIT, you probably could since Bookr is open source.
You might be happy to know that EAX is being phased out. Most all new games from the last four or so years support OpenAL audio which has a component called EFX that is replacing EAX for the most part-- and it works with ALL modern sound cards, not just those from Creative Labs.
I doubt they use Caller ID data, since that's so easily spoofed. They probably use the much more secured cousin called ANI. When I worked at AT&T back around the 1999-2000 time frame, we used ANI on pretty much every call. While we were unable to use it as sole verification of who was calling, ANI had a 95% successful ID rate for telephone lines and the remaining 5% was 'no data'-- never did I see an incorrect entry.
If AT&T could do this on lines coming from the Baby Bells, I certainly believe they could easily achieve 100% on calls from their own cells. After all, if they can bill it to the right number, they can certainly pull origin ID off a call to its own number.
You're incorrect on this one.
It only redirects LAN-mode games (from ANY console, not just X-Box)-- XBL modes are not supported at all due to a heavily-encrypted client-server protocol that nobody has really done anything to try to reverse engineer.
It runs on more than just a router, it's also a PC-side application.
I absolutely hate light backgrounds-- on a CRT, I can see the refresh rate flicker no matter how high I set it and I get a really nasty headache in a hurry. On a LCD, it just hurts my eyes.
So, at least, for ME.. well, I pretty much have to go with light grey on black.
That's generally fine on a terminal or X, but forget it on Windows. Too many applications with hard-coded colors that make the assumption of black on white to even consider it; I've tried. It's one of my major pet peeves with Windows.
Your mileage may vary considerably, however.
That's how they broke the PSP's protection, by finding holes in already signed code.
It already exists. It's called account banning.
Yeah, pretty much, on the FMV topic-- The preliminary 3D stuff Square had been playing with was SD models of the FF6 characters, and it was all purely done in a FMV style setup. I think it's pretty clear they'd been aiming to put more of the story sequences either in FMV or realtime rendered.
I think it certainly hurt Nintendo to lose Square. I feel Pokemon would have happened either way, but it certainly didn't help Nintendo to lose one of its biggest third-party developers at a time when JRPGs were starting to hit the limelight in the mainstream.
Frankly, the N64 was too little (expensive cartridges, quirky controller, not enough games), too late (by at least two years! KI was supposed to be on 'Ultra 64' in 1995!), with Nintendo's president easily as arrogant as Sega of America's at the time. Both managed to injure their relations with the third parties and the fans.
Um.. no. They didn't "crawl away from Nintendo", they left because Nintendo insisted on using cartridges on a platform where it was obvious they couldn't handle what Square was aiming for.
Secondly, as has PREVIOUSLY been noted above, Square's stuff sells about as well in the rest of the world COMBINED as it does in Japan. At a 50% ratio, it makes sense to stick with the devil you know and not have to rebuy all your devkits and retrain. As for the Wii, Square's always been more interested in pushing graphics boundaries. I wouldn't be terribly surprised to see a traditional FF title on Wii, but they're FAR more likely to do spinoffs.
By the way, Akira Toriyama only did work for two series of any relevance to this-- Dragon Quest and Chrono Trigger. There's no reason to say "poached" as he'll do work for pretty much anyone who pays the cash for it.
In other words, you're talking out your ass on every single point here.
Some people do grow up with that ability; I used to have it, until the constant ear infections destroyed that range of my hearing. Most who DO have it lose it by the time they're 30, though. Most others don't have the ability to hear that range-- it's not that it's tuned out, it's just that they can't hear sounds at the upper range of what humans typically can hear.
Some of THOSE people can hear stuff on the bottom edge that you can't..
"EARLY" IBM? I was seeing bad-sector based protection throughout the entire lifespan of floppy software and WELL into the CD era with a number of *common* CD-based protections using specially damaged spots of the disc.
This is kinda off the initial topic, so I'll forgo any karma boosting:
I believe that expansion port was used for the Miracle Keyboard, the piano tutoring setup that cost easily as much as the NES itself. The Famicom had a similar port, and I believe that was used with the Famicom Disk System and _possibly_ one or two other devices (barcode reader, maybe?)
Try hooking a controller up to a powered USB hub. Even an old USB1 hub should do, since you're only going to use it to feed the controller power.
Already exists. A few years back (not sure if it's true anymore) VG-Network had their downloads section linked to an ad blocking checking system. If you had an adblocker of any kind it could detect, you'd be told you couldn't proceed without turning it off.
XBL sure has its share of issues with NAT setups and voice chat, many modern FPS titles on PC have built-in voice support (UT2004, for instance), and there are plenty of servers online you can say "Meet me at X" for.
There's nothing here that's beyond just "I prefer the X-Box", really. Don't get me wrong-- I have one, I also have a PS2 and a half-dozen other consoles. My point is that there's really nothing in the XBL experience you can't already do on PC, but there's a HUGE supply of idiots on the microphones on XBL and there's the controller (that could be a positive or negative, depending on your opinion of keyboard and mouse)
In a way, by misunderstanding my point you've proven it. I'm saying exactly what you're saying in reply to br00tus -- I'll quote:
'I should begin with that I am a confirmed Debian booster. I run Debian at home and love it. Anyhow, at work an old server was decommissioned and I was told I could have it, so I burned the latest unstable CD and tried to install Debian. No go. I have heard a lot about Gentoo but have never really played with it so I decided to try that. No - didn't work. So then I had some Red Hat CDs lying around so I tried that. No go again.'
Okay, we have Linux issues without a precise description of WHAT was barfing..
'In years past I have always noticed that FreeBSD always makes it easy to install. Makes it easy meaning it recognizes hard drives, network cards, even 56K modems, without a problem. I installed FreeBSD with two 3.5" standard FreeBSD install disks a few years ago over a 56K modem with no problem. Like the Apple commercials say - "it just works".'
Now we have a comment about FreeBSD working. Essentially meaningless in the context you and I agree on.
As for the machine I was speaking of, memtest came out roses. I really should have noted that in the original posting. In the end, I was forced to give up and leave it on Windows until my workplace could replace the machine with something a bit more modern.
I'm actually disappointed by the design. I was expecting something more like a Windows executable that takes system settings and does 90% of the install process from actually INSIDE Windows. It wouldn't be impossible by any means-- just a bit tough since filesystem drivers aren't available for a number of the popular ones (ReiserFS, for instance..)
I really don't want this to sound like I'm trolling, based on the content, so be warned in advance.
About three years ago, I ran into a server (HP, if I recall correctly) that had the strangest problem I'd ever seen: Neither Gentoo or FreeBSD would run on the thing. You could install it, but the thing would randomly kernel panic within 5 minutes of being up, and you couldn't trace where exactly the crash was.
If, on the other hand, you shoved Windows XP onto the thing.. it would run perfectly fine.
To this day I'm still not quite sure what was wrong with that box.
My point? Nothing's perfect. The problems you described having aren't necessarily indicative of problems with the distro-- of course, you didn't really go into any real detail on WHY the installs failed-- and for every report of one of a "Linux just won't work on this machine" type of trolling (not saying you are, but I see those all the time around here) in favor of BSD or whatever there's a thousand reports of it just being fine on a given hardware.
Your mileage may vary, I guess...
Both the original X-Box and the PSP have had required system updates on-disc in the past. The former in the DASHUPDATE.XBE and the latter in requiring updated firmware to boot new discs on a regular basis. Sony is likely following suit with the PS3 (it's a little early to say convincingly that they are). Expect to see "You must update your system to firmware 1.50 before you can play this game." messages.
This is why you use a tool to create a large amount of dummy space at the beginning of the image before burning it. By pushing out the data to the outer edge of the disc, you reduce the stress on the drive.
I've had my Dreamcast since US launch, and I've been using burned backups of Japanese stuff on it since then without issue.
Really? I'm going to say I was a lot happier with the SNES controller in general. It's a slight refinement of the basic NES d-pad, but the face buttons and ergonomics are vastly improved. The original NES controller qualifies as one of the LEAST ergonomic controllers ever created. I'd say up there with the Jaguar's abomination.
I've never understood all the people saying the PS2 controller is "unnatural" but claiming the X-Box Type S controller is comfortable.
The Type S is uncomfortable for me because it's way too thick, and I absolutely loathe the face buttons. It also has a godawful d-pad-- playing an oldschool fighting game like Street Fighter 2 is an exercise in misery. The DualShock only requires I shift my thumb a bit to the right to use the analog, and all of the buttons are flat, making them a lot more comfortable (especially when using the pressure sensitivity). I'd prefer a centerpiece to the d-pad on the DS, but I've gotten used to not keeping my finger towards the center of the pad like I used to with the SNES.
Not too fond of the 360 controller, but I WILL grant that the X-Box controllers don't cause as much pain as the Dreamcast or N64's analog sticks
I'm an ex-Eudora, ex-Pine, and current Thunderbird/mutt (depending on OS) user, though I've never heard of Mulberry.
In a nutshell, what's so special about this client as compared to what I've used? I'm not opposed to taking a look at a new client if it's really that good.
I could have sworn you could do remote boots for installation using RIS, though you need a domain controller to get that sort of functionality.
Yeah, it's really uncommon to run out of metal blades in general unless you're a poor shot and waste a lot of them. Still, once you get them, they tend to get a LOT of use in stages.
On the other hand, Mega Man 2 was the game that taught me an interesting lesson in terms of Mega Man games-- as soon as I get to the final boss, I think to myself, "Okay, what's the most USELESS weapon in my arsenal? That simply HAS to be its weak point."
Bubble Lead. Top Spin. Electric Spark. Strike Chain.
It's always the most difficult to use weapon, the one that almost NEVER is effective elsewhere in the game.