Also, they do open source licensing. If you are a certified open source project (I guess they just checkout the project???), you can get licenses for free.
I noticed that when I started using the Quicktime 6 Public Preview that I could no longer save a goodly number of files from the Internet. These included all of the movie trailers from www.apple.com/trailers. This was with the registration key for 5, which was supposed to work for 6 public preview as well.
Has anyone had the same results as well?
This greatly disturbes me. Apple makes the trailers available for free download, yet keeps you from saving the file on your hard drive. I used to save every trailer from every cool movie that's come out in the past few years. Now I can't?!
A not-so-long time ago, in a galaxy not so far away, gamers throughout the planet longed for the ultimate Star Wars experience; it would have to be one that immersed them directly in the world they longed to be part of, and in such a way that it would provide hours upon hours of gaming bliss. That experience, sadly, has remained elusive. However, just when all of the would-be Jedi were about to give up to the dark side, a magical triumvirate consisting of three of the most powerful light side icons was formed. First to appear was LucasArts; the organization ran by the master of all Jedi (whose force power was beginning to wane in the world of gaming). Second, the master of all things operational, Lord Gates, created the grand machine on which the elusive experience may be created. Thirdly, there was BioWare, a rogue group of scoundrels that have repeatedly proven themselves experts in the field of RPG creation. It would seem, on the surface, to be a union of medichlorians foretold by the prophets. However, the answer to whether the fruit of this union becomes the most powerful Jedi in the universe or just another fallen hero turned Sith Lord is an answer too cloudy to be foretold.
May 2002 has come and gone, and taken another E3 with it. It was at this yearly convention that gamers got their first real glimpse of BioWare's highly anticipated RPG Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. From the reports received back from the Bothan spies sent to the trade show, it looks like this one has got all the right ingredients to make not only one of the best RPGs ever, but the definitive Star Wars title.
It will take players to a time about 4000 years prior to the tales told in the films, during a period in which the Jedi and the Sith numbered in the thousands, and were locked in an epic struggle. Players assume the role of a human (players' parties consist of three characters, which can include humans, droids, Twi'leks, Wookies, etc) Jedi, whose decisions and actions not only affect his future (players can become Sith if they act too evil), but the outcome of this conflict on a much grander scale. The specific details of the storyline are still being kept quiet, but the developers assure that it involves stopping the Sith at all costs.
Players start out by building their character to spec, and then set out on the adventure which will mold and shape said character based on deeds and actions. The player sets the beginning skill points and combat feats, but different skills and abilities are added as the game progresses. BioWare has mentioned that quite a lot of painstaking detail has been presented in the game, and players will even be able to construct their character's lightsaber (which is a fundemental skill of any padawan), instead of just picking one up "weapon-up" style. The clothing and armaments of said characters will appear on their model no matter how you choose to dress them, and their appearance will affect how you are perceived by others. Even the most philanthropic Jedi will not be trusted if he walks through an environment wearing a black cloak, etc.
Speaking of environments, KOTOR will offer a universe spanning ten different worlds, which includes familiar favorites as well as completely new ones. Expect to travel to such places as Tatooine, the Sith world of Korriban, the Jedi Academy on Dantooine and the Wookiee homeworld of Kashyyyk. The player's home will be the Ebon Hawk, a familiar-looking predeccessor to a certain famous Corellian smuggler's "fastest hunk-o'-junk" in the galaxy. Players will be able to "live" inside the ship, interact with others, and even fly her about during certain challenges. Think of the Ebon Hawk as the "100 gil" per night Inn that you take with you everywhere you go (for purposes of explaining its role within this massive RPG). It can also act as a storage depot for the extra items you or your Wookie are finding a little too cumbersome to lug around.
Their will be a wide array of weapons (most of which are still under wraps with the developer), but lightsabers, blasters, bowcasters, and vibro blades have been assured. The story is one of epic proportions, the stuff one would expect from a BioWare RPG, the combat is going to consist of real time, rule based combat, and the character's development is directly related to the outcome of choices and actions. An interesting aspect of the game is that to add replayability, certain areas are only open to certain types of characters... in short, a fully angelic Jedi is not going to be able to get into highly Sith populated areas and vice versa. The next play through would warrant a more evil upbringing of the character to become welcome there.
What would a good RPG be without tons of mini-game side quests? Well, not a really good one after all. KOTOR won't disappoint in this regard, either, as the developers have included many mini games throughout the world, some required to progress through the main story, and some purely optional. They've been quoted as saying that they like to use mini games in places where one would normally just be watching a cutscene, so its execution sounds a bit innovative and welcome from the start. Also, all the in-game dialogue text will be spoken by character voice as well, an excellent feature that has only become possible of late (with this generation's hardware) because of the sheer amount of dialogue a typical forty hour RPG would require. Expect to be completely enveloped in the Star Wats universe.
Any character within your party can be controlled, and the AI will take over for the other two in the meantime. Players may switch from character to character at will. Saving progress is an anywhere, anytime system... providing the player is not in a situation of impending danger at the time. Saving in the midst of a "boss" battle will be right out.
The Xbox and PC versions will be identical in terms of gameplay, but there will be obvious control differences. BioWare has claimed that the whole title from beginning to end will be "longer than your typical console RPG, but not quite as enormous as Baldur's Gate 2", so expect a solid forty+ hours of saber swinging, force pushing, Sith Lord bashing, no Jar-Jar goodness when the Xbox version streets this fall.
Spark's reply to the article wrote:
"This is the part that made me angry. Just as with proprietory software, there is "free" (as in no cost) Free Software and commercial Free Software. When comparing commercial proprietory software to Free Software, you have to compare it to commercial Free Software of course!..."
This is the *EXACT* attitude that will prevent Linux from ever being a desktop replacement. Saying it is unfair to compare a free solution to a commercial one when that free solution is trying to replace it is absolute hogwash!
Unless you compare yourself to the other solutions that the majority of people are using, commercial or free, you don't have a leg to stand on. You have to give desktop users a reason to switch. The only reason to switch most users will see, is what they see on the monitor. Its all in what Gnome or KDE will provide to give users incentives to switch. If they don't do that, or rely on a 'commercial' free solution, no one will ever run a desktop linux.
I don't buy the line of thought, "Well a few configurations changes and my mother can use this OS now." The point is, will she want to?
Re:Spielberg annoys to the end
on
Minority Report
·
· Score: 1
Spielberg in his 'golden' age also seems to have the need to give oh-joy-happy-day closure to *every* single element that he introduces throughout the film.
The ending to Minority Report was not nearly as long and drawn out as A.I. was, but it still had that same everyone lived happily ever after taste.
Someone mentioned to me that it was a lot like L.A. Confidential. Baaah, no where near. The 'layers' the reviewer was talking about was transparent enough that you could visualize the possible endings not long into the movie.
Also, servlets, which are IMHO much better than JSP or PHP, can be used. Servlets more closely mimick the CGI paradigm the same way Perl does.
JSP and PHP are horrible for any type of application that has more than 1 developer and more than one revision of HTML layout. The integration of program logic with output display is the wrong way to do any type of large Web Application.
The creative staff that are responsible for designing the 'look n feel' of the application must coordinate closely with the developers. Each time the creative staff wants to revise something, or try out a new look, they must force the developer to reintegrate the display and logic.
And don't even think about incorporating multiple types of application styles based on who is logged in. Sure you could do it. But try and maintain it in a timely fashion!
The only real world solution to a large web application today is either J2EE or mod_perl.
My parents' computer crashed the other day and as I was preparing the computer to take over to my house for a format/install, my dad told me to park the drive.
Huh??
I asked him what he was talking about and he got irratated: "What do you do for a living, son?" and "Waste of a college education".
Sheesh.
He still reminisces of his first home computer, a BMI. It was a IBM clone he got for $4000 in ~1984.
There is also the issue of the data. The amount of data we process increases exponentially in any new application. While our programs process more data, our algorithms remain the same. The same sorting and search alogrithms have been around for an eternity in computer time.
Its not that an n log n algorithm sucks, its that an n log n alogrithm on a dataset with a hundred million entries sucks.
Really?
What if someone who is an unknown to the 'institution' has been secretly training to cause mass destruction. He's (she's) never been flagged by any law enforcement agency because he's an upstanding citizen
Face recognition is absolutely defeated in this scenerio. Where any of these bastards in the massacre of WTC/Pentagon on the FBI's list? What about the people involved with Oklahoma City bombing? I don't think so.
The article has a lot of merit and its an evolving art for most programmers.
Charles forgot to point out one thing.
Most houses these days are forced to be built under the same demanding client deadlines and requirements. You may have to rush building a house, but I have never heard the term "death march" applied to building a house.
Beautiful code isn't an luxury in many of todays coporate software environments.
Slashdot Mirror
Also, they do open source licensing. If you are a certified open source project (I guess they just checkout the project???), you can get licenses for free.
Has anyone had the same results as well?
This greatly disturbes me. Apple makes the trailers available for free download, yet keeps you from saving the file on your hard drive. I used to save every trailer from every cool movie that's come out in the past few years. Now I can't?!
Its one to submit a few spelling mistakes as patches. Its something else when the patch is critical.
Its interesting to note that no information about the fixes was given. Must mean that they were insignificant.
Would that person have really bought the 500 dollar piece of software if they couldn't buy it?
Or would they simply have purchased the $29.99 'lite' version?
Many People wouldn't use the software in the first place if they had to buy it. So its *not* a lost sale.
http://codemaster.atdoner.com/swpics
Article Reads:
A not-so-long time ago, in a galaxy not so far away, gamers throughout the planet longed for the ultimate Star Wars experience; it would have to be one that immersed them directly in the world they longed to be part of, and in such a way that it would provide hours upon hours of gaming bliss. That experience, sadly, has remained elusive. However, just when all of the would-be Jedi were about to give up to the dark side, a magical triumvirate consisting of three of the most powerful light side icons was formed. First to appear was LucasArts; the organization ran by the master of all Jedi (whose force power was beginning to wane in the world of gaming). Second, the master of all things operational, Lord Gates, created the grand machine on which the elusive experience may be created. Thirdly, there was BioWare, a rogue group of scoundrels that have repeatedly proven themselves experts in the field of RPG creation. It would seem, on the surface, to be a union of medichlorians foretold by the prophets. However, the answer to whether the fruit of this union becomes the most powerful Jedi in the universe or just another fallen hero turned Sith Lord is an answer too cloudy to be foretold.
May 2002 has come and gone, and taken another E3 with it. It was at this yearly convention that gamers got their first real glimpse of BioWare's highly anticipated RPG Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. From the reports received back from the Bothan spies sent to the trade show, it looks like this one has got all the right ingredients to make not only one of the best RPGs ever, but the definitive Star Wars title.
It will take players to a time about 4000 years prior to the tales told in the films, during a period in which the Jedi and the Sith numbered in the thousands, and were locked in an epic struggle. Players assume the role of a human (players' parties consist of three characters, which can include humans, droids, Twi'leks, Wookies, etc) Jedi, whose decisions and actions not only affect his future (players can become Sith if they act too evil), but the outcome of this conflict on a much grander scale. The specific details of the storyline are still being kept quiet, but the developers assure that it involves stopping the Sith at all costs.
Players start out by building their character to spec, and then set out on the adventure which will mold and shape said character based on deeds and actions. The player sets the beginning skill points and combat feats, but different skills and abilities are added as the game progresses. BioWare has mentioned that quite a lot of painstaking detail has been presented in the game, and players will even be able to construct their character's lightsaber (which is a fundemental skill of any padawan), instead of just picking one up "weapon-up" style. The clothing and armaments of said characters will appear on their model no matter how you choose to dress them, and their appearance will affect how you are perceived by others. Even the most philanthropic Jedi will not be trusted if he walks through an environment wearing a black cloak, etc.
Speaking of environments, KOTOR will offer a universe spanning ten different worlds, which includes familiar favorites as well as completely new ones. Expect to travel to such places as Tatooine, the Sith world of Korriban, the Jedi Academy on Dantooine and the Wookiee homeworld of Kashyyyk. The player's home will be the Ebon Hawk, a familiar-looking predeccessor to a certain famous Corellian smuggler's "fastest hunk-o'-junk" in the galaxy. Players will be able to "live" inside the ship, interact with others, and even fly her about during certain challenges. Think of the Ebon Hawk as the "100 gil" per night Inn that you take with you everywhere you go (for purposes of explaining its role within this massive RPG). It can also act as a storage depot for the extra items you or your Wookie are finding a little too cumbersome to lug around.
Their will be a wide array of weapons (most of which are still under wraps with the developer), but lightsabers, blasters, bowcasters, and vibro blades have been assured. The story is one of epic proportions, the stuff one would expect from a BioWare RPG, the combat is going to consist of real time, rule based combat, and the character's development is directly related to the outcome of choices and actions. An interesting aspect of the game is that to add replayability, certain areas are only open to certain types of characters... in short, a fully angelic Jedi is not going to be able to get into highly Sith populated areas and vice versa. The next play through would warrant a more evil upbringing of the character to become welcome there.
What would a good RPG be without tons of mini-game side quests? Well, not a really good one after all. KOTOR won't disappoint in this regard, either, as the developers have included many mini games throughout the world, some required to progress through the main story, and some purely optional. They've been quoted as saying that they like to use mini games in places where one would normally just be watching a cutscene, so its execution sounds a bit innovative and welcome from the start. Also, all the in-game dialogue text will be spoken by character voice as well, an excellent feature that has only become possible of late (with this generation's hardware) because of the sheer amount of dialogue a typical forty hour RPG would require. Expect to be completely enveloped in the Star Wats universe.
Any character within your party can be controlled, and the AI will take over for the other two in the meantime. Players may switch from character to character at will. Saving progress is an anywhere, anytime system... providing the player is not in a situation of impending danger at the time. Saving in the midst of a "boss" battle will be right out.
The Xbox and PC versions will be identical in terms of gameplay, but there will be obvious control differences. BioWare has claimed that the whole title from beginning to end will be "longer than your typical console RPG, but not quite as enormous as Baldur's Gate 2", so expect a solid forty+ hours of saber swinging, force pushing, Sith Lord bashing, no Jar-Jar goodness when the Xbox version streets this fall.
But I believe it was Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, B, A, Select, Start.
Now that's common language and exprience that I will never forget.
Its also the combination on my gym locker.
"This is the part that made me angry. Just as with proprietory software, there is "free" (as in no cost) Free Software and commercial Free Software. When comparing commercial proprietory software to Free Software, you have to compare it to commercial Free Software of course!
This is the *EXACT* attitude that will prevent Linux from ever being a desktop replacement. Saying it is unfair to compare a free solution to a commercial one when that free solution is trying to replace it is absolute hogwash!
Unless you compare yourself to the other solutions that the majority of people are using, commercial or free, you don't have a leg to stand on. You have to give desktop users a reason to switch. The only reason to switch most users will see, is what they see on the monitor. Its all in what Gnome or KDE will provide to give users incentives to switch. If they don't do that, or rely on a 'commercial' free solution, no one will ever run a desktop linux.
I don't buy the line of thought, "Well a few configurations changes and my mother can use this OS now." The point is, will she want to?
The ending to Minority Report was not nearly as long and drawn out as A.I. was, but it still had that same everyone lived happily ever after taste.
Someone mentioned to me that it was a lot like L.A. Confidential. Baaah, no where near. The 'layers' the reviewer was talking about was transparent enough that you could visualize the possible endings not long into the movie.
I give it a 3 out 5.
JSP and PHP are horrible for any type of application that has more than 1 developer and more than one revision of HTML layout. The integration of program logic with output display is the wrong way to do any type of large Web Application.
The creative staff that are responsible for designing the 'look n feel' of the application must coordinate closely with the developers. Each time the creative staff wants to revise something, or try out a new look, they must force the developer to reintegrate the display and logic.
And don't even think about incorporating multiple types of application styles based on who is logged in. Sure you could do it. But try and maintain it in a timely fashion!
The only real world solution to a large web application today is either J2EE or mod_perl.
Use mod_perl.
That's it.
It looks like shiet!
Granted, the first 10 rows are horrible for anything, but they are much worse on Digital.
Huh??
I asked him what he was talking about and he got irratated: "What do you do for a living, son?" and "Waste of a college education".
Sheesh.
He still reminisces of his first home computer, a BMI. It was a IBM clone he got for $4000 in ~1984.
I was 5 at the time. Wow.
That and the fact that its a marketing sin to miss the Christmas Season.
Yeah no kidding. Did you see all the people revolt when DMCA was passed?
$15 a year and they have an awesome online control panel for managing all of your domains.
I haven't had a problem with moving and leaving 11 domains.
I'm surprised I didn't see one reference to David Eddings. I loved the Belgariad and the Mallorean. I can't believe no one else enjoyed his books?
Its not that an n log n algorithm sucks, its that an n log n alogrithm on a dataset with a hundred million entries sucks.
One package I haven't found anyone commenting about was MKS's Integrity Manager. Has anyone used that and do you have any comments on it?
Really? What if someone who is an unknown to the 'institution' has been secretly training to cause mass destruction. He's (she's) never been flagged by any law enforcement agency because he's an upstanding citizen Face recognition is absolutely defeated in this scenerio. Where any of these bastards in the massacre of WTC/Pentagon on the FBI's list? What about the people involved with Oklahoma City bombing? I don't think so.
The article has a lot of merit and its an evolving art for most programmers. Charles forgot to point out one thing. Most houses these days are forced to be built under the same demanding client deadlines and requirements. You may have to rush building a house, but I have never heard the term "death march" applied to building a house. Beautiful code isn't an luxury in many of todays coporate software environments.
Yeah she was very single minded in that point. She forgot about Operating Systems. Just compare the system requirements between MS Win 3.1 and MS W2K.