Eh, I kind of doubt that anybody who has a latest generation console will be getting called "the poor kid" unless he lives in a neighborhood where the other local brats all have multiple consoles of the latest generation.
The Nintendo Revolution apparently will not have HDTV support. A somewhat questionable move, but it at least indicates that the console probably won't be priced quite as high as the other two. Another reason Nintendo probably won't price their console too high is to keep it from becoming too prohibitively expensive for parents to buy their kids.
I'm not sure, but I think there are still some parents out there who don't play games themselves, but have kids who do, and aren't willing to blow $500-600 on a single toy for them.
Subscribe to HBO. Great shows, plus some movies, and they aren't dependent on revenue from commercials, and appear to have embraced on-demand television already.
We need a couple more HBO-like channels (Showtime seems pretty close, but I haven't seen too many promos for their shows that entice me too much), or else need HBO to grow in subscribers so they can expand their offerings and produce more originals.
It's really about the only TV channel I watch these days.
Diamonds aren't really that rare, it's just that De Beers has a virtual monopoly on them and carefully controls how many of them enter the market.
It's artificial rarity, so it may be poetic justice that "artificial" (not a completely accurate term, since they are indeed "real" diamonds) diamonds are what ultimately bring down the price on the stones.
It's probably already been said before, but here are the reasons I can think of to not bother with trying to find a "bare bones" motherborad:
1) Bare bones motherboards are generally going to be more expensive. Functions like the NIC and sound are a part of many modern chipsets, so it doesn't cost much extra to add that capability to the board.
2) Unless your system is fairly new, and/or your current expansion cards are premium stuff, the integrated components may very well be superior to whatever you're using now.
3) Not having to put in all those cards frees up expansion slots and room inside your case, improving air flow and probably consuming less power.
4) Even if you keep using your old expansion cards, they may die some day, and having a perfectly viable backup built right into your motherboard will be something you're thankful for.
Last I heard, the Nintendo DS is competing just fine with the PlayStation Pocket. And Nintendo still manages consistently turn a profit. I'm not sure where all of the Nintendo doomsaying comes from.
Nintendo's overall popularity may be on the decline, but is the remedy for that to compete with Microsoft and Sony at their own game? Nintendo has itself quite a lucrative niche, Saying Nintendo should back off and innovate less (or differently, or whatever) is like saying Apple should try to be more like Microsoft or Intel, because they have greater market share. What does it matter so long as a ton of people still immensely enjoy your product, and you're consistently turning a healthy profit?
The original poster's argument was that he tries to convince others to switch to Open Source projects to support those projects in hopes of improving them.
Which answers the question posed by the submitter.
I'm arguing that as a user of non-open source products, his argument isn't convincing me.
Where do you get the impression he's trying to convince you of anything? He's just answering a question. I evangelize a lot of open source software, in part, for the reason he gives. However, when I'm trying to convince somebody else to use open source software, I don't mention that reason... I instead espouse the strengths of the software that I use, lambaste the weakness of the alternatives, etc.
The question was, basically, "Why do you evangelize open source with such fevor?" not "How do you evangelize open source effectively?" The person you were responding to answers the first question while ignoring the second, since it was not something he was asked.
It's not a weak argument. His reply was quite succinct and accurate.
The question posed was about why people evangelize open source products, not about why people decide to switch to open source products in the first place, or about why people should switch to open source software.
Your argument isn't quite appropriate and relevant to the question being asked and answered (no offense).
If you're already convinced that, say, Firefox is the best web browser for you, it's in your best interests to get as many other people using it as possible, because as Firefox usage rises, web designers are more mindful to design Firefox-friendly sites. It also potentially attracts coders to help the project directly. This is a perfectly valid and sensible motivation to get others to use the software. There are other reasons and motivations for getting people to switch, but this is a big one, in my opinion.
There is sound in space because anybody who isn't a geek is conditioned to expect sound when something the size of a spaceship flies by... if there's silence, they suspect technical difficulties, a strained budget, etc. It's jarring to one's suspension to disbelief for most people, even though it is more scientifically accurate.
The thing is, movies like 2001 and shows like Firefly could get away with not having sound in space, because the parts of the movie that took place in space weren't really action-packed. When you're talking about something like Star Trek, or Star Wars, or Farscape, or Babylon 5 (where I hear they experimented with having no space sounds with focus groups, and got an unfavorable/confused reaction) then the lack of sound and visual effects like explosions and fires makes for a rather dull, unstimulating awkward experience.
For myself, I didn't even realize watching the show that there was no sound in space, because there weren't a bunch of space battles and the like. Really the space scenes did not interest me as much as the characters, the dialog and the stories. If just those elements can safely make it into the movie, I'll count myself lucky and be a happy camper.
I understand the geek appeal of getting a detail like soundless space right, but I really don't see how it's this huge draw. I won't be disappointed by the fact that there is sound in space, but there are a bunch of action-packed space battles that make the sounds virtually necessary, that may prove a rather disappointing departure from the series.
Personally I'm not getting my hopes up about Firefly, and I doubt I'll go see it in theaters (owing in part to the fact that I don't live near any theaters, so going to see movies is a chore for me). Either it'll just be another space action movie, or it will be something I'll be content to watch at home on TV, like the series.
Though he makes a good point. If you're going to go through the trouble of creating a new media format/standard, don't make it so it's only barely adequate to handle the needs of a single 2 hour movie in high def -- make it overkill so you don't have to replace the standard again in six years and so we can fit an entire television series (plus commentary) on a one or two disc set.
It took long enough for the DVD to penetrate the market, even though it is vastly superior to VHS. Why take only a small evolutionary step forward with the next video format? Do they really think anybody but early adopters are going to flock to these new formats, especially if there is even a hint of standards war? These relatively small small improvements on the DVD, to me would only seem to ensure that by the time the technology becomes widespread, it will already be on the verge of obsolesce.
Your comparison is somewhat irrelevant, because Everquest is largely PvE (player versus environment) whereas UT or Chess are PvP (player versus player). Paying more for a better PvE experience is not uncommon and will not ruin the game.
It's still relavent, because it alters the way you interact with your fellow players. Instead of playing the game the way it was designed to be played, working with or against others to improve your standing in the game, chunks of the game are simply circumvented.
The more of the gameplay experience is forfeited to item farmers whose primary purpose is to acquire items to sell for real currency, the less "real" players have proper, legitimate oppurtunity to play with or against each other.
Plus, it just kills the game as a method of escape, in my opinion.
And if elements of the game are really that terrible that you'd rather pay some guy to do it for you, rather than play the game itself to achieve whatever goals you have set, that speaks to a weakness in the game's design that the company running the game should try to address and fix, and if they fail to do so, be punished for... not something they profit from.
In just about every conceivable respect, this is simply the wrong way to go when it comes to MMOs, and it shows how utterly weak and without integrity Sony's philosophy towards creating an entertaining MMO is. This seals the deal for me, never again will I touch a Sony MMO again.
Bottom line: if you have to do a major upgrade of media and players, do it right! Don't upgrade the minimum amount required, but plan for the future.
I agree 100%.
People are only going to upgrade their equipment so often. I simply do not see the sense setting the new standard with inferior technology, even if it does save some money down the road. This is an investment... you eventually get back a multiple of what you put into it initially.
Actually, no, I don't mean the 13-21 crowd as that isn't me. The only games you listed on there that I have an interest in can be had on other systems. The only thing that the Gamecube is really good for is party games IMHO.
Nintendo's first party titles do tend to be very kid friendly, that much is true. They do have several 3rd party titles which are intended for more "mature" audiences, and granted, most of these titles are available as ports on other systems.
But I'm not really sure how this is a "mistake" on Nintendo's part. Last I checked, kids still play games. Pokemon was a pretty huge marketing success, wasn't it? And last I checked, a lot of parents out there don't want to buy their kids to play games gratuitously laced with sex and realistic violence.
Nintendo is exploiting a very important and very lucrative niche in the gaming industry. I don't know their numbers, but for all the doomsaying I've heard over the years about Nintendo, they still seem to be thriving, innovating, and greating great games for people of all ages to enjoy.
I'm not saying Nintendo is flawless. They have not done as good a job at courting 3rd party developers as I'd like, which is why they somewhat lack in the department of mature rated games. If they can address this issue, they will be in good shape, and won't have to change the focus of their own development efforts. They need to keep doing what they're doing, but they need to make it easier and more inviting for 3rd parties to do what they do on their platforms.
The encrypted sections include spelling errors, which Sanborn said were intentional, possibly to throw off sleuths, and misaligned characters set higher on a line of text than characters around them.
Actually, Blizzard does use a BitTorrent client to assist in distributing game patches.
But something like BitTorrent would be completely useless to try and address the issues that World of Warcraft is suffering now, which have less to do with bandwidth and more to do with some problem with their database software or the hardware it's running on. The latency, etc. isn't bad at all.
Now everybody who was thinking about Buying WoW go out and Buy FFXI instead
Still takes 2 hours to form a decent group, eh?
I cancelled my World of Warcraft account a few days ago. I might have reopened my Final Fantasy XI account to pass the time on my level 42 Red Mage, but Square-Enix has this genious policy of deleting characters on inactivate accounts after 3 months.
Same, whenever I experience lag in WoW, usually latency is not the problem, unless the connection is going lame on my end. You can tell it's a server issue because oftentimes there is lag when you use a chat channel, but mobs are ghosting all around you, there's lag when you cast spells, use abilities, loot, etc.
Well, I can't speak for everyone, but I can tell you that World of Warcraft has ruined me for EQ. And I cancelled my World of Warcraft subscription a few days ago. I'll probably come back eventually, but for the time being, I don't feel right paying for the game. I feel like going back to EQ even less.
I didn't quit because of these server problems (well, not entirely because of them anyway) but rather because I'm not happy with the way they've been handling bug/exploit fixes (they've been using the sloppiest, dirtiest, most heavy handed approach possible, in the form of depressing class nerfs) and I'm not happy with the way they've comunicated with the priest community (exemplified by a misleading and plainly inaccurate description of the class and class abilities on their official site).
I'm quitting more out of protest than I am out of lack of enjoyment of the game. I'll probably come back when they fix these server issues, complete Battlefields, or address some of my class concerns.
EQ... it just doesn't interest me anymore. It's old and busted. Nobody I know even plays it anymore. There's nothing there for me, just as I would guess there's nothing there for most other players who left it for WoW.
Slashdot Mirror
Eh, I kind of doubt that anybody who has a latest generation console will be getting called "the poor kid" unless he lives in a neighborhood where the other local brats all have multiple consoles of the latest generation.
I'm not sure, but I think there are still some parents out there who don't play games themselves, but have kids who do, and aren't willing to blow $500-600 on a single toy for them.
We need a couple more HBO-like channels (Showtime seems pretty close, but I haven't seen too many promos for their shows that entice me too much), or else need HBO to grow in subscribers so they can expand their offerings and produce more originals.
It's really about the only TV channel I watch these days.
No, it's labeled correctly, here's an example of what a YRO article should look like.
It's artificial rarity, so it may be poetic justice that "artificial" (not a completely accurate term, since they are indeed "real" diamonds) diamonds are what ultimately bring down the price on the stones.
c) The installer is nearly 5MB, which means it's too big for most to download on 56k or GPRS
1) Bare bones motherboards are generally going to be more expensive. Functions like the NIC and sound are a part of many modern chipsets, so it doesn't cost much extra to add that capability to the board.
2) Unless your system is fairly new, and/or your current expansion cards are premium stuff, the integrated components may very well be superior to whatever you're using now.
3) Not having to put in all those cards frees up expansion slots and room inside your case, improving air flow and probably consuming less power.
4) Even if you keep using your old expansion cards, they may die some day, and having a perfectly viable backup built right into your motherboard will be something you're thankful for.
Nintendo's overall popularity may be on the decline, but is the remedy for that to compete with Microsoft and Sony at their own game? Nintendo has itself quite a lucrative niche, Saying Nintendo should back off and innovate less (or differently, or whatever) is like saying Apple should try to be more like Microsoft or Intel, because they have greater market share. What does it matter so long as a ton of people still immensely enjoy your product, and you're consistently turning a healthy profit?
Which answers the question posed by the submitter.
I'm arguing that as a user of non-open source products, his argument isn't convincing me.
Where do you get the impression he's trying to convince you of anything? He's just answering a question. I evangelize a lot of open source software, in part, for the reason he gives. However, when I'm trying to convince somebody else to use open source software, I don't mention that reason ... I instead espouse the strengths of the software that I use, lambaste the weakness of the alternatives, etc.
The question was, basically, "Why do you evangelize open source with such fevor?" not "How do you evangelize open source effectively?" The person you were responding to answers the first question while ignoring the second, since it was not something he was asked.
The question posed was about why people evangelize open source products, not about why people decide to switch to open source products in the first place, or about why people should switch to open source software.
Your argument isn't quite appropriate and relevant to the question being asked and answered (no offense).
If you're already convinced that, say, Firefox is the best web browser for you, it's in your best interests to get as many other people using it as possible, because as Firefox usage rises, web designers are more mindful to design Firefox-friendly sites. It also potentially attracts coders to help the project directly. This is a perfectly valid and sensible motivation to get others to use the software. There are other reasons and motivations for getting people to switch, but this is a big one, in my opinion.
The thing is, movies like 2001 and shows like Firefly could get away with not having sound in space, because the parts of the movie that took place in space weren't really action-packed. When you're talking about something like Star Trek, or Star Wars, or Farscape, or Babylon 5 (where I hear they experimented with having no space sounds with focus groups, and got an unfavorable/confused reaction) then the lack of sound and visual effects like explosions and fires makes for a rather dull, unstimulating awkward experience.
For myself, I didn't even realize watching the show that there was no sound in space, because there weren't a bunch of space battles and the like. Really the space scenes did not interest me as much as the characters, the dialog and the stories. If just those elements can safely make it into the movie, I'll count myself lucky and be a happy camper.
I understand the geek appeal of getting a detail like soundless space right, but I really don't see how it's this huge draw. I won't be disappointed by the fact that there is sound in space, but there are a bunch of action-packed space battles that make the sounds virtually necessary, that may prove a rather disappointing departure from the series.
Personally I'm not getting my hopes up about Firefly, and I doubt I'll go see it in theaters (owing in part to the fact that I don't live near any theaters, so going to see movies is a chore for me). Either it'll just be another space action movie, or it will be something I'll be content to watch at home on TV, like the series.
It took long enough for the DVD to penetrate the market, even though it is vastly superior to VHS. Why take only a small evolutionary step forward with the next video format? Do they really think anybody but early adopters are going to flock to these new formats, especially if there is even a hint of standards war? These relatively small small improvements on the DVD, to me would only seem to ensure that by the time the technology becomes widespread, it will already be on the verge of obsolesce.
It's still relavent, because it alters the way you interact with your fellow players. Instead of playing the game the way it was designed to be played, working with or against others to improve your standing in the game, chunks of the game are simply circumvented.
The more of the gameplay experience is forfeited to item farmers whose primary purpose is to acquire items to sell for real currency, the less "real" players have proper, legitimate oppurtunity to play with or against each other.
Plus, it just kills the game as a method of escape, in my opinion.
And if elements of the game are really that terrible that you'd rather pay some guy to do it for you, rather than play the game itself to achieve whatever goals you have set, that speaks to a weakness in the game's design that the company running the game should try to address and fix, and if they fail to do so, be punished for ... not something they profit from.
In just about every conceivable respect, this is simply the wrong way to go when it comes to MMOs, and it shows how utterly weak and without integrity Sony's philosophy towards creating an entertaining MMO is. This seals the deal for me, never again will I touch a Sony MMO again.
Developers care a lot about hardware, though.
Seeing these posts makes me wonder what kind of molecules are neccessary to construct a sense of humor.
I agree 100%.
People are only going to upgrade their equipment so often. I simply do not see the sense setting the new standard with inferior technology, even if it does save some money down the road. This is an investment ... you eventually get back a multiple of what you put into it initially.
The Nintendo DS has wifi, and it was released before the PSP.
Nintendo's first party titles do tend to be very kid friendly, that much is true. They do have several 3rd party titles which are intended for more "mature" audiences, and granted, most of these titles are available as ports on other systems.
But I'm not really sure how this is a "mistake" on Nintendo's part. Last I checked, kids still play games. Pokemon was a pretty huge marketing success, wasn't it? And last I checked, a lot of parents out there don't want to buy their kids to play games gratuitously laced with sex and realistic violence.
Nintendo is exploiting a very important and very lucrative niche in the gaming industry. I don't know their numbers, but for all the doomsaying I've heard over the years about Nintendo, they still seem to be thriving, innovating, and greating great games for people of all ages to enjoy.
I'm not saying Nintendo is flawless. They have not done as good a job at courting 3rd party developers as I'd like, which is why they somewhat lack in the department of mature rated games. If they can address this issue, they will be in good shape, and won't have to change the focus of their own development efforts. They need to keep doing what they're doing, but they need to make it easier and more inviting for 3rd parties to do what they do on their platforms.
It will be interesting to see what this guy can do with the MMO genre.
Cheating is a disreputable business, whether it's illegal or not.
The encrypted sections include spelling errors, which Sanborn said were intentional, possibly to throw off sleuths, and misaligned characters set higher on a line of text than characters around them.
So who knows. :)
But something like BitTorrent would be completely useless to try and address the issues that World of Warcraft is suffering now, which have less to do with bandwidth and more to do with some problem with their database software or the hardware it's running on. The latency, etc. isn't bad at all.
Still takes 2 hours to form a decent group, eh?
I cancelled my World of Warcraft account a few days ago. I might have reopened my Final Fantasy XI account to pass the time on my level 42 Red Mage, but Square-Enix has this genious policy of deleting characters on inactivate accounts after 3 months.
Same, whenever I experience lag in WoW, usually latency is not the problem, unless the connection is going lame on my end. You can tell it's a server issue because oftentimes there is lag when you use a chat channel, but mobs are ghosting all around you, there's lag when you cast spells, use abilities, loot, etc.
I didn't quit because of these server problems (well, not entirely because of them anyway) but rather because I'm not happy with the way they've been handling bug/exploit fixes (they've been using the sloppiest, dirtiest, most heavy handed approach possible, in the form of depressing class nerfs) and I'm not happy with the way they've comunicated with the priest community (exemplified by a misleading and plainly inaccurate description of the class and class abilities on their official site).
I'm quitting more out of protest than I am out of lack of enjoyment of the game. I'll probably come back when they fix these server issues, complete Battlefields, or address some of my class concerns.
EQ ... it just doesn't interest me anymore. It's old and busted. Nobody I know even plays it anymore. There's nothing there for me, just as I would guess there's nothing there for most other players who left it for WoW.