As far as Halo goes, I've had times when a faster response time on the analog stick might have saved me, but those few times aren't that big a deal considering the hugely engaging multiplayer modes that Halo has. And really, it was my own damn fault: I could've just upped look sensitivity for my character instead of keepign it at the default.
Read what I said: The analog stick is superior to the keyboard for actually moving around. I agree, the mouse is faster and more precise for aiming (and that includes looking) but for making precise movements, the analog stick is superior. That's less important, but it's one advantage that mouse/keyboard folks often overlook when bashing control pads. You can't edge out from behind cover very well by pressing 'D' (or the right key for left handed folks), because there's no way to differentiate between a light tap and a heavy tap.
Bah. Who cares about the control? Using the analog control is probably worse than using a mouse for aiming, but for actually moving around, the analog stick beats the hell out of a keyboard. Split-screen isn't really a big deal either. For one, it's a necessity of console multiplayer, but if you're playing with multiple systems, it becomes much less important, since separate teams can use separate TVs. The key though, is that console gaming is simply a hell of a lot better for getting together and playing some games with your friends. Like I said, you can do a LAN thing, but the setup for that takes a lot more effort than just plugging in a console or two. You can complain about the controls... but so what? I'll continue to have fun running over my friends with Ghosts and then being blown up by well-thrown plasma grenades.:)
Halo multiplayer is just fantastic, and I'm sure it'll be great on the PC as well, but sitting in the dark at your computer seeing lame morons type "H4 H4. I 0WNZ0R3D J00!!!" over and over again just can't beat sitting in front of the TV with your buds playing split screen Halo. There's always the LAN party aspect, but I'd rather have four people bring four XBoxes than 16 people bring 16 computers to play 8 on 8 team games on Sidewinder with all the vehicles on.:)
A million people have already suggested Mac laptops... Here's another case where Macs are good. Type up your document in whatever program you want. Then print... to PDF. That simple.
Heh heh. Yep. That was always the problem with the NES. Of course, when they released the updated model around the time the SNES came out, it was a hell of a lot better. Of course, being raised on the original-style consoles, I prefer them, so me and a friend "refurbish" systems, cleaning cartridges, replacing connectors, that sort of thing. It's good fun for a couple of geeks.:)
Ahh. The Good Old NES. I love that system. Collecting old NES games, systems, and peripherals has essentially become my current collecting obsession, overtaking Magic cards and Legos. All those great games. All those bad games that are just absolutely hilarious. It really is an amazing system from a truly formative time in the video game history...
Yes. I'm a nerd. A normal person wouldn't get that worked up about a game console.:)
That's true, it would be helpful... and those things *are* usually stackable, so I wouldn't have to give up (much of) the efficient use of vertical space, which is about all that system is good for.:)
I got into this very bad habit of storing rarely-used CDs on a large CD-R spindle. It's terribly inefficient. Don't do it. I think that paper envelopes, labeled, and stored as you suggested is a fantastic idea... ahh, yet another project for my summer break.:)
You make a good point, but consider this: We interact with a 3D world every day, and it's no problem for us. However, when you load up Mario Sunshine or whatever, the interface is totally different. For one, you're seeing everything from a 3rd person perspective. Thus, you're not seeing what your avatar would see, you're seeing what someone observing your avatar would see.
Now consider your interface to the 3D world. We move around with our legs, we interact with our environment with our hands, and we tilt our neck or shift our eyes to look around. With a video game, our interface is through a controller.
Now, even though Mario Sunshine's 3D world is more like our own world than, say, Super Mario Bros. 3, the differences in perception and interaction are vastly different. That can make it cognitively difficult to interact with these video game worlds.
I play lots of video games, so I'm used to it. It's not as natural to me as interacting with the real world via my own body, but it's not too bad. But for anyone who isn't used to that, it can be really difficult.
I suppose as long as you make the source available, charging for the signed version wouldn't be a problem. After all, people by packaged distributions of Linux all the time, and I hear there's quite a bit of GPL'd code in there.:)
However, I would wonder if the GNU folks would really be so thrilled that about it. After all, you're writing code for a platform that supports code-signing technology, which many people fear could greatly hamper the free software movement. So why support the platform? Perhaps you should consider writing games for more open-source-friendly platforms, like the Linux PDA's for example? Just a suggestion though.
I see Mozilla as being a rather bit player in the Mac market. It's just too big, slow, and, well, foreign for Mac users. But, I suppose you're right that the camp is already split. Personally, I think they should focus on building a really terrific rendering engine and a core for a quality mail app, and start developing well-done, friendly native user interfaces.
The problem with bringing Phoenix over to the Mac is that it will have some of the same problems as Mozilla for the Mac: particularly, non-native widgets and lack of real integration with the system.
It might also be detrimental to Mozilla on the Mac. Right now, it's basically Camino vs. Safari. If it becomes Phoenix vs. Camino vs. Safari, the Mozilla camp becomes split.
Honestly, I thought Rockstar dropped the ball with Vice City. The graphics seemed less polished, the controls seemed choppier, and, well, it just seemed a lot less fun than GTA3. Oh well.
I still think that backs up my point: that Gary Numan, while influential and good in his own right, is not whom one should be looking at when considering the foundations of Industrial music.
You're right that Throbbing Gristle, et al. predated the groups I mentioned, but I think that in the next 5 to 10 years, KMFDM, Front 242 and perhaps (regrettably) Nine Inch Nails will have more of a direct influence on the genre than the early innovators.
Einstürzende Neubauten? What's the problem? Strategies Against Architecture (the Strategien Gegen Architecture in German? Sad that I can spell the band name but not that...) was a fantastic album, and you are quite right calling me out on that one.
Gary Numan as a forefather of future industrial music? I think not. KMFDM, Ministry, Front 242, etc. did Industrial before Gary Numan (he just did angsty synth-pop for a long time, e.g., "Cars.") That's not to say Numan wasn't very influential, but the industrial music 5 to 10 years from now will likely be more directly influenced by the acts mentioned above, and probably a lot of others. Apoptygma Berzerk and VNV Nation come to mind. Anyway. Yeah, the RIAA needs to add excellent acts like RDJ et al. to their database. Then they might be on to something. But that won't happen.
Slashdot Mirror
As far as Halo goes, I've had times when a faster response time on the analog stick might have saved me, but those few times aren't that big a deal considering the hugely engaging multiplayer modes that Halo has. And really, it was my own damn fault: I could've just upped look sensitivity for my character instead of keepign it at the default.
Yes. I'm a nerd. A normal person wouldn't get that worked up about a game console. :)
First-person Leisure Suit Larry... sounds like fun to me! :)
Now consider your interface to the 3D world. We move around with our legs, we interact with our environment with our hands, and we tilt our neck or shift our eyes to look around. With a video game, our interface is through a controller.
Now, even though Mario Sunshine's 3D world is more like our own world than, say, Super Mario Bros. 3, the differences in perception and interaction are vastly different. That can make it cognitively difficult to interact with these video game worlds.
I play lots of video games, so I'm used to it. It's not as natural to me as interacting with the real world via my own body, but it's not too bad. But for anyone who isn't used to that, it can be really difficult.
For the sake of the Slashdot community, will someone please, PLEASE post a link to some screenshots??? :)
Decartes' Meditations... read what you're replying to. It's useful.
However, I would wonder if the GNU folks would really be so thrilled that about it. After all, you're writing code for a platform that supports code-signing technology, which many people fear could greatly hamper the free software movement. So why support the platform? Perhaps you should consider writing games for more open-source-friendly platforms, like the Linux PDA's for example? Just a suggestion though.
Nooo! Why'd the multiplex have to compile a brand new kernel the night before RotK opened?? Why, WHY?!
I see Mozilla as being a rather bit player in the Mac market. It's just too big, slow, and, well, foreign for Mac users. But, I suppose you're right that the camp is already split. Personally, I think they should focus on building a really terrific rendering engine and a core for a quality mail app, and start developing well-done, friendly native user interfaces.
It might also be detrimental to Mozilla on the Mac. Right now, it's basically Camino vs. Safari. If it becomes Phoenix vs. Camino vs. Safari, the Mozilla camp becomes split.
And getting this story posted helped his karma even more! Heck, he's probably in the black now!
Sigh. I didn't get to go... I'm just third string...
This new learning fascinates me. Tell me again how sheeps' bladders may be used to prevent earthquakes.
Those aren't bugs... they're features!
Honestly, I thought Rockstar dropped the ball with Vice City. The graphics seemed less polished, the controls seemed choppier, and, well, it just seemed a lot less fun than GTA3. Oh well.
You're right that Throbbing Gristle, et al. predated the groups I mentioned, but I think that in the next 5 to 10 years, KMFDM, Front 242 and perhaps (regrettably) Nine Inch Nails will have more of a direct influence on the genre than the early innovators.
Einstürzende Neubauten? What's the problem? Strategies Against Architecture (the Strategien Gegen Architecture in German? Sad that I can spell the band name but not that...) was a fantastic album, and you are quite right calling me out on that one.
Gary Numan as a forefather of future industrial music? I think not. KMFDM, Ministry, Front 242, etc. did Industrial before Gary Numan (he just did angsty synth-pop for a long time, e.g., "Cars.") That's not to say Numan wasn't very influential, but the industrial music 5 to 10 years from now will likely be more directly influenced by the acts mentioned above, and probably a lot of others. Apoptygma Berzerk and VNV Nation come to mind. Anyway. Yeah, the RIAA needs to add excellent acts like RDJ et al. to their database. Then they might be on to something. But that won't happen.