a company that is legally defending its products which are its IP.
The bnetd software is legal under the DMCA and all other laws that I know of, since its primary function is not to circumvent copy protection techniques.
What's really happening here is that Blizzard is trying to use monetary backing to drive someone under, as is common in supposed IP cases. The accusations are just a smokescreen to cover up the real damage they are trying to cause: legal costs.
The real thing they are accomplishing is smacking the community of people who love their game in the face, and that is just SAD.
So tell me again: how is bnetd within their rights?
The main purpose of bnetd is to allow a private server not on Battle.net. This does not infringe, according to the DMCA.
And, since battle.net is free (of cost) forever with a game purchase, what is bnetd's purpose?
I use it to play friends from across the country and hold private ladder games. We all have legitimate Cd's, incidentally. It's nice to be able to play without all the lag from Battle.net, not to mention not having to deal with the 1337 dickweed kiddies out there on Battle.net.
I read their feature list, and I was a little put off by "configurability of ad banners"--are you supposed to be able to sell ad space on a server that runs somebody else's game?
I never got this feature to work. I was actually trying to put the logo of the website, a match schedule, and some cool SC artwork in place of the banners. At no point was I thinking of paid advertising, and I doubt that would be feasible on a private server in the first place. The only reason it was included is because the SC interface already has an open spot for the banners to go, and it looks incomplete without them.
The reason I was so mad about it is because I was legally using bnetd with legal copies of SC and had gotten many other people to buy the game so they could play too. Even though I'm within the law and exercising fair-use, I've now been forbidden to use the software the way I want to.
It wouldn't be so bad if Blizzard would release approved server software that does the same thing and still checked for CD-keys, but they have no intention of doing so.
Also of note, bnetd contacted Blizzard long ago about coding in some form of keychecking authorization corroboration to ensure only legal copies could be used. Blizzard, of course, never even tried to acknowledge them.
Some people swear by Goldeneye and its clones, but.. FPSs are made for a mouse, no console controller will ever be as good.
It depends on what you are used to, I guess. I can consistently get headshots with auto-aim off using just a pistol and the Solitaire control style (1.2). A joystick never seemed to bother me.
Consoles are good for : fighting games, sports games, racing games... that's about it really
Consoles are good for multiplayer games with local friends. Sorry, playing a FPS or racing game on a LAN is not as fun as setting on a couch with 3 friends and talking smack to each other. Sports games just suck in general: why not just go play the sport?;-)
Anyway, my personal preference is Gamecube over PS2, but the PS2 isn't too bad either
I've got both, and on games that are released for both platforms (Burnout) I like the GC version better. The controllers are better, the GC supports 4 players easier (Not on Burnout, unfortunately), and I think the gfx are cleaner than on the PS2.
Battlecruisers are 8 each! Carriers are only 6 each, but that still only leaves 33.333 carriers. (Don't ask about the.333 of a carrier, it's like that.4 of a kid thing.)
There's nothing like seeing 36 carriers each armed with 8 interceptors trawling across the screen in search of their next target...
Correct me if I'm wrong, but since you have 200 supply max and carriers are 8 each the most carriers 1 person could have would be 25, not counting team games. And to get to 25, you'd have to kill off ALL your other units.
And this isn't some new Mario title or kart-racing game that I couldn't give a tinker's damn about
Actually, MarioKart (N64) is the best 4 player racing game EVER, and whips any PC racing game for pure multiplayer fun (IMNSHO). The single player was pretty bad, but PC's are better for 1 player games anyway. Console games should all be 4 player (or more), because multiplayer is where the fun is!
I dunno, 3rd person shooters really suck. It's like trying to drive a car while standing on the trunk (a common view in racing games). In a racing game I want a windshield or bumper view (to feel the speed), and in a shooter I want to see the game from eyeball view, not from 3rd person.
As far as your "more movements" theory, name one move that you can do in 3rd that you can't do in first with practice...
Every time I build up to full food capacity and run my little band (you can't rightly call anything in warcraft III an army, or even a squad) up against their little band, and watch my computer try to keep up, I think back to having dozens of soldiers and tanks running down scores of zerg and I weep
I agree, if it wasn't for the gimpy limit on the max units, WC3 would have been much better. As it is, it all revolves around the hero character. If they'd have just left the supply cap high and left "upkeep" out of it, it would have been decent. Unfortuantely, that crap killed the game even though they had some nice new features, like auto-spellcasting.
Funny, since if you look really close, I was just repeating your post from my point of view.
If you can't speak the language, you are at a handicap in life. That's the way of things. I fail to see why those who bothered to learn to speak correctly should have to even try to talk to those too lazy to learn.
If I go to a foriegn country and can't speak the language, I'm at a disadvantage. Period. I don't care if I know enough to get my point across by pointing and using a few words, my treatment will be worse than if I spoke effectively.
And in THIS country, the people who have the money, power, and jobs do NOT speak ghettoese (mostly). They speak what is known as American English, and if you do not: they won't hire you. And, most importantly, they shouldn't have to.
And that just leads us into the supposed "racism", affirmative action, and all that crap. Instead of telling a segment of the population "You need to learn this just like the rest of us. Be proud of your heritage, but you are a member of THIS society now and need to learn these basic skills", we are instead lowering the bar and yet again giving out handicaps left and right.
Not only does this cause resentment among the part of the population who bothered to learn and DOESN'T GET the handicap, but it also keeps perpetuating those nagging little differences that cause so much friction in our society. From MY OWN EXPERIENCE, it is not the skin color that is the problem: it is the attitude that a "free ride" is in order, fostered by the very tolerance of ignorance based on race that you espouse in your post.
In summstion, like it or not, the first step toward acceptance and success in a society is learning to speak as that society. Ideals are nice, but making excuses and lowering the bar is only harming the very people you are trying to help.
Well we could built an anti-computer out of anti-silicon, run anti-windows98 on it, then laugh when the whole thing explodes and blame it on microsoft:)
Works for me, since BillG is the anti-christ! [/obligatory M$ bashing]
Most of the free shards have been giving away accounts like this for a long time, just to draw players. This new generation of gamers wants instant gratification "gimmee" shards, even if it means that everyone is equally uber-powerful.
The idea of a RPG involving RP is outdated, the idea that good RP takes time to build even moreso.
Honestly, for a user to just run the apps mentioned (email, web, office, IM) using Linux is very comparable to using MS, IMHO. The difficulty a newbie will have is setting it up in the first place. Then again, many MS users can't do that either...
I know there are alternatives out there, but it's back to the accountants recognizing it. AutoCad by AutoDesk is a software package they have heard of, so that's what we need to have, in their minds.
I'll be happy if they take it one step at a time, and they are starting with the OS/Office suite. Maybe someday we can finish the migration.:-)
What was your toaster's name? What did its voice sound like? What were its aneurisms like?
Whatever I programmed them to be.;-)
How many times did you carry on a conversation with it?
Never, I just kept telling it I didn't want any toast! (Red Dwarf)
C-3PO is such a commodity that he even has a nickname: threepio.
Yes, and my dog Rover had a unique name too.
Did Chewie puts him back together again when he was blown apart to not waste parts?
I've fixed a broken car before. Sometimes it is better to fix the more expensive appliances than to let them die.
1) WHY IN GODS NAME did Anakin think building a protocal droid would help his Mom in the first place? How about a cleaning droid or a cooking droid?
2) What sense do slaves make at all in a world with Droids?
I agree, this has bothered me as well. Maybe the droid parts were laying around, and the parts he had were for a protocol droid? I doubt Anakin fabricated any major parts for 3P0. Still, I agree with you here.
Lucas screwed up, it's okay, the sky won't fall, say it with me.;)
IT.:-)
Honestly, this steaming turd that Lucas pulled out of his ass is so twisted up it looks like a pretzel.
Wow. I didn't even see the their when I read that, just the after. Hence my confusion.
I guess I need to read a bit slower, eh?:-)
My apologies to the poster.
Re:Good for linux(?), probably not good for Sun
on
Sun To Sell Linux PCs
·
· Score: 2
Also, the finance guy has HEARD of Sun in the corporate marketplace, and it does not come with the new MS licensing scheme. That scheme was a big deterrent to the company I work for. Most finance guys won't buy white box or home-use computers, but they'll approve a name they've heard of in the corporate arena.
"Freedom from Microsoft". Why should the primary motivator be to give users freedom from MS?
I think it would be better translated as freedom from Microsoft Licensing.
I know the company I work for has balked about the new scheme, and we are upgrading our existing machines (maintaing the old licenses) instead of buying new hardware.
The new MS Licensing finally got it through to the people controlling the company finances that we are entirely too dependent on proprietary software. We are looking into Linux to replace our basic Office computers at this point. We still need MS for CAD, though...:-(
Slashdot Mirror
The bnetd software is legal under the DMCA and all other laws that I know of, since its primary function is not to circumvent copy protection techniques.
What's really happening here is that Blizzard is trying to use monetary backing to drive someone under, as is common in supposed IP cases. The accusations are just a smokescreen to cover up the real damage they are trying to cause: legal costs.
The real thing they are accomplishing is smacking the community of people who love their game in the face, and that is just SAD.
The ability to have a private server and private ladder games adds a lot to the enjoyment, IMHO.
The main purpose of bnetd is to allow a private server not on Battle.net. This does not infringe, according to the DMCA.
And, since battle.net is free (of cost) forever with a game purchase, what is bnetd's purpose?
I use it to play friends from across the country and hold private ladder games. We all have legitimate Cd's, incidentally. It's nice to be able to play without all the lag from Battle.net, not to mention not having to deal with the 1337 dickweed kiddies out there on Battle.net.
I read their feature list, and I was a little put off by "configurability of ad banners"--are you supposed to be able to sell ad space on a server that runs somebody else's game?
I never got this feature to work. I was actually trying to put the logo of the website, a match schedule, and some cool SC artwork in place of the banners. At no point was I thinking of paid advertising, and I doubt that would be feasible on a private server in the first place. The only reason it was included is because the SC interface already has an open spot for the banners to go, and it looks incomplete without them.
The reason I was so mad about it is because I was legally using bnetd with legal copies of SC and had gotten many other people to buy the game so they could play too. Even though I'm within the law and exercising fair-use, I've now been forbidden to use the software the way I want to.
It wouldn't be so bad if Blizzard would release approved server software that does the same thing and still checked for CD-keys, but they have no intention of doing so.
Also of note, bnetd contacted Blizzard long ago about coding in some form of keychecking authorization corroboration to ensure only legal copies could be used. Blizzard, of course, never even tried to acknowledge them.
What they REALLY need to do is fix the Scouts, they are WAY overpriced.
It depends on what you are used to, I guess. I can consistently get headshots with auto-aim off using just a pistol and the Solitaire control style (1.2). A joystick never seemed to bother me.
Consoles are good for : fighting games, sports games, racing games... that's about it really
Consoles are good for multiplayer games with local friends. Sorry, playing a FPS or racing game on a LAN is not as fun as setting on a couch with 3 friends and talking smack to each other. Sports games just suck in general: why not just go play the sport? ;-)
Anyway, my personal preference is Gamecube over PS2, but the PS2 isn't too bad either
I've got both, and on games that are released for both platforms (Burnout) I like the GC version better. The controllers are better, the GC supports 4 players easier (Not on Burnout, unfortunately), and I think the gfx are cleaner than on the PS2.
Battlecruisers are 8 each! Carriers are only 6 each, but that still only leaves 33.333 carriers. (Don't ask about the .333 of a carrier, it's like that .4 of a kid thing.)
Correct me if I'm wrong, but since you have 200 supply max and carriers are 8 each the most carriers 1 person could have would be 25, not counting team games. And to get to 25, you'd have to kill off ALL your other units.
Just a nitpicky point. :-)
Signed, Starcraft Addict
I'm afraid not. I think it will be one race, you build no structures, in fact I'll be suprised if it is even multiplayer. :-(
Actually, MarioKart (N64) is the best 4 player racing game EVER, and whips any PC racing game for pure multiplayer fun (IMNSHO). The single player was pretty bad, but PC's are better for 1 player games anyway. Console games should all be 4 player (or more), because multiplayer is where the fun is!
As far as your "more movements" theory, name one move that you can do in 3rd that you can't do in first with practice...
I agree, if it wasn't for the gimpy limit on the max units, WC3 would have been much better. As it is, it all revolves around the hero character. If they'd have just left the supply cap high and left "upkeep" out of it, it would have been decent. Unfortuantely, that crap killed the game even though they had some nice new features, like auto-spellcasting.
Sicko HTML voyeur... You need counseling!
Will that be a new Protoss unit in the game, I wonder? :-)
If you can't speak the language, you are at a handicap in life. That's the way of things. I fail to see why those who bothered to learn to speak correctly should have to even try to talk to those too lazy to learn.
If I go to a foriegn country and can't speak the language, I'm at a disadvantage. Period. I don't care if I know enough to get my point across by pointing and using a few words, my treatment will be worse than if I spoke effectively.
And in THIS country, the people who have the money, power, and jobs do NOT speak ghettoese (mostly). They speak what is known as American English, and if you do not: they won't hire you. And, most importantly, they shouldn't have to.
And that just leads us into the supposed "racism", affirmative action, and all that crap. Instead of telling a segment of the population "You need to learn this just like the rest of us. Be proud of your heritage, but you are a member of THIS society now and need to learn these basic skills", we are instead lowering the bar and yet again giving out handicaps left and right.
Not only does this cause resentment among the part of the population who bothered to learn and DOESN'T GET the handicap, but it also keeps perpetuating those nagging little differences that cause so much friction in our society. From MY OWN EXPERIENCE, it is not the skin color that is the problem: it is the attitude that a "free ride" is in order, fostered by the very tolerance of ignorance based on race that you espouse in your post.
In summstion, like it or not, the first step toward acceptance and success in a society is learning to speak as that society. Ideals are nice, but making excuses and lowering the bar is only harming the very people you are trying to help.
Works for me, since BillG is the anti-christ! [/obligatory M$ bashing]
The idea of a RPG involving RP is outdated, the idea that good RP takes time to build even moreso.
Sad, isn't it?
Did you mean GNUbies? :-)
Honestly, for a user to just run the apps mentioned (email, web, office, IM) using Linux is very comparable to using MS, IMHO. The difficulty a newbie will have is setting it up in the first place. Then again, many MS users can't do that either...
Just my 2 cents.
...I originally thought the title of this article said Federal Cyberspace Policy Daft .
I'll be happy if they take it one step at a time, and they are starting with the OS/Office suite. Maybe someday we can finish the migration. :-)
I'd originally intended a comment on the TASTE of the drinks in question. Too bad the post was cut short for a meeting.
At least with mixed drinks, you can cover up the taste of the rotten fermented whatever. :-/
Whatever I programmed them to be. ;-)
How many times did you carry on a conversation with it?
Never, I just kept telling it I didn't want any toast! (Red Dwarf)
C-3PO is such a commodity that he even has a nickname: threepio.
Yes, and my dog Rover had a unique name too.
Did Chewie puts him back together again when he was blown apart to not waste parts?
I've fixed a broken car before. Sometimes it is better to fix the more expensive appliances than to let them die.
1) WHY IN GODS NAME did Anakin think building a protocal droid would help his Mom in the first place? How about a cleaning droid or a cooking droid? 2) What sense do slaves make at all in a world with Droids?
I agree, this has bothered me as well. Maybe the droid parts were laying around, and the parts he had were for a protocol droid? I doubt Anakin fabricated any major parts for 3P0. Still, I agree with you here.
Lucas screwed up, it's okay, the sky won't fall, say it with me. ;)
IT. :-)
Honestly, this steaming turd that Lucas pulled out of his ass is so twisted up it looks like a pretzel.
I guess I need to read a bit slower, eh? :-)
My apologies to the poster.
Also, the finance guy has HEARD of Sun in the corporate marketplace, and it does not come with the new MS licensing scheme. That scheme was a big deterrent to the company I work for. Most finance guys won't buy white box or home-use computers, but they'll approve a name they've heard of in the corporate arena.
I think it would be better translated as freedom from Microsoft Licensing.
I know the company I work for has balked about the new scheme, and we are upgrading our existing machines (maintaing the old licenses) instead of buying new hardware.
The new MS Licensing finally got it through to the people controlling the company finances that we are entirely too dependent on proprietary software. We are looking into Linux to replace our basic Office computers at this point. We still need MS for CAD, though... :-(
Or, perhaps the life is intelligent enough to have developed mixed drinks, eliminating the need for rotten^H^H^H^H^H^H fermented grain drinks.