Too many people are confusing seperate issues here: (1) censorship and (2) game ratings. Lets toss the 2nd out the window. If a game is properly designated under a rating system then only the parents are to blame if a 10-year old is playing an ultra-violent game. Adults can do whatever they want. If attending a KKK or neo-nazi meeting isn't illegal than how can playing a game be? As for the first issue (censorship) I have two thoughts- its wrong! (Pbbbbbt!) and in the situations where a commercial product is banned for content then sales go through the roof. Just ask 2 Live Crew, the authors of Postal and Salman Rushdie. Banning/censoring only improves the demand for crappy products. It helps reward people for crappy products with try to band-aid it with a controversy (e.g. Marilyn Manson).
Hmmm, not sure I agree with that. I think the government is more than willing to spend more than the outstanding liability for the following reason: Deterrance! If people perceive that the government is willing to make an example out of anyone regardless of the liability then coluntary compliance will increase. Now, I am not disagreeing that it makes more economic sense to go after the bigger tax evaders on the micro level. But then (1) when did the government operate under good economic sense and (2) Overall tax compliance (macro level) shifts the scale in favor of going after the smaller tax evaders.
Whose money? Are you implying that the RIAA's money bought the transfer of venue? That's crap. Secondly, SBC is not some "disadvantaged worker being beat down by the man". They have the funds and motive to fight this with high powered attorneys as well.
Jeez, you take a shot at Homer for not listening and understanding Eminem songs. Then when he responds with concrete examples, you back off. You yourself got off-topic by cutting someone down and then ignoring their response.
Personnally I think Eminem is a punk. Talent aside, I think he is using the lyrics for shock value to differentiate himself from the hoards of other rappers. Instead of working to improve their music (rap is stagnant musically), they use shock and offensive lyrics in a contest of who can offend the most. (Now, before I get slapped down, I do realize that lyrics and the rapping part of rap are an integral part of the music.) The shock and offensive lyrics contribute to a stars' image. These images are really what the music industry is marketing, not the music. I think most people would agree that the lack of focus on the music itself over the last several years has resulted in some a musical dark ages for rock/pop/rap.
I don't think this is off-topic. The acceptance of violence versus sex is what this thread is about. Homer was lamenting (I think) the fact that depictions of violence are accepted by society right now and while it doesn't create violence it certainly doesn't help reduce it.
If enforcable it would work. Just a fraction of a cent on each email would make spam uneconomical. The problem lies with enforcement. Unless we want to limit and/or monitor email from outside the US then there will be little chance of collection.
Additionally, what about spoofing someones address? If I piss off someone on/. because of an anti-Linux comment and they spoof my address and send millions of spam email that looks like it came from my address, am I liable for the tax?
But because they have allowed the players to customize and create content, who cares what they include as the campaign in the box. Go to NWVault and see thousands of mods and modules with custom content including R rated stuff. That is the beauty of this game. While Bioware may have been restricted in what it can put out, it has developed the game in such a manner as to allow the fans to take it anywhere they want.
I agree completely with the following addition: rpgs are games in which your role (read that as character) is developed. This development is the primary focus of the game. That has been quite difficult to translate into the crpg due to technical limitations. PnP rpgs didn't focus on graphics - the imagry was in your mind completely. In your mind and in your interaction with other players, your character developed and had a personality. Anyone who played D&D and the like knows that if you were a power gamer then you probably dropped out quickly. Those who spent years on one character, developing a history, manerisms, foibles, etc had the best time. At the current time crpgs can't reproduce this. It is up to the people playing crpgs to make them successful. NWN seems to do this in my opinion.
While Deus-Ex was original in giving the player a way to modify the character into any specialty, I don't see what is new about this one. If they are just offering better graphics and a few different ammo and weapon choices then I'll pass. Better hope the story is great.
Re:$3.75 cheaper at amazon
on
The Scar
·
· Score: 0
Or you could try addall: http://www.addall.com/ Its bot gathers the best price including amazons and Halfs of the world
What happens when you assert ownership over something in the game that is in fact based on something else in RL that someone else has a RL copyright on? Then, does the RL copyright holder have any recourse? Who would they send the cease and desist to? This seems like an idea that is doomed to failure.
All of you miss my point. I am tired of the whines: "If Linux was on every box things would be different - no bugs and no viruses" and "Microsoft is to blame for keeping Linux down". All you have to offer is it would be different with Linux or OS. Its quite easy to say this. Linux/OS isn't on every box. If it was on every box then I guarantee bugs and viruses would still exist. (gasp! Have I blasphemed in this holy church?) The creeps that develop viruses would still do their thing - its not about anti-microsoft as much as it is the desire to destroy and disrupt. Go ahead and mod me down for my opinion. Mod up pro open source/linus opinions.
Monopolist has nothing to do with it. (Bring on the flames) Certain industries and products produce superior products and services cheaper under a monopoly than under intense competition. If you can't comprehend that, go find a basic economics textbook.
I personnally can see many advantages to a Monopoly in a software OS environment: compatibility, familiarity etc. Yes, there are bugs and vulnerabilities but you need to look past your bias and wonder why it has worked for Microsoft. It is a good solution for a majority of users.
True, there is nothing futuristic in this room, only amenities that I bankers traveling on expense accounts will pay for (using client money). They call it the future but the present (reality) is $500 per night.
A link to the complete paper is http://www.bsa.org/globalstudy/2003_GSPS.pdf
Anyway, its a piece of garbage, 98% (my own estimate) is a recitation of their numbers. For those too lazy to read it- they only include "business" type software. Also, they don't just estimate demand. They base demand on PC sales and a "ratio" they developed. The entire paper does not mention a margin of error at all. Reading b/t the lines that means it is greater than the decrease. If I were to do something like this, I would sample companies in each country and then extrapolate. They use a couple companies' PC sales and then their undisclosed ratio of crap. Its just self-preservation that they released this thing.
Ignoring the whole technology advance thing, I see two schools of players right now: the power gamer and the role player. I have rarely seen anyone balance the two well. Having both co-exist in the same on-line game is difficult and one ruins it for the other (usually the role player loses out). Worlds such as detailed in Snow Crash are obviously a derivation of a role play world but is it the future? I don't think so. While I wish the role-player environment would win, todays kiddies want to slay other players. That involves hacking and power leveling, not building an on-line persona. -sigh-
He won't. The whole purpose of patenting it would be to earn income from it. If he charges too much or makes it too hard to use then the market will go elsewhere (e.g. Betamax)
While I wish the pop-up adds would go away, I don't think they will.
For D&D this is it. I was away from the game for almost a decade and this has brought me back in. The community is putting out great stuff (additional modules, rules & creatures). You can play it solo or on line.
All depends on what you want. NWN is not an action game and the experience is greatly influenced by those you play it with.
If I had the luxury of your situation, I would pick 2 or 3 and dive in. Many of the games mentioned here are can't misses. If the game doesn't hook you in the first 10 minutes it failed.
Ultima was the first game I played for hours. I can still remember when I finally "won". The screen gave me a phone number to call. I begged permission from my mom to call (It was long distance) and what was the big prize? I could buy a T-shirt. Every time I see A Christmas Story the part about the secret code reminds me of that great disappointment. I thought I had really achieved something!
Slashdot Mirror
Too many people are confusing seperate issues here: (1) censorship and (2) game ratings. Lets toss the 2nd out the window. If a game is properly designated under a rating system then only the parents are to blame if a 10-year old is playing an ultra-violent game. Adults can do whatever they want. If attending a KKK or neo-nazi meeting isn't illegal than how can playing a game be? As for the first issue (censorship) I have two thoughts- its wrong! (Pbbbbbt!) and in the situations where a commercial product is banned for content then sales go through the roof. Just ask 2 Live Crew, the authors of Postal and Salman Rushdie. Banning/censoring only improves the demand for crappy products. It helps reward people for crappy products with try to band-aid it with a controversy (e.g. Marilyn Manson).
Maybe it will give us more insight into the makeup of a Moderator
Hmmm, not sure I agree with that. I think the government is more than willing to spend more than the outstanding liability for the following reason: Deterrance! If people perceive that the government is willing to make an example out of anyone regardless of the liability then coluntary compliance will increase. Now, I am not disagreeing that it makes more economic sense to go after the bigger tax evaders on the micro level. But then (1) when did the government operate under good economic sense and (2) Overall tax compliance (macro level) shifts the scale in favor of going after the smaller tax evaders.
Whose money? Are you implying that the RIAA's money bought the transfer of venue? That's crap. Secondly, SBC is not some "disadvantaged worker being beat down by the man". They have the funds and motive to fight this with high powered attorneys as well.
And why is that comment "Insightful"?
Jeez, you take a shot at Homer for not listening and understanding Eminem songs. Then when he responds with concrete examples, you back off. You yourself got off-topic by cutting someone down and then ignoring their response.
Personnally I think Eminem is a punk. Talent aside, I think he is using the lyrics for shock value to differentiate himself from the hoards of other rappers. Instead of working to improve their music (rap is stagnant musically), they use shock and offensive lyrics in a contest of who can offend the most. (Now, before I get slapped down, I do realize that lyrics and the rapping part of rap are an integral part of the music.) The shock and offensive lyrics contribute to a stars' image. These images are really what the music industry is marketing, not the music. I think most people would agree that the lack of focus on the music itself over the last several years has resulted in some a musical dark ages for rock/pop/rap.
I don't think this is off-topic. The acceptance of violence versus sex is what this thread is about. Homer was lamenting (I think) the fact that depictions of violence are accepted by society right now and while it doesn't create violence it certainly doesn't help reduce it.
If enforcable it would work. Just a fraction of a cent on each email would make spam uneconomical. The problem lies with enforcement. Unless we want to limit and/or monitor email from outside the US then there will be little chance of collection.
/. because of an anti-Linux comment and they spoof my address and send millions of spam email that looks like it came from my address, am I liable for the tax?
Additionally, what about spoofing someones address? If I piss off someone on
But because they have allowed the players to customize and create content, who cares what they include as the campaign in the box. Go to NWVault and see thousands of mods and modules with custom content including R rated stuff. That is the beauty of this game. While Bioware may have been restricted in what it can put out, it has developed the game in such a manner as to allow the fans to take it anywhere they want.
I agree completely with the following addition: rpgs are games in which your role (read that as character) is developed. This development is the primary focus of the game. That has been quite difficult to translate into the crpg due to technical limitations. PnP rpgs didn't focus on graphics - the imagry was in your mind completely. In your mind and in your interaction with other players, your character developed and had a personality. Anyone who played D&D and the like knows that if you were a power gamer then you probably dropped out quickly. Those who spent years on one character, developing a history, manerisms, foibles, etc had the best time. At the current time crpgs can't reproduce this. It is up to the people playing crpgs to make them successful. NWN seems to do this in my opinion.
Has everyone seen Australian rules football or rugby. If they want to object to violence why not start there?
While Deus-Ex was original in giving the player a way to modify the character into any specialty, I don't see what is new about this one. If they are just offering better graphics and a few different ammo and weapon choices then I'll pass. Better hope the story is great.
Or you could try addall: http://www.addall.com/ Its bot gathers the best price including amazons and Halfs of the world
What happens when you assert ownership over something in the game that is in fact based on something else in RL that someone else has a RL copyright on? Then, does the RL copyright holder have any recourse? Who would they send the cease and desist to? This seems like an idea that is doomed to failure.
All of you miss my point. I am tired of the whines: "If Linux was on every box things would be different - no bugs and no viruses" and "Microsoft is to blame for keeping Linux down". All you have to offer is it would be different with Linux or OS. Its quite easy to say this. Linux/OS isn't on every box. If it was on every box then I guarantee bugs and viruses would still exist. (gasp! Have I blasphemed in this holy church?) The creeps that develop viruses would still do their thing - its not about anti-microsoft as much as it is the desire to destroy and disrupt. Go ahead and mod me down for my opinion. Mod up pro open source/linus opinions.
Monopolist has nothing to do with it. (Bring on the flames) Certain industries and products produce superior products and services cheaper under a monopoly than under intense competition. If you can't comprehend that, go find a basic economics textbook. I personnally can see many advantages to a Monopoly in a software OS environment: compatibility, familiarity etc. Yes, there are bugs and vulnerabilities but you need to look past your bias and wonder why it has worked for Microsoft. It is a good solution for a majority of users.
True, there is nothing futuristic in this room, only amenities that I bankers traveling on expense accounts will pay for (using client money). They call it the future but the present (reality) is $500 per night.
A link to the complete paper is http://www.bsa.org/globalstudy/2003_GSPS.pdf Anyway, its a piece of garbage, 98% (my own estimate) is a recitation of their numbers. For those too lazy to read it- they only include "business" type software. Also, they don't just estimate demand. They base demand on PC sales and a "ratio" they developed. The entire paper does not mention a margin of error at all. Reading b/t the lines that means it is greater than the decrease. If I were to do something like this, I would sample companies in each country and then extrapolate. They use a couple companies' PC sales and then their undisclosed ratio of crap. Its just self-preservation that they released this thing.
Ignoring the whole technology advance thing, I see two schools of players right now: the power gamer and the role player. I have rarely seen anyone balance the two well. Having both co-exist in the same on-line game is difficult and one ruins it for the other (usually the role player loses out). Worlds such as detailed in Snow Crash are obviously a derivation of a role play world but is it the future? I don't think so. While I wish the role-player environment would win, todays kiddies want to slay other players. That involves hacking and power leveling, not building an on-line persona. -sigh-
He won't. The whole purpose of patenting it would be to earn income from it. If he charges too much or makes it too hard to use then the market will go elsewhere (e.g. Betamax) While I wish the pop-up adds would go away, I don't think they will.
For D&D this is it. I was away from the game for almost a decade and this has brought me back in. The community is putting out great stuff (additional modules, rules & creatures). You can play it solo or on line. All depends on what you want. NWN is not an action game and the experience is greatly influenced by those you play it with. If I had the luxury of your situation, I would pick 2 or 3 and dive in. Many of the games mentioned here are can't misses. If the game doesn't hook you in the first 10 minutes it failed.
Ultima was the first game I played for hours. I can still remember when I finally "won". The screen gave me a phone number to call. I begged permission from my mom to call (It was long distance) and what was the big prize? I could buy a T-shirt. Every time I see A Christmas Story the part about the secret code reminds me of that great disappointment. I thought I had really achieved something!
How the hell did this get "informative". Maybe contradictory or just plain inane. Well I've spent too much time already on this post.