How about if I clarify a little - for kids, it didn't seem to be as dorky then as it is now (I'm part of the Mario generation, not the pac man generation). I could be way off (seeing as I have no children nor do I make any attempt to find out what's going on in their world). I mean, everyone in my neighborhood had a Nintendo... even the cool kids played Punch Out. *shrug* I suppose I could be delusional or trying to justify the fact that I still have the free stuffed Mario that I got. Meh.
22 was my max in my prime. I was fortunate enough to have played in the preliminary Nintendo World Championships on stage (hey - I was young and video games weren't *as* dorky). Tetris was the last of three back to back games that were played, so I did a lot of "training" beforehand.
*sigh* If I only had time for that sort of stuff now... I still find time to sneak a gameboy round in, though.
Re:mod of legend of zelda
on
The Mod Squad
·
· Score: 2
Don't forget BS Zelda. It's a remake of The Legend of Zelda for SNES by a third party (I think). Download, flash and play for the SNES - they were ahead of their time.
Can anyone who actually had one of these Satellaview systems explain it in better detail? I've only seen the roms, and I'd be awfully curious as to how it worked.
"Most of us sped, most people on the road speed. LETS BAN CARS!"
I really didn't want to get involved in this enormous thread, but AFAIK, no one is banning p2p programs, so stop pretending that they are. If one ISP blocks the port your preferred program uses, switch to another one. Or find a way around it. If every cable provider blocks it, switch to DSL. DSL blocks it? If it's so important, save some money and go to dial-up. There isn't a law stopping you from using p2p or switching ISPs. It's just a private business, move along. I don't particularily care if you don't buy CDs of these artists (I haven't purchased a CD from any non-indie retailer in almost 6 years and I'm rather happy about it) and I really don't care if you want to distribute 80gb of mp3s and movies. Just stop expecting the people who provide you with the bandwdith to bend to your needs. Time Warner started pulling this shit in my area, so I switched. I have slightly crummier service, but the freedoms to do what I please. No big deal. They don't owe us anything. As far as I'm concerned, the more that is done to discourage people from overtly sharing the entire RCA catalog, the better for those of us that do believe in fair use and don't want to see restrictions on CD burners and ripping technology. Would you prefer that the p2p networks were wide open and available but CD-ROM drives were hardware restriced so that CDs could no longer have tracks extracted? Not me.
And besides, preaching fair use rights to an ISP is like preaching christianity to a devout studied atheist. You won't come up with a single argument that will change their minds.
"Fair Use says I can record something off the radio and use it for myself. Whats the problem if that recording comes off someone else's hard drive."
"Tyler was nabbed by an automated program developed by Ranger Online Inc. The software cruises file-swapping networks like Gnutella to find copyrighted materials, hunts down the IP address of the poster, then discovers which Internet service provider is being used."
I imagine this tracker that they use must identify itself somehow. I've never been heavily in to the whole swapping/p2p thing, but shouldn't it be possible to find a signature of some sort from this thing and tack it on to the front of a swapping program? Honestly asking, I really don't know. Not that I think getting in a pissing match with the MPAA/RIAA is the best solution for the software writers...
Here's the Ranger Online website. This section provides a very lame explanation of how they do the voodoo that they do.
Oops. Forgot about Apple. Thanks for the reminder.
"I still don't think MS cares a whit about Linux...yet"
I totally agree with this. Most moves they make are not used to position themselves ahead of Linux. I don't think that they've got the foresight so start worrying about Linux desktops at this point. Besides, they're too busy making sure they own every single inch of the Windows desktop (Media Player, Passport, Internet Explorer, DirectX, etc.) to actively disrupt other operating systems at this (software) level. At least for now.
I doubt they'll really care too much about Linux OpenGL (for now) because quite honestly it's not necessary to attack it on that front. That would be a little too obviously vindictive, even for Microsoft. I think the more likely conclusion is that they'll use it to leverage their stranglehold on the DirectX/Windows combo to make it not only the standard, but the only option. Once gaming on Windows is restricted to DirectX, then OpenGL will survive solely on Linux (if it survives at all).
...and no one has brought up modding one? Get an old one from E-bay and make it suit your needs! Hell, you could even cut a window in it and put neon lights inside. Maybe even a biohazard logo. Or something.
"And what's popular among the geeks today, as I want it to appeal to the vast majority of our staff?"
Including Jolt is a good idea. Other than that, I would say wouldn't it be a better idea to ask your staff what they like to drink instead of us?
"If these people really wanted to do the linux community any good there time would be better spent developing a linux gaming console on everyday stock hardware."
Isn't there some saying about free software developers? Something about them only developing something they have an itch to do?
The fact of the matter is that not *everybody* wants to better the Linux community and not *everybody* wants to program what everyone else wants them to program. The simple answer to the question: "Do I want to 1. Run a webserver on a Xbox?
2. Run games on a linux box?"
...is that it doesn't matter what you want unless you're writing the code. If they wanted other people telling them what to do they'd go to work. Remember that this is a hobby for most; they are not servants at our command. That being said, I would also like to see someone developing a Linux based console for games on everyday stock hardware, but I realize that there's nothing I can do about it. I'm still patiently waiting for that perfect emulation console...
Anyways, this isn't intended as a flame. This is just the facts as I see them.
"and certainly don't mean to come off as that 'other poster' you were conversing with"
No problem. It's just internet conversation. It's not like any of you guys stole my wallet or anything.
As a broad response to everyone that has responded to what originally was just a lame "I agree" post, not once have I said that cell phones are inconvenient. They're very useful tools and lifesavers in emergencies (I would like to buy one of those disposable ones just for that reason - and for the record 9mm I agree with your response completely). I'd personally prefer that people be a little more courteous with them in public places, but whatever. I've got no issues with the phones or the techonology. All I was trying to say that was just because our cellphones can't play freaking Doom 3 != U.S. is a failure. That's it.
"The fact of the matter is that I do feel quite cut off whenever I have to travel to the US."
Well, there's just not much that I can really say to that, because after all is said and done, I live here so I'm apparently accustomed to whatever "limitations" we have *and* I don't have a cell phone. I could probably sit here and bicker until this thing is archived but what would the point be? I'm obviously in a completely different situation than you without the advantage of being able to experience the very thing I'm arguing, whereas you claim to be able to experience every single thing you're talking about (not doubting it, but this *is* the internet). And besides, this has gone from me saying that the extra features for cell phones in the article are unnecessary to you talking about how you feel when you travel to the U.S., and arguing about feelings is just about as ridiculous as it gets.
And I won't argue against convenience. Who the hell would? Convenience is great!
"Now I travel to the US. Oops. Doesn't work. I'm isolated from the whole civilized world because you can't keep up with the technology. You suck."
No, you're cut off because you refuse to use a perfectly good functioning land line phone. Don't want to spend money on an international phone call? That I can understand. Prefer to send a message? I have yet to visit a public library that will turn down computer access to someone with a passport or at least some valid form of identification, but that may have changed drastically in our now assume-everyone-is-a-terrorist-that-isn't-American culture. Not going to be near a library during your stay (or don't want/know how to use a computer)? Well, I'm out of options. But you're still making the choice to be cut off. There are lots of other ways to communicate in the U.S. than your own personal cell phone. Regardless, I'll have to continue to think that making you feel less home sick is a necessity. I'll completely concede that the situation that you pointed out is a very valid, good reason to own a cell phone and to have a more functional cell phone network. That is very neat. But blaming the U.S. for your decision to only want to communicate in that fashion is silly and hardly the cell phone manufacturers' problem (side note: not defending cell phone companies. Don't care about them one way or another).
"What a dumb ass argument. We got along just fine without computers too. Yet we both used one to post these messages."
What a dumb ass argument when replying to a post about the necessity of cell phone features. I didn't need to post that message or this one. It didn't make my life any better, especially since I got a response that was less than life changing. That comment had nothing to do with mine. Besides, it wasn't even an argument. It was a statement of fact. We *did* get along fine without cell phones. I don't remember any mass suicide because of a lack of portable communication devices in my lifetime.
"Gee, could it be that people just like to communicate with each other. Technologies that enable more communication, easier communication, new forms of communication become popular."
Congratulations, you told me that technology that enables people to communicate more, easier, or differently becomes popular. Now explain to me how that new technology (feel free to reference the article) is necessary to communication which was, of course, the point of my post. Then, for extra credit, feel free to tell me how the U.S. lacking any of your referenced technologies is hurting the country (or yourself in particular) in any way, shape or form. Not having as "neat" of stuff as the Japanese doesn't count. Here are some choices:
Hello Kitty screensavers
an endless variety of ring tones
the video camera in a phone
send e-mail
play games
Everything I found in that list I could do at home or through any phone book/gas station and I can't think of any important reason why I would have to be able to do it anywhere in the world. Once again, I've got no problems with cell phones and their usefulness. My original point was simply that not having all of those extra features does not make any country lesser than another because they are unnecessary to the services that cell phones provide (mobile communication/notification).
If you feel like being stupidly insulting and sarcastic, at least go to the effort of backing it up. Or log in. That would substantially raise your ability to communicate.
"just because someone has different needs doesnt mean the have failed."
I agree with that completely. The whole tone of that article is that the U.S. is failing to keep up with Japan when in fact we don't have the need to keep up. Our phones work just fine. We don't need LCD displays that can show DivX movies downloaded from ph0n3.l33t-pr0n.net. I don't own a cell phone only because I don't need one, but I know that they can be very useful in emergencies and for business. People tend to forget that there was a time not very long ago when there were no cell phones. We still got along fine. I would argue that anything beyond standard phone/pager functionality is extra and not necessary for anyone. Just my opinion.
I agree. However, as I was wading through that discussion maybe it just _seemed_ like everytime anyone mentioned some fallacy of p2p he would pop up and say 'That's where OpenDJ comes in!' I'm all for Open Source awareness/promotion and if there's *really* nothing else going on the world I won't even complain about this story anymore(it is Sunday here after all). It was just obnoxious after seeing a constant pimping of his program in another (albeit relevant) thread there being an entire story on it which has no new information a couple hours later.
Since I'm a slave to the English language and American monetary system, could you approximate how much it costs per pic (in any currency - I can translate that). I always wondered if these services existed.
I think that's a very good point. You'll have to continue to copy everything to new mediums until either the mediums are no longer compatible or until TCPA/Palladium rules our entire computer. However, I don't think the standards of eyesight will ever go out of style. I'd mod you up if I could.
I guess the best thing you can do is *always* keep actual pictures, whether they are printed or developed. They don't have to always be organized. You can fit over a hundred pictures in a shoebox easily.
I know this may only matter to the geeks that come in, but I like to be able to talk shop with the employees of the place I go to. Or at least spend time chatting with them. Keep regulars coming back. Since the workers are actually interested in what they're selling, I feel confident enough to seek their advice on product differences and their experiences regardless of whether or not they're upselling. Rarely will you be able to get that feeling at Wal-Mart or Best(must-sell-service-plans-to-all)Buy. There's something to be said for appearing 'on the level.'
Also, get unique (square bare bones) or cool cases/systems with black, aluminum or pre-modded cases (windows, side fans, etc.). Do *not* think for a second these are geek-only enticements. A lot of very normal and/or artistic people appreciate an aesthetically pleasing case without 'Hewlett-Packard' plastered across the front of it.
According to this story on gamespot.com, that's the exact same amount they're losing on the X-Box this year. Apologies if someone else already pointed this out, but seemed like an interesting coinceidence (draw your own piracy related conclusions).
There is a list of seven FTP servers on that burner web site which all work. Mix cron and wget (they're not *always* available) and you'll have everything in a day or two. If you're looking for some pretty looking point-and-click-and-give-me-roms site, then yes. They're more or less dead. I know I sure wouldn't be able to afford that massive bandwidth drain, so I understand why no else does either. You didn't expect it to be spoon fed to everyone forever, did you? I mean, this *is* something that video game companies really don't care for. But you really can't do much better than working ftp sites with full sets directly linked off of a website (which is indeed findable with google - the Miss Mame site is 9th down the list when you search for mame roms. It also has the FTP links). Come on, did you even go to the sites I linked?
By the way, I believe that a couple folks from the Kaillera forums are working on a P2P system just for emulation. That should make life easy.
I really didn't want to get into a rom file discussion in this thread.
Chipmakers Intel and Advanced Micro Devices have signed on to produce special security chips that are integral to the system.
*snip*
Palladium is being offered to the studios and record labels as a way to distribute music and film with "digital rights management" (DRM). This could allow users to exercise "fair use" (like making personal copies of a CD) and publishers could at least start releasing works that cut a compromise between free and locked-down.
Great, let's go ahead and lay the groundwork for hardware level watermarking/rights management. There's no doubt in my mind that the MPAA/RIAA absolutely will jump on this first, quietly or blatantly. There won't even be time for 'fair use' or 'compromise' by the time this hits mainstream. I've never been much of a conspiracy theorist, but you think it's possible that the MPAA/RIAA are handing Microsoft some money to incorporate some of their desires into this security move? They'll *always* have the last move, not us.
The more important question is: does it violate the MAME license? It appears so. No sources makes mamedev very sad. Of course, I had to learn this from the forums on mame.net seeing as the d/l link was subjected to the/. effect almost immediately.
Oh, for crying out loud. Every time an emulation topic comes up someone bemoans the loss of mame.dk. It's not and never was the end all of places dedicated to the acquisition of games. Here: Miss Mame Roms Resources
Go there. Even if you can't manipulate the pages to find the same things that mame.dk had (which you should be able to), you can at least find the mame burners website which is completely valid.
Google is a useful tool. It will help if you just ask.
Slashdot Mirror
How about if I clarify a little - for kids, it didn't seem to be as dorky then as it is now (I'm part of the Mario generation, not the pac man generation). I could be way off (seeing as I have no children nor do I make any attempt to find out what's going on in their world). I mean, everyone in my neighborhood had a Nintendo... even the cool kids played Punch Out. *shrug* I suppose I could be delusional or trying to justify the fact that I still have the free stuffed Mario that I got. Meh.
22 was my max in my prime. I was fortunate enough to have played in the preliminary Nintendo World Championships on stage (hey - I was young and video games weren't *as* dorky). Tetris was the last of three back to back games that were played, so I did a lot of "training" beforehand.
*sigh* If I only had time for that sort of stuff now... I still find time to sneak a gameboy round in, though.
Don't forget BS Zelda. It's a remake of The Legend of Zelda for SNES by a third party (I think). Download, flash and play for the SNES - they were ahead of their time.
Can anyone who actually had one of these Satellaview systems explain it in better detail? I've only seen the roms, and I'd be awfully curious as to how it worked.
"Most of us sped, most people on the road speed. LETS BAN CARS!"
I really didn't want to get involved in this enormous thread, but AFAIK, no one is banning p2p programs, so stop pretending that they are. If one ISP blocks the port your preferred program uses, switch to another one. Or find a way around it. If every cable provider blocks it, switch to DSL. DSL blocks it? If it's so important, save some money and go to dial-up. There isn't a law stopping you from using p2p or switching ISPs. It's just a private business, move along. I don't particularily care if you don't buy CDs of these artists (I haven't purchased a CD from any non-indie retailer in almost 6 years and I'm rather happy about it) and I really don't care if you want to distribute 80gb of mp3s and movies. Just stop expecting the people who provide you with the bandwdith to bend to your needs. Time Warner started pulling this shit in my area, so I switched. I have slightly crummier service, but the freedoms to do what I please. No big deal. They don't owe us anything. As far as I'm concerned, the more that is done to discourage people from overtly sharing the entire RCA catalog, the better for those of us that do believe in fair use and don't want to see restrictions on CD burners and ripping technology. Would you prefer that the p2p networks were wide open and available but CD-ROM drives were hardware restriced so that CDs could no longer have tracks extracted? Not me.
And besides, preaching fair use rights to an ISP is like preaching christianity to a devout studied atheist. You won't come up with a single argument that will change their minds.
"Fair Use says I can record something off the radio and use it for myself. Whats the problem if that recording comes off someone else's hard drive."
You've got to be joking.
"Tyler was nabbed by an automated program developed by Ranger Online Inc. The software cruises file-swapping networks like Gnutella to find copyrighted materials, hunts down the IP address of the poster, then discovers which Internet service provider is being used."
I imagine this tracker that they use must identify itself somehow. I've never been heavily in to the whole swapping/p2p thing, but shouldn't it be possible to find a signature of some sort from this thing and tack it on to the front of a swapping program? Honestly asking, I really don't know. Not that I think getting in a pissing match with the MPAA/RIAA is the best solution for the software writers...
Here's the Ranger Online website. This section provides a very lame explanation of how they do the voodoo that they do.
Pear-to-pear sexual encounters ;)
That's much better than the oh-so-inappropriate apple-to-orange sexual encounters...
Oops. Forgot about Apple. Thanks for the reminder.
"I still don't think MS cares a whit about Linux...yet"
I totally agree with this. Most moves they make are not used to position themselves ahead of Linux. I don't think that they've got the foresight so start worrying about Linux desktops at this point. Besides, they're too busy making sure they own every single inch of the Windows desktop (Media Player, Passport, Internet Explorer, DirectX, etc.) to actively disrupt other operating systems at this (software) level. At least for now.
I doubt they'll really care too much about Linux OpenGL (for now) because quite honestly it's not necessary to attack it on that front. That would be a little too obviously vindictive, even for Microsoft. I think the more likely conclusion is that they'll use it to leverage their stranglehold on the DirectX/Windows combo to make it not only the standard, but the only option. Once gaming on Windows is restricted to DirectX, then OpenGL will survive solely on Linux (if it survives at all).
...and no one has brought up modding one? Get an old one from E-bay and make it suit your needs! Hell, you could even cut a window in it and put neon lights inside. Maybe even a biohazard logo. Or something.
"And what's popular among the geeks today, as I want it to appeal to the vast majority of our staff?"
Including Jolt is a good idea. Other than that, I would say wouldn't it be a better idea to ask your staff what they like to drink instead of us?
"If these people really wanted to do the linux community any good there time would be better spent developing a linux gaming console on everyday stock hardware."
...is that it doesn't matter what you want unless you're writing the code. If they wanted other people telling them what to do they'd go to work. Remember that this is a hobby for most; they are not servants at our command. That being said, I would also like to see someone developing a Linux based console for games on everyday stock hardware, but I realize that there's nothing I can do about it. I'm still patiently waiting for that perfect emulation console...
Isn't there some saying about free software developers? Something about them only developing something they have an itch to do?
The fact of the matter is that not *everybody* wants to better the Linux community and not *everybody* wants to program what everyone else wants them to program. The simple answer to the question:
"Do I want to
1. Run a webserver on a Xbox?
2. Run games on a linux box?"
Anyways, this isn't intended as a flame. This is just the facts as I see them.
"and certainly don't mean to come off as that 'other poster' you were conversing with"
No problem. It's just internet conversation. It's not like any of you guys stole my wallet or anything.
As a broad response to everyone that has responded to what originally was just a lame "I agree" post, not once have I said that cell phones are inconvenient. They're very useful tools and lifesavers in emergencies (I would like to buy one of those disposable ones just for that reason - and for the record 9mm I agree with your response completely). I'd personally prefer that people be a little more courteous with them in public places, but whatever. I've got no issues with the phones or the techonology. All I was trying to say that was just because our cellphones can't play freaking Doom 3 != U.S. is a failure. That's it.
*sigh*
I'm going to go do something productive now.
"The fact of the matter is that I do feel quite cut off whenever I have to travel to the US."
Well, there's just not much that I can really say to that, because after all is said and done, I live here so I'm apparently accustomed to whatever "limitations" we have *and* I don't have a cell phone. I could probably sit here and bicker until this thing is archived but what would the point be? I'm obviously in a completely different situation than you without the advantage of being able to experience the very thing I'm arguing, whereas you claim to be able to experience every single thing you're talking about (not doubting it, but this *is* the internet). And besides, this has gone from me saying that the extra features for cell phones in the article are unnecessary to you talking about how you feel when you travel to the U.S., and arguing about feelings is just about as ridiculous as it gets.
And I won't argue against convenience. Who the hell would? Convenience is great!
"Now I travel to the US. Oops. Doesn't work. I'm isolated from the whole civilized world because you can't keep up with the technology. You suck."
n culture. Not going to be near a library during your stay (or don't want/know how to use a computer)? Well, I'm out of options. But you're still making the choice to be cut off. There are lots of other ways to communicate in the U.S. than your own personal cell phone. Regardless, I'll have to continue to think that making you feel less home sick is a necessity. I'll completely concede that the situation that you pointed out is a very valid, good reason to own a cell phone and to have a more functional cell phone network. That is very neat. But blaming the U.S. for your decision to only want to communicate in that fashion is silly and hardly the cell phone manufacturers' problem (side note: not defending cell phone companies. Don't care about them one way or another).
No, you're cut off because you refuse to use a perfectly good functioning land line phone. Don't want to spend money on an international phone call? That I can understand. Prefer to send a message? I have yet to visit a public library that will turn down computer access to someone with a passport or at least some valid form of identification, but that may have changed drastically in our now assume-everyone-is-a-terrorist-that-isn't-America
What a dumb ass argument when replying to a post about the necessity of cell phone features. I didn't need to post that message or this one. It didn't make my life any better, especially since I got a response that was less than life changing. That comment had nothing to do with mine. Besides, it wasn't even an argument. It was a statement of fact. We *did* get along fine without cell phones. I don't remember any mass suicide because of a lack of portable communication devices in my lifetime.
"Gee, could it be that people just like to communicate with each other. Technologies that enable more communication, easier communication, new forms of communication become popular."
Congratulations, you told me that technology that enables people to communicate more, easier, or differently becomes popular. Now explain to me how that new technology (feel free to reference the article) is necessary to communication which was, of course, the point of my post. Then, for extra credit, feel free to tell me how the U.S. lacking any of your referenced technologies is hurting the country (or yourself in particular) in any way, shape or form. Not having as "neat" of stuff as the Japanese doesn't count. Here are some choices:
Hello Kitty screensavers
an endless variety of ring tones
the video camera in a phone
send e-mail
play games
Everything I found in that list I could do at home or through any phone book/gas station and I can't think of any important reason why I would have to be able to do it anywhere in the world. Once again, I've got no problems with cell phones and their usefulness. My original point was simply that not having all of those extra features does not make any country lesser than another because they are unnecessary to the services that cell phones provide (mobile communication/notification).
If you feel like being stupidly insulting and sarcastic, at least go to the effort of backing it up. Or log in. That would substantially raise your ability to communicate.
"just because someone has different needs doesnt mean the have failed."
I agree with that completely. The whole tone of that article is that the U.S. is failing to keep up with Japan when in fact we don't have the need to keep up. Our phones work just fine. We don't need LCD displays that can show DivX movies downloaded from ph0n3.l33t-pr0n.net. I don't own a cell phone only because I don't need one, but I know that they can be very useful in emergencies and for business. People tend to forget that there was a time not very long ago when there were no cell phones. We still got along fine. I would argue that anything beyond standard phone/pager functionality is extra and not necessary for anyone. Just my opinion.
I agree. However, as I was wading through that discussion maybe it just _seemed_ like everytime anyone mentioned some fallacy of p2p he would pop up and say 'That's where OpenDJ comes in!' I'm all for Open Source awareness/promotion and if there's *really* nothing else going on the world I won't even complain about this story anymore(it is Sunday here after all). It was just obnoxious after seeing a constant pimping of his program in another (albeit relevant) thread there being an entire story on it which has no new information a couple hours later.
Point well taken, though.
I think we already got this "story" in the comments seven stories down.
Yeah yeah, I know I know... troll/flamebait. *sigh* Whatever.
Since I'm a slave to the English language and American monetary system, could you approximate how much it costs per pic (in any currency - I can translate that). I always wondered if these services existed.
I think that's a very good point. You'll have to continue to copy everything to new mediums until either the mediums are no longer compatible or until TCPA/Palladium rules our entire computer. However, I don't think the standards of eyesight will ever go out of style. I'd mod you up if I could.
I guess the best thing you can do is *always* keep actual pictures, whether they are printed or developed. They don't have to always be organized. You can fit over a hundred pictures in a shoebox easily.
I know this may only matter to the geeks that come in, but I like to be able to talk shop with the employees of the place I go to. Or at least spend time chatting with them. Keep regulars coming back. Since the workers are actually interested in what they're selling, I feel confident enough to seek their advice on product differences and their experiences regardless of whether or not they're upselling. Rarely will you be able to get that feeling at Wal-Mart or Best(must-sell-service-plans-to-all)Buy. There's something to be said for appearing 'on the level.'
Also, get unique (square bare bones) or cool cases/systems with black, aluminum or pre-modded cases (windows, side fans, etc.). Do *not* think for a second these are geek-only enticements. A lot of very normal and/or artistic people appreciate an aesthetically pleasing case without 'Hewlett-Packard' plastered across the front of it.
According to this story on gamespot.com, that's the exact same amount they're losing on the X-Box this year. Apologies if someone else already pointed this out, but seemed like an interesting coinceidence (draw your own piracy related conclusions).
There is a list of seven FTP servers on that burner web site which all work. Mix cron and wget (they're not *always* available) and you'll have everything in a day or two. If you're looking for some pretty looking point-and-click-and-give-me-roms site, then yes. They're more or less dead. I know I sure wouldn't be able to afford that massive bandwidth drain, so I understand why no else does either. You didn't expect it to be spoon fed to everyone forever, did you? I mean, this *is* something that video game companies really don't care for. But you really can't do much better than working ftp sites with full sets directly linked off of a website (which is indeed findable with google - the Miss Mame site is 9th down the list when you search for mame roms. It also has the FTP links). Come on, did you even go to the sites I linked?
By the way, I believe that a couple folks from the Kaillera forums are working on a P2P system just for emulation. That should make life easy.
I really didn't want to get into a rom file discussion in this thread.
Chipmakers Intel and Advanced Micro Devices have signed on to produce special security chips that are integral to the system.
*snip*
Palladium is being offered to the studios and record labels as a way to distribute music and film with "digital rights management" (DRM). This could allow users to exercise "fair use" (like making personal copies of a CD) and publishers could at least start releasing works that cut a compromise between free and locked-down.
Great, let's go ahead and lay the groundwork for hardware level watermarking/rights management. There's no doubt in my mind that the MPAA/RIAA absolutely will jump on this first, quietly or blatantly. There won't even be time for 'fair use' or 'compromise' by the time this hits mainstream. I've never been much of a conspiracy theorist, but you think it's possible that the MPAA/RIAA are handing Microsoft some money to incorporate some of their desires into this security move? They'll *always* have the last move, not us.
The more important question is: does it violate the MAME license? It appears so. No sources makes mamedev very sad. Of course, I had to learn this from the forums on mame.net seeing as the d/l link was subjected to the /. effect almost immediately.
Oh, for crying out loud. Every time an emulation topic comes up someone bemoans the loss of mame.dk. It's not and never was the end all of places dedicated to the acquisition of games. Here:
Miss Mame Roms Resources
Go there. Even if you can't manipulate the pages to find the same things that mame.dk had (which you should be able to), you can at least find the mame burners website which is completely valid.
Google is a useful tool. It will help if you just ask.
Besides, there's always newsgroups.