My recreational habits have little to nothing to do with my gender (except I don't play hentai or dating sims). My fiancee and I play the same games, but he plays a lot more because he doesn't need as much sleep.
I play Diablo, Morrowind, World of Warcraft, City of Heroes, and other violent RPGs for fun. Building and strategy games like Civilization and Stronghold are for mental decompression when my net connection is down.
Console games such as Mortal Kombat and Dynasty Warriors are good for living room play when there are guests over.
Tetris and simple GBA games are for long waits at the airport.
I guess my favorite style is "hit things until treasure pops out" because I love breaking those pots and barrels.
There are a few games, such as Alice, that I really wanted but couldn't master. I have little interest or skill in first-person shooters, possibly because the camera moves so much it makes me ill.
Some of you feel that English syntax is illogical or that language should be allowed to evolve, but would you be required to express those opinions if you weren't defending your poor word choices? Yes, it's illogical, but millions of people manage to learn it. Yes, it can evolve, but allowing you to direct its evolution is like letting a monkey design a skyscraper.
Master the rules before you flaunt them.
Once you have an adult comprehension of the language and can speak and write properly, I'll listen to your anti-English rant. I'll roll my eyes but I'll listen. If you can't spell or pronounce simple English words, save me your "English is a bastardization of Low German" rant along with your ode to Common Usage as King.
Learn the language. You should have been paying attention in 3rd grade and it's not my fault that you didn't.
Speakers with a good grasp of the language can feel free to use slang and colorful idiom, secure in the knowledge that their audience understands them. The rest of you - zip it.
I keep a Gerber Multi-Plier in my purse, a $9 knockoff in the car, and Leatherman Waves at the barn, in the garage, in the office, and in the kitchen. Various ancient Boy Scout and Swiss Army knives are scattered throughout the house.
For ease of use, I prefer the Gerber (I think it's a 600 Sport?). It's got screwdrivers, retractable pliers, tiny Fiskars scissors, etc. Those little fold-out scissors are great, and don't come apart like those in Swiss Army-type utility knives. It's easy to open and close, and I never risk cutting my fingers off while trying to fold it (unlike the Leatherman). I like the nylon pouch with the belt loop - it's great for working on scaffolding or overhead grids where tool safety is an issue. Its main drawback is the softness of the cutting edges of the wire cutters in the pliers. Coat hanger wire nicked them, and now they don't work as well. For generic work where I don't want to lug a lot of tools around, it's great, but I usually bring a pair of linesman's pliers if there are metal rods or heavy wires to cut. I like the plastic buttons, but wouldn't use it while welding or soldering for fear they might melt.
The various Leatherman tools are sturdier and don't nick as easily, but are harder on the hands. I usually wear gloves when using them because the tools are on the outside when the pliers are in use. I have a hard time getting the knives back in the handle, especially on newer tools. I've seen some older tools lose their locking action and fold in while the knife was in use. A Wave can easily cut barbed wire, saw through rope or branches, or loosen screws. The needlenose models are effective for holding pieces during quick solder jobs, and they're all-metal. The leather pouches that come with some models are just for storage - they don't have hooks or belt loops.
My dad's Boy Scout knife served me well until I coughed up the money for the Gerber. The $9 Leatherman knockoff is a sad little thing used only when I'm too lazy to get the proper tool and no-one is there to see my shame. Swiss Army knives and their clones are good for opening boxes, but they don't sit well in my hands, and it's hard to actually use them.
I avoid tools with corkscrews, toothpicks, tweezers, and other silly stuff. The toothpicks and tweezers generally get lost, and I haven't used a corkscrew in years. I look for well-made cutter/pliers, good folding action, two or three knives and screwdrivers, and maybe a rasp. I actually do have the proper tools for most applications, but it's handy to have a multi-tool in my pocket just in case.
I wish the poor spelling and grammar were restricted to e-mail, but that's sadly not the case.
I've received several notes, e-mails, and memos from the people who are supposed to run our company network and maintain the machines. I'm fairly certain that they're not elementary school students, but the text indicates they haven't had the benefit of instruction their native English.
Having just purchased a horse, I've been looking at saddles, books, equipment, and various horsey things. I looked at the web sites of several well-respected trainers, and would not buy products from any one of them. Their articles and product endorsements lack proper syntax, are full of spelling errors, and are generally offensive to my eyes. Subject-verb agreement is apparently an advanced concept, as is constructing a complete sentence. Their printed books aren't much better. People who are trying to sell their expertise in any area should represent themselves as having at least a ninth-grade education (even if they have to get a copywriter or editor).
It's permissible to use colloquial English in informal peer-to-peer e-mails, but any communication outside your group should help present your best face to the world - you never know who will be reading!
[Don't judge me by my strictness. When speaking, I can be as colorful as anyone, and frequently curse like a sailor.]
As a designer, I've had to make forms for a variety of idiots. Lots of idiots choose MS Word/Works, which is fine if you lock the documents and provide very specific instructions. For personal and in-office stuff, I use Excel. It's ugly but functional.
For most other forms, I prefer the PDF format. For fancy stuff, a lot of design software (including Quark, Photoshop, etc.) can export to PDF, and you can drop the form boxes in later. Although Acrobat lacks the tools you might need, PitStop Pro by Enfocus will give you neat and necessary tools. It makes Acrobat more crash-prone, but it's worth the pain. If the creator of the forms has PitStop, the users just need Acrobat and a readme. Short of encrypting the data or sending it as graphics, this is (in my opinion) really the best way to send semi-sensitive form data over the internet.
Every year my mom buys me the ugliest shoes she can find. This year, no shoes (I got silly socks, and I don't wear socks). I was disappointed.
We no longer remember why this tradition started, but it lasted about 12 years, during which I got pink glitter-covered platform sandals, checkered tennis shoes, 3 pairs of teal Keds, and a dizzying variety of other nasty footwear. Every once in a while I actually like the shoes, which I guess is why she kept doing it.
My roommate once gave me erotic fortune cookies for Christmas. They weren't very good.
As a manager, the power to make employees more comfortable is HUGE. Free soda, participative scheduling, food at meetings, etc.
As an team member, it's limited to your immediate circle.
1) Decide that you're working there because you WANT TO BE. Although it may not be easy to get a new job, convincing yourself that you can just walk away if it gets worse is the equivalent of a soothing mantra.
2) Sugar is great. When someone on my team calls in late, he/she often picks up donuts on the way in. When I've got a few days off, I bake (and bring in half the booty for my office). Most of us have a candy stash, and perk up our overworked teammates with chocolate and sympathy.
3) Actually listen to each other. A group of workers who sympathize and agree with each other can sometimes be more productive than a group competing for bonuses and favors. If it's gotta be us against them, the "us" might as well be playing together. Plus, you can cut off repetitive whining with "Preaching to the choir!"
4) Make life easier for your coworkers and they'll do the same for you. If you know Bob has a great vacation planned for May, offer to cover his projects so he'll cover your in June. If you work out your own plan for an efficient schedule, Management won't have to impose theirs.
RPGs will always survive the stupidity of their creators and CFOs. WOTC/TSR has been declared dead more times than I can remember. Steve Jackson Games is unfortunately brought back from the brink every year (bad management + evil owner = financial trouble).
Seems they (most game company managers) have poor decision-making skills.
It's too bad that talented people will have to find jobs in the noncreative sector for a while, but I'm not going to stop playing and I'll bet WOTC and Bioware will keep hooking me up.
Slashdot Mirror
My recreational habits have little to nothing to do with my gender (except I don't play hentai or dating sims). My fiancee and I play the same games, but he plays a lot more because he doesn't need as much sleep.
I play Diablo, Morrowind, World of Warcraft, City of Heroes, and other violent RPGs for fun. Building and strategy games like Civilization and Stronghold are for mental decompression when my net connection is down.
Console games such as Mortal Kombat and Dynasty Warriors are good for living room play when there are guests over.
Tetris and simple GBA games are for long waits at the airport.
I guess my favorite style is "hit things until treasure pops out" because I love breaking those pots and barrels.
There are a few games, such as Alice, that I really wanted but couldn't master. I have little interest or skill in first-person shooters, possibly because the camera moves so much it makes me ill.
Some of you feel that English syntax is illogical or that language should be allowed to evolve, but would you be required to express those opinions if you weren't defending your poor word choices? Yes, it's illogical, but millions of people manage to learn it. Yes, it can evolve, but allowing you to direct its evolution is like letting a monkey design a skyscraper. Master the rules before you flaunt them. Once you have an adult comprehension of the language and can speak and write properly, I'll listen to your anti-English rant. I'll roll my eyes but I'll listen. If you can't spell or pronounce simple English words, save me your "English is a bastardization of Low German" rant along with your ode to Common Usage as King. Learn the language. You should have been paying attention in 3rd grade and it's not my fault that you didn't. Speakers with a good grasp of the language can feel free to use slang and colorful idiom, secure in the knowledge that their audience understands them. The rest of you - zip it.
I keep a Gerber Multi-Plier in my purse, a $9 knockoff in the car, and Leatherman Waves at the barn, in the garage, in the office, and in the kitchen. Various ancient Boy Scout and Swiss Army knives are scattered throughout the house. For ease of use, I prefer the Gerber (I think it's a 600 Sport?). It's got screwdrivers, retractable pliers, tiny Fiskars scissors, etc. Those little fold-out scissors are great, and don't come apart like those in Swiss Army-type utility knives. It's easy to open and close, and I never risk cutting my fingers off while trying to fold it (unlike the Leatherman). I like the nylon pouch with the belt loop - it's great for working on scaffolding or overhead grids where tool safety is an issue. Its main drawback is the softness of the cutting edges of the wire cutters in the pliers. Coat hanger wire nicked them, and now they don't work as well. For generic work where I don't want to lug a lot of tools around, it's great, but I usually bring a pair of linesman's pliers if there are metal rods or heavy wires to cut. I like the plastic buttons, but wouldn't use it while welding or soldering for fear they might melt. The various Leatherman tools are sturdier and don't nick as easily, but are harder on the hands. I usually wear gloves when using them because the tools are on the outside when the pliers are in use. I have a hard time getting the knives back in the handle, especially on newer tools. I've seen some older tools lose their locking action and fold in while the knife was in use. A Wave can easily cut barbed wire, saw through rope or branches, or loosen screws. The needlenose models are effective for holding pieces during quick solder jobs, and they're all-metal. The leather pouches that come with some models are just for storage - they don't have hooks or belt loops. My dad's Boy Scout knife served me well until I coughed up the money for the Gerber. The $9 Leatherman knockoff is a sad little thing used only when I'm too lazy to get the proper tool and no-one is there to see my shame. Swiss Army knives and their clones are good for opening boxes, but they don't sit well in my hands, and it's hard to actually use them. I avoid tools with corkscrews, toothpicks, tweezers, and other silly stuff. The toothpicks and tweezers generally get lost, and I haven't used a corkscrew in years. I look for well-made cutter/pliers, good folding action, two or three knives and screwdrivers, and maybe a rasp. I actually do have the proper tools for most applications, but it's handy to have a multi-tool in my pocket just in case.
I wish the poor spelling and grammar were restricted to e-mail, but that's sadly not the case. I've received several notes, e-mails, and memos from the people who are supposed to run our company network and maintain the machines. I'm fairly certain that they're not elementary school students, but the text indicates they haven't had the benefit of instruction their native English. Having just purchased a horse, I've been looking at saddles, books, equipment, and various horsey things. I looked at the web sites of several well-respected trainers, and would not buy products from any one of them. Their articles and product endorsements lack proper syntax, are full of spelling errors, and are generally offensive to my eyes. Subject-verb agreement is apparently an advanced concept, as is constructing a complete sentence. Their printed books aren't much better. People who are trying to sell their expertise in any area should represent themselves as having at least a ninth-grade education (even if they have to get a copywriter or editor). It's permissible to use colloquial English in informal peer-to-peer e-mails, but any communication outside your group should help present your best face to the world - you never know who will be reading! [Don't judge me by my strictness. When speaking, I can be as colorful as anyone, and frequently curse like a sailor.]
For sheer ballsiness, I have to admire Fermat's last theorem, even though most of the proofs offered are flawed. Euler's work is pretty cool, though.
As a designer, I've had to make forms for a variety of idiots. Lots of idiots choose MS Word/Works, which is fine if you lock the documents and provide very specific instructions. For personal and in-office stuff, I use Excel. It's ugly but functional. For most other forms, I prefer the PDF format. For fancy stuff, a lot of design software (including Quark, Photoshop, etc.) can export to PDF, and you can drop the form boxes in later. Although Acrobat lacks the tools you might need, PitStop Pro by Enfocus will give you neat and necessary tools. It makes Acrobat more crash-prone, but it's worth the pain. If the creator of the forms has PitStop, the users just need Acrobat and a readme. Short of encrypting the data or sending it as graphics, this is (in my opinion) really the best way to send semi-sensitive form data over the internet.
Try Newsstand.com. Many newspapers & magazines are available in Newsstand's pdf-style reader.
Every year my mom buys me the ugliest shoes she can find. This year, no shoes (I got silly socks, and I don't wear socks). I was disappointed. We no longer remember why this tradition started, but it lasted about 12 years, during which I got pink glitter-covered platform sandals, checkered tennis shoes, 3 pairs of teal Keds, and a dizzying variety of other nasty footwear. Every once in a while I actually like the shoes, which I guess is why she kept doing it. My roommate once gave me erotic fortune cookies for Christmas. They weren't very good.
As a manager, the power to make employees more comfortable is HUGE. Free soda, participative scheduling, food at meetings, etc. As an team member, it's limited to your immediate circle. 1) Decide that you're working there because you WANT TO BE. Although it may not be easy to get a new job, convincing yourself that you can just walk away if it gets worse is the equivalent of a soothing mantra. 2) Sugar is great. When someone on my team calls in late, he/she often picks up donuts on the way in. When I've got a few days off, I bake (and bring in half the booty for my office). Most of us have a candy stash, and perk up our overworked teammates with chocolate and sympathy. 3) Actually listen to each other. A group of workers who sympathize and agree with each other can sometimes be more productive than a group competing for bonuses and favors. If it's gotta be us against them, the "us" might as well be playing together. Plus, you can cut off repetitive whining with "Preaching to the choir!" 4) Make life easier for your coworkers and they'll do the same for you. If you know Bob has a great vacation planned for May, offer to cover his projects so he'll cover your in June. If you work out your own plan for an efficient schedule, Management won't have to impose theirs.
RPGs will always survive the stupidity of their creators and CFOs. WOTC/TSR has been declared dead more times than I can remember. Steve Jackson Games is unfortunately brought back from the brink every year (bad management + evil owner = financial trouble). Seems they (most game company managers) have poor decision-making skills. It's too bad that talented people will have to find jobs in the noncreative sector for a while, but I'm not going to stop playing and I'll bet WOTC and Bioware will keep hooking me up.