As a game devver, I can tell you that the real reason for this kind of a move is aimed at making new games more attractive for buyers than resold ones.
Consider a place like gamestop. When you walk into there, where are all the new games? WAY WAY back on the top of the back shelf, and up front is the bargain bin, old games, used games. Game developers make no money from purchase of a used game (there are no royalties or anything like that for used games [as it should be, IMO]).
Places like Gamestop make all their money by buying up used games cheap and selling them for way more than the cost they bought them for.
A used game is usually (marginally) cheaper than a new one. This steers your average gamer into the bargain bin vs a new game, but this one-time content would be an incentive to get a new game for some bonus stuff.
I hope this is only used to offer BONUS content as a reward for buying new, and not reduce functionality. E.g. none of this: 1) You can't play this game because it was already 'activated' by someone 2) You get this crappy version of the game because it was used
-Dom
Avi Rubin, one of the original researchers from Johns Hopkins who did the analysis on the Diebold voting machines before, gave a very good talk at Loyola College about Diebold's incompetence.
Best experience with GIMP: Use lazy window focus and a single linux desktop (e.g. Desktop #4). Isolated on its own desktop, it has an mdi-like feel to it.
Worst GIMP: Running under windows, you don't get lazy focus or seperate desktops, it gets messy. Hence the call for MDI-ness.
Also, file open dialogs still kinda suck, esp under windows.
GIMP's great feature set is masked to newcomers by its 'horrible' UI. But like anything else, you can get used to it if you need to. It doesn't make the whole app broken, it just makes it harder to use (still a bad thing though).
Don't like the UI? Use something else, its that simple. Articles like this show the GIMP dev's are at least aware of the UI issues and maybe are taking steps to improve it.
But don't let your initial impressions stop you from learning a great tool. GIMP's functionality is rock solid, lets just hope the UI gets there someday.
Or just stop complaining and use Photoshop. I've used both GIMP and Photoshop for professional photo work before, and either one works great (just one doesn't cost me $700).
Oh I wouldn't say that.. the Dreamcast port has been hogging up all my time (what time??). Its about 99% finished, I'm havin some issues with the alpha blending.
The codebase was too complete to let it sit idly, you guys did a great job with the game.
As for the map editor, once I'm finished the DC port, I have plans to make a GTK based one.
My roomate who redid the graphics originally said he'll update them when we move from 8x8 to 16x16 tiles, making it much more like the SNES zelda.
I think we'll get some interest from the DC homebrew scene of having such a large engine running on DC.
Still is a shame about Nintendo being stupid like that and scaring everyone off the project.
Yea so much for not having enough outlets, try having half the outlets in your dorm not having ground plugs (a random half might I add). Tech service guys distribute those plugs that have a fake ground that you're supposed to hook up with a wire to a real ground (but who does?).
Its always nice to have your tv, computer, dvd, ps2, dreamcast, and stero on a strip that doesnt really have a ground.
And the fun with our network is, they block all traffic between local machines due to 'security' and 'virus' concerns. Sucks that to play lan games we have to run our own network cables between dorm rooms!
Sounds like fun.. hooks into any digital camera they say? Wonder if you could get a 6 megapixel 11x15 print in 3d.. Maybe 3d wallpaper (like the room kind). Still uses those annoying, er but effective, 3d colored glasses.
I had actually started picking up 'Out of area' calls on my phone about a year ago telling the telemarketers to stop calling, and i have actually noted a huge decrease in the number of calls i get.
An interesting tidbit i've heard from a friend (can anyone verify?) whose crummy summer job was being a telemarketer is that you need to say exactly the phrase 'please put me on your do not call list' or they dont actually have to.
Caller ID helps, to a point. However, I keep getting this automated dialer thing which when I pick up the phone waits about 30 seconds and then gives me the 'hang up, try again'.. because iof the out of area-ness, my telco can't track it down either, i called their abuse line. How are you supposed to track those guys down when you can't talk to anyone?
Interesting.. if i recall from md2600 meetings (held at the Barnes+Noble at the harbor across from the world trade center) there was already a distant access point in the trade center somewhere. It would be quite cool if we now had wifi at the meetings without antennas.
Now if only they could do this kind of thing out in Towson, or better yet, Perry Hall.. GODDAMIT.
troll troll... aw man aw man..
[resists urge to respond.. fails]
The important thing is not the free as free cost. Its the ability to modify the software. Adobe could overhaul photoshop and screw it up, you're at THEIR mercy. With free software, you can just change back what was screwed up.
And besides, why would we pirate photoshop when we've got GIMP? And not all of the users of free software are h4x0rz, aka my sister and mother.
And software is NOT like a car. You can't copy a car at no cost. You can't improve it at no cost. Software is something you WANT control over. Cars have specific ways in which they work, and specific components. Saying you dont need source code in a piece of software is like saying you dont need to know how to change a tire. Or saying you'd have to call Toyota in japan to get your tire fixed.
yes yes, i know it was a troll! shutup.
But the idea is not totally for us to work with Big business solely on their terms. The idea is to make a open system so good that the card manufacturers (ala nVidia) will be either have to release their specs without an NDA (or just under open terms) or just not participate.
Improving upon X seeks to give US more leverage in Big Business.
Of course... its kind of a catch 22 as we need more open specs before we can improve X and get that leverage...
Personally I was a bit disappointed about Reloaded. I was expecting a very deep very twisted plot like the first, but they didnt pull it off, at all.
the first matrix was great because it appealed to people who see that there is something wrong with the world as it is. it was this subtle geekishness I enjoyed.
the second one was dumbed down unnecesarily so that the rest of the masses would 'get it'. sex+violence as usual. still cool to watch, but nothing special about it (the orgy scene just seemed was out of place)
the first one left you with questions, possibilities. if it had all ended right there it would have been fine. the second one was more just the glitz and glamour.
take the philosophy from the first, sure, but you wont find any in the second.
Excuse me, I'd like to bring to your attention that you are currently breathing (sometimes called inhalation), which is a very effective way to bring 'oxygen' or 'air' into your body. This act that is now patented by '768. If you'd like to continue breathing, please see our licensing page for more information on rates per breath or per volume.
DO NOT hold your breath. This would be a violation of the DMCA.
Slashdot Mirror
As a game devver, I can tell you that the real reason for this kind of a move is aimed at making new games more attractive for buyers than resold ones.
Consider a place like gamestop. When you walk into there, where are all the new games? WAY WAY back on the top of the back shelf, and up front is the bargain bin, old games, used games. Game developers make no money from purchase of a used game (there are no royalties or anything like that for used games [as it should be, IMO]).
Places like Gamestop make all their money by buying up used games cheap and selling them for way more than the cost they bought them for.
A used game is usually (marginally) cheaper than a new one. This steers your average gamer into the bargain bin vs a new game, but this one-time content would be an incentive to get a new game for some bonus stuff.
I hope this is only used to offer BONUS content as a reward for buying new, and not reduce functionality. E.g. none of this: 1) You can't play this game because it was already 'activated' by someone 2) You get this crappy version of the game because it was used -Dom
Avi Rubin, one of the original researchers from Johns Hopkins who did the analysis on the Diebold voting machines before, gave a very good talk at Loyola College about Diebold's incompetence.
I filmed it and it is available on Google Video: Election Insecurity
Best experience with GIMP:
Use lazy window focus and a single linux desktop (e.g. Desktop #4). Isolated on its own desktop, it has an mdi-like feel to it.
Worst GIMP:
Running under windows, you don't get lazy focus or seperate desktops, it gets messy. Hence the call for MDI-ness.
Also, file open dialogs still kinda suck, esp under windows.
GIMP's great feature set is masked to newcomers by its 'horrible' UI. But like anything else, you can get used to it if you need to. It doesn't make the whole app broken, it just makes it harder to use (still a bad thing though).
Don't like the UI? Use something else, its that simple. Articles like this show the GIMP dev's are at least aware of the UI issues and maybe are taking steps to improve it.
But don't let your initial impressions stop you from learning a great tool. GIMP's functionality is rock solid, lets just hope the UI gets there someday.
Or just stop complaining and use Photoshop. I've used both GIMP and Photoshop for professional photo work before, and either one works great (just one doesn't cost me $700).
Hey Tronster this is Dom
> Not being actively developed
Oh I wouldn't say that.. the Dreamcast port has been hogging up all my time (what time??). Its about 99% finished, I'm havin some issues with the alpha blending.
The codebase was too complete to let it sit idly, you guys did a great job with the game.
As for the map editor, once I'm finished the DC port, I have plans to make a GTK based one.
My roomate who redid the graphics originally said he'll update them when we move from 8x8 to 16x16 tiles, making it much more like the SNES zelda.
I think we'll get some interest from the DC homebrew scene of having such a large engine running on DC.
Still is a shame about Nintendo being stupid like that and scaring everyone off the project.
Yea so much for not having enough outlets, try having half the outlets in your dorm not having ground plugs (a random half might I add). Tech service guys distribute those plugs that have a fake ground that you're supposed to hook up with a wire to a real ground (but who does?). Its always nice to have your tv, computer, dvd, ps2, dreamcast, and stero on a strip that doesnt really have a ground. And the fun with our network is, they block all traffic between local machines due to 'security' and 'virus' concerns. Sucks that to play lan games we have to run our own network cables between dorm rooms!
1) Write factually unsound article
2) Incur wrath of Linux community
3) ???
4) Profit!!
[couldnt resist]
Sounds like fun.. hooks into any digital camera they say? Wonder if you could get a 6 megapixel 11x15 print in 3d.. Maybe 3d wallpaper (like the room kind). Still uses those annoying, er but effective, 3d colored glasses.
I had actually started picking up 'Out of area' calls on my phone about a year ago telling the telemarketers to stop calling, and i have actually noted a huge decrease in the number of calls i get.
An interesting tidbit i've heard from a friend (can anyone verify?) whose crummy summer job was being a telemarketer is that you need to say exactly the phrase 'please put me on your do not call list' or they dont actually have to.
Caller ID helps, to a point.
However, I keep getting this automated dialer thing which when I pick up the phone waits about 30 seconds and then gives me the 'hang up, try again'.. because iof the out of area-ness, my telco can't track it down either, i called their abuse line. How are you supposed to track those guys down when you can't talk to anyone?
not IS! you wouldnt get very far in life not saying IS.
Now if only they could do this kind of thing out in Towson, or better yet, Perry Hall.. GODDAMIT.
troll troll... aw man aw man.. [resists urge to respond.. fails] The important thing is not the free as free cost. Its the ability to modify the software. Adobe could overhaul photoshop and screw it up, you're at THEIR mercy. With free software, you can just change back what was screwed up. And besides, why would we pirate photoshop when we've got GIMP? And not all of the users of free software are h4x0rz, aka my sister and mother. And software is NOT like a car. You can't copy a car at no cost. You can't improve it at no cost. Software is something you WANT control over. Cars have specific ways in which they work, and specific components. Saying you dont need source code in a piece of software is like saying you dont need to know how to change a tire. Or saying you'd have to call Toyota in japan to get your tire fixed. yes yes, i know it was a troll! shutup.
But the idea is not totally for us to work with Big business solely on their terms. The idea is to make a open system so good that the card manufacturers (ala nVidia) will be either have to release their specs without an NDA (or just under open terms) or just not participate. Improving upon X seeks to give US more leverage in Big Business. Of course... its kind of a catch 22 as we need more open specs before we can improve X and get that leverage...
Personally I was a bit disappointed about Reloaded. I was expecting a very deep very twisted plot like the first, but they didnt pull it off, at all.
the first matrix was great because it appealed to people who see that there is something wrong with the world as it is. it was this subtle geekishness I enjoyed.
the second one was dumbed down unnecesarily so that the rest of the masses would 'get it'. sex+violence as usual. still cool to watch, but nothing special about it (the orgy scene just seemed was out of place)
the first one left you with questions, possibilities. if it had all ended right there it would have been fine. the second one was more just the glitz and glamour.
take the philosophy from the first, sure, but you wont find any in the second.
Excuse me, I'd like to bring to your attention that you are currently breathing (sometimes called inhalation), which is a very effective way to bring 'oxygen' or 'air' into your body. This act that is now patented by '768. If you'd like to continue breathing, please see our licensing page for more information on rates per breath or per volume. DO NOT hold your breath. This would be a violation of the DMCA.
Here's how red hat did it..
We could use more software businesses with models like that.