My HP Mini 1000 worked flawlessly with Ubuntu (and the UNR menu add-on that maximizes the tiny screen space to its fullest potential), wireless and all. Sometimes it just takes one more step to get it working (in my case it was not one more step, but for other netbooks, it may be.) The payoff is immeasurable. My HP came with XP, and I was done with that after the first month. I put 1 more GB of RAM in it and never looked back.
I don't get the sales-guy's attitude on the "cheap" subject. I can't believe in 2009 it's still prevalent. Most people in the past who weren't passionate about linux felt that "free is less than commercial" in terms of software. In some instances we know it was true, but for the most part that stigma sticks with Linux like gum on your shoe. It's a shame too, considering how completely seamless and wonderful running ubuntu on a netbook truly is. As for battery life, it's comparable on the Mini 1000 to running XP. And no conficker, antivirus 360 worms, or other assorted nonsense means a less headache-filled experience on the netbook.
I guess some people are too forgiving of Microsoft's failings... And I'm really not sure what the prevailing reason is, other than the comfort level.
If it's actual damages, let them write them off on their taxes. If they truly are losses, they can claim them. If not, (which I wholeheartedly side with the "imaginary" argument), then they need just shut the hell up. It'd be subject to GAAP rules, of course. But I think they could manage that, considering how much they pay for these moronic experts and other pondscum lawyer-types.
I don't care if "piracy" (infringement is the word, not piracy) causes anything. Copyright doesn't guarantee profit. It never has. That's what the heck's been missing from this argument for quite some time. Simply making something, copyrighting it and offering it for sale doesn't guarantee a dime, but the RIAA seems to think so, and they are doing their damn level best to be sure they pay or coerce as many people as possible to believe that horseshit too. The RIAA (and other asshole AA's) want you to believe that money is it. It's not that. It's about control. You have the control on where and when you can listen to the music you own (or traded), and it bugs the shit out of them. If they had their way, you would pay for a CD, then if you wanted it on your portable device, you'd pay again. And if you wanted to listen to it in your car, you'd need another CD purchase. But that would require licensing, and it would subject them to liability they don't want (hint, the "cake and eat it too" argument fits here). So, they sell it as a commodity, don't get too up in arms about used sales, and try to squeeze the collective nuts of their customer base who shares their music. Bah. I don't see how the hell people don't just tell them to take a flying leap and let them rot. I really don't. I am as guilty of aiding these dipshits as the next guy (surprise, I buy music), but come on... this is getting ri-goddamned-diculous. I try to limit my purchases to non-RIAA member companies, but it's increasingly a lose-lose situation with recruitment (or indoctrination as the case may be) at an all-time high. It's nauseating as much as it is depressing to think about.
I'd rather see Roseanne Barr naked than have to deal with the RIAA ever again.
That's indeed a good point, considering that most of the nonsense surrounding the DRM is gone, you're paying for the ability to turn off your brain and hook up your player... I have a 2nd Gen 10GB iPod (back when the competition was total shit), and I've kept the batteries up on it, but I'm leaning away from the iPod more and more as I like to use FLAC and Ogg... I'm not going to stay on MacOSX forever, considering my PPC's days as a supported platform are nearing completion.:) I'll make my PPC machine a linux server and use my netbook and new (as yet unpurchased) laptop as my main use machines.:)
It was a fun ride, but as Apple got bigger, they got more like Microsoft and less like an alternative.:) As a OSX only era mac user, I can't say what life was like before... Ah well. I don't mind all that much, and this Leopard machine won't die the day they release Snow Leopard... but as for the "tight integration" with Apple's sphere of influence (iPod/iPhone/iThis/iThat), I'm beginning not to care all that much.... I cancelled my.mac subscription (that was a nice free signup when I was using 10.0.0.4), and use more and more free tools to supplement the iLife stuff that I haven't upgraded since 6.:)
Charging $1.29 for a song when Amazon has the music I want for $.99 or less... just makes it easier to transition.:)
That's the most disturbing issue, I think. They're no better than the Bush apologists who thought he could do no wrong, but funny thing is, now their guy's doing the _same_ thing, and voila! No one is pointing the "sheeple" finger their way.
At least not yet. I can't really bring myself to say "I told ya so"... to all the half-wits who believed the hype.. but, well... I told ya so. The major issue for me isn't that he might be doing some things right... it's the list of things he's still doing wrong that disturb me. People railed about the assault on the constitution, yet obama's allowing it to continue! So much for change, eh?
Wow... what a stretch THAT is. Now that "your" guy's got all the keys and juice, it's simply to empower the next person you don't like? How about the CURRENT PRESIDENT'S POWER? He didn't overturn any of the executive snooping powers put in by shrub... and he didn't pressure to repeal any of the Patriot Act's diabolical crapola.
In other words "Change" == "More of the same in a different suit." And you can bet your left-leaning butt Obama's relishing all this new-found power... the same new-found power that he criticized and chastised shrub about when he was running for office. Now that he's IN office, it's just like the last president. This one's just got bigger ears. We're living in a one-party society. This BS legislation is proof of that.
Funny that. Easy to break because the userbase is so trusting? Because last I checked, the "pwnage" he used still required a click. Unlike Windows that can get worms and other fun stuff just by turning on the DSL modem.:)
That's not to say I'm flaming Windows... I'm more flaming Mac users (of which I am one/split between Leopard and Ubuntu) who need to be more concerned about WTF they're clicking, downloading, and giving their sudo pw too. So put your pitchforks away... I am not pleased with the lack of expedience by Apple in fixing flaws like the one used by this guy either. Even if it's not automatic... so I use Opera... then they have unpatched flaws they don't tell anyone about (platform independent I suppose), so what's a guy who can't get Chrome do? BE CAREFUL, that's what. I wouldn't go into a bad neighborhood with my wallet dangling from a string, so why would I surf the web like I'm on Sesame Street? Why would anyone?
I know, and in retrospect, I probably shouldn't have been such a C=64/Amiga snob.:) Playing the old titles on things like the Sega Genesis collection (PS2) are very fun... I just stuck with computers back then and shunned consoles as "not as good".:)
I particularly missed out on the RPGs... I loved CRPGs on my computers, and I figured the ones on the cartridges with no keyboards to control them would suck. I was totally wrong.:)
I think MS is burning through a HUGE amount of goodwill just to be first on the block this gen. It's bound to cost them in wary consumers who don't want to send off ANOTHER console. Yes, MS has had some good games this generation with their year's headstart on the competition. But they blew their chance at total annihilation by simply passing off a known shoddy product in order to make a deadline that was arbitrary (and fully a year ahead of Sony anyway). Now Sony makes a stronger product this go round (and in spite of that whole "laser" thing, sold a SHITLOAD of PS2s) which improves on the quality of their previous attempts, and MS is left holding their dick wondering why no one's flocking to their side in all these hardware fiascoes (well, other than the trolls of course). I'm not a Sony Fanboy (I still hate them for killing the Dreamcast with hype and hyperbole), but I can see when Sony has done it better than MS. The people who can't sit idly by waiting for the UPS truck while staring at their copy of Halo Wars, wondering if it'll be any good by the time the damn console gets back from the service center (for the 4th time).
I have had two consoles fail on me in my long history of owning them (dating back to the Saturn... I hated consoles in the Genesis/SNES era) and BOTH of them are from Microsoft. The dirty laser problem on my original XBox and the RRoD on my Elite (with the "new" heatsink"). Now, if I happened to have the worst luck in the universe, I'd still be suspicious of another MS console and be wary of buying one. But you add 2 or 3 million (probably way more) to that total and you see Microsoft's dilemma. They are putting a LOT of faith in the "goodwill gesture" of 3 year extended RRoD warranty. Time will tell if it pays off.
Sony's not extending the warranty for their RRoD. Sony's not dealing with piles of dead consoles being shipped to it daily. Somehow the laser problem (of which I have a launch PS2 and it still works fine) and the plastic sled (which was indeed a design flaw that was actually CORRECTED in subsequent revisions of the console, unlike this RRoD problem Microsoft can't seem to get straight) really aren't even in the same fucking ballpark. Sony LEARNED from its mistakes and made a better console. What did Microsoft learn? That people will be stupid enough to buy their crap no matter what. I'm just as guilty since I own two of the POSes. It's really sad. But if MS thinks I'll bite again, they're high. I've had my fill of Microsoft's QC. It's like a leper whore with herpes.
Get off the fanboy bandwagon and just look at the FACTS. Fact: MS extended the warranty for a SPECIFIC problem with the 360 to 3 effin' years. Fact: Now that MS decided it needed a better "environment" in NXE, we have consoles failing at a larger than average rate (enough to make the news other than the fansites), and yet THAT problem will cost most people unlucky enough not to have sold off their POS launch consoles a cool $99. Funny that. Sony's got more launch consoles in the wild than MS ever dreamed of having (without a return to service center to be outfitted with a half-assed new fan and heatsink only to fail again in 3 weeks.) So, spit out the Ballmer spooge and grow up. Better yet, keep Microsoft in business by buying MORE and MORE consoles from them! Think of the fun you'll have keeping Steve and Bill rich!
Yeah, it's got a failure rate right up there with the 360. Tell me some more funny stories. At a less than 1% failure rate (that's documented btw, unlike your conjecture), the PS3 is doing just fine. My launch PS3 still works... no repairs needed. Funny that my 360's been in the shop 3 times, yet my PS3 hasn't. Guess I'm just lucky!;) What's the failure rate of the 360? No one really knows because MS keeps that a BIG secret. But it's more than 1% to be sure. Trust me when I say comparing the 360 to the PS3 in terms of reliability is like comparing a Honda to a Pinto. They're not even in the same league with each other. Sorry to burst your bubble, but the only thing failing at "left right and centre" is the 360. That's a fact.
The problem is, they never have admitted it was a design flaw. Adding to the warranty for the RRoD doesn't amount to an admission, and to this day no one will say "yes, we screwed up the design". They'd probably face a class-action suit if they did, I suppose. They still refuse to admit any issues with disc scratching, though youtube's full of videos on what causes it. And this issue now appears after a hefty graphics update to the console (NXE), we're seeing yet again the rushed design decisions possibly come back to bite MS in the butt. I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt, but since it's hitting the HDMI consoles pretty hard, I have to wonder...
While I agree it was nice of MS to add to the warranty for the RRoD, I don't have any faith they're standing behind their product. True, they didn't blame the user very loudly (though early on, they were blaming poor ventilation), but they never admitted there was/is a flaw. Now we've another flaw possibly in the making and MS is charactaristically silent.:) The 360 has shown me that MS can't make a console. So until they make a tank like the PS3, I'm skipping their next offering or two. Games or not, you can't play the games on dead hardware. After 3 Elites, I got a new Arcade system when it hit $200 (with the lighter PSU), and if my Elite dies again (it's showing the initial stages of it now), I'll just put my Arcade unit as the primary system and just throw in the towel.
My phone's not that damn smart either. Not to mention they FINALLY got a Harmony adapter so I can use my Harmony remote to control my PS3.;) Why bust up a good thing with smartphones? Mark my words, the cell companies are going to find a way to charge you for channel changing. Unless you get their "unlimited view" package for $40 a month.
Call me old fashioned... but universal remotes just work (well most of the time)... and why bother with anything else? Trendy's not always great or practical anyway.:) You're right... mucking with the smartphone's "controller" app just to change the channel just reeks of "look at me, I've got a new app on my smartphone!!" Meh.
..And Microsoft had their "dilemma" about it, and temporarily (meaning they didn't want PSN to be the only place to get this game, even though it sucks) lifted their restriction. The game was $20 to boot. So they recouped any cash they would've lost in "overage" with the upped price, which I believe is the most expensive Arcade title to date. The previous was Braid at 1600 points, IIRC.
What I enjoy is the total lack of 400 point titles anymore.:) MS quietly killed the less profitable titles in favor of 800/1200/1600 point titles and no one seemed to notice, simply because it was so gradual. Oddly, I think that fits into the "passing the savings on to the user" model Live adopts. Community games don't really count, because they're a different breed of title, and the old arcade standbys originally came out at 400pts, with some topping 800. It's just my take on it, since I've no proof other than the missing 400pt titles.
Quite true... and since there's not a "gold subscriber" subsidy like there is on Live, I think it's reasonable. It's not unheard of, considering the installed base, to charge for this, but I'm sure since Sony's been taking it on the chin P.R. wise, this will be magnified more than it really needs to be.
To each his own.:) I wonder if anyone knows the going rates for Live content? I know the absurdly small file size probably nullifies that, as far as live arcade stuff goes, but what about demos? Does MS charge EA for demo space or is it simply rolled into the cost of your yearly gold membership? It's late... I'll google that tomorrow.:)
Exactly! when the controls weren't sluggish enough, the Normandy ALWAYS put us down on the planet on the OTHER HEMISPHERE from where we needed to be.:) It's like a cheesy version of Star Trek's "away" team, without the green alien chick to bang. And forget the hot lava navigation or the rock spires that reached out of the atmosphere (meaning there was usually only one or two ways to get to each location, and depending upon which you chose, you would be stuck with a certain amount of Geth or Maws to contend with It was a crapshoot to determine which way wasn't more treacherous). To each his own, I suppose. I am glad to know the Mako wasn't universally panned.:) Of course that means we're more than likely going to get the original control scheme back "because of user requests"... all 3 of them.
I'd like if they decide to use the Mako again, they'll patch the console version with the updated and less twitchy controls they put in the PC version of the first one. I'd also like there to be more sidequests than "outpost X is overrun" or "no one's heard from outpost Y" as well.
But fix the bloody Mako controls.:) That was the only part of the game that frustrated the hell out of me. The rest was pretty good.
Well, as much as that might be the case, (And Rodenberry's wet dream of the ascent of man in his eyes was just that... fat, dumb, happy people who have no ambition, vices, or loves... they just are) the Federation (at least hints of it in various series and movies) was not simply military in nature. There was a science arm, at least more fleshed out in TNG than the movies (the Federation of Star Trek 2 was the DoD/NATO of their era, I suppose, if you think of Regula 1 and the scientists there. And the Reliant being used on scientific missions, even though it was a warship). The exploration part of it was emphasized on TNG to varying degrees of effectiveness, even if they ran from the Borg a time or two...
The puzzling thing was that in TNG, the Galaxy class starship, capable of annihilating most anything in the galaxy was relegated to a big bullseye while Picard and Co. tried to weasel their way out of the Prime Directive and shoot back. Lots of times, the locals weren't too keen on the Federation visiting. Understandable, considering the military might of the starship. However, Rodenberry's germ of an idea where the Federation was peaceful meant that the Enterprise took it on the chin quite a bit. Convenient, I suppose. According to some documentaries, Rodenberry never liked the "Wagon Train in Space" aspect of the original Trek, but it was what the network wanted. That explains Star Trek:The Motion Picture, since most of the set design and such was part of the "new" Trek series he was cooking up for the "new" Paramount Network (that eventually became something else entirely). That's why I loved Wrath of Khan. It was a Space Navy. It wasn't the all-inclusive Federation like TNG and subsequent offshoots portrayed it. It was the military arm of the Federation, like a NATO or really effective UN.:)
TNG really didn't wow me but a few times... and DS9 was interesting when the war broke out. I loathed Voyager and the prequel. Now with more Veger Footage!:)
Not really. You can see in the thread that just because I don't quote you, somehow you didn't say it. Whatever. You haven't read a word I've written since you decided to reply. It's just that simple. Perhaps your broken record of "bigotry" is more like the tactic you feel I'm employing when you WILL not answer the simple question: Why does it matter? I guess you don't really care about that, and people like you are the reason there's such a victim society. Life's too short to be offended. And no, defending microsoft isn't what I meant (oh how little you know of what I post....) I mean that THIS is NOT a matter of anything but someone trying to push buttons and get a response. You still, after how many posts, cannot answer a simple question: why would it ever come up on a gaming network? Until you answer that, everything you say about bigotry and intolerance is a bunch of hot air. And you haven't proven where the enforcement of the TOS is somehow bigoted. I offer google as my evidence, where's yours? Never mind.... you don't need evidence... you know best.
have fun being pissed off about everything... you'll live longer if you just don't bother with the stupid stuff. I think I'll take my own advice... and not bother with the stupid stuff. I've made my point CRYSTAL clear. I have not put any words in your mouth, but I have had my fun. Enjoy... It's not that I don't see your position, I certainly don't agree with it, and my perspective of a tempest in a teapot is somehow defending microsoft and bigotry? *Shrug* Take it easy... Have a beer or two.:) It'll make things more smooth...
And once more so you think I'm really being a pest: WHY would this EVER come up on a GAMING NETWORK?:)
As a matter of fact I do, but I leave that to the ignorant to GOOGLE. There are a ton of names, mottos, and other things that MS has banned based on what THEY consider to be "offensive" without a bunch of users claiming to be offended by them because it is specifically spelled out in the TOS (like product names, etc.), as well as people who have claimed other users on Live have been using abusive language in-game have been banned very quickly (it doesn't take a mob of people to get that ban put on.) Again, specifically laid out in the TOS. Usually it's not permanent, of course. But it happens... and it usually happens with VERY little in the way of "community outrage" and massive complaints. So, this woman's lesbian profile getting her banned by one or two other users is NOT uncommon and NOT some conspiracy to stifle alternative lifestyles on Live. If she dropped it, no one would've kept the ban and she could've played until her XBox red-ringed.
It's been discussed ad nauseam before, but since you think I'm talking out of my ass and that MS is picking on a poor defenseless lesbian... whatever. Go look it up. You won't change your closed-mind about this incident, but here's to hoping you will PAY ATTENTION. Nah, not going to happen. Far be it for you to talk about something you know nothing about (apparently), and if this were something _other_ than a lesbian (a hot-button issue for some stupid reason), you'd never have commented on it for ANY reason whatsoever. Take your crusade elsewhere and leave the gaming to the gamers. Like I said, boycott Microsoft, Live, the Xbox360, and all of it. While you're at it, boycott Sony too... god forbid I see you on PSN whining about this shit. You'd really impact my ability to enjoy my game in peace and quiet with people who aren't trolling to be offended. You're just trolling. You have offered nothing to the discussion but your distaste for the enforcement of the TOS, and somehow you believe because she's a lesbian, the TOS is enforced on a whim on Live. That is not the case, and as a user of Live since the launch of the 360, I can say it's not on a whim or at the discretion of some gestapo-like morality police that these things get done. But you wouldn't care anything about that, since you believe I don't know what I'm talking about. Go figure.
I repeat the phrase because you aren't listening. You haven't listened. You won't listen, but that doesn't mean others won't catch on to the underlying bullshit you're trying to peddle. Get over yourself and your smug attitude and life will be more enjoyable. But wallow in your own self-righteousness if you want... just don't be surprised when no one bothers to be around you because you're such a pain in the ass. This time, I'm really done. Go do some research, spanky. Read some of the other bans, closures, and reasons behind them. Then you might not be so inclined to think this is a lesbian hunt.
Read the TOS. If you don't abide by the TOS, you're banned. Simple as that. It's not about gay, lesbian, hamsterfuckers or necrophiles. It's ABOUT the ESTABLISHED TOS. Get over it. You agreed to the TOS when you signed up. Violating it is your own fault. Your lack of comprehension is utterly unappealing to me. Take some basic comprehension tests, would you? Stop and think before you type.
If it offends someone, YOU GET BANNED. Blame the person being offended (which doesn't bother me one bit... because if I were Gay or Straight, I wouldn't feel compelled to put it out on... here we go one more time... A GAMING NETWORK.) do you understand what that means? Clearly you don't. I said I wouldn't be bothered again trying to show you the obvious, but you REALLY just don't get it. Microsoft isn't bigoted. And you have to know what that means before you toss it out like cocktail chatter. Intolerant by simply enforcing their TOS? How is that intolerant? Because someone can put "I like puppies" on their profile and not get banned? Give me a break, would you? It's ludicrous... I tried to explain it, and you put your "PeeCee" blinders on and ignore the obvious. Put simply, who's the bigot? Intolerance works both ways, bud.
Enforcing the TOS is not bigotry, so equating me with apologists who DO, is patently stupid. But reading your nonsensical responses and total disregard for the FACTS, I am not surprised. It's their server, and it's their rules. And if I were on the bus with Rosa Parks, I'd simply say "SIT DOWN".... since these two things are in effect polar opposites. Don't let that spoil your high-horse ride, though. Boycott Microsoft, XBox Live, and all those associated with it. Have fun. You deserve it.
It's true, but in effect we're seeing the same thing that Wal Mart did to the Main Street independents. The difference here is that online is taking larger retailers. Wal Mart did it on price, and online can beat just about any B&M store. It's a shift that occurs in an ever-changing market, and Circuit City hastened their demise by piss-poor management decisions. Best Buy is next. B&M can't compete with online in terms of price. So the only thing left is service, and Best Buy isn't exactly high-quality in that regard. I still prefer to use B&M for my large TVs, but for just about everything else, I can save oodles of money (even with express shipping) by buying online.
It remains to be seen what shakes out... but I'm not putting my money behind Best surviving the online onslaught.
I've heard that before... And most of the time it is marketing, but then again the PS2 is still around. So Sony's not simply chattering about long-term... they are in it for the long term. I don't see that from Microsoft. They give lip service to it sometimes as a response to Sony's announcements, but since the original XBox had such a short lifespan, no one's about to believe them at face value. It's still nebulous, so I could be pleasantly surprised about their stance, but I'm guessing I won't be.:)
And who cares if a cellphone in 10 years will look like your PC/PS3? Some people still play their Dreamcasts (myself included), so a 10 year old console that's well built is going to serve you well. Most people find out how stupid it is to be constantly keeping up with the proverbial Joneses, but those that haven't will most likely be the ones distracted by a long lifespan for the console. You're not necessarily screwed by not buying every new console that comes out, though on a console with a 5-year lifespan, you're really not as set for games as you might be on say, a PS2-length lifespan. I've got a backlog of PS2 games that I could be playing that would provide me with entertainment until I die... literally. And forget the current gen's games that I've not even rented yet. So lifespan is indeed important if you get right down to it. Sony knows that, Microsoft might know that (the jury's still out), and with the "ooh and ahh" factor becoming less and less dramatic as successive consoles go, the behemoths need to figure out how to squeeze every last drop out of their existing base. Games are what make them money, as we all know.
Excellent point. That's the key to Sony's plan. Yes, they are having marketing troubles (I don't know why, but they really have stumbled in terms of selling the PS3), but for the most part, the "first fruits" that XBox 360 is garnering now are not what Sony is looking for. Sony is looking for a machine that goes 10 years, not out of attrition, but because even after 10 years there are still games that look better than the last batch and people will begin to see the benefit over a shorter lifespan console like the 360. Someone at Microsoft said they'd keep the 360 kicking for "1 month after the PS3 is retired" or something like that, but I don't see that happening. The next machine's getting steam, but little is known if it'll be a "big break" from the 360 (like it was with the original XBox), or an evolutionary step. I like the PS3. I like my 360 (for different reasons, of course.) But for people to dismiss the PS3 as "not worth developing for because it's hard" is missing the point entirely. Yes it's expensive, but after 3 elites (RRoD), I can see the benefits of better engineered hardware, as my launch PS3 still works flawlessly. It's a well-built, well-engineered system. Microsoft can learn some things about how Sony makes hardware, since after only 2 generations in the game, they've had significant failure rates. (the laser problem on the PS2 was not nearly as widespread as the RRoD, so let's nip that in the bud right now. Sony's on their 3rd console, and I guess it's true, 3rd time's a charm.)
And I have to disagree with the "8 million unit lead" the 360 has. Based on its reliability problems, I don't think those are all unique new recipients of the console. I personally own two (after the arcade went to $199), and I know others who have had 3 or more, and based on failure rates alone, we're seeing some doubling up of units. Yes, 360 has a lead in most places, but it's not nearly as wide as you'd expect if you put a 1:1 ratio to sales/new users. That's not fanboy words, so put your pitchforks down...:) We've got more parity in this generation (if you dismiss the Wii fad, because quality games are sparse on that platform anyway) than the last... Even if the fanboys want to dismiss the PS3 as the Gamecube of this generation, they should be careful what they wish for, because the Gamecube of this generation became the Wii of the next.:)
Nice strawman. Equating me, who you don't know from Adam, as a bigot simply because I can't find one solitary REASON to bother PUTTING that in one's profile takes the cake. Are you going to call me a Nazi next? I was considering commenting further, but you've simply raised the bar of missing the point too high for me to even care.
Let's be logical for a minute, if you can. Microsoft has a policy that bans offensive materials in profiles. Lesbians are offensive to some people (you have no right to argue if that's acceptable or not, because you're not them), yet the person insists on putting something that is deemed offensive in their profile. Users who are offended complain. Is YOUR interpretation of offensive going to override the person making the complaint? why? Because you're so much more enlightened than the "redneck who hates lesbians"? Where does the line stop? You make exceptions and the rules no longer apply. Providing no place for there to be ambiguity makes for a smoother and less stressful experience on a GAMING service. The key here is GAMING. This isn't a chat room, a political forum, or a dating service. IT'S A GAMING SERVICE. PLAY GAMES. Stop trying to force an issue that WOULD NEVER COME UP AT ALL IN A GAME YOU PLAY ON THE SERVICE.
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My HP Mini 1000 worked flawlessly with Ubuntu (and the UNR menu add-on that maximizes the tiny screen space to its fullest potential), wireless and all. Sometimes it just takes one more step to get it working (in my case it was not one more step, but for other netbooks, it may be.) The payoff is immeasurable. My HP came with XP, and I was done with that after the first month. I put 1 more GB of RAM in it and never looked back.
I don't get the sales-guy's attitude on the "cheap" subject. I can't believe in 2009 it's still prevalent. Most people in the past who weren't passionate about linux felt that "free is less than commercial" in terms of software. In some instances we know it was true, but for the most part that stigma sticks with Linux like gum on your shoe. It's a shame too, considering how completely seamless and wonderful running ubuntu on a netbook truly is. As for battery life, it's comparable on the Mini 1000 to running XP. And no conficker, antivirus 360 worms, or other assorted nonsense means a less headache-filled experience on the netbook.
I guess some people are too forgiving of Microsoft's failings... And I'm really not sure what the prevailing reason is, other than the comfort level.
If it's actual damages, let them write them off on their taxes. If they truly are losses, they can claim them. If not, (which I wholeheartedly side with the "imaginary" argument), then they need just shut the hell up. It'd be subject to GAAP rules, of course. But I think they could manage that, considering how much they pay for these moronic experts and other pondscum lawyer-types.
I don't care if "piracy" (infringement is the word, not piracy) causes anything. Copyright doesn't guarantee profit. It never has. That's what the heck's been missing from this argument for quite some time. Simply making something, copyrighting it and offering it for sale doesn't guarantee a dime, but the RIAA seems to think so, and they are doing their damn level best to be sure they pay or coerce as many people as possible to believe that horseshit too. The RIAA (and other asshole AA's) want you to believe that money is it. It's not that. It's about control. You have the control on where and when you can listen to the music you own (or traded), and it bugs the shit out of them. If they had their way, you would pay for a CD, then if you wanted it on your portable device, you'd pay again. And if you wanted to listen to it in your car, you'd need another CD purchase. But that would require licensing, and it would subject them to liability they don't want (hint, the "cake and eat it too" argument fits here). So, they sell it as a commodity, don't get too up in arms about used sales, and try to squeeze the collective nuts of their customer base who shares their music. Bah. I don't see how the hell people don't just tell them to take a flying leap and let them rot. I really don't. I am as guilty of aiding these dipshits as the next guy (surprise, I buy music), but come on... this is getting ri-goddamned-diculous. I try to limit my purchases to non-RIAA member companies, but it's increasingly a lose-lose situation with recruitment (or indoctrination as the case may be) at an all-time high. It's nauseating as much as it is depressing to think about.
I'd rather see Roseanne Barr naked than have to deal with the RIAA ever again.
That's indeed a good point, considering that most of the nonsense surrounding the DRM is gone, you're paying for the ability to turn off your brain and hook up your player... I have a 2nd Gen 10GB iPod (back when the competition was total shit), and I've kept the batteries up on it, but I'm leaning away from the iPod more and more as I like to use FLAC and Ogg... I'm not going to stay on MacOSX forever, considering my PPC's days as a supported platform are nearing completion. :) I'll make my PPC machine a linux server and use my netbook and new (as yet unpurchased) laptop as my main use machines. :)
:) As a OSX only era mac user, I can't say what life was like before... Ah well. I don't mind all that much, and this Leopard machine won't die the day they release Snow Leopard... but as for the "tight integration" with Apple's sphere of influence (iPod/iPhone/iThis/iThat), I'm beginning not to care all that much.... I cancelled my .mac subscription (that was a nice free signup when I was using 10.0.0.4), and use more and more free tools to supplement the iLife stuff that I haven't upgraded since 6. :)
:)
It was a fun ride, but as Apple got bigger, they got more like Microsoft and less like an alternative.
Charging $1.29 for a song when Amazon has the music I want for $.99 or less... just makes it easier to transition.
That's the most disturbing issue, I think. They're no better than the Bush apologists who thought he could do no wrong, but funny thing is, now their guy's doing the _same_ thing, and voila! No one is pointing the "sheeple" finger their way.
At least not yet. I can't really bring myself to say "I told ya so"... to all the half-wits who believed the hype.. but, well... I told ya so. The major issue for me isn't that he might be doing some things right... it's the list of things he's still doing wrong that disturb me. People railed about the assault on the constitution, yet obama's allowing it to continue! So much for change, eh?
Wow... what a stretch THAT is. Now that "your" guy's got all the keys and juice, it's simply to empower the next person you don't like? How about the CURRENT PRESIDENT'S POWER? He didn't overturn any of the executive snooping powers put in by shrub... and he didn't pressure to repeal any of the Patriot Act's diabolical crapola.
In other words "Change" == "More of the same in a different suit." And you can bet your left-leaning butt Obama's relishing all this new-found power... the same new-found power that he criticized and chastised shrub about when he was running for office. Now that he's IN office, it's just like the last president. This one's just got bigger ears. We're living in a one-party society. This BS legislation is proof of that.
Funny that. Easy to break because the userbase is so trusting? Because last I checked, the "pwnage" he used still required a click. Unlike Windows that can get worms and other fun stuff just by turning on the DSL modem. :)
That's not to say I'm flaming Windows... I'm more flaming Mac users (of which I am one/split between Leopard and Ubuntu) who need to be more concerned about WTF they're clicking, downloading, and giving their sudo pw too. So put your pitchforks away... I am not pleased with the lack of expedience by Apple in fixing flaws like the one used by this guy either. Even if it's not automatic... so I use Opera... then they have unpatched flaws they don't tell anyone about (platform independent I suppose), so what's a guy who can't get Chrome do? BE CAREFUL, that's what. I wouldn't go into a bad neighborhood with my wallet dangling from a string, so why would I surf the web like I'm on Sesame Street? Why would anyone?
I know, and in retrospect, I probably shouldn't have been such a C=64/Amiga snob. :) Playing the old titles on things like the Sega Genesis collection (PS2) are very fun... I just stuck with computers back then and shunned consoles as "not as good". :)
:)
I particularly missed out on the RPGs... I loved CRPGs on my computers, and I figured the ones on the cartridges with no keyboards to control them would suck. I was totally wrong.
I think MS is burning through a HUGE amount of goodwill just to be first on the block this gen. It's bound to cost them in wary consumers who don't want to send off ANOTHER console. Yes, MS has had some good games this generation with their year's headstart on the competition. But they blew their chance at total annihilation by simply passing off a known shoddy product in order to make a deadline that was arbitrary (and fully a year ahead of Sony anyway). Now Sony makes a stronger product this go round (and in spite of that whole "laser" thing, sold a SHITLOAD of PS2s) which improves on the quality of their previous attempts, and MS is left holding their dick wondering why no one's flocking to their side in all these hardware fiascoes (well, other than the trolls of course). I'm not a Sony Fanboy (I still hate them for killing the Dreamcast with hype and hyperbole), but I can see when Sony has done it better than MS. The people who can't sit idly by waiting for the UPS truck while staring at their copy of Halo Wars, wondering if it'll be any good by the time the damn console gets back from the service center (for the 4th time).
I have had two consoles fail on me in my long history of owning them (dating back to the Saturn... I hated consoles in the Genesis/SNES era) and BOTH of them are from Microsoft. The dirty laser problem on my original XBox and the RRoD on my Elite (with the "new" heatsink"). Now, if I happened to have the worst luck in the universe, I'd still be suspicious of another MS console and be wary of buying one. But you add 2 or 3 million (probably way more) to that total and you see Microsoft's dilemma. They are putting a LOT of faith in the "goodwill gesture" of 3 year extended RRoD warranty. Time will tell if it pays off.
Sony's not extending the warranty for their RRoD. Sony's not dealing with piles of dead consoles being shipped to it daily. Somehow the laser problem (of which I have a launch PS2 and it still works fine) and the plastic sled (which was indeed a design flaw that was actually CORRECTED in subsequent revisions of the console, unlike this RRoD problem Microsoft can't seem to get straight) really aren't even in the same fucking ballpark. Sony LEARNED from its mistakes and made a better console. What did Microsoft learn? That people will be stupid enough to buy their crap no matter what. I'm just as guilty since I own two of the POSes. It's really sad. But if MS thinks I'll bite again, they're high. I've had my fill of Microsoft's QC. It's like a leper whore with herpes.
Get off the fanboy bandwagon and just look at the FACTS. Fact: MS extended the warranty for a SPECIFIC problem with the 360 to 3 effin' years. Fact: Now that MS decided it needed a better "environment" in NXE, we have consoles failing at a larger than average rate (enough to make the news other than the fansites), and yet THAT problem will cost most people unlucky enough not to have sold off their POS launch consoles a cool $99. Funny that. Sony's got more launch consoles in the wild than MS ever dreamed of having (without a return to service center to be outfitted with a half-assed new fan and heatsink only to fail again in 3 weeks.) So, spit out the Ballmer spooge and grow up. Better yet, keep Microsoft in business by buying MORE and MORE consoles from them! Think of the fun you'll have keeping Steve and Bill rich!
Yeah, it's got a failure rate right up there with the 360. Tell me some more funny stories. At a less than 1% failure rate (that's documented btw, unlike your conjecture), the PS3 is doing just fine. My launch PS3 still works... no repairs needed. Funny that my 360's been in the shop 3 times, yet my PS3 hasn't. Guess I'm just lucky! ;) What's the failure rate of the 360? No one really knows because MS keeps that a BIG secret. But it's more than 1% to be sure. Trust me when I say comparing the 360 to the PS3 in terms of reliability is like comparing a Honda to a Pinto. They're not even in the same league with each other. Sorry to burst your bubble, but the only thing failing at "left right and centre" is the 360. That's a fact.
Microsoft should learn to make them CORRECTLY. Don't feed the trolls. I only bought two. My Elite's been repaired 3 times. Nice comprehension, bub.
The problem is, they never have admitted it was a design flaw. Adding to the warranty for the RRoD doesn't amount to an admission, and to this day no one will say "yes, we screwed up the design". They'd probably face a class-action suit if they did, I suppose. They still refuse to admit any issues with disc scratching, though youtube's full of videos on what causes it. And this issue now appears after a hefty graphics update to the console (NXE), we're seeing yet again the rushed design decisions possibly come back to bite MS in the butt. I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt, but since it's hitting the HDMI consoles pretty hard, I have to wonder...
:) The 360 has shown me that MS can't make a console. So until they make a tank like the PS3, I'm skipping their next offering or two. Games or not, you can't play the games on dead hardware. After 3 Elites, I got a new Arcade system when it hit $200 (with the lighter PSU), and if my Elite dies again (it's showing the initial stages of it now), I'll just put my Arcade unit as the primary system and just throw in the towel.
While I agree it was nice of MS to add to the warranty for the RRoD, I don't have any faith they're standing behind their product. True, they didn't blame the user very loudly (though early on, they were blaming poor ventilation), but they never admitted there was/is a flaw. Now we've another flaw possibly in the making and MS is charactaristically silent.
My phone's not that damn smart either. Not to mention they FINALLY got a Harmony adapter so I can use my Harmony remote to control my PS3. ;) Why bust up a good thing with smartphones? Mark my words, the cell companies are going to find a way to charge you for channel changing. Unless you get their "unlimited view" package for $40 a month.
:) You're right... mucking with the smartphone's "controller" app just to change the channel just reeks of "look at me, I've got a new app on my smartphone!!" Meh.
Call me old fashioned... but universal remotes just work (well most of the time)... and why bother with anything else? Trendy's not always great or practical anyway.
..And Microsoft had their "dilemma" about it, and temporarily (meaning they didn't want PSN to be the only place to get this game, even though it sucks) lifted their restriction. The game was $20 to boot. So they recouped any cash they would've lost in "overage" with the upped price, which I believe is the most expensive Arcade title to date. The previous was Braid at 1600 points, IIRC.
:) MS quietly killed the less profitable titles in favor of 800/1200/1600 point titles and no one seemed to notice, simply because it was so gradual. Oddly, I think that fits into the "passing the savings on to the user" model Live adopts. Community games don't really count, because they're a different breed of title, and the old arcade standbys originally came out at 400pts, with some topping 800. It's just my take on it, since I've no proof other than the missing 400pt titles.
What I enjoy is the total lack of 400 point titles anymore.
Quite true... and since there's not a "gold subscriber" subsidy like there is on Live, I think it's reasonable. It's not unheard of, considering the installed base, to charge for this, but I'm sure since Sony's been taking it on the chin P.R. wise, this will be magnified more than it really needs to be.
:) I wonder if anyone knows the going rates for Live content? I know the absurdly small file size probably nullifies that, as far as live arcade stuff goes, but what about demos? Does MS charge EA for demo space or is it simply rolled into the cost of your yearly gold membership? It's late... I'll google that tomorrow. :)
To each his own.
Exactly! when the controls weren't sluggish enough, the Normandy ALWAYS put us down on the planet on the OTHER HEMISPHERE from where we needed to be. :) It's like a cheesy version of Star Trek's "away" team, without the green alien chick to bang. And forget the hot lava navigation or the rock spires that reached out of the atmosphere (meaning there was usually only one or two ways to get to each location, and depending upon which you chose, you would be stuck with a certain amount of Geth or Maws to contend with It was a crapshoot to determine which way wasn't more treacherous). To each his own, I suppose. I am glad to know the Mako wasn't universally panned. :) Of course that means we're more than likely going to get the original control scheme back "because of user requests"... all 3 of them.
I'd like if they decide to use the Mako again, they'll patch the console version with the updated and less twitchy controls they put in the PC version of the first one. I'd also like there to be more sidequests than "outpost X is overrun" or "no one's heard from outpost Y" as well.
:) That was the only part of the game that frustrated the hell out of me. The rest was pretty good.
But fix the bloody Mako controls.
Well, as much as that might be the case, (And Rodenberry's wet dream of the ascent of man in his eyes was just that... fat, dumb, happy people who have no ambition, vices, or loves... they just are) the Federation (at least hints of it in various series and movies) was not simply military in nature. There was a science arm, at least more fleshed out in TNG than the movies (the Federation of Star Trek 2 was the DoD/NATO of their era, I suppose, if you think of Regula 1 and the scientists there. And the Reliant being used on scientific missions, even though it was a warship). The exploration part of it was emphasized on TNG to varying degrees of effectiveness, even if they ran from the Borg a time or two...
:)
:)
The puzzling thing was that in TNG, the Galaxy class starship, capable of annihilating most anything in the galaxy was relegated to a big bullseye while Picard and Co. tried to weasel their way out of the Prime Directive and shoot back. Lots of times, the locals weren't too keen on the Federation visiting. Understandable, considering the military might of the starship. However, Rodenberry's germ of an idea where the Federation was peaceful meant that the Enterprise took it on the chin quite a bit. Convenient, I suppose. According to some documentaries, Rodenberry never liked the "Wagon Train in Space" aspect of the original Trek, but it was what the network wanted. That explains Star Trek:The Motion Picture, since most of the set design and such was part of the "new" Trek series he was cooking up for the "new" Paramount Network (that eventually became something else entirely). That's why I loved Wrath of Khan. It was a Space Navy. It wasn't the all-inclusive Federation like TNG and subsequent offshoots portrayed it. It was the military arm of the Federation, like a NATO or really effective UN.
TNG really didn't wow me but a few times... and DS9 was interesting when the war broke out. I loathed Voyager and the prequel. Now with more Veger Footage!
Not really. You can see in the thread that just because I don't quote you, somehow you didn't say it. Whatever. You haven't read a word I've written since you decided to reply. It's just that simple. Perhaps your broken record of "bigotry" is more like the tactic you feel I'm employing when you WILL not answer the simple question: Why does it matter? I guess you don't really care about that, and people like you are the reason there's such a victim society. Life's too short to be offended. And no, defending microsoft isn't what I meant (oh how little you know of what I post....) I mean that THIS is NOT a matter of anything but someone trying to push buttons and get a response. You still, after how many posts, cannot answer a simple question: why would it ever come up on a gaming network? Until you answer that, everything you say about bigotry and intolerance is a bunch of hot air. And you haven't proven where the enforcement of the TOS is somehow bigoted. I offer google as my evidence, where's yours? Never mind.... you don't need evidence... you know best.
:) It'll make things more smooth...
:)
have fun being pissed off about everything... you'll live longer if you just don't bother with the stupid stuff. I think I'll take my own advice... and not bother with the stupid stuff. I've made my point CRYSTAL clear. I have not put any words in your mouth, but I have had my fun. Enjoy... It's not that I don't see your position, I certainly don't agree with it, and my perspective of a tempest in a teapot is somehow defending microsoft and bigotry? *Shrug* Take it easy... Have a beer or two.
And once more so you think I'm really being a pest: WHY would this EVER come up on a GAMING NETWORK?
As a matter of fact I do, but I leave that to the ignorant to GOOGLE. There are a ton of names, mottos, and other things that MS has banned based on what THEY consider to be "offensive" without a bunch of users claiming to be offended by them because it is specifically spelled out in the TOS (like product names, etc.), as well as people who have claimed other users on Live have been using abusive language in-game have been banned very quickly (it doesn't take a mob of people to get that ban put on.) Again, specifically laid out in the TOS. Usually it's not permanent, of course. But it happens... and it usually happens with VERY little in the way of "community outrage" and massive complaints. So, this woman's lesbian profile getting her banned by one or two other users is NOT uncommon and NOT some conspiracy to stifle alternative lifestyles on Live. If she dropped it, no one would've kept the ban and she could've played until her XBox red-ringed.
It's been discussed ad nauseam before, but since you think I'm talking out of my ass and that MS is picking on a poor defenseless lesbian... whatever. Go look it up. You won't change your closed-mind about this incident, but here's to hoping you will PAY ATTENTION. Nah, not going to happen. Far be it for you to talk about something you know nothing about (apparently), and if this were something _other_ than a lesbian (a hot-button issue for some stupid reason), you'd never have commented on it for ANY reason whatsoever. Take your crusade elsewhere and leave the gaming to the gamers. Like I said, boycott Microsoft, Live, the Xbox360, and all of it. While you're at it, boycott Sony too... god forbid I see you on PSN whining about this shit. You'd really impact my ability to enjoy my game in peace and quiet with people who aren't trolling to be offended. You're just trolling. You have offered nothing to the discussion but your distaste for the enforcement of the TOS, and somehow you believe because she's a lesbian, the TOS is enforced on a whim on Live. That is not the case, and as a user of Live since the launch of the 360, I can say it's not on a whim or at the discretion of some gestapo-like morality police that these things get done. But you wouldn't care anything about that, since you believe I don't know what I'm talking about. Go figure.
I repeat the phrase because you aren't listening. You haven't listened. You won't listen, but that doesn't mean others won't catch on to the underlying bullshit you're trying to peddle. Get over yourself and your smug attitude and life will be more enjoyable. But wallow in your own self-righteousness if you want... just don't be surprised when no one bothers to be around you because you're such a pain in the ass. This time, I'm really done. Go do some research, spanky. Read some of the other bans, closures, and reasons behind them. Then you might not be so inclined to think this is a lesbian hunt.
Read the TOS. If you don't abide by the TOS, you're banned. Simple as that. It's not about gay, lesbian, hamsterfuckers or necrophiles. It's ABOUT the ESTABLISHED TOS. Get over it. You agreed to the TOS when you signed up. Violating it is your own fault. Your lack of comprehension is utterly unappealing to me. Take some basic comprehension tests, would you? Stop and think before you type.
If it offends someone, YOU GET BANNED. Blame the person being offended (which doesn't bother me one bit... because if I were Gay or Straight, I wouldn't feel compelled to put it out on... here we go one more time... A GAMING NETWORK.) do you understand what that means? Clearly you don't. I said I wouldn't be bothered again trying to show you the obvious, but you REALLY just don't get it. Microsoft isn't bigoted. And you have to know what that means before you toss it out like cocktail chatter. Intolerant by simply enforcing their TOS? How is that intolerant? Because someone can put "I like puppies" on their profile and not get banned? Give me a break, would you? It's ludicrous... I tried to explain it, and you put your "PeeCee" blinders on and ignore the obvious. Put simply, who's the bigot? Intolerance works both ways, bud.
Enforcing the TOS is not bigotry, so equating me with apologists who DO, is patently stupid. But reading your nonsensical responses and total disregard for the FACTS, I am not surprised. It's their server, and it's their rules. And if I were on the bus with Rosa Parks, I'd simply say "SIT DOWN".... since these two things are in effect polar opposites. Don't let that spoil your high-horse ride, though. Boycott Microsoft, XBox Live, and all those associated with it. Have fun. You deserve it.
It's true, but in effect we're seeing the same thing that Wal Mart did to the Main Street independents. The difference here is that online is taking larger retailers. Wal Mart did it on price, and online can beat just about any B&M store. It's a shift that occurs in an ever-changing market, and Circuit City hastened their demise by piss-poor management decisions. Best Buy is next. B&M can't compete with online in terms of price. So the only thing left is service, and Best Buy isn't exactly high-quality in that regard. I still prefer to use B&M for my large TVs, but for just about everything else, I can save oodles of money (even with express shipping) by buying online.
It remains to be seen what shakes out... but I'm not putting my money behind Best surviving the online onslaught.
I've heard that before... And most of the time it is marketing, but then again the PS2 is still around. So Sony's not simply chattering about long-term... they are in it for the long term. I don't see that from Microsoft. They give lip service to it sometimes as a response to Sony's announcements, but since the original XBox had such a short lifespan, no one's about to believe them at face value. It's still nebulous, so I could be pleasantly surprised about their stance, but I'm guessing I won't be. :)
And who cares if a cellphone in 10 years will look like your PC/PS3? Some people still play their Dreamcasts (myself included), so a 10 year old console that's well built is going to serve you well. Most people find out how stupid it is to be constantly keeping up with the proverbial Joneses, but those that haven't will most likely be the ones distracted by a long lifespan for the console. You're not necessarily screwed by not buying every new console that comes out, though on a console with a 5-year lifespan, you're really not as set for games as you might be on say, a PS2-length lifespan. I've got a backlog of PS2 games that I could be playing that would provide me with entertainment until I die... literally. And forget the current gen's games that I've not even rented yet. So lifespan is indeed important if you get right down to it. Sony knows that, Microsoft might know that (the jury's still out), and with the "ooh and ahh" factor becoming less and less dramatic as successive consoles go, the behemoths need to figure out how to squeeze every last drop out of their existing base. Games are what make them money, as we all know.
Excellent point. That's the key to Sony's plan. Yes, they are having marketing troubles (I don't know why, but they really have stumbled in terms of selling the PS3), but for the most part, the "first fruits" that XBox 360 is garnering now are not what Sony is looking for. Sony is looking for a machine that goes 10 years, not out of attrition, but because even after 10 years there are still games that look better than the last batch and people will begin to see the benefit over a shorter lifespan console like the 360. Someone at Microsoft said they'd keep the 360 kicking for "1 month after the PS3 is retired" or something like that, but I don't see that happening. The next machine's getting steam, but little is known if it'll be a "big break" from the 360 (like it was with the original XBox), or an evolutionary step. I like the PS3. I like my 360 (for different reasons, of course.) But for people to dismiss the PS3 as "not worth developing for because it's hard" is missing the point entirely. Yes it's expensive, but after 3 elites (RRoD), I can see the benefits of better engineered hardware, as my launch PS3 still works flawlessly. It's a well-built, well-engineered system. Microsoft can learn some things about how Sony makes hardware, since after only 2 generations in the game, they've had significant failure rates. (the laser problem on the PS2 was not nearly as widespread as the RRoD, so let's nip that in the bud right now. Sony's on their 3rd console, and I guess it's true, 3rd time's a charm.)
:) We've got more parity in this generation (if you dismiss the Wii fad, because quality games are sparse on that platform anyway) than the last... Even if the fanboys want to dismiss the PS3 as the Gamecube of this generation, they should be careful what they wish for, because the Gamecube of this generation became the Wii of the next. :)
And I have to disagree with the "8 million unit lead" the 360 has. Based on its reliability problems, I don't think those are all unique new recipients of the console. I personally own two (after the arcade went to $199), and I know others who have had 3 or more, and based on failure rates alone, we're seeing some doubling up of units. Yes, 360 has a lead in most places, but it's not nearly as wide as you'd expect if you put a 1:1 ratio to sales/new users. That's not fanboy words, so put your pitchforks down...
Nice strawman. Equating me, who you don't know from Adam, as a bigot simply because I can't find one solitary REASON to bother PUTTING that in one's profile takes the cake. Are you going to call me a Nazi next? I was considering commenting further, but you've simply raised the bar of missing the point too high for me to even care.
Let's be logical for a minute, if you can. Microsoft has a policy that bans offensive materials in profiles. Lesbians are offensive to some people (you have no right to argue if that's acceptable or not, because you're not them), yet the person insists on putting something that is deemed offensive in their profile. Users who are offended complain. Is YOUR interpretation of offensive going to override the person making the complaint? why? Because you're so much more enlightened than the "redneck who hates lesbians"? Where does the line stop? You make exceptions and the rules no longer apply. Providing no place for there to be ambiguity makes for a smoother and less stressful experience on a GAMING service. The key here is GAMING. This isn't a chat room, a political forum, or a dating service. IT'S A GAMING SERVICE. PLAY GAMES. Stop trying to force an issue that WOULD NEVER COME UP AT ALL IN A GAME YOU PLAY ON THE SERVICE.
Get it now? Probably not.