I do think he is right in that neither format will be the choice for obtaining and playing hi-def content, online distribution ultimately will win.
Online distribution is only feasible if you have an Internet-enabled device connected to your HDTV. Sure, media center PCs are getting more common (and more affordable), and the numbers on HD-ready game consoles are steadily rising, but the vast majority of HDTV owners do not possess either (a fact that will likely remain, as the magnitude of the HDTV sales figures indicates).
Maybe in 10 years the tide will have turned and most people will be using online distribution. However, there's serious money to be made in the meantime, and that requires physical media.
"And can you, can you imagine fifty people a day,
I said, fifty people a day walking in, singin' a bar of Alice's Restaurant, and walking out.
And friends, they may think it's a movement."
As was briefly touched on in TFS, the stories of the bounty hunters from ESB actually make for an interesting read. Skip all of the "Expanded" crap, and take a look here:
If I had a hammer
Comcast would be running
Comcast would be screaming
All over this land
I'd hammer their servers
I'd hammer their call desk
I'd hammer their bullshit-filled customer service
All over this land
Well, where I live it's still extremely hard to find Wiis around. That said, I managed to buy 2 in the past 2 weeks (one for a friend, and one for my parents), but only by physically visiting dozens of stores (and, accordingly, learning from the stock staff when their typical shipments arrive). I still think I got lucky on it, too.
I expect that it will become impossible again when Mario Galaxy drops. I'm still wondering if I should preorder that one to make sure I get a copy....
Actually, I'm hoping it's something more open than simple signing. For instance, the addition of something like a Web of Trust might make for a faster/easier way to do signature distribution, with the added bonus that the grantor is now held partially responsible for approving the grantee's work, including the power to cut off the chain if misuse is detected further down. That way, third-party developers don't have to try to get things approved by someone at the top.
TFS got it wrong: Apple did not in fact say that digital signing was going to be a part of the SDK or making sure that apps are kosher.
Here's the quote that may have misled:
Some companies are already taking action. Nokia, for example, is not allowing any applications to be loaded onto some of their newest phones unless they have a digital signature that can be traced back to a known developer. While this makes such a phone less than totally open, we believe it is a step in the right direction. We are working on an advanced system which will offer developers broad access to natively program the iPhones amazing software platform while at the same time protecting users from malicious programs.
So, what they're really saying is that they're hoping to do something along the same lines as signing, but not signing per se. This actually may be the most interesting part of their announcement, in that it could signal the next step forwards in indicating trust and providing clarity of who worked on what. Here's hoping it's not just repackaging.
Actually, I think that's the issue. There's apparently a (mis)association of the Hebrew "behemot" with hippopotamus (mentioned here [wikipedia.org], coming from the Oxford Companion to the Bible), and "behemot" can be considered the plural of "behema" (which can be translated as "water buffalo").
Yep, I think you got it. After much scouring, I managed to come up with the (mis)association of "behemot" with hippopotamus (mentioned here, coming from the Oxford Companion to the Bible), which seems to be the issue.
Though, to take offense at this seems to be crazy.
The real issue at the heart of Senator Yee's efforts is whether or not it should be an act of government or private regulation which controls the ability of children to buy (and play) M-rated games. For those who don't know (i.e., have been living under a rock), the ESRB is the video game equivalent of the MPAA/NATO rating group. To get a quick idea of Leland's views, check out these two quotes from the TFA:
Time and time again, the ESRB has proven it can not be trusted and is not a very valuable tool for parents.
We need all retailers to prevent sales of M rated video games to minors. We need the ratings board to watch more than 30 minutes of footage before deciding on a rating. In fact, they should have to play the game and watch significantly more footage. There needs to be more transparency of the rating system and how they come up with various ratings.
Clearly, Sen. Yee (and the supporters of his proposed legislation) believes that the ESRB does not do an acceptable job in their role of regulating the availability of violent video games to minors, and that therefore the government should get involved. Take from that what you will: levels of government involvement in private life, comparative success of government and private enforcement, etc.
Personally, I'd have to say that the government is just as likely (if not more so) to do a lousy job simply due to inexperience and increased outside pressure (i.e., lobbyists). It's not that I don't think they could do it - I just don't think it's worth scrapping what we have and starting over. And, my own little pet peeve: Sen. Yee never mentioned why the ESRB "can not be trusted". And that's just not right.
In case you missed out on the press, Sonic was rumored for inclusion in Super Smash Bros. Melee (released for the Gamecube back in 2001-2002). Here is a quick rundown, with requisite pretty pictures.
Actually, the intriguing bit is whether or not it will be possible to have Sonic go Supersonic, a common theme in most Sonic games. To start the rumor mill going: the official Sonic-in-Smash-Bros. trailer ends with a quick glimpse at him in Supersonic mode....
fant.asia, your.asia, anast.asia... the list goes on and on.
More interestingly, though, will be the issue when countries fail to establish control over things like india.asia, china.asia, etc. I have to wonder, though: given the "worldwide" attitude of the web, do we really need to make geographic distinctions at the TLD?
I dunno - I'm sure I'm in the minority, but I really enjoyed Adventure Mode for the change-up in gameplay. The side-scrolling levels (i.e., Link's search for the Triforce, Captain Falcon's dash for the finish line) forced you to think in different ways, making for a nice diversion from the intensity of the standard melee. With the difficulty cranked up, the challenge of sheer survival in a scrollable, hostile world gets to be a fun pursuit on its own.
Additionally, I think that this will help me train up my wife on Smash Bros. (despite her never having played the N64 or Gamecube versions) by enabling me to step in when things get rough, while otherwise allowing her to work her way through moves and setups. She's a huge fan of co-op so, aside from the two of us teaming up in the melee, this should work nicely.
Slashdot Mirror
Or, possibly, "My wife/husband will kill me when she/he sees the UPS guy deliver this."
I mean, there's a reason why these sorts of sites exist.
(and no, honey, I didn't order one... please put down the hammer....)
Well, assuming you take one hit per day, and using the numbers found here, you'd be looking at a cost of $5640 per year for your meth enjoyment.
Hmm - new laptop, internet connection, subscription fees, expansion packs... it's a toss-up, really.
LEEEEEEEROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOY'S laptop!
(click here if you didn't get it)
Online distribution is only feasible if you have an Internet-enabled device connected to your HDTV. Sure, media center PCs are getting more common (and more affordable), and the numbers on HD-ready game consoles are steadily rising, but the vast majority of HDTV owners do not possess either (a fact that will likely remain, as the magnitude of the HDTV sales figures indicates).
Maybe in 10 years the tide will have turned and most people will be using online distribution. However, there's serious money to be made in the meantime, and that requires physical media.
Exactly. The problem is when people have children but are unwilling or incapable of putting in that level of work and personal involvement.
And, sadly enough, such cases are commonplace.
"And can you, can you imagine fifty people a day,
I said, fifty people a day walking in, singin' a bar of Alice's Restaurant, and walking out.
And friends, they may think it's a movement."
Never lose hope.
(with apologies to Mr. Guthrie)
With 15 years of lead-time, you'd better file the patents right now. Sad, but true.
As was briefly touched on in TFS, the stories of the bounty hunters from ESB actually make for an interesting read. Skip all of the "Expanded" crap, and take a look here:
Tales of the Bounty Hunters
ISBN-10: 0553568167
ISBN-13: 978-0553568165
Well, if you need more, the Target by Marketplace Mall gets shipments early on Sunday mornings and is typically stocked by around 11AM. Cheers!
If I had a hammer
Comcast would be running
Comcast would be screaming
All over this land
I'd hammer their servers
I'd hammer their call desk
I'd hammer their bullshit-filled customer service
All over this land
If I had an Uzi....
(with my apologies to Pete Seeger and Lee Hays)
Well, where I live it's still extremely hard to find Wiis around. That said, I managed to buy 2 in the past 2 weeks (one for a friend, and one for my parents), but only by physically visiting dozens of stores (and, accordingly, learning from the stock staff when their typical shipments arrive). I still think I got lucky on it, too.
I expect that it will become impossible again when Mario Galaxy drops. I'm still wondering if I should preorder that one to make sure I get a copy....
Actually, I'm hoping it's something more open than simple signing. For instance, the addition of something like a Web of Trust might make for a faster/easier way to do signature distribution, with the added bonus that the grantor is now held partially responsible for approving the grantee's work, including the power to cut off the chain if misuse is detected further down. That way, third-party developers don't have to try to get things approved by someone at the top.
Here's the quote that may have misled:
So, what they're really saying is that they're hoping to do something along the same lines as signing, but not signing per se. This actually may be the most interesting part of their announcement, in that it could signal the next step forwards in indicating trust and providing clarity of who worked on what. Here's hoping it's not just repackaging.
Here you go. It's a decent summary of the situation, albeit not the most in-depth.
You can take a look at the original patent, too, but that would require a second click.
Kuni has something to say about that....
Actually, I think that's the issue. There's apparently a (mis)association of the Hebrew "behemot" with hippopotamus (mentioned here [wikipedia.org], coming from the Oxford Companion to the Bible), and "behemot" can be considered the plural of "behema" (which can be translated as "water buffalo").
Yep, I think you got it. After much scouring, I managed to come up with the (mis)association of "behemot" with hippopotamus (mentioned here, coming from the Oxford Companion to the Bible), which seems to be the issue.
Though, to take offense at this seems to be crazy.
Well, you can find out how to talk about hippos here.
I really wonder what they mistook it for....
Clearly, Sen. Yee (and the supporters of his proposed legislation) believes that the ESRB does not do an acceptable job in their role of regulating the availability of violent video games to minors, and that therefore the government should get involved. Take from that what you will: levels of government involvement in private life, comparative success of government and private enforcement, etc.
Personally, I'd have to say that the government is just as likely (if not more so) to do a lousy job simply due to inexperience and increased outside pressure (i.e., lobbyists). It's not that I don't think they could do it - I just don't think it's worth scrapping what we have and starting over. And, my own little pet peeve: Sen. Yee never mentioned why the ESRB "can not be trusted". And that's just not right.
Otherwise, we'll have to wait for The Olympics....
Because that's the character's name. Yes, it does look like Ash, but they're not saying that it is.
In case you missed out on the press, Sonic was rumored for inclusion in Super Smash Bros. Melee (released for the Gamecube back in 2001-2002). Here is a quick rundown, with requisite pretty pictures.
Actually, the intriguing bit is whether or not it will be possible to have Sonic go Supersonic, a common theme in most Sonic games. To start the rumor mill going: the official Sonic-in-Smash-Bros. trailer ends with a quick glimpse at him in Supersonic mode....
fant.asia, your.asia, anast.asia... the list goes on and on.
More interestingly, though, will be the issue when countries fail to establish control over things like india.asia, china.asia, etc. I have to wonder, though: given the "worldwide" attitude of the web, do we really need to make geographic distinctions at the TLD?
I dunno - I'm sure I'm in the minority, but I really enjoyed Adventure Mode for the change-up in gameplay. The side-scrolling levels (i.e., Link's search for the Triforce, Captain Falcon's dash for the finish line) forced you to think in different ways, making for a nice diversion from the intensity of the standard melee. With the difficulty cranked up, the challenge of sheer survival in a scrollable, hostile world gets to be a fun pursuit on its own.
Additionally, I think that this will help me train up my wife on Smash Bros. (despite her never having played the N64 or Gamecube versions) by enabling me to step in when things get rough, while otherwise allowing her to work her way through moves and setups. She's a huge fan of co-op so, aside from the two of us teaming up in the melee, this should work nicely.
Is that the same backdoor vulnerability as this one?
To be honest, though, the subject sounds a lot like joke fodder....