Hi! It's not WoW. It's not even close to WoW. NO pencil and paper game is close to a MMORPG, because it's all about the effortless, personal, social dynamic and an arbiter that can think on the fly.
Seriously, dude... 3.x felt modular right from the start. If all you're talking about are a few house rules to control things you feel are too overpowered (be the class powers, prestige classes, feats, spells, or what have you...) you're already doing exactly what you said you'd do in 2nd AD&D. Toss out rules you don't like. Modify others.
Just what about 3rd prohibited you from doing that? It seems your one sentence suggestion did exactly that.
EVERY system is explicitly modularized. Hell, they sell modules.;-) The GM chooses what materials to include and where to play, and the players all voluntarily back off certain bullshit or toss out a few house rules they can agree upon...
I know you'll be shocked to hear, but there's no DRM on your existing books, and there'll be plenty of third parties making standard d20 supplements for the forseeable future. You can still play what you like!
Meanwhile, that exact comment gets restated every time a new edition comes out, and you'll freely shelve it the very moment you decide you like 5th Edition.
That's just how it goes with any major revision. Some people hate. Some people like. (And usually the people who hate tend to like it when more manuals are released and the regain more of the options and resources they're used to, instead of feeling betrayed by some game mechanic changes, and having only bare bones to chew on right at launch.)
Sorry, that doesn't make you a veteran. That makes you "an old-timer.";-)
I am one myself, but I played D&D only from 3rd to 6th grade, then abandoned it and didn't touch it again until I was in my 30's.
Unless you fought in a war, you're "veterancy" comes much more from your frequency and length of playtime, not your "born on" date.
Certainly speeds up encounters, tho, don't it?;-) "Oops, they're dead." "Oops, you're knocked unconscious for 6 hours."
I dropped AD&D like a rock when I discovered Rolemaster back in the day, but later on in life went back to D&D (after 3rd) because it was just easier to get groups together who were interested. 3.5e started getting queerly complicated as well, though, so we're more apt to move to 4th.
A group started up in Rolemaster again recently, though, so I'm pleased as punch right now to be firmly embedded with my FRPG love. ^_^ Obviously to celebrate, I made the strangest, skill-heavy genre-bending, unconventional character I could. Mwa-ha!
It's probably a good enough margin for a product in that price range since the materials cost is way down, there's no extra peripherals to worry about, and it pretty much uses all the same kind of tech that's now very high-volume in laptops.
Meanwhile, notice that the mini receives very little attention, effectively no marketing, they don't discuss sales figures, and periodic updates are rolled out at random intervals with no fanfare? It still doesn't behoove them to pursue the low end; they just found a way to make an Apple-like offering there.
Feedback is feedback, and technically it COULD give a little vibration jitter if you were willing to sacrifice the battery life. Audio, too.
It gives much larger visual feedback, which I think helps even things out. Especially since the keyboard is pretty much right on top of the text you're inputting, it also helps speed up error recognition, format changing, etc., as your eyes can hop between the keypad and the entered text quicker--even to the point of giving you pretty effective peripheral vision of it if all you're looking at is the keyboard. (No phone has a keyboard you can effectively touch-type on.)
There is a "tactile difference" between the keyboard I use and the keyboard most laptops use, but does that actually make much of a difference? Does it make anywhere NEAR the difference that altering the size, shape, and position of keys do, or not having full keyboard spacing, etc.?
I have extremely meaty thumbs, yet the FIRST time I picked up an iPhone I was typing away at 30-40 wpm while two-thumbing it.
Admittedly I'm a fast typer normally (fast enough at least, at 80+), so am not hesitant in general, and I knew some of the shortcuts (like how to put a single punctuation mark in without having to tap-switch between the screens twice), but that doesn't change the fact that with no practice, trust in the auto-correction, and a hand completely "non-built" for it, I was moving along quite speedily.
There is certainly room to improve, and most CERTAINLY configuration options Apple has to make available to actually deserve the "software keys++" marketing points they liked to promote, but it's starting on extremely solid ground, and I think will be plenty fast enough for almost anyone once they get used to it.
Not sure how in the way fingernails get, though...
He doesn't seem to be analyzing this like an engineer, though, does he? "...and I knew it would be a speed detriment" is a pretty useless statement without analyzing the speed of the primary tasks themselves (web browsing specifically, common file transfers secondarily) and how they compare. (Not that the iPhone couldn't itself be faster and better by having it, but if it's not a detriment compared to other phones on the market, then it's not a huge complaint point, since other negative factors might come into play as a result of it.)
Similarly, "I get as much life on my 3G phones as I get on my non-3G phones" makes almost no real analysis, since "3G phones" and "non-3G phones" alike tend to aim for a common acceptable battery lifespan, and the non-3G models know they can save on battery size, cost, and any other considerations to get the same acceptable lifespan. It's pretty natural that they WOULD be getting similar lifespans. The real questions are "how do exactly the same model phones with exactly the same battery compare, when looking at their 3G and non-3G models?" (or exactly the same phone, if 3G can be fully disabled), and "what does the network map look like for the average customer?" since he could live in an extremely well-covered area. 3G phones seem to blow a lot of power and really hurt standby time by constantly sensing and switching between 3G and non-3G networks, even when not performing any tasks that really benefit. I would LOVE to be able to turn off 3G on my simple cell phone, simply because I don't care, I benefit from the speed--minorly--about 0.5% of the time, and--well--it'd certainly be nice to do to test if nothing else. Everyone's residence and workplace is different, their commute is different, their coverage area is different, and the "rigors" their phones will be put through on their networks will be different.
I like Woz, and it's unfortunate that some folk are going to pounce on his every statement to make some gratuitously negative acticle about Apple/Jobs, but life will go on.
They are selling songs, same as everyone else, through the Amazon MP3 store. (Or will be making their catalog available at the end of the month.) "All four major labels will be part of our service." Not, "Three major labels will be a part of our service, and Sony/BMG will sell these random cards which you then have to wait for, then use the code to download everything later on."
As in, both. They just also seemingly want to try to retain a physical presence that ties in with whatever digital download service they pursue.
Jobs was indeed a dickhole back then; how many of us weren't one way or another to a friend when we were, like, 20?
Any reason this would translate into a huge, systemic personality flaw that drives billion-dollar business decisions 30 years later?
Anyway, I'd have brought up his early treatment of his non-wife and first daughter, if you were going for some kind of personal attack. But I admit that doesn't have a straight-up dollar sign you can attach to it and pretend it has some meaning with regards to Apple's DRM stance.
They'd kinda need a smaller package to deliver it, though, which runs contrary to the point of the Kindle. Just how many people will want to "converge" to the Kindle--a device they don't carry everywhere they go, and doesn't fit in their pocket--before they would their cell phone?
Um... Why is this even mentioned in the same post that's talking about them selling through Amazon as well? You can criticize the point of their "music pass" all you want, but they seem to be trying to do both that, and regular digital distribution. How would that be "not getting it?" It would seem like they're "doing it," plus something else random.
It does have some lock-in effect, but people seem to be willing to burn cash to get a "later, greater model" anyway. How many people get new cell phones the instant they can, even though they likely spent extra cash on peripherals they no longer function for it? Cases, extra AC adaptors, car chargers, extra batteries, ringtones, music... They'll even switch to a better service (at least after the main vendor lock-in consideration--the portability of cell phone numbers themselves--was mandated) and potentially lose out on more, and deal with a big switching headache.
If you wanted to get a non-iPod which you consider a better piece of kit for $50 less than the equivalent iPod, why would $50 spent on music make you change your mind? If you wanted to switch specifically to use a music rental service, why would ANY amount really change your mind, as you can grab all the same music again? (And it's not like your ITMS-purchased music goes away; it'll still work on your computer, iPods, and any other computers you register and the iPods that connect to them.)
It has SOME effect, to be sure, and some people have spent so much that they'll very unlikely to break free (though even large TV/movie purchasers are more apt to use that at home than care about carrying it with them, so the biggest expenses in some ways are completely different considerations), but people have the tendency to overestimate the magnitude, and Apple has already waved off the influence.
Believing they're only paying lip-service or not, Apple embraced DRM-free tracks from EMI first, and it's their resistance to the labels in general (over pricing; over free licensing of FairPlay or altering its terms [speaking of ripping-to-CD-and-reripping, ARE there even any other DRM terms that let the consumer do that, or is Apple's "making it harder" DRM still the only one that even allows the consumer to do that?]) and the popularity of their devices (due to the iPods being popular, not any real lock-in pressure) that has forced the label's hands on the matter of DRM.
...because they had so much luck with the likes of Verizon, and needed to work up limited exclusive partnerships to get out of the gate, and be able to influence partner pricing plans (and even the creation of new services), and become a part of the action?
In what other manner would they have been able to launch in their own fashion, as opposed to being a complete vassal the way the likes of Verizon has always treated their hardware vendors? (Breaking Bluetooth support, not allowing local or free transfers of music you already own to phones that can support it...) Heck, even Verizon seems to be changing it's mind on the matter... because of the iPhone.
DRM and limited/exclusive partnerships don't precisely translate straight-line to "MONOPOLEEZ!" anyway. Not when they're something one is forced into as a necessity of doing that business at all.
Slashdot Mirror
Hi! It's not WoW. It's not even close to WoW. NO pencil and paper game is close to a MMORPG, because it's all about the effortless, personal, social dynamic and an arbiter that can think on the fly.
It's just not 3.5e
Seriously, dude... 3.x felt modular right from the start. If all you're talking about are a few house rules to control things you feel are too overpowered (be the class powers, prestige classes, feats, spells, or what have you...) you're already doing exactly what you said you'd do in 2nd AD&D. Toss out rules you don't like. Modify others.
;-) The GM chooses what materials to include and where to play, and the players all voluntarily back off certain bullshit or toss out a few house rules they can agree upon...
Just what about 3rd prohibited you from doing that? It seems your one sentence suggestion did exactly that.
EVERY system is explicitly modularized. Hell, they sell modules.
End.
I know you'll be shocked to hear, but there's no DRM on your existing books, and there'll be plenty of third parties making standard d20 supplements for the forseeable future. You can still play what you like!
Meanwhile, that exact comment gets restated every time a new edition comes out, and you'll freely shelve it the very moment you decide you like 5th Edition.
That's just how it goes with any major revision. Some people hate. Some people like. (And usually the people who hate tend to like it when more manuals are released and the regain more of the options and resources they're used to, instead of feeling betrayed by some game mechanic changes, and having only bare bones to chew on right at launch.)
My guess: 15 minutes of fighting, 75 minutes of arguing about rules.
...as if we need any help.
Sorry, that doesn't make you a veteran. That makes you "an old-timer." ;-)
I am one myself, but I played D&D only from 3rd to 6th grade, then abandoned it and didn't touch it again until I was in my 30's.
Unless you fought in a war, you're "veterancy" comes much more from your frequency and length of playtime, not your "born on" date.
Considering your sig, I think one might reasonably contest your ending declaration. ;-)
Here, have another brick...
I'll give you my sphincter check when you pry it from my cold, undead hands!
Certainly speeds up encounters, tho, don't it? ;-) "Oops, they're dead." "Oops, you're knocked unconscious for 6 hours."
I dropped AD&D like a rock when I discovered Rolemaster back in the day, but later on in life went back to D&D (after 3rd) because it was just easier to get groups together who were interested. 3.5e started getting queerly complicated as well, though, so we're more apt to move to 4th.
A group started up in Rolemaster again recently, though, so I'm pleased as punch right now to be firmly embedded with my FRPG love. ^_^ Obviously to celebrate, I made the strangest, skill-heavy genre-bending, unconventional character I could. Mwa-ha!
It's all about Rolemaster, baby!
You mean the one that's on the backside of the monitor while your laptop is in use?
...security programmers aren't used to coding upside-down yet. Even the OSI model gets messed up!
It's probably a good enough margin for a product in that price range since the materials cost is way down, there's no extra peripherals to worry about, and it pretty much uses all the same kind of tech that's now very high-volume in laptops.
Meanwhile, notice that the mini receives very little attention, effectively no marketing, they don't discuss sales figures, and periodic updates are rolled out at random intervals with no fanfare? It still doesn't behoove them to pursue the low end; they just found a way to make an Apple-like offering there.
Feedback is feedback, and technically it COULD give a little vibration jitter if you were willing to sacrifice the battery life. Audio, too.
It gives much larger visual feedback, which I think helps even things out. Especially since the keyboard is pretty much right on top of the text you're inputting, it also helps speed up error recognition, format changing, etc., as your eyes can hop between the keypad and the entered text quicker--even to the point of giving you pretty effective peripheral vision of it if all you're looking at is the keyboard. (No phone has a keyboard you can effectively touch-type on.)
There is a "tactile difference" between the keyboard I use and the keyboard most laptops use, but does that actually make much of a difference? Does it make anywhere NEAR the difference that altering the size, shape, and position of keys do, or not having full keyboard spacing, etc.?
I have extremely meaty thumbs, yet the FIRST time I picked up an iPhone I was typing away at 30-40 wpm while two-thumbing it.
Admittedly I'm a fast typer normally (fast enough at least, at 80+), so am not hesitant in general, and I knew some of the shortcuts (like how to put a single punctuation mark in without having to tap-switch between the screens twice), but that doesn't change the fact that with no practice, trust in the auto-correction, and a hand completely "non-built" for it, I was moving along quite speedily.
There is certainly room to improve, and most CERTAINLY configuration options Apple has to make available to actually deserve the "software keys++" marketing points they liked to promote, but it's starting on extremely solid ground, and I think will be plenty fast enough for almost anyone once they get used to it.
Not sure how in the way fingernails get, though...
He doesn't seem to be analyzing this like an engineer, though, does he? "...and I knew it would be a speed detriment" is a pretty useless statement without analyzing the speed of the primary tasks themselves (web browsing specifically, common file transfers secondarily) and how they compare. (Not that the iPhone couldn't itself be faster and better by having it, but if it's not a detriment compared to other phones on the market, then it's not a huge complaint point, since other negative factors might come into play as a result of it.)
Similarly, "I get as much life on my 3G phones as I get on my non-3G phones" makes almost no real analysis, since "3G phones" and "non-3G phones" alike tend to aim for a common acceptable battery lifespan, and the non-3G models know they can save on battery size, cost, and any other considerations to get the same acceptable lifespan. It's pretty natural that they WOULD be getting similar lifespans. The real questions are "how do exactly the same model phones with exactly the same battery compare, when looking at their 3G and non-3G models?" (or exactly the same phone, if 3G can be fully disabled), and "what does the network map look like for the average customer?" since he could live in an extremely well-covered area. 3G phones seem to blow a lot of power and really hurt standby time by constantly sensing and switching between 3G and non-3G networks, even when not performing any tasks that really benefit. I would LOVE to be able to turn off 3G on my simple cell phone, simply because I don't care, I benefit from the speed--minorly--about 0.5% of the time, and--well--it'd certainly be nice to do to test if nothing else. Everyone's residence and workplace is different, their commute is different, their coverage area is different, and the "rigors" their phones will be put through on their networks will be different.
Doooooooooooooooooooooooooomed!!
;-)
I like Woz, and it's unfortunate that some folk are going to pounce on his every statement to make some gratuitously negative acticle about Apple/Jobs, but life will go on.
...just to drive everyone insane. ;-)
They are selling songs, same as everyone else, through the Amazon MP3 store. (Or will be making their catalog available at the end of the month.) "All four major labels will be part of our service." Not, "Three major labels will be a part of our service, and Sony/BMG will sell these random cards which you then have to wait for, then use the code to download everything later on."
As in, both. They just also seemingly want to try to retain a physical presence that ties in with whatever digital download service they pursue.
Jobs was indeed a dickhole back then; how many of us weren't one way or another to a friend when we were, like, 20?
Any reason this would translate into a huge, systemic personality flaw that drives billion-dollar business decisions 30 years later?
Anyway, I'd have brought up his early treatment of his non-wife and first daughter, if you were going for some kind of personal attack. But I admit that doesn't have a straight-up dollar sign you can attach to it and pretend it has some meaning with regards to Apple's DRM stance.
They'd kinda need a smaller package to deliver it, though, which runs contrary to the point of the Kindle. Just how many people will want to "converge" to the Kindle--a device they don't carry everywhere they go, and doesn't fit in their pocket--before they would their cell phone?
Um... Why is this even mentioned in the same post that's talking about them selling through Amazon as well? You can criticize the point of their "music pass" all you want, but they seem to be trying to do both that, and regular digital distribution. How would that be "not getting it?" It would seem like they're "doing it," plus something else random.
It does have some lock-in effect, but people seem to be willing to burn cash to get a "later, greater model" anyway. How many people get new cell phones the instant they can, even though they likely spent extra cash on peripherals they no longer function for it? Cases, extra AC adaptors, car chargers, extra batteries, ringtones, music... They'll even switch to a better service (at least after the main vendor lock-in consideration--the portability of cell phone numbers themselves--was mandated) and potentially lose out on more, and deal with a big switching headache.
If you wanted to get a non-iPod which you consider a better piece of kit for $50 less than the equivalent iPod, why would $50 spent on music make you change your mind? If you wanted to switch specifically to use a music rental service, why would ANY amount really change your mind, as you can grab all the same music again? (And it's not like your ITMS-purchased music goes away; it'll still work on your computer, iPods, and any other computers you register and the iPods that connect to them.)
It has SOME effect, to be sure, and some people have spent so much that they'll very unlikely to break free (though even large TV/movie purchasers are more apt to use that at home than care about carrying it with them, so the biggest expenses in some ways are completely different considerations), but people have the tendency to overestimate the magnitude, and Apple has already waved off the influence.
Believing they're only paying lip-service or not, Apple embraced DRM-free tracks from EMI first, and it's their resistance to the labels in general (over pricing; over free licensing of FairPlay or altering its terms [speaking of ripping-to-CD-and-reripping, ARE there even any other DRM terms that let the consumer do that, or is Apple's "making it harder" DRM still the only one that even allows the consumer to do that?]) and the popularity of their devices (due to the iPods being popular, not any real lock-in pressure) that has forced the label's hands on the matter of DRM.
...because they had so much luck with the likes of Verizon, and needed to work up limited exclusive partnerships to get out of the gate, and be able to influence partner pricing plans (and even the creation of new services), and become a part of the action?
In what other manner would they have been able to launch in their own fashion, as opposed to being a complete vassal the way the likes of Verizon has always treated their hardware vendors? (Breaking Bluetooth support, not allowing local or free transfers of music you already own to phones that can support it...) Heck, even Verizon seems to be changing it's mind on the matter... because of the iPhone.
DRM and limited/exclusive partnerships don't precisely translate straight-line to "MONOPOLEEZ!" anyway. Not when they're something one is forced into as a necessity of doing that business at all.