During the whole beta slashdot fiasco, a few changes did push their way onto the site. None of them were 'chase me away' bad, but I think two of them deserve to be reassessed.
1. The "Read the xx comments" (and its predecessor, the "Read More..| XX comments") link was removed to a "speech bubble" on the far right, giving the number. Aesthetically, that is fine, but the problem is that I have 15 years of muscle memory that want to click a link at the bottom of the article abstract to view the comments; now I have to click the article title or the bubble. Worse yet, a bunch of red-herring social media buttons are exactly where that used to be. My proposed fix is easy: leave the social media buttons (if you really like them), leave the comment count speech bubble on the far right, but add back in a regular hyperlink saying "Read the XX comments" just to the right of the social media buttons. There certainly isn't a lack of whitespace to place it there. This solution will keep anyone who wants to use the social media buttons happy, and yet restore the link that I am still, a year and a half later, instinctively trying to find every day. As a reference, this is what it looked like before the social media buttons.
2. Tighten up the unused vertical whitespace. I used to be able to easily read 4 full articles "above the fold". While the ~2010 redesign definitely cleaned up clutter (removed the left sidebar, etc.) it somehow wasted more space than it saved. Here it is back in the late 2000's form vs. where we are today. I'm fine with the improved article width and the removed left column; good riddance to the unnecessary background splash colours, but can we just pull the articles a bit closer together, so that 4 full articles can nominally fit at a time?
Also, I just wanted to throw in that I was really happy to see your responsiveness in the original announcement article, and this Ask Slashdot so soon is a great sign.
Or, for the non-geocentrists out there, may I propose a better conference to attend that very same weekend?
The Students for the Exploration and Development of Space are holding 'SpaceVision 2010' only one state over.
Hmm, clearly my html abilities are lacking, and that link didn't work. And I further, I didn't preview properly.
Let's try this again: SpaceVision 2010
Or, for the non-geocentrists out there, may I propose a better conference to attend that very same weekend?
The Students for the Exploration and Development of Space are holding 'SpaceVision 2010' only one state over.
Instead of arguing whether or not the Earth is at the center of the Universe, you can come listen/discuss about how we are going to be exploring space in the future; a far more practical and relevant discussion.
This isn't to say that the geocentric argument isn't an interesting one, but its day-to-day applicability is questionable. Whether or not I believe in geocentrism is irrelevant; what is relevant is how we are next going to explore and use space for our own betterment. To this end, even the geocentrists should agree! According to TFA, they appear to be Christians [Catholics?] for the most part. Are they not, then, under the express believe that God put everything here for us exclusively? Would that not include space? Wouldn't even their own time be better spent discussing, then, how we can exploit space instead of whether or not we're at the center of it?
Full Disclosure Department: Clearly, I am related to the SEDS group, and therefore have a stake in promoting this conference. I ask only that this article is neither promoted up, nor down, but left as food-for-thought for all to read.
This should be part of the intro - none of these satellites currently exist. They were all blown up during their failed launch.
Actually that's incorrect. My predecessors had a cubesat on the DNEPR-1 launch; yes it blew up. That said, it was neither the first rocket to carry cubesats, nor by any means the last. TFA is correct in saying there are at least a dozen of these satellites in orbit right now, although many are now past their operation a life, and are waiting to naturally burn up. Saying that "none of these exist" is a bit of a misnomer as well, since there are cubesats waiting for launch in labs all around the world; I myself have two that will likely be going up in about three years from now.
TFA is correct, however, in saying that no cubesat currently has a propulsion system. It is wrong, however, in saying that no one else is working on this problem; in fact that is the very topic of my own research. I'd be much more impressed, however, if we could see simulations of the corrected orbits, estimated increases in lifetime, and, best yet, a working prototype. Claiming you can do this is bold; it is not an easy problem. Chemical rockets, and even 'standard' electric propulsion are become well-characterized solutions. Cubesat propulsion is on a completely different level, based on both the weakness of the thrusters, and the relatively low masses of the satellites. I feel this is a bit premature to be posted on the front of slashdot; this should have gone up in the 4-5 months TFA claims it will take to get a working prototype. That said, I applaud the novel approach. I hope it works, 'cause I know I'd buy one.
To this day, the sound of a monkey followed by the sound of -- what we would most likely consider -- an energy discharge still has me clawing to switch from my wrench over to my gun. Those monkeys were evil.
In a game where every bullet was precious, using them on those monkeys was well spent. System Shock 2 is still, at least in my memory, the best survival horror game I've ever played. (Note: I have not tried Bioshock yet). I felt completely involved with the character and the world. It wasn't some representation I was following around on screen, it was me walking through those corridors.
Shouldn't the title read "Despite Objections, antibiotic approved for use in cattle", or perhaps "Over Objections, Antibiotic approved for use in cattle". As it is written now, it confused me. It sounded like the objections were complete, and thus the approval (which is not what TFA says).
While the EBGames/Gamestop pre-order is making news, they can't be the only store doing pre-orders. At some point stores like Walmart, Target, BestBuy, FutureShop, etc. will start pre-ordering. The question is, has anyone heard news on when? Where? How many?
The 'state of Wii Pre-orders' shouldn't be limited to one chain. It should count all chains. The 1up article is a bit limited in scope (however, still an interesting/funny read).
I seem to recall there were some moves you could pull off easily with the Wii controller setup (shield bash, specifically) that wasn't in previous Zelda games, and had not been mentioned for the GC version. That isn't to say it isn't in the GC version, but we won't know for certain until the game comes out.
Yet we also have yet to see if quantity also equals quality. Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but I'd rather have a few awesome games than many half-baked games. Right now Wii is looking like it will be a popular system, so all the developers are announcing games for it. Only if those same developers make good games will it actually maintain its popularity.
Puns aside, the above statement is still true. Whether or not we like the name now, it needs to be assimilated by the masses, accepted as 'okay' and we move on. As has been pointed out before, nearly all electronic gadgets have rather non-sensical names when you think about it. Once they simply become a proper name, you forget how strange it sounds.
We need to stop fighting Wii, and simply wait and let the gameplay talk for the system. Resistance is Futile.
I won't lie, I love the Legend of Zelda. With each new game that comes out, there always seems to be this 2-4 year waiting period, by the end of which I'm ready to explode with anticipation. Will the next game live up to expectations? Will I find it challenging?
the answer, again and again, has been 'Yes'. I have yet to play a Legend of Zelda game I don't like. Sure, there have been some games which I liked less than others, but I'd still rather play any Legend of Zelda game over Generic FPS #284. From that point of view, though, each Zelda game has similar themes, weapons and play styles, yet in the twenty years I've been playing it, it has yet to get old.
Being an '80's child, I feel like I grew up with The Legend of Zelda. As I got older, the games matured too, changing in play style, or gaining new features. While I'm incredibly frustrated at the constant delays of the upcomming Twilight's Princess I will still be lined up the day it comes out, and inevitebly lose a week of productivity as I play through it.
To all other Zelda fans out there, I hope your memories are as fond. Happy Birthday.
I tend to agree it is a bit ambiguous as to whether the stories relate to the one above or not. Perhaps adding an "In other news..." or "At the same time..." title just above where the extras start, to clarify that these were posted simultaneously, but are not related.
Sure, consumer reaction will be positive... they're the people who bought the system. I sincerely hope that those who paid for it are enjoying it, otherwise they've wasted a lot of money.
For the rest of us, though, the current Slashdot poll alone shows that most of the voting slashdot community, at least, will not be getting an Xbox 360. I'm sure my reaction to spending $400+ would be to say I'm pleased with it too... I just don't plan to do that. So, consumer reaction? Generally Positive. Overall Xbox 360 Public Image? TBD.
Well, I don't know about you, but ELOTH:TES had me confused for a while, if not fooled!
I'm a 'regular' Penny-Arcade reader, in that I read all the news posts and the comics as they come out M-W-F, but I don't frequent their forums. At first, it seemed evident to me that ELOTH:TES was an in joke, until the wiki showed up! Then suddenly all these people were filling out their memories of the show! Gabe and Tycho did a great playing up their part, leaving me thinking "I was sure this was a joke, but where did all these people come from? Maybe I really did miss out back in the '90s.".
So kudo's to Penny-Arcade and all their fans for at least stringing me on for a while, even if it was just a moment of hesitation.
Slashdot isn't being anti-tech... but I think here at Slashdot we know better than most the importance of learning the basics first, and working up. You don't start programming with a visual lanugage, you start with a nice 'Hello World'.
For raising kids, there are many basic skills to be developed, and most of them can be taught better through non-technological means. We're aren't always about using only technology, we're about doing things in the best way possible, which for us usually involves technology... but in this case, that isn't true.
...they simply use the opportunity to aid the global community in accessing this information ?
Helping others access it could still be considered distributing it.... the very thing which this case is about: You cannot distribute copyrighted material to others.
As the Dev Team, how do you feel working with Sid? Did you play his games before you became a game developer? If so, do you feel intimidated working with an icon of the industry? Were you part of Sid's original team? If so, how has project management changed throughout the years on his projects?
When building any strategy game, where do you start when you attempt to balance the game? Do you find that you personally need to play test and try new concepts to balance games, or do the inherent mechanisms of your games lead towards making balance easier for you to to achieve?
Games have definitely been on par with Movies or shows for years, in my opinion. One of the scariest things I ever did was play SystemShock2 in the dark... looking back, the graphics to that game weren't even anything special, but the story telling and atmosphere certainly surpassed some movies I've seen. I've also certainly felt joy at winning games, or joy 'with' the protagonist of a game as they accomplish something.
I'll also admit, I've almost come to tears once or twice while playing a game where a primary character dies off unexpectedly or unfairly.
Yet, when it comes down to it, I can feel part of a well-written book over a game any day. The ability to completely use my imagination removes the last facest of alienation experienced when playing a game or watching a movie... Books definitely produce the largest emotional responses for me. Whereas some games are possibly better than movies, no game is as good as a well written book.
I'm having a similar problem too.. trying to buy a domain from a squatter... yet in my case, I've asked for a quote and they won't even give me one! I'm just ignored! At least if they said I'd owe them $10k, I could say "that's unreasonable", but I don't even get that!
It isn't even like I'm competing with someone for it... they've been squatting that domain for 4 years, ever since I purchased the.org equivalent of their.com!
Personally, I took advantage of the PSP vs DS to buy a used Game Boy Advanced SP. Sure, I'm years behind on the handheld, but I'll wait out this current battle, and buy in once it is more affordable and has enough interesting games on one of the systems to really pull my interest.
I do look forward, though, to seeing what a Zelda or Mario game on the DS would be like (and I don't mean a port).
Slashdot Mirror
Also, I just wanted to throw in that I was really happy to see your responsiveness in the original announcement article, and this Ask Slashdot so soon is a great sign.
Or, for the non-geocentrists out there, may I propose a better conference to attend that very same weekend?
The Students for the Exploration and Development of Space are holding 'SpaceVision 2010' only one state over.
Hmm, clearly my html abilities are lacking, and that link didn't work. And I further, I didn't preview properly. Let's try this again: SpaceVision 2010
Or, for the non-geocentrists out there, may I propose a better conference to attend that very same weekend?
The Students for the Exploration and Development of Space are holding 'SpaceVision 2010' only one state over. Instead of arguing whether or not the Earth is at the center of the Universe, you can come listen/discuss about how we are going to be exploring space in the future; a far more practical and relevant discussion.
This isn't to say that the geocentric argument isn't an interesting one, but its day-to-day applicability is questionable. Whether or not I believe in geocentrism is irrelevant; what is relevant is how we are next going to explore and use space for our own betterment. To this end, even the geocentrists should agree! According to TFA, they appear to be Christians [Catholics?] for the most part. Are they not, then, under the express believe that God put everything here for us exclusively? Would that not include space? Wouldn't even their own time be better spent discussing, then, how we can exploit space instead of whether or not we're at the center of it?
Full Disclosure Department: Clearly, I am related to the SEDS group, and therefore have a stake in promoting this conference. I ask only that this article is neither promoted up, nor down, but left as food-for-thought for all to read.
This should be part of the intro - none of these satellites currently exist. They were all blown up during their failed launch.
Actually that's incorrect. My predecessors had a cubesat on the DNEPR-1 launch; yes it blew up. That said, it was neither the first rocket to carry cubesats, nor by any means the last. TFA is correct in saying there are at least a dozen of these satellites in orbit right now, although many are now past their operation a life, and are waiting to naturally burn up. Saying that "none of these exist" is a bit of a misnomer as well, since there are cubesats waiting for launch in labs all around the world; I myself have two that will likely be going up in about three years from now.
TFA is correct, however, in saying that no cubesat currently has a propulsion system. It is wrong, however, in saying that no one else is working on this problem; in fact that is the very topic of my own research. I'd be much more impressed, however, if we could see simulations of the corrected orbits, estimated increases in lifetime, and, best yet, a working prototype. Claiming you can do this is bold; it is not an easy problem. Chemical rockets, and even 'standard' electric propulsion are become well-characterized solutions. Cubesat propulsion is on a completely different level, based on both the weakness of the thrusters, and the relatively low masses of the satellites. I feel this is a bit premature to be posted on the front of slashdot; this should have gone up in the 4-5 months TFA claims it will take to get a working prototype. That said, I applaud the novel approach. I hope it works, 'cause I know I'd buy one.
To this day, the sound of a monkey followed by the sound of -- what we would most likely consider -- an energy discharge still has me clawing to switch from my wrench over to my gun. Those monkeys were evil.
In a game where every bullet was precious, using them on those monkeys was well spent. System Shock 2 is still, at least in my memory, the best survival horror game I've ever played. (Note: I have not tried Bioshock yet). I felt completely involved with the character and the world. It wasn't some representation I was following around on screen, it was me walking through those corridors.Shouldn't the title read
"Despite Objections, antibiotic approved for use in cattle",
or perhaps
"Over Objections, Antibiotic approved for use in cattle".
As it is written now, it confused me. It sounded like the objections were complete, and thus the approval (which is not what TFA says).
While the EBGames/Gamestop pre-order is making news, they can't be the only store doing pre-orders. At some point stores like Walmart, Target, BestBuy, FutureShop, etc. will start pre-ordering. The question is, has anyone heard news on when? Where? How many?
The 'state of Wii Pre-orders' shouldn't be limited to one chain. It should count all chains. The 1up article is a bit limited in scope (however, still an interesting/funny read).
While this may end up being the truth, right now it is just a rumour.
I seem to recall there were some moves you could pull off easily with the Wii controller setup (shield bash, specifically) that wasn't in previous Zelda games, and had not been mentioned for the GC version. That isn't to say it isn't in the GC version, but we won't know for certain until the game comes out.
Yet we also have yet to see if quantity also equals quality. Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but I'd rather have a few awesome games than many half-baked games. Right now Wii is looking like it will be a popular system, so all the developers are announcing games for it. Only if those same developers make good games will it actually maintain its popularity.
Puns aside, the above statement is still true. Whether or not we like the name now, it needs to be assimilated by the masses, accepted as 'okay' and we move on. As has been pointed out before, nearly all electronic gadgets have rather non-sensical names when you think about it. Once they simply become a proper name, you forget how strange it sounds.
We need to stop fighting Wii, and simply wait and let the gameplay talk for the system. Resistance is Futile.
I won't lie, I love the Legend of Zelda. With each new game that comes out, there always seems to be this 2-4 year waiting period, by the end of which I'm ready to explode with anticipation. Will the next game live up to expectations? Will I find it challenging?
the answer, again and again, has been 'Yes'. I have yet to play a Legend of Zelda game I don't like. Sure, there have been some games which I liked less than others, but I'd still rather play any Legend of Zelda game over Generic FPS #284. From that point of view, though, each Zelda game has similar themes, weapons and play styles, yet in the twenty years I've been playing it, it has yet to get old.
Being an '80's child, I feel like I grew up with The Legend of Zelda. As I got older, the games matured too, changing in play style, or gaining new features. While I'm incredibly frustrated at the constant delays of the upcomming Twilight's Princess I will still be lined up the day it comes out, and inevitebly lose a week of productivity as I play through it.
To all other Zelda fans out there, I hope your memories are as fond. Happy Birthday.
KHAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNN!! Wait, that's not right. I mean: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
I tend to agree it is a bit ambiguous as to whether the stories relate to the one above or not. Perhaps adding an "In other news..." or "At the same time..." title just above where the extras start, to clarify that these were posted simultaneously, but are not related.
Sure, consumer reaction will be positive... they're the people who bought the system. I sincerely hope that those who paid for it are enjoying it, otherwise they've wasted a lot of money.
For the rest of us, though, the current Slashdot poll alone shows that most of the voting slashdot community, at least, will not be getting an Xbox 360. I'm sure my reaction to spending $400+ would be to say I'm pleased with it too... I just don't plan to do that. So, consumer reaction? Generally Positive. Overall Xbox 360 Public Image? TBD.
Well, I don't know about you, but ELOTH:TES had me confused for a while, if not fooled!
I'm a 'regular' Penny-Arcade reader, in that I read all the news posts and the comics as they come out M-W-F, but I don't frequent their forums. At first, it seemed evident to me that ELOTH:TES was an in joke, until the wiki showed up! Then suddenly all these people were filling out their memories of the show! Gabe and Tycho did a great playing up their part, leaving me thinking "I was sure this was a joke, but where did all these people come from? Maybe I really did miss out back in the '90s.".
So kudo's to Penny-Arcade and all their fans for at least stringing me on for a while, even if it was just a moment of hesitation.
Slashdot isn't being anti-tech... but I think here at Slashdot we know better than most the importance of learning the basics first, and working up. You don't start programming with a visual lanugage, you start with a nice 'Hello World'.
For raising kids, there are many basic skills to be developed, and most of them can be taught better through non-technological means. We're aren't always about using only technology, we're about doing things in the best way possible, which for us usually involves technology... but in this case, that isn't true.
...they simply use the opportunity to aid the global community in accessing this information ?
Helping others access it could still be considered distributing it.... the very thing which this case is about: You cannot distribute copyrighted material to others.
As the Dev Team, how do you feel working with Sid? Did you play his games before you became a game developer? If so, do you feel intimidated working with an icon of the industry? Were you part of Sid's original team? If so, how has project management changed throughout the years on his projects?
When building any strategy game, where do you start when you attempt to balance the game? Do you find that you personally need to play test and try new concepts to balance games, or do the inherent mechanisms of your games lead towards making balance easier for you to to achieve?
I'll also admit, I've almost come to tears once or twice while playing a game where a primary character dies off unexpectedly or unfairly.
Yet, when it comes down to it, I can feel part of a well-written book over a game any day. The ability to completely use my imagination removes the last facest of alienation experienced when playing a game or watching a movie... Books definitely produce the largest emotional responses for me. Whereas some games are possibly better than movies, no game is as good as a well written book.
It isn't even like I'm competing with someone for it... they've been squatting that domain for 4 years, ever since I purchased the .org equivalent of their .com!
Maybe the "home" button in the centre will return it to neutral?
How do you turn 360 with a Mouse? I don't see you drawing circles on your mousepad...
I assume that it will track directly while "on the screen" and scroll like a mouse when you start approaching edges.
Then again, I'm still thinking "within the box" so maybe Nintendo will surprise us and make it super-intuitive in some new way.
Personally, I took advantage of the PSP vs DS to buy a used Game Boy Advanced SP. Sure, I'm years behind on the handheld, but I'll wait out this current battle, and buy in once it is more affordable and has enough interesting games on one of the systems to really pull my interest.
I do look forward, though, to seeing what a Zelda or Mario game on the DS would be like (and I don't mean a port).