Don't count Nintendo out on the gaming front just yet, they're gearing up to have quite a good system which follows the KISS rule. It will provide backwards compatibility and open up their 8/16/64-bit libraries as well. The DS is also doing quite well. Nintendo doesn't have a foothold in the media industry but one company doesn't have to dominate every industry.
They think by starting to create the hype 6 months in advance, they may actually be able to pull it off. Without this hype it would never happen, that's why they need to make this announcement.
The XBox was only able to drag its own sales down, but the XBox 360 is dragging down the sales of the entire industry. The power!!!
Re:I never understood gaming...
on
Flashback NES
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· Score: 1
It's fun to see someone's technical expertise in action. If it weren't for video games, I would have never gotten interested in programming. Video games were fun because it allowed you control over something that was otherwise non-interactive... a bunch of shapes on a TV. As a kid, radio controlled things were interesting because you could control something that could perform actions you wouldn't do, such as fly, or ride along on the dusty ground and over jumps, etc. You can make a character on a TV perform a bunch of tasks as an extension of you as well. You test your reactions and reflexes, while being stimulated by fun music and graphics. You can hum along to it, you can draw the characters. Video games are a bevy of entertainment and wonder for kids, and as you improve your skills, they allow you to challenge yourself in many ways. Plus video games are great socially.
It's all just speculation and hype or anti-hype or some form of marketing until something concrete is actually released. Today the games industry is much more than a market for electronics hobbyists and inspired creative people. It is a business. If it makes business sense for God of War 2 to be released, Sony will release it. If it makes sense for Killzone on PSP to be scrapped, Sony will scrap it. It's not about the games anymore, it's about the business. It's the games business, part of the entertainment industry, it's not just a passtime anymore.
Anything before an actual release of a product is just an idea or hearsay. A company could just make an announcement, gauge the response, then actually respond accordingly. It's contrived. Just saying don't pay attention to press releases, just actual releases.
This goes for the PC industry too, responsible for the majority of buzzwords these days, look at how many companies announce "platforms" just to negate the effect of a competitor gaining traction, etc. These are extremely calculated business decisions.
'Technology problems across the H&R Block network in early January impacted our ability to serve clients in those crucial early weeks,' said Block Chairman Mark A. Ernst. He said the problems had been corrected, but they impacted the company's ability to serve 250,000 clients at that time of year."
The term "Technology problems" is very broad... what does this mean? What software are they using?
Why do cases like SCO vs IBM take too long to resolve? Are inefficiencies in the justice system to take part of the blame?
Maybe, but people will always be able to drag their feet, beg for exceptions, take the indirect route, stall for time, etc etc... People will always try to bend the rules or break the system, and it takes especially unscrupulous people to try and figure out ways around whatever's in the spirit of justice.
Those who are trying to preserve justice will similarly make laws without taking everything into account that someone who tries to avoid justice would try and do. Maybe the only way you could make the perfect system is if you could see both sides perfectly.
Yes, I mean it. Internet Explorer is better than *none*.
No, because then IE's behaviour might be assumed by OS components, which would render it incompatible with third party applications. IE shouldn't be assumed because it might not be what the end user has installed.
One of the things I like about Ubuntu is that it has a default set of apps. Finally it gives the OS cohesion since the components are no longer a bunch of separate and random applications but rather are part of a whole, and are optimized and tuned accordingly.
I understand this and do the same with Ubuntu as well. However, Ubuntu can select from many applications made by different developers. Often the many applications they choose from can perform the same function, such as Firefox, Epiphany, Konqueror, etc. Also, even though they include Firefox, they also maintain the other browsers in their repositories so all of them are just as easy to manage and work well with the other software.
However with Windows (or OS X), MS will only include MS applications, because it is in their best interest. They may not be the best option, or perform all of the functions you want. For me, they don't, which is why I replace them as soon as I install.
The default set of applications with Ubuntu is sensible and can just as easily be replaced (if not more easily than replacing the default apps on Windows), on the other hand. You can even make a default set of packages to install, and it doesn't have to be the ones included in the default configuration of Ubuntu. Look at Kubuntu and Edubuntu for example. The set of applications can be customized by the end user as well.
That's not to say I wish to see better applications included with Windows, I would still like to see none. It is in my best interest as a customer. Besides that the default applications are not so useful in Windows, if they were made to be useful, then they would start competing with third party application market share, but leveraging the installed base of Windows to get user exposure to the new competitive MS applications.
But just because these new applications would be competitive, it would still not make them the best choice. If people started to rely on these applications because they were included by default, it may be more difficult to get around using third party applications instead of the MS ones because the MS application's functionality (and perhaps file format, etc) would be assumed.
I think the best solution would just be for MS to include no applications other than configuration management and file system tools.
it does seem strange to expect an OS not to ship with default apps to provide standard functionality for e.g. media playing and IM.
Actually, to me it seems strange that the OS ships with any apps at all. Whenever I install Windows I always replace the default apps with something better, they're not really worth including at all to me.
The OS should come with a text editor and whatever other applications to manage OS configurations and OS filesystem but that's about it really.
People will assume that eventually one of the new formats (Blu vs HD) are going to win out, and so they should at decide which one they will settle on in the end. Funny part is, they will have consumers arguing which is better: HD-DVD vs Blu-Ray, and not DVD vs New Hi-Res DVD format.
People won't even stop to think about the drawbacks to the new format, they'll be too busy thinking "High res content, what's the best out of these two shitty ways to get it?" and not "Why isn't the newer format at least as useful as DVD?"
"Comic Book Generation"? Would that be the generation that invented comics, bought comics in record numbers, or is it the current generation of kids who hardly even walk into a comic book store much less even purchase a comic book itself?
Yes, I read the article, but I know for me I want more facts and less editorials, more proof and less speculation, more initiative and less "we'll print it if it's plausible", more rationality and less sensationalism. I don't know what this person is smoking because I definitely don't just lap up anything in facts-as-entertainment form.
Is this really how the current generation is? Am I out of touch already? I sure hope not. I mean here we are participating in discussions about these issues and setting up public forums such as slashdot with which to express ourselves on important issues. I didn't get much justification by the article's author on his position. Can anyone else comment? Not just a "sampling the hype" type of opinion but one based in reality from what you can tell from your peers?
Too bad I own an iRiver IHP-120 which does not support DRM. Plus I don't want a portable video device, but I would like to take movies to my friends' house to watch. Guess I'm SOL? Screw this, I'm just buying content the old way where I can rip + do what I want.
Look at the Nintendo DS, it has a really good scratch-resistant screen that has stood up under what the average gamer puts it through. I bought mine used and it had no scratches on it, I wouldn't do that with any other portable system (buy it used)! The PSP's is not too bad either.
Who spends enough time shitting to warrant this? If it takes that long for people to take dumps, don't they have serious hemroid problems? Isn't it a waste if 30% of your life is spent shitting?
If this is targeted to the average person, I doubt they would know what a torrent is, or want to spend the extra 5 seconds to figure out how to download the file
How can you say this when the average person will download a special media player just to play a certain site's files (name your DRM), or download special applications just to have certain mouse cursors (CometCursor), or download special applications to get a weather icon on their taskbar, etc etc. These are all targetted at the average user. Also, web browsers are building in support for Bittorrent.
Bittorrent clients are really not difficult to use and appear no different than a web browser's download window. This just sounds like B.S. from web sites that want to keep a stranglehold on content because they cannot get repeat visits any other way.
There have been 'no reports of any (Kama Sutra) detonations so far'
Well it's pretty obvious. Most places that allow Joe Public to post or report news require registration. The Kama Sutra deletes DOC files, where Joe Public keeps all of his passwords. Now they can't access e-mail, post stories, or read the NY Times to even find out about the virus.;)
But really, when the average user experiences problems on a PC, they're so bewildered by PCs as it is that they figure it's their fault and call upon the neighbourhood geek to fix their woes. Why would they ever hold software vendors responsible for any problems they experience in Windows? Downloaded software from Fred's Shed has enough spyware and malware as pack-ins, they figure it must be that. Or they just didn't know what they were doing.
Are people not getting fed up of experiencing problems? Do they just decide to part ways with PCs or that they'll buy a new one or reinstall everything? Wtf?
No I mean like "No write permission to ~/.ICEauthority", and then I just check for the proper permissions. I'm not talking about software development where you might actually see such an error message.
Get a Gameboy Advance SP and a Flash cartridge, then load an emulator with Contra, SMB3, and Tetris. You could even run the GameBoy version of Tetris on the flash cartridge. Or you could get the GP2x.
As one user stated, software that comes with hardware is an example (take Creative Labs for example. I used 3rd party drivers instead but with Vista that may not even be possible). Adobe Photoshop will phone home if you try to scan money. Not that I ever plan on counterfeiting money, but what if I did want to scan some one day for any reason, such as a backdrop for a title in a slideshow about finances, or using it as a texture in some art, or any other reason? Who knows what other measures are in there for any other reason?
Anyway my point is really not with any particular piece of software, but with a lot of software available, if not the majority. On Windows tons of software installs icons on the desktop for web sites or to advertise other products, tons of software nags you to upgrade to a Pro version, tons of software has splash screens that you have to find an option to shut off or can't even shut off. Lots of software requires you to uncheck stuff during installation so it doesn't install any of it's "preferred partners" software, lots of software requires you to uncheck stuff for privacy reasons as well. You have to check for hidden startup items that you don't want started up, and when these programs try to re-add themselves again when you start up the application, you have to figure out a way to stop it from doing that.
When I install software on Linux it's through the same interface and there are no steps beyond just specifying whether or not you want that piece of software installed. You don't have to worry about an additional payload on your PC besides the installed software, or any "features" that nag you to try out partner's services or upgrade to Pro version or whatever.
Say I just got into digital music and had never used any software before for it at all. In Windows, my experience would be downloading a bunch of programs to try them and see which one I like. Inevitably I'd run into these problems, so I'd have to look specifically for software that doesn't have any annoyances. The only way you'd know is by looking up reviews (and even then, they might not mention it or you don't know if it's a reputable source, not everyone reviews every application, etc) or just trying all the software yourself and just hope that nothing bad happens.
In Linux, I wouldn't have to worry about those things ever.
I'm about to pick up the Megaman X Collection and play X2 for the first time! I definitely like Super Metroid as well, and Kickle Cubicle was great I agree;) Thanks for the heads up on X2 though! You know, I'm surprised that none of the other highly modded comments had many similar games... Is old school dying or something? I hope not:P
Plenty of Linux users will tell you Linux needs a standardized installation utility, not the collection of package managers out there now. Many times I am forced to use the command line to install applications. Come on... that just screams "hard-to-use".
I don't use the command line, I use Synaptic. It's like "Add/Remove Programs" except it lets you add programs... "Add/Remove" in Windows usually just has the uninstall option. I'm happy with the way it is now and avoiding all the stupid wizards.
A good program won't do that, so apparently you were installing bad programs
My point was on Linux I didn't have to worry about bad programs... at all. None had wizards, none installed additional programs, none had icons for software that wasn't installed or icons for URLs to some web site or other advertisements, none had me uncheck a bunch of stuff for privacy settings, none had any privacy issues or needed to phone home. None.
Volume levels can be changed by rogue applications in Linux too, and as far as quick launch buttons are concerned... I doubt it happened very often, certainly not often enough to justify a switch to Linux.
Each program I have that uses multimedia has its own volume control, so no, it doesn't happen in Linux. In Windows the quick launch button order was changed every time I would boot up. One solution I had was to name every icon with a number at the beginning, from 01 to 99. However this got annoying very quickly. It wasn't a reason to move to Linux, but a bunch of annoying little problems such as this are eliminated in Linux and it just means I don't have to worry about resetting a bunch of things routinely, and that's great for me. In Internet Explorer the bookmarks would change order too if I had drop-down menus on my Links bar, that's another example. I know this has been fixed but in that case it actually caused me to use another browser!
Plenty of people have complained about crashes with Linux systems
Sure, and plenty in Windows too. The difference is in Linux I can locate the problem and fix it easily, however it hasn't happened yet so I'm not complaining. I also have never caught a virus running Linux. At the point when I stopped using Windows, it was hard to stay virus-free at one point, and I also had to fix other PCs in the house and of family members, not to mention all the clients I had... so I'm happy now at least that I don't have to worry about anything on my PC or family's, since I switched them to Linux as well.
Neither Linux nor Windows are perfect, yet you are basically claiming Linux is a field of daisies compared to the hellish swamp of Windows.
Contra & Super C (NES, Konami) - I memorized the game as a kid getting through it, going back to the game and running through it once more to play out all of that memorization is always fun
Gunstar Heroes (Genesis, Treasure) - It just has great gameplay, your characters seem like an extention of you. The stages are each unique and are fun obstacle courses to run through.
Megaman (NES, Capcom) - It's just a really unique and weird game, one of the first of its kind, the enemies and characters had a lot more personality than other games and it's always fun to go back and play because of the aesthetics, ambience, and gameplay.
Wildsnake (Genesis/SNES, Alexy Pajitnov) - It's party fun! You'll never stop playing!
Ghouls & Ghosts (Genesis, Capcom) - Again with the memorization here, plus a very unique concept and characters. The music, stages, and characters all came together to provide a fun experience. One wrong move and you're dead, but it's fun to get to the point where you can run through without dying. It may seem cheap at first but when you become one with the controls you'll do surprisingly well.
Streets of Rage II (Genesis, SEGA) - This game is great. Different characters to choose from with their own moves. Yes, moves in a brawler, like a side scrolling Street Fighter II where you beat up more than 1 opponent. This was the pinnacle of brawlers in my opinion. Had great music, graphics, and long stages that keep you entertained.
Thunderstrike (Sega CD, Core) - A blast! You'll keep playing the missions until you have a shred of life left and must escape. It's an arcade helicopter shooter... Sounds weird but incredibly fun. Lots of missions with varied objectives, music that fits the game, and great controls. Very good presentation and hasn't been a game that comes close, except maybe Warhawk on PSX.
Castlevania SotN, Metroid II, Zelda: A Link to the Past, and Quackshot are some others really worth checking out.
Re:WTF, now Slashdot is bashing security?
on
Buy Vista or Else
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· Score: 1
Slashdot, who loves to post taglines of "Is this the end of the Internet?" or "Is Linux dead?" or "Microsoft security is going to destroy the world" now posts something that makes fun of Microsoft using security to sell their product?
Well if MS's idea of security could leave the world open to destruction, then why would they use it as a selling point again? Look at it this way, all versions of Windows thus far have had serious security issues that have lost people lots of money and time.
Slashdot Mirror
Don't count Nintendo out on the gaming front just yet, they're gearing up to have quite a good system which follows the KISS rule. It will provide backwards compatibility and open up their 8/16/64-bit libraries as well. The DS is also doing quite well. Nintendo doesn't have a foothold in the media industry but one company doesn't have to dominate every industry.
They think by starting to create the hype 6 months in advance, they may actually be able to pull it off. Without this hype it would never happen, that's why they need to make this announcement.
The XBox was only able to drag its own sales down, but the XBox 360 is dragging down the sales of the entire industry. The power!!!
It's fun to see someone's technical expertise in action. If it weren't for video games, I would have never gotten interested in programming. Video games were fun because it allowed you control over something that was otherwise non-interactive... a bunch of shapes on a TV. As a kid, radio controlled things were interesting because you could control something that could perform actions you wouldn't do, such as fly, or ride along on the dusty ground and over jumps, etc. You can make a character on a TV perform a bunch of tasks as an extension of you as well. You test your reactions and reflexes, while being stimulated by fun music and graphics. You can hum along to it, you can draw the characters. Video games are a bevy of entertainment and wonder for kids, and as you improve your skills, they allow you to challenge yourself in many ways. Plus video games are great socially.
Anything before an actual release of a product is just an idea or hearsay. A company could just make an announcement, gauge the response, then actually respond accordingly. It's contrived. Just saying don't pay attention to press releases, just actual releases.
This goes for the PC industry too, responsible for the majority of buzzwords these days, look at how many companies announce "platforms" just to negate the effect of a competitor gaining traction, etc. These are extremely calculated business decisions.
The term "Technology problems" is very broad... what does this mean? What software are they using?
Maybe, but people will always be able to drag their feet, beg for exceptions, take the indirect route, stall for time, etc etc... People will always try to bend the rules or break the system, and it takes especially unscrupulous people to try and figure out ways around whatever's in the spirit of justice.
Those who are trying to preserve justice will similarly make laws without taking everything into account that someone who tries to avoid justice would try and do. Maybe the only way you could make the perfect system is if you could see both sides perfectly.
No, because then IE's behaviour might be assumed by OS components, which would render it incompatible with third party applications. IE shouldn't be assumed because it might not be what the end user has installed.
I understand this and do the same with Ubuntu as well. However, Ubuntu can select from many applications made by different developers. Often the many applications they choose from can perform the same function, such as Firefox, Epiphany, Konqueror, etc. Also, even though they include Firefox, they also maintain the other browsers in their repositories so all of them are just as easy to manage and work well with the other software.
However with Windows (or OS X), MS will only include MS applications, because it is in their best interest. They may not be the best option, or perform all of the functions you want. For me, they don't, which is why I replace them as soon as I install.
The default set of applications with Ubuntu is sensible and can just as easily be replaced (if not more easily than replacing the default apps on Windows), on the other hand. You can even make a default set of packages to install, and it doesn't have to be the ones included in the default configuration of Ubuntu. Look at Kubuntu and Edubuntu for example. The set of applications can be customized by the end user as well.
That's not to say I wish to see better applications included with Windows, I would still like to see none. It is in my best interest as a customer. Besides that the default applications are not so useful in Windows, if they were made to be useful, then they would start competing with third party application market share, but leveraging the installed base of Windows to get user exposure to the new competitive MS applications.
But just because these new applications would be competitive, it would still not make them the best choice. If people started to rely on these applications because they were included by default, it may be more difficult to get around using third party applications instead of the MS ones because the MS application's functionality (and perhaps file format, etc) would be assumed.
I think the best solution would just be for MS to include no applications other than configuration management and file system tools.
Actually, to me it seems strange that the OS ships with any apps at all. Whenever I install Windows I always replace the default apps with something better, they're not really worth including at all to me.
The OS should come with a text editor and whatever other applications to manage OS configurations and OS filesystem but that's about it really.
People won't even stop to think about the drawbacks to the new format, they'll be too busy thinking "High res content, what's the best out of these two shitty ways to get it?" and not "Why isn't the newer format at least as useful as DVD?"
Yes, I read the article, but I know for me I want more facts and less editorials, more proof and less speculation, more initiative and less "we'll print it if it's plausible", more rationality and less sensationalism. I don't know what this person is smoking because I definitely don't just lap up anything in facts-as-entertainment form.
Is this really how the current generation is? Am I out of touch already? I sure hope not. I mean here we are participating in discussions about these issues and setting up public forums such as slashdot with which to express ourselves on important issues. I didn't get much justification by the article's author on his position. Can anyone else comment? Not just a "sampling the hype" type of opinion but one based in reality from what you can tell from your peers?
Too bad I own an iRiver IHP-120 which does not support DRM. Plus I don't want a portable video device, but I would like to take movies to my friends' house to watch. Guess I'm SOL? Screw this, I'm just buying content the old way where I can rip + do what I want.
On the Genesis: Gunstar Heroes, Mega Turrican, Batman & Robin, Earnest Evans, and Toy Story to name a few...
On the SNES: Donkey Kong Country 2, Chrono Trigger...
Weird, I don't really see people posting about many games that are technically difficult to pull off such as these.
Look at the Nintendo DS, it has a really good scratch-resistant screen that has stood up under what the average gamer puts it through. I bought mine used and it had no scratches on it, I wouldn't do that with any other portable system (buy it used)! The PSP's is not too bad either.
Who spends enough time shitting to warrant this? If it takes that long for people to take dumps, don't they have serious hemroid problems? Isn't it a waste if 30% of your life is spent shitting?
How can you say this when the average person will download a special media player just to play a certain site's files (name your DRM), or download special applications just to have certain mouse cursors (CometCursor), or download special applications to get a weather icon on their taskbar, etc etc. These are all targetted at the average user. Also, web browsers are building in support for Bittorrent.
Bittorrent clients are really not difficult to use and appear no different than a web browser's download window. This just sounds like B.S. from web sites that want to keep a stranglehold on content because they cannot get repeat visits any other way.
Well it's pretty obvious. Most places that allow Joe Public to post or report news require registration. The Kama Sutra deletes DOC files, where Joe Public keeps all of his passwords. Now they can't access e-mail, post stories, or read the NY Times to even find out about the virus. ;)
But really, when the average user experiences problems on a PC, they're so bewildered by PCs as it is that they figure it's their fault and call upon the neighbourhood geek to fix their woes. Why would they ever hold software vendors responsible for any problems they experience in Windows? Downloaded software from Fred's Shed has enough spyware and malware as pack-ins, they figure it must be that. Or they just didn't know what they were doing.
Are people not getting fed up of experiencing problems? Do they just decide to part ways with PCs or that they'll buy a new one or reinstall everything? Wtf?
No I mean like "No write permission to ~/.ICEauthority", and then I just check for the proper permissions. I'm not talking about software development where you might actually see such an error message.
Get a Gameboy Advance SP and a Flash cartridge, then load an emulator with Contra, SMB3, and Tetris. You could even run the GameBoy version of Tetris on the flash cartridge. Or you could get the GP2x.
Anyway my point is really not with any particular piece of software, but with a lot of software available, if not the majority. On Windows tons of software installs icons on the desktop for web sites or to advertise other products, tons of software nags you to upgrade to a Pro version, tons of software has splash screens that you have to find an option to shut off or can't even shut off. Lots of software requires you to uncheck stuff during installation so it doesn't install any of it's "preferred partners" software, lots of software requires you to uncheck stuff for privacy reasons as well. You have to check for hidden startup items that you don't want started up, and when these programs try to re-add themselves again when you start up the application, you have to figure out a way to stop it from doing that.
When I install software on Linux it's through the same interface and there are no steps beyond just specifying whether or not you want that piece of software installed. You don't have to worry about an additional payload on your PC besides the installed software, or any "features" that nag you to try out partner's services or upgrade to Pro version or whatever.
Say I just got into digital music and had never used any software before for it at all. In Windows, my experience would be downloading a bunch of programs to try them and see which one I like. Inevitably I'd run into these problems, so I'd have to look specifically for software that doesn't have any annoyances. The only way you'd know is by looking up reviews (and even then, they might not mention it or you don't know if it's a reputable source, not everyone reviews every application, etc) or just trying all the software yourself and just hope that nothing bad happens.
In Linux, I wouldn't have to worry about those things ever.
I'm about to pick up the Megaman X Collection and play X2 for the first time! I definitely like Super Metroid as well, and Kickle Cubicle was great I agree ;) Thanks for the heads up on X2 though! You know, I'm surprised that none of the other highly modded comments had many similar games... Is old school dying or something? I hope not :P
I don't use the command line, I use Synaptic. It's like "Add/Remove Programs" except it lets you add programs... "Add/Remove" in Windows usually just has the uninstall option. I'm happy with the way it is now and avoiding all the stupid wizards.
A good program won't do that, so apparently you were installing bad programs
My point was on Linux I didn't have to worry about bad programs... at all. None had wizards, none installed additional programs, none had icons for software that wasn't installed or icons for URLs to some web site or other advertisements, none had me uncheck a bunch of stuff for privacy settings, none had any privacy issues or needed to phone home. None.
Volume levels can be changed by rogue applications in Linux too, and as far as quick launch buttons are concerned... I doubt it happened very often, certainly not often enough to justify a switch to Linux.
Each program I have that uses multimedia has its own volume control, so no, it doesn't happen in Linux. In Windows the quick launch button order was changed every time I would boot up. One solution I had was to name every icon with a number at the beginning, from 01 to 99. However this got annoying very quickly. It wasn't a reason to move to Linux, but a bunch of annoying little problems such as this are eliminated in Linux and it just means I don't have to worry about resetting a bunch of things routinely, and that's great for me. In Internet Explorer the bookmarks would change order too if I had drop-down menus on my Links bar, that's another example. I know this has been fixed but in that case it actually caused me to use another browser!
Plenty of people have complained about crashes with Linux systems
Sure, and plenty in Windows too. The difference is in Linux I can locate the problem and fix it easily, however it hasn't happened yet so I'm not complaining. I also have never caught a virus running Linux. At the point when I stopped using Windows, it was hard to stay virus-free at one point, and I also had to fix other PCs in the house and of family members, not to mention all the clients I had... so I'm happy now at least that I don't have to worry about anything on my PC or family's, since I switched them to Linux as well.
Neither Linux nor Windows are perfect, yet you are basically claiming Linux is a field of daisies compared to the hellish swamp of Windows.
Well not really, I'm just stating my experience.
Gunstar Heroes (Genesis, Treasure) - It just has great gameplay, your characters seem like an extention of you. The stages are each unique and are fun obstacle courses to run through.
Megaman (NES, Capcom) - It's just a really unique and weird game, one of the first of its kind, the enemies and characters had a lot more personality than other games and it's always fun to go back and play because of the aesthetics, ambience, and gameplay.
Wildsnake (Genesis/SNES, Alexy Pajitnov) - It's party fun! You'll never stop playing!
Ghouls & Ghosts (Genesis, Capcom) - Again with the memorization here, plus a very unique concept and characters. The music, stages, and characters all came together to provide a fun experience. One wrong move and you're dead, but it's fun to get to the point where you can run through without dying. It may seem cheap at first but when you become one with the controls you'll do surprisingly well.
Streets of Rage II (Genesis, SEGA) - This game is great. Different characters to choose from with their own moves. Yes, moves in a brawler, like a side scrolling Street Fighter II where you beat up more than 1 opponent. This was the pinnacle of brawlers in my opinion. Had great music, graphics, and long stages that keep you entertained.
Thunderstrike (Sega CD, Core) - A blast! You'll keep playing the missions until you have a shred of life left and must escape. It's an arcade helicopter shooter... Sounds weird but incredibly fun. Lots of missions with varied objectives, music that fits the game, and great controls. Very good presentation and hasn't been a game that comes close, except maybe Warhawk on PSX.
Castlevania SotN, Metroid II, Zelda: A Link to the Past, and Quackshot are some others really worth checking out.
Well if MS's idea of security could leave the world open to destruction, then why would they use it as a selling point again? Look at it this way, all versions of Windows thus far have had serious security issues that have lost people lots of money and time.