That looks quite good, shame the Wii demo unit had nothing like that in its cycle the best game graphically was Zelda and I wasn't particulary impressed with it. Since the demo i got to play was Wii Sports you can imagine how low my expectations for the Wii are. That actually looks impressive, thanks for the link
I've Karma to burn so I'll chip in I found out my local toys r us actually had a PS3 and Wii sat next to each other and despite what everyone says everyone was hulked around the PS3 (mostly going £500! we can't afford that yet.)
So what don't I like about the Wii? Well firstly after watching the Wii demo it looks like we are going back to Playstation (as in 1) level of graphics, which as a gamer is off-putting and is quite noticeable, its something when your little sister goes "eugh that's worse than singstar". I'm not saying that graphics are everything (HL2 not as pretty as Doom3 but much better game) but when I'm looking at a console I want something that can be at least as pretty as my current console (at this time a PS2.) Anything worse will put me off it
Games that are always fun, now I'll admit I played Wii sports and for ten minutes it was fun. But actually having hand eye co-ordination I worked out the easy way to use the controller stopped waving my arms around and won against any competitor (there were three.) Providing something challenging is fun for me, mini games and things like Sports can be fun for a while just like Buzz The Big Quiz is great fun the first ten times you play it, then you understand the game and most of the challenge goes away, sure if you get Buzz the Music quiz you'll start having a little more fun. Now sure I go through games like this far more quickly than the average person but people will get there and once they do the game loses all enjoy ability, in other words mini-games are fun for a while but get old.
Nintendo's game library is currently poor and I don't think its going to get substantially better, I've been around asking Wii players their favourite game (this was pre Paper Mario Release) basically I was told Wii Sports was great, (Zelda fans loved Zelda), the Sonic game was ok but Paper Mario is going to be awesome. That's four good games in how many months out of how many titles, the 'dud' PS3/xbox360 games were still raved about in some quarters by PS3ers/Xbox360ers. With companies like EA jumping on the bandwagon I don't hold much hope that things will get better for at least a year or two.
The Wiimote, I hate this, just words can explain. The reason for my dislike is because the Wiimote is a gimmick, its something to get people going "wow that looks really cool!" if the Wiimote had been released for the gamecube (ignoring technical issues) would the gamecube have sold as many units? What makes this worse is the few (i'll admit few) Wii gamers I've met have told me they use the classic controller for most of the games because its better. So after choosing a console because of a certain type of controller and then you don't use that controller. Oh and the fact there's three different controllers for the thing and you'll inevitably need all three.
Lastly it appears Wii's live in the same world as Ipods now, it doesn't matter how good/poor it is, how expensive it is people like it because its 'cool'. Like Apple fanboys the Wii as developed its fanboys into attacking anyone who disagrees with them or suggests the Wii isn't the best thing since sliced bread. I've even seen one forum poster post something like "I've had my Wii for 3 months and have to ask, is this it? What games do I need to get to really have fun?" instead of suggesting other Wii games they attacked the guy/girl for daring to suggest the Wii wasn't incredible, I can't like any technology which has that sort of fanboyism behind it.
Before you accuse me of being a PS3 fan boy, I own a PS2 I love my PS2 but I'm undecided at this point which console I'm going for. From playing a few friends PS3's I can see that I'll have a lot of fun with such a unit, but there's no way I'm paying £425 for one, it's not worth that. When GTA comes out I'll make my choice, heck I might be wrong about the Wii and get one. Until either the Xbox360 gets a games library which isn't identical to my PC's, the PS3 sells at a normal price or the Wii can start churning out some good graphical quality and fun games, then I'm undecided.
Yeah the key thing is knowing the name of what your looking for, have you tried typing in WM5 device, thunderbird and synching into google? Sure it returns your suggestion but I've a long history of having bad expearences with google results on the first page, this is worse since I get three different projects on the first page. Thanks to both people who responded though will be interested in seeing if it can replace Outlook, and how the hell did my post get modded over-rated?
Ok never used thunderbird before but I've imported it, is it just me that thought "Outlook Express" after first opening it, from what I can tell it does everything Outlook Express does and misses the two things most important to me
Synchronisation with WM5 device
Calender
Its not bloated and ugly like Open Office (actually its quite pretty OO people take notes) but those things are pretty much integral to my use of Outlook which this would replace. People I ask you is there a way to get these things done I'm upgrading to Office 2007 (sorry but the UI difference in powerpoint and word make it worthwhile for me) but I really don't want to waste the cash getting office professional (just so I can get Outlook) when this actually seems quite a good product. Anyone?
No surprisingly its amazing what little effect the Banking omsbudsman has, also my parents who have used it several times in the past and tell me the process can take a minimum of six months. Best thing was to accuse the people providing the service of fraud, the bank has to conduct a fraud investigation which will end in a small claims court case, the bank has to send a member but its highly unlikely a company will send a representative for an amount under £100 (in this particular case the amounts £25.) So the bank automatically wins, in the mean time the bank refunds the £25 and the rest of the contract is in despute once the case is one in court the contract is offically declared void. The only issue is that the card protection provider is a subcompany and how honest is the company since it will be dealing with itself.
Your right it is amazing the effect that threatening legal action can have unfortunatly not everyone has a good grasp of the law I remember reading verbatim the Data Protection Act to a Orange rep who then still refused to give in because "I was wrong" and "the computer says"
The person knew they took out CPA, they closed the credit card account and closed the CPA. Its been four years since the closure of both with no activity on the credit card account. The CPA does not have a card listed in the policy, in fact two telephone operators confirm it doesn't protect any credit card or account. If it was me I would be taking the company to the small claims court and giving the company a banking charge (I like doing this thanks HSBC, Orange and O2) on top. The person in question has a less gung ho view of time and money and just wants the money back. I brought it up because their are multiple things wrong with the issue (So far I've made a list that involves fraud, banking code violations and theft) but because the computer says theres a CPA the operator won't do anything because "the computer says".
Yeah but they hold this line to stupid levels, I work in Woolworths and we are told to use our best judgement we are taught different ways to spot a someone trying to take the company for a ride, even when you miss it the boss will point it out and you learn from that. I've come across two organisations and three banks which held the view that the computer must be right and will give a few examples:
I signed up to Orange when I was 17, which was to young to own a credit card so my dad was the credit card guarantee while I was the account holder and the person whose account the money was being taken from. As time went on HSBC gave me a credit card and so I became the credit card guaranter. But strangely every billing statement went to my dad, after six months I couldn't talk to technical support without giving my Dads name and password, so six times over four years we had it switched over to my name I have three letters confirming that the number xxxx is in my name. I'd ring support or the leaving line and be told I need to be my Dad to access the account details. I could go into an Orange shop show the manager every scrap of paper Orange had sent me (and those bits they decided to send my Dad.) She would try and argue for me to access my account and no luck. We would then get it changed into my name, within hours I couldn't access the account again. Four years of this, when I left Orange the "we are sorry your leaving letter" was sent to me, fifth letter in four years from orange which wasn't addressed to my Dad. Would they ever agree that having the original contract letter from The Link showing the account was made in my name? The fact that the linked bank accounts were to do with me, the letters from them agreeing the account had been placed in my name meant nothing against that all powerful computer.
1and1 I hate these people, they charged me illegally for £650 worth of bandwidth heck I requested the phone reps and recorded half of my conversations with the telephone reps, then played them to a solicitor and showed her what little paperwork the company had given me. She agreed I was in the right but to win the case I'd need to front £800, I didn't have £650! But because the computer at 1and1 said so it was right, there was no chance of me being in the right it was only a threat of legal action to their CFO which got the bill reduced to a level I could afford.
What about city bank a friend was in tears recently explaining how a credit card company had charged them £25 on an account that didn't exist for a card which no longer existed. I spent hours with that person on the phone rather than the company agree that offering a "credit card protection service" on no card was not in fact offering a service at all, it's come to the point where I got the friend to demand a fraud investigation on city bank themselves as they wouldn't admit the computer might be wrong (still waiting on the reply of this one.)
There are hundreds of people out there to try and scalp a company for all they can get but there are times when the computer is wrong when a person can show this is wrong and the stupid operators need to be able to do something about it and not tell you want the computer says.
Your going to need to back that statement up with some real figures, last time I checked knifings were up statistically in the uk with all other violent crime on the decrease, in three years three gang related stabbings have made the news with perhaps another couple of murders getting there as well, if I'm not mistaken this one act has lead the murder of more people than the total number of murders in the Uk in the last several years. This view is based on my perception from the media and the little I can remember from when I had to research the topic in school. If you actually have proof that violent crime decreases in places which have guns compared to countries which ban them I'd love to see it, more importantly is the murder rate lower? Are accidental deaths due to violent encounters lower as well?
Damm missed the preview button try the below for the grammar checked version
Cybersquatter's are scum and need to be dealt with, preferably with penalties. Recently I suffered from cybersquatting when a cybersquatter took a domain name seconds after it came up for grabs. But instead of us all moaning about the issues they cause I suggest we educate people about the issue
I have a family friend whom I shall call "Bob", Bob likes to think he's tech savvy (he is not) he has a lot of money as well. One day at a family BBQ Bob made an appearance and told us about this great investment opportunity, for £1500 he's bought 50 web domains which have nothing more than adverts. They adverts are pretty much guaranteed to make his £1500 back (annoyingly enough they have and slightly more.) While he told this story and how this service was sold to him I initially blanked it out thinking it was a pyramid scheme, it wasn't until my Dad (who taught me how to spot pyramid schemes) was nodding in agreement with several other relatives I realised it wasn't a scam. I've since ranted (and informed) a lot to the family and Bob about this issue, at the time I talked about another lapsed web domain that I used to own (which has again been bought by cybersquaters), amusingly enough in that instance I didn't want the thing anymore and the person tried holding the domain for ransom.
So instead of just moaning about how ineffectual.com registering is, make sure your family knows and tell anyone who can listen about the problems this is causing spread awareness! Lets put cybersquaters in the same world view as murders and people who talk in theatre.
Cybersquatter are scum and need to be delt with heck recently I suffered this issue when a cybersquatter took the domain name seconds after it came up for grabs. I suggest we educate people about the issue
I have a family friedn whom I shall call "Bob", Bob likes to think hes tech savy (he is not) he has alot of money as well, one day at a family BBQ Bob made an appearence and told us about this great investment opportunity, for £1500 hes bought 50 web domains with adverts on, they adverts are pretty much garenteed to make his £1500 back (sickenly enough they have and slightly more.) While he told this story and how this service was sold to him I initially blanked it out thinking it was a pyramid scheme it wasn't until my Dad (who taught me how to spot the damm things) was nodding in agreement with several other relatives I realised it really wasn't. I've since ranted (and informed) alot to family and Bob about this issue even anouther lapsed web domain that I used to own (which has again been bought by cybersquaters, amusingly enough I didn't want the thing anymore and the person tried holding the domain for ransom.
So instead of just monaing about how ineffectual.com registering is, make sure your family knows, tell anyone who can listen about the problems this is causing spread awareness! Lets put cybersquaters in the same world view as murders and people who talk in theatre.
I thought I would amend as well I'm not telling you guys what to do but I do disagree with the idea that increasing the weaponry isn't the way to stop tradgey's like this. What I think would be extremly necessary by now (whats this the third?) would be a study of the cultural differences between the American Educational system and the rest of the worlds, I'm not suggesting that classmates killing classmates doesn't happen elsewhere (I can think of a few UK stabbings) but what is so different in America which drives people to kill lots of random class mates? I know its not going to be a single factor but could the easy availability of guns have been a contributing factor? Perhaps the educational system? Just what seem to be the common elements driving these things?
My thoughts to the families who have to deal with this
Ok I have to ask how many school/university shootings have you heard in the UK or anouther country which bans firearms? If there is one I'll be surprised as hell. More guns increases the chance someone will get hurt not decreases
You have no clear what a monopoly is, a monopoly is when one company has the majority of the market with almost zero competition. It is always bad for the consumer. Lets look at sound cards, Creative own the sound card market (I actually don't know the name of any other sound card manufacturer) is that good for the consumer? Taking a look at the Windows Vista Discussion forums, heck just any of the forums we can see it isn't. Creative use their position to keep prices unnecessarily high, provide the minimum support they can and churn out bad drivers. Sure Microsoft got to their monopoly position through some dirty business tactics but we can see the harm a monopolist in the OS market has done, 6 years for Vista? First new version of IE7 in how many years? There are other choices in the OS market and I'm pretty certain in some markets their better options but people don't choose them because "no one got fired for using microsoft". I would argue that Google is entering this realm of thinking, sure there's no technical reason stopping people switching but people don't because they know of Google and have never heard of the rest.
Monopolies are bad, they can never be good, oligopolys are also bad but can be advantageous if regulated well. It doesn't matter how you became a monopoly or a oligopoly it just matters that you are.
Moving to Vista is easy, Let me tell you about my last reinstall to vista (some months ago) I put the disk in and followed the installation instructions. I validated it with WGA, I let the account popup, windows update installed every single driver (excluding my Creative Webcam which has no x64 driver vista or xp) then I changed the Aero bar colour and personnalised some of it (including switch to 5.1 speakers.) Installed all normal software and espeacially PowerDVD XP so I could watch DVD Movies (Creatives Drivers don't yet support DTS and Dolby) and my current selection of games. From expearence I can't get Visual 2003.net to work properly and it seems microsoft have no intention of making it work. Visual Studio 2005's patch actually appeared in windows update as soon as I installed VS2005. Had no problems, heard about the Direct sound issue so went through game library turns out any of my games pre quake 3 either won't install or have no sound, I was very miffed until I released to get at these games I'd gone into the loft and opened a sealed cardboard box.
My list of non functioning stuff on vista after two months:
Gametap (they admit theres no x64 version of the software and refuse to let the prog install on x64)
Audigy SE drivers need more work (sound is basic promised driver is Q2)
Creative Vista IM Webcam (ironic theres no x64 VISTA driver in the works for it)
Visual Studio 2003.net (a pain since I became attatched to this but the uni gives away 2005 as well so....)
Every other XP application I have thrown at it (excluding those games) has worked perfectly on it from Visual Studio 2005 (since patched) to Proteus ISIS software.
While I know your comments meant to be funny I live in the south west of england sure a few years ago 3G coverage was spotty and there was a lot of backlash about it (Three selling people contracts to area's their service didn't cover) but after roaming over most of Cornwall and Devon I can get a 3G signal pretty much anywhere
I prefer this one "A web application will replace my desktop application when they pry the installation disk from my code dead fingers?"
No one has convinced me that web applications are a good idea yet, I've seen google docs and the whole not being in charge of my data and the single point of failure issues haven't been addressed and I don't see how they can ever be addressed. Make me a application that does everything my desktop one can do then maybe.
I have had the same problem as the this poster, I moved house and forgot to update my credit card accounts address. I ordered something from overclockers.co.uk and got the order flagged. They refused to send the order unless I provided proof through mail or fax including some billing statement and passport. I suggested a email with my passport and a billing statement and it was rejected because of the ease in which such documents could be altered. I suggested I could have manipulated such things already printed them out and then faxed them if I did things their way this made the woman 'uncomfortable' and I got to speak to a boss his reasoning was the company's needed some form of hard proof emails don't cut it and yet faxes do, its a strange world.
Solution cancel the order, change my banking details, wait until the online bank details are changed (20 mins later) then remake the order.
Your talking about supply and demand the problem is the 'supply' is operating under free market conditions nor is it operating as a regulated Oligopoly. There is massive price collusion going on creating a effective monopoly, once this sort of thing happens the requirement to try and be competitive goes out the window every DVD realeased of X size is £x. Its made worse that business's don't always follow the economics reasoning, instead we get business reasoning. Supply and demand says that if we lower prices our profit will be larger but business thinking is concerned with profit maximisation and the idea of minium cost maximuim profit comes into play, they might sell 50% more dvd's but would that be the best way to use those resources?
Personnally I've found most company's TV series DVD prices to be improving for example things like Family Guy series 1 are £9.99 and the latest series (5 in the UK) was released at £19.99 for the amount of episodes that wasn't bad. My question is why are the BBC being so extortionate? (the new) Dr Who second series is £50, I can't find (the new) Dr Who first series anywhere Red Dwarf Series at £25. It seems warped and contrary to everything else on the market, I can get all the Dr Who episodes recorded onto my PC when it comes onto TV, Torchwood should not cost £48 for 11 episodes. The BBC shouldn't be after profit I pay for a TV license and so have already funded those stupid episodes!
Re:Will anyone gain anything from this? Not Linux
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The End is Nigh for XP
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Not true in Vista hen you click later the request is placed on a 10 minutes reminder, you can change the reminder length to 4 hours but it will still remind you. If you don't have any programs holding windows open (say an unsaed word document, or particular game) then it will just restart you machine when you leave it alone.
I like vista and was somewhat irratated by this new 'feature'
Why? No offense I'm not trying to be insightful or anything my spelling and grammar have always sucked and the only reason I'm even on slashdot is because I need a break from writing a project report its nice not having to use big words, check for grammatical correctness and worry about the flow of a paragraph for a minute and try to ask a question that makes the poster attempt to actually justify their comment, but since you asked:
FPS games do not just rely on fast reaction times, I like to play CS and HL2 Deathmatch. Even when suffering from high latency (150 to 200) my score doesn't change much. There is a great deal of innate ability necessary to play a FPS game but, when you play the it is all down to you. Did you spot that guy running along the second floor? Are you going to take the stairs to head him off? What route do you go to get to the sniper? Team play? How accurate is your aiming? I've always found RTS games require a single strategy which is to build a base, waste 90% of resources on building an incredible defence, While your defence keeps the attackers at bay leave for half an hour with your manufacturing facilities set to build a ridiculous sized army (scout the enemy and tailor army to match his/her units.) Once this is complete send out your army, as this army moves into position start creating a secondary force which is equal or half of your current force, once the secondary force is half way complete attack your enemy. Attack with the primary force and send in the secondary force as re-enforcements. A single strategy that's worked since C&C in single player and multiplayer, the only interesting aspect is when other human players use the same strategy and it becomes a game of who can get their army built first. Games like Final Fantasy are very formulaic. First save your game, play against the next monster if you scrape a win then reload your game and level grind until your double the original level. When the games are online, all you have to do is research the 'untouchable' level and grind until you get to that level. Neither requires much in the way of real skill, just patience.
Driving and FPS games do rely on the players natural skill.
not really, I like to play CS and HL2 Deathmatch, even with latency near 200 I do about the same score wise. There is a great deal of inante ability necessary but when you play the skill is all down to you, did you dpot that go running along the second floor, are you going to take the stair to head him off, what route do you go to get to the sniper, team play, how acurate is your aiming. I've always found RTS games require 1 strategy build a base go insane wasting 90% of resources on making an incredible defense then go away for half an hour as you start building a redicioulus sized army (scout the enemey and tailor army to match his/her units) then send out insane sized army while creating a secondary force, once the secondary force is half way complete, attack then attack with primary amd send in secondary force as re-enforcements. A single strategy thats worked since C&C from single player to multiplayer, it only get interesting on who can do it first. Game like FF are save, play against monster if you scrape a win reload and then grind until your double your current level then repeat, when the games online research the untouchable level grind till you get there. Niether requires much in the way of real skill however. Driving and FPS games do
In the university lecture I was in this year on FPGA's the big selling point was the fact you could do exactly this and how its used in industry. I'm not seeing any 'news'
Actually this has happened with me with Tiscali in the UK, There are five of us using the router and between us we can move through about 5GB of legitimate traffic in a week (I used to run a server for a podcast group and backing that thing up could come to 30GB) For the first three months we were plagued by Tiscali applying their Fair Usage Policy (basically turning the net off whenever the felt we had used to much) then we got a letter saying our 1 year contract didn't apply they would continue to supply a 2Mbps line but wuold prefer if we left their service (the router would be given for free and no early cancellation fee, even offering to pay the fee to move to anouther provider (at the time it cost £20 for instant transferal)) I was sorely tempted until I realised the letter seemed to be offering something outside of their T&C. I would leave but I've had a constant good connection since then (march 2006) am not tied into any contract despite my net usuage going up the FUP hasn't been applied once (although three days a week (6pm - 11:30pm) they do seem to block a port that stops CS/MO:UL from working.)
I didn't go through the interest wayning period on my PC, my Mega Drive or the PS2, I did with a friends N64 when I realised that after Goldeneye there was Perfect Dark and then nothing remotely interesting for me, I did with anouther friends Dreamcast when I realised the only game in his collection I enjoyed was Crazy Taxi.
Since I first heard about the Wii I've seen the controller as nothing more than a gimmick, Sony's PS2 did an excellent job of getting the fun party games as well as a ton of fun single player games for the occasional gamer to the hard core. The Xbox360 is starting to port a few of those games and it provides a balance. Me and my dad spent 3 hours on easter day playing Wipeout/Gran Turismo, followed by my sisters and other family relatives joining in the evening for Buzz/Signstar.The few people (and it is only a few I'll admit) I've talked to about the Wii have faced exactly the same problems of the original poster after they play Wii Sports there is nothing on the console to play, for your slightly more hard core gamer like me Wii Sports isn't worth playing since you figure out a knack on your second go and the challenge is lost.
The Wii's controller could have some interesting games built around it but I still have to ask how many people can afford to get their dance mats/microphones out to play a game on a regular basis as good use of the controller is going to require as much space.
To my actual comment on the article this could be a very bad thing for the Wii, the PSP has some great games but it has ALOT of poor ones you need to avoid (mostly due to cheap ports.) The Wii's controller is going to amplify a bad port. I know I sound very down about it I don't mind if the Wii suceeds bacause competition can only lead to good things but at the release of the PS3 there were three games which interested me (from my friends perspective add the sports games and its more like 6/7) along with my PS2's library, the Xbox360 even had two games from release (plus the Xbox type of horror games which seems to fascinate so many) which intrigued me, the Wii appears to have one and perhaps Paper Mario as well.
Slashdot Mirror
That looks quite good, shame the Wii demo unit had nothing like that in its cycle the best game graphically was Zelda and I wasn't particulary impressed with it. Since the demo i got to play was Wii Sports you can imagine how low my expectations for the Wii are. That actually looks impressive, thanks for the link
I've Karma to burn so I'll chip in I found out my local toys r us actually had a PS3 and Wii sat next to each other and despite what everyone says everyone was hulked around the PS3 (mostly going £500! we can't afford that yet.)
So what don't I like about the Wii? Well firstly after watching the Wii demo it looks like we are going back to Playstation (as in 1) level of graphics, which as a gamer is off-putting and is quite noticeable, its something when your little sister goes "eugh that's worse than singstar". I'm not saying that graphics are everything (HL2 not as pretty as Doom3 but much better game) but when I'm looking at a console I want something that can be at least as pretty as my current console (at this time a PS2.) Anything worse will put me off it
Games that are always fun, now I'll admit I played Wii sports and for ten minutes it was fun. But actually having hand eye co-ordination I worked out the easy way to use the controller stopped waving my arms around and won against any competitor (there were three.) Providing something challenging is fun for me, mini games and things like Sports can be fun for a while just like Buzz The Big Quiz is great fun the first ten times you play it, then you understand the game and most of the challenge goes away, sure if you get Buzz the Music quiz you'll start having a little more fun. Now sure I go through games like this far more quickly than the average person but people will get there and once they do the game loses all enjoy ability, in other words mini-games are fun for a while but get old.
Nintendo's game library is currently poor and I don't think its going to get substantially better, I've been around asking Wii players their favourite game (this was pre Paper Mario Release) basically I was told Wii Sports was great, (Zelda fans loved Zelda), the Sonic game was ok but Paper Mario is going to be awesome. That's four good games in how many months out of how many titles, the 'dud' PS3/xbox360 games were still raved about in some quarters by PS3ers/Xbox360ers. With companies like EA jumping on the bandwagon I don't hold much hope that things will get better for at least a year or two.
The Wiimote, I hate this, just words can explain. The reason for my dislike is because the Wiimote is a gimmick, its something to get people going "wow that looks really cool!" if the Wiimote had been released for the gamecube (ignoring technical issues) would the gamecube have sold as many units? What makes this worse is the few (i'll admit few) Wii gamers I've met have told me they use the classic controller for most of the games because its better. So after choosing a console because of a certain type of controller and then you don't use that controller. Oh and the fact there's three different controllers for the thing and you'll inevitably need all three.
Lastly it appears Wii's live in the same world as Ipods now, it doesn't matter how good/poor it is, how expensive it is people like it because its 'cool'. Like Apple fanboys the Wii as developed its fanboys into attacking anyone who disagrees with them or suggests the Wii isn't the best thing since sliced bread. I've even seen one forum poster post something like "I've had my Wii for 3 months and have to ask, is this it? What games do I need to get to really have fun?" instead of suggesting other Wii games they attacked the guy/girl for daring to suggest the Wii wasn't incredible, I can't like any technology which has that sort of fanboyism behind it.
Before you accuse me of being a PS3 fan boy, I own a PS2 I love my PS2 but I'm undecided at this point which console I'm going for. From playing a few friends PS3's I can see that I'll have a lot of fun with such a unit, but there's no way I'm paying £425 for one, it's not worth that. When GTA comes out I'll make my choice, heck I might be wrong about the Wii and get one. Until either the Xbox360 gets a games library which isn't identical to my PC's, the PS3 sells at a normal price or the Wii can start churning out some good graphical quality and fun games, then I'm undecided.
Yeah the key thing is knowing the name of what your looking for, have you tried typing in WM5 device, thunderbird and synching into google? Sure it returns your suggestion but I've a long history of having bad expearences with google results on the first page, this is worse since I get three different projects on the first page. Thanks to both people who responded though will be interested in seeing if it can replace Outlook, and how the hell did my post get modded over-rated?
Ok never used thunderbird before but I've imported it, is it just me that thought "Outlook Express" after first opening it, from what I can tell it does everything Outlook Express does and misses the two things most important to me
Synchronisation with WM5 device
Calender
Its not bloated and ugly like Open Office (actually its quite pretty OO people take notes) but those things are pretty much integral to my use of Outlook which this would replace. People I ask you is there a way to get these things done I'm upgrading to Office 2007 (sorry but the UI difference in powerpoint and word make it worthwhile for me) but I really don't want to waste the cash getting office professional (just so I can get Outlook) when this actually seems quite a good product. Anyone?
No surprisingly its amazing what little effect the Banking omsbudsman has, also my parents who have used it several times in the past and tell me the process can take a minimum of six months. Best thing was to accuse the people providing the service of fraud, the bank has to conduct a fraud investigation which will end in a small claims court case, the bank has to send a member but its highly unlikely a company will send a representative for an amount under £100 (in this particular case the amounts £25.) So the bank automatically wins, in the mean time the bank refunds the £25 and the rest of the contract is in despute once the case is one in court the contract is offically declared void. The only issue is that the card protection provider is a subcompany and how honest is the company since it will be dealing with itself.
Your right it is amazing the effect that threatening legal action can have unfortunatly not everyone has a good grasp of the law I remember reading verbatim the Data Protection Act to a Orange rep who then still refused to give in because "I was wrong" and "the computer says"
The person knew they took out CPA, they closed the credit card account and closed the CPA. Its been four years since the closure of both with no activity on the credit card account. The CPA does not have a card listed in the policy, in fact two telephone operators confirm it doesn't protect any credit card or account. If it was me I would be taking the company to the small claims court and giving the company a banking charge (I like doing this thanks HSBC, Orange and O2) on top. The person in question has a less gung ho view of time and money and just wants the money back. I brought it up because their are multiple things wrong with the issue (So far I've made a list that involves fraud, banking code violations and theft) but because the computer says theres a CPA the operator won't do anything because "the computer says".
Yeah but they hold this line to stupid levels, I work in Woolworths and we are told to use our best judgement we are taught different ways to spot a someone trying to take the company for a ride, even when you miss it the boss will point it out and you learn from that. I've come across two organisations and three banks which held the view that the computer must be right and will give a few examples :
I signed up to Orange when I was 17, which was to young to own a credit card so my dad was the credit card guarantee while I was the account holder and the person whose account the money was being taken from. As time went on HSBC gave me a credit card and so I became the credit card guaranter. But strangely every billing statement went to my dad, after six months I couldn't talk to technical support without giving my Dads name and password, so six times over four years we had it switched over to my name I have three letters confirming that the number xxxx is in my name. I'd ring support or the leaving line and be told I need to be my Dad to access the account details. I could go into an Orange shop show the manager every scrap of paper Orange had sent me (and those bits they decided to send my Dad.) She would try and argue for me to access my account and no luck. We would then get it changed into my name, within hours I couldn't access the account again. Four years of this, when I left Orange the "we are sorry your leaving letter" was sent to me, fifth letter in four years from orange which wasn't addressed to my Dad. Would they ever agree that having the original contract letter from The Link showing the account was made in my name? The fact that the linked bank accounts were to do with me, the letters from them agreeing the account had been placed in my name meant nothing against that all powerful computer.
1and1 I hate these people, they charged me illegally for £650 worth of bandwidth heck I requested the phone reps and recorded half of my conversations with the telephone reps, then played them to a solicitor and showed her what little paperwork the company had given me. She agreed I was in the right but to win the case I'd need to front £800, I didn't have £650! But because the computer at 1and1 said so it was right, there was no chance of me being in the right it was only a threat of legal action to their CFO which got the bill reduced to a level I could afford.
What about city bank a friend was in tears recently explaining how a credit card company had charged them £25 on an account that didn't exist for a card which no longer existed. I spent hours with that person on the phone rather than the company agree that offering a "credit card protection service" on no card was not in fact offering a service at all, it's come to the point where I got the friend to demand a fraud investigation on city bank themselves as they wouldn't admit the computer might be wrong (still waiting on the reply of this one.)
There are hundreds of people out there to try and scalp a company for all they can get but there are times when the computer is wrong when a person can show this is wrong and the stupid operators need to be able to do something about it and not tell you want the computer says.
Your going to need to back that statement up with some real figures, last time I checked knifings were up statistically in the uk with all other violent crime on the decrease, in three years three gang related stabbings have made the news with perhaps another couple of murders getting there as well, if I'm not mistaken this one act has lead the murder of more people than the total number of murders in the Uk in the last several years. This view is based on my perception from the media and the little I can remember from when I had to research the topic in school. If you actually have proof that violent crime decreases in places which have guns compared to countries which ban them I'd love to see it, more importantly is the murder rate lower? Are accidental deaths due to violent encounters lower as well?
Damm missed the preview button try the below for the grammar checked version
.com registering is, make sure your family knows and tell anyone who can listen about the problems this is causing spread awareness! Lets put cybersquaters in the same world view as murders and people who talk in theatre.
Cybersquatter's are scum and need to be dealt with, preferably with penalties. Recently I suffered from cybersquatting when a cybersquatter took a domain name seconds after it came up for grabs. But instead of us all moaning about the issues they cause I suggest we educate people about the issue
I have a family friend whom I shall call "Bob", Bob likes to think he's tech savvy (he is not) he has a lot of money as well. One day at a family BBQ Bob made an appearance and told us about this great investment opportunity, for £1500 he's bought 50 web domains which have nothing more than adverts. They adverts are pretty much guaranteed to make his £1500 back (annoyingly enough they have and slightly more.) While he told this story and how this service was sold to him I initially blanked it out thinking it was a pyramid scheme, it wasn't until my Dad (who taught me how to spot pyramid schemes) was nodding in agreement with several other relatives I realised it wasn't a scam. I've since ranted (and informed) a lot to the family and Bob about this issue, at the time I talked about another lapsed web domain that I used to own (which has again been bought by cybersquaters), amusingly enough in that instance I didn't want the thing anymore and the person tried holding the domain for ransom.
So instead of just moaning about how ineffectual
Cybersquatter are scum and need to be delt with heck recently I suffered this issue when a cybersquatter took the domain name seconds after it came up for grabs. I suggest we educate people about the issue
.com registering is, make sure your family knows, tell anyone who can listen about the problems this is causing spread awareness! Lets put cybersquaters in the same world view as murders and people who talk in theatre.
I have a family friedn whom I shall call "Bob", Bob likes to think hes tech savy (he is not) he has alot of money as well, one day at a family BBQ Bob made an appearence and told us about this great investment opportunity, for £1500 hes bought 50 web domains with adverts on, they adverts are pretty much garenteed to make his £1500 back (sickenly enough they have and slightly more.) While he told this story and how this service was sold to him I initially blanked it out thinking it was a pyramid scheme it wasn't until my Dad (who taught me how to spot the damm things) was nodding in agreement with several other relatives I realised it really wasn't. I've since ranted (and informed) alot to family and Bob about this issue even anouther lapsed web domain that I used to own (which has again been bought by cybersquaters, amusingly enough I didn't want the thing anymore and the person tried holding the domain for ransom.
So instead of just monaing about how ineffectual
I thought I would amend as well I'm not telling you guys what to do but I do disagree with the idea that increasing the weaponry isn't the way to stop tradgey's like this. What I think would be extremly necessary by now (whats this the third?) would be a study of the cultural differences between the American Educational system and the rest of the worlds, I'm not suggesting that classmates killing classmates doesn't happen elsewhere (I can think of a few UK stabbings) but what is so different in America which drives people to kill lots of random class mates? I know its not going to be a single factor but could the easy availability of guns have been a contributing factor? Perhaps the educational system? Just what seem to be the common elements driving these things?
My thoughts to the families who have to deal with this
Ok I have to ask how many school/university shootings have you heard in the UK or anouther country which bans firearms? If there is one I'll be surprised as hell. More guns increases the chance someone will get hurt not decreases
You have no clear what a monopoly is, a monopoly is when one company has the majority of the market with almost zero competition. It is always bad for the consumer. Lets look at sound cards, Creative own the sound card market (I actually don't know the name of any other sound card manufacturer) is that good for the consumer? Taking a look at the Windows Vista Discussion forums, heck just any of the forums we can see it isn't. Creative use their position to keep prices unnecessarily high, provide the minimum support they can and churn out bad drivers.
Sure Microsoft got to their monopoly position through some dirty business tactics but we can see the harm a monopolist in the OS market has done, 6 years for Vista? First new version of IE7 in how many years? There are other choices in the OS market and I'm pretty certain in some markets their better options but people don't choose them because "no one got fired for using microsoft". I would argue that Google is entering this realm of thinking, sure there's no technical reason stopping people switching but people don't because they know of Google and have never heard of the rest.
Monopolies are bad, they can never be good, oligopolys are also bad but can be advantageous if regulated well. It doesn't matter how you became a monopoly or a oligopoly it just matters that you are.
Moving to Vista is easy, Let me tell you about my last reinstall to vista (some months ago) I put the disk in and followed the installation instructions. I validated it with WGA, I let the account popup, windows update installed every single driver (excluding my Creative Webcam which has no x64 driver vista or xp) then I changed the Aero bar colour and personnalised some of it (including switch to 5.1 speakers.) Installed all normal software and espeacially PowerDVD XP so I could watch DVD Movies (Creatives Drivers don't yet support DTS and Dolby) and my current selection of games. From expearence I can't get Visual 2003.net to work properly and it seems microsoft have no intention of making it work. Visual Studio 2005's patch actually appeared in windows update as soon as I installed VS2005. Had no problems, heard about the Direct sound issue so went through game library turns out any of my games pre quake 3 either won't install or have no sound, I was very miffed until I released to get at these games I'd gone into the loft and opened a sealed cardboard box.
My list of non functioning stuff on vista after two months:
Gametap (they admit theres no x64 version of the software and refuse to let the prog install on x64)
Audigy SE drivers need more work (sound is basic promised driver is Q2)
Creative Vista IM Webcam (ironic theres no x64 VISTA driver in the works for it)
Visual Studio 2003.net (a pain since I became attatched to this but the uni gives away 2005 as well so....)
Every other XP application I have thrown at it (excluding those games) has worked perfectly on it from Visual Studio 2005 (since patched) to Proteus ISIS software.
While I know your comments meant to be funny I live in the south west of england sure a few years ago 3G coverage was spotty and there was a lot of backlash about it (Three selling people contracts to area's their service didn't cover) but after roaming over most of Cornwall and Devon I can get a 3G signal pretty much anywhere
I prefer this one "A web application will replace my desktop application when they pry the installation disk from my code dead fingers?"
No one has convinced me that web applications are a good idea yet, I've seen google docs and the whole not being in charge of my data and the single point of failure issues haven't been addressed and I don't see how they can ever be addressed. Make me a application that does everything my desktop one can do then maybe.
I have had the same problem as the this poster, I moved house and forgot to update my credit card accounts address. I ordered something from overclockers.co.uk and got the order flagged. They refused to send the order unless I provided proof through mail or fax including some billing statement and passport. I suggested a email with my passport and a billing statement and it was rejected because of the ease in which such documents could be altered. I suggested I could have manipulated such things already printed them out and then faxed them if I did things their way this made the woman 'uncomfortable' and I got to speak to a boss his reasoning was the company's needed some form of hard proof emails don't cut it and yet faxes do, its a strange world.
Solution cancel the order, change my banking details, wait until the online bank details are changed (20 mins later) then remake the order.
Your talking about supply and demand the problem is the 'supply' is operating under free market conditions nor is it operating as a regulated Oligopoly. There is massive price collusion going on creating a effective monopoly, once this sort of thing happens the requirement to try and be competitive goes out the window every DVD realeased of X size is £x. Its made worse that business's don't always follow the economics reasoning, instead we get business reasoning. Supply and demand says that if we lower prices our profit will be larger but business thinking is concerned with profit maximisation and the idea of minium cost maximuim profit comes into play, they might sell 50% more dvd's but would that be the best way to use those resources?
Personnally I've found most company's TV series DVD prices to be improving for example things like Family Guy series 1 are £9.99 and the latest series (5 in the UK) was released at £19.99 for the amount of episodes that wasn't bad. My question is why are the BBC being so extortionate? (the new) Dr Who second series is £50, I can't find (the new) Dr Who first series anywhere Red Dwarf Series at £25. It seems warped and contrary to everything else on the market, I can get all the Dr Who episodes recorded onto my PC when it comes onto TV, Torchwood should not cost £48 for 11 episodes. The BBC shouldn't be after profit I pay for a TV license and so have already funded those stupid episodes!
Not true in Vista hen you click later the request is placed on a 10 minutes reminder, you can change the reminder length to 4 hours but it will still remind you. If you don't have any programs holding windows open (say an unsaed word document, or particular game) then it will just restart you machine when you leave it alone.
I like vista and was somewhat irratated by this new 'feature'
Why? No offense I'm not trying to be insightful or anything my spelling and grammar have always sucked and the only reason I'm even on slashdot is because I need a break from writing a project report its nice not having to use big words, check for grammatical correctness and worry about the flow of a paragraph for a minute and try to ask a question that makes the poster attempt to actually justify their comment, but since you asked:
FPS games do not just rely on fast reaction times, I like to play CS and HL2 Deathmatch. Even when suffering from high latency (150 to 200) my score doesn't change much. There is a great deal of innate ability necessary to play a FPS game but, when you play the it is all down to you. Did you spot that guy running along the second floor? Are you going to take the stairs to head him off? What route do you go to get to the sniper? Team play? How accurate is your aiming?
I've always found RTS games require a single strategy which is to build a base, waste 90% of resources on building an incredible defence, While your defence keeps the attackers at bay leave for half an hour with your manufacturing facilities set to build a ridiculous sized army (scout the enemy and tailor army to match his/her units.) Once this is complete send out your army, as this army moves into position start creating a secondary force which is equal or half of your current force, once the secondary force is half way complete attack your enemy. Attack with the primary force and send in the secondary force as re-enforcements. A single strategy that's worked since C&C in single player and multiplayer, the only interesting aspect is when other human players use the same strategy and it becomes a game of who can get their army built first.
Games like Final Fantasy are very formulaic. First save your game, play against the next monster if you scrape a win then reload your game and level grind until your double the original level. When the games are online, all you have to do is research the 'untouchable' level and grind until you get to that level. Neither requires much in the way of real skill, just patience.
Driving and FPS games do rely on the players natural skill.
yeah i will be nice to the those annoying kids to get their arse kicked once the xbox players join in be even funnier to see them lose to controllers,
wait your talking about the xbox?
not really, I like to play CS and HL2 Deathmatch, even with latency near 200 I do about the same score wise. There is a great deal of inante ability necessary but when you play the skill is all down to you, did you dpot that go running along the second floor, are you going to take the stair to head him off, what route do you go to get to the sniper, team play, how acurate is your aiming. I've always found RTS games require 1 strategy build a base go insane wasting 90% of resources on making an incredible defense then go away for half an hour as you start building a redicioulus sized army (scout the enemey and tailor army to match his/her units) then send out insane sized army while creating a secondary force, once the secondary force is half way complete, attack then attack with primary amd send in secondary force as re-enforcements. A single strategy thats worked since C&C from single player to multiplayer, it only get interesting on who can do it first. Game like FF are save, play against monster if you scrape a win reload and then grind until your double your current level then repeat, when the games online research the untouchable level grind till you get there. Niether requires much in the way of real skill however. Driving and FPS games do
In the university lecture I was in this year on FPGA's the big selling point was the fact you could do exactly this and how its used in industry. I'm not seeing any 'news'
Actually this has happened with me with Tiscali in the UK, There are five of us using the router and between us we can move through about 5GB of legitimate traffic in a week (I used to run a server for a podcast group and backing that thing up could come to 30GB) For the first three months we were plagued by Tiscali applying their Fair Usage Policy (basically turning the net off whenever the felt we had used to much) then we got a letter saying our 1 year contract didn't apply they would continue to supply a 2Mbps line but wuold prefer if we left their service (the router would be given for free and no early cancellation fee, even offering to pay the fee to move to anouther provider (at the time it cost £20 for instant transferal)) I was sorely tempted until I realised the letter seemed to be offering something outside of their T&C. I would leave but I've had a constant good connection since then (march 2006) am not tied into any contract despite my net usuage going up the FUP hasn't been applied once (although three days a week (6pm - 11:30pm) they do seem to block a port that stops CS/MO:UL from working.)
I didn't go through the interest wayning period on my PC, my Mega Drive or the PS2, I did with a friends N64 when I realised that after Goldeneye there was Perfect Dark and then nothing remotely interesting for me, I did with anouther friends Dreamcast when I realised the only game in his collection I enjoyed was Crazy Taxi.
Since I first heard about the Wii I've seen the controller as nothing more than a gimmick, Sony's PS2 did an excellent job of getting the fun party games as well as a ton of fun single player games for the occasional gamer to the hard core. The Xbox360 is starting to port a few of those games and it provides a balance. Me and my dad spent 3 hours on easter day playing Wipeout/Gran Turismo, followed by my sisters and other family relatives joining in the evening for Buzz/Signstar.The few people (and it is only a few I'll admit) I've talked to about the Wii have faced exactly the same problems of the original poster after they play Wii Sports there is nothing on the console to play, for your slightly more hard core gamer like me Wii Sports isn't worth playing since you figure out a knack on your second go and the challenge is lost.
The Wii's controller could have some interesting games built around it but I still have to ask how many people can afford to get their dance mats/microphones out to play a game on a regular basis as good use of the controller is going to require as much space.
To my actual comment on the article this could be a very bad thing for the Wii, the PSP has some great games but it has ALOT of poor ones you need to avoid (mostly due to cheap ports.) The Wii's controller is going to amplify a bad port. I know I sound very down about it I don't mind if the Wii suceeds bacause competition can only lead to good things but at the release of the PS3 there were three games which interested me (from my friends perspective add the sports games and its more like 6/7) along with my PS2's library, the Xbox360 even had two games from release (plus the Xbox type of horror games which seems to fascinate so many) which intrigued me, the Wii appears to have one and perhaps Paper Mario as well.