I hate automated ebay snipers.
I mean WTF?
Raising the price mere SECONDS before the auction ends? Such BS.
I mourn the days when online bidding was a PvP sport where the only tools were the refresh button, basic math skills and your raw nerve...
I ALMOST got caught by one. I still managed to get RE Code Veronica LE for $10.00 though. It looks really cool (red case). I wonder how much it's worth in decent condition?
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
For tax reasons.
Check out their other stuff. I can't imagine how much time it takes to animate this stuff.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
I use FireFox!
For the love of...
I stop using ebay for like YEARS and one of the first times I ever use it again and THIS happens...
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/160010/ebay_auction_tool_web_site_infected_with_malware.html
Thank God for Firefox.
Firefox is AWESOME. And it updates.
I stop using ebay for like YEARS and one of the first times I ever use it again and THIS happens...
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/160010/ebay_auction_tool_web_site_infected_with_malware.html
Thank God for Firefox.
Firefox is AWESOME. And it updates.
10 year old trashes the Dreamcast.
From the good people at UKR.
I am not even going to show the video here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y72MN8B2Mg4
1. Kid is 10.
2. Kid has never owned a Dreamcast.
3. Kid has the verbal skills of a 5 year old.
Wow. During the tournament I met a bunch of younger kids from 14-16 who participated and they all loved the Dreamcast. So not all kids are bad.
OK this Saturday is going to be Classic video game day.
I am not even going to show the video here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y72MN8B2Mg4
1. Kid is 10.
2. Kid has never owned a Dreamcast.
3. Kid has the verbal skills of a 5 year old.
Wow. During the tournament I met a bunch of younger kids from 14-16 who participated and they all loved the Dreamcast. So not all kids are bad.
OK this Saturday is going to be Classic video game day.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Crappy Job Market.
http://money.cnn.com/2009/02/18/news/economy/lousy_job/index.htm?postversion=2009021910
I lied about my college education to be able to get a job in the rural area I was in. And then since the people knew I had *some* college education they never promoted me or paid me more money. Other people with no education who were worse workers than I was got promoted and raised pay.
It's such a crappy job market.
I am SO GLAD I have a state funded job where I am part of a union. From what I can tell unless I mess up big time my job is secure as hell. They had a hard time getting rid of someone who was hated by everyone and pissed off the patrons.
I lied about my college education to be able to get a job in the rural area I was in. And then since the people knew I had *some* college education they never promoted me or paid me more money. Other people with no education who were worse workers than I was got promoted and raised pay.
It's such a crappy job market.
I am SO GLAD I have a state funded job where I am part of a union. From what I can tell unless I mess up big time my job is secure as hell. They had a hard time getting rid of someone who was hated by everyone and pissed off the patrons.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
System Shock 2. On par with Bioshock? Or above it?
So I beat Bioshock. I was very impressed with the story. I was also intrigued about the origins of the game so I decided to play System Shock 2.
I was in for a real treat.
So I found myself a CD copy of System Shock 2. To my shock (pun) it did not run on my computer even after using a patch. Some sort of video card error. For some reason my older PC running XP did run the game using a patch so I was able to play it.
This game is AWESOME. The gameplay is just great. The story is great. The subplots you discover when you listen to various audio logs are intriguing. The enemies of the game both biological and robotic are full of character. The many voices of the Many are wonderful. The AI of the enemies is OK.
I also installed the Rebirth mod which improves some of the graphics of the in-game characters.
Hands down I feel the gameplay beats out Bioshock. There is no comparison. You don't even get an inventory screen in Bioshock. System Shock 2 is more in depth in every way.
I believe Yahtzee said that Bioshock WAS System Shock dumbed down for console users. He was dead on. That's exactly was it is. Normally I am not much a of a PC chest thumper (except to note that a mouse and keyboard combo is ALWAYS a better control system for a FPS). But in this game the keyboard shortcuts and generally more complex control scheme pretty much demand a keyboard and mouse setup.
The gameplay elements that are duplicated in Bioshock are pale comparisons. The system of needing to recharge your various enhancements is absent. This makes Bioshock a much easier game to play and in my view a little less interesting.
It's a much scarier atmosphere in System Shock 2. You are constantly running low on ammo and energy. Your awesome powers might seem great now but if you are not careful in a scant few minutes they might run out of juice and leave you vulnerable. Your bad-ass shotgun that is mowing down enemies left and right might just degrade and lock up on you at a crucial moment. You need to constantly take care of your stuff. A decision to use something in your inventory or gain a new skill can cost you dearly in the next level. This enviroment of uncertainly and paranoia really draws you into the game.
In Bioshock I was running around looking for fights. The supposeldy bad-ass "Big Daddys" can be taken care of in a number of low cost ways. They aren't even hostile until you attack them! Fighting normal enemies is generally cake. You actuallly look forward to it. I never remember running around Rapture thinking "oh shit oh shit I only have 3 pistol rounds left. I am so toast if I run into a...oh crap." I remember doing that alot in System shock.
There is NEVER a guarantee of useful ammo left behind in either game but you notice it A LOT more in SS2. If you happen to kill a Many who has a few shotgun shells left on him you feel like it's Christmas.
The security and puzzle system is also dumbed down in Bioshock. It's MUCH easier hack cameras in Rapture. And they STAY hacked. In System Shock 2 you only get a few mintues of time to disable the cameras or sneak by. Then the cameras come back on. And instead of a few annoying but easily killed or hacked security bots that come at you in Rapture there is a FLOOD of enemies that come pouring into the whole level looking to destroy your careless ass.
In the SS2 world you have to pick and choose which weapons and powers you are going to keep. You CAN'T be a jake of all trades if you want to live. For example I never developed my mental powers in SS2 because I am too busy powering up my technical and combat skills. Now my mental power is helping to protect my health with the assistance of a implant. In Bioshock you possess the magic gun rack and can carry a huge amount of weapons as well as powers.
Story-wise I think that both games have strong points. Bioshock might actually win out because of the emotional depth of the big reveal. System Shock 2 is more a of slow burn.
Overall if you happen to have an older computer kicking around or if you are a wiz at getting older games to work on a newer computer do yourself a big favor and try System Shock 2.
I was in for a real treat.
So I found myself a CD copy of System Shock 2. To my shock (pun) it did not run on my computer even after using a patch. Some sort of video card error. For some reason my older PC running XP did run the game using a patch so I was able to play it.
This game is AWESOME. The gameplay is just great. The story is great. The subplots you discover when you listen to various audio logs are intriguing. The enemies of the game both biological and robotic are full of character. The many voices of the Many are wonderful. The AI of the enemies is OK.
I also installed the Rebirth mod which improves some of the graphics of the in-game characters.
Hands down I feel the gameplay beats out Bioshock. There is no comparison. You don't even get an inventory screen in Bioshock. System Shock 2 is more in depth in every way.
I believe Yahtzee said that Bioshock WAS System Shock dumbed down for console users. He was dead on. That's exactly was it is. Normally I am not much a of a PC chest thumper (except to note that a mouse and keyboard combo is ALWAYS a better control system for a FPS). But in this game the keyboard shortcuts and generally more complex control scheme pretty much demand a keyboard and mouse setup.
The gameplay elements that are duplicated in Bioshock are pale comparisons. The system of needing to recharge your various enhancements is absent. This makes Bioshock a much easier game to play and in my view a little less interesting.
It's a much scarier atmosphere in System Shock 2. You are constantly running low on ammo and energy. Your awesome powers might seem great now but if you are not careful in a scant few minutes they might run out of juice and leave you vulnerable. Your bad-ass shotgun that is mowing down enemies left and right might just degrade and lock up on you at a crucial moment. You need to constantly take care of your stuff. A decision to use something in your inventory or gain a new skill can cost you dearly in the next level. This enviroment of uncertainly and paranoia really draws you into the game.
In Bioshock I was running around looking for fights. The supposeldy bad-ass "Big Daddys" can be taken care of in a number of low cost ways. They aren't even hostile until you attack them! Fighting normal enemies is generally cake. You actuallly look forward to it. I never remember running around Rapture thinking "oh shit oh shit I only have 3 pistol rounds left. I am so toast if I run into a...oh crap." I remember doing that alot in System shock.
There is NEVER a guarantee of useful ammo left behind in either game but you notice it A LOT more in SS2. If you happen to kill a Many who has a few shotgun shells left on him you feel like it's Christmas.
The security and puzzle system is also dumbed down in Bioshock. It's MUCH easier hack cameras in Rapture. And they STAY hacked. In System Shock 2 you only get a few mintues of time to disable the cameras or sneak by. Then the cameras come back on. And instead of a few annoying but easily killed or hacked security bots that come at you in Rapture there is a FLOOD of enemies that come pouring into the whole level looking to destroy your careless ass.
In the SS2 world you have to pick and choose which weapons and powers you are going to keep. You CAN'T be a jake of all trades if you want to live. For example I never developed my mental powers in SS2 because I am too busy powering up my technical and combat skills. Now my mental power is helping to protect my health with the assistance of a implant. In Bioshock you possess the magic gun rack and can carry a huge amount of weapons as well as powers.
Story-wise I think that both games have strong points. Bioshock might actually win out because of the emotional depth of the big reveal. System Shock 2 is more a of slow burn.
Overall if you happen to have an older computer kicking around or if you are a wiz at getting older games to work on a newer computer do yourself a big favor and try System Shock 2.
Games I want to buy for the PC.
Fallout 3. The Best Buy near me got the limited editions back in...
Stalker Clear Sky. I beat the first game.
Half Life 2 Orange Box. I have no idea if I can update and register using my work connection and then put Steam in Offline Mode at home to play...
Stalker Clear Sky. I beat the first game.
Half Life 2 Orange Box. I have no idea if I can update and register using my work connection and then put Steam in Offline Mode at home to play...
Friday, February 13, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Sodas that failed.
For some reason I found this article fascinating.
http://www.gunaxin.com/a-tribute-to-fallen-dead-discontinued-sodas/11115
I actually sold Surge from a concession stand in a softball diamond. (I got the profits off it and the popcorn).
I had a sign that say "The North Countrys Greatest Popcorn." Scott M. changed it to "Greatest Cop Porn" without telling me. That freaking asshole.
...Holy Crap there is actually a website about bringing Surge back! http://savesurge.org/
You have got to be kidding me...
http://www.gunaxin.com/a-tribute-to-fallen-dead-discontinued-sodas/11115
I actually sold Surge from a concession stand in a softball diamond. (I got the profits off it and the popcorn).
I had a sign that say "The North Countrys Greatest Popcorn." Scott M. changed it to "Greatest Cop Porn" without telling me. That freaking asshole.
...Holy Crap there is actually a website about bringing Surge back! http://savesurge.org/
You have got to be kidding me...
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
You like Vampires? Hulu has vampires.
www.hulu.com
They have Buffy, Angel (season 1), Forever Knight, and classic movies like Near Dark and the Last Man on Earth.
They have Buffy, Angel (season 1), Forever Knight, and classic movies like Near Dark and the Last Man on Earth.
It's amazing how some people on the Internet are "getting it" now.
With the whole "Internet culture" thing people are looking for a reason to be a good person. Traditional mentalities no longer work. People need a *reason* to be good. They *want* to be good but their entirely selfish upbringing drives them to find a *reason* to be a better person.
Traditional reasons no longer work since we have found out that most moral leaders were actually assholes and the bulk of their followers are stupid sheep. We don't want to be morons and deep down we don't want to be hypocrites either. We are no longer medieval peasants. We have eaten from the tree of knowledge and it has torn away the comforting blanket of ignorance.
So now for many people there doesn't seem to be reason to be a "good person". But deep down we all want to be the good guy. So now what?
So now people are allowing themselves to take a callous look on morality and figure out that it's actually in their best interest to be be a "good person", or at least fake it enough.
Take these two examples (Which both feature stick men. A sign of the times?):
Order of the Stick.
How not to Fail at Life.
Traditional reasons no longer work since we have found out that most moral leaders were actually assholes and the bulk of their followers are stupid sheep. We don't want to be morons and deep down we don't want to be hypocrites either. We are no longer medieval peasants. We have eaten from the tree of knowledge and it has torn away the comforting blanket of ignorance.
So now for many people there doesn't seem to be reason to be a "good person". But deep down we all want to be the good guy. So now what?
So now people are allowing themselves to take a callous look on morality and figure out that it's actually in their best interest to be be a "good person", or at least fake it enough.
Take these two examples (Which both feature stick men. A sign of the times?):
Order of the Stick.
How not to Fail at Life.
Monday, February 09, 2009
Signs of the Depression.
A few signs of the depression I have seen recently.
1. More and more patrons smelling of cheap malt liquor / beer.
There really is a sour odor that goes along with that cheap ass hop. I noticed it as a freshman when my roomate would come home from parties. As I indulged myself I stopped noticing the smell.
Now I don't drink much at all really. And certainly NOT malt liquor. The health risks far outweigh the cheap price. Go drink a good microbrew or Lager or stout.
So the smell wafting from several people is much more noticeable to me. And it seems like there are more of them everyday.
2. Sliders are back in style.
Sliders or very small hamburgers were made popular in the depression era because they were so cheap (5 cents per burger). Of course this item was inexpensive because there was so little meat involved.
Some restaurants like White Castle made themselves famous by providing bags of multiple burgers with toppings.
However, the original depression age sandwich with minimal toppings is making a comeback in modern fast food. A pair or tiny hamburgers can be purchased at Burger King a fast food place for a cheap price.
It's amazing since in the recent past most fast food places strove to serve the largest sandwhiches possible. Even McDonalds ( A corporation that I DO NOT do business with for several reasons) cut down the number of cheese slices in it's $1 double. Honestly that sandwich dollar menu is the only reason they are doing business.
3. Coke unleashes the $1 1.5 liter container.
Considering that most places that sell individual small bottles of soda charge more than $1 for them this "seems" like a bargain. It's not.
See Coke and Pepsi used to sell soda for .99 for a 2 liter bottle. Now they NEVER do.
It's certainly not because putting carbonated water and sugar together got that much more expensive. It's because fewer people are drinking soda since it's pretty much the worst thing you CAN drink.
And of course on top of this all most food producers are putting less food in their packaging. A simple solution to this is to buy ingredients and make your own damn food. You will be healthier and happier. And wealthier.
1. More and more patrons smelling of cheap malt liquor / beer.
There really is a sour odor that goes along with that cheap ass hop. I noticed it as a freshman when my roomate would come home from parties. As I indulged myself I stopped noticing the smell.
Now I don't drink much at all really. And certainly NOT malt liquor. The health risks far outweigh the cheap price. Go drink a good microbrew or Lager or stout.
So the smell wafting from several people is much more noticeable to me. And it seems like there are more of them everyday.
2. Sliders are back in style.
Sliders or very small hamburgers were made popular in the depression era because they were so cheap (5 cents per burger). Of course this item was inexpensive because there was so little meat involved.
Some restaurants like White Castle made themselves famous by providing bags of multiple burgers with toppings.
However, the original depression age sandwich with minimal toppings is making a comeback in modern fast food. A pair or tiny hamburgers can be purchased at Burger King a fast food place for a cheap price.
It's amazing since in the recent past most fast food places strove to serve the largest sandwhiches possible. Even McDonalds ( A corporation that I DO NOT do business with for several reasons) cut down the number of cheese slices in it's $1 double. Honestly that sandwich dollar menu is the only reason they are doing business.
3. Coke unleashes the $1 1.5 liter container.
Considering that most places that sell individual small bottles of soda charge more than $1 for them this "seems" like a bargain. It's not.
See Coke and Pepsi used to sell soda for .99 for a 2 liter bottle. Now they NEVER do.
It's certainly not because putting carbonated water and sugar together got that much more expensive. It's because fewer people are drinking soda since it's pretty much the worst thing you CAN drink.
And of course on top of this all most food producers are putting less food in their packaging. A simple solution to this is to buy ingredients and make your own damn food. You will be healthier and happier. And wealthier.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
We need to broaden the "Fair Use" restrictions.
It sucks that nobody can use ANYTHING without worrying about someone suing them. I mean COME ON. This is the Associated Press! WTF! If we deny inspiration to our artists then what the hell is the worth of this country anyways?
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D9652OD01&show_article=1
Lucas Arts Posters.
I gotta play some of these on my Dreamcast via ScummVM
http://www.lucasforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=195492
http://www.lucasforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=195492
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
New Event: Classic Video Game Day
A new event!
I am going to have a bunch of classic video games at the Library!
Fun Times.
I am going to have a bunch of classic video games at the Library!
Fun Times.
Monday, February 02, 2009
Hmm. Raccoon Meat? I dunno.
"The meat is almost ready to be boiled, except for one thing: Although its head, innards and three paws have been removed, it still has one. That's the law.
"They leave the paw on to prove it's not a cat or a dog," Washington says."
http://sj-online2.sunjournal.com/html/raccoon/index.php?storyid=301761&t=3
Yeah. I can understand eating dog, Squirrel, rabbits and pretty much any other mammal. I come from the back woods. Those animals are all tasty.
But Raccoon? Come on!
Raccoon's are nature's trash pickers. They get TONS of diseases. Any nasty disease that goes through the animal population it's a sure thing that raccoons will get it. And the ones that live near populated areas??? All they eat is TRASH. Do you really want to eat something that is filling up on carcinogenic waste all day? And people complain about what domesticated animals are put through (which is horrible in it's own right I suppose).
This is a "South" thing in the US. Northerners would rather eat something better I suppose. Plenty of tasty deer and bears running around the woods.
I think people eat raccoons down south because they were so dirt cheap during the depression. It just became a tradition.
I mean you cook goat in the manner that they describe in the article and it will come out good. Hell you can cook ANYTHING
For my money I would rather eat something else or do some urban scavenging for food if money was that tight.
"They leave the paw on to prove it's not a cat or a dog," Washington says."
http://sj-online2.sunjournal.com/html/raccoon/index.php?storyid=301761&t=3
Yeah. I can understand eating dog, Squirrel, rabbits and pretty much any other mammal. I come from the back woods. Those animals are all tasty.
But Raccoon? Come on!
Raccoon's are nature's trash pickers. They get TONS of diseases. Any nasty disease that goes through the animal population it's a sure thing that raccoons will get it. And the ones that live near populated areas??? All they eat is TRASH. Do you really want to eat something that is filling up on carcinogenic waste all day? And people complain about what domesticated animals are put through (which is horrible in it's own right I suppose).
This is a "South" thing in the US. Northerners would rather eat something better I suppose. Plenty of tasty deer and bears running around the woods.
I think people eat raccoons down south because they were so dirt cheap during the depression. It just became a tradition.
I mean you cook goat in the manner that they describe in the article and it will come out good. Hell you can cook ANYTHING
For my money I would rather eat something else or do some urban scavenging for food if money was that tight.
MS paint adventures.
A nice time waster.
Lots of jokes that only adventure gamers will get.
http://www.mspaintadventures.com/
Lots of jokes that only adventure gamers will get.
http://www.mspaintadventures.com/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
