If this is a sign of things to come, I think that they did not get their money worth. How out of touch are these people?
Skynet Chrome
Most of you know that the Google has moved one step closer to world domination with the creation of its own web browser. It's still in beta, but there are lots of things that I like. Here's a video created by Google that explains some of the features.
Two of the features that really impressed me:
1. Each tab is a separate process, so if one tab crashes, it doesn't crash the whole browser.
2. Built-in task manager so that you can see how each tab is using system resources.
It's still buggy, but it has a lot of potential.
The Magic Price Point: 360 Arcade SKU hits $199
Rumor after rumor swirled, now it is official.
Microsoft Press release via 1Up.com wrote:
Beginning Friday, September 5, the new pricing for the various Xbox 360 SKUs will be as follows:
- Xbox 360 Arcade -- $199
- Xbox 360 Premium -- $299
- Xbox 360 Elite -- $299
Price drop, Gears of War 2, and a new Dashboard interface. This could be a giant holiday for 360 as $199 moves the unit into the mainstream.
Hawk and Sabre & 4th Edition D&D
Earlier today I texted some clannites about the possiblity of getting a 4th Edition D&D game going. There seemed to be some interest, so I dug around bit.
4th Edition holds the promise of the most comprehensive online tools yet. Through a subscription service called D&DInsider, Wizards of the Coast are offering a host of options and resources. Not everything is working yet but here are the planned features:
Currently working
No Heroics: Superhero comedy for grown-ups
This looks hilarious. Sort of like The Office, meets Coupling, meets Mystery Men. Thumbs up.
Twitter: WTF? (who's on it, why is it so popular, and should I hate and fear it?)
So the forums are pretty much dead as of late. From time to time people drop by here to post a thing or two, but I feel like I am hopelessly behind because someone already tweeted it. Let's hear it, folks:
- Of the clan members, who has a Twitter feed that they update regularly? (and what are your screen names)
- Why do you like it? Why do you use it? How do you use it? I can understand Facebook updates with all of the other social networking features. How is Twitter different?
- Could this kill the forums?
I'm baffled. I've browsed many feeds off of Andy's twitter page. I've read print and online articles about how wonderful it is, yet none of those articles has done anything to clearly explain what makes it different than other tools already out there. It seems neat, but I obviously just do not get it.
(someone tweet about this so that people will visit the forums and respond)
Classic Forums Are Locked Down
Due to the spam I have taken the archives offline they are still there and available to anyone who wants to browse them just send me a pm email whatever and I'll enable them for you temporarily. I know it's a pain but we get new user request 6 or 7 times a day and the database is already unruly so until I can come up with a different solution that's what we'll have to do.
D&D + Facebook= Awesome Way to Avoid Being Productive
Oh man, Dungeons & Dragons and Scrabble on Facebook? Could the internet get more distracting?
Kotaku wrote:
Dungeons & Dragons-mongers Wizards of the Coast have come up with an uber-casual version of the venerable role playing game that just might make it worthwhile signing up for privacy-siphoning office time-sink that is Facebook.Dungeons & Dragons: Tiny Adventures is a Facebook app that lets you create a character, equip them with potions and weapons and them set them off on a (hey!) Tiny Adventure.
Your character will send you regular updates from your chosen quest, and because FB is a Social Networking site you can ask your friends to buff them up by throwing potions and other kit your way. Success in the various game events is determined by dice rolls modified by your initial choices.
The game server is down at the moment due to heavy demand, but should soon rise again, stronger and more powerful than ever.
Braid - A Live Arcade Must Download
Earnest Cavalli at The Escapist wrote:
Want a good comparison for Braid Remember Portal? Remember how it was only two hours long, yet that was the most meaningful two hours you spent with a game last year?... Buy it. Now. Stop reading and buy it. You shouldn't have even read that last sentence.
I was skeptical. I downloaded the demo. Wow. I am no longer skeptical.
Although I still have a sour taste from Worms and haven't bought an arcade title since then, I am strongly considering buying the approximately $15 Arcade game just to reward the folks that made this one. It's unique.
Go download the Braid demo now. Do it.
Attention: Baby Riederer in hospital
For those of you that don't know a CT scan has uncovered a possible tumor in Josh's kidney. He's been admitted. A biopsy is planned for tomorrow, probably followed by surgery.
I think Andy and Melissa could use some encouraging messages, posts, texts, and calls from those that care about them. As a father my heart goes out to you both.