Fanboy alert! New trailers for 'Star Trek,' 'Watchmen' - Project Mayhem - The Grand Rapids Press - MLive.com: "Fanboy alert! New trailers for 'Star Trek,' 'Watchmen'
Posted by John Serba | The Grand Rapids Press November 20, 2008 16:12PM
Categories: Featured, Movies, Trailers
Full disclosure: I'm a 'Star Wars' nerd, and not just down to the bone -- it's in my blood. I mean, the infusion of Jedi-vs.-Sithdom reaches microscopic levels for me. Insert midi-chlorians joke here.
I'm up front about my bias because the world is divided into two groups: 'Star Wars' fans and 'Star Trek' fans, and never the twain shall meet. Don't let anyone try to tell you otherwise. If someone says they like both, they're lying. And it's obvious my particular corner of geekdom, with its $10,000 homemade stormtrooper costumes and backwards Yoda diction, is far superior to those Trekkies over there, with their pointy ears and pocket protectors, jabbering on in Klingon. I mean, really. What dweebs.
But I digress. My assertion that Yoda could slaughter the entire crew of the Enterprise with but one gesticulation will color my commentary of the new trailer for J.J. Abrams' 'Star Trek' franchise reboot. C-3PO himself calculated the probability of this happening, much faster than that puny-minded Spock ever could. Check out the new clip:"
Friday, November 21, 2008
Slashdot | Tabula Rasa To Shut Down
Slashdot | Tabula Rasa To Shut Down: "NCSoft announced today that it will be closing down Tabula Rasa on February 28th. The sci-fi shooter-flavored MMO struggled for quite some time, despite recent attempts to draw in new players by announcements of new features, price reductions, and using Richard Garriott's trip into space as a promotion. We discussed Garriott's departure from NCSoft a couple weeks ago. This is NCSoft's second failed MMO, and apparently layoffs are in the works. They seem to be making an effort to make the game's last few months as fun as they can for their remaining players, though. 'Before we end the service, we'll make Tabula Rasa servers free to play starting on January 10, 2009. We can assure you that through the next couple of months we'll be doing some really fun things in Tabula Rasa, and we plan to make staying on a little longer worth your while.'"
Thursday, November 20, 2008
The Cathedral and the Bazaar
The Cathedral and the Bazaar: "The Magic Cauldron
This paper analyzes the economics of open-source software. It includes some explosion of common myths about software production economics, a game-theoretical account of why open-source cooperation is stable, and a taxonomy of open-source business models.
Here's the XHTML. You can also download the DocBook XML or Postscript.
CatB Book Cover
If you like these papers, you will probably also enjoy my How To Become A Hacker FAQ (also in the book)."
This paper analyzes the economics of open-source software. It includes some explosion of common myths about software production economics, a game-theoretical account of why open-source cooperation is stable, and a taxonomy of open-source business models.
Here's the XHTML. You can also download the DocBook XML or Postscript.
CatB Book Cover
If you like these papers, you will probably also enjoy my How To Become A Hacker FAQ (also in the book)."
The Linux Game Tome: DJL
The Linux Game Tome: DJL: "DJL
Version: 1.20
Author: Florian
Category: Game-related Utility Rate this game yourself! Average of 1 Ratings:4.304.304.304.30
DJL Screenshot A python based game manager for GNU/Linux
Djl is an open-source (GPL licensed) game manager written in Python 2.5 for GNU/Linux Operating System, and is inspired by Valve's Steam software for Windows.
Djl allows you to download, install and run games from the djl repository, in an easily removable manner. It also has the ability to launch games in a seperate x11 server, which can bypass many issues with CompizFusion.
License: free"
Version: 1.20
Author: Florian
Category: Game-related Utility Rate this game yourself! Average of 1 Ratings:4.304.304.304.30
DJL Screenshot A python based game manager for GNU/Linux
Djl is an open-source (GPL licensed) game manager written in Python 2.5 for GNU/Linux Operating System, and is inspired by Valve's Steam software for Windows.
Djl allows you to download, install and run games from the djl repository, in an easily removable manner. It also has the ability to launch games in a seperate x11 server, which can bypass many issues with CompizFusion.
License: free"
The Linux Game Tome: Regnum Online
The Linux Game Tome: Regnum Online: "Regnum Online
Version: 0.9.37
Published by NGD Studios
Category: Role Playing Rate this game yourself! Average of 11 Ratings:4.384.384.384.38
Regnum Online Screenshot Multiplayer online RPG actively developed in Argentina
Regnum Online® is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) for the PC where the players are immersed in a 3D virtual world where they can live as Elves, Humans, Dwarves, or Dark Elves. You can be a Warrior, Mage, or Archer, and each class has two subclasses that become available in later levels - Knight, Barbarian, Warlock, Conjurer, Marksman, or Hunter. Players will have exciting adventures, explore wild lands, join a clan, and form an army of players to take on the other kingdoms in massive PvP battles.
The game is still in development but already offers many quests, items, and m
onsters; not to mention the large number of English, Spanish, German, and Portuguese speaking players you'll meet in-game.
License: unknown (Free to play, paid premium content)"
Version: 0.9.37
Published by NGD Studios
Category: Role Playing Rate this game yourself! Average of 11 Ratings:4.384.384.384.38
Regnum Online Screenshot Multiplayer online RPG actively developed in Argentina
Regnum Online® is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) for the PC where the players are immersed in a 3D virtual world where they can live as Elves, Humans, Dwarves, or Dark Elves. You can be a Warrior, Mage, or Archer, and each class has two subclasses that become available in later levels - Knight, Barbarian, Warlock, Conjurer, Marksman, or Hunter. Players will have exciting adventures, explore wild lands, join a clan, and form an army of players to take on the other kingdoms in massive PvP battles.
The game is still in development but already offers many quests, items, and m
onsters; not to mention the large number of English, Spanish, German, and Portuguese speaking players you'll meet in-game.License: unknown (Free to play, paid premium content)"
The Linux Game Tome: Vendetta
The Linux Game Tome: Vendetta: "Massively Multiplayer space game
Vendetta Online is a massively multiplayer game, which will permit thousands of players to interact as the pilots of spaceships in a vast, persistent universe. Users may build their characters in any direction they desire, becoming rich captains of industry, military heros, or outlaws. A fast-paced, realtime 'twitch' style combat model gives intense action, coupled with the backdrop of RPG gameplay in a massive online galaxy. Three major player factions form a delicate balance of power, with several NPC sub-factions creating situations of economic struggle, political intrigue and conflict. The completely persistent universe and detailed storyline add to the depth of immersion, resulting in a unique online experience.
The game has a free, no-strings-attached trial period, with no personal information or credit card required. Subscriptions start at less than $7 a month for larger prepaid time blocks, or $9.99 monthly.
License: commercial (9.99)
Additional System Requirements:
* 1ghz Pentium III or Athlon (Mac and Windows versions also available).
* Native Linux x86 or x86-64 builds available.
* 256mb of system ram
* A GLX-accelerated video card (32mb GeForce1 class or better)
* Glibc 2.2 or better
* GTK+ 2.0 or better
* ALSA or OSS for sound (ALSA required for in-game Voice"
Vendetta Online is a massively multiplayer game, which will permit thousands of players to interact as the pilots of spaceships in a vast, persistent universe. Users may build their characters in any direction they desire, becoming rich captains of industry, military heros, or outlaws. A fast-paced, realtime 'twitch' style combat model gives intense action, coupled with the backdrop of RPG gameplay in a massive online galaxy. Three major player factions form a delicate balance of power, with several NPC sub-factions creating situations of economic struggle, political intrigue and conflict. The completely persistent universe and detailed storyline add to the depth of immersion, resulting in a unique online experience.
The game has a free, no-strings-attached trial period, with no personal information or credit card required. Subscriptions start at less than $7 a month for larger prepaid time blocks, or $9.99 monthly.
License: commercial (9.99)
Additional System Requirements:
* 1ghz Pentium III or Athlon (Mac and Windows versions also available).
* Native Linux x86 or x86-64 builds available.
* 256mb of system ram
* A GLX-accelerated video card (32mb GeForce1 class or better)
* Glibc 2.2 or better
* GTK+ 2.0 or better
* ALSA or OSS for sound (ALSA required for in-game Voice"
Linux Today - 30 Game Scripts You Can Write in PHP
Linux Today - 30 Game Scripts You Can Write in PHP: "30 Game Scripts You Can Write in PHP
Nov 21, 2008, 04 :03 UTC (0 Talkback[s]) (56 reads)
(Other stories by Duane O'Brien)
[ Thanks to jmalasko for this link. ]
'As both a game master/storyteller and a developer, I frequently find myself writing little utilities and scripts to help me when running, planning, and playing games.
'Sometimes I need a quick idea. Other times, I just need a whole pile of names for Non-Player Characters (NPCs). Occasionally, I need to geek out on numbers, work out some odds, or integrate some word puzzles into a game. Many of these tasks become more manageable with a little bit of script work ahead of time.
'This article will explore 10 fundamental scripts that can be used in various types of games. The code archive contains the full source for each script we will discuss, and you can see the scripts in action at chaoticneutral. We will blaze through these scripts pretty quickly. The topic of finding a host or setting up a server will not be covered. There are many Web hosting companies that offer PHP, and the XAMPP installer is easy to use if you want to set up your own. We won't spend a lot of time talking about PHP best practices or game design techniques. These scripts are designed to be simple to understand, simple to use, and quick to"
very very good for php noobs
Nov 21, 2008, 04 :03 UTC (0 Talkback[s]) (56 reads)
(Other stories by Duane O'Brien)
[ Thanks to jmalasko for this link. ]
'As both a game master/storyteller and a developer, I frequently find myself writing little utilities and scripts to help me when running, planning, and playing games.
'Sometimes I need a quick idea. Other times, I just need a whole pile of names for Non-Player Characters (NPCs). Occasionally, I need to geek out on numbers, work out some odds, or integrate some word puzzles into a game. Many of these tasks become more manageable with a little bit of script work ahead of time.
'This article will explore 10 fundamental scripts that can be used in various types of games. The code archive contains the full source for each script we will discuss, and you can see the scripts in action at chaoticneutral. We will blaze through these scripts pretty quickly. The topic of finding a host or setting up a server will not be covered. There are many Web hosting companies that offer PHP, and the XAMPP installer is easy to use if you want to set up your own. We won't spend a lot of time talking about PHP best practices or game design techniques. These scripts are designed to be simple to understand, simple to use, and quick to"
very very good for php noobs
How to Grow New Eyes
Scientists convert stem cells into functioning eyes in frogs.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
 |
Stem cells from frog eggs can be genetically prodded to develop into functional eyes in tadpoles, according to research presented at the Society of Neurosciences conference in Washington, DC. Michael Zuber and his colleagues from SUNY Upstate Medical University, in Syracuse, NY, genetically engineered the stem cells to express a set of transcription factors (proteins that trigger expression of other genes) that are known to regulate eye development.
When transplanted onto frog embryos that had had one eye removed, the cells developed into all seven types of cells found in the retina and also grew connections to the appropriate target in the brain. Swim tests showed that the new eyes functioned properly: tadpoles stayed in the part of their tank with a white background, which is normal tadpole behavior, rather than a black background.
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