Wednesday, August 8, 2001

Top Games of All Time? -- 9:21 pm CST, Update by J.t.Qbe

Gamespy has published its own list of the top 50 games of all time. Interesting reading: they've placed more focus on modern games than is typical of these lists, and have left out a few games/series which ALWAYS make these lists, such as Starflight, Might & Magic, and others. They've gotten comments from some well-known game designers, though, which make it interesting.

What do you say, Haus staff? I've been in computer gaming for 20 years now, and I know that a few of you have been too. Should we come up with our own picks for the best games of all time?

New Mozilla Build Fix -- 9:11 pm CST, Update by A.T. Hun

Yesterday's Mozilla build fixed the bug that caused :hover not to work with Javascript. So the link hover stuff on our news and finger trackers work right in Mozilla! Yeah, I know it's a small thing, but it's annoyed me every since The Master added the Javascript to keep the tracker width manageable.

Of course, as soon as I type that, the build GPFs when I try to view our page on the United Devices website. Might want to hold off for a while then :)

Linux Today Editor Admits AstroTurfing -- 4:40 pm CST, Update by A.T. Hun

Kevin Reichard, executive editor for Linux Today, posted an apology for his practice of "astroturfing". Astroturfing was first coined when Microsoft allegedly instructed employees to write letters to the editors of various publications defending the company without stating that they were employees. It is a fake grassroots campaign, thus, astroturfing. In this case, Reichard posted on Linux Today's news talkbacks anonymously and with pseudonyms speaking against Linux Today in an attempt to make competing sites look bad. I suppose then it's actually reverse astroturfing. No matter.

I had heard rumors of this for some time, but I wanted to have facts before I posted. I am of the opinion (n.b. this is my opinion, not necessarily that of the rest of The Haus' staff) that Reichard should resign or be forced to resign for this. It completely destroys his credibility and makes his objectivity extremely suspect. The apology makes it seem like he has no concept of the damage he has done. It doesn't even sound like he doesn't even think an apology is necessary. Someone who is either so cavalier or so clueless needs to be shown the door if Linux Today hopes to clear up their tarnished image.

Of course, I'm sure that more than a few people will remind me that "journalistic integrity" is an oxymoron.

Summer Heat and Code Red 2: Electric Boogaloo -- 2:48 pm CST, Update by J.t.Qbe

In case you haven't noticed, it's HOT HOT HOT out there! I'm having a Faygo Redpop (it's a Michigan thing) and watching the cable modem and router lights flashing away like crazy--thank YOU Code Red. In Dennis Powell's latest article he talks about his own experiences with a cable modem and Code Red, and a cable company which lies to him (the good stuff's at the end--here, for the impatient). Hmmm, maybe I'll give old AT&T a call myself and see what they say about the blinking lights.

A.T. Hun comments: I'd be interested to hear their response, bet it would be vague :) The local megamart just got the full range of Faygo products in by the pallet, so I can start indoctrinating these 'sconsin folks about the wonder and glory that is redpop. They have Vernor's too, another Michigan classic.

The Master comments: Excellent link, Qbe. Strikes right to the heart on my feelings about both Microsoft and cable/telephone companies. They don't care, because everyone needs them and 1 or 2 people who go the other way don't even show up in the GP chart at the end of the month.

Tuesday, August 7, 2001

Black and White Review -- 9:44 pm CST, Update by A.T. Hun

Ars Technica posted a review of Lionhead's Black and White, a game where you get to play a god. The concept sounds quite unique and interesting, but does that make it fun? Here's a hint:

Despite all the effort put into the "gee-whiz-I'm-a-god-and-can-do-lots-of-neat-stuff" factor of the game, the introduction to the game's "story" (for lack of a more suiting word) screams at you that the designers put as little effort into creating an interesting tale as possible. Their end product is high on that gee whiz-factor, but totally non-existent in providing a story that's not 100% post-consumer waste. There's little to get excited about in the beginning, and you really don't care about finishing it towards the end. Sure, along the way you meet a few other gods, but they're as banal and bland as the story itself.

I link to this not so much because I am interested in the game, but because it is an excellent example of how to write a game review.

Pondering the Imponderable -- 9:38 pm CST, Update by A.T. Hun

No one bothered to tell me that we were going to move several miles closer to the sun this week. This summer has been unbelievably hot, especially considering we only had one day over ninety degrees last summer. Ack. It's supposed to cool down by Thursday, but I'll believe it when I feel it.

The Master comments: What are you complaining about? At least you've got central air :-) Us apartment people get to swelter in the steamy hot air with nothing more than a couple fans to cut the incinerating heat.

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