Daily - 110102

[Mephisto_kur]

I can guarantee you guys won't be getting ANY of these stupid daily posts in a couple weeks.  The expansion to the most horrendously addictive game I have ever bought has GONE GOLD.  Read my review of Morrowind: The Elder Scrolls III here.  

Also from FiringSquad, it seems some parent groups are going after the US Army for its new America's Army video game.  Calling it a "murder simulator".  So, uh, don't let your kids play it.  Its called "PARENTING" and involves taking responsibility for what you teach your kids.  It really is not my son's fault that your son is so stupid as to confuse real life with a video game.  Here's some more pissed off Morality Police about GTA: Vice City.  Good lord I can't wait for that one to hit PC (in May).  GTA3 is one of the best games I've ever played.  I even ripped the radio station "Chatterbox" so I could play it in my car.  Here's a quote that really pinpoints my issue with the anti-violence groups:

David Walsh, the president and founder of the National Institute on Media and the Family, a non-profit research organization on the impact of media on kids, says most parents he's talked to don't really know of the game's violent content, even though it's marked for mature audiences.

Hey, do you think I have an opinion on the topic?  I guess so.  I also believe I am allowed one as I have two boys.  I just don't understand how a parent can say that they "don't really know" about the violence in their kid's video games!

The Microsoft ruling has been handed down.  It certainly looks like not only a slap on the wrist, but possibly even a total positive from Microsoft's point of view.  Remember, if you choose to comment here, I don't go for that dollar sign crap.

Does the size of the boobs matter?  In my opinion?  No.  Maybe its because I wasn't breast fed, but boobs in general have never been a turn on for me.  How bout you guys?  What is your preference?

So, anyone really still think the Boy Scouts are not a religious organization?  Most of my friends know my feeling s on the Boy Scouts and their use of MY TAX DOLLARS to discriminate against Atheists.  I bet some of you remember also when you couldn't be Jewish, either.  Thats right, the Boy Scouts.  The long arm of the Klan?  Lets hope they can get their act straight soon.

Those of you on crack..uh..I mean running IIS should make sure to patch your system.  I have an even better patch right here.  Seriously.  Apache is smaller, FASTER and only slightly harder to set up.  Get choo some.

A, been looking for a step by step on how to make a briefcase PC?  Look here.  I think these things look sweet.  This might be the next thing I do.

New Strong Bad.

And tonight's WTF?
Ugh, I can't believe I watched this whole thing  Thanks Myshka
Cow.  Press space to start, left and right arrows to move the tractor.
Happy Tree Friends

[KillJoy]

I have a 3 year old son who is obsessed with guns.  This all started when we took him to Arizona for vacation.  All the family theme parks we went to had cowboy shootouts.  Now, he's fascinated with guns.  It's all he wants to talk about, and almost all he plays with.  He was, of course, a cowboy for Halloween.

This gave me some concern at first, but maybe not for the reasons you'd expect.  I grew up with guns in the house.  There were several shotguns, rifles of all calibers, muzzle-loading rifles, compound bows, and one crappy old 22 revolver.  I can't remember having any confusion about guns when I grew up.  I had toy guns.  I never touched the real guns (until they were given to me).  I knew the difference, heard them fire, saw the damage they did, and knew that I shouldn't play with those.  I had a pellet rifle early on.  I shot cans and birds.  I got a real gun (an H&R .410 single shot shotgun) when I was about 11, and was carefully shown how to use it and not use it.  All of this seemed natural and easy for both me and my father.  I guess it had happened for generations, and my dad didn't fear or second guess the process.  I never had any firearm accidents.  None of the friends I had who had similar rearing had any firearm accidents either.  Sure, I know adults who fell from a horse or an ATV or a bottle of liquor and shot themselves or their friends, but I really wouldn't call that a firearm accident, rather an alcohol accident.

Back to my point (what was it?)...  My household is much different than the one I grew up in.  There are no real guns.  We live in the suburbs, not on the open Cumberland Plateau, where boys and pups run free with no pedophiles, no leash law, no HOA regulations, etc.  Now that my son is obsessed with guns, how do I know he won't pick up the next real gun he stumbles across and shoot someone (me, for instance)?  I can't know that.

Do video games or television have anything to do with it?  No!  It's the family entertainment and tourist industry of the American southwest.  They're the ones to blame.  (hehe)

If I can't teach him the difference, I'll have to shelter him from contact with guns.  I don't want to do that.  I think he might find some special bond with his grandpa trampling through the woods shooting squirrels and rabbits.  Whatever happens, I'll be responsible.  Tombstone Arizona's town attorney can rest at ease.  There'll be no lawsuit.

NEXT RANT...

The Microsoft settlement seems like a slap on the wrist.  The opening of APIs and protocols for middleware could be a big deal.  This would help the Samba project for sure, and probably OpenOffice and many others, maybe Mozilla... Hey, Outlook Express is bundled with the OS...that's middleware...open those APIs (Exchange client), wouldn't that help Evolution and Kroupware, etc....

Microsoft shall disclose to ISVs, IHVs, IAPs,ICPs, and OEMs, for the sole purpose of interoperating with a Windows Operating System Product, via the Microsoft Developer Network ("MSDN") or similar mechanisms, the APIs and related Documentation that are used by Microsoft Middleware to interoperate with a Windows Operating System Product.

NEXT....

The boys scouts don't just descriminate against athiests or Jews, but against homosexuals as well.  They're the first rung of the ladder into the evil empire.

DISCLAIMER...

I normally don't involve myself in public discussions of politics, but Myfister's post today seemed to entice the bastard in me...  Plus...  I've been drinkin' a little.

[Mephisto_kur]

Well put.

[nickc]

I enjoyed the new Strong Bad

[KillJoy]

It's two and a half years old, now...

[Mephisto_kur]

Sorry.  Thread got bump by a spammer.

[nickc]

yes I just noticed. had been so long since aaaai had scene Strong Bad I did not notice at that point.

[Smokethis]

Myfister,lol too funny.