Posted 10/27/2009 at 05:48:34am

So, can I install the latest driver for my Radeon 4850 by double-clicking it, or do I still have to use the command prompt?

Posted 08/22/2009 at 02:27:20am

My continuing experience with Spellborn:  When I started the game, it did Another update, that only took a minute.  It started up in windowed mode, which I personally think is pretty stupid.  One of the splash screens mentioned Unreal Technology, which I was pleased to see.  I had to visit their website, to create my account.  "Earn Coins through Surveys" came up after I made my account.  (Meaning you can fill out surveys for game gold, no thanks.)  Space and Esc won't allow bypassing of the splash screens, annoying.  I glanced over the EULA, and noticed that they say you can have multiple accounts, but that you're not allowed to transfer items between them.  The login screen looks like the upper deck of a really long wooden ship, with tents on it.  It looks like it's going through space, but it also looks like there's a mountain next to it, confusing.  It has a couple of sails, that are waving unnaturally fast, with nothing else on the ship moving.  Not realistic, believable or immersive.  Double-clicking the server name won't do, you have to highlight it and then click the button, weak.  I got disconnected from the server after about 5 minutes while creating my character.  The music didn't suck, but the sound effects in the tutorial got annoying quick.  After character creation, you're on a ship that looks similar to the one on the login screen.  It's a wooden ship, flying through space, with a hull mostly composed of rock textures.  Looks really stupid, but I guess it's part of the story though.  Character walking animations looked unnatural.  The text for conversations is on the left, instead of the center of the screen.  I was pleased to see that there weren't too many controls, however THE CONTROLS ARE CONVOLUTED.  I guess the ship was taking me to a planet where I could explore, and maybe things would get better, but I'm done with it.  On a scale of 1 to 10, I give it a 3.

Posted 08/21/2009 at 09:49:29pm

Well, I decided to check out "The Chronicles of Spellborn".  The download is 3055 MB.  Kind of big, but that's not a bad thing, as it probably means there's lots of content.  (And they also offer to ship to you on a free DVD, for just $5.99 for shipping, which is cool.)  I let it download overnight.

The installation went fine, as expected.  I launched the game.  The artwork for the initial splash/dialog box looks high-quality, but a little "gaudy" or "flowery" to me, but that's to be expected for an RPG.  I guess it's good for RPG graphics to have a little character, although I've always preferred a "crisp", "clean", "straight-line" kind of look.  But it doesn't look bad.

The game did a "Checking Files..." routine, (I think it took about 30 seconds.)  Then it started to download an update (patch) from the servers.  It took about 5 minutes, to get to about 3.17%.  I 'X'ed out of it, because I've got other things to do, and I figured I'd try to manually download the patch (which might be faster) and apply it myself.

I went to the website looking for a patch download link, I couldn't find one, just the release notes, which said it would be distributed by the servers.  I Googled for it without success.  So I guess it's not available as a seperate download.

I re-launched the game, figuring I'd just minimize it while it updated.  It's doing the "Checking Files..." routine again, only this time MUCH slower.  As I write this, it's at 74.07%, and it's been going for about 20 minutes.  I suppose this has something to do with my cancelling the update, which I still need to finish downloading.  At this rate, it could be a few more hours before the game actually launches.  It's 10:37pm, and I've got about a dozen other things I need to do right now.

I'd hoped to have more informative comments about the game by now, but it's taking me 2 days to launch the game.  "Checking Files..." is now at 76.67%...

BTW, Taqueed, I'm sure it's safe.

Posted 08/21/2009 at 03:16:29am

Absolutely Outrageous.

Quoting "mesiah"...

"...if you get cought breaking the law, take your punishment."

You're nuts.  The people she shared the songs with, DOWNLOADED THEM FROM HER.  SHE DIDN'T PUT THE SONGS ON THEIR HARD DRIVES.  And if they own copies of the songs, then no law was broken.  Can RIAA prove that each downloader didn't own the songs that they downloaded from her?  I doubt it.

If you think there's anything alright about this punisment, you're out of your mind.  That's like chopping somebody's hand off for stealing a candy bar, which I guess you'd also support, "mesiah"...  (Stick your hand out "mesiah", you've stolen something in your life...  Or are you gonna tell me you haven't?)

OR WHAT IF... She'd taped the songs off the radio, then broadcast them with her own little pirate radio station, and then other people taped the songs off of her little pirate radio station?  $1,920,000.00?  $200,000?  $20,000?  All outrageous.

I stopped reading comments once I got to yours "mesiah", it pissed me off.

The woman is financially ruined.  It's outrageous.

By the way, copies of digital media, are not exact bit-for-bit copies, of the originals.  Does RIAA own all Zeros and Ones?

It's BS.

Google, and distribute, "Everyone's Guide to By-Passing Internet Censorship.pdf", to retaliate.  It explains proxy softwares.

Posted 08/21/2009 at 03:12:13am

...since I keep hearing about them.  I agree with PDeath and comptech08, so far I'm un-impressed with all of them.  They're all either in beta, or they're awaiting launch, or they're delayed, or they suck, or something.  Maybe with some more time, some 'cream' will 'rise to the top'.  I'll probably check this one out too... but the screenshot isn't exactly inspiring me, it 'looks' weak.  People want a high-quality, high production value experience for their valuable time, even if the game's free.  World of Warcraft production quality.  Nobody wants to waste their time with a 'B' title.  At least I don't.  I'm curious how good Diablo III will be, or if I'll be busy with something else that I think is 'better', when it comes out.  It's unlikely I'd spend time with 'Spellborn', over 'Diablo III', just because it's free.  Time is priceless, and I'm only interested in games that are truly "Kick-Ass".  Just my two cents.

Posted 02/28/2009 at 03:11:28pm

Please forgive me if some of them are stupid!  (There are stupid questions, btw.)


I'd like to know, what do Tom Halfhill, Intel and ASUS think?


Mr. Halfhill, you are my favorite columnist!  You're the primary reason why I subscribe.  Your column helps us see the future of computing, more than the others.  I apologize in advance however, for probably missing the answers to some of these questions, in some of your previous articles, as I sometimes procrastinate for months before reading my magazines!  (Now that the website is back, (like it was many years ago,) I'm using it again.)

You wrote, "It’s clear that China will someday be a major player in microprocessors."

First, I'd like to know, what do YOU think, of the MIPS architecture, compared to our American architecture(s)? < (Particularly AMD 64-bit.)  What are the relevant differences?  (Gaming?)  What is the speed gap, if any?  (And in a nod to the previous comment, how many rubber bands?)  Which would you buy stock in, so-to-speak?


And then, I'd also like to know...

What's Intel's (and AMD's) latest comments on Godson?  (What a name, btw.)

Who makes/contracts the motherboard for it?  What's the chipset??

Will *ASUS* make a board for it?  (Or do they already?  Or ANY comments on Godson?)

What's Godson's current OS, if any?  Does Linux have Godson support now? 

(Does, or) *Can*, Windows support Godson?  (This is **very** important, obviously.  My main question.)

I would guess, that it would be easier for Linux, than it would be for Windows, to provide Godson support.  (Example:  PPC, right?)

What's the die shrink?  Do they have, or are they building, or completing, a foundry?

Would you say, that China *could* rent (or buy) a foundry (immediately?) and then, be popping them out within about twelve months?  (To retrofit the foundry, and setup distribution?)  Or is more required, (speed improvements, chipset?) for them to compete?


I think answering these questions, would help us all see the future, a lot more clearly.
I also think that "years-down-the-road", can turn into "today".  Especially in technology.

(Example:  I'm running Windows XP.  I'm looking at Windows 7.  Now, I'm *really* looking, at Linux.  (For me, and 150+ others.))  (Hey Gnome, lose Mono!)

Thank-you again for your articles, Mr. Halfhill.  (I apologize if it's Dr.)


P.S.  (When I hear 'Chinese computers', it makes me think of the Japanese computers of the 80's!)  (Is that right, or wrong?)  :O)

Posted 12/12/2008 at 12:29:52am

If it would let you re-map Fallout 3's close Pip-Boy key (from the Tab key) it'd be worth $80.  (But I doubt it would help.  KeyTweak won't fix it either.)  It looks cool, but I'd be more interested later, in a cheaper and next-gen version.

Posted 07/07/2008 at 01:57:20pm

It would be neat to see ATi's new cards on it, (4870 X2s?,) or whatever, (even if you don't pick them.)

It would be neat to see Linux on it too.  I believe the biggest resistance to Linux adoption, is new game support.

Does anyone know what the 'lag time' is, for new game support on Linux, (with that TransGaming subscription service, and all that,) or whatever?  And is it good (fast, accurate,) enough?  Bottom line, can Linux be a real gaming platform today?  If not, how much longer, or what, will it take?

P.S.  Seeing as how you use it, I may have to try Corsair memory sometime.

Posted 11/26/2007 at 07:03:49pm

ATI and AMD's microarchitectures are better designed (more logical and elegant) than nVidia and Intel's. ATI and AMD smash nVidia and Intel on power and quality (features,) when compared dollar for dollar. I remember a few years ago, when comparing ATI and nVidia cards, I discovered that nVidia cards weren't drawing all of the graphic effects, for the sake of fps. ATI was drawing everything, at the same fps. 3dfx killed themselves with their acquisition, more than nVidia hurt them. And, if AMD/ATI doesn't pull it off, we'll all be a lot worse off for it, big time. I sure wouldn't hope for them to die (dummy.) IMHO, ATI's best offering, is better than any nVidia card at the same price.

Posted 07/16/2007 at 05:12:41am

I've almost always preferred AMD and ATI. Better architecture, and better performance for the money. I'm hoping they're knee-deep into coming out with some new CPU/GPU architecture, and keeping quiet about it. That's what I've been thinking they've been doing. (Why did they buy ATI?) Have they lost focus since the merger? Are they hitting roadblocks? Are they working on some new CPU/GPU architecture? I hope they 'Kick-Ass'.