So after that wizarding craziness from July, I figure we take a look at Fantasy’s cousin: Science Fiction. Now, for all my general geekery, Sci-Fi has never been my particularly favorite genre. That’s not to say I don’t enjoy it, but I never really go out of my way to embrace it either. Or at least not the “space opera” style of Sci-Fi. Star Trek has never been my thing at all. Sometimes however, I find the gems that I do like. So what Sci-Fi does murf enjoy? Only time and space can tell. Or at least this list. (more…)
Let me repeat that. Sequel to Cosmos. Hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson. On FOX. In primetime. Spearheaded by the creator of Family Guy.
I’m a bit bewildered and confused but simultaneously really excited.
Now, I’m sure there is going to be a bit of change up in style in order to connect with a modern audience. Sagan speaks with astounding poetic power to explain the concepts of science. Tyson is a bit more lighthearted and energetic. I think so long as the message is the same, that science is a powerful and the best tool to understand the universe in which we live and the best true hope for our continued enlightenment as a species, then I’ll be perfectly content with this production. And my hopes may be well placed as the new series as Ann Druyan and Steve Soter, who helped write the original series, are on board for the new one.
I only watched Cosmos last year on Netflix, but for being 30 years old it still powerful and poignant. It is likely the best documentary series ever made, and certainly the best I’ve ever seen. If you haven’t watched it, check out the first few minutes here, and then head to Netflix and get watching.
Did you enjoy the five minutes linked above? If you did, you can at least start your journey with Carl with the entirety of episode 1, right here:
EDIT: It has come to my attention that Netflix no longer streams Cosmos. Shame on them! You know who does have it though? Hulu.
So it’s Friday. And that means another thrilling installment of the Friday Five! Well not this week. I’ve come to a decision. No, the Friday Fives aren’t going to stop, but I’m no longer going to guarantee a weekly installment. Over the last 3 months, I’ve written a wide variety of articles touching on many a topic near and dear to me. And in that time, I’ve only managed to miss one week and be delayed another. That is a strong and solid run, and perhaps the best run of constant content in murfSTUFF history. Perhaps I’m a bit vain, but I’m proud of myself for that.
So why the change? Sometimes ideas are sparse. Sometimes I’m rushed to complete them. Sometimes I want to write something else. Honestly, sometimes I need a break. There is no single hard reason I’ve come to this decision. What I do know is that I do this for my own interest and fun and I want to keep it that way. I hate forcing myself to write one when I don’t have the ideas or plans to back it up. I’m a busy man. I code all day. I have a wedding to help plan. My plate gets too full, and the Five sometimes is the last thing on my mind.
That being said, the Five isn’t ending. I’ll likely still keep on top of it on a semi-regular, but I don’t want it to become a chore. When it becomes a chore, it isn’t fun. When it becomes not fun, I don’t want to do it anymore and that is how so many of my endeavors falter and fail. So “henceforthwithheretofore,” I have decreed that the Friday Five will be maintained as a regular feature to be updated and posted when I can truly provide the best possible content I can muster. In short, I want the Five to go forth on under the banner of quality of quantity.
Thank you, dear murfSTUFFers (totally my new name for regular visitors), for understanding and generally being awesome! Even if I’m not sure how many of you there are out there.
When Assassins Creed II came out for PC, the game had a horribly draconian DRM method that required you to be constantly connected to the internet. That’s enough to decry in its own right. What Blizzard has going on though seems to be a need to be constantly connected in order to access content. Since the content appears to be so integrated with the single-player mode, you need to be always on for it to work. If you lose a connection, then you’re booted out. Whether or not the always-on connection contains DRM or not is irrelevant. This issue is they are selling a game that comes with a hefty single-player mode that cannot be played offline. This is not smart.
Internet, for as widespread as it is, is not always available or stable enough to warrant a need of an “always-on” connection. There are games where this is okay. An always-on connection for an MMORPG makes sense because that’s what it needs to be played. If you’re buying a game you can’t play because it requires internet to be played and you don’t have the internet you’re certainly lacking in common sense. But the issue is Diablo III and Assassins Creed II have single-player that should be accessible regardless of your connection. They are making an assumption that is preventing them from reaching potential customers. In the article, executive vice president of game design Rob Pardo says ”I want to play Diablo 3 on my laptop in a plane, but, well, there are other games to play for times like that.” Sure, you likely shouldn’t be playing Diablo on a plane, but what about in my home? Rural areas of the USA may only have dial-up such as where my mother lives.
They are forgetting the fact that not everyone who wants to play these games has internet. When you have a game that requires an online component such as a multi-player mode, fine. But I should be able to play single-player whenever I damn well choose. I don’t need to communicate with other players. I don’t need to have constant access to cool online features. I do need to be able to play my game. It is folly of the worst kind to produce a product that requires a service you may or not have, when that product shouldn’t need that service in order to operate. Just because you can assume everyone has access to that service, doesn’t mean that you should.
Having lived in a place that an “always-on” internet connection was impossible no less than 2 years ago, this fills me with a certain amount of distaste. Is this an issue for me currently? No. But it is issue I understand and speak out against on behalf of those with whom I once shared the plight of crappy internet.
Armed with binoculars and a telescope, tonight's viewing successes included: M31, M35, M41, M42, M44, and M45.03:07:40 AM February 21, 2012from TweetDeck
