Planets

I just uploaded some planets I created for a gaming project to my Flickr account.

Speaking of planets, there's a great new Hubble pic of Pluto and its moons.

The State of MMOs Today

Ralph Koster asks, semi-seriously, What are the lessons of MMORPGs today?

The great thing about MMORGs is that they are totally awesome. The bad thing about them is that they are utterly shallow. If our lives were like this, we'd all be so paralyzed by existential despair that we'd never do anything... and that wouldn't change the world a bit.

That gets me wondering, what would the existential MMO game look like?

• The game only has one monster. Once someone kills it, there are no more monsters to kill.


• Crafting skills are implemented, but raw materials wont' be available until version 2.


• Version 2.0 will be released any day now... forever.


• Each player is in their own world - literally.


• Groundhog Day the MMO

The Tale of the Gimli Glider

"Pearson and Quintal immediately began making preparations for a one engine landing. Then another fuel light lit up. Two minutes later, just as preparations were being completed, the EICAS issued a sharp bong--indicating the complete and total loss of both engines. Says Quintal 'It's a sound that Bob and I had never heard before. It's not in the simulator.' After the 'bong,' things got quiet. Real quite. Starved of fuel, both Pratt & Whitney engines had flamed out. At 1:21 GMT, the forty million dollar, state-of-the-art Boeing 767 had become a glider."

Read the incredible story of The Gimli Glider.

Through a Scanner Darkly

Robert Linklater, Keanau Reeves, Woody Harelson, Winona Rider, Robert Downy Jr.; all the enterainers I both love and hate: Through a Scanner Darkly.

Dud

So we had an invite to a fancy 5 course meal with wine tasting with a couple dozen of our best friends. It was also the birthday party for my college roomate. And I managed to write on the calendar for the wrong day. We even got a babysitter - for the wrong day. A massive screwup, especially considering that I managed to cross wires on another dinner party a couple of weeks ago. Some days I'm amazed I can get from my bed to the front door without causing a disaster. :(

Gallup, Judy's Book and Name Recognition

The phone rang. It was a Gallup poll. I routinely hang up on surveys and marketers, but somehow the name "Gallup" evoked a magical "stay on the line" response. It was a survey about Yellow pages. I quite enjoyed informing the pollster that I rarely use print Yellow Pages, and that I do my research online. The survey went through a long line of online directory services (most of which I don't use, because they don't give me any valuable information). I told the pollster I used Judy's Book, which isn't on their list. I got a little twisted satisfaction out of making a miniscule plug for a small company whose services I support.

It's quite an odd thing, how we tie our self image up with certain companies and services. Why should I do a favor for Gallup or Judy's Book as opposed to Shell Oil or McDonalds? Incidentally, the Gallup poll ends with a plug about "helping make your opinions count." What a great thing to have people associate with your company. "They're the guys that make my opinion count!"

Pictures of tiny people on top of food.

Pictures of tiny people on top of food.

Board Game Geek Lists

Today's Geekiness:

GeekList: The Gaming Table of the Elements
Board Game Geek language contest
Classic Space Empire Games

Saints and Spinners: Saints as Action Figures, Part I

Check out Saints as Action Figures, Part I.

Mini-Figs

You too should be in pictures plastic:


This is a fairly accurate portrayal of Tony, even though he's not yet figured out space-travel.


The guitar in my hand does not represent virtuosity. However, I can play a mean version of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat."


The Girl in all her glory (with the notable absence of her piano).

Worth1000.com | Photoshop Contests | Are you Worthy? | contest

If Canadians ruled the Earth.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled meme.

Thought for the day

About 6 blocks from Microsoft, a young lady in a blue sports car cuts me off. License plate:

"PWND"

License plate holder: My other car is a warthog.

Thought for the day

According to the Washington Bureau, Bush didn't really mean it.

"One day after President Bush vowed to reduce America's dependence on Middle East oil by cutting imports from there 75 percent by 2025, his energy secretary and national economic adviser said Wednesday that the president didn't mean it literally. "

Outside Washington, it's called lying.

And don't think I've forgotten about Nigerian yellowcake.