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See that's what I meant with misunderstanding. Being an atheist doesn't automatically suggest that you have made up your mind on that matter and it cannot be changed. It simply refers to your current opinion. The type of atheist you are talking about would be a strong atheist. And I'm just as critical of that stance as I am of believers. That's why you have those little words like "weak" or "strong" to specify your stance a bit more. If someone knows what a weak atheist is they know my opinion about god.

Quick clarification, since the labelling issue is getting a little off-topic:
I really don't mind how my beliefs are described, and I will admit to being a little hazy on how people perceive the difference between agnostic and atheist. I am simply hesitant to call myself an atheist, because it is only the Christian god that I don't think exists - because of personal experiences in my life. I am not denying the existence of ANY god or supreme being, just the one view of it that I was brought up with. Anyway, I've said my bit, lets not get bogged down with the labels, ok? If what I've said makes me an atheist, then fine I'm an atheist.

Whatever the label, it doesn't make it any less difficult to express my views. Its rather insulting that while I'm perfectly willing to listen to arguments for theism, I'm not afforded the same respect in return.

Now I don't want to tell you what you should call yourself but wouldn't such an opinion make you a weak atheist?  As far as I'm concerned an agnostic thinks god is unknowable and they refuse to make up their mind, while a weak atheist(or an agnostic atheist if you will) says what you said("I'm not sure, but from what I've experienced so far I don't think god exists"). I've seen many people who hold such an opinion but they insist on being called agnostic. I don't know, is this a fear of being misunderstood when calling yourself atheist(which frankly happens very often)? Is it because "agnostic" is more "socially acceptable" than "atheist"?

Not at all, I don't have a problem with being considered atheist or agnostic or a weirdo . I don't like labels simply because they tend to box people together without acknowledging their uniqueness.

Agnostic:
A person who holds the view that any ultimate reality (as God) is unknown and probably unknowable; broadly : one who is not committed to believing in either the existence or the nonexistence of God or a god

Atheist:
One who believes that there is no deity

Quite simply, I accept that its impossible to know if there is a supreme deity, and I'm not inclined to believe either way. I accept that it is entirely possible that there is a god, whether I believe so or not. At the moment, from my experiences in life I *think* that there isn't, but should I have experiences to the contrary, I may change that view. Calling myself an atheist would suggest I adamantly believe there is no god, and that is not the case. I am always open to changing my views should I receive new evidence or experiences that require me to.

Also, I am speaking specifically about Christianity as this is the religion I was brought up with. I haven't considered the beliefs of other faiths, as I don't know enough about them to form an opinion.

But anyway, feel free to call me a weak atheist agnostic if you like. (see, this is why I don't like labels, its too hard to make one word explain complex personal beliefs).

Disregarding the fact that I dislike labels, I would consider myself to be agnostic. I accept that its not possible to know at the moment whether or not a supreme deity of some sort exists, and generally don't think much more about it. From experiences in my life, I don't think God exists (the Christian God that is), but I don't adamantly *believe* he doesn't. I don't have a problem with people believing in a deity, or following a certain religion, I have problems with what they do in the name of it.

If you want to believe in a god, that's fine and dandy, just don't tell me I'm an evil sinner, who's going to burn in hell because I don't. If your faith gives you comfort and guidance in your life, that's wonderful, just don't tell me my way of life is wrong. I respect that some people feel the need to believe in a god, and follow a religion, and just because I don't share their faith, I don't feel the need to yell at them they're wrong, because who knows, they could be right. I would like to have the same respect returned (and I usually don't - so much for do unto others...). I'm sad to say I've lost a number of friends from this. I don't like to be judged by the standards of a faith I don't believe in, especially not by people who are meant to be my friends. Nor do I take kindly to attempts to convert me, when its clear I'm not interested. Nothing makes me angrier than the 'oh no, my friend will go to hell if I don't save them' attitude.

So generally I don't express my beliefs much. I tend to nip religious conversations in the bud before they get started, because I get terribly frustrated trying to have a sensible debate with people who simply follow their faith blindly without ever having considered why they should. How on earth are you meant to convince me that your faith is right, if you've never even thought about why *you* follow it, never mind why anyone else should? I'm not saying all people with faith are like this, I know they aren't, but I've met far too many that are. There was a time that I did believe in that 'big beard in the sky' but it still never stopped me from wondering why, and asking questions, and challenging it. If you can challenge your beliefs every day and still believe, then kudos to you.

Sorry, rambling a bit. In short, if religion makes someone's life easier, that's nice, but it doesn't work for me, I need to find my own path. And I'd be more inclined to express my beliefs, if they were treated with respect rather than ridicule, or worse, pity.

Religions, to me, are like shoes (or similar products). Some like Nike, some prefer Adidas. Some swear by Puma, and others prefer italian leather loafers. In the end it doesn't matter what others think, it's what makes you feel comfortable enough to feel strong and confident. That is what decides whether or not you've made a mistake or not.

I have spoken

Nice analogy voh.

I started my first full-time job a couple of months ago. I'm working as a field archaeologist - it involves a lot of manual labour (and muck ). The first couple of weeks was absolute agony, but now that my body is getting used to it, I find that I don't come home quite so tired anymore, and my muscles don't ache as much as they did. So trust me, once your body is used to the work it'll get better. And strangely, despite having a lot less free time (40hour week), I find that I'm actually more motivated to use it constructively. Congrats on the job, and good luck with it!

The suggestion wasn't really about being able to search for games with good ratings (we can search by awards already). I was just suggesting something to highlight which games aren't rated yet, so if people are inclined they can go play them and rate them (the point of this topic).

We can currently browse games by category, or date added etc.; how about browsing by rating? Or even just have a rating column on the game's digest list, so people can see at a glance which aren't rated yet. I mean the games database has 741 games, its going to take a while to check all those to see which aren't rated...

Ok, I had another bash at it, and here's what I came up with:



I'm not terribly happy with the hair, but overall I think its looking pretty good. Took me a while, but it was rather fun, and I'm sure I'll get faster with practice. Any further suggestions?

Actually ProgZ, its just a sketch I did from scratch, which I've been trying to figure out how to shade. I've just been studying various images to see how the shading should work (light source above and slightly forward btw).

Here is the original sketch scanned in.

This is the resized version I've been trying to colour in and shade properly.



Thanks for having a go Jack, but I've chosen a different light source.

MashPotato, thats nice, just some simple edits made it look a lot better, thanks.

ProgZmax, wow thats amazing but seems a bit too much for me. Did you do that pixel by pixel? I'll definitely keep your suggestions in mind though.

Thanks for the replies guys!

After a year's break, my art is rather rusty again, and I could really use some tips, especially shading because its the part I find most difficult. The sprite is just the head for the moment, I wanted to get it right before moving on:



I've been studying various photos and things trying to get the shading right, but it still doesn't look right to me, and I can't figure out why. Suggestions would be welcome. If anyone wants to do a paintover, thats ok, just make sure to list exactly what you changed so I can try it myself. Also, if it takes more than an hour, don't bother, I have a full time job now, and want art that looks ok and I can make fairly quickly, rather than brilliant stuff that takes ages.

Thanks in advance

Well I certainly haven't had a productive year... Last Christmas I starting playing a free MMORPG I got rather addicted to. I looked at AGS less and less until I completely stopped. Finally broke free, but its left me feeling like I've wasted a year. Its not all bad though, I got to working on their stories and quest teams for a bit, so my writing has improved, especially dialogues. Now I have a lot more enthusiasm for writing, and I'm itching to work on my own projects again. So while this year hasn't been good, I'm hoping next year will be.


Oh, and I'm back. 

Hmmm... Can't say I've got a terrible lot to look forward to this Christmas. I was looking forward to getting time off, but seeing as I have a massive assignment due in January, and exams to revise for, not to mention a dissertation I'm rather behind on, I won't get much of a chance to enjoy it.

Plus, this'll be the first Christmas since my big bro moved out, and I'll miss the smeghead on Christmas morning. Sure, he'll be visiting for dinner with his fiancee and sprog, but its just not the same.

Looking forward to New Years though, my mate's are having a party, wooooo!!!!

Has anyone mentioned 'Pet Shop Boys'? They're at the very left, looking at the picture in the link Al Ninio posted. That's one of the few I managed to get - I'm not very good at this...Ã, 

I know exactly what you mean Akumayo. I've lost count of how many times I've woken up crying from a wonderful dream, because I realise its not real. They're usually about spending time with relatives that have passed away, or dreaming I've found my soulmate. Then I wake up, and feel so unbearably lonely.

A bit off-topic, but a rather amusing take on illegal downloading of mp3s: http://www.zug.com/pranks/riaa/
(particularly part 5)

Thanks Squinky - I'm rather enjoying this Flyff game too! The download was actually a little over 400Mbs, but well worth it! I can't wait 'til I have enough levels to fly 

Yes, and you can spot them a mile away, with all that cheap bling!

Actually, I don't know about that. Its just hearsay, but apparently they actually have very few of these detectors, and they are so inaccurate that its impossible to pinpoint where the tv signal is coming from. And they can't come into your house and check unless you give them permission. At any rate, my 'friend' had a tv in their room while living in uni halls, and never had the tv licensing people chasing after them.

Yeah, I was told that at university halls. Its the same thing in hotels too. Your room is considered a separate address, so you have to get a separate license if you want a tv in your room. Particularly annoying since the university provided a tv in the common room. Heaven forbid they extend the tv license to cover the student's rooms. As if we ain't poor enough!

But otherwise, in a normal household, one license covers any number of tvs or devices capable of receiving tv signals.

I haven't been working on any backgrounds lately, so here's one I whipped up, just to keep in practice:



I know its a little bare, but I have lectures in the morning!

I don't think anyone mentioned this one:
http://www.penny-arcade.com/view.php?date=2005-10-14&res=l