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Messages - TheYak

#701
I'm not really sure what to call 'em either but the Wherehouse & local mom & pop CD store both swear it's jazz.  I think it's because of that play-it-by-ear coffee shop sound they've got.  In any case, amazing stuff.  I'm also rather taken with GSYBE (tnx, Btw) but can't find anything legal to buy anywhere in town so have only got .mp3s.
#702
General Discussion / Re:About Mittens
Thu 19/02/2004 08:18:55
Yeah..  luckily I live in California so New York's just hop, skip & long-ass flight away.  My sympathies for the Iraq-thing, assuming deploying?  I've still got a few months where I can be pulled back into the USMC if somebody gets a bug up either ass.
#703
Bela Fleck & The Flecktones - Centrifuge

Technically a jazz band.. more like eclectic instrumentals.
#704
General Discussion / Re:ARGGH! SNIPERS!!
Wed 18/02/2004 05:14:47
That seems a very rational viewpoint.  I agree with most of the thoughts promoting drug legalization but also agree with most of the counterpoints.  I guess the only way to know would be to try it.  Maybe some legal double-standards might alleviate some of the problems.  There are a few different tolerances that could be tested to determine the results:
1) Don't legalize but promote government aid for drug users that doesn't just help people quit but gives them information on drug usage.  People are going to experiment.  If they do, why not make it as safe as possible. Provide people with pamphlets detailing physiological specifics about each drug - how to tell if it's pure (or at least make an educated guess), how to use it properly with the least risk, how much you should use for your metabolism/weight/height.  More information shouldn't be a bad thing.

2) Legalize it for sale but not for use.  This way the drug quality could be controlled, information could be given out, money goes to the government instead of criminals (oxymoron of sorts?  ;)). The police would still arrest users, perhaps instituting a first time=you get a fine, second time puts you in the incarceration system.

3) Legalize for sale/use but treat it as alcohol.  They could be consumed in licensed establishments meant for the purpose, or in the privacy of your own home.  Being caught under the influence while driving, working, whatever would result in punishment similar to alcohol incidents.

Just some random thoughts.  Back to gun control, I don't really know what to think about this one.  You outlaw them, criminals have guns and others don't.  You make a law forcing everybody over 21 to own (or even carry) a gun and it could go either way - less crime, or a new crime wave.  The difficulty with experimentation with firearms is that the results are far more likely to be fatal in the event of a poorly planned idea.  The self-defense argument might work a little better in other areas but in mine, I don't know anybody who owns a gun, except one friend-of-a-friend who happens to be of a criminal mindset.
#705
General Discussion / Re:About Mittens
Tue 17/02/2004 09:54:42
You don't follow things very well, do you?  ;)

For the 32nd time, it'll be in Upstate NY, hosted by Eric "Mr. Colossal" Crankypants.  The date's still unconfirmed but mid-to-late July was the last estimate.   I plan on going, much to many's chagrin.  

On another note, I assume you're having another insomniac evening(based upon the current time).
#706
General Discussion / Re:ARGGH! SNIPERS!!
Tue 17/02/2004 08:46:14
I'm sorry to hear about your sniper problem.  I'd recommend installing Norton Anti-Sniper.  It installs ready to remove many different kinds of snipers, even those that haven't been properly identified yet.  It's also got an update utility so that you can download the new sniper definitions.  If, for example, you want to make certain you can take care of the new pesky Disgruntled Emo-sniper, it's just a quick 25k download and you're on your way.  

There are also freeware alternatives, if you don't feel like shelling out the bucks for NAS. One utility that isn't really an Anti-sniper but can help you out regardless is Sniper Search & Destroy.

Good luck.
#707
General Discussion / Re:About Mittens
Tue 17/02/2004 07:11:14
It's not as official as all that.  The only proof necessary, I assume, would be that you're crazy enough to want to spend money to travel and hang out with a small group of people that are into adventure games.  

As for the location, it's determined somewhere in the neighborhood of a year in advance [edit: *at* Mittens to avoid debates spanning the entire 12 months taking place on the forums, by the way, since screen 7's fubar-ed at the moment, how 'bout a link to the Mittens site for our zoomy little friend? Anyone know it?].  This year will be the first one in the US (NY) and next time it's been determined that Australia will be hosting (partially due to the large proportion of Aussie AGSers and out of consideration for their travel distance to other Mittens locations).  
#708
I vote for the lastname bit as well, but without the prefix.  It also adds some military atmosphere.  Many space-borne sci-fi novels show that even civilians tend to have a military (often Navy-ish) influenced vocabulary, probably due to the method of their migration.  If you look at some popular sci-fi staples: NeuroMancer - Often uses last name.  Sometimes uses pseudonyms but not for the serious characters.  Bladerunner - Decker comes to mind.  John Shirley's "Eclipse" novels also tend to heavy usage of last names.  
#709
Some updated graphics would be nice, and a GUI should take some of the parser frustration away.  If you decide to throw some original elements in there as well, most people here will be happy to comment/critique 'em to make them fit in with the KQ world.  
#710
I like the twisted atmosphere.  It was a great game and rather unique in feel.  My only problems with it were technical ones, namely a few interface quirks, game bugs and a couple of poorly designed puzzles.  I killed *so* much time playing that game, mostly because I read all the story-text in the hall of records and everywhere else.
#711
Fine then! We don't want you dinosaur-prejudiced types around here anyway ya skinny no-necked white boy.
#712
Your enthusiasm is contagious. Very refreshing.  

I am digging the painted chars on painted background style.  The overall look is very good and the whole thing's very useful as-is.  

Now, I'll nit-pick (and I'm being very picky here, just for the sake of constructive crit):

1) Ceiling - something about the stucco-like texture makes it appear semi 2-dimensional.  It almost looks like a 2D layer hidden behind the rest of the pic.  Perhaps a more neutral tone would help.  If you make the texture smaller as it recedes, it'll decrease the 2D-look.  The simplest fix is just to increase the contrast of the shadows you've already got.  The shadows will serve to "anchor" the ceiling into the pic.

2) Bed - Blanket - The bed looks nice and well-rumpled. Assuming the character isn't anal-retentive enough to worry about making it all the time.  Currently, the depth of shading and direction of the bumps make it look a bit curtain-ish.  You could try more horizontal & diagonal folds & bumps for a more generally rumpled look. With the contrast between the shadows and highlights, it almost looks like the blanket's covering a person or semi-cylindrical solid object. It's well done but perhaps a little too strongly. It's not as evident in the night-pic.

3) Table/Stool - Merely my preference but I'd perfer a bit more outlining of the bottoms of these. Currently, I can almost imagine they're melting into (or forming from) the floor in some spots.  The texture in the table (assuming stonework under glass?) is a bit too precise to match the rest of the drawing.  Maybe some more fading or ambiguity to it?  If it got smaller further back, it'd help blend it into the table's perspective as well.
The table, stool, and a couple other things are a bit off perspective-wise but I wouldn't want you to change a thing.  I like the style this way.

4) Miscellaneous - The coatrack's shadow seems out of place.  Since the light's not on and the major light-source would seem to be from the window, it ought to project towards the viewer more.  The reflection of the wallpaper's texture is well done but the way it evenly continues onto the table and bypasses the reflection of the table with the cat is a bit distracting.  Of course, I wouldn't notice if I were playing a game instead of staring at its backgrounds.

Hope you don't take offense at the above.  It's all just my opinion and you've got a lot more talent than I can boast of.  I got lengthy because of my enthusiasm for the pics.  Thanks for sharing (and reminding me to mess with Painter some more).

#713
Critics' Lounge / Re:Title screen
Tue 17/02/2004 05:16:31
Looks quite excellent.  I'm particularly impressed with the newspaper's look.  You've dulled the color down nicely - a vibrant white wouldn't look very genuine.  The edit makes it twice as good.  

Right now, I think the menu text is usuable but is still slightly hard on the eyes.  I think it's more of an aesthetic thing for me. Have you considered having another page lying on top of the newspaper? It could be done so it looks like it's a pile of  (or just a couple of) papers that has your menu text on it.  That would make it stand out and give you the freedom to make it look anyway you wanted without blending into the paper too much.  For instance, the paper could have the options like you've got them. It could have the menu in the same font as the newspaper's heading. It could be written in blood or have spatters on it.  Or, it could look like a quick & frantic note that someone's written down.  

Don't mind me, just grabbing your idea and twisting it in my own demented way.  Collaborative brainstorming, in a sense.
#714
General Discussion / Re:About Mittens
Tue 17/02/2004 05:01:58
In case you're just going off people's monikers: Mittens is an annual meeting of AGSers.  The location and date changes each time (for reasons of security).  If you see Mittens Veteran next to a name it means they've attended one of these meetings. If you see Mittens Organizer or something along those lines, it means they've helped set up one of the meetings. If you see Mittens Wearer, it means they're a sissy-boy who wears mittens.
#715
Actually (and we're extremely off-topic here) some Christians believe God put them there as a joke, others believe Satan put them there to mislead us.  Other Christians believe that scientists skewed the fossil reconstruction in order to produce what they wanted.  Other Christians believe that carbon-dating and other methods are incorrect and that Dinosaurs were on the Earth during the biblical age of man (citing biblical references to "behemoth" and "leviathan" and others believe that they were on the Earth during its formative time-periods (assuming the 7 days of creation were more metaphorical than literal).

My personal belief is that the biblical stories were all about dinosaurs. Moses? A brontosaurus.  Pharoah? Tyrannosaurus Rex. Samuel was a Rhamphoryncus.  

Back on topic. I know what a rhamphoryncus is, and even how to spell it.  Does this make me a genius? Hell no. Makes me some kook who has above-average knowledge about a subject he is/was interested in.
#716
I love the unpronouncable guy because he speaks his mind and usually does so logically.  Even if I (or others) disagree with him, he defends his point of view and doesn't throw a hissy-fit.

[Edit: Just so I don't double-up on the love here, I love Farl because he's sure to provide amusement whilst taking a long time to die.  ;D]
#717
General Discussion / Re:Insomnia ...
Mon 16/02/2004 09:12:03
The advice of not doing anything in bed except stuff that a bed is meant for is something I'd expect from Reader's Digest's psychiatric corner.  I've rarely been able to get to sleep in less than 1/2 an hour.  Often it takes an hour or so.  The main problem seems to be random thoughts or worries.  If I go to bed without any significant worries for the next day and without some new idea having struck, then insomnia seldom strikes.  

I've tried the '...20 minutes..do something..try again..." method.  Usually that comes after I realize there's no way in hell I'm going to be able to sleep.  It usually means I'm going to be up for the next couple hours though.  Due to my lengthy work-shift at late hours (leave at 5pm, get home at 7am), I can't survive (at work) on less than 5-6 hours, otherwise I wouldn't care.  I wholeheartedly agree with the anti-sleeping pills statement.  I tried some non-addictive low-dosage types and they seemed to cut my falling asleep time in half, however, once I stopped taking them, it was twice as bad.  
#718
Great flaming ghost-turds, Plasticman! That's fooking amazing.  They're all gorgeous and each very unique.  I'm envious of skills shown in each but PM's just screams ambience.  My imagination of the scene, after reading the blitz regs, is pretty well captured by Plasticman.  Plastikmon, I choose you!
#719
General Discussion / Re:Insomnia ...
Sun 15/02/2004 10:11:10
I've always suffered from it.  I've usually dealt with it by getting over exhausted and going to bed late.  I try to be active a lot as it nears bedtime, I chug coffee and ride the caffeine wave into the wee hours.  By the time I'm ready to sleep, it's usually quite late but at least I don't have that mind-running-in-circles, thinking about 10 different things at once thing.  Unfortunately, the side-effect is that I run off reduced sleep or end up sleeping late, thus adding to the vicious cycle.  Luckily, working graveyard shift has helped, though I typically run on 4-5 hours of sleep.
#720
I don't think I know the capitals of Spain, Poland, or Portugal.  Hmm.. Spain's Madrid, right? Portugal's Barcelona.. no that's Spain.  Damnation, I know them not without looking it up. I'm the aforementioned dumb one.  

Of course, I could memorize them, thoroughly, so I could quote 'em off the top of my head but really, who gives a fuck?  I'm a pacifist but I've got more chance of making use of my knowledge of firearms & explosives.  I think you're Black & Whiting it too much there Vel.  Perhaps you should state that you prefer the company of intellectuals, those that pursue knowledge for its own sake.
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