Kush

I think Menchise is right in that it's wrong to force manufacturers to not put software on a computer I'm selling. MS has no business telling me what software I place on the computer before I sell it. That's not a free market. That's not competition. But the TV analogy doesn't quite work the way he wants it to. There ARE different standards for TV. There's the European standard (I can't remember the names this second) and there's the North American standard. If I want to watch a video made in England, I'll need to have it translated into my standard. Television is INCREDIBLY proprietary. I won't even go into the different plugs and electrical outlet standards.

Okay, you want to split Microsoft up. One company that makes operating systems, and another company that makes software. Hello, McFly, an operating system IS software. If you want to pass a law that says Microsoft is no longer allowed to make both, then you have to draft a law that says NO ONE is allowed to make both. Including Apple. Passing a law that restricts only one company is a little too much, even for me. THE problem (Jaguar, I love your sentiment, but I gotta take you to task on this one ) has nothing to do with software. It has to do with forcing manufacturers to load certain software onto your computer when it's sold. Period. Lets say I all of a sudden want to start making and selling computers. Microsoft will want me to sign a deal that forces me to use their software only, exactly the way THEY want me to use it. That's wrong. It's highly anti-competative. If I sell computers, and, hey, I decide I want my customers to use Netscape instead, I should be free to do so. If I decide that I want to sell computers with Win XP, and computers with Linux, right next to each other, I should be allowed to do so. Let the market decide which computer is sold more. Like I said, I think the outcome of the case is what the American govt should have been going after all along. Don't punish Microsoft for finally getting it's act together and making a better browser, or bundling it with it's OS. Punish them for how they handle people who build and sell computers. (Oh and Menchise, don't feel too sorry for poor old OS/2. Guess which company developed and built OS/2 even though it competed directly with their own product. Begins with M, ends with T, you got one guess. Go for it. )

Microsoft got worried in the ninties because they thought computers were going to become dumb terminals and everyone would be computing on the net. It's a stupid thing to worry about in hindsight, but at the time, Sun was working on exactly that. IE was never the browser of choice. Netscape was. Netscape was free and it was everywhere. When MS realized that a browser could be the interface between you and your computer, they put everything they had into IE. Microsoft has always had, and will always have a gentleman's agreement with other software makers. Sure they can put a firewall in XP, but a third party Firewall will work better. They can bundle an MP3 player with XP, but Winamp is better. MS would bundle something that would work okay, but if you really want the best, you do your research and you go out and buy the software that you need. IE was different. If all computers were going to be dumb terminals, they needed it to save the companies butt. They put all their resources into IE and made it into a browser that could actually compete. At the same time, Netscape became complacent, was sold, and ended up with AOL who don't give a damn about it. My point is this. Everybody was wrong. Computers are not dumb terminals, and that's not what people want. And as far as I'm concerned, it will never be what people want. There is nothing stopping anyone from having two or three browsers at the same time on their computer. (Like me) What's dumb is the average consumer who will just click on any old icon that connects them to the internet. They probably don't know they have the choice. They do, they just probably don't know it. What's dumber is spending millions of dollars arguing whether a browser should be bundled with an operating system. IT'S JUST A FREAKING BROWSER! You want to make a better browser, go right ahead. No one is stopping you. Not even Microsoft. The imbicility of the average joe shmo that can't click a mouse to download a different browser is the problem, and that is not Microsofts fault. (Boy am I ever not in a good mood today)

If you have money, go for Pentium. If you don't, go for Athlon. Both have their benifits and both have there problems. Performance issues are important, but money is the real difference between the two.

My .02 The justice dept got what it should have asked for in the first place. With the settlement, Microsoft won't force manufacturers to use their OS. And they will be more open with their code, and there will be a council to keep an eye on things. That's all that was needed in my opinion. And this from a MS fanboy no less. As much as I love MS, I really don't think it's right that a store can't sell you a computer with linux installed off the shelf. That's not competetive. It's wrong. If I own a store, I should be able to make and sell a computer with any OS I damn well choose. Browsers? Who gives a darn. Split up the company? Why. It makes no sense. It's done. The states should come on board.

I just wanted to add that I think we should all be on high alert for any warez activity of any kind. Right now, the risk is minimal. Once the game finally gets out there, the risk will be much much greater. I think any warez activity should be reported right away. Don't be afraid of how the SC will react. It's better that he knows of a possible warez problem than to not tell him because you're afraid of what he might say. 3000ad is a very small developer, I'd bet it's probably the smallest developer out there. Warez copies will have a big impact. Any help we can provide Derek to keep things legit, and catch any illegal activity I'm sure will be appreciated. (Someone may want to set up a protocol as to how exactly site information is handled and how to verify they are copies of the actual game.)

Personally I think everyone should get some sleep. Cmdr. P. Laracuente should e-mail the evidence as soon as humanly possible, to SC, and the thread should be closed. I don't think there's any more to see here. schoch1 I can understand how it may seem like SC's being a little harsh, but this has been his life's work. I can understand him being a 'little' peeved. Cmdr. P. Laracuente, don't worry, it'll all work itself out. Get some sleep.

I wish I knew you were looking for a writer to do the manual. I know at least three people up here in Canada who do it for a living, love games, and would have done a bang up professional job. Matter of fact, I would have done it if you'd asked. For half of what you'd paid him. And it would have been a labour of love. (And yes, I can write. Well, there are those who disagree. At least that's how I pay the mortgage.) Really ticks me off that you were screwed like that over the manual. Really wish I'd known you were looking. [ 11-09-2001: Message edited by: Kush ]

Sounds to me like you should go to the fleet section and sign up. One of the greatest aspects of the BC community is role playing, but you're going to have to sign up and learn alot of info. Check out the General Fleet discussion group to ask about how to join.

Hey He-Man, don't be bitter. Think of it this way. ATI's biggest function is to keep Nvidia innovative and cutting edge. They actually do serve a purpose. Without competition, trust me, we all suffer. 'Just as without the pesky aphid, the beautiful Lady Bug would have no food source, and vanish, without ATI, Nvidia would become slothful, and stagnant. It is the way of nature my son, it is the ways of the force.'

Look, I've played the demos, I've played the original, I doubt there's anything in the full game that will make me hate the game, or change my opinion about the gameplay. I think it's a pretty sure bet that I will like the game. I hear what your saying. You've made good points, I still feel that Andy was judging the game based on the average Space Shooter type game, and from what I already know about the gameplay, it should be compared to Elite, or MS Flight sim, or even Privateer. And it should be compared favourably. And so I sent a very respectful e-mail saying just that. It wasn't a rant. It wasn't insulting, I just wanted to express my opinion. Okay, maybe I'm a bit of a fanatic. So sue me. Sheesh.

Then, if that's the case, I really don't think he took his time with the game at all. I just assumed he was in the beta. I assumed he had a long period of time with the game. Obviously he didn't. It's really too bad. And I know it's kinda ridiculous to argue about the review. For crying out loud, he didn't slam the game, not at all. And to be honest, if he had given the game a 98%, and knocked it two points for lack of multiplayer, I'd still be here *****ing about it. But I really wish he had told the public the real essence of the game that makes it so precious. That's kinda what bugs me, there's so much to this game that he just kinda glossed over. Yes, it's more like a flight simulator. A flight sim that you can play like a 3d real time strategy, or first person shooter. I won't go on, I know I'm preaching to the converted, but I just have to say, the review bugged me, even though it was a very positive review, it still bugged me. I guess such is the human condition. Oh well.

Velocity, Nova, couldn't of said it better myself. So I put what you said in the e-mail. I should probably give you guys credit, but I won't. Heh heh.

Welcome to the club Masefield!!! And it'd be great if you could tell me how you got that infection, I really need a break from work and layed up with the old laptop and BC3K is a great idea!

Well it seemed to me that he was un necessarily harsh on the single player campaign. Personally I thought it was because he was looking for a Starlancer experience, and it seemed as if he was saying that BCM's doesn't play like your averaged canned response space shooter (which it doesn't), and that this is a 'bad thing' when in fact, it's a 'Good Thing'. I'm already working on an e-mail response, and basically I'm going to say that I thought the review was positive, (which it was) but missed out on the fact that BCM is not a space shooter, but a space SIM. And that knocking it for not having multiplayer is ignoring what the game has already achieved.

I doubt it was an act of patriotism, and I'm sure it wasn't an act of liberalism. Just because someone is liberal, doesn't mean that they can't be patriotic.

I actually think that the review was quite positive, I just don't think that the reviewer understood what BCM is, or particularly likes the style of gameplay. First off, there wasn't a single mention of any kind of bug. Period. That's a cudo for derek, not the reviewer. The only thing the reviewer said about the graphics is that they're tame. That's it. He didn't say crappy, he didn't say excellent, tame. The biggest complaint was lack of multiplayer. Personally I think it's like taking points away from the sims for not having multiplayer. And he didn't like the single player campaign, he thought it was 'uninspired'. But he thought the bridge interface was surprisingly clean and intuitive. He says the game has incredible depth, and tremendous potential, calling it a sci-fi fans gourmet buffet. He also tips his hat to Derek, saying that he's proven himself durable. I too thought it should have had a much better score, but overall it's a totally acceptable and positive review. My big fault with it was that he was comparing it to Starlancer, when in fact, he should have been comparing it to Elite, or Privateer. The phrase space sim has been misused far too long. Indy War 2 tried a failed. Finally a game comes along that delivers on all fronts, and the world has no idea. Anyone up for an e-mail campaign? Nothing too harsh, or dramatic, just a gentle reminder from the fans of BCM some of the things he missed in his review? [ 10-18-2001: Message edited by: Kush ]

Sorry if I ruffled your feathers there Scott1. What I've experienced in BC3k and I'm sure still exists in BCM (someone correct me if I'm wrong) is in campaigns there are scripted events, and in free flight there are NPC's that travel about the game world following their own will. And so yes, you could be sitting in space minding your own business when suddenly the space station you're standing next to gets attacked by a fleet of insurgents. But also, sometimes enemy ships will enter your area of space on their way to somewhere else and completely ignore you. Sometimes neutral ships will pop in and out, dock with stations all on they're merry way someplace. It's a free form world where NPC's follow their own paths (Shuttles dock with stations to replenish supplies, diplomats fly to far off regions on peace missions, etc.) I don't know how SC works the AI code in free form and I DON'T WANT TO KNOW. It's kinda like a magic trick, or like theatre, the moment you figure out how it works, you're no longer lost in the illusion. I'm sure the SC worked out, years ago, some code that creates the feel that you are living in an active universe with things going on all around you. If you really want to know more about the specifics of exactly how he coded the AI I'm sure that Derek would be happy to go off about it, just warn me so that I don't have to listen. Oh and this thread was originally intended for those people who wanted to ask beta testers questions about the game but couldn't because of the NDA, and to me that implies questions are posted by people who have experienced the game already and want to know what has changed in the new version. The question you asked is kinda obvious to those of us who have already played the game. And once you play the game, trust me, the AI will blow you away. [ 10-11-2001: Message edited by: Kush ]

LOL big time! I can't believe they actually got that close to Bon Jovi. Or Heather Locklear!

If they're biggest complaint is that they want more, much more, then you've got NOTHING to worry about.

My .02. One Newbie thread, big letters, clearly marked, SC already has a perfect introduction all ready written, you may want that 'Read this first!' Right at the top of the Newbie forum. Then it's all good. Matter of fact, you might want it to read 'If you are new to the Battlecruiser series, read this first!' Or, 'If you just joined...' Or whatever. Newbies are going to need all the prodding and herding they can get. The more they are herded into they're own forum, the less they'll post on others. Again my 0.02. [ 10-10-2001: Message edited by: Kush ]

Maybe I'm just used to the SC, but I don't think his tone was condescending. Curt maybe. But so he's curt. Big deal. I know you're new here Josh, but this board is used to people with strong opinions. Don't feel like you're getting trampled on. You're not. Not yet at least All I want to add is that I really strongly feel that when this board is rebuilt in a few days, we need a Newbie forum. I strongly recommend one forum dedicated to all the silly, or not so silly (sorry Josh) newbie questions. It's your domain SC. And of course you can do what you want with it, but the game is going to get more new players than it has ever had before. This is a very good thing! And I think that there should be one forum just for them. That's my .02. Now back to waiting for the game.

This isn't so much a question as a way of saying great job all you beta testers. What you have done is really really amazing. You've helped a small independant developer in a way that was so generous. I thank you for helping to test and stabalize a game that I'm really excited about playing!!! Trust me, when I get that hot little game on my hard drive, I will be thanking you many times over!!! BTW SC the new shots look amazing. REALLY gives a sense of the scale of the game.

Oh there is no competition. At all. That's what I'm so excited about. The only thing competing with BCM right now is my work and my wife!

Oh and Scott1, AI is the term for artificial intelligence. In all computer games, AI refers to the code that is used to control game characters that are not you. The AI in BCM is used to control pretty well everything in the game world. If you would like to see it at work, you can buy the game. If you're new to computer gaming, it's an understandable question, but one that doesn't belong in this thread. There are people who try to enter this forum and cause trouble. They are people who have a problem with Derek, or the game, and they register on this board to ask silly questions, and insult the game. If you are one of those people, your ruse is up, and you are not welcome. If you are not, I apologize, and suggest you check out the game description, and the FAQ for more info about the game.