So, it’s exam time again – the inevitable conclusion of the university semester. This for me generally means one thing – an abnormal and probably unhealthy addiction to internet reviews of the latest gadgets and youtube videos. This is not my greatest cause of concern, though. It is instead my increasing interest in Apple technology, namely their new Macbook Pros.
Before I continue, I probably should point out that I’ve never had a real issue with the hardware itself. Just the seemingly gimmicky software and “Apple Tax” that seems to go up with every release. My first experience with computers was with Apple, and that was for a good 4 or so years before I got my first windows laptop for high school – which spent most of its time either under warranty repair or being reimaged to “fix” the many, many issues with windows 98.
To demonstrate the differences between Linux, Microsoft Windows and Apple OSX, I believe I’ve found several analogies that may fit the bill:
First up we have Linux. Linux is like the quiet child genius who sits up the back of the class avoiding class discussion. Sure, he’s brilliant at school work – and does it quickly, but he’s in a class of his own. Nobody seems to understand him.
Then we have Windows XP. This is like the 40 year old man who still lives at home with his parents. No matter how much Dad tries to push him out, Mum just doesn’t have the heart to let him go. Sure, it’s great having him around to open those sticky lids on the sauces, but really, it’s time to move on.
Windows Vista is next. Vista is pretty much that overweight know-it-all that always sits at the front of the class and keeps asking those questions that just don’t need asking. Everyone hates him for it – not to mention the fact that he struggles to keep up in the 100 metre dash.
OSX is... umm... like.... Darth Vader. Stick with me here – Sure, it started off good and honest, what with its unique use of the mouse. Then it started with the lawsuits, iTunes tie-ins, and iPods and became bent on world domination. But people still bought into it, because let’s face it, Darth Vader was clearly a pretty cool guy.
As you can see from my heavily stretched and butchered analogies, there is an issue. Darth Vader eventually comes back from the “dark side”. Now, I have a huge problem – I like Unix. A lot. And this is what OSX is based on. Compounding the problem is that XP is too old and clunky, while Vista is consistently persistent in its lack of usability options and attempts (badly) to look like OSX. It also has way too many editions.
The main problem probably is that Macs are no longer just for rich idiots. No question, they are more expensive than ever, but when you look at what’s on offer in competition, there’s little choice. Either you pay a premium for quality and OSX, or you save a few bucks and get a perfectly good laptop and spend 3 days trying to get it to connect to your wireless router. Only to discover that the hardware on the machine isn’t compatible with the OS it came with. But it will in the future. Maybe.
Not helping is the fact that the MacBook Pro would probably give my desktop a run for its money, even on lower specs. I can also use the spare XP licence I've got lying around for those games that won't cope with Crossover.
With full time work next year, I will have more disposable cash floating around, which means that I will be in a better position than ever to consider the evil corporation bent on world domination. Damn.
“Every value I’ve ever held is being questioned, and I’m loving it!” Moss, IT Crowd.
EDIT: I'm not sure if this vid relates... you decide.
Wednesday 22 October 2008
Tuesday 21 October 2008
LHC Rap Brings End to Universe, Doomsayers Rejoice
Ever wonder what those millions upon millions of dollars are spent on over in the Swiss scientific research community? Well, here's your answer. For all those people predicting the end of the universe with the switching on of the LHC, it seems these guys (I'm assuming they're scientists) really wanted to seal the deal...
Sunday 5 October 2008
R rated video games will turn children into rapists: Barnaby Joyce
I guess I have your attention now, right? So what would you say if I told you that a couple of Australian politicians were ignorant of the content that they pass laws on? Shocking, I know, but when a panel consisting of several Senators and influential community figures were asked about their opinions on the topic of video game censorship, it degenerated into what you see below...
Before I begin a whole rant about the stupidity of the whole stigma around the issue, let me first give two examples of OFLC censorship in action:
1) The last time I went shopping for a DVD (IT Crowd 2.0 - Awesome!) I stood in line behind a mother of several boys who could not be past the age of 11 - 12 years old. The youngest (around 8ish?) had selected a PS2 game called Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, that he was asking his mother to purchase for him. Note at this point that the cover has a large red MA15+ warning on it, and giving details of the content that the game involves. The mother proceeded to the counter with said software and purchased it without question.
2) The much anticipated "Fallout 3" was submitted to the Office of Film & Literature Classification in Australia several months ago to determine its rating upon release. The games was awarded the "RC - Refused Classification" due to its realistic depiction of drug use. The publisher changed the name of the drug from the real name Morphine to something more fictional, changed the animation a bit, and subsequently the classification has been reduced to the MA15+ rating for Australian shores. Please note at this point that despite the future worldwide release of the edited version, most countries have given the game the equivilent of the R18+ rating - 2 years above what Australia will have.
These examples are just the tip of the iceburg. People are still under the misconception that video games are just toys for kids, and that these games will harm them. Jack Thompson, a US lawyer, is a key proponent of this stance. Every time there is a school shooting, he'll come out and blame the latest violent game for the child's actions even though the child was too young to play it.
Which brings us to the point of example 1. No matter how much time Barnaby Joyce spends looking at Avatars who rape people (seriously, where'd he get that example?), the question still remains - how does this affect children? There are many arguments that can be used to refute an R18+ classification, but the ones that are used always revolve around children, even though it will be illegal for children to play them.
I myself believe that the R18+ classification is desperately needed. I no longer even bother checking a rating on a game or movie anymore, because it simply cannot be trusted. How is it that I can join an online game rated for adults, and yet get stuck listening to whinging 12 year olds on voice chat? The whole idea of a classification system is, in essence, to protect children from graphic violence and inappropriate content. So why is it that everyone seems to be opposed to doing just that?
I recently saw a movie called "The Bank Job". Those who have seen it will most likely recall many... "adult" scenes in the movie. It was rated MA15+ for "Corse Language and Sexual references". In my mind, sexual references are things such as a dirty joke, not nudity (which, incidently, I have seen on a rating before). Which is what was shown - had I known this before hand, I wouldn't have seen it. This, of course, wouldn't have bothered the lady in the video who believes that Bill Henson's child pornography is beautiful, but that video game violence will destroy our society. Don't worry - by her logic, if we keep pirating it, we'll be safe!
Our current ratings system in Australia doesn't work. It is flawed due to inappropriate guidelines for classification, and bad parenting decisions. It is not the Government's job to raise children - it is, however, the Government's job to inform parents of what they are letting their children see.
For more info, wiki has the answer:
OFLC wiki page
Michael Atkinson - most public proponent of the anti-R18+ rating stance, and solely responsible for it not existing. Also is the 6th most hated man in Australia, according to the article.
Before I begin a whole rant about the stupidity of the whole stigma around the issue, let me first give two examples of OFLC censorship in action:
1) The last time I went shopping for a DVD (IT Crowd 2.0 - Awesome!) I stood in line behind a mother of several boys who could not be past the age of 11 - 12 years old. The youngest (around 8ish?) had selected a PS2 game called Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, that he was asking his mother to purchase for him. Note at this point that the cover has a large red MA15+ warning on it, and giving details of the content that the game involves. The mother proceeded to the counter with said software and purchased it without question.
2) The much anticipated "Fallout 3" was submitted to the Office of Film & Literature Classification in Australia several months ago to determine its rating upon release. The games was awarded the "RC - Refused Classification" due to its realistic depiction of drug use. The publisher changed the name of the drug from the real name Morphine to something more fictional, changed the animation a bit, and subsequently the classification has been reduced to the MA15+ rating for Australian shores. Please note at this point that despite the future worldwide release of the edited version, most countries have given the game the equivilent of the R18+ rating - 2 years above what Australia will have.
These examples are just the tip of the iceburg. People are still under the misconception that video games are just toys for kids, and that these games will harm them. Jack Thompson, a US lawyer, is a key proponent of this stance. Every time there is a school shooting, he'll come out and blame the latest violent game for the child's actions even though the child was too young to play it.
Which brings us to the point of example 1. No matter how much time Barnaby Joyce spends looking at Avatars who rape people (seriously, where'd he get that example?), the question still remains - how does this affect children? There are many arguments that can be used to refute an R18+ classification, but the ones that are used always revolve around children, even though it will be illegal for children to play them.
I myself believe that the R18+ classification is desperately needed. I no longer even bother checking a rating on a game or movie anymore, because it simply cannot be trusted. How is it that I can join an online game rated for adults, and yet get stuck listening to whinging 12 year olds on voice chat? The whole idea of a classification system is, in essence, to protect children from graphic violence and inappropriate content. So why is it that everyone seems to be opposed to doing just that?
I recently saw a movie called "The Bank Job". Those who have seen it will most likely recall many... "adult" scenes in the movie. It was rated MA15+ for "Corse Language and Sexual references". In my mind, sexual references are things such as a dirty joke, not nudity (which, incidently, I have seen on a rating before). Which is what was shown - had I known this before hand, I wouldn't have seen it. This, of course, wouldn't have bothered the lady in the video who believes that Bill Henson's child pornography is beautiful, but that video game violence will destroy our society. Don't worry - by her logic, if we keep pirating it, we'll be safe!
Our current ratings system in Australia doesn't work. It is flawed due to inappropriate guidelines for classification, and bad parenting decisions. It is not the Government's job to raise children - it is, however, the Government's job to inform parents of what they are letting their children see.
For more info, wiki has the answer:
OFLC wiki page
Michael Atkinson - most public proponent of the anti-R18+ rating stance, and solely responsible for it not existing. Also is the 6th most hated man in Australia, according to the article.
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