A patch is now available for the recent Ground Control II multiplayer demo (story), updating this sample of Massive Entertainment's RTS sequel to the startlingly infinitesimal version 0.00.0081. The file is not available as of now on the appropriate Sierra Entertainment Downloads Page, but it can be found on Sierra's FTP Server (direct link) and the mirror on 3D Gamers or Gamer's Hell. In related news, the Ground Control II Website has relaunched.

Steam News has word of updates to both Counter-Strike and Counter-Strike: Condition Zero via Valve's broadband delivery service. The update adds a bunch of tweaks to Counter-Strike and updated player models for Condition Zero. Thanks Frans.

• Pacific Assault
  Ask EA: Animations - Part One on PlanetMedalOfHonor continues this series of reader-submitted questions about the upcoming MoH sequel, talking with artists Chris Oakley, Joe McGuffin, and Robin Johnson about animation.
• Stalin Subway
  The Stalin Subway Q&A on FileFront talks with Vlad Suglobov, CEO of G5 Software, about their upcoming Cold War-themed first-person shooter set in the former Soviet Union.
• EverQuest II
  Chris Cao Talks EverQuest II on GameSpy talks with the lead designer on the upcoming MMORPG sequel about how it will differ from the original EverQuest.
• Kult: Heretic Kingdoms
  The Kult: Heretic Kingdoms Q&A on Idle Thumbs talks with Chris Bateman, "creative overlord" at iHobo, about re-writing the story behind Kult: Heretic Kingdoms, 3D People's upcoming RPG.
• Singles
  The Singles: Flirt Up Your Life Q&A on FileFront talks with Dennis Franken about the romance-themed people simulator.
• Fallout 3
  The Tim Cain Profile on No Mutants Allowed continues this series of profiles of the developers on Fallout 3, the erstwhile RPG sequel.

• EverQuest II on GameSpy.
• Call of Duty: United Offensive on Fragland.net.

• Mourning on the Official Website.

This Seriously! Downloads Page offers downloads of the BTB Airlines modification for Serious Sam: The Second Encounter. Here's the description of this project, which includes its own collection of large deathmatch maps: "BTB Airlines is the long awaited vehicular deathmatch mod from CAD Creations. Go head to head against other players in biplanes, muscle cars, hummers and jets in huge environments where you are only the size of a mouse."

• GameCube lives on reports plans to sell GameCubes in the future (are they selling now?).
• HomeLAN Fed's Terminator 3: The Redemption Q&A.

Thanks Mike Martinez.

• Microsoft races to plug IE hole.
• Microsoft concedes dial-up patch problem.
• Apple Makes Its Case for Security.
• Antivirus vendors await major Linux worm.
• Court ruling questions SCO copyright claims.
• DualDisc Hybrids Officially Approved by the DVD Forum.
• Pioneer Who Kept the Web Free Honored With a Technology Prize (registration required).
• 'Showdowns' expected as bar-code deadline nears.
• Mobiles build interactive cities: Technology allows users to share their experiences.
• Selling 'Nemo' Online, Trying to Repel Pirates (registration required).
• The Son of Patriot Act Also Rises.
• Permissions on Digital Media Drive Scholars to Lawbooks (registration required).
• Athlon Slows Down Your iPod: More Reasons Why Not to Buy a PC.
• System migration tool simplifies setup of new G5s.

There's ACON4 Finals Coverage on The Tech Zone offers photos and accounts of this gaming tournament.

• Battle for Troy on Strategy Informer.
• Combat Mission: Afrika Korps on SimHQ.
• Endless Ages on Multiplayer Online Games Directory.
• EVE Online: the Second Genesis on Warcry.
• Hitman: Contracts on ELiTeD.net.
• Spartan on GameZone.
• Thief: Deadly Shadows (in German) on YiYas.
• TrackMania on Worthplaying.
• True Crime: Streets of L.A. on Gameguru Mania.
• Unreal Tournament 2004 on GamerDad.

• Albatron PX875P Pro Motherboard on ViperLair.
• Bluetake BT500 Bluetooth Mouse on FastLaneHW.
• Corsair TwinX1024-3200XL Pro RAM on Home Theater PC News.
• Edifier S2.1D Super Multimedia Speaker System on Envy News.
• Foxconn AMD 3400+ Heat Guzzler on OverClock Intelligence Agency.
• Fujitsu-Siemens LIFEBOOK S Series S7010 Supreme Edition Laptop on TrustedReviews.
• Gigabyte Radeon X800 Pro Video Card on Legion Hardware.
• Leadtek TV2000 XP Expert Edition Video Card on Bjorn3d.
• Matrix Orbital MX322 LCD on GruntvillE.
• Nokia 6630 3G Mobile Phone on Modtown.
• Raidmax Virgo 811 Mid Tower Case on ExtremeMhz.
• Sapphire’s X800 XT Platinum Edition 256 MB Video Card on GamePC.
• SimpleTech PC4000 Nitro Dual-Channel RAM Kit on Adrian's Rojak Pot.
• Sony Vaio PCG-X505-SP Laptop on Designtechnica.
• VIA EPIA MII 10000 Motherboard on PyroPort.
• Zalman's Reserator 1 Fanless Water Cooler on The Tech Report.

Thanks Mike Martinez.

• The Dark Ore version of the day is 3.2. The updated version is mirrored on 3D Gamers...
• Do better graphics make for better games? Rand Miller, Will Wright, and Jordan Mechner on the impact of high resolutions...
• Virtual City of Smut Now Online...
• InXile confirms The Bard's Tale admits that up until now, the upcoming remake of The Bard's Tale hadn't secured the rights to the name...

Today is Flag Day here in the U.S., a day for proudly displaying the flag that my famous ancestor Betsy Ross probably didn't actually design. The wet weather avoided the weekend, but it's now arrived in these parts, so I don't think anyone around here is going to be putting out their flags out today.

There's no fuse to change on that receiver that blew yesterday, so it looks like she's dead, Jim.

Man, Deadwood was great! Great series, great debut season, and great finale episode. I am looking forward to next season, repeats, a DVD edition, purchasing copious quantities of Deadwood merchandise, starting a fan club... the whole nine yards. I love that show, and I think Al Swearengen has already taken his place alongside the all-time great TV characters.

Link of the Day:	Banana Telephone. Ring ring ring, Bananaphone...
Stories of the Day:	History made as man beats horse. Let poor smoke, says health secretary. Doctors Denounce Idea to Allow Denial of Care to Some Lawyers (registration required).
Science!:	Memory fails you after severe stress. Clothes launder own fabric: Catalytic cotton chows down on dirt. Baseball: Taking a Swing With Steroids (registration required).
Image of the Day:	Animal Flicks 2. Thanks Ant.
Auction of the Day:	TONS JAPANESE VIDEO GAME COLLECTION FOR SALE PS2 XBOX.. Thanks Mirsky and ASLayerAODsk. Autographed Tabula Rasa Demo disc from E3 2004. Thanks rogue13.
Follow-ups:	Inventor plans 'invisible walls'. Space Travel: Dreamers Hope a Catalyst Will Rise From the Mojave Desert (registration required). Florida Faces Election Fracas.
	Thanks Mike Martinez