User information for Jim

Real Name
Jim
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Loose Cannon
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August 10, 2005
Total Posts
71 (Suspect)
User ID
23616
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71 Comments. 4 pages. Viewing page 1.
Newer [  1  2  3  4  ] Older
5.
 
Re: Morning Tech Bits
Jan 19, 2021, 22:30
5.
Re: Morning Tech Bits Jan 19, 2021, 22:30
Jan 19, 2021, 22:30
 
This would effectively make this 550MB/s drive as fast as the some of the very best NVME drives for day-to-day use, like load times etc.

I thought good NVMe drives averaged 3,500MB/s.
4.
 
Re: Cyberpunk 2077 Launch Aftermath
Dec 10, 2020, 12:11
4.
Re: Cyberpunk 2077 Launch Aftermath Dec 10, 2020, 12:11
Dec 10, 2020, 12:11
 
From what I read (but not have experienced, so take that with a grain of salt), the Stadia Gen 1 hardware does not support any form of RTX. There is talk that the Stadia Gen 2 hardware will support RTX, but no official word or timeframe on that.

It does appear that the paid version of Geforce Now does support RTX (but Geforce Now has a max of 1080p).
19.
 
Re: Developers Prefer Piracy to G2A
Jul 1, 2019, 16:54
19.
Re: Developers Prefer Piracy to G2A Jul 1, 2019, 16:54
Jul 1, 2019, 16:54
 
If someone is using a stolen credit card, it costs the developer time for no money. It works like this:

1. Thief steals a credit card (might be phishing, might be a data breach, might be trial and error, might be actual credit card).
2. Thief buys a key for a game from the dev/publisher (dev/publisher gets money).
3. Thief sells the key on G2A (thief profits).
4. The original card holder sees a fraudulent purchase on their account.
5. Cardholder issues a chargeback with their issuing bank.
6. This is a process of back-and-forth between the cardholder and the merchant. It might end up in arbitration.
7. Cardholder gets a return of the money that was taken from the account.
8. Merchant has to repay this money to the issuing bank (dev/publisher loses the money).
9. Dev/publisher is out arbitration costs, any time spent researching the key, blacklisting the key, and dealing with any blowback from doing so.

For this type of G2A fraudulent key exchange, the dev/publisher in only out money, and have made none on it. Which is why they are saying they would rather it just be pirated, at least that doesn't cost them money.
5.
 
Re: Out of the Blue
Sep 18, 2017, 11:53
5.
Re: Out of the Blue Sep 18, 2017, 11:53
Sep 18, 2017, 11:53
 
Cutter wrote on Sep 18, 2017, 11:11:
Well of course they couldn't beat lefist feminist agenda show, The Handmaid's Tale. God forbid a show ever win on its own merits instead of current politics. This is why all these awards shows are utterly useless.

Perhaps you didn't know that the Handmaid's Tale is based on a book by the same name, published in 1985. Would you consider 1985 "current politics" for the "leftist feminist agenda"? Have you watched the show in order to judge it by its own merits?

I've watched a few episodes of Handmaid's Tale, all of Stranger Things, and all of Westworld. For me, hand's down, Stranger Things was the best of those.
1.
 
Re: Starflight Remake Plans
Aug 9, 2017, 09:51
1.
Re: Starflight Remake Plans Aug 9, 2017, 09:51
Aug 9, 2017, 09:51
 
I'm almost positive I saw that Stardock was remaking Starflight, but a search didn't show that.

Edit: turns out I was thinking of Star Control, not Starflight.
42.
 
Re: Valve Outlines Steam Inner Workings and Future Plans
Jun 26, 2017, 17:08
42.
Re: Valve Outlines Steam Inner Workings and Future Plans Jun 26, 2017, 17:08
Jun 26, 2017, 17:08
 
Eirikrautha wrote on Jun 26, 2017, 15:28:
Agree with you partially, but here's my problem with this. CRI makes it sound like they are doing a "J.G. Wentworth" (an infamous US structured settlement firm) and simply getting an advance payment (lump-sum) that they are guaranteed later. OK. But why would they need IP as collateral? If they have cash on hand, that can serve as a guarantee. Normally, the imputed payment that they are getting an advance on is considered the only collateral necessary.

One of two things is the case here. Either CRI doesn't have enough cash that the bank is comfortable in giving them a signature loan, or the bank is unsure the government will follow through on its promise. This is a logical concern. Until the government actually allocates the money, they can decide at any time not to fund any program. So the bank must have a little concern that the UK may not fund the development tax credits...

The third option is that Derek Smart doesn't understand CIG finances, and that the IP isn't actually up for collateral. You may believe Derek Smart or you may believe Chris Roberts, I don't find either to be a trust worthy source... but the OP states that there is no IP collateral: "the collateral specifically excludes “Star Citizen.” The UK Government rebate entitlement, which is audited and certified by our outside auditors on a quarterly basis, is the prime collateral"

Take it for what it's worth, however in this instance the GBP loan makes sense, so I'll take CR over DS.
15.
 
Re: Valve Outlines Steam Inner Workings and Future Plans
Jun 26, 2017, 12:11
15.
Re: Valve Outlines Steam Inner Workings and Future Plans Jun 26, 2017, 12:11
Jun 26, 2017, 12:11
 
Disclaimer, I backed this game during the Kickstarter. I regret backing it.

I don't think this is as complicated as you're all making it. Their primary funds are in USD and EUR (as stated, I assume that's true). To pay their GBP debt, they would have to do a currency conversion. They _could_ wait until the tax payment comes in to pay their GBP debt and push off their creditors until tax year end (ie employees, who probably wouldn't like that) or incur a currency conversion fee.

Or they can secure a monthly loan in GBP against the tax rebate they will receive. This loan would not be risky since it's versus guaranteed money. If the loan interest rate is less than the currency conversion fee (and I suspect it would be), this _is_ smart money management.

I doubt the tax rebate pays the entire UK office, so they likely have to do currency conversion anyway. This is just a way to minimize that fee.

The sky might be falling at Cloud Imperium -- but this isn't an indication of it.
11.
 
Re: Valve Outlines Steam Inner Workings and Future Plans
May 9, 2017, 14:55
11.
Re: Valve Outlines Steam Inner Workings and Future Plans May 9, 2017, 14:55
May 9, 2017, 14:55
 
I just started reading King's The Dark Tower series. In it, King has a foreword (and an introduction, seemed a bit excessive), with this paragraph:
My approach to revision hasn’t changed much over the years. I know there are writers who do it as they go along, but my method of attack has always been to plunge in and go as fast as I can, keeping the edge of my narrative blade as sharp as possible by constant use, and trying to outrun the novelist’s most insidious enemy, which is doubt. Looking back prompts too many questions: How believable are my characters? How interesting is my story? How good is this, really? Will anyone care? Do I care myself?

I think this sums up Valve's current problems, they can't outrun their doubt. I think it also applies to GRRM.
9.
 
Re: Op Ed
Sep 19, 2016, 16:09
9.
Re: Op Ed Sep 19, 2016, 16:09
Sep 19, 2016, 16:09
 
Interesting video about this posted today concerning Amazon incentivized reviews. As you would expect, users who received the product cheaper or free were much more likely to give the product a higher rating. I know people like to shit on Valve, but lowering the visibility of incentivized reviews is a good thing. I realize that some reviews are now hidden that were not incentivized (bought through a different storefront), but I'd rather see honest non-incentivized reviews.
6.
 
Re: Morning Metaverse
Jun 16, 2016, 17:04
6.
Re: Morning Metaverse Jun 16, 2016, 17:04
Jun 16, 2016, 17:04
 
Cutter wrote on Jun 16, 2016, 16:43:
What competition? Obviously any ISP has to make a profit so it doesn't matter how low they go when the muni should be running it as a not for profit to begin with. It's like car insurance. If it's required than the government should be providing it as a not for profit as well.

Internet access isn't required. There is no cost for the residents if they choose not to use this service. That being said, I am for local municipal broadband.

I am strongly against local broadband monopolies, which most US markets are. The article lists two ISPs that residents can connect to through the municipal fiber network, thus competition (as well as an "emergency" free local connection).

Municipal broadband > Ammon's fiber network > Local broadband monopoly.
3.
 
Re: Morning Metaverse
Jun 16, 2016, 15:43
3.
Re: Morning Metaverse Jun 16, 2016, 15:43
Jun 16, 2016, 15:43
 
PHJF wrote on Jun 16, 2016, 11:28:
Ammon has built an open access network that lets multiple private ISPs offer service to customers over city-owned fiber.

Sorry, what's the fucking point in having citizens set up the infrastructure and then having a bunch of bloodsucking ISPs come in and set up shop on top of it?

Competition, obviously.

I'm not sure if you read the article, but the project has paid for itself already:
What about Ammon's costs? The city government broke even within three years and is now operating in the black, Kirkham said. The city has no debt related to the fiber construction.

Also Fybercom and Syringa don't sound like the usual bloodsucking ISPs.

I'm all for this.
11.
 
Re: Morning Metaverse
Nov 21, 2014, 12:06
11.
Re: Morning Metaverse Nov 21, 2014, 12:06
Nov 21, 2014, 12:06
 
Cutter wrote on Nov 21, 2014, 11:26:
Indeed. Just donate a few bucks to the guys at Adblock instead. I think Google has more than enough money.

It's not about donating money to the Adblock guys or Google, it's about donating money to Blue's News.

I run Adblock here because the page loads much quicker without ads, and I like the cleaner look of the ad-free page. $1/month is worth it, to me, for a clear conscience and to support the sites I enjoy.
2.
 
Re: Morning Metaverse
Nov 21, 2014, 09:59
2.
Re: Morning Metaverse Nov 21, 2014, 09:59
Nov 21, 2014, 09:59
 
garrywong wrote on Nov 21, 2014, 09:52:
HA! HAHAHAHAH! They want me to pay THEM to not see their ads?! What kind of nonsense is this? They have to pay ME a LOT of money to view any stupid ads!

See today's Out of the Blue. I would gladly pay $1/month to support Blue's News and not see any ads. It appears at least part of that money goes to content creators, not Google (it's not clear what Google's take is, if any).
5.
 
Re: Pillars of Eternity Preorders
Nov 12, 2014, 11:34
5.
Re: Pillars of Eternity Preorders Nov 12, 2014, 11:34
Nov 12, 2014, 11:34
 
Frijoles wrote on Nov 12, 2014, 11:05:
Why would an early purchaser need to pre-order? What did I purchase if not the game?

A person who pre-orders is an early purchaser. They're offering a fairly normal pre-order discount. This is not the same as a backer (which is what I think you're referring to when you said "What did I purchase if not the game"). Backers, with a sufficient pledge, get the game.
14.
 
Re: Transverse Funding Reworked
Sep 12, 2014, 14:38
14.
Re: Transverse Funding Reworked Sep 12, 2014, 14:38
Sep 12, 2014, 14:38
 
Beamer wrote on Sep 12, 2014, 14:25:
Wait. So what were they building with a million.
And what would you do with weapons and not battles.
Did they mean like, PvP but the game would have PvE?

I know you probably can't answer this because I get it. They didn't answer this. It's so weird. It's like someone building a space sim that was just a hanger to walk around in and put towels in your cockpit, without there being an actual game around it unless people donated more.

For the 2,000,000 goal, Combat: "Let the battle begin! Backers will now be able to fight each other online in local space instances." So they make it sound like if they don't hit 2,000,000 you can only battle NPCs in the MMORPG.

The better question is what would the game be like if they fund over 500,000 but less than a million? You don't get your money back (that's what they just announced, if the game funds for less than 500,000 everyone gets their money back), and you have a space-sim with no space flight.

It sounds like they didn't fulfill their promises for MWO. I don't know about that, I didn't play it... but I think anyone would be a fool for backing this project based on these stretch goals.
11.
 
Re: Transverse Funding Reworked
Sep 12, 2014, 14:16
11.
Re: Transverse Funding Reworked Sep 12, 2014, 14:16
Sep 12, 2014, 14:16
 
Beamer wrote:
I honestly don't understand all the hate this project is getting.

When their funding initiative began their stretch goals were:
  • 1,000,000 space flight added to the game
  • 1,500,000 customize ship with weapons
  • 2,000,000 space battles

It would be great to fund a space-flight game without having the ability to fly in space... or customize your ship... or have space battles.

*Edit, I thought they had removed those as stretch goals, but they haven't. See for yourself: https://transversegame.com/about/funding

This comment was edited on Sep 12, 2014, 14:23.
22.
 
Re: Valve Beta Streaming Impressions
Jan 27, 2014, 14:31
22.
Re: Valve Beta Streaming Impressions Jan 27, 2014, 14:31
Jan 27, 2014, 14:31
 
Creston wrote on Jan 27, 2014, 14:04:
But since this will stream to anything with SteamOS installed, my main concern is alleviated anyway.

I'm pretty sure you made a typo, but just to clarify, In-Home streaming will stream to anything that can install Steam. SteamOS is unnecessary.
20.
 
Re: Valve Beta Streaming Impressions
Jan 27, 2014, 13:45
20.
Re: Valve Beta Streaming Impressions Jan 27, 2014, 13:45
Jan 27, 2014, 13:45
 
KS wrote on Jan 27, 2014, 13:25:
That's fascinating. I know there was a failed cloud-based gaming service that rendered your 3D and piped video to you. This seems like a local version where you run the video card server.

I can see consumer-level configurations of a tower with multiple 3D cards in it serving a whole family, even if one card could handle more than one game at once.

I've also used OnLive in the past, briefly. In-home streaming is no comparison. Even with a 15mbps connection (5mbps was required, if I remember correctly), it was noticeably laggy. I remember trying to play UT3 on it, and it was terrible.

1gps in-home streaming is like playing on the host rig itself... and Valve still has a ways to go yet (ie currently there is only software encoding).

As it stands now, a tower of 3D cards couldn't serve the whole family, just 1 person.
18.
 
Re: Valve Beta Streaming Impressions
Jan 27, 2014, 13:29
18.
Re: Valve Beta Streaming Impressions Jan 27, 2014, 13:29
Jan 27, 2014, 13:29
 
jdreyer wrote on Jan 27, 2014, 12:45:
Right, this is the weak link in the chain. This makes the most sense for laptops, yet most laptops run low bandwidth wireless connectivity. So people would have to run an ethernet cable, and that kind of ruins the point of it. If you're streaming to your TV, you'll have to run ethernet to it, so you may as well run an HDMI cable.

I get where you're going with the HDMI cable, but that doesn't make sense. My main switch is in the office/dungeon and I ran Cat5 upstairs, to another switch/hotspot. Definitely longer than 50', and I wouldn't want to run HDMI that far. But even if I did, that's just the display/audio... what about input?

If I wanted to game outside the dungeon, it would make the most sense for me to use Valve's streaming. If it works well on more intense games, it might even make sense for a dedicated steam box for TV gaming.
15.
 
Re: Valve Beta Streaming Impressions
Jan 27, 2014, 13:19
15.
Re: Valve Beta Streaming Impressions Jan 27, 2014, 13:19
Jan 27, 2014, 13:19
 
Jivaro wrote on Jan 27, 2014, 12:32:
Can a single gaming rig stream more than one game to multiple devices at a time?

No, I doubt it. The game is physically playing on the host machine (ie, I could sit in my dungeon as my wife streamed Broken Age, seeing the video/audio/input).
71 Comments. 4 pages. Viewing page 1.
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