Posts by Mark Lawson 21 publicly visible posts • joined 14 Jun 2007
The other issue with DAB (possibly other digital radio systems too) is that since all models process the digital signal at their own rate based on their own hardware, multiple radios (even the same model from the same manufacturer in the same room on the same signal) will be noticeably and unpleasantly out of sync with each other. Not great for clock radios triggering at around the same time. Or walking around a house with different radios on the same station. The solution is simple - switch back to FM, better reception and everything is in sync. Oops.
The horribly underpowered stuff like the Galaxy Ace and Galaxy Y have had Galaxy in their name for at least two years. Galaxy doesn't mean high-end.
Whatever Samsung call the store it will still suffer from being stocked with stuff you wouldn't want to buy at all or that you wouldn't want to buy from Samsung (and tie to just their devices).
"Fair enough, but shouldn’t a PC gamer know their machine’s specifications and then match these up to the system requirements listed on the game’s box?"
That depends on whether the "minimum specs" are genuinely based on requirements for the thing to run at all, or merely represent what someone putting together the box art thinks sounds like a likely spec of an average PC within the last 2-3 years.
I run a machine elements of which are on the ancient side (GF3Ti200 and an Athlon 850). I regard even the minimum specs on the box as suspect - my machine chugs along with Doom 3 happily whilst miles below the official specs and handled Prey without issue but won't touch Quake 4 as it specifically needs SSE (which the old Althlon lacks) - the QIV specs don't mention this, they just demand a P4 class or above (even though it would probably run fine on a P3). I understand that companies can't test their software with every feasible hardware combination but the information provided isn't enough to make an informed judgement - its frustrating knowing that on the offchance that your purchase won't work you're potentially out of luck "because you don't meet the published specs".
(I'm not a hardcore gamer and the machine works very well for its main role as a family PC/ PVR - it'll get replaced when it dies)
With hardware purchases its even sillier as you are very unlikely to need a 2GHz+ machine to install a new DVD burner or printer successfully... but it still gives the reatiler a get-out clause should it not work.
"And don't even get my started on why a time lord with a ship that can take him to anywhere in the universe spends every episode on earth!"
That would be due to the dark machinations of his ultimate nemesis, The Beancounter...
Even accepting the limitations of the format, the RTD-penned shows have seemed to be generally, weaker, sillier and more reliant on a McGuffin of the week than others. He's good at setting up a two parter but does seem to have problems with wrapping up the second part. He still deserves kudos for getting the show revived.
More Moffattt should be a very good thing :)
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