Posts by robp

Movie review: Oblivion

Tom Cruise?

Tropic Thunder.

Microsoft Xbox gaffe reveals cloudy arrogance

Monetize

I can just imagine it. The bods all sat around the desk brain-storming how to monetize their latest creation. Don't get me wrong, I understand that when you need 2 years and a talented team of developers, artists and stuff, you need to be able to make enough money to pay them and satisfy the shareholders.

But, I hate free games that pester and need constant feeding of money in order to progress. I don't like always on for no good reason, other than it incorporates the latest "cloud" buzzwords. I hate that I would be artificially restricted into not buying and using second-hand games.

Younger kids might just go with this, but I'm old enough for it not to wash.

Which reminds me. I have Amiga, Spectrum, Dreamcast, PS, Nintendo emulators and more. I have MAME. There are literally thousands of fantastic, challenging and fun games that are readily available (note: I'm not condoning piracy). The Xbox360 in my living room may be the last console I buy (although an OUYA may be good for XBMC, and the name reminds me of Euro Pron movie dialogue if said with a Dutch accent!).

Sony promises PC-based PlayStation 4 for Christmas

Ho ho

A Steambox and an Ouya appeals to me the most. After a PC of course, which I can use for many many wonderful things other than gaming. Must be difficult being squeezed by competition, while trying to lock your potential customers into your platform, and also ensuring they can't use second-hand games. Does it run Linux for 6 months or so, before it's removed by the way?

Curiosity success 'paves way for Man on Mars by 2030s'

Brill, but it's still not...

....a Johnny-Cab!

Cerberus

Another app

But this one for more than just your phone.

Prey

CSA IT 'a turkey from day one'

Muppets

Yet again another outsourcing deal goes wrong.

When will the bean counters realise that outsourcing isn't all it's cracked up to be?

Employing staff and treating them should result in:-

1. Loyalty to company (perhaps bonus/share related?)

2. More interest (let the IT staff contribute to the business success)

While avoiding:

1. Annoyed staff transferred to the outsourcing company (no loyalty to either company)

2. Staff taken advantage of (the provider then has to provide enhanced service levels at lower costs....)