Day: January 2, 2009

I haven’t been using Microsoft Windows XP Pro for months now (I am using GNU/Linux - Ubuntu), so today I checked updates for the applications I use for WinXP. One of it was Windows Live Messenger which many still call by its former name MSN Messenger.

I like WLM version 2009 better than it’s current version.

The current WLM beta version is: Version 2009 (Build 14.0.8050.1202), the new stuff at a glance are:

• A new layout

  

• Favorite Contacts

  Add the people you chat with the most to your list of favorites at the top of your contact list. As soon as they’re ready to chat, you’ll see their profile pictures light up.

• What’s New from your Contacts

  See what your contacts have been up to lately, automatically. The what’s new area gives you a glimpse of any new blogs or photos they’ve posted, new contacts they’ve added, and more.

You can get WLM v2009 here.

I found a good review comparing WLM 8.5 and WLM 2009 beta. Visit Wave 3: Windows Live Messenger 9 Beta – What’s New? A Comparison With 8.5.

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Just this afternoon, I made a comment about why I think Tabula Rasa failed. One of it was that ‘many people were expecting the “Richard Garriott” style of gameplay’

Richard Garriott, the father of Electronic RPGs and MMORPGs, was known in that genre especially with how he approached RPG and developed the world of Ultima. We have Principles and Virtues. The gamer have to make a choice, create his own path, and shape the world (in UO’s case). This is “Richard Garriott", he is Lord British.

So when he announced Tabula Rasa as a Sci-Fi Fantasy which was changed to Sci-Fi, the fans were divided. Gamers asked if he can do it outside of medieval fantasy and if it is still “A Lord British game". There’s no question that he can do a Sci-Fi game, Origin Systems Inc. developed Wing Commander to mention one. However, it wasn’t “A Lord British game” anymore.

The touch wasn’t there with Tabula Rasa, it is an NCsoft game, not a “Richard Garriott” game. Then he said he’s leaving the scene. Many of his fans (I’ll bet all of his fans, that includes me) wish him to go back to the Medieval Fantasy genre.

Today, Richard Garriott told BBC that his next title will probably be a medieval fantasy and probably an online game. “There’s something very powerful about getting people together,” he said. This is very good news for all his fans and the gaming scene in general. This time, I believe we will see once again the “Richard Garriott", the “Lord British” we’ve all known for two decades.

After 25 years at Origin, the last thing I wanted to make was yet another medieval fantasy game. Now, after a very interesting break, I’m keen to get back into the fray and work on a new game. Probably medieval fantasy and probably online; there’s something very powerful about getting people together.

I hope he implements Ultima Online’s economy system - Supply-and-Demand. Endless supplies of items and materials from NPCs lessens the “immersion", we need the supply-and-demand system back, and the skills system of UO. Of course, if we can have virtues again by all means please! (The Principles and Virtues of Ultima VI on Guild Management)

Now I have another Collector’s Edition to wait for, a true “Richard Garriott” game. (I won’t mind if it’s single-player or of the likes of Neverwinter Nights where there are PW servers.)

It might be too early, but let me be the first to greet you, “Welcome back Lord British!!”

Source: Looking back to the future of fun.

Viet Nam’s Ministry of Information and Communication is the agency that regulates the Internet in the country as compared to China’s “Great Firewall of China” (not an agency), bans subversive blogging.

According to Hanoi Moi, which quoted a ministry circular on Tuesday, “Blogs should facilitate connectivity and information sharing, follow the traditions and laws of Vietnam, and be written in clean and wholesome Vietnamese".

The ISPs will be held responsible for the content on blogs they hosts. They Minitry also said that they plan to contact Google and Yahoo! to seek their cooperation in “creating the best and healthiest environment for bloggers” as reported by the Thanh Nien Daily.

The case for blogs located outside of Viet Nam is not yet clear, regardless, I do not know that bloggers need the best and healthiest environment, what I know is governments are the ones who need such a controlled space.

The Internet have simply become a space that many governments around the world can not control at all. Even the RIAA, infamous for their lawsuits against individuals and the creation of ridiculous software and proposals, is doing all their best to get the Cyberspace under their control.

I wonder how Filipino bloggers will react if someone proposes to control the contents of blogs owned by Filipinos? Freedom of the Press? Are bloggers considered a Press?

Source: Vietnam regulator bans subversive blogging.

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You don’t need Magic to Save Lives

In an effort to bring in more fresh and young blood donors, the Singapore Red Cross is tapping online gaming where their target bloods (no, it has nothing to do with vampires) are mostly found.

I suggested that a few days ago in my ASEAN Year-Ender post, go to where the new generation are flocking - online gaming (and blogging/micro-blogging).

The Singapore Red Cross and Granado Espada (by IAHGames) partnered up to bring the first blood donation event the Red Affair. The details are:

• What: The Red Affair
• When: January 3 to 4, 2009, from 1100H to 1700H
• Where: Red Dot Traffic Design Museum (Inside Red Dot Traffic Building)

There is no better way to get these gamers out than by providing rewards especially if these rewards will be for their in-game lives.

• The first 50 people will get 1 packet of Grando Espada: The Zeia Special Edition Red Packets and 1 Rabbit Grindstone

• The first 200 donors will receive awesome limited edition items:

  • White Christatus
  • Rabbit Grindstone
  • 2 packs of Granado Espada: The Zeia Special Edition Red Packets
  • Settlers Cafe Vouchers

It doesn’t stop there! IAHGames will also be giving DVDs of the Fifa Online 2 soccer game. The donors will receive a heroic award to a group who donate the most amount of blood. They will also be mentioned on the game’s website as well as on the newsletter.

“It’s in your blood to save lives, all it takes is just 60 minutes of your time today, to save 3 lives tomorrow.”

For more info visit the event page: Donate Blood @ The Red Affair.

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Facebook was reported to have removed photos of breastfeeding mothers found to be overly revealing. This has sparked protests both online and offline, as groups and mothers shouts, “Hey, Facebook, breastfeeding is not obscene!”

The photos were reported as obscene and was removed, with a warning that if the user (re)-uploads a similar obscene photo, they will be permanently banned from Facebook.

The Company said in defense that there were no ban on breastfeeding photos but that they have a policy on how much of a woman’s breast can be revealed.

“We agree that breastfeeding is natural and beautiful and we’re very glad to know that it is so important to some mothers to share this experience with others on Facebook,” said Mr. Barry Schnitt, spokesperson of Facebook.

What is over? Photos with fully exposed breast as defined by showing the nipple or areola, violates the Facebook Terms according to Mr. Schnitt. If someone reports, the Company checks it, or removes it?

Photo from MailOnline

So is the above photo obscene? According to Mrs. Kelli Roman (via MailOnline), her photograph of her feeding her daughter was also removed from Facebook.

I wonder what’s the next protest against Facebook after this one. Remember when Facebook overhauled the layout of their social-network and users protested? As Valerie Stayskal said, “The new version is cluttered and there’s no continuity to it.” I couldn’t agree more, personally I prefer the simplistic layout of the old Facebook. I can’t find my way around the new Facebook!

Sources:
Mothers protest at Facebook ban on ‘offensive’ breastfeeding photos
Users protest, defend Facebook face-lift

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