Wonder of Wonders: Duke Nukem Forever Is Real

It's been a few years since I was really "into" the PC Gaming scene, but let's rewind about a decade and a half or so...

I had a job working in the college computer lab.  Nothing difficult, nothing special, but lots of free time to goof off on the computer.  Inevitably, this led to game playing in the late evenings and on the weekends, when the lab wasn't so busy.  First person shooters were coming up at the time and were easy to stop in the middle of if someone had the audacity to come ask a question.  Quake was a favorite, Doom as a classic standby, and then there was Duke Nukem. 

Duke Nukem was great because the character had a bad attitude and the game was edgy (for it's time).  It was a blast to play and really passed the time. 

Over the next few years, sequels to the other games were released.  The promise of a new Duke Nukem shined like a beacon on the horizon.  Other titles came and went, but Duke never showed his face.  He was delayed, canceled, picked back up, delayed, and canceled again... well, you get the idea.

I heard earlier this year that Duke was alive again and was "really" going to finally be released.  I promised not to hold my breath.  Partly because I didn't believe it, and partly because I don't play those types of games anymore.  Still, my curiosity was piqued.

Today I saw a headline that Duke Nukem Forever has gone gold.  Gold meaning that the final revision has been completed and the discs are ready to be manufactured.  It's actually happening.

I almost don't care, but I'm a little interested to see how this game turned out.  It's so long overdue that I don't even know what to expect: the greatest of greatness, or just pure crap.  But I'll probably check it out just to see how Duke is getting along.  I hope there is a trial version somewhere.

All I know is, Duke Nukem is back to kick ass and chew bubblegum.  Let's just hope he doesn't choke on it.

The Wind Is Not My Friend

Not long ago, I was commenting that riding a motorcycle is one of life's great simple pleasures.  That statement is still true, in my opinion.  However, I have learned that there are certain things that can make that ride... less pleasurable.  I'm certain that rain is one of those things.  Heavy traffic would be, as well.  But another sinister force is out to get us.  Something much sneakier.  The ninja element... wind.  Today, I was shocked.  Shocked that when I was riding I was being shoved to the side of the road.  Why?  Wind.  Crazy strong wind here now.  Don't get me wrong; riding in the wind is still better than not riding.  But it kind of sucked.  I shouldn't have to fight to stay in a lane.  Not when I'm the only one on the road.  What's my point here?  I don't really have one.  Just beware the wind.

Lenovo N5901 Mini Wireless Keyboard

I was leery at first... when I read the sticker on the box, I thought it was a bad omen.  It read:

"PC connect TV 

Wireless is more fun 

Mouse Keyboard

two in one"

It just sounded goofy.  What was inside the box, however, was not goofy at all.  This device is a little handheld keyboard and mouse combo.

The keyboard is a bit larger than one on a cell phone, which means you can actually tap the correct letters when you type.  The trackball mouse works great, but I do miss finger-swipe scrolling like on a touchpad.

So, what is this thing good for?  I'm glad you asked.  I decided to keep a computer hooked up to our TV permanently.  No more pulling HDMI cables across the living room every time we want to watch Hulu on the TV.  This will also make YouTube better.  Overall, who doesn't want to work their computer on a 40" monitor?  All entertainment can go through the PC, if we so choose.

So now we have a Sony Vaio with a 2.1Ghz Dual-Core AMD Athlon II processor, 4Gb RAM, and Radeon HD 4200 graphics.  Which means full HD, Blu-Ray playback, music, and gaming... all controlled from the palm of my hand, while never having to move my self from the sofa.  And all on a nice, big, vivid screen. 

And this thing only cost $29.99.

Ain't technology great?

Mechanical vs. Technical

I've had to make this point recently and now I'm thinking about it.  Shocking, I know, but it happens.  Anyway, I've come to realize something.  I know how to work on computers.  I know how to work computers.  I can figure out a program without reading a manual or having any sort of instruction.  I can take a computer apart, I can put a computer together, and I can even do a little something in between.  Did I have formal training for this?  No.  Did I have any good mentoring for this?  No.  Have I always been able to do this?  To my knowledge... yes.  I have held several technical positions from the all-encompassing "technician" to the also all-encompassing "administrator" and "specialist."  Yes, I consider myself to be, fully, technically competent. 

Yay.

Now, for example, I can raise the hood on my Subaru, look into the engine compartment, inspect the components, and... blink.  Once or twice.  Maybe more.  I can try to fire up the engine on my motorcycle, watch and listen to it fail, and... blink.  Once or twice.  Indeed, I have no idea what to look or listen for in an engine.  Could not, to save my life, fix a car (beyond jumping it).  I have come to realize that I have no (and I mean that), NO mechanical aptitude whatsoever.

Really?

Really.

I don't know how that works.  In my mind, if you know how something works, you know how something works.  But, apparently, it's not that simple.  I know how technical things work... I mean, basically.  I have the intuition to work, on a basic level, things that require input.  An engine does not.  It gives, it does not take... except gas (petrol).  An engine just reacts to what you give it.  I don't understand that.  I don't understand mechanical things.  OK, I do after you explain them to me, but I don't have some crazy instinct that tells me how it works.  Any of it.

So, when I tell people that I have technical aptitude, not mechanical aptitude, I wish they knew this: Technical things make sense and mechanical things are simply magical.  That's all there is to it.  'Nuff said. 

The King's Speech

Watched The King’s Speech, finally.  I thought this was a good movie.  I’m not sure at all that it was the best film of the year or anything like that, but it was a good story and kept me interested.  It seemed to me a bit like the way movies used to be made.  It focused on one main storyline, dialogue made the movie what it is, it wasn’t sleazy, and nothing blew-up.  That it managed to do all of that and remain compelling is a tremendous accomplishment, in my opinion.  I don’t need every movie to be like this, but it is a nice breath of fresh air from time to time.  Definitely check it out!

What's Under The Hood?

I find it hard to believe that many people will want to read what I have to say, but sometimes I feel like I need to put it out there.  So there you go.  Read it or don't.  Comment or don't.  But, if you do read it, please comment. 

Anyway, this is just a place to collect my thoughts and share them.  Mostly, they will be organized and have a point to make.  I might be giving my opinion on a product, or I might bust out the philosophy stick (schtick?).  One thing I hope to avoid is too much rambling.  So I'll stop now.