Biggs' Zone

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

SWTOR: Gonna Try It Again

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On February 9, 2013

In Gaming, MMORPG, SWTOR

old_republic_iconWell, I’ve decided to give SWTOR another try on the Free-2-Play mode. I am going to try to see if I can get use to all the things that my level 50s are restricted by because of the change to the F2P model. I keep reading everywhere that the SWTOR move to F2P has been a huge success so I guess that means that some of the changes I had hoped they would make are probably not going to happen (ex. allowing us to unlock wallet size and increased commendation count).

It is nice that, as a preferred status member, I can still create up to 6 toons, which means I have 2 open slots still available. I still earn 100 cartel coins a month so I can also slowly unlock the other features though I know I will have to wait a while on some of the nicer items (such as the ability to equip artifact gear). It is also kind of a bummer that I can’t access the new HK-51 questline unless I spend 500-1200 cartel coins to unlock it.

So at level 50 I still feel pretty restricted but I do have two toons that I can level and I can always start fresh with two more toons. As I’ve said in the past, perhaps starting over might be a way for me to get use to the F2P changes/restrictions.

The MMO Times: The News Has Been Slow

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On February 5, 2013

In Gaming, MMO Times, MMORPG

mmotimesheaderIssue 63: When I started out creating this post I thought there would be quite a bit of news to report in this issue but the news stalled out near the end of last week. Perhaps with the impending Superbowl the MMO news went to the back burner.

I know today Blizzard is having extended maintenance on WoW so despite the fact that there isn’t a lot of news, there might be an article or two that will help pass the time. Check out a new MMO title from an unknown development studio; there’s a pretty good article on crafting in Age of Wushu; more news about TERA and DCUO which you may have already heard about. Read on and game on!

(I also provide The MMO Times in an e-mail. If you are interested in receiving the e-mail version please click here to subscribe.)

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The MMO Times: Better Than Windows 8!

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On January 28, 2013

In Gaming, MMO Times, MMORPG

mmotimesheaderIssue 62: Hello again, gamers. The gaming news has been a little slow the past week and a half (or so). I almost felt like I was searching the tabloids trying to find headlines for all of you (if there were tabloids for MMOs). Be that as it may, hopefully you find something here that is interesting, though it is slightly smaller then most of the past issues.

In this issue there is more information about patch 5.2 and other MoP teasers. A good article about upcoming China MMO, Age of Wushu. Beta sign-ups for Elder Scrolls Online have started and the new StarCraft II trailer. Read on and game on friends!

(I also provide The MMO Times in an e-mail. If you are interested in receiving the e-mail version please click here to subscribe.)

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Book Review: Michael Vey #1

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On January 24, 2013

In Book Review

The Prisoner of Cell 25 (Michael Vey, #1)Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 by Richard Paul Evans

My [rating: 4]
(Click here to read this review on Goodreads.)

As strange as this may sound, this book was a recommendation from my parents, who are already reading the second book. I decided since I take recommendations from complete strangers (i.e. A Confederacy of Dunces) I should consider reading a recommendation from my parents 🙂

I’m glad I did because I really enjoyed this book. It kind of has an Avengers, comic book feel to the story. It’s entertaining. I enjoyed how most of the book is actually told from the first person, which is the book’s hero, Michael Vey. I also like that the main characters of the story are young adults, in their teens, who have to struggle not only with high school, social issues, but resisting the temptation of using their powers publicly.

If you need a pretty cool story, I would recommend this book. It’s a pretty quick read. I do plan on reading the second book, which is already available.

View all my reviews

Are Certifications Still Worth It?

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On January 22, 2013

In General Cogitation, Programming

geek-300x300I have been working, post-college, as a programmer for going on 9 years now. I have been working for the same company as a programmer over 5 years. I have not earned a single Microsoft certification. Every year I try to set a goal to complete a certification and every year I never do it. I do not feel that not having a certification has had a negative affect on my career or my job. In fact I’m beginning to wonder if continuing to try to get certified is moot.

There has to come a point where years of experience provide a better measure then certifications. I cannot conjure up a scenario for a standard programming job where someone with just a certification and little to no experience will be a better selection then someone will several years of experience and no certifications. Perhaps if the job were entry level and the job wouldn’t really benefit someone with lots of experience, after all I remember what its like to be right out of college and trying to find a job with very little experience under my belt. Those entry level jobs are a godsend.

I have gotten as far as actually taking a certification exam but missed the cutoff by one question. I remember studying the material and thinking that it will be extremely unlikely that I will even use two-thirds of it. In fact, 5 years later I still have yet to even use half of the material covered and it was “fundamentals”. It’s kind of like reading material on how a combustion engine works when all you will really be doing is changing the tires.

Furthermore, it feels like its not worth completing a certification when it seems that every couple of years Microsoft changes what each certification means and what tests are required. Sometimes even the tests themselves are changed or retired. MCSE, MCSD, MCIT, MCPD, do all of these still exist? Are any of them still prudent? Speaking of Microsoft, they really aren’t the industry leader anymore so wouldn’t that also affect the value of their certifications? They are starting to become the old senile relative in the room who only thinks they are still relevant when really acknowledging their existence is more patronizing then recognition.

Perhaps certifications are good for those folks that don’t have a lot of experience and need to build up their credentials, but if you are a seasoned developer, I really don’t see the point in spending the money.

Cheers!

No Gimmick Needed to Lose Weight

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On January 18, 2013

In General Cogitation

rocky_lSo I woke up to a pleasant surprise, I have lost enough weight that I am now the lowest I have been probably since I was in college!

The best part about my weight loss so far is that I didn’t use any of the latest weight loss gimmicks and fads you see on television and the Internet. I used good old fashioned perseverance, exercise and portion control. I still eat a lot of the same foods that I’ve always enjoyed, I’ve just learned to eat smaller portions. I still drink pop and coffee but I have thrown in 24-48 oz of water. I also feel that the techniques in self-discipline and pushing myself I learned in martial arts also played a role (Thanks Tom).

I’ve been exercising 3-4 days a week for 25-30 minutes working upper and lower body. I mean, basically I’m ensuring that I’m burning more calories then I consume. Granted I may have had to give up a couple of foods that I like, but those have mostly been foods that I don’t have very often anyway. For example, I will probably never order a Baconater from Wendy’s again but I did eat at LaRosa’s for dinner the other night and I still dropped a pound the next day.

Everybody’s body chemistry is different so this method may not work for others so I’m not suggesting that those other programs are bogus, just not for me. It’s easier for me to follow a regimen that I’ve designed instead of a regimen dictated by someone else. I think my advice for anyone that is trying to lose weight, if programs like Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig doesn’t work (or its too pricey) then just try a more rational approach. Count your calories, try to walk more (I bought a Fitbit) and find exercises that you enjoy doing. Finally, don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results right away. Your body needs time to adjust to the new way its burning  fat and building muscle.

Cheers!

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