Biggs' Zone

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

Book Review: The Elegant Universe

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On December 12, 2012

In Book Review

The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate TheoryThe Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory by Brian Greene

My [rating: 5]
Click here to see my review on Goodreads.

Whenever I told someone I was reading a book about string theory I would get looks of confusion and bewilderment. What would compel me to read about such a complicated and theoretical concept? I am not a physicist or a mathematician, just a programmer. I have a pretty good understanding of fundamental physics but Brian Greene does an excellent job explaining string theory concepts even for those with just a fundamental understanding.

After reading this book will I be able to explain string/M-theory to someone else. No. It’s still a complex topic. To quote the book “Ernest Rutherford once said, in essence, that if you can’t explain a result in simple, nontechnical terms, then you don’t really understand it” (p. 203). This is how I felt after reading this book. Yes, I feel confident that I could comprehend 85% of the book but I know that I still lack full understanding.

I did enjoy the book enough to give it a 5-star rating because I do believe it was amazing. In fact I intend to read the book again in hopes that having read the entire book, going back over the concepts a second time will help make additional connections.

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Book Review: A Game of Thrones

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On December 10, 2012

In Book Review

A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1)A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

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

I really enjoyed this book by the end. I have to admit that it’s a little slow to start. I believe it was intended to be that way as a means to set up its rich web of characters and their relationships. I read this book without having seen any of the HBO series as I didn’t want the show to influence how I visualize the world and the characters.

It’s a long read, especially when there is a lot of character and plot development but I would recommend you stick to it. By the end you will be ready to read the next book. The chapter structure is different, which means I had no idea when I was reading the final chapter (unless you cheat and look ahead), but I really liked how it ended. If you will allow me to be trite (as well as an intentional pun), the end was “hot!”

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The MMO Times: Help Sandy Victims!

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On December 7, 2012

In Gaming, MMO Times, MMORPG

Issue 56: Hello again, Gamers! The Christmas season is in full swing and with only 18 days left, assuming the world doesn’t end in two weeks, I hope you have all your Christmas shopping completed, or nearly completed. We have some good stuff in this issue. One of the key headlines I want to point everyone too (especially if you are playing World of Warcraft) is the new pet store pet whose sales help Sandy Victims.

And speaking of Blizzard they are already talking patch 5.2 which is estimated to be 2-4 months away. There is also more Aion, Elder Scrolls Online and Age of Wushu news. The news for Age of Wushu seems to be increasing as we approach that February 1st release date (which is now less than two months away). There should be lots here to wet the proverbial appetite so 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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Biggs On: December 21, 2012

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On December 4, 2012

In Biggs On

I’m not going to tell you why I think the world is not ending on 12.21.12 because 1) what I think doesn’t amount to much anyway and 2) I would just be regurgitating everything else NASA and other scientists and pundits have already explained. If the world actually does end on the 21st, which I will bet my entire salary that it won’t, then there isn’t much I can do about it so what is the point in panicking.

What I am concerned about are all the crazies out there that are panicking (or will panic). Will people take to the streets on the 21st and create complete and total chaos because they believe there won’t be consequences? Why, after one looney got the rapture wrong – twice – are people suddenly going to believe a 2,000 year old, extinct, civilization?! I don’t mean to be too biblical but I believe when the Bible speaks of the End of Days, we will not know when its going to happen.

I don’t work on the most upstanding part of town so that is probably the root of my concern. I do have the option to work from home. Should the possibility of a bunch of ignorant fools be sufficient reason to work from home that day?

Merry Christmas!!

What If Your MMO Shutdown

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On December 3, 2012

In Gaming, General Cogitation, MMORPG

Last week the MMO community bid farewell to a much adored game, City of Heroes. I remember when CoH came out and I knew several people that were playing it. I had friends that would often return to Paragon City when they were bored with World of Warcraft. I never played City of Heroes but I considered it many times. It looks like Massively did a good job broadcasting the final sign off as the servers were shutdown for the last time (you click here to see the video if you want, its a little over an hour and a half.)

Every time I read about a title shutting down I often think about what I am currently invested in. While I am still in the process of returning to SWTOR, I still play WoW quite regularly. I often hypothesis what I would do if Blizzard suddenly announced that they had to shutdown all of the WoW servers permanently. It would be heartbreaking because I have made quite a few friends. I have been in the same guild for over 7 years and most of those friends have been there just as long as I have.

If the servers were to be shutdown forever the only thing I could think to do would be to start visiting some of my favorite locations in Azeroth and start amassing a ridiculous collection of screenshots. I’d probably do every raid and dungeon in the game. Screenshots of all my toons, my various pets, mounts, etc. Most importantly I would be taking screenshots with everyone from the guild. I would definitely have to post these images in a gallery somewhere and give everyone access. Perhaps even keep the website alive so we can all touch base every now and again.

I’m sure many of us would move on to another game, but I doubt if I would invest the same amount of time and energy. I think doing it once is enough for me, doing it again would be akin to madness. It’s really difficult to say what I would do especially when its hypothetical. In fact there is a greater likelihood that life will be the reason I stop playing before all the WoW servers go offline but you never know what tomorrow brings.

So what would you do if your game ended?

The MMO Times: Bidding Farewell to CoH

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On November 30, 2012

In Gaming, MMO Times, MMORPG

Issue 55: Greetings Gamers! If you are playing WoW then you already know that Patch 5.1 went live recently. If you want to know what was in that patch, MMO-Champion provides a pretty good synopsis. As the dust settles from the flurry of trying to get the best deal, take a moment to check out the latest gaming news or bid farewell to City of Heroes as NCSoft will be shutting down the servers at midnight (PST) on the 30th.

There is more news and rewards for preferred members of SWTOR, a new DCUO update, some new features for MechWarrior Online and more! So if you are done with the Amazon Lightning Deals or have finished your Christmas shopping, or maybe you are just taking a break from it all hopefully there is something you find interesting in this issue of The Times. 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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