Biggs' Zone

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

This Is The Test

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On August 29, 2012

In General Cogitation

This is the post that I alluded to previously. I am going to test the solidarity of my friendships and associations. I am going to tell you my personal stance on some of the hottest topics that people seem most inclined to post comments, cartoons and articles about. I’m not going to try to sway anyone to agree with me, this is merely a leap of faith.

These are the topics I plan on addressing: Gay Rights, Abortion, Health Care & Welfare, Illegal Aliens

So here goes (by the way, this is going to be a long post, probably my first multi-pager)… 

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We Are Going to Kill Each Other

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On August 28, 2012

In General Cogitation

Yes, that is a harsh title but I fear it is true. We are so caught up in our own beliefs that we damn anyone that believes different. We can’t expect everyone to agree, even those that are your friends. In fact there are even family members that have opposing views on certain topics or even opposite political associations. We must stop trying to force people to believe the same thing because the more we push the greater the possibility that things will turn to violence.

Now I am not a peace lovin hippie, I’m glad we bombed the shit out of Iraq (oil or no oil) but we can’t keep fighting among ourselves. We bicker like children. We stop speaking to people or we behave rudely just because they believe something different. Sometimes this behavior can entice people to be more aggressive because nobody likes to be ignored. Our country was founded on the principals of freedom of speech and freedom of choice so everyone is free to believe what they want without retaliation. On the same token, people are also free to believe the opposite and we must be willing to accept that.

If we don’t learn to agree-to-disagree and still coexist then we are on the road to another civil war. In a way I think social media is partially responsible for the increase in political tensions. Ten years ago we weren’t so preoccupied with what other people believed or felt unless a protest was reported on the news. Today everyone hides behind the anonymity of the Internet which gives us courage to speak our minds more boldly. The true test of our characters is if we can learn to accept it and move on. I know it’s easier said then done and its definitely something I struggle with everyday. On the same token, we need to learn to stop trying to shove our beliefs down the throats of those that believe differently.

I am going to perform a test, or perhaps its more of a leap of faith. I don’t like to do political posts and posts on controversial topics but this time I am going to break my own rule for the purposes of social experimentation. Look for my next post which will address a couple of the most controversial issues that have been flooding the Internet and social media outlets. I am going to tell you how I stand on those topics. It will be up to you if you choose to still accept me.

Peace will not be achieved by everyone believing the same thing. Instead we must learn to accept people for who they are. Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose, how we respond is what will define our character.

Biggs On: Apple vs. Samsung Ruling

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On August 27, 2012

In Apple, Biggs On, Technology

I want to begin by saying that I am a fan of both of these companies. I own just as many Samsung products as I do Apple products though I own more traditional Samsung products (i.e. monitors, blu-ray players, televisions, etc). I admit though that a $1 billion payout was shocking so my biggest concern is how this will impact Samsung as a company and the quality of the products they produce.

In a statement issued by Samsung they expressed the ruling as a “loss for the consumer” and that it will result in “fewer choices, less innovation and higher prices”. This seems to be a little extreme because I think Samsung controls whether those statements come true or not. If anything this should help Samsung to be more innovative. Instead of trying to copy what Apple did they should create their own design. Granted I can see why Samsung wanted to use Apple as a model for manufacturing their phones considering how successful the iPhone has been. I can see the potential for a price hike on Samsung products not only from the dollar amount of the ruling but the extra cost now of additional R&D so this doesn’t happen again. The consequence of “less innovation” will be Samsung’s choice and has little to do with Apple.

I also disagree that this was a dispute over “rectangles with rounded corners”. I think that is over simplifying what the case was about. I have seen some of the images that had a side-by-side comparison of the iPhone with Samsung phones and there was a lot more in common. In fact the Samsung phone looked almost like a clone of the iPhone, with only slight variations, right down to the icons (and as we’ve seen from the MMO world, clones of more successful products are bad – allegedly).

Unfortunately the biggest consequence of this ruling will only make Apple appear to be a bigger thug (to the haters) and Samsung will probably see a surge in product sales from pity purchasing. Personally I will continue to buy products from both companies as it pertains to my needs. My brand loyalty to both companies hasn’t changed. It is amusing though that Google stayed under the radar to distance themselves from this brouhaha and Microsoft is still the laughable runt in the corner of a room full of giants.

Cheers!

The MMO Times – The Brink of Another Guild War

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On August 24, 2012

In Gaming, MMO Times, MMORPG

Issue 44

Greetings again, Gamers. There isn’t much to talk about this week, I think because we are on the verge of a very exciting week next week. The Pre-Mists of Pandaria content patch (5.0.4) comes out next week and I believe the next content update for The Secret World is also happening next week.

Oh yea, and there is that Guild Wars 2 release 🙂

I know many have been chomping at the bit waiting for the release of this game. I hope it lives up to everyone’s expectations, though I’m sure there will be a brood of haters that seems to spawn with every new release. I hope it doesn’t ruin the game or the experience. If you are playing and visit often I encourage you to post your thoughts, just give me a buzz. All right, here is a short, but sweet, list of recent news and tidings. Read on and game on friends!

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Biggs On: Trolls

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On August 24, 2012

In Biggs On

If you are not a gamer, then you probably won’t relate to this post. I am not going to talk about the kind that live under bridges (more like the kind that live in their parents basement). I am going to talk about how there are some terrible trolls out there and good trolls (both in-game and on the web).

I know what you are thinking: “Is there such a thing as a good troll??”

I say there is. Have you ever read a comment on an article or in Trade chat and it just got you all flustered and riled? You start developing an involuntary compulsion to make personal assaults using profanity and caps. In my opinion, that is a good troll and only good in the sense that they probably don’t believe a word of what they said, but they know you do. They have a talent for pressing the right button to make your blood pressure spike. I am just as guilty for falling victim to this ploy as anyone else, especially when it came to defending SWTOR.

There are days where I swear I will never read another comment or enter Trade chat again. Unfortunately, by doing so, you might miss out on some pretty excellent comments and comedy. I admit I’m not perfect so despite the fact that most of the time I know that people are only saying things that make me nerd rage, sometimes I still cave in and flip out. You may have noticed the times when I have done that from some of my past posts (i.e. most Soapbox posts).

So you are probably thoroughly confused. If the people that I just described are the “good” trolls, then what are the bad trolls? The bad trolls are the dorks that try too hard. The kind that you would swear are 12 years old because they clearly have no idea what people are discussing. You ignore them because they are annoying, not because they irked you right off.

The anonymity of the Internet gives the trolls courage so the best that we can do is remain civil and maintain our composure, which is easier said then done.

Wait, did someone say [Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker]??

WoW: Turned Off By Legendaries

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On August 21, 2012

In World of Warcraft

So when Mists of Pandaria goes live, and everyone starts leveling and raiding again, the angst of acquiring the new shiney legendary will begin and I fear the worst. I don’t really fear for our guild because we are all pretty reasonable adults, but I can already see the drama starting now in the community as a whole. It will envelop hundreds and thousands of players. People will be crying endlessly because they were not chosen to receive the required widgets that must be collected to progress through the quest line. I don’t think Blizzard is quite prepared for the swell of controversy by creating a legendary for all classes.

I’m sure there will be several that have staked claim on a legendary “since level 10” and they will not acquiesce quietly.

Personally I’m not going to get caught up in it because I stand by my belief that a legendary item is merely a luxury item so I could care less. As history has shown us through all the previous expansions, you must have completed the raid to even complete the questline to obtain the legendary and most of the time the bosses need to be farmed for several weeks to acquire all the little bobbles needed for the quest. Therefore any claim that obtaining the legendary for any role within a raid/party will make a significant impact in progression is ludicrous. In fact, as far as my personal opinion goes, anyone that makes that claim should automatically be exempt from the list of potential recipients of said legendary.

Something else that makes legendary weapons pointless is that they become obsolete quicker then it takes to obtain them. Unless you are part of a basement dwelling hardcore raiding guild, you won’t complete the quests and construction of it until just as the next content is about to be released. I think its stupid that Blizzard doesn’t allow you to use it for transmog so really you are just obtaining a Feat-of-Strength achievement and/or unlocking some other frivolity. In fact I don’t think I will even finish the construction of Shadowmourne because I can use Shadow’s Edge for future transmogs.

So someone please explain to me any other purpose for obtaining a legendary other then for touting your epeen? I’m open minded enough to listen and discern any logical and practical application or usage.

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