Biggs' Zone

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

The MMO Times: There’s A QuakeCon??

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On August 4, 2013

In Gaming, MMO Times, MMORPG

Issue 85Issue 85: Apparently there is a convention called QuakeCon which is considered the largest LAN party in North America! Awesome name, perfect for this type of convention. It was held in Dallas, Texas at the Hilton Anatole. I’d be curious if anyone has attended it because it sounds like a lot of fun. Also in the news is Blizzard’s decision to move away from subscription based MMOs with its new Titan game, whenever that is released. I’m sure removing the payment model was part of the redesign of the game.

There are quite a few videos available in this issue associated with updates for Elder Scrolls, World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XIV. There are also some new Aion updates as a result of a player design contest. Capcom has a treat for PS4 folks. Enjoy!

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Book Review: A Dance With Dragons

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On August 3, 2013

In Book Review

A Dance With Dragons (A Song of Ice and Fire, #5)A Dance With Dragons by George R.R. Martin

My [rating: 4]
Click here to read my review on Goodreads.

Book 3 was my favorite and this one would probably come second. There were many times while reading this book that I became completely lost in the story. Anxious to read what will happen during the more thrilling and exciting parts.

The important thing to keep in mind when reading book five, as GRRM pointed out at the end of book 4, is that about 60% of this book takes place along the same timeline as all of book 4. One of the things that kept going through my mind when reading this book is thinking back to books 1 and 2 and how the lives of some of the characters have changed so dramatically. You will learn that some characters are barely even a shadow of their former selves.

I think the most difficult thing about finishing this book is knowing that I now have to wait until book 6 is published before I discover the fates of some key characters. GRRM is probably the master of cliffhangers and there are several cliffhangers left for you to ponder (perhaps obsessively?) while we wait in brutal anticipation for the story to continue.

View all my reviews

Learning Opportunities

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On July 26, 2013

In Biggs On, Programming, Technology

IMG_0633If you didn’t know, I work for a consulting firm as a software developer. I’ve never consulted prior to starting at Cardinal and I have to say that I do really enjoy it. It is kind of weird when you switch clients because it feels like you are always starting a new job but you get use to it after five years. Granted I have only had three clients, all of which were always extending my contract until I was no longer needed. I have to say, when you are at a client for a year+, its almost like leaving a full time job. I often try to ingrain myself into their office culture because it becomes easier to work with all the folks when you feel like you’re part of the team. I think that’s really the kind of thing Cardinal likes to encourage. We don’t want to be staff augmentation, we want to be a solutions provider.

All of that aside, the really rewarding thing about consulting and changing clients is it really does create a great environment for new learning opportunities. Obviously my primary goal at every assignment is to maintain a good rapport between Cardinal and the client. However, what I really enjoy taking away from all my clients are learning new skills and improving my skills. My bookmarks grow quite a bit as I’m always adding new tools and tips that folks from my clients share with me. You really start to develop quite an arsenal to take with you from client to client and its a great way not only to share what you have learned but really helps to build that positive rapport.

Today is my last day at my third client and while it is a little sad to be leaving these great folks I’ve been working with for 16 months, it is exciting to look forward to the next opportunity. The common cause of turnover at my firm are consultants leaving to work for a client, but I find that might be a difficult thing for me to do. Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t because my clients are bad places to work, its because Cardinal Solutions is such an extraordinary place to work! I’m not saying that it could never happen, but Cardinal has raised the bar pretty high!

/cheers

The MMO Times: I Can Haz Tauntaun??!

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On July 25, 2013

In Gaming, MMO Times, MMORPG

mmotimesheaderIIIssue 84: Yes, I want a Tauntaun! Gives me tauntaun, now! I mean, what better way to travel around any planet. Yea, I know they smell bad, but think of the versatility. You don’t have to pay for gas, they’ll probably just eat whatever they can find laying around, and if you find yourself freezing to death in the tundra, just cut them open and you’ve got yourself a nice, warm carcass!

Tauntaun disembowelment aside, we have a few headlines to read up on, including the inspiration for the title of this issue (and the rather grotesque introduction). We are between conferences right now as SDCC has ended and Gamescom is next week but there are still some tidbits popping up from both conferences. Aion has some new content to share, SWTOR (obviously!), news about the World of Warcraft movie, and more! So curl up inside your favorite tauntaun (or just buy one of these) and enjoy!

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Gone Before Her Time

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On July 25, 2013

In General Cogitation

Natalie Ungari 1978 - 2013

Natalie Ungari
1978 – 2013

Earlier this week my family and I had to lay to rest our sister-in-law, Natalie. She was 35 years old, married to my wife’s brother and they had two extraordinary daughters (ages 1 and 3). I cannot find the words to express the sorrow and grief all of us are feeling and I can’t even begin to comprehend what my brother-in-law is experiencing. All my prayers go out to him.

Nat always took such good care of herself. I always thought I got up early, but it never failed that before I even had my first cup of coffee she came walking in the door after completing an early morning run. I wish I had that kind of dexterity! I know that was the kind of lifestyle she was encouraging with her daughters as she only allowed treats on rare or special occasions, much to the chagrin of the grandparents 🙂

Nat was diagnosed with a very rare form of lymphoma (called Subcutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma). She’s had it for as long as I’ve known her but it was in remission until about a year ago (just before their second daughter was born). They tried several treatments but ultimately decided to do a bone marrow transplant and during the chemo treatments, to prepare for the transplant, she was taken into the ICU when the doctor’s found fungal pneumonia. She fought it gallantly but ultimately passed away from complications associated with the pneumonia.

When I was reading the beautiful obituary there was a section near the end where a foundation was mentioned called the National Organization for Rare Diseases (NORD – http://www.rarediseases.org/). This organization was formed to research “orphan” diseases to identify, treat and cure rare diseases. Donations in Natalie’s name can be made to NORD.

Just as these organizations are dedicated to finding treatments and cures, the family and friends of Natalie are dedicated to passing on to her daughters just how extraordinary and tremendous of a person she was. We will see to it that her influence on us will pass vicariously to her children.

We love you, Natalie!!
Rest in Peace.

The MMO Times: In Reverse Order

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On July 18, 2013

In Gaming, MMO Times, MMORPG

mmotimesheaderIIIssue 83: Greetings Gregarious Gamers!!! I’ve decided that the headlines are going to be listed from earliest to most recent. I’ve noticed in past issues that often times I’ve found a headline that is a follow up of a previous headline and it didn’t make sense chronologically to show the latter one before the former. Hopefully this makes the news flow a little more logically. SDCC also started this week, did anyone go?

There are a some headlines I included with some non-traditional news. Some of the manufacturers are expanding beyond their normal scope or introducing new concepts that we may not have expected. I’m not going to say too much, you need to check it out. Age of Wushu, Final Fantasy, SWTOR and even some more World of Warcraft news await you below (or after the break). I also found a couple headlines about some titles introduced at SDCC or titles that I haven’t mentioned before. Good hunting!

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