Biggs' Zone

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

The MMO Times: E3 2013

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On June 13, 2013

In Gaming, MMO Times, MMORPG

MMO Times Issue 78!Issue 78: Greetings Gamers!! Did anyone attend E3 this week? I know there has been a plethora of news coming out this week between E3 and Apple’s WWDC so maybe I found something that slipped past your eyes while following all the news streaming out of California. Most of the E3 news pertains to console systems and making a mockery of Microsoft’s new XBONE (this post is not compatible with the XBox One, please buy an XBox 360 to continue reading *narf!*).

More details and images about the Patch 5.4 are coming out (including a new Garrosh model). The Secret World is offering up something for players this weekend (6/14 – 6/17). World of Warplanes and Elder Scrolls Online news, and more! Also, don’t forget that RIFT has officially gone Free-2-Play. Enjoy!

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Microsoft, Stop The Bleeding!

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On June 11, 2013

In Fulmination, Microsoft, Technology

bsod**Disclaimer: I am going to warn you right now. If you are a Microsoft fanboy in any capacity, you might not want to continue reading this post. I’m venting here, and I’m probably going to get pretty scathing as I’ve nearly lost all faith in Microsoft (and I had very little to begin with).**

In the late 90’s and the early part of last decade I was extremely anti-Microsoft. I did not use Windows; I used Slackware Linux with Windows running in a VM only when I absolutely needed it. As my programming skills improved I started to get more into .NET. Then, when Windows XP came out, the XBox, and Visual Studio, I turned a new leaf. I liked using Windows XP, I played XBox games quite often and I really enjoyed coding in Visual Studio; I even attended a Visual Studio launch event. Windows 7 became, hands down, the best version of Windows I had ever used and it actually gave me a ray of hope in the direction Microsoft was heading (despite the bizarre behavior of Steve Balmer).

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Movie Review: Star Trek Into Darkness

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On June 11, 2013

In Movies, Reviews

film_reelMy [rating: 5]

Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Benedict Cumberbatch

Synopsis: As a result of Kirk’s decision to violate the prime directive to save Spock’s life, he is disciplined and demoted (in true James T Kirk fashion). However a vengeful “super soldier” seeks retribution against Star Fleet which throws the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise into a tumult of scandal that brings Star Fleet to the brink of war. Their actions and decisions will test their resolve, their friendships and the lengths they are willing to go for the “needs of the many”.

Biggs’ Review: I had to watch the first movie a couple times to get use to the alternate timeline. There are a couple concepts I’m still trying to become adjusted to (ex: the “love story” between Spock and Uhura). Now with that said, I thought this movie was amazing. I have to say that watching Karl Urban portray Bones (my favorite of the original crew) is worth it that in of itself. He is spot on, as if the soul of DeForest Kelley had been transferred into Urban’s body.

I was skeptical when Benedict Cumberbatch was cast as Kahn. He doesn’t exactly look anything like Ricardo Montalban (opposite body types in fact). I stand corrected. I almost like Cumberbatch better as a villain then I do as a hero (i.e. Sherlock Holmes – which is phenomenal). So I would say that if you don’t see it for Karl Urban, see it for Cumberbatch.

The music, as always, was superb. I love the subtle hints of music from the original television series. If you are a Trek fan, then you should have seen it by now! If you are a Sci-Fi fan, then you need to go see it now!

(to, lovingly, steal @TheRealNimoy‘s sign off, albeit fitting) LLAP

The MMO Times: Heroes Assemble!

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On June 6, 2013

In Gaming, MMO Times, MMORPG

mmotimesheaderIIIssue 77:Instead of finding a headline about Marvel Heroes, I thought I would remind everyone here, Marvel Heroes went live this week (in case you didn’t know)! I haven’t tried it out yet but I haven’t heard anything bad about it, usually if something is bad the first thing gamers do is whine about it online. In fact I’ve heard that if you enjoy League of Legends that you will really enjoy Marvel Heroes! If anyone out there has an opinion about the game so far, I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts.

You will notice that June 4th was quite a newsworthy day; it was not only the day that Marvel Heroes went live but there were quite a few announcements and some pre-E3 trailers unveiled. There is some RIFT, Aion and World of Warships news, an announcement from Blizzard and Bioware, and more! Check it out!

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Biggs On: Windows Phone Surge

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On June 4, 2013

In Biggs On, Microsoft, Technology

thinkingmanI have to admit, for a product whose death warrant has been signed, Windows Phone is suddenly gaining a surprising amount of market share. In fact *recent headlines suggest that Windows Phone will have 12% of the smartphone market by 2017. Granted I find that prediction a little odd considering Microsoft plans to stop supporting both Windows Phone 7.8 and Windows Phone 8 in 2014.

Far be it for me to give props to Microsoft these days considering most of their products lately have been loathsome, but I applaud this comeback. It’s interesting to see a product gain so much market share in the face of such negative adversity. I may even go so far as to say that Windows Phone almost demonstrates a greater chance of surviving than Windows 8. Although, the improvement shouldn’t fall all on Microsoft, I’m sure Nokia played a large part considering they are the ones that have the most to lose if Windows Phone is a bust.

This does not mean I will be purchasing a Windows Phone any time in the future. I enjoy the comforts of my iPhone too much right now to change platforms, and even if I did I would be more inclined to buy an Android phone before a Windows Phone. Be that as it may, if these predictions hold true, my prediction that Windows Phone is the next Zune failure will be wrong, and I will be the first to admit that. I don’t think Apple and Google should be too concerned; in my opinion 12% isn’t a threatening amount of market share, but its a sizable chunk that warrants some acknowledgement.

/cheers!

[sources: *cnet article]

I Think I’m Addicted

By

On June 4, 2013

In General Cogitation

bibs1Hello. My name is Biggs, and I’m addicted to exercising.

A year ago, if you would have told me that I would have participated in two 5K walks within three weeks of each other, I would have laughed in your face. Now, what I find equally as strange, is that I’m researching additional 5K activities.During our recent 5K walk, the Redlegs Run, my wife and I discussed the idea of trying to participate in one walk a month. I think I am becoming addicted to this.

I know they say that when you get into a routine of exercising that it can become addicting, and that is true. On days when I don’t exercise, or if I go a couple days in a row where I don’t exercise, I definitely feel like I haven’t completed my day. I pay even closer attention to what I’m eating and how much I eat because I don’t want to start to reverse what I have already worked so hard to lose. An important lesson to keep in mind when this happens is to not overdue it when you do get a chance to work out again. Sometimes our minds tell us that we need to push ourselves harder to compensate for missed opportunities. The problem with that is its one of the easiest ways to injure yourself; and injury will only make you miss more exercise opportunities.

When your body gets use to a routine, your metabolism increases and thus you begin to burn more even when your body is at rest. As long as you don’t gorge yourself on pizza and ice cream, you are not likely to gain too much weight if you miss a few days. This is clearly one of the healthiest addictions I’ve ever had.

So, Bring On The 5Ks!

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