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A real poll in General
Zeviz
Nuke and Pave
Member # 24
 written Wednesday, May 10 2006 21:14 Profile Homepage #31
quote:
Originally written by Delete Immediately:

...
Really, we might as well start writing (and speaking) EuroEnglish. At least it has closer linguistic ties to English.

—Alorael, who cannot bear to inflict harm upon the tongue that has played an integral role in the works of Shakespeare and Milton, two Eliots and a few others. On the other hand, it's also given us the majority of the lamentable prose and poetry on the internet. lol indede
While "EuroEnglish" might be going a little far, English is long overdue for a spelling reform. There is no reason to spell words the way they sounded several hundred years ago, while pronouncing them completely differently.

As for the "language of Shakespeare" argument, the language of Pushkin and Tolstoi is much better off after a spelling reform in early XXth century. If we admire classics so much, we should go all the way back to the language of Chauser and start writing the way he did, while continuing to speak modern English. :)

[ Wednesday, May 10, 2006 21:19: Message edited by: Zeviz ]

--------------------
Be careful with a word, as you would with a sword,
For it too has the power to kill.
However well placed word, unlike a well placed sword,
Can also have the power to heal.
Posts: 2649 | Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
NwN Scenario in General
Zeviz
Nuke and Pave
Member # 24
 written Wednesday, May 10 2006 21:09 Profile Homepage #10
quote:
Originally written by Dintiradan:

Really, that should be placed as a header for General.

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Have YOU checked Wikipedia first?
Is Wikipedia the new Google?

And what about all other online encyclopedias? They might not have random computer games, but when talking about historical events, or scientific subjects, I'd trust editors of Britannica more than I'd trust a bunch of anonimous people online, especially when Wikipedia can be edited by any random passerby.

--------------------
Be careful with a word, as you would with a sword,
For it too has the power to kill.
However well placed word, unlike a well placed sword,
Can also have the power to heal.
Posts: 2649 | Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
A real poll in General
Zeviz
Nuke and Pave
Member # 24
 written Wednesday, May 10 2006 13:29 Profile Homepage #24
quote:
Originally written by Kelandon:

... Modern Greek has done exactly the same thing, so its orthography is equally bad.

Why the hell anyone would want to map one bad orthography onto another one is beyond me.
Because they are Greeks with too much free time on their hands? :) Most "officials" listed on the page in Alorael's link live in Greece. And the guy who made up this "language" even named it for himself. Overall, after reading this page, I am getting the feeling that this "language" is a sort of thing kids make up for fun (like pig latin), rather than an attempt at creating a full artificial language (like esperanto).

[ Wednesday, May 10, 2006 13:30: Message edited by: Zeviz ]

--------------------
Be careful with a word, as you would with a sword,
For it too has the power to kill.
However well placed word, unlike a well placed sword,
Can also have the power to heal.
Posts: 2649 | Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
Native Americans in General
Zeviz
Nuke and Pave
Member # 24
 written Wednesday, May 10 2006 12:49 Profile Homepage #55
quote:
Originally written by Student of Trinity:

Don't buy it. Firstly, I don't think the people who fix your overflowing pipe or wire your house can be offshored. But if we include skilled tradespeople who make products that could be shipped from overseas, well, why the sudden urge for autarky? Cabinetry isn't exactly a national security issue. Letting South Korea have most of the master carpenters runs only the terrible risk that, if South Korea ever cuts off trade, there will be a temporary price spike in fancy linen chests. Martha Stewart will be able to afford it.
The problem is: if America doesn't manufacture anything, what can it export to pay for all the t-shirts, computers, and soap that it's importing?

The danger isn't that China will stop trading with us, it's that if our only export is dollars, the value of that export could drop quite dramatically if the people get less interested in this "product".

How long does it take to train a million illiterate school dropouts into highly-skilled factory workers? (Not even talking about time to build the factories themselves and the money to accomplish the transition.) The transition from service economy into a normal economy can't happen overnight, or even in a year.

[ Wednesday, May 10, 2006 12:50: Message edited by: Zeviz ]

--------------------
Be careful with a word, as you would with a sword,
For it too has the power to kill.
However well placed word, unlike a well placed sword,
Can also have the power to heal.
Posts: 2649 | Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
CD ordering information in Tech Support
Zeviz
Nuke and Pave
Member # 24
 written Wednesday, May 10 2006 09:49 Profile Homepage #1
According to their order form ( https://www.keysecure.com/spiderwebsoftware.com/form_w_lists.html ) replacement CDs cost same 4$ as original ones. I guess getting a CD for a game you've purchased would cost the same, but you can just e-mail or call them to make sure.

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Be careful with a word, as you would with a sword,
For it too has the power to kill.
However well placed word, unlike a well placed sword,
Can also have the power to heal.
Posts: 2649 | Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
I think I went a tad bit too far... in Avernum 4
Zeviz
Nuke and Pave
Member # 24
 written Wednesday, May 10 2006 08:53 Profile Homepage #1
You can use a cheat code to take your party back to starting town: Hit Shift-D and enter "backtostart".

It's usually a good idea to keep several different saves of the game to avoid this kind of problem.

--------------------
Be careful with a word, as you would with a sword,
For it too has the power to kill.
However well placed word, unlike a well placed sword,
Can also have the power to heal.
Posts: 2649 | Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
New Playable Race? in Avernum 4
Zeviz
Nuke and Pave
Member # 24
 written Wednesday, May 10 2006 08:48 Profile Homepage #15
I couldn't vote in this poll, because it's missing the "none of the above" option.
quote:
Originally written by Noddy:

Well, I already thought that those two races didn't belong in the straight Avernum games. Blades, perhaps, because who knows what situations the designer will put the player in. But not Avernum.

Still, they're there, and I think it's probably more trouble than it's worth to take them out, since they're an established fact of the series now. I'd just prefer not to compound the problem even further by adding to it.
Nephils, Sliths, and Vahnatai are one of the major things that distinguishes Exile/Avernum universe from generic RPGs where you wade through hordes of goblins/orcs with the help of elves and halflings. If we start removing races from games just because some people have dirty minds, we'd pretty soon end up with games containing only stick-figure drawings of generic humans.

--------------------
Be careful with a word, as you would with a sword,
For it too has the power to kill.
However well placed word, unlike a well placed sword,
Can also have the power to heal.
Posts: 2649 | Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
SpidWeb Champions in General
Zeviz
Nuke and Pave
Member # 24
 written Wednesday, May 10 2006 08:21 Profile Homepage #47
quote:
Originally written by Thuryl:

quote:
Originally written by Mr.Bookworm:

quote:
Originally written by The Lurker:

Even if SubTerra 2 is only for Mac,
There was a second one?
Yes, but it's actually only for Linux, not Mac.
Where did you get that from? The beta I played was for Windows and there was no mention of either Linux or Mac verson. I don't think the game ever made it out of beta, so if you are waiting for it, don't hold your breath. However, original SubTerra was very fun and is now free.

quote:
Originally written by Tyranicus:

I'll be the first to say that Nethergate deserves to be replayed many times, but if you have not already played it, you might want to wait for the new version. It will be the same story after all. :P
That doesn't seem to have stopped a lot of people from playing both Exile and Avernum series. :)

--------------------
Be careful with a word, as you would with a sword,
For it too has the power to kill.
However well placed word, unlike a well placed sword,
Can also have the power to heal.
Posts: 2649 | Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
A real poll in General
Zeviz
Nuke and Pave
Member # 24
 written Wednesday, May 10 2006 08:05 Profile Homepage #2
quote:
Originally written by Prophet of Trump:

I'm going to set up the ultimate topic for discussion but I'll need everyones help. I plan to post a serries of polls and base the GREATEST TOPIC EVER, off of the results. Or I'll get board and move on.
1. Considering the variety of interests people have, it would be pretty hard to come up with one topic everybody would find interesting, not even talking about "greatest ever".

2. You can have more than one question in a poll. So if you decide to go ahead with this idea, instead of making a seriest of polls, please make one poll with as many questions as you need. Making multiple polls is one of the best ways to get a solid reputation as a spammer, especially when the polls are of questionable value.

[ Wednesday, May 10, 2006 08:09: Message edited by: Zeviz ]

--------------------
Be careful with a word, as you would with a sword,
For it too has the power to kill.
However well placed word, unlike a well placed sword,
Can also have the power to heal.
Posts: 2649 | Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
NwN Scenario in General
Zeviz
Nuke and Pave
Member # 24
 written Tuesday, May 9 2006 18:36 Profile Homepage #5
quote:
Originally written by Shuan Wuan:

If I were to make a NeverwinterNights scenario, would anyone play it?(Those that could)
If you mean remaking Exile/Avernum as a NeverwinterNights mod, Jeff would never let you do it.

If you mean a mod set in Exile/Avernum universe, Jeff might still object, you'll have to ask him.

If you are just planning to make a random mod and asking about interest here, I still wouldn't play it, because I don't have Neverwinter Nights.

[ Tuesday, May 09, 2006 18:37: Message edited by: Zeviz ]

--------------------
Be careful with a word, as you would with a sword,
For it too has the power to kill.
However well placed word, unlike a well placed sword,
Can also have the power to heal.
Posts: 2649 | Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
"Policing" ourselves? in General
Zeviz
Nuke and Pave
Member # 24
 written Tuesday, May 9 2006 18:29 Profile Homepage #89
quote:
Originally written by too kraut, don't read:

How would you react to some corresponding Swiftean sarcasm about H. failing to "complete" the Holocaust?
I ask for consistence in standards.
In case you still don't understand Salmon's post, it contains two main ideas:

1. Pointing out terrible conditions in which Native Americans still live on reservations.

2. Making fun of the "noble savage" stereotype that used to be quite popular and is still alive in some circles.

So to answer your question, if somebody made similar statement about antisemitism in modern world and Hitler, I'd be thankful for his support. And by the way, there was a Jewish antisemitic cartoon contest recently, in responce to Iranian antisemitic cartoon contest. So as you can see, there is plenty of similar humor about Holocaust already.

--------------------
Be careful with a word, as you would with a sword,
For it too has the power to kill.
However well placed word, unlike a well placed sword,
Can also have the power to heal.
Posts: 2649 | Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
Native Americans in General
Zeviz
Nuke and Pave
Member # 24
 written Tuesday, May 9 2006 18:00 Profile Homepage #40
quote:
Originally written by Thuryl:

...
Careful about that sort of thing. Australia currently has a severe shortage of skilled tradesmen (plumbers, electricians, etc.) partly because too many people are encouraged to go into higher education when they're not really suited for it, and alternatives like apprenticeship programs have picked up a social stigma. Not everybody is cut out to be a lawyer, and society wouldn't function if everyone became one.

Is there a level of education that everybody needs in order to participate competently in society? Well, yeah -- basic literacy and numeracy are important for pretty much everyone. But beyond that, a lot of kids are learning a lot of things that they're never realistically going to use.
The reason people say American schools are awaful is that it's possible here to graduate highschool without basic literacy. There is a large controversy in California right now about a new high school graduation exam. The exam tests basic literacy and very basic math. There are some schools where even "good" students are failing.

The richest state of the world's largest superpower has school system so bad that even "good" students can't pass basic literacy test to graduate!

So while I agree with you that not everybody should get a university degree, unfortunately America isn't going to have the problem you are describing any time soon. Here, making sure all kids finish high school and do as well as they can, given the school system, will just guarantee basic literacy.

[ Tuesday, May 09, 2006 18:04: Message edited by: Zeviz ]

--------------------
Be careful with a word, as you would with a sword,
For it too has the power to kill.
However well placed word, unlike a well placed sword,
Can also have the power to heal.
Posts: 2649 | Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
Native Americans in General
Zeviz
Nuke and Pave
Member # 24
 written Tuesday, May 9 2006 15:57 Profile Homepage #37
quote:
Moral of the story? There's a cultural influence on education and assimilation. But by and large, the 'successful' minorities are the wealthy ones.
Except for the fact that most Russian immigrants I know, including my own family, came to the US with almost nothing, English not good enough to pass a job interview right away (not even talking about lack of interviewing skills), and professional skills that needed retraining to be able to work in America. (You couldn't just go from an engineering job in USSR to an engineering job in America.) And before you tell me that "engineers are rich middle-class people", don't forget that USSR was a communist country that valued workers more than any of those paper-pushers and engineers were paid less than factory workers.

quote:
The Chinese and Japanese and whatnot tended to be literate, capable with large numbers, all that kind of thing. The Vietnamese? They had to learn that once they got here.
That's the key difference here. If I understand you correctly, Chinese and Japanese parents were literate, while Vietnamese weren't. Literate parents forse their children to study. Illiterate parents forse their children to get jobs.

quote:
I think punishing people for being on welfare is odd, but that's just me. If you need it, you need it.
I guess my idea about payments tied to school performance wasn't well phrased. The idea wasn't to punish people on welfare but to make sure portion of government assistance designated for children could be collected only if children were enrolled in school, to make financial incentive for getting at least a high-school diploma. (In a way similar to regular welfare that can be collected only if the recepient is looking for work, taking classes, etc.)

[ Tuesday, May 09, 2006 16:09: Message edited by: Zeviz ]

--------------------
Be careful with a word, as you would with a sword,
For it too has the power to kill.
However well placed word, unlike a well placed sword,
Can also have the power to heal.
Posts: 2649 | Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
Have I been playing too much Geneforge? in Geneforge Series
Zeviz
Nuke and Pave
Member # 24
 written Tuesday, May 9 2006 15:05 Profile Homepage #16
What have I started?! :)

14. When a conversation gets uncomfortable, you press Esc key on your computer keyboard, hoping this will end it.

15. Whenever you enter a house, you have an urge to pick up everything that's not nailed down.

16. When punishing your dog, you tell him "If you do that again, I will absorb you."

17. When your dog misbehaves again, you try to absorb him.

18. When you get a cold, you get into your car, drive out of town, and drive back in, expecting this to restore your health.

--------------------
Be careful with a word, as you would with a sword,
For it too has the power to kill.
However well placed word, unlike a well placed sword,
Can also have the power to heal.
Posts: 2649 | Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
A Few More Advance Words On Geneforge 4 in Geneforge Series
Zeviz
Nuke and Pave
Member # 24
 written Tuesday, May 9 2006 14:55 Profile Homepage #142
The main purpose of creatures of the Ur-Drakon level is just to look cool. By the time you collect enough canisters to make them, you are so powerful that you don't really need them.

This is the main reason I hope new creatures in Gf4 will be of low to medium level, instead of super-ultra-powerful demi-gods. The power range is well balanced already and more creatures at the top of the chart will forse weaker old creatures to become obsolete even sooner, making the strategy of keeping a few creatures alive for a long time less viable.

--------------------
Be careful with a word, as you would with a sword,
For it too has the power to kill.
However well placed word, unlike a well placed sword,
Can also have the power to heal.
Posts: 2649 | Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
Spawner graphics: G1 vs G3 in Geneforge Series
Zeviz
Nuke and Pave
Member # 24
 written Tuesday, May 9 2006 14:29 Profile Homepage #13
quote:
Originally written by Micawber:

I like the GF1 and the GF3 spawners. But I don't like the A4 spawners.
There are spawners in A4?! I hope you meant "summoning runes" or a crypt that generates shades. Did Jeff put an actual creature-making spawner into A4?

--------------------
Be careful with a word, as you would with a sword,
For it too has the power to kill.
However well placed word, unlike a well placed sword,
Can also have the power to heal.
Posts: 2649 | Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
Canister Abuse (GF2) in Geneforge Series
Zeviz
Nuke and Pave
Member # 24
 written Tuesday, May 9 2006 14:26 Profile Homepage #2
However, using canisters changes the ending and makes it less satisfying. So, while there are few in-game effects, it does "harm" you from role-playing point of view.

And there is at least 1 place (approaching Taker lands from the south) where using canisters makes you automatically attack hostile serviles. I don't know if you could avoid this fight if you weren't a canister user.

--------------------
Be careful with a word, as you would with a sword,
For it too has the power to kill.
However well placed word, unlike a well placed sword,
Can also have the power to heal.
Posts: 2649 | Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
SpidWeb Champions in General
Zeviz
Nuke and Pave
Member # 24
 written Tuesday, May 9 2006 12:57 Profile Homepage #33
quote:
Originally written by Desert Pl@h:

I'm really really surprised at the lack of people who have beaten the Exile series. Granted, I've only 'beaten' E1. You'd think there'd be more, unless all the oldies have run off.
Considering that most Spidwebbers were less than 10 years old when Exile 1 came out, it's not surprising that few people here have played the full version. Most 10 year olds don't register shareware.

[ Tuesday, May 09, 2006 12:58: Message edited by: Zeviz ]

--------------------
Be careful with a word, as you would with a sword,
For it too has the power to kill.
However well placed word, unlike a well placed sword,
Can also have the power to heal.
Posts: 2649 | Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
Fluffy Turtles : The origins in General
Zeviz
Nuke and Pave
Member # 24
 written Tuesday, May 9 2006 12:52 Profile Homepage #2
The origin of fluffy turtles is Room 3. (An AIM chatroom that preceded current "spidweb" chatroom.)

Their arrival was described by somebody before... here: http://www.ironycentral.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=003219;p=4#000089 (See Alorael's post and Drakey's reply lower on that page.)

quote:
Originally written by d3m0n5L4y3r:

A better question is: why do all message boards have to have some stupid little inside-joke-icon? Make it funny, at least.
Just like all other trends, some people like it and others pick it up to look cool.

--------------------
Be careful with a word, as you would with a sword,
For it too has the power to kill.
However well placed word, unlike a well placed sword,
Can also have the power to heal.
Posts: 2649 | Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
Have I been playing too much Geneforge? in Geneforge Series
Zeviz
Nuke and Pave
Member # 24
 written Tuesday, May 9 2006 11:45 Profile Homepage #11
quote:
Originally written by Randomizer:

See serviles isn't so bad. It's when they starting talking to you that's the problem. Especially if it's not with deep respect because you are a shapeer.
It's still not that bad as long as you don't go into a store and try to open every jar of pickles and put in your hand, hoping that it's a "canister".

PS This is beginning to sound like a kind of "10 signs you've played too much ..." thread. :)

[ Tuesday, May 09, 2006 11:46: Message edited by: Zeviz ]

--------------------
Be careful with a word, as you would with a sword,
For it too has the power to kill.
However well placed word, unlike a well placed sword,
Can also have the power to heal.
Posts: 2649 | Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
SpidWeb Champions in General
Zeviz
Nuke and Pave
Member # 24
 written Tuesday, May 9 2006 11:12 Profile Homepage #29
It would probably be more useful to ask "how many of these games have you won?" My answer would be 4. (A2, Nethergate, G1 and G2) I might finish G3 eventually, but it doesn't look too appealing. (Just like I keep planning to order Exile trilogy CD "later".)

And I am surprised that there are at least 3 people who not only registered, but also completed both Exile and Avernum trilogies, as well as every other game made by Jeff. One of them is apparently *i. Who are the other two?

[ Tuesday, May 09, 2006 11:32: Message edited by: Zeviz ]

--------------------
Be careful with a word, as you would with a sword,
For it too has the power to kill.
However well placed word, unlike a well placed sword,
Can also have the power to heal.
Posts: 2649 | Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
"Terror's Marlenny" contest in General
Zeviz
Nuke and Pave
Member # 24
 written Tuesday, May 9 2006 11:04 Profile Homepage #14
quote:
Originally written by Terror's Marlenny:

...
Who can produce the best spliced, morphed, posered, or otherwise altered image that does justice to my current PDN?

There are a number of threads here that should provide some good source material. (Unfortunately, "nude pictures of Marlenny" is not one of them :P )
...
Do you have a specific picture of TM in mind, or would any mind flayer do? (I remember him posting a mind flayer picture in one of picture threads, but can't find it at the moment.)

PS How did TM manage to use ASCII art to make something that had to be censored?

--------------------
Be careful with a word, as you would with a sword,
For it too has the power to kill.
However well placed word, unlike a well placed sword,
Can also have the power to heal.
Posts: 2649 | Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
Native Americans in General
Zeviz
Nuke and Pave
Member # 24
 written Tuesday, May 9 2006 10:59 Profile Homepage #35
quote:
Originally written by too long, don't read, too many CRs:

... We need to understand why Asian kids from first generation immigrants are more likely to win highschool science prizes and transfer the essence of the magic potion. I just do not believe that these things are determined genetically. Maybe a special contest program would get American Indian kids motivated in some discipline that connects to their tradition.There should be plenty of potential sponsors who could buy publicity in this way.
As somebody mentioned in "president" thread, an important reason Asians and Jews do so well in school is strong family support. The parents force children to study hard. And since the culture places high value on education (at least for Jews, don't know about Asians), children are also more motivated themselves. Unfortunately, American schools don't force students to work hard, so if parents don't force them, and students themselves don't care, you end up with high school graduates who can't pass a basic literacy test.

Financial incentives would be good, but every carrot also needs a stick. For example, tying a part of welfare payments to how well kids do in school. (To discourage them from dropping out to get a job, or stay on welfare.) Of course this would work only if we actually fix the school system, pay teachers enough that not only those who couldn't get a better job would go into teaching, etc. And that's unlikely to happen.

--------------------
Be careful with a word, as you would with a sword,
For it too has the power to kill.
However well placed word, unlike a well placed sword,
Can also have the power to heal.
Posts: 2649 | Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
Native Americans in General
Zeviz
Nuke and Pave
Member # 24
 written Monday, May 8 2006 13:30 Profile Homepage #26
quote:
Originally written by Zorro:

... If you want to learn more, I’d recommend looking at this link from a television show based on his book.

Z
Thanks for the link.

--------------------
Be careful with a word, as you would with a sword,
For it too has the power to kill.
However well placed word, unlike a well placed sword,
Can also have the power to heal.
Posts: 2649 | Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
Avernum V in Avernum 4
Zeviz
Nuke and Pave
Member # 24
 written Monday, May 8 2006 11:47 Profile Homepage #292
quote:
Originally written by Archmagus Micael:

quote:
Originally written by Student of Trinity:

I wouldn't say this really counts, though.
It still counts. Trust me. Zeviz didn't say it had to be in the right context. ;)

- Archmagus Micael
Yes I did. :P
quote:
Originally written by Zeviz:

Can anybody think of an example of an emperor who had willingly abdicated with no outside preassure just because somebody presented a better claim to the throne?
...
However, the main reason I asked was general curiousity about abdications in history, so in that sence yours and SoT's posts contain exactly the kind of info I was looking for.

EDIT: SoT, did the whole "respect for parent" thing work out in practice for Japanese emperors? Or was the emperor's position mostly ceremonial anyway? (In Russian Empire, emperors often completely reversed the policies of their predesessors. In one case the father was even deposed by a coup led by his son.)

[ Monday, May 08, 2006 11:52: Message edited by: Zeviz ]

--------------------
Be careful with a word, as you would with a sword,
For it too has the power to kill.
However well placed word, unlike a well placed sword,
Can also have the power to heal.
Posts: 2649 | Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00

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