Well, hot on the heels of the 'grand' launching of PS3 and XBOX 360 (and Nintendo Revolution) in the past weeks, it's time to collect our thoughts and thinks hardly about it. Before I proceed, I'm a "PCGAMER" the one whose obsession towards gaming revolve around the galaxy of PC gaming goodness. But, I play games on PS2 and XBOX too... although I don't own them. I'm enjoying the console platform although not as much as I like gaming on PC though. I always held an open mind towards gaming in general though, cos its what MATTERS. PC or console, make your pick, show off your fanboy fanatism, but in the end of the day... well its still GAMES!!
I'm not gonna bitch around those matters though. The launch of the new cycle of new console will surely refresh the platform and irrate the PC gamer section. They'll be on another cycle where they will not be holding those exclusivity such as "the best looking graphics" or the best "multiplayer online code" or the "most advance AI" in terms of gaming... for a little while. The Sony and Microsoft of the w0rld will rings all the bells and whistles on how great their new platform. The console wars has begun either we like it or not. PS3 and XBOX will attack and counter-attack each other about their respective console system. To be really fair, both are great consoles in their own right. And both surely will sell well, not-so-hopefully!!.
But do we PC Gamers need be of little concern that our "greatest" platform gonna be buried deep in our gaming grave? For me HELL NO!! Why? Okay firstly we PC Gamers got a platform where its nearly zero cost needed to produce games on our platform. Those publishers who made games on the XBOX or the PS3 needs to pay an upfront payment in order to acccess the platform console. PC on the other hand is really an open system with open standard that its virtually zero capital needed in order to enter it. Thats explain why some crappy games exist on our system (Mad Dog McRee anyone?). So in economic terms those console games will ported to PC with minimum cost needed... just cover for the transition cost in terms of system architecture rather than doing it all over again. XNA tools from Microsoft seems to handle those where it helps games developer convert their games from XBOX to PC effortlessly and vice versa.
The other point is that independent developer with low start-up cost can enter the market at their leisure. The problem with the next-gen console is that, as they embrace the HDTV (High Definition TV) is that the cost of producing games will skyrocket. And it will not be possible of any new start-up venture to enter the market. Bear in mind that production cost of games nowadays is on the USD 20 million per game. So don't expect some clever creativity on the console platform often as its a very volatile environment. Its about games that sells, full stop. That make for the reason all games previewed on either XBOX or PS3 are only of fighting, racing and shooting theme. PC Game on the other hand, although got many of those theme, still home of many creativity and labour of love title. Small developers come and go, but still PC is the ultimate platform for everyone. There is something for everyone. The Sims 2 for console? YUCKS!!
The problem for PC Gaming is that its well, a niche market. Cater for the geeks and techokids. PC games to a certain extend needs to be mainstream in order to maintain and sustain its growth on the long term. It needs to be in a friendlier environment, "the living room". Yes, the place where all the consoles crave attention from the market. e-Home is here. So PC needs to act fast in order to hold its appeal among the general public. They are 2 companies trying to do just that, but I'd not heard anything from them since yesteryear. DISCover and Phantom needs to act swiftly and decisively, or if not the industry needs to find a new answer for the living room PC Games, or else we'll be palying second fiddle to the inferior consoles. Microsoft won't be too bother if their new gaming box hits big time.
SO what we should do. I'm not a programming genius not even a programmer. But the PC gaming scene first needs to be independent and open as possible. Although this is a bold claim, we need have a grip on our own API. Yes, the DirectX is too Microsoft centric and hampers our development. It makes us too reliant on Microsoft and well, they got the new XBOX to concentrate on. Yes, I know DirectX save our asses not so long time ago. But to be really independent and competitive it needs to be PC-Gaming not Windows-Gaming. Or to a lesser extend, Microsoft should open up their API rather than fully-controlling them.
Second maybe we should have a sort of basement system requirement that we periodically change in 3-4 years. Games develop on the PC should meet this minimum requirements during the course so it'll make it easier for n00bs out there building a gaming system, or hardware developer of the new gaming console building well, their gaming consoles.
Well this is just a simple thought from an ordinary gamer. Feel free to flame or discuss this matter.
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Thursday, April 21, 2005
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
SKYPE REVOLUTION
Well, first thing is, what is Skype? Skype is a software that act as Internet Telephony using Voice Over IP (VoIP) technology/protocol. Basically, in plain English, it means you can use your Internet connection to voice chat FOR FREE as long as your buddy or buddies (yes, it can support mutiple user on one time) on the side using Skype too. Interestingly, this concept is not new, but this is the first time I had it working for me. MSN and Yahoo! got their own audio chat service embedded in their Messenger client, but it DIDN'T WORK. Skype, on the other hand, download, install and start chatting, without any fuss! (as long as U have microphone, off course). The bottom line is IT WORKS.
VoIP is not new, but over here (read: Malaysia) its still an alien concept yet. Whereas in the US or Europe where there is a very high broadband internet penetration rate, Malaysia broadband Internet is quite slow. Over there, VoIP start-up companies seems to be new darlings. They give U a fixed amount of payment for a month, and you're off talking like crazy. There are also some prepaid type of service where U pay an amount and use, and when its finish U top-up the amount back. And its cheaper than those fixed line phone off course. Vonage, Skype, Vontage... well u name it. But lately, theres a new service offered by Nasioncom Sdn Bhd that provide just that. They offered u fixed line broadband voice chat with an Internet phone as the starter pack. Rates may vary if calling to one phone service provider than the other, but its cheaper than your normal fixed line service. Telekom Malaysia opps... TM I've been told already have that technology, but as usual of a big bereaucratic conglomerate company, they still not pushing the market and the new technology just yet. We, on the other hand, have to wait for a "little" while.
Back to Skype, its not only offering that voice chat only. Besides there's all those usual stuff of text-chatting, file transfer and etc. But the best thing is the SkypeOut features where U can call all your friends or families using Skype to the normal phone. And they wont know who's calling them. The downside? you have to pay for it. Although the rate is quite acceptable (read: cheaper) but it still to much hassle using foreign exchange rate for Malaysian. But the thing is, it works. That's the bottom line. There's also the new SkypeIn feature where they'll throw at U 3 fixed number for others to call U on Skype and a voicemail, but then it only to a certain country only. I dont think Malaysia included. There's also a Windows Mobile (a.k.a. PocketPC) version of the software that U can use on any HotSpot Wi-Fi places around Malaysia (although the Windows Mobile requirement is quite steep... U have been warned). Skype works well with Streamyx, its crystal clear voice and no such lagging occured. Even when sharing the connection with a number of computer. Although the website stated its also Ok with dial-up connection, I still didn't test that type of connection yet. Proceed with caution if U wanna go using that route.
SO WHAT ARE WAITING FOR? DOWNLOAD SKYPE NOW!!
http://www.skype.com/download
VoIP is not new, but over here (read: Malaysia) its still an alien concept yet. Whereas in the US or Europe where there is a very high broadband internet penetration rate, Malaysia broadband Internet is quite slow. Over there, VoIP start-up companies seems to be new darlings. They give U a fixed amount of payment for a month, and you're off talking like crazy. There are also some prepaid type of service where U pay an amount and use, and when its finish U top-up the amount back. And its cheaper than those fixed line phone off course. Vonage, Skype, Vontage... well u name it. But lately, theres a new service offered by Nasioncom Sdn Bhd that provide just that. They offered u fixed line broadband voice chat with an Internet phone as the starter pack. Rates may vary if calling to one phone service provider than the other, but its cheaper than your normal fixed line service. Telekom Malaysia opps... TM I've been told already have that technology, but as usual of a big bereaucratic conglomerate company, they still not pushing the market and the new technology just yet. We, on the other hand, have to wait for a "little" while.
Back to Skype, its not only offering that voice chat only. Besides there's all those usual stuff of text-chatting, file transfer and etc. But the best thing is the SkypeOut features where U can call all your friends or families using Skype to the normal phone. And they wont know who's calling them. The downside? you have to pay for it. Although the rate is quite acceptable (read: cheaper) but it still to much hassle using foreign exchange rate for Malaysian. But the thing is, it works. That's the bottom line. There's also the new SkypeIn feature where they'll throw at U 3 fixed number for others to call U on Skype and a voicemail, but then it only to a certain country only. I dont think Malaysia included. There's also a Windows Mobile (a.k.a. PocketPC) version of the software that U can use on any HotSpot Wi-Fi places around Malaysia (although the Windows Mobile requirement is quite steep... U have been warned). Skype works well with Streamyx, its crystal clear voice and no such lagging occured. Even when sharing the connection with a number of computer. Although the website stated its also Ok with dial-up connection, I still didn't test that type of connection yet. Proceed with caution if U wanna go using that route.
SO WHAT ARE WAITING FOR? DOWNLOAD SKYPE NOW!!
http://www.skype.com/download
Thursday, February 17, 2005
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
THE NEW SEARCH ENGINE WAR
First off I'm a Google fanatic. I had all (nearly) Google free service account. From Gmail to Hello.com to Picasa and Google groups. My first site when I go online is Google news. But I also got "the best web mail" Yahoo! Mail (although its currently expired) and the inevitable hotmail besides from two other email which specifically cater for you spammers :p out there.
The search scenario for you out there who still live in Mars is that Microsoft is trying to lure web surfers to its all new msn.com portal that already updated with their all new, home-brewed MSN search engine that was built from ground-up to match the best search engine out there that are happens to be Yahoo! and Google. The former supposed to offer the search portal of Microsoft before, but now the all new (not too different from the old anyway in terms of design) MSN portal. Even Bill Gates posts a letter at the front page of the portal stating all the usual stuffs about Microsoft commitment and rapid improvement. Questions start to be asked. Will Google monopoly (or for you Yahoo! diehards, well its duopoly...) will be long last lasting memories reminiscent of Netscape and Real Media (which actually gain grounds in the battle). Well in terms of legislation it will be hard if Microsoft did it the Netscape way again, it'll be sure to attract big attention and as they hardly learn, its not good for business. And they'll be sure to have European legislators on their tails. Although its not particularly clear will they shy-away from controversies after all the past mess, my verdict is that Steve Ballmer will at least make sure it didn't happen.
In which case it will leave two more route, the technological front and the marketing front. But before that, let’s see the vision of both Yahoo! and Google. The former envision to convert its regular customers from non-paying to paid customer, using Yahoo! as their portal and gateway to the internet. Google on the other hand envision organizing the world information to make it easier to reach/search etc. In short Microsoft approach resemblance those of Yahoo! than those of Google. Microsoft tries to lure customers and surfers to use its portal service and turn them slowly into buyers of its services especially the 'Janus' music store (they hit big-time in order to catch iTunes music store BTW).
But in short technologically speaking all those engines are very competitive. Although they are few loopholes here and there with the new MSN search engine especially when they actually direct users to Google News rather than the actual location itself, its doing okay and held its ground very well for now. But the most disastrous thing for now is if Microsoft use its financial resources to market their search engine in a big way. And you can be certain of that! they just struck a deal with Nokia to provide music store direct to phone users and you can be sure the MSN portal will play a big part in that agenda. All in all I have a thought that Microsoft on the long run tries to lure customers and surfers to spend a longer time at its portal and use all those paid and free service for a start before hitting big time of putting more services there. This will lure surfers from Yahoo! and other one-stop portal but unlikely will shattered Google user base. As I said before, PC whiz kids are fanatic bunch :) Microsoft can pour millions in advertising for now Google is pretty safe if they continue their continuous innovation plan and add more related service. And on a high note, they will allocate 70% of their resources to improve their search services. Google is the most vulnerable for now because of its heavy reliance on advertising (accounts for 98% of its revenue) than Yahoo!.
In short the battleground is just being open. The big 3 will continue to improve and the winner? Well it’s US!
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF FREE SOFTWARE
Free software was also known before as some of the lousy and incompetence batch waiting their
doomsday. But the scene right now is quickly changing, and at a rapid pace too. In fact, take a look at your own PC and there must be at least one freeware. Be it either winamp, the irresistible iTunes, or maybe it’s the high-flying Mozilla Firefox which eating the IE-using pie at a very rapid pace.
Pirated softwares which is unfortunately a norm around this part of the world (read: Asia) is already a big virus spreading through PC users. Although I never think with the freeware gaining further ground will ever slowing down the pirate-buying virus, at least it will educate and appeal to those who can't afford original and powerful software. This can at least to a certain extend answers the arguments that software are too expensive and shouldn't cost all that much.
But lately a bunch of free but powerful software had surfaced and gaining further ground. In the media playcategory it’s very well covered. Make your pick, Winamp or iTunes, Real One or Windows Media Player it’s all there. Depend on which functions you like most and which company prefered (PC whizkid are fanatic bunch....).
In the web browsing section, there is the new kid on the block further eating the dominance that IE taken for granted. All hail Mozilla Firefox, the finest web browser there is (with some minor quibbles... Hey no software is perfect). It’s very stable, feature-wide and very secure. And its fast too. Get it at http://getfirefox.net and try it yourself. You gonna love it (depends on your tolerance of change).
Just a few days ago, google had updated its Picasa to version 2 and what a major upgrade it is. Picasa2 as what it's called, boast many features that will even made many full-fledged (read: one with a price tag) ashamed of. The looks of the software is so reminiscent to iPhoto software from the great Mac stable. It can organize and view pictures and even to certain extend play video files. It’s a very neat addition to the software. What's more it can manipulate the image albeit in a simple way to repair and touch your photo. And mind you, it’s quite powerful. Images with poor lighting and colour balance can be repaired quite instantly. The best thing is you can send any image viewed by the software directly to any email, provided that you had a gmail.com email account or hello.com account, both owned by google. That is very neatindeed.
There's also this one good antivirus software that giving away a very version of their antivirus suite called AVG at www.grisoft.com . It’s competitive although I don’t think in the same par say Norton Antivirus or PC-Cilin, but hey good things don’t come cheap. At least you legally using them rather than using Pirated copy that must activated with a pirated keygen. My verdict, AVG is still good enough and holds its ground well. Use it. There’s so much to talk about here, but just a few more URL. I’ll write about the others at some time in the future.
Fresh download – www.freshdevices.com
iTunes – www.apple.com
Mozilla Thunderbird – www.mozilla.org
Skype – www.skype.com
*The writer is not in any way related or on a payroll from any company stated above. Its simply that if the writer like it, he'll tell everyone about it. Full stop.
doomsday. But the scene right now is quickly changing, and at a rapid pace too. In fact, take a look at your own PC and there must be at least one freeware. Be it either winamp, the irresistible iTunes, or maybe it’s the high-flying Mozilla Firefox which eating the IE-using pie at a very rapid pace.
Pirated softwares which is unfortunately a norm around this part of the world (read: Asia) is already a big virus spreading through PC users. Although I never think with the freeware gaining further ground will ever slowing down the pirate-buying virus, at least it will educate and appeal to those who can't afford original and powerful software. This can at least to a certain extend answers the arguments that software are too expensive and shouldn't cost all that much.
But lately a bunch of free but powerful software had surfaced and gaining further ground. In the media playcategory it’s very well covered. Make your pick, Winamp or iTunes, Real One or Windows Media Player it’s all there. Depend on which functions you like most and which company prefered (PC whizkid are fanatic bunch....).
In the web browsing section, there is the new kid on the block further eating the dominance that IE taken for granted. All hail Mozilla Firefox, the finest web browser there is (with some minor quibbles... Hey no software is perfect). It’s very stable, feature-wide and very secure. And its fast too. Get it at http://getfirefox.net and try it yourself. You gonna love it (depends on your tolerance of change).
Just a few days ago, google had updated its Picasa to version 2 and what a major upgrade it is. Picasa2 as what it's called, boast many features that will even made many full-fledged (read: one with a price tag) ashamed of. The looks of the software is so reminiscent to iPhoto software from the great Mac stable. It can organize and view pictures and even to certain extend play video files. It’s a very neat addition to the software. What's more it can manipulate the image albeit in a simple way to repair and touch your photo. And mind you, it’s quite powerful. Images with poor lighting and colour balance can be repaired quite instantly. The best thing is you can send any image viewed by the software directly to any email, provided that you had a gmail.com email account or hello.com account, both owned by google. That is very neatindeed.
There's also this one good antivirus software that giving away a very version of their antivirus suite called AVG at www.grisoft.com . It’s competitive although I don’t think in the same par say Norton Antivirus or PC-Cilin, but hey good things don’t come cheap. At least you legally using them rather than using Pirated copy that must activated with a pirated keygen. My verdict, AVG is still good enough and holds its ground well. Use it. There’s so much to talk about here, but just a few more URL. I’ll write about the others at some time in the future.
Fresh download – www.freshdevices.com
iTunes – www.apple.com
Mozilla Thunderbird – www.mozilla.org
Skype – www.skype.com
*The writer is not in any way related or on a payroll from any company stated above. Its simply that if the writer like it, he'll tell everyone about it. Full stop.
Sunday, January 30, 2005
TRY PICASA 2
Use Google Picasa2. It really is a very good software... nearly a perfect image viewer+simple image editor software. And the best thing is, its FREE! Just head to http://google.picasa.com, and there is a link to download the software. Follow the link, download it (its only 3Mb something... it wont take long...) and install it. U absolutely gonna love it. Although it must getting sometime to get use to especially the folder manager, all in all its a very neat, simple but quite powerful software. Although it lacks all the support enjoyed by ACDSee, it still is great software on its own. Its very much better (way better...) than its predecessor (The original Picasa). U can now manipulate the image more using its very simple editor. U can also play video file to a certain extend. It can even repair pictures with very poor lighting, and the way it integrate into your Gmail account (provided u have one...) without even open a web browser is simply terrific. U can even make poster and collage with the built-in software. I guess there is lots more to explore, so my final word... TRY IT! U'll be absolutely loving it. And if U ever use Picasa before, well this one is in different class! And did I mention its free?
*The writer is not in any way related or on a payroll from any company stated above. Its simply that if the writer like it, he'll tell everyone bout it. Full stop.
*The writer is not in any way related or on a payroll from any company stated above. Its simply that if the writer like it, he'll tell everyone bout it. Full stop.
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