I might recite:
[Quote] I’m stronger, I masturbate… my loneliness ain’t killing me no more” [Quote]
Right on. Never thought I’d agree with one of her songs.
Well, my fellow G-Bloggers, I am proud to announce that our little community site here has just been blessed with its 10’000th entry. We’ve come a long way since my first public entry, I think. We had some problems, both technically as well as on a personal level, but I guess that’s just a common thing with any community, no matter whether it’s online or offline.
Fun fact: The magical “entry 10k” was made by ekoostik, a good friend who has just surfaced here again from the depths of the net. Welcome back, mate. Great timing, as always. ;)
G-Blog.net is a success, at least in my book. No banners, no popups, just a working community. It’s the second site I run that does quite well w/o ads of any kind. Good times. :) For me, it doesn’t get better than this. Sure, the site isn’t perfect, but for me it’s not about the features and gimmicks; it’s about the people and the sense of open discussion (as long as common sense is maintained, of course).
Kudos to our mods, too: Zhaneel and Hooloovoo, who keep an eye on the entries to stop flames before they occur. We owe you, guys.
Thanks, everyone. You’re the blood that runs thru G-Blog.net’s body. You are G-Blog.net. The concept’s working because of you guys. So… Great job – keep it up. :)
Yours,
Carlo / Gossip
G-Blog.net Founder & Admin
The year: 2003. System: PC. Question: Why do I still need a damn floppy disk drive to update my BIOS???
I mean, c’mon. The PC evolution has proceeded far enough, why am I still supposed to use this archaic device every now and then?
FogCreek Software – apparently a great place to work. Sadly enough, the article (i.e. this “About FogCreek” page) summarizes pretty much everything that’s wrong in 99% of Germany’s dev companies (and I don’t exclude my workplace here).
[Quote] “[..] Managers, terrified of change, treat any new idea as a bizarre virus to be quarantined. Napoleon-complex junior managers insist that things be done exactly their way or you’re fired. [..] Disorganization is so rampant that even if the ideas are good, it’s impossible to make a product out of them. Inexperienced managers practice hit-and-run management, issuing stern orders on exactly how to do things without sticking around to see the farcical results of their fiats. [..] And worst of all, the MBA-types in charge think that coding is a support function, basically a fancy form of typing. [..] management, not coding, is the support function. Management is not here to make decisions, but to get all the furniture out of the way so that software developers can do great stuff. [..] [Quote]Dead on. Times are changing, no, have changed, yet the usual corporate structure is (albeit incorporating flatter hierarchies and “open door policies”) the very same our fathers have experienced. We’re on our way to become this decade’s Wallys and Dilberts, it’s just that most of our bosses are younger than theirs.
Not good.
I’m not quite sure why people like GTA:VC, really. I don’t like the topic and the overall tone of the game. I know it’s a damn money printing machine for the developer and publisher, but that doesn’t make it better. There is stuff in this world which really shouldn’t be an inspiration for a game – beating up grannies, shooting pizza guys and running over pedestrians with your car, for example. The other day I was in the games department of a superstore when I overheard the following chat between father and son (approx. 10 yrs):
son (holding up GTA:VC for PS2): “Please, buy me this game!”
father (smiling): “Not today, but it’s your birthday soon, okay?”
son: “Hmm… okay. Too bad I’m not getting it today, it’s really good!”
father: “Not today.”
I couldn’t believe it. I mean it’s a game which seriously needs a fucking “ages 21 and above” sticker. While the son went away I told this stupid moron which obviously wouldn’t pass the damn “parents license” (first thing I’ll introduce to mankind once I become ruler of the world) what this game is about, and that it’s everything but suitable for his kid. Apparently, he was mildly suprised – “but it’s a videogame”.
This was the moment I just wanted to smack him unconcious. I mean, for fuck’s sake – just because it fits into a PS2 or XBox doesn’t mean it’s suited for kids of all ages. Damn – you wouldn’t tell your 3 year old good night tales by Stephen King because there are happy-happy books as well; you wouldn’t let your kid watch bloody war documentries because there are kids toons on TV as well. People need to wake up. Not all books are alike, not all books are suited for kiddies, not all TV shows are alike, not all TV shows are for kiddies, not all video games are alike, not all fucking video games are for kiddies.
I mean, really, the parents that complain about two teenagers shooting at cars in traffic are probably the same parents that shell out $60 for a fucking unsuited video game (GTA) for their youngsters.
Shit like this makes me so angry.
