Morning, campers…

After having a sly day off yesterday, and spending an enjoyable afternoon in the pub, I thought I’d bore you all to tears with what I got up to.

There was a successful trip to Static for some Call of Cthulhu stuff, Forbidden Planet for the monthly comic buy, Game for Schism II (for the missus) and Morrowind (for me). All good stuff. So good, in fact, that more comic reviews should be on their way, you lucky people.

But first… to Morrowind.

I installed it last night and Ruth had a hard time dragging me away from the computer. At first glance, and being an old pro at all kinds of role-playing game (both PC-based and book&paper), I was impressed. I’m still trying to work through the manual (something I rarely do for any game) just because there seems to so much to it.

The game starts with your arrival on the an island where quests abound. I know this is prettty vague but I’m guessing that hours/days will pass and I still won’t know most of the story. Anyway, when your ship arrives at the small port you get to assign your race and then your class. Unlike most RPG’s I’ve played the character generation system in Morrowind is different/cool. After your choice of race is made (again, slightly different to your typical fantasy RPG) you are bundled in to the Customs and Excise office where you choose your class/career.

Now the customs guy gives you three choices: Answer questions so that he knows what career to assign you, you can pick one yourself or, thirdly, you can choose every skill individually. Cool.

After that you’re bundled out into the world to quest away to your heart’s content.

One thing I’ve noticed (quite happily) about the game, given the brief time I’ve had to play so far, is its “open” nature. Instead of concentrating on the main quest, I’ve beeen wandering around taking stock of the world and the characters I meet.

The graphic quality is impressive but I’m hampered at the moment by a system that isn’t particularly “ninja”. As a result it’s running at the lowest resolution but it still looks good. The ambient sound and background music is well done and doesn’t clash at all. So much so that sometimes I hardly notice the music at all.

Gameplay is straight forward and the open feeling of the game means you can take as long as you want to get used to it.

So far, so good. I’ll see how it stands up after a week or two, after Ruth gets fed up with my every waking moment spent on the pc. I thought she’d be glad of the peace and quiet…

BigAl

Not ‘proper’ baking, but a bit of Website Bakery. I’ve spent some time over the last week playing with the templating and module system, and I must say that I’m very impressed how well laid out the code is, and how simple it is to develop for. And so I have created a new page here on the ‘Moose to hold any modules that I write. The first one is up already - it’s a simple module to display RSS feeds on your page ; nothing special, but pretty good for 24 hours work. Of course, you will need a working install to get anywhere

Over the next 7-10 days I’m also going to be checking out the new version of Mambo and seeing if I can make any sense out of Exponent. Watch this space.

mrBen

And why not?

You could vote for anyone you want and they’d still make a ham-fisted effort. So why not vote for the cuddliest party?

Imagine getting a hug from Michael Howard. Doesn’t bear thinking about. You’d have to check your limbs/bones/organs to make sure they’d still be there. What? He doesn’t remind you of some kind of undead creature? A ghoul or ghast maybe? Something that sucks your soul away or feasts on human flesh? Must just be me then.

Next up: Tony Blair. I’d imagine he’s be quite a good hugger but the lack of warmth would be a problem. And you’d check your pockets to check on your wallet. I’ m not saying that he’s a thief… well, yes I am saying that. In fact I’m sure he’s a fully paid up klepto. Don’t leave anything lying around, Tony will have it away.

And last of the big three… Charles Kennedy. A big jolly man, not unlike Santa. And like most Scots with a serious drink problem, he’s fine until you stop wanting to hug him. Then comes the depression, paranoia and the waking up with the mile wide hangover which the next glass of scotch attempts to banish.

Any suggestions regarding other party leaders hugability ratings?

BigAl

Click, that is….

I’ve been thinking about Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) recently, thanks mostly to the guys from LUGRadio, who interviewed Seth Nickell, one of the GNOME usability guys at RedHat, in their latest episode. I’ve also read an interesting article about setting up a Linux box for a guys Dad; one of the things he said was to disable double-clicking as it was difficult and unintuitive for a brand new computer user. So:

Do you double click? I know that I very rarely do these days - I don’t often _see_ my desktop, and usually just use quicklaunchers and the like. Thoughts to the usual address.

mrBen

Wow - it’s been ages since I wrote anything here, and I decided that it was time for a big update of whats been happening in my world. This goes doubly now that I am also being syndicated over at Planet #Lugradio……

Games
Not played a lot of games recently, mainly still Enemy Territory, although I have played a little Counter Strike. I will probably some more online at some point, but wanted to get my skill level up with the single player mode. The biggest problem with this is the ‘hostage rescue’ levels, where you have to rescue ‘x’ hostages within the game to move to the next level. But if you kill all the terrorists the round ends and the hostages aren’t resuced. This is just plain stupid - it means you have to have a terrorist kicking about the level, hoping he doesn’t pick you off while you’re trying to rescue the hostages. Mental.

One game I did briefly try out was Darwinia, from the creators of Uplink, a futuristic hacking game. Uplink was fantastic - a game known for the quality of gameplay rather than fancy effects/graphics. Darwinia has some stunning graphics, but the gameplay looks cool too, although I need to play a little longer to really get my head around it. However, a purchase of the full game could well be on the cards.

CMS
I’ve been playing around with CMS again. I have been struggling for a while to find a system that is genuinely easy to use for people without degrees in Computing. Many of the CMSs out there are very impressive, and have lots of functionality, but are massively complicated to use if all you want is a simple site that you can administer. I admit, since the new release, if I was running a site myself I would be tempted to use Mambo, because it is very feature-rich, and the backend appears to have been improved. However, if I was wanting to hand a site to someone else to use, then I think at the moment I would be looking at Website Baker (stupid name, good CMS…..). The code behind it seems very clean, and the system is a doddle to use. Templating looks very easy too, and I am looking at the plugin system at the moment, but it too looks reasonably easy to do. However, the biggest seller is that, IMHO, anyone could use the backend to create their own site quickly and easily, and none of the terminology is confusing. Definitely one to watch.

Elections
Some of you may have noticed that there is a General Election next month. I have to admit that I am both intigued and confused by this Election more than any other. The biggest problem I have is what should take the highest priority in choosing who to vote for:

• Social policy
• Moral policy
• Potential for success
• Underlying Philosophy

If I was voting on Social Policy, then I am likely to vote either LibDem or Green. However, there are sections of LibDem “moral” policy I object to - legalisation of certain drugs, pro-abortion, etc. If I am voting on potential for success and underlying philosophy then Labour is a more likely vote, as I disagree with the underlying philosophy of the Conservative party, and of the parties available, Labour is more likely to succeed over the Tories than any of the other parties (debatable, I know). Philosophically I know I am probably more socialist than anything else, but then - can Labour still be regarded as a ‘Socialist’ party at all, or have they shifted too far to the right?

The saddest thing is, I think, that many people will still vote the same way they always have, and not bother to truly decide what they want to do. Equally sad is the number of people who, I believe, would vote for LibDem/Green/another party, but decide not to because “they’ll never get in”, which kind of defeats the purpose of a democratic voting system.

As it is, it’s a secret ballot, so I’m not telling you who I’ll vote for

LRL
Last, but definitely not least, is the upcoming LUGRadio Live, which looks like it’s going to be a completely kick-ass event. I’ve booked myself in a car with some of the other ScotLUG guys, and into the official LRL hotel, and can’t wait for it all to start on June 25th. Up until then, I will also be blogging on the official LUGRadio Live Blog, should you not be able to get enough of me.

mrBen

Writer: Kurt Busiek
Artist: Cary Nord
Colourist: Dave Stewart

Issue #0: The Legend (Nov 2003)

Dark Horse Comics had the enviable task of bringing Robert E. Howard’s Conan back to the comic book. The last company to tackle the property was Marvel (IIRC it was a series that lasted many years) and they did a damn good job of it.

Now it’s the turn of DHC.

And how have they done?

Brilliantly.

With the creative team of Kurt Busiek, Cark Nord and Dave Stewart the first issue, at least, is a corker. Busiek captures the world of Conan, or all that I’ve seen in this issue, very well and the Nord / Stewart team is excellent, perfectly complementing the script.

The story itself, as a zero issue, is brief. After all the issue is only a taster of what’s to come.

We begin with a caravan travelling through the desert. It is young prince, bored with his appointed task of investigating his father’s newly conquered lands. This prince is bored (have I said that already?) but fortunatly one of the handy servants finds a tomb.

Not just any tomb but that of you… know… who…

The rest of the issue is the prince’s advisor beginning the tale of just what became of the barbarian king called Conan.

BigAl

Venue: The Garage, Glasgow
When: 8th April 2005 @ some point after 8pm

This is the first time I’ve seen the Tree since the Stupid Dream tour and if anything they were miles better this time. Most of the set was from the last two albums (Lightbulb Sun & In Absentia) and the new album (Deadwing), none of which I have.

They did play one of my favourite PT tracks: Even Less.

It was an absolutely excellent gig, very possibly the best I’ve been to so far. The thing I’ve noticed both times I’ve seen them live is that they’re one of the most precise bands I’ve ever seen.

Now usually I’m all for the band I’m watching to adlib, jam and even (from time to time) make an arse of it. But sometimes it’s good to watch top class musicians playing well. Very well.

And to top the night off I went crazy and bought some over-priced merchandise (if only because my old PT t-shirt is dying a slow death).

BigAl

Awful. Terrible. A waste of my time.

Naw, only kidding.

It was good. Just good? Not as good perhaps as previous weeks but still well worth watching.

However, there’s part of me that’s really disappointed with the way the series has been.

Don’t get me wrong. I think the series is easily the best Doctor Who that’s ever been made. It’s just that after the first three episodes going from strength to strength, the last ep was just okay. Well, really okay but it could have been better.

This Saturday is the second part of the story, which to be honest, although good, isn’t making me jump up and down for joy.

Still, I have to remember that any Who is good Who (at the moment anyway).

And more important… The Daleks return in the sixth episode. How do I know that? Well, the episode is called “Dalek” for a start…

Effects: Not exatly brilliant, but far from crap.

Acting: Rose and the Doc. Billie Piper and Chris Eccleston. Lovely. And Penelope Wilton was a good guest star as the dozy MP.

Sets/Locations: Back in London so loads of cool location filming..

Script: Good, silly, exciting. Russell T. Davies back on this one. Not is best so far but I expected a duffer at some point.

Overall: Some nice moments dealing with Rose and her “year long” disappearance. And the big rubber monster suits were cool as well.

BigAl (worried that it’s taken until mid-week for the review…)

Or at least he does in the Gillette M3Power advert.

Or at least Ruth seems to think so. And, to be honest, I’m with her.

The plucked eyebrows are a dead giveaway.

BigAl

The wife and I are not long back from a gruelling trip to London for the Trade Justice march.

A lass who Ruth works with, Sarah, was taking some kids down to this, partly tagging along with some Christian Aid peeps. We were helping watch over the kids.

It was a fascinating, but long, night. 10 (ish) hours of vigil, demonstration and march.

I’m still knackered right now so I’ll have to do a proper post about this later.

I’m away for a shower before the Doc starts (cos I’m stinking…)

BigAl

Yep.

And you never know. He might just be good at it…

BigAl

So.

According to this link which mrBen put in the Blogmarks menu, I should be voting Liberal Democrats.

And they said sone really nice things about the rights of asylum seekers. Which is nice.

BigAl

Oh, can this get any better? Or any more pathetic?

Starting on Saturday 23 April at 7pm, at the same time as the good Doctor, ITV will be showing Celebrity Wrestling.

Yep, you heard right. In an attempt to knock the stuffing out of Doctor Who’s viewing figures, ITV are ditching Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway and replacing it with, of all things, Celebrity Wrestling.

Can ITV be any more desperate?

They go up against an original, well written drama series with… more reality tv.

Unbelievable.

BigAl

After a long (make that a looooooonnnnnnng) amount of time I’ve finally re-installed TADS (the Text Adventure Development System) on the pc at home. And I ve actually started using it.

So far, using a map I created the last time I rattled on about this, I’ve got 11 locations, one character, a handful of objects and a puzzle.

I know that might not seem like much but I’m really happy with how it’s started. And I’ve only really been at it a few days now.

I’m hoping to have loads more done by the end of the weekend, especially since I’ve got Monday off for “Creative Purposes”. Creative purposes being catching up with the novel and doing some extra work on the text adventure.

BigAl

Fortunatly, this time around, I’ve avoided all the election guff that’s usually forced down our throats. Is it the bad-mouthing or the lies which have turned me away from it all?

I don’t know.

All I know is that Labour are becoming Thatcherite zombies, Conservatives are hate-filled bigots and the Lib-dems are like lost puppies, you know you want to give them a good home but you don’t trust them not to pee all over the place.

Some choice.

Then we have the Greens, SNP and SSP and some others hanging around, making the place look untidy, like UKIP and BNP.

Don’t you just love democracy?

So who do you choose? The thief, cheat and liar on the left or the thief, cheat and liar on the right?

Still, they’ve all got a few weeks more to make me want to care.

BigAl

Another week, another 45 mins of sheer class.

This week we have elemental aliens from a distant world who are trying to get to our world through a rift in space and intend on animating our dead in order to survive.

And it’s set in the year 1869. And Charles Dickins is in it.

This episode, written by The League Of Gentlemen’s Mark Gatiss, was a touch more cheesy than the previous two but IMHO everyone pulled it off with the usual finess. Of particular note was Simon Callow as Dickins. Marvelous.

And, even better, the little known war was mentioned again tonight, this time refered to as “The Time War”. Could this be leading to an end of season finale? Hope so…

Effects: Same as always. Excellent. The Gelf (sp?) were really well done.

Acting: Brilliant as I’m coming to expect. The added bonus of Simon Callow just made it better.

Sets/Locations: If there’s one thing that the Beeb do well, that’s costume drama. And they’ve done their usual fine job with this one.

Script: Mark Gatiss. Good man.

Overall: Good episode showing the fallibility of the Doc. I’m of the opinion that the series is already so good that it can’t get any better.

BigAl

And this would be a good thing seeing as the boy happens to be married. He also happens to be me.

That’s one of the things that still fills me with joy. I’m in love, and married, to the greatest person I’ve ever met, who just happens to be one of my closest friends and has been since long before we ever got together.

Brilliant.

And the other thing that fills me with joy?

I’m so fortunate to be married to someone who accepts me for who I am despite all my character flaws which I have no doubt drive her up the wall.

Now, this might seem all straightforward to you. You might think that I’m pointing out the obvious.

It doesn’t mean that it doesn’t fill me with a sense of wonder.

BigAl (who seems to in quite the reflective mood…)

We have a Lottery syndicate at work and today they dished out their winnings (£20 each. Not bad for a year and a half of trying…) and sent the form around the office to start a new one.

This is only available to the permanent members of staff and it is with some sadness that I notice that I am the only Scottish Power employee in the office who is NOT joining the syndicate. And, as a result, I get loads of verbal for “not joining in” and “not being a team player” and so on.

Any moral high ground I had was quickly lost after I told them to “feck off”…

But what really bothers me is the Hope Tax that people pay. We are led to believe that you have as much chance to become a millionaire as anyone and all it costs is that precious £1 a week to bring hope back in to your lives.

“What I would spend a million pounds on..,” I hear them say every week. The problem is that of the people in this syndicate I know that they would continue to be miserable even IF they won big time.

Speaking to them I’ve realised that they aren’t content in their relationships and jobs, they aren’t happy with their houses and cars. They want more stuff and more money to get more stuff.

But they’ll still be unhappy.

Damn. I can feel a rant building about this… I’m away to lie down for a while…

BigAl

Oh. My. God.

It just gets better and better.

This week dealt with… The End Of The World. But you may have guessed that.

The Doc takes Rose to the last days of Earth where, on an orbiting space-platform, the richest people in the galaxy watch it’s destruction. Both our heroes blag their way in, of course.

On the platform there’s sabotage, deception and murder: all in a day’s work for the Doctor.

Effects: Brilliant. Much better than the previous week. In fact some of the visual effects were on par with American shows. And the makeup effects and alien costumes were as good as any sci-fi series/movie with a decent budget.

Acting: Flawless. Need I say more? Okay. There was an added depth to both the Doctor and Rose when dealing with the whole “last member of their race” thing. Brought a tear to the eye.

Sets/Locations: Set-based Doctor Who with a budget. And not a wobbling wall in sight.

Script: As before. Russell T. Davis should be given all the money in the world to keep this going.

Overall: Classic Who. In a shiny new box. The revelation that the Doc is the last of his kind came as a shock and Eccleston played it brilliantly. I’m really looking forward to where this is going.

BigAl