CobraA1

Reply to Do you really want Steam to be your only option? Are you sure? in PC Gaming GalCiv2 Forums

[quote]Um, Steam already is effective DRM, and it doesn't need specialized memory protection. Effective does not mean perfect.[/quote] Um, no. Steam's DRM can still be broken to play single player games and games on private servers. I would not call that "effective." Yes, you need specialized memory protection. Otherwise, you're stuck in an eternal cat and mouse game with the hackers. [quote]The databases behind them are. And a particular website is centralized.[/quote

Reply to What Would You Like to See in WindowBlinds for Windows 7? in Personal Computing Stardock Forums

This isn't Windows 7 specific, I'd like the ability to re-use elements better. It's annoying to have to continually re-create the same arrows, buttons, borders, etc for something that is basically the same except with a different image count.

Reply to Do you really want Steam to be your only option? Are you sure? in PC Gaming GalCiv2 Forums

[quote]The holy-grail of DRM is absolute ubiquity. That is, every device capable of playing the DRM'd content is fully capable of detecting the person playing the content, and can thus transparently authenticate the content without any real knowledge by the person using it. Or, from the user's perspective, they can put the content on any device that can execute it without restriction.[/quote] The holy grail and the Achilles' heel. It's a single point of failure: If whoever is in charg

Reply to Do you really want Steam to be your only option? Are you sure? in PC Gaming GalCiv2 Forums

[quote]One of the things I routinely see on-line when they hear about something new about Impulse is someone commenting “I wish they’d all just consolidate under Steam.” In fact, as Impulse has become increasingly successful, the cry has gotten louder.[/quote] I'd definitely disagree with them. While it *can* be a tad inconvenient having to choose between two platforms, I'm all for competition, which I believe promotes innovation and low prices. . . . and St

Reply to RoboForm and GoodSync Now on Impulse in Personal Computing Stardock Forums

[quote]Cobra: When the build number in Impulse updates (it's at .014 and .001 for Roboform and GoodSync currently). The next update will be with the 64-bit installers. The hold-up at the moment is I have to write an installer stub to pick which version to install. [/quote] No problem. I just created a link to the 64 bit version of GoodSync in Impulse. . . . and FYI - I'm just finding more ways to sync with it all the time - great program, glad I fo

Reply to Living in Windows 7: Part 1 in Personal Computing Stardock Forums

[quote]2. So far what I read about Win 7 it feels like nothing else but "Vista patch" which is good news for sure but nothing to get me remotely excited...[/quote] It's a bit more than a patch - they've made some real improvements with the new driver control panel. The underlying driver model is the same, but they've put a lot of work into making the UI a lot better. Same with pretty much everything else: Windows 7 doesn't just "fix vista," it also cleans up and improves the user inte

Reply to Here come the eSATA flash drives! in Personal Computing Stardock Forums

Backtrack 3? Remind me to never let you near my computers . . .

Reply to Here come the eSATA flash drives! in Personal Computing Stardock Forums

[quote]Not if you want to boot from it. .[/quote] USB is bootable . . .

Reply to Where’s the external video cards? in Personal Computing Stardock Forums

Bandwidth. A 16x PCIe slot is capable of 4 GB/s in each direction. Your average USB 2.0 port is capable of 60 MB/s. Gigabit Ethernet is capable of 125 MB/s (theoretical). eSATA is capable of 375 MB/s (theoretical). None come close to PCIe's max speed. NOTE: GB/s = giga byte /s Multiply by 8 to get giga bit /s. For best operation, a video card needs the full bandwidth of the bus. The best way to get great video on a laptop is to bu

Reply to Windows 7 Editions Revealed in Personal Computing Stardock Forums

[quote]They should only have 4 products. Two versions for laptops and 2 for desktops. A 32 bit and a 64 bit ... The 64 bit verision should have special options that can be downloaded and added to it. So, you can connect to a corporate server and network.[/quote] Disagree. No reason to have a special version for laptops. Just make it detect what it's on. I think it should come with both 64 and 32 bit, and install 64 bit by defau

Reply to Here come the eSATA flash drives! in Personal Computing Stardock Forums

[quote]BUT WHAT ABOUT THE DRIVERS?![/quote] As far as Windows is concerned, it's a hard drive. [quote]'Interesting' would suffice...[/quote] I believe he was merely repeating a word that Spock commonly used in Star Trek. Personally, I'm waiting for USB 3.0.

Reply to How to keep Windows XP stable in Personal Computing Stardock Forums

Interesting - Outlook seems to open 2000+ handles on the spot. My system has ~43000 handles open currently. 64 bit Vista, though. Another thing to look at is threads - the more threads, the more task switching, and sometimes just switching between too many tasks can eat up CPU time. Context switching is expensive. Sometimes developers seem to miss the idea that the optimal number of threads is the number of cores your computer has. You'd be surprised how many threads some applications

Reply to Rethink the game in Gaming GalCiv2 Forums

[quote]Or maybe, if you can't get it right, you won't be able to pass the next section.[/quote] . . . and if I can't pass the section and finish the game - I just toss the game. [quote]Personally, I believe the saving mechanism is the game designer's peroggative. [/quote] . . . and it's my prerogative not to buy games like that :P. Sure, the devs are free to make what they want. As long as they're aware I'm free to refuse to buy whatever I don't want. Just beca

Reply to Rethink the game in Gaming GalCiv2 Forums

You just keep on trying 'till you run out of cake . . . I loved Portal. Referring to the article you linked to: #10, unlocking stuff - I agree with this, and I agree with it more as I get older and my reflexes aren't the same as 10 years ago. I don't want to repeat the same level 10 times trying to obtain absolute perfection. It's just not in me anymore. Unlocking awards that don't affect gameplay is okay, but having to become a perfectionist just to finish a game is n

Reply to RoboForm and GoodSync Now on Impulse in Personal Computing Stardock Forums

Zoomba: Is there a way to tell when the 64 bit version is available directly from Impulse?

Reply to Stardock: The BIG Expansion!! in PC Gaming GalCiv2 Forums

Wait - Michigan ? Not some place on the west coast, like California? You're closer to me than I thought :). Now you're really getting my resume when I graduate. . . . and don't worry about talking about snow to me - I've lived in Minnesota, I know all about it :).

Reply to PCs VS. Consoles in Everything Else GalCiv2 Forums

[quote]PC Disadvantages: * Can be VERY expensive.[/quote] Can also be very cheap - netbooks. . . . and interestingly enough, gaming graphics are becoming more popular int notebooks I've noticed. More of them are coming with ATI and nVidia graphics in them. [quote]Hey forum people: How come when you press enter it puts an extra space in between? The forum didn't use to do that.[/quote] Basically because of the HTML. When you press "enter" it creates a new p

Reply to RoboForm and GoodSync Now on Impulse in Personal Computing Stardock Forums

[quote]Thanks. I'm thinking I'll pick it up then.[/quote] I had no issues - when I uninstalled the 32 bit version and installed the 64 bit version, all of my jobs were still there.

Reply to RoboForm and GoodSync Now on Impulse in Personal Computing Stardock Forums

[quote]the simplest way of detecting 32/64 bit is to look for a directory "%windir%\program files (x86)\" if it exists then it is 64bit if it does not then itis 32bit (by the way internet explorer on 64bit os's installs in BOTH program files & program files (x86) so the directory will exist if 64bit[/quote] There are Microsoft supplied APIs that they can use. Folders can be remapped, so they are not a reliable

Reply to Windows 7 Editions Revealed in Personal Computing Stardock Forums

[quote]Lame. They just need one version for desktop/laptop (in 32 and 64 bit flavors). [/quote] With 64 bit being the default if the system supports it.

Reply to RoboForm and GoodSync Now on Impulse in Personal Computing Stardock Forums

I'm loving GoodSync :). . . . although it seems to be the 32 bit version. THeir website says they offer a native 64 bit version as well, and the 64 bit version can copy locked files on a 64 bit OS. Would it be possible to have Impulse detect the OS and donload/install the right one? In addition - the about box claims it to be a TRIAL version, even though I paid for it? It doesn't look like it expires, but what's up wiith that??

Reply to How is your cable management? in Personal Computing Stardock Forums

Got a mess here as well, lol. Plenty of stuff plugged into all of the USB ports and a USB hub, and my room is also the center of our home network and where the internet comes in. It's a pretty big mess, but somehow I manage to keep most of it behind my computer. Except the USB hub, where I have my iPod, card reader, and flash drive connected. And the charger for my "wireless" mouse. And my Skype phone. *sigh*.

Another reason to love Impulse! in Personal Computing Stardock Forums

Okay, I officially love Impulse and GoodSync now :). Okay, I always have liked Impulse, but this is stellar for hitting the nail right on the head. I've been on the lookout for a GOOD backup program for a long time. Windows backup didn't cut it. It kept filling my backup drive because it keeps recording more, and doesn't have an option to overwrite old files AFAIK. Nero has a backup program - that's worse than pulling teeth, finding drivers fo

Reply to Windows 7 it is...now for my wish list in Personal Computing GalCiv2 Forums

[quote] Things such as display drivers work fine in beta, IE: Nvidia drivers. And no, you don't have to hit f8 everytime to disable the signed-driver requirement to use them. It's a beta, obviously the requirement is disabled. We'll see if they put it in by the time it gets released.[/quote] nVidia's drivers are all signed, otherwise they would not work in Vista 64 bit (which they do). In addition, all of nVidia's drivers are WHQL certified, which requires, amo

Note on Blizzard vs MDY case in Everything Else GalCiv2 Forums

I don't know where the original thread went, but a note for thoase keeping tabs on the Blizzard vs MDY court case: A new court document is out, and basically MDY lost. Blizzard has the green light for an injunction against the continued sale, distribution, and servicing of Glider.