I got a 20.3" LCD monitor (Dell FP21) last week for desk space reasons, and I noticed that, in spite of all the manufacturer and user comments to the contrary, that when I run the F.E.A.R. demo on it, it lags and stutters and generally does not play well with the intense graphics (even at 640x480 resolution).

But Guild Wars seems OK (at 1600x1200), and so does Half Life 2 (at 1024x768 ) so I'm wondering if I'll be switching back to a CRT for the newer games that will be coming out over the next 12 months, or if I need to upgrade to a whammy VC to drive this thing (currently running Radeon XT600).

Only time will tell......

I did something REALLY stupid this weekend... All I have to say is, it doesn't matter what kind of a hurry you're in, if you are using power tools, always, always, ALWAYS, secure the piece being cut, sawn, gouged, doweled, routed, etc., to a firm, solid surface, unless you want to lose 1/3 of a fingernail, bleed all over your garage, get a whole LOT of stitches (the doc lost count) and have to take showers with your left hand wrapped in a baggie so the dressings don't get wet. And I don't even wanna think about the tetanus shot...

On the plus side, percoset is a wonderful pain reliever. But I wouldn't recommend getting a prescription by doing something stupid with a power tool.

I feel blah.

Ya know, just kinda, overall not feeling like doing anything, sitting watching TV or snoozing all day kinda blah. Sometimes life needs a kick in the butt to get going again; I guess I just need one of those kicks right now.:(

I bought and started BF2 this weekend; my first impressions are quite good. In comparison to it's predecessor, BF2 is definitely more challenging as a single-player game (the only way I can play it currently); the AI is more mature and better coordinated, basically meaning that if you find yourself surrounded by the enemy, even in a tank you have very little chance of surviving, as they know exactly what to do to off your sorry butt! I like the new vehicles, except the aircraft which I don't have a joystick to fly so I'm constantly crashing in hilarious ways (like flying a chopper upside-down into the water). You really have to move around and think through your next moves, because that's what the enmy is doing; you will almost never win a toe-to-toe slugfest with an enemy vehicle of the same type, simply because they wil not sit there and do it with you... You have to move, and keep moving! And listen for the lock-on warning that says an enemy has a missile locked onto you! And abandon ship when you hear the "I'm going to blow up and there's nothign you can do about it" alarm! And when you do abandon ship, run like hell to a safe plce, because they'e expecting you to pop out so they can mow you down!!

*takin' a deep breath*

Anyways, it's much more fast paced that BF1942 was (is), which is a nice change of pace, and I'm looking forward to a long, time-wasting, eyeball-scorching, mouse-squealing, keyboard-whacking, good time with this game!

I've considered trying an RPG for the first time; "Planetscape-Torment" has been indicated as a good starter for someone like myself, and the price is right (around $15) so I think I might give it a go as soon as finances free up for it.

... Like the one I'm dealing with at work right now! Deadline Thursday close of business, haven't seen squat from anybody I need to see stuff from, which means I'll be putting in a couple of loooooooooooooooooong days to compensate later this week! Dammit!

I'm so upset I could strangle a manatee in the nude, aaarrrggghh!!

It's pretty groovy having the little "mod" symbol next to your name!

The Firearms Union is dedicated to those of us who enjoy shooting sports, and in most cases so far, shooter-style games. So far 10 members and growing; I'll be trying to post a new bulletin/story/etc. every day, without sticking to any kind of theme unless it's a specific hunting season or the like. The emphasis will be quality, not quantity; being the biggest Union is not necessary, but it should be a fun place for shooters of all kinds to show and share experiences and opinions.

Tally-ho!

I'm currently experiencing a first: keeping track of 4 games at once! A bit mind bending for the uninitiated (like myself) but so far the differences between the games are keeping it interesting.

Going from the all out, adrenaline pumping, edge of my seat action of Doom3, to sneaking about and strangling people in Hitman:Contracts (not on the same night, mind you; I can only take so much) has been a bit of a challenge, but it also gives me an opportunity to compare the games side-by-side. So far, of the current batch, Doom3 takes the cake for getting and keeping my attention, followed by Hitman:Contracts. Halo:Combat Evolved has become a repetitious bore; same thing over and over, which places it last on the list. Enter the Matrix is a third-person perspective game (took some getting used to, let me tell ya!) but it has the novelties of hand-to-hand combat and being able to do those fun Matrix world things, like running along walls and jumping forever.

Next to be tackled will be Battlefield 1942:Anthology, which I'm expecting any day now. I enjoyed the demo, so the full version should be a hoot.

I hope the PC I have will run this game when it's released next year...

Recently recieved a new Alienware PC so I could run some of the better games available; got the machine on Sat 4-16. Initial reaction: Far out! However, note the following: after many, many, many, etc. hours on the phone with tech support, I have had to wait for the following to occur: had the motherboard replaced (waited 12 days); still waiting for a new video card to replace the one that didn't work (should be receiving tomorrow, total wait: 5 days)... The people at Alienware tech support are very nice, seem very knowledgable, and will actually complement you if they detect that you know your way around a PC, but they are all well coached in their customer support scripts and their first priority seems to be the company they work for.

Overall experience with Alienware: PC's are cool looking, but expect a "box of chocolates"; you don't know what you're gonna get.