What Made you Smile/What Ticked you off Today?

[Luke]

Frown: My buddy Pringles somehow ended up somewhere near Raleigh (about a two hour drive to), needs me to pick him up, but only knows "I'm somewhere near Raleigh...I think".

The wild goose hunt begins, and unfortunately it will be during my favorite day to relax. Oh well, at least I know my friends know they can always count on me.

[Retrodude]

Are there any companies you do like?

As far as tech companies go, not really. I have no interest in using a smart phone and the only reason I would buy a tablet is so I can read digital comics without having to sit in front of the computer. I'm glad the attitude of "you're not cool unless you upgrade" is starting to die off a little, but for awhile there, it was extremely frustrating to be surrounded by it everywhere I went. I always tell people I'm going into the future kicking and screaming. I just don't see the point of buying all these gadgets to do things that my laptop does just as well.

That said, I'm still waiting for the tech companies to make virtual reality available to consumers (right now it's primarily used for military training). I could see using that for educational and recreational purposes like a tour of The Louvre or a trip to Mars. I don't expect that to happen anytime soon, though.

[Ack]

Are there any companies you do like?

As far as tech companies go, not really. I have no interest in using a smart phone and the only reason I would buy a tablet is so I can read digital comics without having to sit in front of the computer. I'm glad the attitude of "you're not cool unless you upgrade" is starting to die off a little, but for awhile there, it was extremely frustrating to be surrounded by it everywhere I went. I always tell people I'm going into the future kicking and screaming. I just don't see the point of buying all these gadgets to do things that my laptop does just as well.

That said, I'm still waiting for the tech companies to make virtual reality available to consumers (right now it's primarily used for military training). I could see using that for educational and recreational purposes like a tour of The Louvre or a trip to Mars. I don't expect that to happen anytime soon, though.

Actually, I would recommend a smart phone, if only because of the easy Internet access they provide. I use mine to check my collection when I am out and about, look up game prices, etc. It's been a useful tool, though I do miss my cellphone that had an LED flashlight in it at times.

And virtual reality is coming, albeit slowly. It's expensive, which is why it gets geared towards military more than anything. They have the money to spend on it and the people willing to test it to see if it helps train individuals for life or death situations. That said, some of the companies that create those simulators have also developed some for the civilian market. The ARMA series is an example of that, and if you've got the money, you can buy a set of their military-grade simulators...though it does cost about $40k.

[BoneSnapDeez]

Are there any companies you do like?

As far as tech companies go, not really. I have no interest in using a smart phone and the only reason I would buy a tablet is so I can read digital comics without having to sit in front of the computer. I'm glad the attitude of "you're not cool unless you upgrade" is starting to die off a little, but for awhile there, it was extremely frustrating to be surrounded by it everywhere I went. I always tell people I'm going into the future kicking and screaming. I just don't see the point of buying all these gadgets to do things that my laptop does just as well.

That said, I'm still waiting for the tech companies to make virtual reality available to consumers (right now it's primarily used for military training). I could see using that for educational and recreational purposes like a tour of The Louvre or a trip to Mars. I don't expect that to happen anytime soon, though.

Actually, I would recommend a smart phone, if only because of the easy Internet access they provide. I use mine to check my collection when I am out and about, look up game prices, etc. It's been a useful tool, though I do miss my cellphone that had an LED flashlight in it at times.

I don't have a smart phone. Before going to PAX East I figured that I should print out a spreadsheet of my collection and bring it with me to avoid buying duplicates (this is really easy to do, especially if you collect for the Atari 2600, Tandy, and other old consoles where games have really generic titles). I did a print preview and almost crapped my pants. Decided I would just have to rely on memory.

Anyway, I did end up buying a duplicate. Sort of. I got King of Fighters R-2 for the NGPC. When I got home I realized that I already owned it. But a few minutes later I figured out the copy I had picked up at PAX was the PAL version, so it is technically a "different game."

I am going to start bringing a list of Atari games I own every time I go to the record store (only local place that sells 'em) from now on though.

[Fragems]

Anyway, I did end up buying a duplicate. Sort of. I got King of Fighters R-2 for the NGPC. When I got home I realized that I already owned it. But a few minutes later I figured out the copy I had picked up at PAX was the PAL version, so it is technically a "different game."

I am going to start bringing a list of Atari games I own every time I go to the record store (only local place that sells 'em) from now on though.

Embrace the variants lol. That is one thing I love about the Atari 2600 is there are so many cart variants.

[prfsnl_gmr]

I am going to start bringing a list of Atari games I own every time I go to the record store (only local place that sells 'em) from now on though.

They don't have them at the Exchange any more?

[BoneSnapDeez]

I am going to start bringing a list of Atari games I own every time I go to the record store (only local place that sells 'em) from now on though.

They don't have them at the Exchange any more?

Wait... did they ever? I have never seen Atari games on sale there, nor have I ever seen Master System games, Intellivision games, or anything else "obscure" for that matter. Their entire stock is comprised of Nintendo, Sega, Microsoft, and Sony console/handheld titles.

They did have Virtual Boy and TurboGrafx-16 stuff once time. I bought most of it.

[KitKatCara]

Going to the gym for the first time today, kinda nervous. Never been to one before.

Be sure to have fun and don't try to do too much on your first day. Since you have never been before, you may want to ask someone to show you around a bit and teach you how to use some of the equipment. Once you find something you like, stick with it. That is the important part.

The personal trainer was useless. He kept asking me the same questions in different forms, and didn't really listen to what I said. He also only showed me part of the gym, and just started telling me to do the workouts. When I asked for an explanation he just acted like I was wasting his time. I ended up just reading the stickers on the equipment before working out. I have a friend who is a personal trainer, so I'm talking to her about my fitness goals and such. Funny how she and you have been far more helpful on the internet through text than this guy in person.

[irixith]

The personal trainer was useless. He kept asking me the same questions in different forms, and didn't really listen to what I said. He also only showed me part of the gym, and just started telling me to do the workouts. When I asked for an explanation he just acted like I was wasting his time. I ended up just reading the stickers on the equipment before working out. I have a friend who is a personal trainer, so I'm talking to her about my fitness goals and such. Funny how she and you have been far more helpful on the internet through text than this guy in person.

The vast majority of "personal trainers" are useless. Most of them are in an easy job that they use to slide through their first 1-3 years of school. They think they know everything, but few of them have any practical knowledge they can use to actually help a particular person with their fitness goals.

One of the biggest scams around, I'm glad you found out before actually putting money in their pocket.

[prfsnl_gmr]

The personal trainer was useless. He kept asking me the same questions in different forms, and didn't really listen to what I said. He also only showed me part of the gym, and just started telling me to do the workouts. When I asked for an explanation he just acted like I was wasting his time. I ended up just reading the stickers on the equipment before working out. I have a friend who is a personal trainer, so I'm talking to her about my fitness goals and such. Funny how she and you have been far more helpful on the internet through text than this guy in person.

The vast majority of "personal trainers" are useless. Most of them are in an easy job that they use to slide through their first 1-3 years of school. They think they know everything, but few of them have any practical knowledge they can use to actually help a particular person with their fitness goals.

One of the biggest scams around, I'm glad you found out before actually putting money in their pocket.

I agree. The quality of PTs varies wildly. In general, you should seek out the older ones who are making a career out of it than the kids who are just getting paid to hang out in the gym. Regardless, you should "shop around" until you find someone you like. Good luck!