@ bcyy,

Yes, sorry, I just needed to get something off my chest. I could do with a potion of fortune right now - do you think it would do the trick in getting me married and having a family of my own? No, some fantasies just never come true. Perhaps I should write a gamebook about a protagonist getting married, pretend it's me, live a fantasy? Ah well.

Clive55
Fri Jun 20 17:16:50 2014

We ALL go through that.. just remind yourself of that. Doesn't matter what walk of life, or how green the grass appears from the perspective of those who you might not feel particularly amenable or open to. If nothing else, carry yourself with a quiet assuredness and don't be afraid to flash a small engaging smile when a moment presents itself. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.. doesn't matter if it deals with peers, fans, or affairs of the heart.

I'm Stateside, so whatever event you're attending (which I imagine is right about now), I hope you enjoy yourself! Take from it what you will.

bcyy
Sat Jun 21 10:17:41 2014

@Robert,

To be honest, I'm still not sure what's going on, but it sounds like you're having an existential crisis. You know what they say in grad school - when in an existential crisis, read PHD comics:

http://phdcomics.com/comics/archive_list.php

@All,

There seem to be a lot of recurrent posts lately...

Tammy
Sun Jun 22 04:45:29 2014

@Robert:

keep up the good writing.

Robert Douglas
Sun Jun 22 21:22:40 2014

@ Tammy,

Yes, I will. Writing, reading, history, music, and my walks in the countryside.

Robert Douglas
Fri Jul 4 10:25:54 2014

@ Caracatus,

It was Acres Wild by Jethro Tull from the Heavy Horses album.

dark
Tue Jul 15 19:08:38 2014

This is something that just turned up recently, and something I'm quite pleased about.

A company called Ap endix llc have started producing gamebooks for Iphone. They have begun with the first protius magazine adventure Tower of Terror and I hope they're planning on more.

Crytically however, and unlike Tinman and the attempts to port Steve Jackson's original books to Iphone, the developers of the protius port actually include! full voice over support. This means not only does everyone with an Ios device get speaking text and easily usable buttons, but also the games are entirely accessible to the photonically impared.

The game can be found on the Ap store under "protius tower of terror"

Sadly I can't find the developer's own site (sinse I want to contact them and say thank you), but I am definitely liking the setup. its' absolutely free but a few extra items such as an additional save slot in the form of a bookmark and a get out of death free card can be bought in the ap itself, though of course they're not necessary.

I will confess I've been quite disappointed and somewhat mistified by the fact that Apple include a very usable screen reading program in their operating systemn, nearly all gamebooks are made out of pure text, ---- and yet with the exception of the works Choiceofgames (which are not exactly gamebooks in the traditional sense), nearly everyone has completely buggered things up in terms of access.

I definitely hope tinman and gamebook experience are taking lessons here, and nin the mean time I'm having lots of fun finding sticky ways to meet my doom in the Tower of Terror!

bcyy
Tue Jul 22 01:27:07 2014

Hi all,

Are there any people among us who knows a thing or two about terrestrial magnetic fields? I just got back from a dodgy conference, and there are a few things I'd like to check. Since I don't know anyone in the field in real life, I thought I'd check on this site, which has proven so very resourceful in the past.

Sorry for the interruption of the usual FF talk.

Human Revolution
Tue Jul 22 10:35:50 2014

@ bcyy,

Not sure if there's any physics boffins within the FF community who are familiar with magnetic fields. I do understand that if the Earth's magnetic fields 'flipped' (as they have done in the past on a cycle so many thousands of years apart) it reverses the compass points. Flushing the toilet in one hemisphere, water goes clockwise, the other goes anti-clockwise. If it's scientific research and development on manipulating magnetic fields you're looking for, then DARPA might be of some interest to you - they've got a dozen projects on the go: robotics, holograms, space exploration, etc. Wouldn't be surprised if magnetics was included in their experiments. They have more info on their website. Also, Wikipedia is an excellent online source of knowledge and can point to external sources.

I would say that nearly all topics can relate to FF in some way. In this case, some gamebooks of a sci-fi nature would include 'magnetic fields' (with most authors being brought up on Star Wars, Star Trek, etc) and besides: it's always relevant to discuss educative matters. Children can learn it better if they're enthusiastic, and perhaps learning without even realizing it! Gamebooks are one way to achieve this.

bcyy
Wed Jul 23 02:42:22 2014

Excellent! A reply! Again, it is implied that people who read gamebooks end up having a higher degree of scientific literacy!

@Human Revolution

Indeed, I'm considering geomagnetic reversal, or rather, what happens during the reversal. A couple of researchers at a conference I attended were saying (in their presentation) that, according to their models, a magnetic reversal will occur in the next ~1e4 years, during which there will be a window of ~1e3 years in which the magnetic field strength will be negligible. If this is the case, all megafauna will be roasted alive by the extra radiation making it through earth's weakened defences, and they show a ppt slide of a BBQed turkey to drive home their point. They focus on this quite a bit, possibly using the resulting scare as leverage for funding.

This is not my field, but I'm rather sceptical of their results. According to personal experience, simulations regarding nonlinear magnetic fields tend to be somewhat unreliable in general, so events that occurred in past geomagnetic reversals might be a better indicator of what is going to happen in the next one. The last reversal 7e5 years ago obviously didn't include a 1e3 year radiation window, or else homo erectus would have been wiped out.

However, since the team that made the aforementioned presentation was the only group working on that field at the conference, pointing this out didn't seem like a good idea. It would be nice, though, to have an alternate professional view on this opinion. My friends in astrophysics, atmospheric sciences, and geology didn't have much to say on the matter, so I'm not even sure where to find people who would.

Thanks for the tips regarding internet searches, although I have not been able to find anything on the internet that wasn't covered in the conference thus far.

Robert Douglas
Wed Jul 23 11:31:23 2014

@ bcyy and Human Revolution,

I'm not all that knowledgeable on things scientific, although I do read a lot of Peter F Hamilton. His latest book, 'Great North Road', concerns a planet that has a sun with plenty of sunspot activity. This reversed the tropical climate of St. Libra - reducing it to an arctic ice-ball!

Solar storms (or 'flares') can affect the protective magnetosphere of Earth; this shields us from normal radiation levels, although any such increase in sun activity would override such protection. It's really a precarious 'fine-line' situation: global warming has shown us this, disappearance of the ozone layer, letting in harmful UV rays from our own sun. Ironic - what gives life can also be responsible in ending it. A really powerful solar storm is the basis to the movie 'Knowing' starring Nicolas Cage. Other storms, of much lesser concerns, would certainly interfere with communications, etc.

You've probably already done this, but Geomagnetic Storms can be found on Wikipedia (along with related stubs).

Returning to gamebooks, drastic climate change provided a plot-basis to 'Heart of Ice'. This is really more human in nature (the Gaia is a man-made device after all - even though it developed a self-awareness, just like Skynet from the Terminator movies). The 'end of communications' is also something explored in 'Revolution' (a TV series I think), where a mysterious world-wide blackout occurred and, as society is dependant upon technology of all types, devastated the world order as we know it.

There are many ancient records (Egyptian, Sumerian, etc) of a 'Great Flood' occurring thousands of years ago. This could have been the result of an increase in sunspots or a reversal in the magnetic fields. One historian argued that following a catastrophic event, the remnants of civilization can only focus on surviving, and the stories become 'lost' in history - apart from particular chronicle caches which, in time, are being discovered. In other cases they become folk legends. It's entirely possible for our present day civilization to be completely oblivious to what truly occurred thousands of years ago.

Archaeologists, using modern age techniques, uncovered a crater with the sandy soil crystalized to quartz....a very similar outcome to atomic bombs used on Japan. And, in an excavated settlement containing ancient skeletons (in Indonesia, I think, can't remember the exact location) came up positive with radiation. Recently, a VERY OLD settlement in a desert region was unearthed - with outlandish creatures depicted on its walls. What the-?! It's possible that certain creatures were rendered extinct by a drastic climate change, or even hunted to extinction. Thousands of years from now, ancient textbooks containing pictures of the Dodo (for example) would befuddle and excite scientists - or evolved 'mechas' (I'll let you guess which film that term is from). Sadly, it looks like certain species of tiger and the panda might be added to that list. Or perhaps human science can help clone them?

Many such theories have often been explored by science fiction authors who postulate concept situations and (accidentally or otherwise) raise awareness of such important questions. That's why I have time for such authors. Historical fiction also raises questions, warnings, concerning our human nature and how to improve upon it. But, the simple joy of a ripping yarn, even within dystopias, often gets in the way of our spiritual progress and we miss vital points to our assured existence.

Robert Douglas
Wed Jul 23 12:02:19 2014

@ bcyy,

You're quite right about unaccounted factors and rogue variants where predicting the sun's behaviour is concerned. It's believed it follows a cycle - or cycles within cycles (circles within circles, hee, hee) - but there's always a chance chaotic elements that can be thrown into the mix. Chance. Possibility. Contingency.

I'm also wondering whether detective work can be categorized as a 'science'? To some extent, perhaps - and yet, with human nature thrown into the mix....

bcyy
Thu Jul 24 07:33:27 2014

@Robert Douglas,

Nice to hear from you! How did the social event go?

Robert Douglas
Thu Jul 24 11:05:58 2014

@ bcyy,

The celebration wasn't really all that enjoyable: most of the management were a bit aloof for my liking. I've still got a cousin's wedding to attend in early August. Not my cup of tea, really, too many marriages have ended in messy divorces for my liking. Call me cynical, but you have to admit: a high percentage do end in disaster. Not sure what it's all about, honestly.

And now...what's the betting somebody on here is just about to get married and I've just offended them? No takers.

Robert Douglas
Fri Jul 25 01:44:51 2014

If you go on Youtube and search 'One Game Episode 1 Part 2', then slide to 3:44, you'll find something prophetic about the future of games (in relation to 1988 when this cult series was broadcast; around that time it would have been about halfway through the FF series). Nicholas Thorn's opinion is that the 'future' of gaming would be a combination of both computers and games involving a number of people. The internet was established a few years later, finally culminating into multiplayer games such as Counter-Strike. What do you think?

Robert Douglas
Fri Sep 5 00:40:34 2014

@ bcyy,

In my opinion Alexander the Great was one of history's truly exceptional people. Although that's not to say he was entirely without fault - even Napoleon had personality flaws, one of which being his rich diet that in the long run affected his health and thus caused his absence from the battlefield, in particular Waterloo. I often wonder what the result might have been if he'd commanded the French at even 80% of his capability. But I think he was operating at about 60%. Another would have been his harsh demands made upon conquered nations - so much so that for example, despite Austria's terrible defeats, she declared war on Napoleon again and again. Alexander suffered from the same hot-headedness for which Richard the Lionheart is also famous; brave in battle, inspiring his troops by example, yet also putting himself in danger. Another of Alexander's faults was his inability to stop and consolidate following collapse of the Persian foe. He went on and on, first leading his war-weary troops into India, before preparations of building a fleet to take on Arabia and Carthage. The latter threat never materialised, however, as he died from fever before such plans came to fruition. Ironically, it was (during this period) that a fledgling city-state would go on to ultimately crush Carthage - including Greece, Macedonia, etc - dominate the Mediterranean, conquering much of Europe, all contained within a vast Empire.

Rome Total War has triarii although in the first title (released 2005) the gameplay has them as ordinary spearmen, yet Rome 2 has them adopt a more loose-phalanx style. The phalanx (Greek or otherwise) was a superb tactic against enemy cavalry and lesser troops, but not infallible: its weakness being too slow to turn and face a new threat and that it couldn't survive onslaught from all sides. As you pointed out, pinning it down and out-flanking was often the best way to defeat a phalanx.

I've often wondered about Salamis. My knowledge of the engagement is severely limited, although perhaps it was a sort of naval 'Azincourt' of the ancient world? A victory so incredible that, by rights, it shouldn't have happened. And yet, sometimes such seemingly impossible victories do occur throughout history - albeit rarely. You made a good point about the Persians lacking the strategic imagination in how to use and deploy the potential in their mighty fleet: a powerful tool in a child's hands. Also, their tradition in having the king or commander as a vital centre to the army proved archaic, certainly backwards.

It wasn't just Alexander's military prowess responsible for his triumph over the Persian Empire, but also a keen sense of diplomacy and magnamity. The Egyptians, for example, had a long, proud history, thus never willing subjects of the relatively new empire and saw Alexander as a liberator from such thrall. Of course, he identified this goodwill immediately and was careful not to lose any advantage he gained from it. He also recruited and trained former Persian soldiers/citizens into his phalanxes, thus cementing a newfound respect from a former enemy and replenishing his troop numbers lost in previous battles. He even expressed deep desires to blend both Hellenic and Persian cultures to help prevent 'bad blood' in the future - although whether this dream was ultimately successful I'm not certain. Most of his generals and men, who regarded the conquered people as inferior subjects, certainly voiced heated disagreements.

As regards scorched-earth policy: it may be possible one or some clever minds amongst the Persian military may have visualized such a concept, yet either shouted down or too even afraid to contradict the status quo. It's something we'll never know...

"'Sundial Corner' is brought to you by Balazar's Portmanteau of Port Blacksand. Prefer magic to steel? In need of a potion or two? Like to indulge in the art of alchemy? Or even the dark depths of necromancy? Well, look no further than Balazar's superbly vast range of spells and ingredients! There's something to suit all wizard styles and purposes. Respected independent trader established for over twenty years, located on Needle Street, Port Blacksand. Recommended by Lord Azzur's personal arch-mage! Browsers encouraged! Why not pay us a visit, today? (We maintain a no-refunds policy)."

Clive55
Tue Oct 14 04:25:52 2014

The one thing I really love about this comment section is the clear intelligence of many of the posters. I don't always comment, as my chiming in with comments that really aren't pertinent would muddy it up. This is that rare occasion however... just to let some of you know that your comments are read and smiled or reflected upon... no matter where the winds blow them.

Bon soir, everyone who contributes or appreciates this style of diversion.

A.E. Johnston
Fri Oct 24 07:43:12 2014

Just checked in after a few months, and saw there are a couple more gamebooks that have been uploaded. Look forward to checking them out!

Phil Sadler
Mon Oct 27 13:47:00 2014

Does anyone remember the supposed 'sequel' to House of Hell from Yahoo a few years ago? It was called 'The 'Cure'. I'm having trouble with my Yahoo account so I can't check right now.

A.E.Johnston
Sat Nov 1 09:53:37 2014

Richard Evans did a great job with "A Shadow In the North", a great gamebook which reminded me of the fun and enjoyment I had when reading the "Diamond Key".

1041 to 1060 of 1584 | [next] [previous] | [first] [last]