Erkki

Thanks!

I only plan to do stereo for starters, maybe with this amp (it's a bit expensive but seems to be the only good-looking one). Or if I figure out how to easily get speaker wires everywhere, I might go with a Marantz.

Hmm... since the plan is to put a separate amp with speakers at the screen-wall, maybe I should not get a full AV receiver, but just a simple switcher? For example, this 4xHDMI switcher has digital coaxial audio output, which I assume is the kind I can run through the RG6 cable to the amp. And this is much cheaper than an AV receiver... Of course I would then miss features like AirPlay, but maybe I'll get an Apple TV as well... [edit]Actually I ordered the 4xHDMI switcher with coax audio out. It will only do stereo because by projector will report that it only supports stereo. But my speakers will also be only stereo. Also it doesn't have CEC. There was another model that had that and a bit more, but they couldn't ship it to Estonia. Anyway, it is so cheap compared to the receivers that I could buy it just to try something out... and I had just enough amazon gift cards lying around.

I think I found a more sensible one (5.1 but I'll probably use only 2.1 anyway): Edit: I like this one (it's one of the Marantz slim ones and supports AirPlay), but unfortunately it only has pre-amplified L/R/Sub out. How do I run these three channels through a single RG6 coaxial cable? (this is my current plan -- reusing existing cables as I can't seem to pull a new one)

AV Receivers are crazy products, I mean WTF is this shit?

I'm thinking about cables now, and am trying to find a way to reconsider where to put my devices: 1) I want to avoid routing new cables in walls/ceilings, except for the ones going to the projector. 2) Below the wall with the screen would be a somewhat natural place for devices: it has power plugs, 2 ethernet ports and an antenna port (RG59 or RG6 or something). However, getting the HDMI from there to the projector is a problem. 3) My previous plan was to put the devices next to the couch. From there I can more easily get a cable up to the projector (through a wall), but I will have to install some new plugs in the wall. The new plan I'm thinking of is to put the devices in 2) (under screen), but somehow get a HDMI signal from there to the projector. The Cat5/e and RG59 cables go from there to the right place, so maybe I could pull a HDMI cable along them (I doubt it). I looked at some info on HDMI <- cat5e -> HDMI adapters, but some are saying they aren't any good. Now I discovered something called HDBaseT, though, which seems to be more complex than just putting the HDMI signal through the Cat5e cable, but it does go through Cat5e. Anyone heard much about that? I'm also thinking that maybe I'll just get stereo speakers initially, and if I go with this new plan I should easily be able to connect them. [edit]then again putting devices including AV receiver next to the couch has the advantage that if I want to (even temporarily) use some wired input device, the wire will be connected close to the couch. In that case maybe I could run only audio through the existing Cat5e cable?

Would something like this one http://www.zotacusa.com/specsheet/ZBOX-ID36BR3D-U.pdf be good enough for streaming and perhaps 2d games?

Thanks for the info on MATE and Cinnamon. I actually like part of Unity though, but not that it makes some apps (like a custom install of Eclipse) have NO menus. After switching to built-in Eclipse my rage against it died a little.

Man, I hope Steam OS will be less than a year away. Can't wait that long. Yesterday after upgrading Ubuntu I'm really starting to hate linux again. It's becoming the worst OS for running software other than what is provided by official packages, mainly for the fucked up menu system. I have heard good things about Linux Mint, but on their home page they describe different versions with words that mean nothing to me. I know I don't want KDE, but what the other versions are, I have no idea. Linux on the desktop has become a fucking joke again when Ubuntu went crazy.

As I remember there was a setting to play the game with all lights turned on from the starts, for those who worry that the game will scare them.

Ok, so now I have a projector, it's great so far (but haven't been using it much as the temporary setup is not the most comfortable). I haven't decided on what kind of screen to get -- size will be 92" or more and perhaps I will build it myself. I'm thinking about a home theater PC (or what do you call those?) next. I eventually want it to become a Steam Box, probably not powerful enough to run the latest games by itself, but would be nice if it could run *some* games itself. Quietness is probably more important than running games, and smaller size is better. Any advice? Should I buy a ready made computer or build it myself? Should I wait for more info on Steam Boxes or even wait till Steam OS is out? Anyone has some speaker advice? I've never had more than stereo speakers before.

Who wants Blocks That Matter on Steam?

I wish there was an easier way to get rid of the docking ships and derelicts that show up. I don't want my people going there instead of the main base, so I demolish them (I want to manage a smaller base). Yet at some points I spend all my effort just on demolishing things! And that usually leaves some debris, especially doors that can't always be demolished. Also just got most of my population killed by raiders, and then all equipment started failing soon, including air lock doors. Yikes!

Actually I just continued an earlier base and seems some interesting things do happen in old bases. For some reason there was an oxygen shortage in one ship that had docked with me, and somewhy ten people ran to its airlock and died, instead of running into the main base, where there was lots of oxygen. I could not find out what happened, though, so this game should really have a general log or something, to figure out what happened when you missed it. I'm now trying to learn how to demolish derelicts and docked ships without accidentally leaving anyone in the destroyed structure. [edit] I guess it was because i had built a new bar in the pub of the docked ship. However, the ship had only one oxygen recycler, which probably didn't support the pub full of people. How come the oxygen from the main base didn't get there through the dock, though?

I didn't read the devplan page fully, but as soon as I read the bit about garden zones, this thought popped into my head: What would make the current version more interesting is probably if it procedurally generated stuff that the player doesn't directly place e.g. plants growing according to some procedural/randomized algorithm in garden zones, not plants placed by players. I mean that you shouldn't even get to place this or that exact seed (if there are different plants). Maybe you would only control which areas are walkable and which contain soil. This kind of procedural thing might provide some more emergence, but if mostly everything is player placed, it's just too much following a plan, IMHO, and that's why the current version seems to get a bit boring after a few playthroughs. Don't know how this compares to Dwarf Fortress. On the other hand, configuring policies for placing fire extinguishers or something would probably be more boring than placing them yourself. Anyway, these are just random thoughts, I'm sure a lot of emergent stuff will eventually happen with mostly player-placed stuff as well.

Oxygen? PS I've built a few bases now and the game shows a lot of promise. Much more interesting than what it seemed from Amnesia Fortnight. Currently it gets a bit boring after a while, but I expect they will add tons of interesting stuff.

The UI is cool, but there are two things I don't like so far: * The selection of base location: the parameters don't seem to have much to do with what's on the image? I end up doing minutes of pixel-hunting for the spot with the parameters I want. Also scrolling the mouse wheel is equal to left/right click. * The 'C' key is usually "Confirm", except in the beacon menu where it is "Clear beacon".

Wow, I was a few months behind with this thread and catching up took almost a whole day. Most of the confusion seemed to be over a simple question: whether being a feminist means joining a cult or whether it's just a position. Until it turned out that actually it was about feminists not caring about the horrible oppression imposed on men, such as having to play more games of tennis than women would to win a tournament.

I remember Deirdra Kiai from a really long time ago from the SCRAMM forums, which was one of the first communities on the Internet for me. I've loved her work so far, should play this too.

Not sure how much I agree or disagree with Ian Bogost, but I found that he explained his perspective very clearly and it was a well-written gc2 and enjoyable to read.

Seconded! Really awesome interview!

Finally started playing this after buying it when it was on sale. It's more boring than I thought. It's basically BioShock 1 except the atmosphere is perhaps even more awesome. I hate it that the game is basically designed to be a linear ride, but occasionally "key+lock" and "I finally have enough lockpicks" situations make me go back a long way to get at safe's contents and then back again. I hate that I have to keep shooting guys that much. There's nothing* new in the gameplay, and it's all very Video gamey. But I somehow keep playing... maybe in hopes that it won't be much longer (I hope below 20 hours?). It's not a bad game, but probably the most boring** thing an AAA studio could come up with. [edit] * ok there's rifts and skylines, but these are a minor thing. and of course Elisabeth, but the core gameplay is still much the same, now you just have to run around less to get ammo and stuff. I guess I'm just pissed because I hoped it would be better or at least have less shooting. I'm also finding the plot really boring. ** ok, Rage was probably more boring

This is pretty good. I want to check out that book.

Gravity was awesome visually, and a thrilling ride! Not perfect, but likely the best movie I've seen recently. I regret not seeing it in IMAX, but I think we don't even have that in Tallinn (I think there will be one soon).

Some barebones website is up now, but why the hell don't they have an "official" torrent link on there...? Thanks for the link, Tubbs