Shared posts

13 Nov 18:48

18 hours, $33K, and 156,314 cores: Amazon cloud HPC hits a “petaflop”

by Jon Brodkin
One point twenty-one petaflops?!
Universal Pictures

What do you do if you need more than 150,000 CPU cores but don't have millions of dollars to spend on a supercomputer? Go to the Amazon cloud, of course.

For the past few years, HPC software company Cycle Computing has been helping researchers harness the power of Amazon Web Services when they need serious computing power for short bursts of time. The company has completed its biggest Amazon cloud run yet, creating a cluster that ran for 18 hours, hitting 156,314 cores at its largest point and a theoretical peak speed of 1.21 petaflops. (A petaflop is one quadrillion floating point operations per second, or a million billion.)

To get all those cores, Cycle's cluster ran simultaneously in Amazon data centers across the world, in Virginia, Oregon, Northern California, Ireland, Singapore, Tokyo, Sydney, and São Paulo. The bill from Amazon ended up being $33,000.

Read 14 remaining paragraphs | Comments


    






13 Nov 18:48

Chrome will now save its users from unexpectedly noisy browser tabs

by Casey Johnston

Google bestowed a simple and incredibly genius gift upon its Chrome users on Tuesday: when a tab contains an element that is making noise, the browser will pop up an indicator showing where that noise is coming from.

It’s not giving the Internet too much credit to say that it’s normally a pretty user-friendly place. But the grand exception is any Internet nugget that makes sound, especially when you aren’t expecting it, in the middle of a public place. Your blood pressure spikes, your face turns red, and your fingers become clumsy as you scramble to find and kill the tab that betrayed you.

It’s stunning that it took someone so long to come up with a good solution—unexpected noises are only slightly less unpleasant than not being able to figure out where they are coming from. Previously, my less-than-optimal solution was nixing a setting that allows video content to auto-play in Chrome.

Read 2 remaining paragraphs | Comments


    






10 Nov 06:06

November 08, 2013


Emails yelling at me will commence in 3... 2... 1...
10 Nov 06:05

Microsoft’s anime Internet Explorer 11 promo is really rather weird

by Peter Bright
Warren.Smith

What the hell microsoft

I'm not going to even begin to pretend I understand this promotion that Microsoft is using for Internet Explorer 11. The browser is personified as Inori Aizawa. She starts off all downbeat and sad. But then she kicks robot ass.

Inori Aizawa in action.

I like the music.

The video was created by Microsoft Singapore and shown at the 2013 Anime Festival Asia. There's a special version of Internet Explorer 11 that you can now download, but as far as we can tell, the only thing special about it is that it sets your homepage to a page with anime news and some Inori Aizawa pictures. You can also grab the pictures off SkyDrive if you want.

Read on Ars Technica | Comments


    






08 Nov 15:48

Community puzzles out first Wildstar vehicle: Hoverboards

by MJ Guthrie

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Trailers, Video, Game Mechanics, New Titles, News Items, WildStar, Subscription

Community puzzles out first Wildstar vehicle  Hoverboards
MMO fans are always eager for more news about their favorite games, and Carbine Studios obliged with a new WildStar DevSpeak video this week focusing on the Warrior. But there was more to this video than just a class highlight; embedded in the clip were clues to even more news. However, to get this tidbit of hidden news, players would have to work for it.

The community jumped on the task and soon puzzled out the solution, leading them to the discovery of a new mount: the hoverboard. Check out the visual reward for the community's investigative labors in the video below -- unless you want to figure it all out for yourself!

[Thanks to Exes for the tip!]

Continue reading Community puzzles out first Wildstar vehicle: Hoverboards

MassivelyCommunity puzzles out first Wildstar vehicle: Hoverboards originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 Nov 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

07 Nov 13:03

Release: Dust: An Elysian Tail

Warren.Smith

This looks pretty cool. Might snag it and try it out.

An enchanting, dangerous journey.

Dust: An Elysian Tail, a beautifully animated side-scrolling platformer with dynamic fights and RPG elements, is available 50% off on GOG.com. That's only $7.49 for the first week!

As the mysterious warrior, Dust, your action-packed journey will take you from peaceful glades to snowy mountaintops and beyond. At your disposal is the mythical sword, capable of turning its wielder into an unstoppable force of nature, and the blade's diminutive guardian, always ready to give you advice--wanted or not. Battle dozens of enemies at once with an easy-to-learn, difficult-to-master combat system, take on a variety of quests from friendly villagers, discover ancient secrets and powerful upgrades hidden throughout the massive, open world, and uncover the story of an ancient civilization on the brink of extinction as you fight to uncover your own past.

Run, jump, hack, and slash in Dust: An Elysian Tail, a dynamic action-platformer with RPG elements, beautiful landscapes, tons of original enemies, full XInput controller support, great animation, and a cast of sympathetic characters. As Dust, the furry protagonist of the story, you will wield the talking sword known as the Blade of Ahrah and take on many strange creatures of darkness that have been menacing your world. With the help of magic-wielding Fidget, the sprite guardian of the sword, and an occasional piece of advice from the snarky blade itself, you will follow your destiny and make your way through a vast, fantastic, colorful world that won't soon forget, even after Dust's story is over.

With traditional animation techniques and full 1080p resolution, this might be one of the most enchanting games ever to grace your screen. Let the adventure begin, get Dust: An Elysian Tail, for only $7.49 on GOG.com. The 50% off release discount offer lasts until Thursday, November 14, at 10:59AM GMT.

07 Nov 03:13

Hyper Light Drifter's combat encourages cunning and grace

by David Hinkle

Hyper Light Drifter, the Zelda-like 2D RPG from Heart Machine, offers up a pre-alpha demonstration of its combat mechanics. Not only do we get a taste of gun-and-swordplay, but we're also given a look at some special abilities and the dodge mechanic that appears to be so invaluable when dealing with crowds of enemies.

Originally pitched as a blend between The Legend of Zelda and Diablo, Hyper Light Drifter made its debut on Kickstarter and secured over $645,000 in funds. The game is coming to PC, Mac and Linux, in addition to PS4 and PS Vita. There is also an ongoing Steam Greenlight campaign for Hyper Light Drifter, in case you feel like tossing a vote its way.

JoystiqHyper Light Drifter's combat encourages cunning and grace originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Nov 2013 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments
06 Nov 22:15

WildStar shows off the Warrior in its newest DevSpeak

by Eliot Lefebvre
Warriors don't look at explosions.
In every game, there has to be at least one class that focuses entirely upon hitting something really hard until it stops moving, then hitting it a few more times. That's WildStar's Warrior at a glance. And no, there's really not a whole lot more to the class than that; what you see is what you get. But what you see is also a monstrously powerful technological hitting machine in heavy armor with a power sword, arm cannon, and the strength to just kick things into place when needed.

No, the Warrior doesn't master magic or the like. The Warrior just has a versatile toolbox, and several tools that are very good at allowing the Warrior to survive a beating before delivering one of his own. Don't take our word for it -- check out the newest DevSpeak video past the break and watch the Warrior do his thing. It's all just smashing stuff, but it's smashing with panache.

[Source: Carbine Studios press release]

Continue reading WildStar shows off the Warrior in its newest DevSpeak

Filed under: Betas, Sci-Fi, Trailers, Video, Classes, Previews, News Items, WildStar, Subscription, Buy-to-Play

WildStar shows off the Warrior in its newest DevSpeak originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 06 Nov 2013 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

06 Nov 16:28

Classic Gem Promo: Jade Empire: Special Edition

The Way of the Jade Dragon.

Jade Empire: Special Edition, BioWare's role-playing epic set in the colorful realm inspired by legends of the Orient, is available 60% off on GOG.com. That's only $5.99 for the next 24 hours!

Live a life of great adventure among the legends of the Orient in a fantastic role-playing game from BioWare. The game's original setting and great story make this title an unbeatable pick for every RPG fan. With many time-proven ideas and lots of fresh twists, this title is as enjoyable to play as it is charming to behold. Featuring a great selection of quests firmly rooted in the myths and legends of the Far East, as well as many memorable characters you'll surely grow fond of through your adventures, this title has the best elements of all of your favorite RPGs. Breathe in the atmosphere of the Orient and start your heroic quest today!

Jade Empire: Special Edition opens the land of kung fu legends before you and lets you immerse yourself in the fantastic version of the Orient. In this RPG classic brought to you by people who gave us RPG gaming monuments like Baldur's Gate and Neverwinter Nights, comes an epic tale of courage, power, honor, and betrayal set in one of the most colorful and suggestive gameworlds ever created. Master one of the unique fighting styles and train your own disciples who will rise to power along your side. Choose your own path and become a hero or a villain in your very own martial arts legend. This is the extended Special Edition of the game and it even comes bundled with an MP3 soundtrack. Don't miss this fantastic opportunity for epic adventure!

Become the hero of your very own epic tale of far east in Jade Empire: Special Edition for only $5.99 on GOG.com. The 60% discount offer will last until Tuesday, November 5, at 10:59AM GMT.

06 Nov 16:22

Just six people got insurance through HealthCare.gov on day one

by Sean Gallagher
Warren.Smith

All hail the IntelliLink system.

HealthCare.gov, as it looked to the few who saw it on the first day of operation.

We now know how many people were able to get through the bugs in HealthCare.gov the first day and register for insurance: six. That's according to meeting notes from a "war room" meeting on the afternoon of October 2 at the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance (CCII), the organization inside the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) responsible for oversight of the Affordable Care Act insurance program.

The notes, which were released October 31 by Republican members of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, detail the woes the site experienced on its first day. The six lucky people who scored insurance on day one managed to succeed because their unique circumstances didn’t run into a fine sieve of feature problems that blocked most who tried from getting through the front door and derailed others quickly afterward.

The litany of woes detailed in the meeting:

Read 1 remaining paragraphs | Comments


    






28 Oct 15:06

Final Fantasy VI Original Soundtrack Remaster Version

by dancey

-Album Details-

cd

Title: Final Fantasy VI Original Soundtrack Remaster Version
Publisher: Square Enix
Catalog Number: SQEX-10387~9
Release Date: September 4th, 2013
Ripped by: dancey

-Info-

Remastered soundtrack to Final Fantasy VI. Like FFV, this one doesn’t contain any new looping (to my knowledge).

Purchase Link(s)

CDJapan
Play Asia

25 Oct 00:57

Empire Strikes Back cowriter joins Abrams on Star Wars: Episode VII script

by Nathan Mattise

Lawrence Kasdan—a Lucasfilm veteran who wrote or cowrote scripts and screenplays for Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi—is now cowriting the script for Star Wars: Episode VII alongside JJ Abrams. Commenting on the switch at StarWars.com, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy praised Kasdan by saying "there are very few people who fundamentally understand the way a Star Wars story works like Larry."

Today's news means Michael Arndt, the original writer slated to handle Episode VII, is no longer involved. Arndt boasted an award-winning background that included Little Miss Sunshine and Toy Story 3, but his resume did not contain the intimate Lucasfilm knowledge of Kasdan. "Michael Arndt has done a terrific job bringing us to this point, and we have an amazing filmmaking and design team in place already prepping for production," Kennedy noted.

In addition to the staffing news, today's announcements updated the current status of Episode VII. Preliminary work such as location scouting, production design, casting, and costume design is all underway. The staff list involved in those aspects of the film reads like a modern sci-fi dream, with a director of photography who worked on both modern Star Trek films and a special effects supervisor with Skyfall, Dark Knight Rises, and Inception in his resume. According to the site, shooting for Episode VII is set to begin in Spring 2014 with a goal of releasing the film in 2015.

Read 1 remaining paragraphs | Comments


    






23 Oct 18:27

Path of Exile launch-day roundup

by MJ Guthrie

Filed under: Fantasy, Launches, New Titles, News Items, Free-to-Play, Path of Exile

Path of Exile launchday roundup
With a patch as big as today's, you have to wonder what Path of Exile has in store for players after launch. And starting now, you can find out. Today the free-to-play action MMO breaks from the bonds of beta and bursts into land of launched titles. But if you think that launch for Path of Exile is just an exercise in switching labels, think again. Two new four-month challenge leagues will offer new and old players alike a fresh start alongside the launch; players can join the Domination league with the new shrine system or the hardcore league Nemesis, where death means converting to a standard character.

Whether you've been climbing those league ladders all the while or you're jumping in to experience the game for the first time, there's plenty of content to keep you occupied. If you need something to pass the time until you can log in this launch day or you want to get a leg up on the competition, check out this collection of updates, interviews, and hands-on experiences.

Continue reading Path of Exile launch-day roundup

MassivelyPath of Exile launch-day roundup originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 Oct 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

    23 Oct 02:28

    Here's an eight-minute look at Final Fantasy XIV's housing

    by Jef Reahard

    Filed under: Fantasy, Game Mechanics, MMO Industry, News Items, PvE, Final Fantasy XIV, Housing, Subscription

    ff14 housing vid
    Who wants to know about Final Fantasy XIV's upcoming player housing system? I see a bunch of raised hands, and luckily for all ya'll, MMO Culture has a pretty enlightening video on the subject. The thing is eight minutes long, in fact, and it shows everything from housing styles and house placement to exterior modifications and yard clutter.

    Strangely there's no interior footage, but with any luck we'll see some of that in short order. Click past the cut for the full clip.

    Continue reading Here's an eight-minute look at Final Fantasy XIV's housing

    MassivelyHere's an eight-minute look at Final Fantasy XIV's housing originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 Oct 2013 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

    Permalink | Email this | Comments

    23 Oct 02:26

    OC ReMix Presents Bionic Commando ReMixed: OK, We'll Groove!

    by Liontamer

    OC ReMix Presents Bionic Commando ReMixed: OK, We'll Groove!

    October 22, 2013
    Contact: press@ocremix.org

    FAIRFAX, VA...OverClocked ReMix today released its 44th arrangement album, Bionic Commando ReMixed: OK, We'll Groove. The album features 12 artists producing 12 arrangements in a variety of styles based on Capcom's 8-bit grappling hook platformer Bionic Commando, released in 1988 for the NES with music composed by Harumi Fujita and Junko Tamiya.

    OK, We'll Groove is available for free download at http://bionic.ocremix.org. This album was produced to help promote the music of Bionic Commando, was made by fans, for fans, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Capcom; all original compositions are copyright their respective owners.

    "I stepped in to help finish the album on October 31st, 2012, when it was announced that the project may face cancellation. I did NOT want that to happen!" said Brandon Strader, who coordinated the album towards its conclusion. "I hope you will find, like I did, that the music created by these talented and dedicated individuals was worth fighting hard for. The love for this great game felt by these artists is admirable, and has created a memorable album. We hope you enjoy it!"

    OK, We'll Groove is OC ReMix's third album organized by Brandon Strader. Strader is currently directing albums honoring the NES installments of Final Fantasy II and III, directorial sequels to his 2012 album, Final Fantasy: Random Encounter.

    About OverClocked ReMix

    Founded in 1999, OverClocked ReMix is an organization dedicated to the appreciation and promotion of video game music as an art form. Its primary focus is ocremix.org, a website featuring thousands of free fan arrangements, information on game music and composers, resources for aspiring artists, and a thriving community of video game music fans.

    ###
    14 Oct 14:22

    180: The one about Event Horizon

    by Scott

    funny-face-morph

    Welcome to episode 180. Today, we talk about Event Horizon.

    A rescue crew investigates a spaceship that disappeared into a black hole and has now returned…with someone or something new on-board.

    Join Scott, Randy, Brian and Ibbott as they run down a needlessly long connecting space hallway.

    http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/115219150-scott-johnson-27-filmsack-event-horizon.mp3

    - Direct MP3 Download
    - iTunes Link
    - RSS Feed

    Tweet

    Big thanks to ShutterStock for sponsoring the show. Special thanks to Audible.com this week for sponsoring the show. As usual, a HUGE thanks to Scott Fletcher, the official announcer of Film Sack Central. Hey! Why not leave us a nice review on iTunes if you like the show?

    Up next? Follow us on twitter to find out!

    14 Oct 04:20

    MMO Week in Review: SWTOR's off-rails flight, sorta

    by Brianna Royce

    Filed under: Massively Meta, Week in Review, Miscellaneous

    SWTOR
    At the end of every week, we round up the best and most popular news stories, exclusive features, and insightful columns published on Massively and then present them all in one convenient place. If you missed a big MMO or WoW Insider story last week, you've come to the right post.

    Joke about the "Tortanic" all you want, but Star Wars: The Old Republic is not dead. In fact, it's getting an expansion in December that at first blush seems to be courting those players who once lamented the game's out-of-place-in-a-Star-Wars-game on-rails space flight. The catch? Galactic Starfighter consists primarily of PvP content in a game remarkable chiefly for its PvE story.

    Read on for a look at the rest of this week's top MMO stories.

    Continue reading MMO Week in Review: SWTOR's off-rails flight, sorta

    MassivelyMMO Week in Review: SWTOR's off-rails flight, sorta originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 13 Oct 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

    Permalink | Email this | Comments

      10 Oct 22:37

      Release: Surgeon Simulator 2013

      Scrub in!

      Surgeon Simulator 2013, an over-the-top operation sim game full of dark humor, cartoonish gore, and twisted ideas, is available 50% off on GOG.com. That's only $4.99 for the first week.

      Mr. Smith, let me explain the procedure in laymans terms. The X-Rays clearly show a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette-shaped mass in your stomach. In the interview you've told my intern that you've swallowed a matchbox car, but I have ruled that out as the cause. This leaves me with no other choice but to open you up, Mr. Smith, and see what the problem is. Since our hospital's generous new investor, who has recently expanded from the furniture industry, funded our new state-of-the art surgical laser, I will attempt to do this the least invasive way. Namely, I will proceed through the cranium. The brain will be in the way, so it'll need to be temporarily removed, so I can insert this here spying glass in the cavity and push it through to the abdomen. Don't worry, your brain will be resting safely in this here ice bucket. Mr. Smith? You look pale. Are you ok? Oh my god! He fainted! I need a doctor here!

      Surgeon Simulator 2013 is a title based on the (false, but entertaining) premise, that surgery is a bucket-load of fun. Here's a game where you control the steady hand of a well-trained medical professional performing an operation. Well, that's not true. The hand is far from being steady, and the doctor apparently found their medical licence in a cereal box. That shouldn't stop you from cracking open some virtual rib-cages and crania and poking around there with various tools, some even passable as medical equipment. If you've ever played the classic table-top Milton Bradley's "Operation" as a kid, you're more than well-qualified to handle all the challenges this crazy title throws at you. With tons of clever and funny ideas, over-the-top dark humor, special features like the alien autopsy, and even support for the Oculus Rift display and Razer Hydra controller, Surgeon Simulator 2013 is the best modern source of gaming medical humor in existence!

      Do you need a fun way to do something with your god complex, but don't really have time and resources to go through medical school? You can always buy a licence abroad or take the cheapest option and get Surgeon Simulator 2013, for only $4.99 on GOG.com. The 50% off release discount offer lasts until Thursday, October 17, at 12:59PM GMT.

      10 Oct 22:36

      Special Promo: Get The Witcher Free With Any Purchase!

      Buy any game on GOG.com and get the Witcher 1, too, free for a limited time!
      This is the final week of our 5th Birthday Celebration. We're going to go above and beyond the call of birthday, though, and give you guys something incredible for our final thank you: buy anything on GOG.com--yes, anything--and get a free copy of The Witcher: Enhanced Edition with any purchase.

      In case you don't know about it (how don't you know about it if you've found your way here?) the game has been lauded as:

      "a fantastic RPG, and an amazing achievement for first-time Polish developer CD Projekt" (PC Gamer)

      and

      "one of the most engrossing, mature games in years" (Gamespot).

      It's a definite must-have for all RPG fans and, frankly, all story-oriented mature gamers, and now, for an entire week it comes at an unbeatable price of free!

      Combine that with the sale that we have right now on Divinity: Dragon Commander for extra promotional goodness, or find anything else that strikes your fancy and get a copy of the Witcher. Buy one for your friends--heck, at this price go ahead and buy one for people you don't even like all that much. ;)

      This special offer lasts until Thursday, October 17 at 9:59 AM GMT

      09 Oct 05:07

      Ballmer: Office not coming to iPad until it gets a touch UI on Windows

      by Megan Geuss

      At the Gartner Symposium in Florida today, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said that his company would bring Office to the iPad after the touch-friendly Windows version comes out. According to The Verge, Ballmer specifically noted that "iPad will be picked up when there's a touch-first user interface,” which Ballmer said is “in progress.”

      Microsoft released Microsoft Office Mobile for iOS back in June, but that version was optimized for the iPhone only. That iPhone-optimized version is free to users with an Office 365 subscription (in that the app doesn't cost the user one of the five device license slots that come with a subscription), and it syncs with the user's files in SkyDrive. With the SkyDrive connection, users can create new documents or open existing ones from the iPhone app.

      Ballmer didn't offer much information beyond simply confirming that there's an iPad-optimized Office app in the works, but getting Office on a wide range of devices seems to be the party line at the moment. That could bode well for Android users hoping to get a little Office love themselves. As Microsoft's head of applications and services Qi Lu cryptically mentioned at a recent analyst meeting, the company is working to bring its “core apps in the Office suite... to Windows devices and also to other devices in ways that meet our customers' needs."

      Read on Ars Technica | Comments


          






      30 Sep 16:21

      178: The one about The Rundown

      by Scott
      Warren.Smith

      You don't seem terribly keen on podcasts, but I figured you might be into this one. Seems like your kind of movie, and its hilarious to listen to these guys talk about them

      the-rundown

      Welcome to episode 178. Today, we talk about The Rundown!

      A tough aspiring chef is hired to bring home a mobster’s son from the Amazon but becomes involved in the fight against an oppressive town operator and the search for a legendary treasure.

      Join Scott, Randy, Brian and Ibbott as they tell long jokes about peeing in the jungle.

      http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/113112639-scott-johnson-27-filmsack-therundown.mp3

      - Direct MP3 Download
      - iTunes Link
      - RSS Feed

      Tweet

      Big thanks to ShutterStock for sponsoring the show. Special thanks to Audible.com this week for sponsoring the show. As usual, a HUGE thanks to Scott Fletcher, the official announcer of Film Sack Central. Hey! Why not leave us a nice review on iTunes if you like the show?

      Up next? Follow us on twitter to find out!

      26 Sep 14:09

      Flashback remake coming to PC on Oct. 1

      by Alexander Sliwinski
      Flashback coming to PC on Oct 1
      The re-imagined version of side-scrolling action game Flashback will be available on October 1 through Steam. The new version of Flashback launched as a Summer of Arcade game last month for Xbox 360, and is set to come to PlayStation 3 at a later date.

      Although based on a classic game from 1992, this Flashback may rile those who come to it with nostalgia. Our review called it a half-baked Cool Sci-Fi Game[TM] remake that "lost [Flashback's] identity entirely." The game currently has a Metacritic rating of 51.

      JoystiqFlashback remake coming to PC on Oct. 1 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Sep 2013 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

      Permalink | Email this | Comments
      24 Sep 23:39

      Soon, California kids will have the right to delete things they said online

      by Cyrus Farivar
      Warren.Smith

      The fuck? This is retarded

      We’ve all done or said stupid things online at some point or another. But if you’re a Californian under 18, you’ll soon have the right to delete those stupid things. California has put into place the first state law that requires companies, websites, and app developers to give kids under the age of 18 the option to delete a post.

      The law (SB 568), which was signed by Governor Jerry Brown on Monday and takes effect on January 1, 2015, imposes onto Web companies and app makers this new requirement. Those firms now must:

      Provide clear instructions to a minor who is a registered user of the operator’s Internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application on how the user may remove or, if the operator prefers, request and obtain the removal of content or information posted on the operator’s Internet Web site, online service, online application, or mobile application.

      The law has received praise from its primary sponsor.

      Read 10 remaining paragraphs | Comments


          






      20 Sep 17:50

      September 20, 2013


      Not that this ever happens to me.
      13 Sep 03:03

      Voyager 1 really has left the Solar System…probably

      by Matthew Francis
      Most of Voyager's instruments have been shut down, but a few have continued to measure the environment in which it's traveling.
      JPL

      Has Voyager 1 left the Solar System at last? The data have been ambiguous to say the least, with the number of announcements on the topic rivaling Spinal Tap drummers. The problem is that the region of transition between the Solar System and interstellar space didn't behave exactly as predicted. Some measurements showed the expected behavior if the probe had departed the Solar System, while others were ambiguous, and some were consistent with Voyager still being stuck within its boundaries.

      However, one measurement was still missing: the density of plasma, which is much higher beyond the Solar System than inside it. That situation changed when D. A. Gurnett, W. S. Kurth, L. F. Burlaga, and N. F. Ness analyzed data collected from Voyager's instruments in April and May of 2013. They found abrupt changes in plasma density consistent with interaction between material streaming out from the Sun and matter in interstellar space, followed by a drop. Nevertheless, the magnetic field data are still inconsistent with the simplest model of the Solar System's boundary. So if Voyager 1 has indeed left the building, the shape of the door by which it exited isn't quite what we expected.

      The Solar System is dominated by the Sun, both gravitationally and electromagnetically. Electrically charged particles from the Sun, known as the solar wind, stream outward and mix with material in space beyond, called the interstellar medium. The solar wind moves faster than the speed of sound in the interstellar medium, and the boundary of the Solar System is marked by a shock wave called the termination shock (the same phemonenon that produces sonic booms around fast aircraft in Earth's atmosphere).

      Read 6 remaining paragraphs | Comments


          






      09 Sep 18:51

      GOG.com celebrates fifth birthday with High 5 Sale

      by Danny Cowan
      GOGcom celebrates fifth birthday with High 5 Sale
      Good Old Games marks its fifth anniversary this week with the High 5 Sale, a week-long event that offers up to an 80 percent discount on a selection of 25 featured PC and Mac games.

      To qualify for the discount, GOG customers must choose a total of five qualifying games among the sale's lineup. Starring games include Double Fine's adventure-puzzler Stacking, the PSN-ported psychedelia sim Dyad, Runic Games' Torchlight, and both Alan Wake and its follow-up American Nightmare.

      GOG's High 5 Sale will wrap up next Monday, September 16. A full list of featured games follows after the break below.

      Continue reading GOG.com celebrates fifth birthday with High 5 Sale

      JoystiqGOG.com celebrates fifth birthday with High 5 Sale originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Sep 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

      Permalink | Email this | Comments
      05 Sep 15:11

      Newegg Daily Deals: BioShock Infinite for Just $16!

      by The Maximum PC Staff

      Bioshock Infinitenewegg logo

      Top Deal:

      If you missed out on BioShock Infinite when it first came out, now's your chance to see what other gamers have been raving about, but at a fraction of what they probably paid. We're featuring BioShock Infinite as today's top deal for $16 (normally $40, no coupon required), which gets you an online game code. This game has won over 80 awards, including an Editor's Choice award and 91/100 verdict over at sister site

      Other Deals:

      Corsair HX Series HX850 850W Ready 80 Plus Gold Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply for $150 with free shipping (normally $170 - use coupon code: [0827BTS30])

      Asus Sabertooth Z87 LGA 1150 Intel Z87 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard for $235 with free shipping (normally $250 - use coupon code: [COMPNTSEP22])

      HP 2311gt Black 23" 5ms HDMI Widescreen LED 3D Monitor w/ 3D glasses for $155 with free shipping (normally $170 - use coupon code: [BPNMQSV33])

      Corsair XMS 16GB (2x8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1333 Desktop Memory for $111 with free shipping (normally $121 - use coupon code: [COMPNTSEP26])

      03 Sep 20:23

      Release: Megabyte Punch

      That mech packs a punch!

      Megabyte Punch, an addictive side-scrolling beat 'em up, where you can custom-fit your fighting robot with parts of fallen enemies, is available for 25% off at GOG.com. That's only $11.24 for one week.

      Wake up, Megac! I am the Heartcore, your creator. The virtual world we both call home is under attack. You, warrior of steel, have to fight for its future. Your mission is to defend the digital realm from malicious robotic fighters. Yes, you are a weakling now, but I bestow upon you a power that will be the key to our survival. Now you can use scavenged parts of fallen foes to upgrade your systems and replace your limbs with increasingly powerful weapons of destruction. In time you will become a deadly destroyer, a stalwart defender, our savior.

      Megabyte Punch is a gloriously stylish beat 'em up platformer inspired by the long gone days of N64 bliss. With tight combat mechanics, immersive electro soundtrack, and distinctive visuals, the game sucks you into a colorful world of epic boss fights and inventive level design. The ability to upgrade your Megac with over 150 collectable body parts allows for experimentation with combat tactics in search of the ultimate combination of firepower and enhanced skills. You can fight through 6 unique worlds all by yourself or engage in up to 4 player local co-op and versus mode jousts. If you are craving for a stylish platformer full of electrifying robotic combat Megabyte Punch will knock your socks off!

      Assemble your machine of mayhem and open up a can of whoopass on a variety of robotic foes in Megabyte Punch, for only $11.24 on GOG.com.

      01 Sep 04:28

      Mega Man designer crowdfunding a new, PC-based side-scrolling shooter

      by Kyle Orland
      Concept art for Mighty No. 9.

      Keiji Inafune may have stopped working on Mega Man games when he ended a 23-year career with Capcom back in 2010, but a casual look at his new Kickstarter effort might have you confused as to whether or not the storied developer has actually left the Blue Bomber behind.

      Inafune, who has also worked on Capcom franchises like Dead Rising and Onimusha announced the Kickstarter effort for Mighty No. 9 at the Penny Arcade Expo today, and the game's design is… familiar, to say the least. You will control the only "good" robot in a world of automatons that have been infected with an evil virus. You will "run, jump, blast and transform" through side-scrolling stages "using weapons and abilities stolen from your enemies." You will look at concept art that appears to have come from a Mega Man fan art page that is obsessed with authenticity to the source material.

      That's not to say that Mighty No. 9 is purely a case of Inafune ripping himself off. The Kickstarter page promises the new, un-Mega-Man-ish ability for the main character to transform parts of his body into different shapes to gain new capabilities, such as a grappling hook, magnetic limbs, or "a tank-like body." The titular character will also have the Kirby-like ability to steal capabilities from smaller enemies (not just bosses), gaining temporary benefits like speed boosts, double jumps, or massive attacks.

      Read 3 remaining paragraphs | Comments


          






      29 Aug 21:13

      Release: Guacamelee! Gold Edition

      Los Luchadores Locos!

      Guacamelee! Gold Edition, a modern metroidvania style action-platformer-brawler inspired by Mexican Luchadores, with fast-paced action, incredible combat moves and combos, brilliant humor, and stylish colorful graphics, is available 10% off on GOG.com. That's only $13.49 for the first week. But there's more! In the first week, a free copy of Tales From Space: Mutant Blobs Attack comes with every Guacamelee! Gold Edition purchase.

      Juan Aquacate was just a simple agave farmer until destiny reached out, grabbed him, and sent him on a heroic quest through the world of the living and the realm of the dead. Magical Luchadore power was bestowed upon him, so he could face all the unimaginable dangers, strange beasts, and bloodthirsty freaks he would meet on his path. Face them, and beat the livin hell out of them, that is. In the magical, colorful world of Mexican legends where humans, demons, and the dead meet in hand-to-hand combat, Juans story unfolds before your eyes.

      Guacamelee! Gold Edition combines the time-proven exploration platformer gameplay with sleek melee combat mechanics inspired by the Mexican Luchadore wrestling, with a whole lot of extra magic and badassery added. The game's aesthetics is firmly rooted in the Mexican folklore, but takes all its special flavor one step further to create a colorful, memorable, and vivid gameworld. The combat system is surprisingly deep, allowing for incredible combos and creating a whole extra level of challenge. On top of that, you'll need to learn how to exploit your hero's ability to shift between the worlds of living and the dead, to pass obstacles on your way. With great gameplay depth, beautiful design, and optional cooperative mode, this fantastic brawler/slash platformer will blast you off your feet like a glass of tequila on a sunny day!

      Prepare for some hot & spicy Mexican badassery as you explore the crazy incredible world of Luchadores in Guacamelee! Gold Edition, for only $13.49 on GOG.com. The 10% launch discount offer and the free Tales From Space: Mutant Blobs Attack offer last until Thursday, September 5, at 9:59AM GMT. Don't miss out!