James

[color=#507AAC]Yes, I'm afraid the answer to this question must be no. And I'll list the reasons. 1) We are unable to monitor what is sent via PM. Therefore, if people are being harassed or if people are sending inappropriate images, we will have no way of protecting members. 2) As you know, we already have rules relating to posting erroneous/pointless/unrelated images in threads purely for the purpose of using OB as a host. This problem would grow ten fold if we allowed attachments on PMs. Those are the basic reasons why we don't have this kind of system in place. [/color]

[color=#507AAC]I'll be putting up those that use the right method (what I've already described). Sorry I haven't had much time to put some of them up recently, but I'll probably get another 100 up during the week.[/color]

[color=#507AAC]Doesn't that sword actually break after too many uses? Edit: Oops...that's the razor sword. Bleh.[/color]

[color=#507AAC]It's definitely clear that FPS-style games are Retro's forte (based on both the staff history and Metroid Prime itself). So, that is possibly an area which Retro could explore more deeply in the future. But also, Nintendo may use Retro for art and character development as well as environment design for its own games. Now that Retro is a first party, Nintendo can probably afford to have it working on one game at a time whilst also providing various support to other NCL developers. I don't think Retro will ever grow to Rare-proportions, but ideally the company would be making two or three games at a time. Given the company's massive success with Metroid Prime (and the experience gained from it), the bar has been set very high. Hopefully Retro will come out with some amazing games in the future. At the very least, I think Retro have probably done a better job on Metroid than Rare could have done (which isn't really relevant...but many consider that Retro will now become Nintendo's star developer outside Japan).[/color]

[color=#507AAC]Syk3, please try to be a little less overzealous in your Moderating. I am noticing a few cases where you are closing threads and editing posts a little too readily. Please pull back a little bit. This topic is fine and should remain open. We should encourage discussion about new anime that people may not yet have seen.[/color]

[color=#4E5DA2]Hm... [b]Villain:[/b] Angels [b]Anime:[/b] Neon Genesis Evangelion [b]Information:[/b] Without getting into too much detail, the Angels are basically aliens that take on different forms. So, they could be something like a computer virus, a human being or a giant robot. [b]Why:[/b] Simple, really. Their unpredictability. You never know where they will strike. And as time goes on, they almost seem to learn your defense patterns and find ways around them. Their continually changing nature makes them a very difficult challenge, I think.[/color]

[color=#4E5DA2]As I mentioned to Semjaza, we must remember also that the Xbox Live network is totally closed and controlled by Microsoft. Even if you did somehow hack in, you'd be blocked pretty damn quickly. I don't think we're giving enough credit to the actual substance of the network itself.[/color]

[color=#507AAC]Semjaza is correct in his conclusions about Xbox Live. This reminds me of the N64 pirating. Remember a machine called Dr. V64? You had to buy the hardware...and then burn a cartridge game onto a CD. Of course, you always had to use the Dr. V64 to actually play the game. Of course, that's not the same as what you're talking about here. But think about it; Nintendo's own security for piracy was very tight (due to the proprietary nature of th software). But moreover, the entire process of copying/pirating was both too expensive and too time consuming. In the case of Xbox Live, you must remember that this is not a static service. If they system is ever hacked, MS will discover the hack and take steps to eradicate the problem. So, sure...you may have a cheater now and then. But the cheater would be reported and blocked. Really, it's simple. It's not so much a case of getting into the hardware or the network. That stuff is really irrelevant. It's a matter of checks and balances...how Microsoft can protect the integrity of the game environment. And given the combination of security on all levels as well as the dynamic nature of a persistent online network...I think that people are blowing a lot of hot air about nothing. I seriously don't believe that we will see rampant cheating and misuse of Xbox Live. It just won't happen.[/color]

[color=#507AAC]I only have one thing to say about this thread... [size=100]o_O;;;;[/size] Phew. Major spam...please try to make a [i]serious[/i] suggestion next time.[/color]

[color=#507AAC]I would not say that the media and society affect a person's intelligence. Rather, it affects their ignorance/knowledge level. You can be an intelligent person (with a high IQ) without actually knowing a hell of a lot. And if society continually bombards you with a certain message, then that is what you will accept as the truth or the moral norm. Of course, that doesn't mean that it's right...it's just a message that society at large sends. An example might be singers like Brittany Spears and such. A lot of adults complain that they promote an "over-sexualization" of children. And it could be argued that some kids with more ignorance (and less knowledge) are going to follow that example. Whereas kids who are confident in themselves and who have a wider variety of knowledge might not choose to dress in a certain way. I'm not saying that I approve or disapprove...just that the media has different effects on different people. Sometimes the media annoys me because it can be very dishonest. Other times, I see media reports that truly cut through all the crap and expose something important. In reality, it's hard to use the word "media" as if it's just one entity. There are many media organizations; some more reputable than others. And I think the key with the media, as with almost anything else, is to be informed. As I've said before, watch a wide variety of news...read news and hear news on the radio. Listen to multiple sources and points of view. That is really the only way to ensure that you're getting the right information. Or at the very least, that you are getting enough variety to form a balanced opinion.[/color]

[color=#507AAC]I'm sure she didn't, Deus. Being bothered about someone's sexual orientation in that way is no different from being bothered about their skin colour or their eye colour. It's a part of who they are...and in general terms, it frustrates me how the world at large can still discriminate based on these basic things. I think Ravenstorture put it best, when she expressed her own disapproval at that sort of thing. Anyway, as I said...it's great that Shy can open up to us and express himself. Same goes for you, Deus. Your story was something that I didn't expect...but I don't think any less of you for it. I think more of you because of your honesty.[/color]

[color=#507AAC]Shy, I know what you're going through. All I can say is that what truly matters is who you are as a person; the way you treat others and the way you interact with people. I think it's safe to say that most people here value you both as a staff member and as a human being. And this thread indicates that, thankfully, most of our community is pretty tolerant. The truth is, your sexuality or mine or anyone else's isn't going to change who we are. It won't suddenly make our personality different from one day to the next. It's just a private thing that you can choose or not choose to tell someone. The only advice I can give is that you need to do this on your own time. Your friend has absolutely no right to tell others about you; that is very wrong. It would be like me knowing someone's private secret and telling everyone about it. It's unacceptable and ultimately it should be [i]your[/i] choice about how you tell people and what you decide to say. Either way, we're all here for you. I think I speak for everyone when I say that we are proud that you could tell us on the boards here...infront of these people. Infront of friends. It's a sign that you trust the people here. And that's great; I think your trust has been rewarded by their responses. I hope that this encourages others to be open and to realize that even if people in their "real life" don't want to understand, the people here are generally prepared to listen to you and to be fair. I'm proud of you. ^_^[/color]

[color=#507AAC]Well, I've only watched two episodes so far (it arrived today). So what do I think? Well, right now it's hard to really form an opinion. The visuals are very pretty (there are even some 3D CGI effects thrown in now and then) and the music is generally of a very high standard. The intro sequence contains some high-energy techno type music, whilst some of the quieter parts contain ambient drumbeats and various string instruments. Overall, sound quality is very crisp and clear...and some of the melodies are highly memorable. The story itself has started off relatively slow. In a sense, there are a couple of confusing factors already...but I'm sure these will be worked out within the next few episodes. Having said that, even within the first two episodes, most of the main characters have really been fleshed out quite a lot. You immediately start to learn the nature of the characters and what their opinions are. I had gotten the impression that there wasn't much action in this anime. And there isn't; but it isn't totally devoid of action altogether. Actually, some of the fight scenes are quite realistic (as opposed to Dragonball or something) -- the characters don't throw fireballs and lightning bolts...the fights are generally more appropriate for the story. Having said that, being in a gaming world...there are some interesting parallels to online RPGs that you may have played. There are even areas where players can go and trade weapons and stuff -- it's interesting to see those parallels. Anyway, those are my general thoughts so far. I think it's going to be very interesting to see a dubbed version.[/color]

[color=#507AAC]Moderators should really stick to moderating in their own forums. Medra is right though; the discussion has run its course. But because he does not moderate this forum, he is unable to close the topic. So I'll do it for him. ^_^[/color]

[color=#507AAC]They can't be PM'd because you can't attach images to a PM. And even if you could, you'd only be able to attach one (unless you attach a ZIP file). Plus, I get a huge amount of PMs each day. It's really better to email them, so that I can always check them in the one spot and download them easily.[/color]

[color=#507AAC]Now you've met one. ~_^ Hehe. Anyway, I'd say that the movie that has touched me most in recent memory would be A.I. I think it's probably one of the most underrated movies of all time. People seemed to be expecting some massive revolutionary film...but really, it's kind of inevitable that you'll be dissappointed if you have that attitude. Edward Scissorhands was also a really touching movie. He was such a tragic character. Movies like that frustrate me sometimes, because the audience can see the good in the character but the other characters in the movie generally can't. [/color]

[color=#507AAC]In Australia, we have two major parties; Liberal (Republican) and Labor (Democrat). Generally I vote Liberal, because I am happy with the way they run our economy. The Liberal party is the reason why Australia was unaffected by the Asian economic crisis and they are pretty much the sole reason why we continue to be one of the world's highest performing economies. Having said that, I prefer Labor's social policy. That is, equal rights for [i]all[/i] citizens, gun control (although the Liberal party is now moving in that direction, for various reasons...which is great), a woman's right to choose (whether or not I would personally support abortion is another matter -- but I don't like the idea of the Government stepping in and taking control of something like that) and welfare. So, generally I vote differently at nearly every election. Sometimes I vote Labor...but mostly I vote Liberal. In Federal elections I voted Democrat, though (Democrats are one of the smaller parties...they are somewhat like Labor, only much smaller). So yeah, that's my political ideology in a nutshell. I would never box in myself in as either conservative or liberal, because I believe that each ideology is only half of the equation. It is actually ideal to take a little of BOTH schools of politics when running a country. You know, get the best of both worlds. If you choose only one path and refuse to consider other ideas, you're only operating in an inefficient and ineffective manner.[/color]

[color=#507AAC]I hope there can actually be some [i]discussion[/i] here, rather than just one word answers. Though I'm sure there will be. ~_^[/color]

[color=#507AAC]I think that the purpose of dubbing is highly obvious. It's not just to physically allow non-Japanese to enjoy a movie/series, but it also allows for some editing so that cultural differences (which might cause misunderstanding amongst western audiences) are ironed out somewhat. Having said that, I [i]do[/i] get annoyed at the whole "You're a dubbie, you suck" attitude. Let's face it, if you don't know Japanese, you might be unwilling to watch a movie with subtitles. As Ginny said, it can distract from the action and the artistry on screen. I don't mind watching a subbed movie at all, but I can see how it would frustrate some viewers. Ultimately, subbing is all about accessibility. If subbing allows for another million people to watch and enjoy an anime...then it's certainly not a bad thing. Anime should be as accessible as possible (including distribution and marketing). And truly great anime is really worth watching, even if you're getting a slightly butchered version. I guess subbing isn't always ideal...but it does serve a very functional and real purpose. And if you prefer dubbing, there is nothing wrong with you; as long as you are enjoying the movie/series, that's all you need to be worried about.[/color]

[color=#507AAC]Oh, I don't remember that. I'll have to go and rent BAA once again. Tekkaman was absolutely fantastic. The last five episodes or so were pure gold. ^_^[/color]

[color=#507AAC]It's hard to say without being there to witness the situation. Either way, it's clear that DBZChikaGhan is taking it too personally. Having said that, if my friends had gone to a lot of trouble to take me out...I'd go. I'm not going to be some stupid arrogant idiot and say "Hmph, I don't want to go now. Blah". But at the same time, I can see how manybe DBZChikaGhan is making more of the situation than it might be. In reality, it's hard to know. Still, the message is clear. I don't think DBZChikaGhan has to feel bad about herself for this...and that was her problem in the first place.[/color]

[color=#507AAC]I don't really remember the VERY end. Spoiler: [spoiler]I just remember the part where the little boy dies. That was really sad...[/spoiler] But yeah, I haven't seen it in a long time. I should go and find it again...[/color]

[color=#507AAC]Nope, here it is: [url]http://www.hack.channel.or.jp/[/url] It's a GREAT site. The wallpapers are gorgeous. ^.^[/color]

[color=#507AAC]It sounds like your friend was just being a petty little brat. If one of my friends did that, I'd let them stew in their own juices and go out and have fun for myself. Screw 'em, I say. It's easy to take thing personally, in the sense that what your friends do is a reflection on you. But you shouldn't be so hard on yourself. Try to cheer up. ^.^ By the way...you should come on AIM. I need to talk to you.[/color]

[color=#507AAC]Thanks to Semjaza for installing it. ^.^ There you go, Sara. ~.^[/color]