XP Fail

My XP install is effectively hosed. Complete failure to boot (fixed with some knowledge and a *lot* of luck), all copies of UPP considered viruses (including archived and untouched copies), failure of windows update, not to mention several long-running issues involving mysterious cpu/disk usage (not virus related afaict) and random crashes (graphics related but not app or driver version specific).

I read from the Book of Ripley: "I say we take off and nuke the entire site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure."

Random IMs - EOD Ducks

Kemp: so tempted to slip something random into a presentation and see if I can make it seem relevant
Overlord: "This plastic duck, while seemingly irrelevent and appearing to be, on the surface, a chance to win a bet with some friends, is actually a highly integral part of the project"
Kemp: ducks, being a largely water-based animal, do not have experience defusing explosive devices. this means that the system does not need to be designed to take account of duck physiology. this narrowing of requirements was an important initial step in the project.
Kemp: irrelevant requirements, which appear useful at the beginning of a project, are often responsible for project failure
Kemp: do I do this too much?
Overlord: Yes =P
Overlord: But it was impressive enough that it took me 3 reads to realise there are plenty of LAND based animals with no experience of defusing explosives =P
Kemp: lol, kemp wins

Edit:
For those not in the know, EOD = Explosive Ordnance Disposal. And yes, LAN party post soon.

xkcd Rock Band

xkcd gets it right as always. It happened with Guitar Hero and it'll happen with Rock Band. Clue for those who say this stuff: it's fun, we have fun playing it, it's a game. Saying it's stupid because it's not like playing a real guitar is like saying UT3 is stupid because you're not really slaughtering the Necris army, or Risk is stupid because you're not really taking over the world.

Edit:
And yes, LAN party post soon. Too much writing for now.

Happy New Year

As the title says. Hope you all had a good time. LAN party post to follow, probably tonight when I'm back in Cov and have some time.