The full post: Apples attack on Adobe Flash, its all about online video. (via Slashdot)

James closes his article with:  ”In conclusion, as a developer who likes Flash, to tell the truth, I can respect the business decision by Steve to not allow Flash on their iTechnology platforms for good old competitive reasons. What is wrong here is that Apple is on a campaign of deception. They are not happy to not use flash, but are also producing FUD to displace Flash as a relevant web technology.”

I agree. In my view it’s all about the money, although James thinks it’s about the video. I think Mr. Jobs just does not want a platform that can be (and is) used for free games on his devices where he is currently making 30% off every game sold in his App Store. And that is fair and completely up to him, but just come out and say that, don’t piss on another company’s work and products to hide the fact that you like your revenue stream.
And for the record: as a developer I have rarely seen any company so closed, proprietary and revenue-focused as Apple. Apple is no longer “cool” (although they do make very “cool” products), it is just as much an “Evil Empire” as they say Microsoft, Google, Adobe or anyone else is. No biggie, it happens to every company at that level, but for God’s sake be honest about what you are.

Via: Motionographer

Source: Make

Admittedly, I have had some other characters that I’ve deleted over the past years that could/would have made it before, but still

100% on Expert!

Originally uploaded by kathmann

Here’s the proof: my very first 100% score playing the bass line on “That’s What You Get” by Paramore on Rock Band 2 together with Robert on guitar and Liesbeth on drums. Awesome feeling.

The game itself is what you’d expect but better than before: The addition of the drum set and microphone really clinch the ‘band’ feel, and the base version (PS2 that is) containt 61 (!) tracks and some really great ones too. The interface is slicker but then again takes longer to load, although you only notice that the first time and we were yapping and high-fiving though the loads anyway.

The drumming is *F*U*N*, but harder than you’d think. Especially the pase bedal messes you up (and cramps up your shins really quick when you’re starting out), but it feels great to be hammering out those beats.
The singing…well, let’s leave that to the professionals. On a regular-sized TV the song lyrics could (or should) have been bigger, we we sitting down right in front of the TV to be able to read them, but it’s actually quite easy if you know the song beforehand. If you don’t, you’ll mess up pretty quick, so don’t go trying that in public right away

On the whole we head a great time, for me this is the best game I’ve played this year so far. It’s more fun than Guitar Hero,  although we can’t wait for the new Guitar Hero World Tour game with a full band set as well (and improved drums).

Now I just have to wait for the PC version, ’cause I’m sure as hell not going to buy a console.

“A new study of computer gamers has found that a session in front of World of Warcraft can make players less stressed and more calm. The study questioned 292 male and female online gamers aged between 12 and 83 about anger and stress. They then played the game for two hours and were retested. “There were actually higher levels of relaxation before and after playing the game as opposed to experiencing anger, but this very much depended on personality type,” said team leader Jane Barnett from Middlesex University.”

Read more here (via Slashdot).