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Post by Kari on Nov 2, 2005 2:50:35 GMT
Well guys, it's been a very chaotic month for the Herald Staff. We've worked hard to produce this issue, and I must say... I think I've used up quite a few red pens on this issue. No, my screen is not covered with red pen marks. Anymore. But really- kidding aside, I'd like to use my free little editor's note space to thank Artos for all his hard work on the Herald. You can't possibly imagine how many hours he spent making sure that each and every issue was packed with interesting and up-to-date content. I, for one, am sad to see him go and wish him all the lucky in the world for his next pursuits (especially his C++ class.) Other than that... enjoy the Herald. And please pardon the extra time we took in preparing it: we wouldn't give you anything but the best.
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Post by Kari on Nov 2, 2005 2:51:19 GMT
This month at SolidSnake Designs has really flown by: almost like those autumn leaves that the UK has yet to receive. I’m sure you're surprised by this. Right. First of all, I’d like to welcome Ryan as your new Interview Moderator. He has taken over FireTemptress's duties and we're thrilled to have him added on the staff. Primarily, he will be in charge of setting up interviews with members from SSD, but he may also branch out to involve members from other sources as well. Keep an eye on this board for upcoming additions! Welcome also our all-things-custard supporter Morgoth. He has joined the Herald ranks, and will be providing the board with some great funny and occasionally thought-provoking articles. Along with the new staff additions, a sub-board has also been added to the SSD scene: the Find a Buddy board. Many of the members have taken to posting new topics, and there are already two pages of eager buddy-seeking SSD-ers. A few of you, however, may have not been so keen on the idea and instead wondered why it was added. The aim here is to get our newer members more integrated into the forum, so they feel more welcome and "accepted" into our community. While the idea of a strong community is important to SSD, we are also a resource site and as such, it is normal for new members to be nervous when asking for help. I’m sure that we have all been there before. If you can find time to help someone, that person has not only received help from you, but there has also been a bond made. These bonds are what build good members, and goodness knows we all want more good members joining our ranks. While we're on the topic of help, Code Support is also in need of some this month. We’d appreciate any and all help at the moment. If you have a suggestion or two on how to make this catagory more successful, feel free to drop either of the admins a line. We may even send back a complimentary gift pack, full of out-of-date body lotion and a couple chewed on chocolate bars. One member-suggested change to the forum has already been made in October. Based on many complaints, the Karma system has been removed. A few members may be in deep mourning over this, but we do have something slightly better and more meaningful planned in the future. I won't go into further details, but stay tuned. That's all really for the November edition- I'm sure I've bored you all enough with my rambling. I know I've bored urbancinderella to death as she is editing and re-writing half of my article for me, so I'll spare you the extra paragraph I had on here which mentioned something to do with my selfishly caring about Christmas only for food and presents. Hope you enjoy this issue everyone. Oliver MatthewsOwner and Administrator of SolidSnake Designs
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Post by Kari on Nov 2, 2005 2:53:07 GMT
To start things off, I would like to take a moment to congratulate those members who have taken the time out of their (hectic) lives to produce an image for the back cover. These images will be digitally "sewn" together into one big image. This virtual quilt of sorts, will serve as the back page of the Yearbook, which has been steadily progressing. We have received approximately fifteen images - but there is always room for more! If you are interested in submitting an image for the Back Cover, be sure to check out the Yearbook board for more information. Hurry, though, time is running out! This month, decent progress has been made. We have finished up organizing the Personal Messages and introduced the Back Cover Art Project. Kudos to you members, once again and a big thank you to Eternity for planning it and Oliver for approving it and helping the community be aware and become involved! Behind the scenes, we have been focusing on finishing the planning and thought processes needed to kickoff upcoming events which will remain unnamed at this point. In the coming months you can expect more Community Projects, plus situations where you can contribute to the project. So, be sure to be on the lookout for announcements regarding the Yearbook. From the entire Yearbook Staff Team, we would like to thank all members for their participation.
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Post by Kari on Nov 2, 2005 2:55:27 GMT
Ever wonder what takes place in the über-secret meeting place of the Herald staff, which only a select few have access to? Well prepare yourself, for I am about to pull you deep into our world! Muahaha! *cough* But first, it must be acknowledged that SolidSnake Designs is very unique, and I believe the only forum other than Scribbles n Such with a successful monthly magazine. Of course, our hard working editors and writers are to thank for that. We all know who they are, but I would just like to mention their lovely names first: urbancinderella, Kari, and Jack make up our wonderful, trustworthy editors. Then there are the staff writers. The Herald writers consist of Oliver, Ryan, Nick, Bobby Hensley, Jonny, FireTemptress, Patches, Electra, Combo, Assassinator, Morgoth, and Withheld Beauty. Members not bearing the purple tags are also free to help, but each of these writers must contribute articles to each magazine, as well as meeting the multiple deadlines throughout the month. Their contributions are what appear in the newspaper, and ultimately, their responsiblity is to thank for the very edition you are now reading. But we all know that, of course. Let's continue on. Once the Herald editors and their little slaves, sometimes referred to as the writers, release a new issue they cannot just sit back and rest. The first of each month is christened with a new Brainstorming topic. This topic is open to all of the Herald Staff and collects new and original article ideas to add the general list of articles produced each month. After two-three days, this thread is closed and a sign up thread is created using all the articles suggested. Each staff member must list five articles he or she wishes to do and include how many he or she can handle this month. Another two-three days pass, and the editors collect the sign-ups in their separate Editor's Room board, a sub-board within the Herald Staff board. Inside, a list is generated with assignments and is soon posted. From here out, the writers have a little over a week to cancel or pass on their article if time requires them to do so. After this week, each writer is bound to their story and must either complete it or find a replacement. This is the time to get busy and keep those fingers moving. The articles are due in four days before the end of the month so the editors can have these last four days to tidy up the articles and get it ready for production. This is the period when editors put on their ugly faces at late articles. If you have a reasonable excuse for your article(s) being late, you can sometimes get off the hook, but you need them in ASAP. Then here begins the hard work for the editors! The graphics in each edition are usually provided by urbancinderella. If she can't get them done, Kari will take over. A thread located inside the Editor's Room is used to generate the article order for the month. Another is used to collect edited articles, while a third sports the headliners for the edition. Finally, a fourth thread is created where the finished Herald grows. Either Kari, urbancinderella, or Jack takes time out of his or her busy schedule to add the edited articles and headliners into separate posts, following the already decided order. After the articles are all in order and sparkling from cleanliness, urbancinderella creates a cover image to serve as both a visual goodie and a small tables of contents. One of the editors provides a well-written editor's note below it to personalize the magazine, and it's ready for publication. Typed out, this may seem like a simple, short process. Trust me, the Herald is a committment that takes quite a bit of time. I personally have had experience on helping Kari out with the editing. It can be a huge pain. But in the end, it's worth the time just to see your name beneath a posted article and read feedback responding to all of your hardwork. So ultimately, it is your feedback that powers the Herald. That's all for the Behind The Scenes: The Herald. Hope you enjoyed, just don't fall out of your seat; we don't have any money to pay for your hospital bills!
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Post by Kari on Nov 2, 2005 3:17:36 GMT
This month, I have chosen Neko as Solidsnake Designs' Member of the Month. According to his profile, the humble Welsh skater joined these forums 18 years, 9 months and 23 days before he was born, maybe he's a time traveling human eating alien or even worse - maybe ProBoards has a bug!? Neko, known to his parents as Neil, is a very respectable member of the community and is also very active - posting on average a minimum of 3 posts a day. He never spams and devotes his time to making interesting yet humorous posts. As well as all this, he is a keen amateur skater and is very interested in the world of design, creating memorable pieces such as the Microsoft Neko which has earned him the title of one of the community's best designers. Well done Neko. AvOTM XeronI can’t help but smirk whenever I see this avatar. Its smiley walks the line between hilarity and annoyance; the text is the same. The color here, a mellow orange, fits the theme very well. The avatar is not too big, yet it is not too small; it is just…excellent. Well done.
SigOTM Lily You are not the only one Lost alone in this world Lost alone in this world There are others beside you Feeling empty and hurt Feeling empty and hurt
You are not the only one Lost alone in dark dreams Lost alone in dark dreams One of them will find you Knowing what it means To be lost alone To be lost alone
The text is the chorus from mind.in.a.box’s Lost Alone. I felt a Lost Alone vibe from this signature.I’ve always been a fan of Lily’s work; it’s bright, vivid, and smooth. This signature is the essence of her incredible work. The face fits well against the beautiful background; the text suits the signature nicely. Outstanding work. Heartbroken by AlanWe’ve had a fair few good photos this month; it was fairly hard to choose with such a variety of different styles. I finally settled on Heartbroken by Alan. This photo is a great conceptual shot. It’s another fantastically composed shot with a meaning that comes across really strong. Much like the other photos in this series of photos every single aspect seems to help bring the concept together. The use of focus really separates the couple from the heartbroken ace. Then the black background and heart really do give the photo a great atmosphere. Well done Alan! Backup LinkMost writers regard truth as their most valuable possession, and therefore are most economical in its use.Mark TwainMy success has allowed me to strike out with a higher class of women.Woody AllenNever exaggerate your faults. Your friends will attend to that.Robert C. EdwardsMost people would rather die than think; in fact, they do so.Bertrand RussellMarriage is a book of which the first chapter is written in poetry and the remaining chapters in prose.Beverly NicholsWhat the world needs is more geniuses with humility, there are so few of us left.Oscar LevantIt took me fifteen years to discover I had no talent for writing, but I couldn't give it up, because by that time I was too famous.Robery BenchleyI'm always amazed to hear of air crash victims so badly mutilated that they have to be identified by their dental records. What I can't understand is, if they don't know who you are, how do they know who your dentist is?Paul MertonYou tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is 'never try.'Homer SimpsonI'm tired of all this nonsense about beauty being only skin-deep. That's deep enough. What do you want- an adorable pancreas?Jean KerrIf toast always lands butter-side down, and cats always land on their feet, what happens if you strap toast on the back of a cat and drop it?Steven WrightAt my age I do what Mark Twain did. I get my daily paper, look at the obituaries page and if I'm not there I carry on as usual.Patrick MooreI don't care to belong to a club that accepts people like me as members.Grouch MarxYou have to stay in shape. My grandmother, she started walking five miles a day when she 60. She's 97 today and we don't know where the hell she is.Ellen DeGenersI have six locks on my door all in a row. When I go out, I only lock every other one. I figure no matter how long somebody stands there picking the locks, they are always picking three.Elayne BooslerThere is a place you can touch a woman that will drive her crazy. Her heart.Melanie GriffithAn archeologist is the best husband any woman can have; the older she gets, the more interested he is in her.Agatha ChristieLois Griffin: Peter! You're bribing your daughter with a car? Peter Griffin: Ah, c'mon, Lois, isn't 'bribe' just another word for 'love'?Family GuyTom, you're so deep in the closet you're finding Christmas presents.Family Guy"Just for the sake of saying it, if you don't want little mini-versions of you running around, work up the sense to take precautions and use protection- it's as simple as that."Whitney"Is Mayonnaise an instrument?"R3gre7"I'm too afraid of the high-level math to pursue a career. The most I could do is chase Toto's captor along the interstate."Artos"Stop picking around at each other's grammar."Oliver"I learnt something new today. I found out stfu means shut the **** up and not stuff you."Flash"I got bored. Really bored. Started writing down some lyrics, broke out my acoustic guitar... well, you know how the music writing business goes. It flowed like a river down a rain forest valley."Crestfallen"I'm sorry, Del... but you look like a brunette version of Jesse McCartney.
don't get me wrong. I happen to think Jesse McCartney's very, very hot."Fire Temptress"Find me in the battle board. I live there. I'm not gone. Just living in the battle board."LPF"Ashlee Simpson? I'm sorry. I don't associate with people who have no talent."Artos"Black people have darker skin than white people.
Done." Del"Michael Jackson." Artos in response to Del"Damn it.
Molesters can't count. That's unfair." Del in response to ArtosYesterday, I walked into the cinema in dismay. I was going to see a children's film, something which I generally dread. However, the cinema was packed and the room was silent as the credits rolled for Nanny McPhee. This movie, based on the books entitled 'Nanny Matilda' (think Mary Poppins with the Hannibal Lecters' manner) is about 7 motherless children who are badly behave, yet extraordinarily bright. Starring famous names such as Emma Thompson and Colin Firth this story is simple magical as the children get better behaved, Nanny McPhee, an ugly hag turns beautiful. The children learn morals, the Nanny - played by the beautiful Emma Thompson grows to love the children and the father - played by Colin Firth, falls in love with the illiterate maid. This story explores love after death, learning how to cope with loss and most of all how the most unlikely of characters can become a hero. This film is sure to win an Oscar, its simple yet humorous comedy and weird and wacky behavior is set to be a sure hit with youngsters all over the world, it will make you laugh, it will make you cry, it will make you want to go and see the sequel. Nanny McPhee receives a five-star rating.
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Post by Kari on Nov 2, 2005 3:19:14 GMT
I'm not ranting this month. I’m reminiscing. I’m thinking about how wonderful it was to be a kid. I’m remembering how amazing my high school experience was. I’m recalling my various escapades with my friends. Rather, I’m lamenting. Those days are long gone. I’ll never be able to approach the world with such rose-colored glasses. I can’t keep on smiling anymore. I remember a time when we did not have to constantly look over our shoulders and fear the world. I remember a time when peace reigned and war was a romantic dream. I remember a time when mankind was so certain of its future- one of prosperity. Those are just memories. They are just things to look back on when the world staggers yet again. Now I think about what the future holds for me and if events will allow me to achieve such. There is not a day that goes by that I do not fear this uncertainty. So much has changed; the world is no longer the place I held so high in regard. Why? Is it because I see past the layers? Or because I’ve become jaded to all the pain and suffering? Is it out of arrogance? Perhaps it is desperation? I don’t know. All I know is that this world is full of pain and strife. I see leaders fighting with their people and with one another for money, fame, and power. I see people starving on the street outside of a five-star restaurant. I see saints who are sinners. I see children without innocence- children that have already committed acts of atrocity. In today’s world, it takes a catastrophe to bring happiness. There is rarely a case of outstanding generosity. Everywhere I look, I see suffering. I can’t escape it. I can’t deny it. I can’t refute it. All I can do is summon up my memories and try to look away.
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Post by Kari on Nov 2, 2005 3:21:00 GMT
Off Highway 98 there is a small, overgrown path. Of what was once a prominent pathway, little is left now. Overthrown by a ruthless attack of wild pansies and brambles, it is hardly visible, and goes unnoticed by most people. Down the path, all alone in a sea of failed crops and tall grass, stands a shack. A collapsed, rotting wall, a door off its rusting hinges but nonetheless, a shack. In the garden that has gone untended for centuries, prairie animals take refuge from the harsh, bitter Saskatchewan winters. The kitchen is crowded with broken furniture, smashed chairs and upturned tables flipped by ravenous dogs on a hunt. Begonias had started to create a devastating haven in the pots and pans hidden recklessly among the cracked pottery bowls. Animals had long since cleared out the cupboards, pantry and cold storage, which lay on the outskirts of the disastrous garden of all comestible materials. In the corner sat a child’s toy - a small, wooden horse on wheels - thrown away by its owner. The thin, pull-down stairs lead to a cramped, yet homely low-ceilinged attic that had served as a bedroom for three, energetic young spirits. Whose humble abode had this been? How long ago had a fatigued child laid to rest in this bed, hoping to escape from exhaustion? How long had it been since someone had called this shack "home sweet home"?
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Post by Kari on Nov 2, 2005 3:22:07 GMT
Halloween is seen as a harmless holiday when children may dress up as anything (from fireman to zombie cheerleaders) and receive enough candy to keep the dentist busy for a year. This day has been so glorified that the spooky holiday resembles nothing more than an innocent celebration. October 31, however, is truly one of the most hazardous days of the year and it continues to become even riskier each year. This historic celebration has taken the role of a holiday children refuse to grow out of. In 1921, Minnesota became the first state to celebrate Halloween. Although some groups had observed the holiday for centuries, it had never truly caught on within the United States. One by one, other states began to celebrate Halloween and the event quickly became a nationwide celebration. All Hallows Eve, when young children could get oodles of candy by saying the magic words "Trick or Treat," soon was a brilliant notion and Halloween became every child's favorite holiday. We still celebrate Halloween today, but it does not seem like the same holiday. The innocent candy collecting of yesteryear has been transformed into rough parties and late-night vandalizing. Every year, Halloween becomes more intense; teenagers partying, drinking, defacing property are all normal activities. All Hallows Eve has developed into the perfect night for kidnappers and demented adults to find their victims. Not to mention dark streets filled with both cars and children that can only add up to one thing: danger. Hundreds are injured each year because drivers do not see children until it is too late. It does not seem worth facing so many dangers for a few little pieces of candy. This year, an estimated 23,000 children will have their candy scanned at a local hospital before they are allowed to eat it. If parents are worried, why even expose their children to these dangers? In the past five years, four children have died from Halloween candy poisoning: almost one a year. This means that every year a child is sacrificed so that thousands of others may gain a sack of cavity-inducers and have a little fun with their friends. Anyone can go buy a bag of candy at the store and invite a few friends over; no one has to die. There are many alternatives to the usual Halloween festivities, but the holiday is so commercialized that everyone seems to accept it as a great idea. Kids see Halloween as an annual event. despite the fact that they could have their own private Halloween anytime. It's not hard to make your own costumes and throw a small party for friends on any day of the week: we all love an excuse to display our creativity. But instead, kids choose to risk kidnapping and even death to play along. With the way things are going, today's toilet-papering and egging will soon turn into tomorrow's stabbings and shootings. October 31 seems to be the one night children can get away with anything and are allowed to act crazy. There really is no reason to continue celebrating this insane day. There are many alternatives. Parents could persuade their children to go to organized events at parks, churches, schools or recreation centers. For those who trick-or-treat, a curfew could be more strictly enforced by police. Also, reflectors, parental guidance, candy scanning, tighter fitting costumes and flashlights could help decrease the risks of Halloween. The fun-hearted night may seem like just that: a fun escape where children get to spend the night being someone other than themselves and get rewarded for it, but ultimately, it has turned into the perfect hunting grounds for misfortune. These days, there is definitely more trick than treat in this holiday.
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Post by Kari on Nov 2, 2005 3:23:05 GMT
Since its release to the world in 2004, Desperate Housewives has been an international phenomenon. Millions across the world have tuned in to watch the mysteries of Wistera Lane unfold, and I must confess, I am one of them. Do not be fooled! Use of the word 'Housewives' does not make this show strictly female-audience only. I know many people who watch it. Desperate Housewives has everything: hilarity and horror, mystery and melodrama, deceit and death; there's something in it for everyone to enjoy. So, I was thinking...what would it be like if we, the characters of SSD, were involved in a Desperate Housewives-esque scenario? There's UC, the intelligent, forum high-flier who gave it all up to look after her four unruly kids; Olivia, the materialistic young woman who's married to a rich soccer player...but if she's so content, why is she sleeping with the gardener? There's Alien, a moral and principled mother of two, who aims to make her life perfect; and then there's Alan, recently divorced single mother, trying to add some spice back into her life. Not to mention the wealth of background characters, such as the interfering Mrs Patches and wise-beyond-her-years Kari. By mixing together my interest in script writing, my knowledge of the secret neighbourhood that is the community of SSD, and the storylines of Desperate Housewives, I can give you now, the Pilot of... Desperate Designers"It's the age old question, isn't it. How much do we really want to know about our friends online?"
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Post by Kari on Nov 2, 2005 3:23:48 GMT
Over the great span of SolidSnake Designs, there have been more fads than we can possibly count: perhaps even more than the number of "Post Your Photo" threads. If you reach back far enough, you can remember the personal fan clubs which even sparked meeting boards for the more popular of SSD's members. Recently, there has been an outbreak of sloganizer signatures, color wars, and WhatPulse contests. These forum fads have added a bit of fun to the community while just generally being hilarious. Some have been more on the silly side of things, like the short-lived Mountain Dew cult. It's enough to make one wonder just what the forum would participate in... How about a Coke vs Pepsi contest? The rivalry between these very similiar cola products has always been heated, especially in the southern part of the United States. It has the possibility of turning from a simple joke about caffeine-filled drinks to a full-fledged war with plenty of bloodshed. [*coke] [*pepsi] Or if you're firmly for drinking water and refuse to participate in anything related to such an unhealthy set of drinks, we've all got a certain idol on SSD we want to be just like. This is a perfect chance to imitate them - or perhaps even switch identities. Request use of his or her avatar/signature, change your name and boom... you've got a twin. Perfect confusion and chaos that would make the long-past April Fools proud. If instead, you find yourself firmly an individualist, you can easily take part in the claiming of your own country. Choose a flag and sign up for it in Chillout, then go to war with your neighbors. (Please, all except the signup thread, this fad must stay in your signatures or we might have chaos.) Not sure one of the current countries is right for you? Make up your own - create your own flag and you're good to go. And if these ideas for forum fads aren't enough for you, there is always room to create your own. Signatures are like having your own personal (and free!) billboards to showcase any ideas you might have: use them well!
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Post by Kari on Nov 2, 2005 3:26:52 GMT
Don’t Eat This Book: Fast Food and the Supersizing of America by Morgan Spurlock is the pseudo-sequel of sorts to his 2004 documentary, Supersize Me. The book is feels more like the addendum to the movie more than a free-standing novel. Much of the information is recycled, and the new information, despite the proof, feels like a group of conspiracy theories. However, the reader will not mind. There is a soul to the book. Spurlock presents everything in a tone that is sure to please any reader. His style of writing is one that draws any reader in and never lets go. His prose is so full of comedy and sarcasm that one can’t help but laugh when they read the book. In Supersize Me, Spurlock went on a thirty-day McDonalds “diet.” He could only eat meals from McDonalds; he had to eat three McMeals a day. The result? Spurlock gained twenty-five pounds, his blood pressure rose to deadly levels, his organs suffered and deteriorated, and, among other things, his sex drive ground to a halt. DETB picks up where the movie left off- with new statistics and even more evidence to blame Big Food for the world becoming increasingly obese. In the book, Spurlock details the antics of Big Food, the repercussions of fast food on the body, our own eating habits, the decline of health programs in our schools, why fast food is so appealing to us, and many other topics. Fans of Eric Schlosser's Fast Food Nation and Marion Nestle's Food Politics will no doubt enjoy this book. Don’t Eat This Book: Fast Food and the Supersizing of America receives a five-star rating.
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Post by Kari on Nov 2, 2005 3:27:40 GMT
www.apoptygmaberzerk.de/apop/images/apop_07.jpg[/img]You and Me Against the World, or YaMAtW, for short, is quite possibly the most genre-shaking CD to come from an EBM band in ages. APB has done it again. It is the embodiment of everything that APB is: evolutionary (and revolutionary) music that is never the same, yet always amazing. YaMAtW diverts from the normal EBM standard; it can be thought of as indie-rock. What could have been a travesty is actually one of the most enthralling CDs that I have ever heard. There is not a bad song on the CD; all the tracks--- save for the intro song--- could stand as singles. In fact, the first single, “In This Together,” the second track on the CD, is one of the greatest songs that I have ever heard. It is a fusion of pop, punk, and electronica; it can be likened to songs by Green Day, Blink-182, and others of the same vein. The song is as catchy as it is powerful; it is the quintessential love anthem. APB’s cover of Kim Wilde’s “Cambodia” is incredible. The style, the vocals, the guitars, and the synth just keep it going at a breakneck punk-styled pace; it is simply stunning. “Lost In Translation” is as EBM as it gets on this CD. The synth and the vocals are very reminiscent of 7-era APB. It is a haunting, yet melodic, song. It is a song of strife and redemption; the chorus is amazing. The final song, “Into the Unknown,” showcases Stephan Groth’s amazing vocal talent. Its guitar and drums go perfectly with Groth’s vocals and the synth. The European release came with two extra songs: APB’s outstanding cover of The House of Love’s “Shine On” and a remix of “Love to Blame,” titled “Is Electronic Love to Blame?.” You and Me Against the World surpasses every APB release to date. The reinvention of the band’s sound between Harmonizer and YaMAtW warrants endless praise. APB has come a long way from its dark industrial roots; the group now stands as a frontrunner of electronic music. This CD is not one to be missed. Not only does it showcase the best of EBM, it does so for vmany other genres. Apoptygma Berzerk has redefined what music is and what it should be. I cannot praise You and Me Against the World enough. It is one of the greatest CDs ever created; it is a must-buy for any fan of music. The listener will not be disappointed. Pick it up now. You and Me Against the World receives a five-star rating. Track list: 01. Tuning In Again (Intro) - 1:15 02. In This Together - 4:26 03. Love To Blame - 3:49 04. You Keep Me From Breaking Apart - 3:30 05. Cambodia - 4:20 06. Back On Track - 3:37 07. Tuning In To The Frequency Of Your Soul - 3:34 08. Mercy Kill - 3:10 09. Lost In Translation - 4:35 10. Maze - 3:22 11. Into The Unknown - 3:41 12. Shine On - 3:18 13. Is Electronic Love To Blame? - 4:34 Key Tracks: “In This Together,” “Love To Blame,” “Cambodia,” “Mercy Kill,” “Lost In Translation,” “Maze,” “Into The Unknown,” “Shine On” Other Apoptygma Berzerk CDs: Soli Deo Gloria, 7, Welcome to Earth, Harmonizer
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Post by Kari on Nov 2, 2005 3:28:43 GMT
KMFDM: the quintessential industrial band. No other industrial band has revolutionized the scene quite like this group has. Their fusion of electronica and industrial was unheard of; it was a shot in the arm for the genre. KMFDM, which stands for Kein Mehrheit Fur Die Mitleid, was founded in 1984 by Sascha Konietzko, the band’s only remaining original member. With Udo Sturm, Peter Missing, En Esch, and Raymond Watts, they began work on the early KMFDM tracks. They released Opium in and What Do You Know, Deutschland? soon after. KMFDM remained in Europe until the early nineties. The band moved to Chicago in 1992, as the industrial scene in America seemed to embrace KMFDM more so than the European scene. It was during this time that KMFDM signed with Wax Trax! Records and entered the golden age of American industrial. They were able to tour and create in a way that they were never able to do in Europe. It was during this time that they released some of their best works--- Money, Naïve, Angst, and Nihil. However, it wasn’t long before Wax Trax! fell into bankruptcy; KMFDM remained loyal and continued to stay with the label. More problems arose as En Esch and Sascha parted ways. Sascha moved out to Seattle, Esch moved to New Orleans. However, Sascha had to return to Chicago to remain by James Nash, his good friend and head of Wax Trax! Records. Nash had been in failing health; Sascha thought it best to remain. Despite everything, Nash eventually died as a result of his battle with AIDS. Soon after, Sascha returned to Seattle and began working on new material with the rest of the band. It wasn't long before KMFDM released Xtort and Symbols. In 1997, they toured with Pig and Rammstein. Not long after, they created their last album as the original band. Adios, as it was, was their single greatest album to date, but it appeared that it would be their last. KMFDM dissolved after Adios. However, Sascha continued to produce. He founded MDFMK and was a driving force behind Schwein. In 2002, after his exploits with Lucia Cifarelli, Jules Hodgson, Andy Selway, and Steve White with Schwein, he reformed KMFDM. The Schwein crew became the new members; they released Attak afterwards. It was a monumental success; KMFDM was back in business. The new KMFDM rode the success and created their masterpiece, WWIII. Two years after WWIII, the KMFDM crew put out Hau Ruck, their latest and arguably their most politically-charged. It signals a return to the older style of KMFDM. KMFDM has survived the evolution of EBM and industrial music; the self-proclaimed “godfathers of industrial rock” will continue to produce for years to come. KMFDM, as they have proved over these past twenty years, cannot be stopped. Discography:Opium: 1984 What Do You Know, Deutschland?: 1986 Don't Blow Your Top: 1988 UAIOE: 1989 Naïve: 1990 Money: 1992 Angst: 1993 Naïve/Hell To Go: 1994 Nihil: 1995 Xtort: 1996 Symbols: 1997 Agogo: 1998 Adios: 1998 Attak: 2002 WWIII: 2003 Hau Ruck: 2005
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Post by Kari on Nov 2, 2005 3:29:42 GMT
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow for the Nintendo DS The Castlevania series has a prestigious legacy. Save for a few titles, they have not failed to impress. So many gamers have fallen asleep on the A Button to Castlevania III, Super Castlevania IV, and on the X Button to the legendary Symphony of the Night. More recently, gamers were treated to the excellent GBA Castlevanias- Circle of the Moon, Harmony of Dissonance, and Aria of Sorrow. Dawn is the direct sequel to 2003’s Aria. At first glance, little seems to have changed, but, upon closer inspection, one can see that the games are worlds apart. As it is, Dawn is the best Castlevania game since Symphony of the Night (the game by which all subsequent Castlevanias and 2D games are judged by). It could be debated that Dawn actually surpasses the PS1 legend. In press pictures, the game’s graphics appear to be on par with that of the GBA. Pictures do Dawn no justice. The game is stunning. It is absolutely beautiful. No detail was spared. The sprites are colorful and move smoothly. The backgrounds are layered and appear 3D. The character, enemy, and weapon designs are top-notch. Konami spared no expense to bring the gamer a visual tour de force. The sound and music in this game is amazing. They are on par with that of Symphony of the Night. The theme for each level is a perfect match to it; there is not a theme that disappoints. The sound effects also impress- the action sounds fantastic (visceral, even). The subtle sounds in the background (laughter, screams, and he such) are haunting and surreal- it enhances the experience. The gameplay is addictive, yet hardly revolutionary. It remains true to the series “ Metroid-vania” style (the very one pioneered by SoTN) in that you navigate a castle and access certain areas only after you find a specific item. However, it is the soul collecting, the element that made Aria so appealing, that is this game’s main draw. Upon defeat, an enemy may drop a “soul.” These “souls” enhance the player’s abilities and can be created into weapons. There are scores to collect; any gamer hell-bent on totally completing the game will be playing for ages. New gameplay additions include “sealing” an enemy with the stylus and the now ever-present map. (The latter is godsend.) The story, as with Aria’s, isn’t going to win a Pulitzer prize. Aria’s story revolved around Soma Cruz becoming trapped inside Dracula’s castle during a future solar eclipse. He eventually learns that he is the reincarnation of Dracula, and he fights the darkness within him by maintaining a good heart (through love and responsibility). Dawn’s story continues where Aria’s left off; a sinister cult is after Soma so that they may receive his powers. That’s it. That’s the story. Dawn of Sorrow is, without a shadow of a doubt, is both the best DS game and Castlevania game to date. It is an experience in and of itself; it is not one to be missed. Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow receives a five-star rating.
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Post by Kari on Nov 2, 2005 3:31:12 GMT
Not only will November bring us the turning back of clocks, leaves falling to the ground, Thanksgiving smells of Pumpkin Pie and grandmothers trying to pinch your cheeks, it also brings us to the start of the next-generation gaming era. This month we will see the birth of the XBox 360. Being the first console of the next-generation of gaming, Microsoft is in a good, but possibly bad situation. Let's start with the pros. - Being the first, they can dominate the market before the Playstation 3 or Nintendo Revolution even have a chance.
- This allows them to work any bugs out of the console before the rest
- Being first, developers may have more interest in the XBox 360
- The XBox 360 may have unlisted features that will change gaming
- With Halo 3 as a launch title, a large fanbase has nearly been guaranteed to purchase the system
However, with any pros, there also come cons. - Obviously being first leaves the Xbox 360 "exclusive" features to being copied and placed on upcoming Nintendo and Sony systems
- Nintendo and Sony can analyze Microsoft's success and develop marketing based on the results
- Sony and Nintendo also might decide to improve certain aspects of their next-gen consoles (i.e. graphics, gameplay, hard drive space, etc.) to use it as an advantage
Not only will November bring us the birth of the Xbox 360, it also brings us to the beginning of the Holiday Shopping season. It is safe to assume that Microsoft will pull in a lot of cash - especially considering the price for the basic XBox 360. Nintendo has recently introduced the Game Boy Micro which will bring in money, but not enough to combat the income produced by the Xbox 360. However, they won't suffer too badly. Nintendogs has been a success for Nintendo and with a Holiday Edition in the works, you can expect even more success. To add to their plans, Nintendo will be introducing their co-op effort with Gamespy and introduce their free, online WiFi service for the Nintendo DS on November 14. With games like Mario Kart DS, Animal Crossing DS (tentative title) and Tony Hawk DS (tentative title), Nintendo has put in effort to attract gamers. Sony will get sales from the Playstation 2 and the PSP and likely have a better income than Nintendo. Let's take into consideration that the PSP plays movies and music. Parent's might consider it for kids who like gaming, music and movies instead of buying iPods, portable DVD players and the such. What parent wouldn't save money and buy the three-in-one system? Brownie points for Sony. This holiday season will definitely be one to remember for both consumers and producers.
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Post by Kari on Nov 2, 2005 3:40:53 GMT
Doesn't good, quality, digital painting fascinate you, even if just a little bit? Have you ever asked yourself what programs or tools an artist might use to create such a fantastic piece of artwork? A digital painting is an art form in which an artist uses traditional painting techniques, such as watercolor, oils, impasto, etcetera, and apply them by using digital tools by means of a computer (graphic tablets, stylus a.k.a. pen, and software). Adobe Photoshop, Corel Painter, and Studio Artist are just some of the more popular softwares that artists use to create digital paintings. Abstract, anime, fantasy and surreal are just some of the many different genres of digital painting. Here are some examples of the ones I have listed above.
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Post by Kari on Nov 2, 2005 3:41:52 GMT
Welcome to the first installment of this Photoshop Help Article. In order for this to help you, you need to have both Photoshop 7 and a willingness to learn. Photoshop is not something you can learn in an instant; I've been working in Photoshop for over a year now and am not even close to mastering it. Photoshop is great for all types of art; It has the Pen Tool for vectoring, a great system of layers for photomanipulation, a pencil tool for pixel art, and a brush tool for some flashy 3-D art or airbrushing. This article should help you learn how to properly use these tools to produce one of these so-called "Styles of Art." Before you start learning to produce complex pieces of art, however, you will need to know the basics. The easiest way to master these simple lessons is through the use of the most commonly "shown off" or "battled" type of art here: signatures! Signatures are perfect for learning about Photoshop's tools and can help you develop your own style by making use of a small space. Usually when people decide to start learning signatures they go straight into Photoshop, throw a gradient in, slap a picture on it, and write their name in huge, funky letters. Quality signatures require time and practice to achieve. Trendwhore is generally the first step a designer takes in signature-making; it was named such due to the fact that it is the most commonly used style. This usually involves some wild abstract brushed background with an anime character popping out, topped off with big beveled text. This approach is a great stepping stone to your own style of art, but it must remain just that: a stepping stone. Artists who forever use this trendwhore style have not found their own yet. If you are going to make a quality signature, however, you will first need to find some quality fonts. Try DaFont.com, 1001 Free Fonts, or AcidFonts.com. Download the fonts you like and add it onto your system. Then head over to DeviantArt to find Photoshop Brushes and download any abstract brushes you would like to use. Add pictures of anything you have an interest in. If it is anime, you can find a great selection of pictures at AnimeCubed.com. Include sporting pictures if you'd like: anything you feel properly represents you. Make sure to cut cleanly when you are preparing it for pasting. Use a very light feather - around 1px - to keep it smooth without looking sloppy, and try adding a small inner shadow to cover any sharp edges. Take your time: it is much easier to do it well once than to start over. Also, don't colorize the layer: it takes away from the depth in the image. Use the Image>Adjustments>Curves menu to make sure your character doesn't clash with the background. Feel free to check out various tutorials on Good Tutorials and Deviantart if you need some inspiration. Don't continuously draw from these tutorials; learn how to perform the basics and go from there. Experiment and add your own flair. Keep practicing until the next installment and you should improve greatly. ---Next Month: Making your own style--
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Post by Kari on Nov 2, 2005 3:51:02 GMT
It’s the “heart” of the image that separates an awe-inspiring photo from a quick snap that you wouldn't look twice look at. The heart is the focal point; this is the part that serves to both draw the eye into the scene and hold it there. When finding a focal point to properly serve this purpose, it is important to look for one that is unique and gives the piece a strong sense of purpose. Bold use of colour and contrast are pretty much essential tools for grabbing the eyes' attention; try grouping colored areas together in your mind as you seek for these qualities. Emotive subjects always add a great depth within a photo. Take your average couple caught in the middle of a display of affection and conveniently framed by the deep red of the sun just creeping over the horizon: such things really help add an atmosphere in the scene. This sort of scene would give the viewer a strong ounce of emotion, and ultimately communicates the same love you saw first-hand to a second-hand viewer. It's always helpful to have a bit of physical depth within a photo as opposed to having just a plain photo. Take for example Kentmere, taken by none other than myself. Personally, I love this photo; however, due to the fact that the subject is actually a reservoir, there is nothing in the foreground to supply depth. This makes the photo bland. To spice it up with a little depth, it a good idea would have been to have a spread of rocks in the foreground or some other simple addition that would give the eye another area to rest on. The next thing to consider when composing a shot is the good ol’ rule of thirds. Now that you have found the subject matter, what else should you do to take a great shot? As many of us may know, it's very tempting just to point the camera at the subject and let off the shutter, but central compositions tend to leave a lot to be desired. This is where the rule of thirds come in; traditionally used in landscapes, they can also be put to use in many other types of photography. For landscape photographers, this is one of the most important areas to think about. This image shows the concept of the rules of thirds. This can be used in many, many ways. Most people tend to centre the horizon within the top third in landscape photograph; placing it in the bottom thirds can make a picture more interesting and unique. The main focus in the photo should be placed within one of the far right or far left spaces. Most of the time, main focuses are on the right as the eye is naturally drawn to the far-right section. The most “powerful” tool a photographer possesses, however, is not his knowledge of the rule of thirds: it's his feet! That’s right...us photographers can move freely! Use this to your advantage: take a tour of the area, and make sure you exploit your location. Don’t take your shot right away; try and get away from shooting at eye level and strive to make your angles unique. Squat low; climb high. Make sure any possible angles are uncovered as this will enable you to explore a range of different objects in the foreground or background. And lastly, don’t forget to keep it simple; simple shots are much easier on the eyes and a heck of a lot easier to accomplish successfully. Don’t try and cram as much into the shot as possible; this just complicates things and often will overload your viewer. Remember: less is more. (Second image used to display the rules of thirds courtesy of http://www.shutterfreaks.com.)
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Post by Kari on Nov 2, 2005 3:53:01 GMT
Allegro may sound completely foreign to you, but hopefully that will change by the end of this article. I plan to introduce Allegro, give a quick run-over of the absolute basics (to show its ease), and then I'll present to you a very basic Allegro program. In fact, the program will be one of the easiest you could ever write, but it'll display an image. So, shall we? What is Allegro?Where to find Allegro![/url] you can find pretty much everything you'd ever need (or at least a link to somewhere that provides the information). The downloads are here, and a nice list of tutorials can be found here. It would be well worth your time to read through the website if you're especially interested in Allegro, as you'll find more comprehensive information than what I'll provide.[/ul] The basics of Allegro.[/size] This program does a couple of things. First it initalises Allegro and creates a blank window (640 x 480), next is loads a bitmap, "myPicture.bmp". Lastly, it waits until a key is pressed before exiting. Code Break-Down[/ul] Okay, so there you have it. A very quick and concise introduction to the Allegro game programming library. I do hope I've achieved getting you readers even the slightest bit interested in the library.
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Post by Kari on Nov 2, 2005 4:00:28 GMT
Pick up a ProBoardsProBoards: We all know of them, we’re all members of them... But how many of us are owners of them? I’d say too many. Since Solid Snake Design was born in March 2003, I’ve come across about a dozen new design forums every month. Why are there so many? Why do people feel the need to create a design forum, when there are already a few brilliant ones around? And let’s face it: nobody is ever going to replace SSD. The only answer I can think of is that they see the success of Solid Snake Design, Zanmato Design and G101 (though the latter two are now closed), and wish to emulate it. Naturally, they fail. A combination of bad designing, excess of staff (particularly administrators), and ‘been done’ colour schemes, have lead to a completely unprofessional generation of design forums. It’s not only design forums, either; there are countless gaming console forums, countless ‘general’ forums. Indeed, there is pretty much a forum for anything. But is it necessary? I even had people ask me, “I want to make a forum. What should it be about?” This is a true reflection of what I branded (this very second) - the forum-making culture, an idea born out of the want for success. Now this in itself is not a bad thing. To want to be successful is good, but to strive for it is even better. Far too many people simply sign up for a forum, appoint seven administrators, and expect it to be the new Solid Snake Design. No, no, no! You have to work to be successful. Rome wasn’t built in a day, nor was Solid Snake Design. This is the reason why so many new forums are ‘unprofessional’: nobody wants to work in order to make them better. On the subject of Rome not being built in a day, an exact copy wasn’t built, either (For any historian smart-alecks, don’t you dare mention Constantinople). If you’re going to make a forum, don’t just copy one that came before because nine times out of ten, the original is better. Of course, you should look at how they’ve been successful. Working off other successful strategies is a good way of getting a good start. Saying that, do not attempt to make a similar forum to Solid Snake Designs, just with a few modifications and think it’s okay. Mold your forum to be your own. Use your own ideas, and make it original. If you’re going to make a design board, there’s already Solid Snake Design. If you’re going to make a wrestling board, there’s already Wfigs. Unique and original forums attract members. In short, my advice is this: if you’re going to make a forum, make it different than anything else. Put effort into it, make it appealing, and, in due course, it will be successful. Don’t just make another design form. Instead, join Solid Snake Designs, an already thriving community, and try and work your way up there. Who knows – you could be the next administrator one day.
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