Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Records of 26,000,000 Vets Stolen

A computer stolen from the home of Jim Nicholson, a data analyst for the Department of Veterans Affairs, contained personal information of more than 26 million U.S. military veterans. The information is said to include the names, social security numbers and date of birth of living servicemen discharged since 1975.

50,000 Internet Predators?

"It has been estimated that, at any given time, 50,000 predators are on the Internet prowling for children."
That's the claim made by Attorney General Alberto Gonzales during the launch of the Justice Department’s Project Safe Childhood. Jason McLure has written an article for Legal Times where he tracks down the source of that 50,000 figure. It turns out the DOJ got it from TV.
The AG’s press secretary has the answer, though: "That number is actually pulled from [NBC newsmagazine] 'Dateline' and other media outlets," says Tasia Scolinos via e-mail.
Chris Hansen from Dateline, reportedly says the number comes from unnamed "law enforcement officials". But the former FBI agent he used to confirm the figure says it may just be a "Goldilocks number".

Sunday, May 21, 2006

On May 20th, we aired Ric's recent interview with Robert W. McChesney, President and co-founder of Free Press. The topic was net neutrality.

- Listen to the Interview -

Monday, May 15, 2006

Our annual roundup of the Electronic Entertainment Expo was a jammed-packed show, full of gamey goodness. First, we went over some of our personal favorites. These included a new haptic controller from Novint called the Falcon, and a cute little software tutor called Piano Wizard. The Art of Gaming exhibit upstairs was pretty excellent. We also noted appearances (separately) by both Jonathan "Fatal1ty" Wendel and Paris "What's in a name?" Hilton.

We were then joined by Tyler West, one of the artists who had his work displayed at the wonderful Into the Pixel exhibit. We talked about the part that art plays in the development of games, and how game art is finding increasing acceptance in the fine art world.

Next we spoke with James Jorris of the Get Well Gamers Foundation. They take donations of videogames, refurbish them if needed, and then distribute the games to hospitals across the nation. Their goal is to make sure children at hospitals have videogames available to them.

During the second half of the program we were joined by Ankarino Lara of Gamespot. He went over some of the highlights of the show, including the Wii controller from Nintendo, which generated lines requiring a wait of 4 hours or more. Also notable was the obvious battle between Microsoft and Sony for control of what they hope will be the 21st Century version of the Family Entertainment Center.

- Listen to Part One - Tyler West, Get Well Gamers

- Listen to Part Two - Ankarino Lara

Sunday, May 14, 2006

Wii!


Wii!
Originally uploaded by ~db~.

Part of Ninteno's huge display for their new controller.

Vivendi Games


Vivendi Games
Originally uploaded by ~db~.

The Ant Bully


The Ant Bully
Originally uploaded by ~db~.

This year's winner for my favorite name of a game.

Hello, My Name is Ben


Hello, My Name is Ben
Originally uploaded by ~db~.

Obviously, advertising was everywhere. The trick was finding a way to do it when the audience is so aware of the marketing.

New 360


New 360
Originally uploaded by ~db~.

From the Art of Gaming exhibit

Stewie


Stewie
Originally uploaded by ~db~.

Someone needs a nap.

Gunk


Gunk
Originally uploaded by ~db~.

Belgian gamers

Friday, May 12, 2006

Assimilated


Assimilated
Originally uploaded by ~db~.

Yes, the Microsoft booth.

Mumbo Jumbo


Mumbo Jumbo
Originally uploaded by ~db~.

A game developer from Texas.

Man of Action


Man of Action
Originally uploaded by ~db~.

Saving the world from small plastic villans.

Play II


Play
Originally uploaded by ~db~.

Art of Gaming


Art of Gaming
Originally uploaded by ~db~.

One of the best things at E3 this year.

Panty Raid


Panty Raid
Originally uploaded by ~db~.

Teaching values through video games.

Boss Fights


Boss Fights
Originally uploaded by ~db~.

The secret code of gamers.

Baggy Pants


Baggy Pants
Originally uploaded by ~db~.

Personal hygiene amoung male gamers was in decline this year.

Thursday, May 11, 2006

Millipede


Millipede
Originally uploaded by ~db~.

Downstairs in the Retro Gaming area at E3.

Talk to Me


Talk to Me
Originally uploaded by ~db~.

She sat in a booth with her image displayed on a big video screen. She talked via camera and mike to people standing in line at the Nintendo booth.

Bright Little Lights


Bright Little Lights
Originally uploaded by ~db~.

Laying on the floor facing up, they were very bright and provided fancy wall lighting.

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

PSP Signage


PSP Signage
Originally uploaded by ~db~.

A few years ago, we marveled at how the video quality of PC games were good enough to to view on huge video screens. Now, the graphics of console games are better than those PC games. The PSP games looked very nice.

Atari Neon


Atari Neon
Originally uploaded by ~db~.

They define old school.
I don't have a clue what they are doing now.

Vortex Sky


Vortex Sky
Originally uploaded by ~db~.

A lot of the displays were more interesting than the games. I don't even remember which booth this is. Nice effect though.

XBox Live


XBox Live
Originally uploaded by ~db~.

We deliberately avoided The Borg today. I suppose we'll need to visit, but why hurry the root canal?

E3 - Play


Play
Originally uploaded by ~db~.
Sony's Playstation area was huge, but it wasn't very interesting. Nice lights though.

Monday, May 08, 2006

John Romero, of id Software and Ion Storm, has stepped into the discussion over the re-rating of the video game Oblivion. His comment that "modders are now screwing up the industry they're supposed to be helping" has received particular attention.
Ruling that Apple Computer uses its fruit logo in association with their iTunes store, and not the music itself, a british judge has ruled against Apple Corp, the record label of the Beatles. Apple Computer will be able to use its famous apple logo. The record company reportedly will appeal.

Sunday, May 07, 2006

On May 6, we talked with Rudy Rucker, author of many books, stories, and other little goodies.

- Listen to the Interview -
On April 29, we broadcast live from the L.A. Times Festival of Books. During the first part we talked with David Ulin from the LA Times Book Review, Glenn Geffcken, the festival's Project Manager, Steve Salardino from Skylight Books.

Later, we spoke with Chris Mooney, author of The Republican War on Science.

- Listen to the Interview -

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Our guest for April 22 was Jude Biersdorfer, co-author of Google: The Missing Manual. We talked about many of the nifty ways Google can be used to find exactly what you're looking for.

- Listen to the Interview -