razark

Oh, we're doing this again?

Exactly.

The topic is threads going off-topic. It's on-topic for this thread to be off-topic. Aside from that, this wasn't really a call for discussion, it was simply a single person's observation that multiple threads that started the same way ended going off-topic the same way. What discussion is there to be had? My questions would be: Why do you expect a conversation to not wander off-topic in the first place? and How far off-topic is off-topic?

Conversations wander. It is the nature of the beast.

What is a "gamer"? What is a "'real' gamer"? What does it take to be a "gamer"? I play games sometimes. I play various different games at various different times. At some points of my life, I've spent more time playing games than doing anything else. Does that make me a gamer? I don't follow the latest news on video games. I don't keep up with the different consoles or spend any real effort on figuring out if I should use 'X' CPU and 'Y' graphics card. I don't play multiplayer video games. Does that make me not 'real'? Am I even a gamer? I really don't care. I don't choose to apply the label to myself. I don't particularly care whether or not other people apply the label to me. I play games I like to have fun. I watch movies sometimes. Does that make me a "movier"? Am I a "reader" if I occasionally read books? Am I a "televisioner" because I watch shows? Most people I know eat every day, usually several times. Should I identify them as an "eaters"? What about the ones that don't know how to cook and eat ramen, pizza, and fast food all the time? Are they not "'real' eaters"? Or is there any purpose to applying these labels to each other and complaining that some person that doesn't "do X" just like us isn't a "'real Xer"?

Do you have a source for that?

I generally name mine something to do with the purpose and location of the ship. I haven't been playing much recently, but here's an example from an earlier save. [TABLE] [TR] [TH=colspan: 5, align: center]Vessel Disposition Report[/TH] [/TR] [TR] [TH=align: center]Name[/TH] [TH=align: center]Class[/TH] [TH=align: center]Type[/TH] [TH=align: center]Status[/TH] [TH=align: center]Notes[/TH] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]BioLab 2[/TD] [TD=align: center]BioLab[/TD] [TD=align: center]Space Station[/TD] [TD=align: center]Available[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]LKORS Alpha[/TD] [TD=align: center]Station Core[/TD] [TD=align: center]Space Station[/TD] [TD=align: center]On Station[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]BioLab 1[/TD] [TD=align: center]BioLab[/TD] [TD=align: center]Space Station[/TD] [TD=align: center]On Station[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]Experiment Mast[/TD] [TD=align: center]Experiment Mast[/TD] [TD=align: center]Space Station[/TD] [TD=align: center]On Station[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]Power Array Alpha Mk2[/TD] [TD=align: center]Station Power Array Mk2[/TD] [TD=align: center]Space Station[/TD] [TD=align: center]On Station[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]Physics Lab 1[/TD] [TD=align: center]Physics Lab 1[/TD] [TD=align: center]Space Station[/TD] [TD=align: center]On Station[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]Physics Lab 2[/TD] [TD=align: center]Physics Lab 2[/TD] [TD=align: center]Space Station[/TD] [TD=align: center]On Station[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]Habitat Module[/TD] [TD=align: center]Habitat Module[/TD] [TD=align: center]Space Station[/TD] [TD=align: center]On Station[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]Orbital Shipyard Beta[/TD] [TD=align: center]Spacedock 2 Section A[/TD] [TD=align: center]Space Station[/TD] [TD=align: center]On Station[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]Orbital Shipyard Beta A[/TD] [TD=align: center]Spacedock 2 Section B[/TD] [TD=align: center]Space Station[/TD] [TD=align: center]On Station[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]Orbital Shipyard Beta B[/TD] [TD=align: center]Spacedock 2 Section B[/TD] [TD=align: center]Space Station[/TD] [TD=align: center]On Station[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]OS Beta Warehouse[/TD] [TD=align: center]Parts Warehouse[/TD] [TD=align: center]Space Station[/TD] [TD=align: center]On Station[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]OS Beta Depot[/TD] [TD=align: center]Fuel Depot[/TD] [TD=align: center]Space Station[/TD] [TD=align: center]On Station[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]OS Beta Habitation[/TD] [TD=align: center]Spacedock Habitation Module[/TD] [TD=align: center]Space Station[/TD] [TD=align: center]On Station[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]Science Dart[/TD] [TD=align: center]Science Vessel 1[/TD] [TD=align: center]Spacecraft[/TD] [TD=align: center]No Longer Exists[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]Science Orbiter I[/TD] [TD=align: center]Science Vessel 2[/TD] [TD=align: center]Spacecraft[/TD] [TD=align: center]No Longer Exists[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]Science Orbiter II[/TD] [TD=align: center]Science Vessel 2A[/TD] [TD=align: center]Spacecraft[/TD] [TD=align: center]No Longer Exists[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]Mun Explorer[/TD] [TD=align: center]Explorer I[/TD] [TD=align: center]Spacecraft[/TD] [TD=align: center]No Longer Exists[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]Mun Explorer II[/TD] [TD=align: center]Explorer IA[/TD] [TD=align: center]Spacecraft[/TD] [TD=align: center]No Longer Exists[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]Mun Explorer III[/TD] [TD=align: center]Explorer IA-2[/TD] [TD=align: center]Spacecraft[/TD] [TD=align: center]No Longer Exists[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]Mun Explorer IV[/TD] [TD=align: center]Explorer IA-3[/TD] [TD=align: center]Spacecraft[/TD] [TD=align: center]No Longer Exists[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]Minmus One[/TD] [TD=align: center]Explorer IA-3[/TD] [TD=align: center]Spacecraft[/TD] [TD=align: center]No Longer Exists[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]CTV 1[/TD] [TD=align: center]Crew Transport Vehicle[/TD] [TD=align: center]Spacecraft[/TD] [TD=align: center]No Longer Exists[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]Plant Growth 1[/TD] [TD=align: center]Experiment 1 (Plant Growth)[/TD] [TD=align: center]Spacecraft[/TD] [TD=align: center]No Longer Exists[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]Lander Test[/TD] [TD=align: center]Lander 1[/TD] [TD=align: center]Lander[/TD] [TD=align: center]No Longer Exists[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]Minmus One[/TD] [TD=align: center]Lander 1[/TD] [TD=align: center]Lander[/TD] [TD=align: center]No Longer Exists[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]Minmus Two[/TD] [TD=align: center]Lander 1 A1[/TD] [TD=align: center]Lander[/TD] [TD=align: center]No Longer Exists[/TD] [TD=align: left]Loss of solar panel during staging.[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]Station Experiment 2[/TD] [TD=align: center]Experiment 1A (Plant Growth)[/TD] [TD=align: center]Spacecraft[/TD] [TD=align: center]No Longer Exists[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]CTV 2[/TD] [TD=align: center]Crew Transport Vehicle B[/TD] [TD=align: center]Spacecraft[/TD] [TD=align: center]No Longer Exists[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]BioSupply 1[/TD] [TD=align: center]Zoology Resupply[/TD] [TD=align: center]Spacecraft[/TD] [TD=align: center]No Longer Exists[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]Station Experiment 3[/TD] [TD=align: center]Experiment 2A (Creature Comforts)[/TD] [TD=align: center]Spacecraft[/TD] [TD=align: center]No Longer Exists[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]Power Array Alpha[/TD] [TD=align: center]Station Power Array[/TD] [TD=align: center]Space Station[/TD] [TD=align: center]No Longer Exists[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]Construction 1[/TD] [TD=align: center]Crew Expedition Vehicle[/TD] [TD=align: center]Spacecraft[/TD] [TD=align: center]No Longer Exists[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]Mun One[/TD] [TD=align: center]Lander 1 A2[/TD] [TD=align: center]Lander[/TD] [TD=align: center]No Longer Exists[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]AC-N Test[/TD] [TD=align: center]Crew Expedition Vehicle AC-N[/TD] [TD=align: center]Spacecraft[/TD] [TD=align: center]No Longer Exists[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]BioSupply 2[/TD] [TD=align: center]Zoology Resupply B[/TD] [TD=align: center]Spacecraft[/TD] [TD=align: center]No Longer Exists[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]Mun Two[/TD] [TD=align: center]Lander 1 A2[/TD] [TD=align: center]Lander[/TD] [TD=align: center]No Longer Exists[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]Station Experiment 4[/TD] [TD=align: center]Experiment Plant Growth[/TD] [TD=align: center]Spacecraft[/TD] [TD=align: center]No Longer Exists[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]Station Experiment 5[/TD] [TD=align: center]Experiment Kuark Eccentric[/TD] [TD=align: center]Spacecraft[/TD] [TD=align: center]No Longer Exists[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]Station Experiment 6[/TD] [TD=align: center]Experiment Kuark Bioactivity[/TD] [TD=align: center]Spacecraft[/TD] [TD=align: center]No Longer Exists[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]Minmus 3[/TD] [TD=align: center]Lander 1 A2[/TD] [TD=align: center]Lander[/TD] [TD=align: center]No Longer Exists[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]Station Experiment 7[/TD] [TD=align: center]Experiment Kuark Prograde[/TD] [TD=align: center]Spacecraft[/TD] [TD=align: center]No Longer Exists[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]Crew Transport 3[/TD] [TD=align: center]Crew Expedition Vehicle A[/TD] [TD=align: center]Spacecraft[/TD] [TD=align: center]No Longer Exists[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]AC-N Reducer[/TD] [TD=align: center]Crew Expedition Vehicle AC-N[/TD] [TD=align: center]Spacecraft[/TD] [TD=align: center]No Longer Exists[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]Rescue One[/TD] [TD=align: center]Crew Transport Vehicle C[/TD] [TD=align: center]Spacecraft[/TD] [TD=align: center]No Longer Exists[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]Station Experiment 8[/TD] [TD=align: center]Experiment Kuark Retrograde[/TD] [TD=align: center]Spacecraft[/TD] [TD=align: center]No Longer Exists[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]Visitor AC[/TD] [TD=align: center]Crew Expedition Vehicle AC[/TD] [TD=align: center]Spacecraft[/TD] [TD=align: center]Abandon In Place[/TD] [TD=align: left][/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]

The software is finished when it does everything it's supposed to, and doesn't do everything it's not supposed to. Since Squad A) won't tell us what the plan is; and changes their plan occasionally, there is literally no way for us or even Squad to say how done it is. Even when Squad officially says "done, nothing but maintenance from now on", every single one of us will have different ideas about what Squad should have done, shouldn't have done, should have done differently, how "finished" it is, etc.

More like this:

If we go by features/content, it's about 150% finished. I think it should have U, V, W, X, Y, and Z features. What it has now is V, W, X, A, B, C, D, and E features.

He said "so what?" in response to another player's annoyance. How is the poster supposed to take that? I missed that part with the advice. "So what? It doesn't bother ME that much." is a bit more of a rude response. Just because someone has been around longer, or has a higher post count doesn't mean he's any better than someone that just joined. Expecting a person to listen to someone based only on how long he's been here is a bit dickish, really.

New guy: I have a problem doing <X>. Oldtimer: "so what?" Your complaint is invalid! New guy: Well, I guess my opinion isn't worthy of being spoken around here. Some of us have been around a long time. We've put up with some oddities in how the program works. We've gotten used to them, and we know how to work around them easily. That doesn't mean that they're not still there, or that they're not worth mentioning. New folks are going to have a different perspective. Let's try not to act as though they don't have something worthwhile to bring to the conversation.

1680x1050

People often accuse water of being wet, too.

Well, seeing as Mos Eisley is the most wretched hive of scum and villainy you can ever find, there's probably a thriving body disposal business.

Han shot, but it was not first. Saying he shot first implies that someone else fired afterwards.

Simply put, it's a single-player (for now) game. I get to decide what's cheating and what isn't. Therefore, if you aren't playing the game exactly like I am, you're cheating.

I really figured more people would catch that. I don't know whether to be surprised or saddened. For the record: B.S. Computer Science from University of Texas at Tyler, 2005.

B.A. in Ancient Literature from Miskatonic University in Arkham, MA

I usually just bring them back in whatever craft I launched them with.

I'd expand this. Any part that displays a flag should be able to display any flag. Right click the part, select a menu item that lets you choose which flag is displayed on that part.

Even funnier, the Little Joe and Little Joe II rockets were solid fuel.

I still hold to the position that this is what pilots should be able to do as well, without the lag. So there we go. Orbital maneuvers should be solved this way. I could see a simple parachute reentry as being possible, but the powered descent and landing I didn't. Maneuver nodes could be a workable solution. That does leave the problem of deploying gear and such, or staging off sections. I'm not sure how the nodes would work with landing on a planet with an atmosphere, though. Would air resistance change throw off the delta-v/burn time calculations?

You want programming, but you don't want it to be complex, and you don't want to to be too simple. Honestly, I'm not sure what you're asking for. Can you please be more descriptive of what you would like? I don't know what middle ground between KOS and RT you'd want.

There's no way to prove it right or wrong. Therefore, our best course of action is to act as though the universe we can perceive is the true existence. In other words, even if it is true, we should act as if it is not.