Tahquitz

Windows XP 64-bit SP3 has an expiry date of 2014 on security updates compared to Windows Vista SP2, with a projected date of 2013 (which may change if SP3 is to be made or not). Both are eclipsed by Windows 7, which like Vista SP2 was released in 2009, but has yet to receive a Service Pack at all.

Resources wise, 64-bit versions of any of the three operating system requires more memory than their 32-bit counterparts, so in any system OS 1GB of RAM would deliver middling performance at best. XP will use the least amount of resources of all three (but also hits a brick wall at DirectX 9 compatible titles), with 7 being second, and Vista coming at third being 10-20% slower than gaming with Windows 7 in most configurations.

The Point: XP would be worth it if you can still get your hands on it. That would assume you have a System Builder copy, or have a discontinued desktop/laptop in mind at a wholesaler with XP 64 preinstalled... (TigerDirect, looking at your direction), with the understanding that the PC won't get security updates within three years and can't use DirectX 10 or 11... if you only play CoH, then that isn't much of an issue if you know that your PC hardware would support Vista or 7's minimum requirements anyway; just buy it later.

If you play other titles that support DX9 (which are small but will increase in the future) then XP should be passed. Windows 7 will be supported longer and costs similar to Vista editions, so Vista provides no considerable benefit over either XP or Windows 7 IMO.

Edit: Nevermind, missed the deadline. (Was looking up info as I typed this and watched The Simpsons... good Technical Issues posts take research, after all. )

Read my mind precisely, I was thinking my home state would be perfect, although this year due to the proximity of Comicon to Gen Con Indy it would be hard on the OCR team to pull off two major cons in the same month (and that as an exhibitor, signing on for Gen Con Indy three months before the event requires ritual sacrifice or a very forgiving event staff) I think it won't be possible until 2011 to consider it.

I think one event in the midwest should cap off the year quite well. Gen Con Indy has around 30K attendees, but there's got to be something else near that volume.

That, or give Canada some love.

I'm touring the scene. Still on CoH (forgot to turn off 3 mo. auto pay back in March, so I'm on until June, then GR is imminent), but trying other things.

Most recently, I broke out of my GuildWars slump, got two characters to 20 finally. (After 8 months of reeeaaally casual soloing.) Gorgeous throughout, loved post-searing Ascalon the most... not a lot of ruined empires that you play in from beginning to apocalypse in titles (until Cataclysm I guess.) Can't wait to try GW2 from the videos I've seen.

Tried Star Trek Online in March. I love space combat, especially when you leave Klingon space and you need to start paying attention and not hit "fire all weapons" repeatedly, but ground really sucks, about as enjoyable as washing dishes. Got up to Lt. Commander before I stopped... I don't see a lot of people happy with the game, and I can see how unfinished it is without getting to RA. Maybe I'll resub later.

Next week, I'll give DDO a try... One GB is a lot to ask of Mobile Broadband, but the same goes with Issue 17's prepatching. (Of course, after enjoying anniversary in CoH. )

I'd agree. There are badges elsewhere in the game that have the stipulation of "If you weren't there, you can't have it." (Passport.) This is nothing egregious.

Signing in all of my characters across the servers is a little annoying, but I can manage it in less than an hour for 23 toons.

Man was not put on this planet... to answer to fruit.

You know the serious cat is actually half-cat, right?

Paragon Studios I'd imagine have done all they can for now ("Touching Base" with the shop owner, owner may need to prove his idea was first/genuinely original or not, Cease & Desist being served in person, whathaveyou...) NCSoft homebase in Korea, on the other hand, may take some time in their reaction, but most definetly would involve a lawsuit if they find the shopkeep to be liable.

Yeesh! Two days left on fixing the client post download for new sound? Did John Williams rescore the whole soundtrack?

I can't get into test at all myself. Freezes upon opening the Updater. My live game works, so I'm not going to pry any further... if it works two days from now, I'll try again. If not, I'll see it all once it's live.

Yeah, "It's different, 'coz I said it's different..." That's worked out so well for Vanilla Ice and The Verve.

Honestly, I don't think Paragon Studios would go after them... money spent on lawsuits is money not spent on their core business. But NCSoft is a whole different jar of pickles.

In Vista and Win7, your laptop PC's performance is controlled by the Power Profile. If left to initial settings, Balanced mode will let the CPU choose how much fan speed/GHz to deliver. Sometimes, the PC doesn't quite make the switch fast enough and the processor gets hotter than it can handle. You can set it to full use (CPU/GFX at full, all fans on) by selecting "High Performance". (You'll need to be plugged into the wall for this to be effective.)

Open the Control Panel, and choose Power. (If you're in category view, cllick "System and Security", then click "Power Options"... I might be wrong on the titles, look around a little.) Change the plan to High Performance and click OK. You may also do this in the notification tray: Look for an icon with a battery. (If plugged in, you'll see a tiny plug in front of the battery.)

There is no way to set this to come up automatically, you'll need to select this every time you log in: Balanced is always default.

Try it again with High Performance on, see if it makes a difference.

That and the weird rash I've got from it.
(I wouldn't go any further down that rabbit hole if I were you.)