GR Mailbag: Neither Rain, Sleet Nor Snow..

From: Steve Winston (***@intagliovat.com)
Subject: Indrema 
game system I am a big fan of your site and value your 
honest and concise opinion. What do you think of this 
new game system from this start up company called Indrema. 
They are using Linux software, with DVD capapibility, 
and internet access and it says it will contain more gig 
and megahertz than the xbox? Is the game revolution hot for 
this product or do you prefer to stick with the status quo 
game systems. Thanks 

First, let's get the facts straight. The Indrema will be using a 600 MHz processor vs. X-box's 733 MHz. The processing power is, technically, not more powerful.

On paper, the Indrema certainly sounds promising. Any system that allows you to take a PC game CD and place it your home console quickly turns my head. The promise of open-sourced code could result in a deluge of games.

But the truth of the matter is that the Indrema is a Linux based system, which just doesn't mean much to the mass market. And specs don't make a system - resources do. Without resources to support it, the system is fighting an enormous uphill battle. And at this point, we've yet to hear much buzz from our peers.

Let's forget about the Xbox for a second and consider the gaming community as a whole. The PS2 just shipped, sending ripples throughout the industry. The Dreamcast is cranking out critically acclaimed games and is still the only online console. Nintendo's GameCube, regardless of it's limitations or benefits, sports the Nintendo name, which is actually worth quite a bit these days.

By the time the Xbox and GameCube launch, there will be 4 next generation home systems to choose from. We don't think there's room for that many, let alone 5.

But who knows? Maybe Linux will catch fire and become the great OS savior it's supposed to be.* Maybe Microsoft will screw up the launch of the Xbox and make room for the Indrema. **

And maybe GR will make our own home console system called the "Bonkerbox." ***

-GR

* It won't.
** They won't.
*** We definitely won't.

From: "Glockmagic" (***@aol.com)
Subject: Re: Silver Lining emailer...."Gaming Politics?"
Wow, 
I can't believe that anybody who likes video gaming 
dislike Asians. One thing closed minded people like 
this guy fail to realize is that we all live on the 
same planet and what we think of each other is as 
important as what we do to each other to get along. 
If it means giving once in a while then so be it. 
Because I am sure we take a lot more back. 
Glockmagic

You know, I don't think Jerry Springer himself could have said it any better. Take care of yourself, and each other.

-GR

From: Shawn Weaver (***@hotmail.com)
Subject: DIE DIE DIE DIE HAHAHA SAL IS A GONER!
I AM CHALLENGING MR MAGICPANTS TO A MATCH TO THE DEATH!!! 
I SHAL PREVAIL 
VICTORIES AND STRIP HIM OF HIS MAGIC PANTS!!!! 
MWAHAHAHAH THIS TIME I WILL NOT LOSE!!! YOU BETTER BE 
ON TONIGHT SAL OR YOUR GRANDMA GETS IT, OLD GRANNY 
MAGIC PANTS!!! YOU WILL KNOW ME WHEN YOU SEE ME!!!!
THIS IS A DEATHTREAT BROUGHT TO YOU BY: 
SALISGONNADIEYOUWEAKFOOL!

You have reached the automated response e-mailing of Mr. Sal Magicpants.

Sal is away from his desk at the moment. If you would like to leave a message, Deathmatch Challenge or virgin-offering, please do so after the beep. Mr. Magicpants will get back to you as soon as he has finished eviscerating his latest victim.

-GR

P.S. If this is a challenge, Mr. Magicpants requires all contenders to submit an approximate measurement of their head. Mr. Magicpants' Trophy Rack is growing increasingly full. Thank You!

From: "Austin Madison" (***@willinet.net)
Subject: i dont know
can i download the hole game off the internet if so tell me how

Hmm...The hole game? Cyberpatrol made us take that one down.

-GR

From: John Trudel (***@mail.com)
Subject: Screenshots
On Gilligan's Island, if the professor could build a radio out of 
coconut, why couldn't he fix a hole in the boat?

Would you fix the boat?

-GR