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Fallout New Vegas Director Explains Its Definitive Ending
Project director Josh Sawyer gives us his reason for why Fallout New Vegas won't let you keep playing after ending.
While Fallout: New Vegas is pretty much done (at the moment, the development team at Obsidian is focused purely on bugfixing, since all the content is complete), some recent news has come out about its definitive ending. Much like the original version of Fallout 3 (pre-Broken Steel DLC), New Vegas simply ends -- the player won't be able to go on to play the game some more after the ending. Destructoid has heard one reason from New Vegas senior producer Jason Bergman, and we got an additional explanation from project director Josh Sawyer reproduced below:
"We put a lot of effort into the ending slides -- we know those slides are really popular with people so we want to make sure there's a huge amount of variety and reactivity with that stuff. We weren't really focused on new features so much as to add a really rich sense of reactivity to the players and the choices they make."
We want to make it a definitive ending. Initially, we talked about trying to support post-game play, but because the changes that can happen at the end of the game are pretty major, this is what it basically came down to: either have the changes feel really major in the end slides and then have them not be very major after the end of the game, or make them really minor and not that impactful. And we feel it's better to say, 'you know what, we're just going to end the game, and the changes you made can be minor or really really big, but because we can't script all the changes to the Wasteland to let you keep playing, we're just going to stop it there.' But we do let the player know when that's about to happen-- a sort of, 'the end of the game is coming, so we're saving your game right now, so if you want to keep your game going, you can, otherwise, it's about to be over.'"
Whether you decide to try to finish every quest in the game before the end, or simply end the game and go look for additional quest in new playthroughs, you're probably going to be busy. Sawyer noted, "We have a huge number of quests in this game. We've often said this is the same physical size as Fallout 3, which is true, but the amount of quest content is crazy."
See Also
Fallout: New Vegas Downloadable Content Exclusive to Xbox 360
Comments (67)
continue the game rpgs are foreverPosted: Apr 27, 2012 12:00AM PST by Rever82
ok first thing fallout new vegas is a rpg not a chicken shit firstperson shooter there is no end to a rpg its stupid that i have to do all the dlcs before ending the game even know i need to do the ending before i do the lonesome road dlc ..please continue the game
What the #@$%!!!!!!!!Posted: Sep 21, 2011 12:00AM PST by Da_Kidd12
At the end of new vegas yes man says something to the effect that he will be leaving for awhile and he is changing his software to make him "more asertive" (that is if u follow that particular path) but he assures you that he will return!!! so how can this be if the creators have no intention of fulfilling the storyline?????
Seriously?Posted: Aug 29, 2011 12:00AM PST by RobertagodYDG
You would think that Obsidian would actually be smart enought to know that the majority of players of their games actually want to keep on going. What is the sense in making a game stop so abruptly with the exception of a few slides of the future of the Wasteland. Not to mention the fact that you are not able to see any of these future changes that occur. Prior to the release of the Broken Steel DLC for Fallout 3, I raged at the fact that there wasn't any sort of exploration and clearity of the ending. But. After the Broken Steel DLC came out, I was extremely excited, mainly because the typical RPG gamer likes to see more and more changes and expantions to their gameplay. This made up for the sheer fact that FO3 had an extremely horrid ending. But, with there being no insight (AT ALL) about any sort of DLC that lets us continue on our journey to explore this new and extensive wasteland, I am highly dissapointed in Obsidan, and may not ever buy one of their games again. Basically, I just feel that it was very dim of Obsidian to entice us of all of these rewards at the end and not let us explore them after the ending and not even give us the option of having the players pay an extra 10 dollars to continue on in their adventure. P.S. @Obsidian: Listen to what your players want in a game. Don't rip them off or you may potentially lose devoted fans of your work.
Thank you.
What a load of crapPosted: Aug 05, 2011 12:00AM PST by torturedsoul
Basically they are just too lazy to write the script and want to move onto whatever can make them the most money the fastest. They might as well admit it instead of lying; I mean come on look at Fallout 3. So basically they are saying; Deciding who controls a stupid dam and the region around it=Too important and vast to allow post game play but, Bringing life(or death) to the Wasteland on a massive scale and ending the source of all super mutants in the region as well as finishing off one of the most powerful factions in the Wasteland, the Enclave (which is the remnants of the pre war Government) that is more powerful than any of the Brotherhood of Steel combined=Pathetic and Insignificant...Give me a break!
just to clarify...Posted: Jun 25, 2011 12:00AM PST by rainmaker
i played the crap out of fallout 2. it did have an ending slideshow. but. and this is the important part. it still let you play after. dont know why people keep acting like old school fallout pros but claiming otherwise. if your going to back up a retarded concept. make sure the drival your spewing doesnt make you look like an ignorant know it all who really knows nothing.
sheesh people...
Different Endings =/= Better or Worse EndingsPosted: May 18, 2011 12:00AM PST by MonoBrow
I'm just going to say this as simply as possible. The Fallout 3 (Broken Steel) and Fallout New Vegas endings were fantastic. They're equally amazing, but with different aspects. Fallout 3 (Having Broken Steel) was great, because Besthesda was aiming for ''Your own story.'' Ect, ect. They wanted you to make your own choices and do as you saw fit. However, after you finish, you are left to wonder what will happen in the future -the effects of the Enclave, Raiders, Brotherhood of Steel, the enviroment and everything in-between are left unquestioned and otherwise up to debate (I know people who wonder what happened to Dr. Li, or what will happen to Vault 101). New Vegas solves this problem, giving some sense of closure for the player -but taking away that option to play as you saw fit. Players say they dislike how New Vegas' ending was designed because it was different and unlike the previous game. It is an insult to call New Vegas a disappointment, because it was amazing. Different isn't better, nor is it worse. It is just different. Just as a side note, though, Fallout 3 will always be better (In my opinion, anyhow).
A fan,
You people are all insane!Posted: May 03, 2011 12:00AM PST by DaAwkwardHawk
Fallout: New Vegas is one of my favorite games. I loved the storyline and I love the dlc's storyline. If you are actually able to complain about not being able to play after the battle you are a whiny d-bag. And NO! This is in no way, shape or form, Bethesda releasing an unfinished game under a small development cycle. It is Bethesda being passionate about their storyline. In fact, I personally think that the rest of the DLC's should have taken place after the battle of Hoover Dam in which case you wouldnt be able to use anything from them. And you dont have to create a new character. It is called reloading the save that the game AUTOMATICALLY makes before you go to the battle and just going off and doing other things from there. So to all of you that have the nerve to call out bethesda on this You are all not gamers and do not deserve to enjoy all of the hard work the people at Bethesda and Obsidian put into this.
You do realize..Posted: May 06, 2011 12:00AM PST by KamenRiderAnt
that you contradicted your self by saying you think everyones a whiney dbag for wanting the story to go on with dlc but then go on to say that you want the dlcs to take place after the final battle.
Do Not WantPosted: Apr 17, 2011 12:00AM PST by ozzosko
I know some people are ok with the game ending and stuff, and that's cool for them. However, I don't like this. I mean, you get a couple items at the end that I particularly enjoy. Having those out of reach is just...uncool. Besides, I want to be able to take my level 35 character and just rain hell upon all those who face me.
Worthy AdvicePosted: Mar 09, 2011 12:00AM PST by Ethan_Hunber
Hey some advice for the next fallout game (if you do) make it to where you can choose at the end if you would like to continue the game at the cost of not knowing what happens next or seeing what happens later at the cost of reduced game play so it make everyone happy! Please!
Your Fan,
Ethan Hunber
Give me Power - Psych!Posted: Jan 20, 2011 12:00AM PST by Enelrad
I just completed the game for an "independent Vegas." I too was disappointed. I agree with some of the other comments that after working so hard to out Mr House, NCR, and the Legion, I wanted to have some time being in control of Vegas - trying to stabilize it - etc. So, it ends right when you get power? Or, if you choose another route - you should be able to finish the main quest - but still reside in a land that is rid of the major threats (Legion) and continue with any quests you didn't complete. I purchased the add-on - but didn't play it thinking I'd have time after completing the main quest. It's one of those - one you go here you can't come back until you've beaten the big bad guy. So, now I have to go reload a saved game to just play to damn add-on I paid additional money for?
It's interesting that the developers wrap up the game according to how they think it should be "tidied up." Yet the masses aren't happy. Ever consider polling the masses to see what they'd like? I agree with someone else who says - this is becoming a typical marketing tool for DLC's and making more money. Put in in to begin with and charge an extra 10.00; whatever, just don't make a player work so damn hard to get control/power - and then not be able to see any of the benefits of having that power. I went the independent route because NCR got too greedy; I became part of the Brotherhood - cuz they have the coolest weaponry; so I wasn't about to annihilate them. For me, the battle at the end was fairly tough, so that's good; but then I was looking forward to nabbing one of those cool-ass NCR black ranger digs - and then heading back to start making plans for the town. Not.
DLC RequiredPosted: Dec 28, 2010 12:00AM PST by HI5T0RIC
I love non definitive endings, i love doing every thing possible in the game, if i get bored with the story line, then i just do some optional crap, and vice versa, knowing that i just spent $40 so i can make a plethora of different save or games when i put some much time into my first game, crafting and molding my character so i can play the game the it ending and having to do it all over again, makes me think i just wasted my money, i mean in these kinds of games the DLC is required it makes the game worth while, i played FO3 and true the ending was anticlimactic, but when the DLC came out it jumped from an interesting game to a game when i have one save with over 100+ hours of playtime, doesn't mean i'm spoiled or i wont play the game, i just think the developers should have put the fans interest in mind asked us what we would like or something like that, i don't expect people to agree with me and i even expect some negative comments. but at least i got that off my chest. I still think they should release some DLC like broken steel for FO3.
I am strongly disappointed.Posted: Nov 02, 2010 12:00AM PST by khorne11
As I said, I am very disappointed in Berthesda. Not because they made the game end but because they made a "big change". Fallout isn't supposed to be a "big change", Fallout is aiming for a slow regain of humanity, a little by little step towards civilization. Or no change at all, either way, I am very disappointed. Also, no big change, there is no complete ending, the game goes on. i think that would be the major solution, but, can't change it now can I?
OK I retract my statement.Posted: Oct 28, 2010 12:00AM PST by Guillxer
Now that I have calmed down and I am able to think, here is the work around without mods or updates:
1. Own your way through the final mission of the game. Collect stuff as if you will be able to profit later, because you will!
2. Right before you complete the mission but after you get nice loot bring up the console command prompt with '~'.
3. Enter the following: Player.moveto <refid>
where refid is the reference id of some living NCP outside of the Hoover Dam area. ie. 000ff268
4. clear the quest the following console command: resetquest <quest_id>
to find your particular final mission quest id search around the fallout wiki pages
5. bring up the prompt again and enter the following: enablefasttravel 2
6. exit the prompt with '~'
7. bring up the prompt and enter: enablefasttravel 1
8. you can now finish the rest of the game and fast travel
9. each time you zone or fast travel you will have to: enablefasttravel 1, again but this is easy just press '~' then the up directional arrow if you have already entered the command, and then '~' again.
** this is the procedure I followed to attain post-end game play, some of these steps might be unnecessary so if you find a more efficient approach drop a comment
** notice I have only tried this with the Yes Man track
Repeat ProblemPosted: Oct 27, 2010 12:00AM PST by Guillxer
Many people were upset when there was no post-end game play for Fallout 3 because its a Bethesda game. Morrowind and Oblivion had that option so players could tie up any loose ends while enjoying the advantages of being the savior of realm "X". Similarly, since Fallout 3 and New Vegas are essentially Oblivion with different art and fancy guns in place of bows and arrows, one would expect non terminating game flow. Nope guess not. Players expect post-end game, especially when spend incredible amounts of time designing a character and influencing their environment.
Players want to actually reap what they sow, not receive a series of lectures with crappy accompanying slides, showing on the history of what happens next. People were angry when they hit that wall with Fallout 3 and are more so now that there is a repeat lapse of judgment in New Vegas. Its terribly clear that Bethesda and their partners are releasing unfinished games to push more product in shorter development cycles. Well, that's the cost of doing business I guess.
** Overall I actually love the Fallout series, even the new ones, its just getting a little frustrating.
** Hardcore mode is a huge improvement.
The problem: Glitches, no post end game or cinematics, glitches, glitches.
Diagnosis: The game that some of us have purchased and rented is not a finished product. It lacks polish and has repeated some of the same mistakes made in Fallout 3.
Zenimax Dictionary:
Term Definition
Update Should have done that 1 month before selling you this.
DLC Part of a game for the price of an entire game.
Fallout 3 Oblivion
Fallout New Vegas Oblivion
Oblivion sqrt(-Lord of the Rings) / 2
we'll seePosted: Oct 03, 2010 12:00AM PST by josh83
everybody has good points on both sides it seems like were forced to know the adventure will eventually end with that knowledge we are already forming mission strategy before we even have the game i mean what if i want to complete the main mission first then end it with takeing care of that womens gecko problem. im wondering if this is an admitance of the main character dieing in the end?if not does he or she just walk of into the sunset? if so why cant you keep playing? either way im going to have a blast.
oh shit!Posted: Aug 27, 2010 12:00AM PST by ThisPocketOfSoil
You know, the original Fallout games had definitive endings. I don't see you guys bitching about-
Oh wait, you guys probably didn't play them now or back then, either because you're too young to remember them or you can't be bothered with 'old-school isometric turn-based RPG gameplay' and how 'boring' that is.
I have enough faith in Obsidian that they'll make the ending worth it. I think the major reason people hated that Fallout 3 ended was because the ending was just so goddamn awful, sappy and anticlimactic.
I have to admit though that it is pretty sad that an in-game mechanic has to notify the player that the game is ending, otherwise some people would be tricked, confused and lost and end up ending their game and losing their save file somehow. What a way to pull you from the immersion and tell you that you better be careful with your save file. Why not just let it end and start over? This game is going to have so many options for replay that it actually scares me how many times I'm going to be finishing this game.
No DLC is Ok with mePosted: Aug 23, 2010 12:00AM PST by Cainos
I'm kinda glad. I'm tired of the sub-par dlc. Give me a good story with a good ending and many hours of gameplay = happy person. Then get started on the next installment so I can enjoy another game from the series. Granted when Bethesda did dlc for FO3 they were good, but I did get burned out by the end.
There is DLC plannedPosted: Aug 23, 2010 12:00AM PST by Metro777
If you click through to the Destructiod article and then click through that one, you get to this one: http://www.destructoid.com/obsidian-planning-fallout-new-vegas-downloadable-content-181925.phtml
"When I asked Fallout: New Vegas senior producer Jason Bergman if DLC would be coming for that game, too, here was his excited-but-short-on-details reply: 'Yes! Yes, we do! That is the answer to that question!'"
another idiot rant.Posted: Aug 23, 2010 12:00AM PST by fingolfin
frankly i'm surprised that, from most of these comments, you people even have the brains to enjoy this game or fallout 3. while i agree that fallout 3's ending left something to be desired (putting it lightly) i'm sure obsidian has crafted an appropriately epic closer for us. man, most of these comments kill me... this is why i do my online gaming exclusively on PC. the thought of playing any game with people like this and having to pay for it on top of that (360) makes me nauseous. i love suckers bitching about DLC too. do me a favor and check out all of the fantastic mods made by fans for fans, which of course are PC only. eat it noobies. you'll probably be crying next because it doesn't have multiplayer.
WhyPosted: Aug 24, 2010 12:00AM PST by markofthebeast
are you bitching about "the thought of playing any game with people like this and having to pay for it on top of that" when the game doesn't have multiplayer? The title of your comment is spot-on.
THE ENDPosted: Aug 23, 2010 12:00AM PST by blackrevenger
I love Fallout 3. I can't wait for this New Vegas to drop. I honestly dont understand why people think these games should go on forever.
RentPosted: Aug 23, 2010 12:00AM PST by Hostile_Paradox
If this game has a definitive ending, I'm probably just going to rent it instead of buying it. Lame.
Why LamePosted: Aug 23, 2010 12:00AM PST by Mr.Donatti
I guess you can't be bothered with straying off the linear path. This game will probably have 100+ hours of gameplay. When the game tells you "the end is near", just don't progress that storyline. Is that so hard for you?
JustPosted: Aug 23, 2010 12:00AM PST by b.b.hagen
have two saves, people. Not that difficult.
Yep.Posted: Aug 23, 2010 12:00AM PST by wolfgang12
Exactly. People are so friggin' spoiled.
Hmmmm....Posted: Aug 23, 2010 12:00AM PST by residenthero
Not sure how I feel about this.....
Check out this post-apocalyptic fun!!!
sad to sayPosted: Aug 23, 2010 12:00AM PST by DarkSideSol
but sometimes this just makes more sense. I remember in Fallout, after going though all that effort to Find Eden or whatever that oasis in the middle of nowhere was, I did all the missions to bring vegetation back to the world, but you never actually see it happen. Sure it was explained that it would take time, but its those major events that are not scripted in that make the world less real. If the dev feel that it's best to define a serious end-point, then it makes sense to me.
HmmmPosted: Aug 23, 2010 12:00AM PST by Granin
I'll know what to think off this when I clear the game. I'll forgive Obisidian if the ending drastically changes the wastleland, so there may be no LA strip or gouls take over everything or something. If it's something lame like mutant cows transporting water, I'll be annoyed. Especially if they extend the game with DLC.
Fool Me Once...Posted: Aug 23, 2010 12:00AM PST by KaelWolfcry
Count me among those who are annoyed at the game ending completely outright. I will say that at least this time we have advanced warning, so I'll be less likely to wanna falcon paunch my monitor after playing. Still, it WOULD be nice to check out the world I helped create, or just further explore the wasteland.
...eh, just save prior to, I suppose. Still kinda disjoints you from the gravity of the whole thing though, y'know?
"Alright, we MUST strike now to stop the plans of bad guy! Are you ready, player? Time is of the essence!"
"....eh, yea, about that? Yea, could you put the invasion on hold? I wanna check out what's to the southwest."
So true.Posted: Sep 30, 2010 12:00AM PST by TheLadyInWhite
I've been telling my friends the exact same thing you're saying. What is so wrong with getting to walk through the world I helped create? That'd be lovely.
WHAT!Posted: Aug 23, 2010 12:00AM PST by RoyalAdam
WHAT! This is the stupidest news story that I heard from the creators of the Fallout New Vegas. Why you would NOT let gamers continue playing after the game? Just like Fallout 3 DLC Broken Steel? I'm also disapointed that you also have to drink water in able to be alive in Fallout:New Vegas & now this news. I'm sorry it sounds to me that I'm might like Fallout 3 better then the Fallout:New Vegas.
Idiots.Posted: Aug 22, 2010 12:00AM PST by SovietSpy
Just don't finish the final mission and keep playing. The huge changes that he talks about are quite possibly along the lines of the entire Wasteland getting nuked or plant life and clean water spreading like wild fire.If either of those is the case they would have to remodel the entire wasteland to reflect those events. To me those things sound very exciting, especially when compared to Fallout 3's yawn inducing ending.
Quit your whining.
WOWPosted: Aug 22, 2010 12:00AM PST by king_mob
That's awesome that Obsidian is taking something hugely unpopular about the first game, then corrected through DLC, and repeating the same mistake. I hugely admire Obsidian's commitment to the design philosophy of the original development team and will wait for the GAME OF THE YEAR Edition so I don't have to purchase more XBL points.
AgreePosted: Aug 23, 2010 12:00AM PST by Bozon-IGN
I can sense the GOTY edition coming next year that includes all of the DLC that they are putting out after launch (or withholding from launch). All of that for the price of the original game just as with Fallout 3. All I have to do is wait a while for New Vegas and I can save a bundle of cash.
Meh...Posted: Aug 22, 2010 12:00AM PST by At0mic_Iguana
At least you know it's coming, and it encourages more play-throughs, which you'll have to do anyway if you want achievements and trophies. If you like the game enough to spend ridiculous amounts of time on it, what's wrong with another play-through?
slidesPosted: Aug 22, 2010 12:00AM PST by andyrew
I'm assuming by slides they're referring to the non-tard endings like 1 and 2 had (not the terribly hollow one found in 3). I remember finishing the first two games, and feeling satisfied, as it explained what occurred to every town I visited, even if I didn't do anything while there. It was something so easy I figured Bethesda wouldn't be retarded enough to leave it out of 3... but they did. I was so pissed I wanted them all to die.
Bull....ShitPosted: Aug 22, 2010 12:00AM PST by EKGTrooper
Do you any idea how much I HATE THIS! This is a huge open world game. This is the EXACT type of game that many people like to go back into and continue long after it is over. I STILL go back to Borderlands to this day. Why? Because it is a great game and being able to go back to my original playthrough and explore some more is a massive amount of the appeal. Taking that away is like taking away half of the reason to own the game.
Yes you say you have a lot of content. That is great, but hardly anyone is going to be able to do everything the first time through. And even though you say you are going to warn people that the end of the game is near I can guarantee you that a heck of a lot of people are going to be pissed and lighting up the forums when they go back in to load up their game only to find out they can't.
This just chopped of a massive amount of hype I had for this game. I just hate it when an open world game doesn't let you go back into the playthrough you just spent 50 hours exploring. It may be trivial to some, as I am sure someone will point out to me in a reply, but to me it is a massive let down.
Then play it again Sam.Posted: Aug 23, 2010 12:00AM PST by trminal_patience
Anyone who played the first two games can tell you that the possibility of having an ending with lasting impact and a sense of closure far outweighs being able to play again after the finale. Understanding that Bethesda dropped the ball in a MAJOR way on Fallout 3 gives New Vegas an opportunity to correct that in this game. If you want to complete everything in the game, then do so before the end and you've got nothing to worry about.
Play the first two games. You'll be excited about a return of the original creators and the possiblity of an ending with gravitas.
Borderlands?Posted: Aug 23, 2010 12:00AM PST by Mr.Donatti
That game is not exactly full of depth. It's just "accept mission, reap exp for completion". That's it.
Forced to buy DLCPosted: Aug 22, 2010 12:00AM PST by thejizzisloose
Sounds like if you want all that hard work you put into the game to continue on after the game, your gonna have to buy the DLC when it comes out. These guys are a business, everything that is done, is to maximize the all mighty dollar!
What are you talking about?Posted: Aug 23, 2010 12:00AM PST by JezuitX
How does a game with a proper ending "force" you to buy DLC? When Resident Evil, Halo, Super Mario, or whatever other game you've ever played ended was that a bad thing? No of course not it's just the nature of most games...they end.
New Vegas will have a definite end. Before that end comes it'll give you the option of saving so that if you CHOOSE to buy DLC you'll have a character almost ready to complete the game who can take advantage of that content. I swear I don't understand people and their need to demonize all DLC.
NitpickingPosted: Aug 22, 2010 12:00AM PST by IkeAurion
While I find the slide thing a little bit disappointing, I really don't understand what's the problem with the definitive ending. I mean, come on, just save before and you'll be able to play as long as you want, PLUS the game will have a powerful ending, not just 'good you beat *bad guy*, now you can go walk around forever. Oh. And don't worry, you'll still get attacked by *bad guy*'s minion, we know it makes no sense, but you can play forever'.
Why notPosted: Aug 22, 2010 12:00AM PST by MarioDragon
Make it like Oblivion's ending... That was awesome how you could do the main quest first or last or whatever you wanted and it wouldn't affect anything else besides how people thought of you around the world.
I guess it's not Oblivion but I really like RPG's to not have an actual end. It makes Fallout feel like an FPS or a Third Person Shooter with levels, not an RPG.
WhatPosted: Aug 23, 2010 12:00AM PST by MarioDragon
Are you talking about? When did I say I didn't want them to have choices? If you decide to kill the world, then make everyone hate you, if you decide to save it, make everyone like you. I said with a sudden ending, it doesn't feel like an RPG, it feels like an FPS, where obviously you play along until the game ends. RPG's are supposed to have tons of stuff to do without any real ending, so you can literally do every quest in the game and then go on a killing rampage taking out everyone in every town. I thought Fallout 3 was awesome until the ending, then I never played it again because it had a wall in the middle of the game that I could not pass and I didn't feel like paying for a DLC to extend it.
Please, read before you respond. <facepalm>
MehPosted: Aug 23, 2010 12:00AM PST by bubbagoatboy
I just don't get the fps comparison. Many decent rpg's over the years have had definitive endings - turining them into sandbox style wanders after the main quest has finished would appear to be a relatively recent trend.
I don't mind either style tbh, it's obviously a design decision the studios have to make - but the fps comparison just seems... meh. Would you say Neverwinter Nights feels like an fps?
I don's see howPosted: May 06, 2011 12:00AM PST by KamenRiderAnt
people don't get that it IS a fps with rpg elements and the option to go third person. Just because it's main mechanics tend to be geared more toward the fps style of play doesn't mean it can't be an rpg (Deus Ex).
That aside, wtf do you mean it doesn't feel like an rpg because it has a definitive ending? The majority of true rpgs DO have definitive endings unless the writers/developers decide to come out with a follow up game which in yesteryear was actually a taboo of sorts (i.e. Final Fantasy used to stand for being the cast of the games final adventure and yes I know the name is a joke on the fact that it was to be Squaresofts last ditch effort to not go quietly into the sweet night.) and the most they did was maybe let you start a new game with your saved guy(s) items/weapons/powers you earned through your original play through.
You make buying dlc sound more like a ploy to steal your dough than what it actually is, crap they came up with to add to the game. So what if the ending is or isn't extended by the dlc?
Gamers these days are like rich spoiled brat kids that expect to be catered to hand and foot. They'd probably shoot their brains out if they were forced to play Secret of Evermore or Illusion of Gaia.
A definitive ending I'm fine with, but slides...Posted: Aug 22, 2010 12:00AM PST by orient
...not so much.
It's disappointing knowing that all my efforts are going to be summed up in a series of still images again. I thought the slides devalued the end of Fallout 3 and was hoping they'd find a new approach for New Vegas. I realise how difficult it would be to create multiple "proper endings", whether they're in-game (preferred) or CG, but I just don't find the slides all that satisfying.
There's no excuse..Posted: May 06, 2011 12:00AM PST by KamenRiderAnt
for using still slides especially in this day and age. It can't be that big of a drain on resources considering that games from earlier eras had multiple CG enings depending on how you beat the game. RE, Silent Hill and a whole fudge load of rpgs used to give you different ending cinematics depending on whether or not you got the good, bad or meh endings of the story. Developers are just getting cheap so they can make the most money with the least effort.
I'm cool with games just ending.Posted: Aug 22, 2010 12:00AM PST by cecil_LeBeau77
I don't really understand why people got so bent outta shape about the original Fallout 3 ending. Bethesda was just doing what Black Isle did with the previous Fallout games. The slide-show ending is also ok with me. I don't need some glorified cut-scene to be satisfied with a games ending.
Stupid morons.Posted: Aug 22, 2010 12:00AM PST by TheNovemberist
He was clearly being sarcastic about the slides.
and yeahPosted: Aug 22, 2010 12:00AM PST by rocketsfan77
the slides aren't as universally loved as you apparently think - I know a lot of people who would much rather have a fully realized ending rather than slides (which we all know is a cop out)
understandablePosted: Aug 22, 2010 12:00AM PST by rocketsfan77
But if you truly want a definitive ending, and want to release DLC later that we, the consumers, buy, then do us one solid: Give us a save point near the end that says, plainly, that it is the point of no return and a save there would allow us to still play the DLC later without having to start a new playthrough on what you said yourself was a looooong game. Just let us know and all will be good.
Not cool.Posted: Aug 22, 2010 12:00AM PST by Hellslinger1
Plus where does he get the idea that people really loved slides. What people really love is to keep playing the game forever after the main story is done. Bethesda got a lot of flack for doing this why repeat it.
heyPosted: Aug 22, 2010 12:00AM PST by smile_kill
it all fallout so it gonna be purty good ight
lamePosted: Aug 22, 2010 12:00AM PST by abercrombieco2
I want to keep playing they said the same for fallout 3. than they released the dlc that extended the game past the original eneding.. these kinds of games dont need a true ending. while ill still play this it could make ppl wait to see if this changes.
WellPosted: Aug 22, 2010 12:00AM PST by Epic Greenman
At least I'll be prepared for it this time.


text:
Well, I got the impression that on my old modulator version the sound was
indeed quiet from the three channel sound chip but the ula sound was quite
loud. I was not aware this also occurred via direct connection though. My
feeling is that it was this which made those designing the +3 make it far
too loud on the machine.
I'm sure there is probably a mixer or attenuator between the AY chip and the
sound socket.
Brian Gaff....Note, this account does not accept Bcc: email.
graphics are great, but the blind can't hear them
Email: email@example.com
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________
wrote in message
> Hello,
> Yesterday I posted this message on WorldOfSpectrum, but no answer.
> I just found this newsgroup, so I will ask my question here ))
> I received yesterday my "new" Spectrum 128K+2 grey.
> It's a french one (same as the english one, but without the modulator, and
> with specific roms : message in french). First good surprise : everything
> is
> working (I bought it thinking PSU and joystick were dead, an speccy in an
> unknown condition !)
> I cleaned it, then tested with its original lead (RVB -and composite-/
> Audio).
> The picture is bright and clean (better than my +2A with homemade
> composite
> output).
> When tape is loading, the sound on TV is OK, but when playing games (I
> tested 2 : Duet and Cauldron), the sound level is very low. I have to
> increase much the sound level on my Tv.
> And, of course, decrease it if I read a tape again...
> Any idea on which component is tired (ZTX 650 ?)
> Thanks guys !
> Patrice
> ZX 128K+2 (grey)
> http://bugpat.chez-alice.fr
> Aeromodelisme + Alfa Romeo + Scalex...

subset: commoncrawl


text:
In English. Helem leads a peaceful struggle for the liberation of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community in Lebanon from legal, social and cultural discrimination. Helem's primary goal is the annulment of article 534 of the Lebanese Penal Code which punishes "unnatural sexual intercourse". This law is primarily used to target the LGBT community by violating the privacy of its members and by denying them basic human rights. The site contains resources on a wide variety of topics, including mental health, violence and advocacy.
Archived Web Resources
HELEM - Lebanese Protection for Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgenders
Helsinki Association: human rights are above state and national interests [Armenia]
In English, Armenian, Russian. Organization focuses on human rights in Armenia, especially soldiers' and voters' rights, legal rights, and religious freedom. Contains news, reports, surveys, and photographs. Armenian government has been harassing NGOs dealing with democracy in Armenia since last election. Leader of group was shot by member of Armenian parliament, who later boasted about the incident on television without reprisal.
Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina
In English and Bosnian. The Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina was founded on 11 February, 1995. It is an independent, non-governmental and non-profit organization. The aim of the Committee is the protection and promotion of human rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Materials focus on local community development and rights issues, but the site also includes reports and publications on the human rights situation in Eastern Europe.
Helsinki Committee for Human Rights of the Republic of Macedonia
In Macedonian, Albanian and English. The Helsinki Committee for Human Rights of the Republic of Macedonia is a non-governmental organization which major duty is to observe and inform, on local and international level, on the respect of the human rights, in accordance with the provisions of the Helsinki Final Act and other international standards for the respect of human rights. It provides free legal aid upon citizen submitted complains, undertakes casework, legal initiatives, researches, disseminations on human rights, organizes conferences, seminars, and trainings. Site contains reports and information on organization's programs and activities.
Honduras Golpeada
In Spanish. This blog reflects the voices of a group of Honduran citizens who oppose the coup d'etat organized by Micheletti and carried out by the Honduras military. Materials include news coverage and analysis, political propaganda, and images and video clips from the protests that followed the coup.
Honduras Resiste y Vence
In Spanish. This blog site was created by a group of lawyers in response to the Honduran coup of July 2009. The creators compose object to the illegality of the coup and the police's repression of all protest since its beginning. The site contains a wide range of materials related to human rights, including reports, analysis, recorded testimonies, protest videos and alternative propaganda.
Human Rights Center "Viasna" [Belarus]
In Belarussian, Russian, and English. Formed in 1996, Human Rights Center "Viasna" is a non-governmental organization that promotes general human rights in Belarus. Its main areas of focus are free elections, legal rights, and media freedom. Belarusian president has been systematically dismantling all human rights NGOs in Belarus. Group's registration cancelled groundlessly before 2001 election. Site contains news archive searchable by date and topic, reports, and downloads of articles.
Human Rights Documentation Center
In English. A portal to human rights related resources including World Conference Against Racism, national human rights institutions, Asian Pacific Human Rights Network, training programs, and publications for order.
Human Rights First Society: Human Rights Monitoring and Advocacy in Saudi Arabia
In English. Contains news articles from 2006 to the present, press coverage, opportunities for action, and links to outside resources on gender and religious-based human rights violations in Saudi Arabia. Human Rights First Society is a non-profit organization with an an office in Saudi Arabia and the United States.
Human Rights for All / Les Droits de L'Homme pour Tous
In French, English, Spanish, and Arabic. FIDH aims at obtaining effective improvements in the protection of victims, the prevention of human rights violations and the sanction of their perpetrators worldwide. Focuses on human rights defenders, international justice, terrorism, death penalty, women's rights, forced disppearances, globalization, migration and asylum. Site contains news on each area of focus, information on intergovernmental organizations, and copies of financial statements.


text: Termali Salini & Spa Locarno is both a meeting point and a place of tranquility and relaxation. The facility is unique for its spectacular lakeside location and its architecture, which reflects the famous Ticino river valleys in a modern, abstract design featuring alcoves, caves and waterfalls while showcasing the magnificent panorama. Experience a surreal sense of freedom when you gaze at the breathtaking view from one of the three exclusive private spas or the terrace on the top deck. In contrast, the multifaceted sauna area on the lower deck will make you feel as though you've been transported to an underwater world. Enjoy the sensation as you become one with it.


text:
It's a vicious cycle.
Food that travels long distances to reach our plates uses up precious fuel. As fuel prices rise, so does the cost of those California strawberries and Central American asparagus. If the food has been processed, that is, pre-cooked and packaged as simply heat-and-eat products and marketed toward our need for convenience, the prices are even higher. And the more we demand those products through our purchasing, the more that gets shipped to us and the more fuel is being used.
We poke a few holes in a plastic bag and stick it in the microwave to get ''fresh'' steamed vegetables. We open a can of corn that was produced in mass quantities in stainless-steel factories. Fifty years ago, homemakers knew what would be plentiful during which time of the year. Today, few people even know what the real season is for most vegetables. They don't realize that lettuce, spinach and broccoli are cool weather crops that are best during the spring and fall. They don't know that asparagus season is only three to six weeks in May and June in our area and that tomatoes don't really come into their own until mid-July.
Article Photos
Amazingly enough, some children today don't realize that potatoes actually have a plant part that grows above the ground. The part we eat, the tuber, is deep in the soil and is perfectly safe, but the leafy plant should never been eaten. The plant is a member of the toxic nightshade family and includes tomatoes, peppers and eggplant. Soil should be pulled up around the stems of the potato plant as it grows so that branches beneath the soil can continue to produce layers of potatoes.
And why should they? They can go into the grocery store and get these things all year, including the middle of January when the snow is a foot deep and everything outside is covered with ice.
While most local farmers markets don't start showing up until July in our neck of the woods, for the past month or more, we've been able to stop at roadside produce stands, even though the produce they sell couldn't possibly have come from local farmers. It does, however, come from large shipments of cargoed food delivered to the docks in Cleveland and Pittsburgh, having traveled from faraway places. If you want to know where your food came from, you can estimate that it takes about three months from germination to harvest and count backwards to what location has the best climate to have produced those vegetables. In most cases, much of our fresh produce arrives to us from Central and South America, Florida and California. That's a lot of fuel.
But those bananas we slice up in our cereal are hard to pass up. Our short growing season and hard winters make it virtually impossible to be true local eaters, unless we spend weeks at the end of each summer canning and preserving what we grow or buy locally. This is not feasible for most busy people. Simply buying food from local growers when it is in season still will save a great deal compared to what it takes to ship that same product across the country, even if it's only for three months.
Fact Box
When local produce is in season
(green onions)
New potatoes
Sweet corn
Community gardens, reminiscent of the World War I and II ''war gardens,'' also known as Victory Gardens, are cropping up throughout many communities. Howland has a program for its residents, as does Warren. Garden plots are quickly being reserved by citizens who want to grow their own food. People who never gave a thought before to growing a tomato are scratching up a bit of earth and putting in a plant or two. No one can deny the taste of a fresh, homegrown tomato.
For this reason, we have looked at when local food is available in our area. By following the attached chart, which you can cut out and save for future reference, you can tell when to expect your favorite garden vegetables and fruits. The list is not all-inclusive, of course, and many of the vegetables listed continue to be available throughout the season and not just during the month they are first available. For example: asparagus, as previously mentioned, is only available locally in late April and through June, but once the beans, cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers appear, you can expect to be able to buy these local vegetables until the plants succumb to fall frost.
Over the summer, How Does Your Garden Grow will examine the benefits of growing our own vegetables, not only for fun, but for health's sake too. But we won't stop there. We will also look into beautifying our landscapes with perennial and annual flower gardens, growing herbs for kitchen and ornamental uses as well as innovative ways to use what we grow.
In addition, we are bringing back the annual Tribune Chronicle and Trumbull County Master Gardener Amateur Flower Garden contest for those avid gardeners in our communities. Entry forms will be available in the Tribune Chronicle, and the deadline to enter is June 30. We wouldn't be opposed to the idea of sticking a few vegetables and herbs among the flowers to create a multi-tasking garden.


text:
ASEAN-India car rally reaches Vietnam
Submitted by Rajiv Dhoot on Fri, 12/07/2012 - 05:46
Ho Chi Minh, Dec 7 : Participants of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-India Car Rally 2012 received a warm welcome as they reached Vietnam.
The rally has so far covered a total distance of about 4000 kilometres across five nations- Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Cambodia.
From Cambodia, the 31 cars brought in ferries, crossed the Mekong river at Neak Leung, which is 65 kilometres from Phnom Penh.
On reaching Ho Chi Minh on Thursday, the main city of Vietnam, drivers were greeted with cheering locals, including children waving miniature flags of ASEAN countries.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, who was also present on the occasion, said that the rally would boost ties with Vietnam.
"It will improve connectivity of land, sea and air it will boost trade and investment flows, tourism and build people-to-people contact. I am glad to learn that India and Vietnam are actively working to establish direct air link which I hope will fructify in the near future," he said.
The ASEAN- India Car Rally 2012, organized by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), kicked off on 26th November 2012 at Yogyakarta, Indonesia with a ceremonial flag off at Singapore.
The car rally marks the 20th commemorative year of the ASEAN- India relations and 10th year of the summit-level engagement and was organised in close coordination with ASEAN states and the ASEAN secretariat.
This is the second edition of the car rally (the first being held in 2004), which will travel through 8 of the 10 ASEAN states, and it will ceremonially end in New Delhi on December 20, and will be flagged down by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
India''s Dialogue Partnership with the ASEAN countries is one of the cornerstones of its ''Look East'' policy. (ANI)
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Star Tracks: Monday, May 16, 2016 42 years, 2,191 covers and 55,436 stories from PEOPLE magazine's history for you to enjoy
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- December 22, 2003
- Vol. 60
- No. 25
Chapter Two
In a Newly Trim Body, Author Anne Rice Is Starting a New Life—One Without Her Beloved Husband or Favorite Vampire
But this isn't any old dress. She bought it back in 1996 and, owing to steady weight gain, was rarely able to wear it. Taking it out, says Rice, 62, "was a great event, because now I can get into it."
Since January Rice has lost 103 lbs.—the result of gastric bypass surgery, in which the stomach is made a tiny fraction of its former size. Once 255 lbs. and a diabetic who required insulin shots, Rice, who is 5'2", now rides a stationary bike daily and has drastically reduced her insulin dosage.
The new body is just one of many changes: Despite the bustle of activity in her landmark home, Rice is, at least by one definition, living alone. Her marriage to high school sweetheart Stan Rice, a poet and artist, ended with his death last December from brain cancer at 60. "My personal life is still revealing itself," says Rice reflectively. "I was married for 41 years, and suddenly I'm not married anymore."
The loss, though profound—they were "madly, totally in love" she says—didn't slow the prolific author. "Anne is a person who uses adversity to grow and change," says her sister Alice Borchardt, also a novelist. "Some people would crawl into a corner. She doesn't."
Adding to her 25 novels (there are 50 million in print), in October Rice published Blood Canticle, the ninth in her vampire Lestat series. Since Interview in 1976, she's specialized in sensual, supernatural tales in which blood flows like liquor in the French Quarter. Canticle marks another turning point.
"I think this is the last vampire book I'll do," says Rice calmly, as if the announcement won't turn her devout goth fans a whiter shade of pale. (Don't worry: An NBC miniseries of Rice's The Witching Hour is in development, and a Vampire Broadway musical scored by Elton John is planned for 2005.) But she's firm: "No more of Lestat, no more of his cohorts, no more of the witches either."
Rice began cavorting with fictional demons after a real-life tragedy—the 1972 death of her 5-year-old daughter Michele from leukemia. "It was awful. There was nothing to do but to go through it," Rice remembers. "I just grieved, drank and felt guilty that I hadn't saved her."
In 1978 she and Stan welcomed a son, Christopher, now 25 and a writer in L.A. Though she'd been skinny as a girl, Rice began piling on the pounds. "It made me feel unsexy," she says. "But I was happily married so I didn't do anything about it," When Christopher was 5, however, "he said something to me about being fat. That was enough."
Over several years Rice slimmed down on plans including Weight Watchers and the Diet Center program. Each time, though, she regained the weight.
Finally, in 1998 Rice fell into a diabetic coma; though she'd felt ill for months, she had no idea she had diabetes. When she awoke in a hospital with a tube down her throat, "I worried I'd been abducted by aliens," she laughs. "Then I looked at the ceiling and thought, Aliens wouldn't have these ugly tiles.'"
She jokes now, but she knew she had to do something to conquer her weight. A 2002 PEOPLE story on Al Roker's gastric bypass surgery offered inspiration: Stan showed it to her, and she decided she wanted the surgery. Shortly after his death, she scheduled the procedure, which went off without complication. Eating tiny meals, Rice began dropping pounds right away. Then she added exercise: Throughout the day she lifts hand weights, a set of which she keeps in various rooms throughout the house—including the loo.
Between workouts, Rice is busy with a new book, the subject of which she's keeping secret. She's also opening the Stan Rice Gallery in New Orleans. And there's always a buzz in that big house of hers—Elton John recently stopped by to discuss the musical.
The massive weight loss, says Rice, has given her the stamina to handle it all. "I'm impossibly energetic," she laughs. "No one can keep up with me." And with a year of quiet mourning behind her, she's ready to begin celebrating life again: "I plan to move out into the world and maybe even have a series of small parties. It's going to be divine."
Allison Adato. Alicia Dennis in New Orleans
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SOUTH HAVEN — The Van Buren Road Commission has signed a contract with the Michigan Department of Transportation for a new $1.15 million bridge near South Haven.
"It'll actually go out for bid here in a couple of weeks," Engineer-Manager Lawrence Hummel said.
The County Road 380 bridge over the South Branch of the Black River, about five miles southeast of downtown South Haven, will be 83 feet long with a 34-foot wide roadway. It'll replace a 55-foot long bridge by 29 wide built in 1932.
The current structure is developing problems, Hummel said, and will soon need to be load-restricted if not replaced.
The existing bridge is on a curve in the road as well as downhill. Because of those factors, the recommended speed is 25 miles per hour.
Hummel said that besides replacing the bridge itself, workers will flatten the approaches, which will raise the projected recommended speed to 45 m.p.h.
It'll still be on a curve.
The 79-year-old span is a steel beam bridge. The new one will not be.
"It's going to be pre-stressed concrete I-beams," Hummel said.
If all goes as planned, work should begin in July with the new bridge online in October.


text:
3rd Quarter 2011 Commentary - ASTON/Barings International Fund
3rd Quarter 2011
Unnerved Equity Markets
The Fund's MSCI EAFE Index benchmark fell sharply during the third quarter of 2011, erasing the gains international equities has made during the first half of the year. Developments during the summer unnerved most equity markets. The main issue has been the weakening economic outlook in a number of regions.
Europe has been the main problem area. The issues that have arisen there this year have not only not been resolved they have escalated and expanded. For example, the Greek government funding crisis has led to a Greek banking crisis. It has also led to a crisis for the French banks that are among the largest lenders to the Greek government. Weakness in the French banking sector may need to be stemmed by the French government, undermining that country's AAA credit-rating. This is a concern for the French as they can see from Italy's situation how quickly borrowing costs can rise once the confidence of the bond market is lost. This dynamic is also very apparent to the Germans, who have remained reluctant to lend their national balance sheet to the aid of the Euro zone.
The result is a very messy impasse. A coordinated response is required, yet none of the key central Euro zone countries are motivated to act. With no action forthcoming, the Euro crisis agenda is slowly being overtaken by political rather than economic considerations.
We do not know how this will end. There are many possibilities, including a Euro zone fiscal transfer union (possibly a Euro zone political union), a Greek default and exit from the Euro zone, a German exit from the Euro zone, and many others. We think the one certainty that exists is that the Euro zone will look much different in the future however this situation is resolved.
No sectors or regions in the benchmark rose in absolute terms during the quarter. Japan was the best performing region in falling only 6% followed by the UK which fell 15%. Europe ex-UK was the poorest performer down 26%, while Emerging Markets fell by 22% in underperforming the index. Consumer Staples and Healthcare were the best performing sectors in limiting losses to single digits. Materials and Financials were the worst performing areas, with Materials falling by nearly 28% during the period.
Materials and the UK
The Fund solidly outperformed the index overall during the quarter, mostly due to stock selection. Positive asset allocation by region was mostly offset by slightly negative sector allocation. The strong stock selection was largely driven by picks in the UK region and the Materials sector.
In the UK, the main factor was the acquisition of software company Autonomy Group by Hewlett Packard. The purchase price was a very attractive 79% premium to the closing price prior to the bid. The bid has gone unconditional and we look forward to reinvesting the proceeds in the coming quarter. Outperformance within Materials came on the strength of precious metals miners. Gold mining stocks continued to benefit from the negative real interest rate environment, though they struggled towards the end of the quarter possibly due to the disappointment that the US Federal Reserve did not announce a more substantial round of monetary stimulus at their September meeting.
Other contributing factors to the Fund's relative outperformance came from stock selection in the Europe ex-UK region and the Technology, Consumer Discretionary, and Financials sectors. Returns in the tech arena were boosted by the previously mentioned Autonomy acquisition, while the strong performance of Japanese online retailer Rakuten boosted results within Consumer Discretionary. The avoidance of sagging European commercial banks led to the outperformance in Financials.
Stock selection in the Pacific ex-Japan region and the Energy sector was weak, primarily due to the poor performance of Australian uranium miner Paladin Energy. In addition, an overweight position in the battered Materials sector and an underweight stake in the more defensive-oriented Consumer Staples area detracted from relative returns.
Portfolio Positioning
The Fund has benefitted from its underweight position in Europe, and especially to European commercial banks, as our Strategic Policy Group remains negative on the region and the Financial sector overall. That said, many high-quality growth stocks in Europe that are less directly affected by European events have shown attractive growth at what we consider to be reasonable prices. We have been selectively adding to these ideas when we find them. One example is German pharmaceutical company Bayer. Bayer manufactures and sells its products globally and has one of the strongest new product pipelines in the pharmaceutical industry, a strong balance sheet, and now trades at a forward price/earnings ratio of not much more than seven times earnings.
The decision to selectively buy Japanese equities earlier in the year benefitted the portfolio this quarter, and our only regret was that we did not own more. Although neutral on Japan from a top-down perspective, this has not been an impediment to finding good bottom up driven growth ideas and this is likely to continue.
Overall, there were few changes made to the Fund during the quarter, with only three notable sales from the portfolio. We took profits in Spanish healthcare company Grifols and Macau gaming company SJM Holdings. SJM did not appear to be overvalued, but we had increasing doubts about the sustainability of its extremely rapid rate of growth. In addition, the tightening of credit conditions in China was the catalyst for exiting this position. Heineken was sold following a disappointing set of results that highlighted growth problems in parts of its business, most notably its African business.
We used the proceeds of the Heineken sale to purchase brewer SABMiller. SABMiller has recently acquired Australian brewer Foster's Group. We think the deal looks sensible and should benefit from the cost savings that we believe SABMiller will extract from the combined groups. Another new purchase was Randgold Resources, which follows our belief that gold miners continue to offer an attractive investment opportunity.
In the US, economic data over the summer has been weak leading a number of economists to predict that a relapse into recession is underway. More recent economic data out of the US has been moderately better than expected though still weak. The biggest surprise in recent weeks has been the market's sudden concern about the Chinese economy. We have commented in the past about rising inflation in China and the efforts the People's Bank of China (PBOC) has made to keep this under control.
The recent concern has centered on the shadow banking system. A good deal of recent loan growth in China has been outside of the banking system. This has been an outgrowth of the low deposit rates offered to savers. Savers, rather than putting money in the bank, have instead made their funds available to lend to companies—primarily small- and medium-sized enterprises and small property developers. Several recent failures of smaller companies who had borrowed via the shadow banking system has led to fears of a property market collapse and other knock on effects caused by declining credit availability. If the collapse of the Chinese shadow banking system leads to less credit availability in the economy, then our investment theme related to high-end consumer spending in China is at risk.
But the weakness in the global economy and the recent renewed weakness in global equities suggest to us that more monetary stimulus will be coming, and probably soon. Fiscal stimulus measures no longer look possible. The European debt crisis and this summer's acrimonious debt ceiling debate in the US show this to be true. Gold mining stocks look attractively valued relative to the gold price and are likely to respond well to any further monetary stimulus.
The same can be said for equities in general and especially for growth stocks. We continue to look to find companies that can grow their earnings even in a weak economic growth environment. Recent equity market weakness is disappointing but it has left more growth stocks trading at reasonable prices than we have seen in a while.
Baring Asset Management
London, UK
As of September 30, 2011, Autonomy Group comprised 2.09% of the portfolio's assets, Rakuten – 1.38%, Paladin Energy – 0.64%, Bayer AG – 1.98%, Grifols – 0.40%, SJM Holdings – 0.00%, Heineken – 0.19%, SABMiller – 1.53%, Foster's Group – 1.43%, and Rangold Resources – 1.74%.
Note: Investing in foreign markets involves the risk of social and political instability, market illiquidity, and currency volatility.
Before investing, carefully consider the fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. Contact 800 992-8151 for a prospectus containing this and other information. Read it carefully. Aston Funds are distributed by BNY Mellon Distributors Inc.
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text:
From the Retina Service, Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa. Dr Borrillo is now with Northern California Retina Vitreous Associates Medical Group, Mountain View. The authors have no relevant financial interest in this article.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) remains the leading cause of visual loss in adults older than 65 years. Retinal angiomatous proliferation(RAP) is a newly recognized manifestation of exudative AMD that has a poor natural history and demonstrated resistance to treatment with conventional laser photocoagulation. A novel surgical technique has been developed in this pilot series that shows promise in the treatment of this subtype of neovascular lesions. Through specific surgical lysis of the feeding arteriole and draining venule of an RAP lesion, improvement in visual acuity has been noted. This has been correlated with resolution of intraretinal edema and flattening of associated pigment epithelial detachment, which was confirmed by fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography, and high-speed indocyanine green angiography.
Retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP) has recently been described in a subset of patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD).1 In RAP, the neovascular process originates from the retinal vasculature as opposed to the underlying choriocapillaris, as is seen with typical choroidal neovascularization. On clinical examination, the presence of intraretinal or preretinal hemorrhages associated with retinal vessels that abruptly curve toward the choroid is consistent with RAP. Cystoid macular edema, lipid exudates, and pigment epithelial detachment (PED) may be present.
A classification system has been reported to further subdivide these lesions. Briefly, RAP stage 1 involves the proliferation of abnormal vessels in the intraretinal space, akin to the intraretinal microvascular abnormalities seen in diabetes mellitus. This intraretinal neovascularization often demonstrates retinal-retinal anastomoses and may continue to proliferate and leak. Stage 2 is defined by the presence of intraretinal edema and may be associated with serous PED and/or subretinal neovascularization. In stage 3, retinochoroidal anastomoses are present; associated fibrovascular PED is a late finding and is also seen in RAP stage 3. On fluorescein angiography, RAP appears as purely occult or minimally classic choroidal neovascularization. Standard indocyanine green (ICG) angiography reveals a hot spot in late frames. High-speed ICG angiography allows an accurate identification of the RAP lesion, retinal feeding arterioles, draining venules, and associated retinal-retinal or retinochoroidal anastomoses.1
Unfortunately, patients with RAP have poor visual outcomes after treatment with conventional laser photocoagulation.2- 4 Affected individuals often demonstrate a subacute decrease in visual acuity over the course of several months. Because of the inefficacy of laser photocoagulation and the poor natural history of RAP, alternative treatment options warrant further investigation. Patients with RAP stage 1 may be asymptomatic and remain undetected. Patients with RAP stage 3 often already have a disciform scar with irreversible overlying photoreceptor dysfunction. For these reasons, attention is focused on RAP stage 2. In a small series of patients, we describe a new surgical technique for the ablation of these angiomatous lesions.
Four eyes of 3 consecutive patients were identified from the clinical practice of the vitreoretinal surgeon (A.S.) between May and November 2001. All patients underwent clinical examination, fluorescein angiography (Figure 1), ICG angiography, optical coherence tomography, and high-speed ICG video angiography (Figure 2). Patients were included in the study if they had exudative AMD with RAP stage 2 and associated serous PED, as determined by clinical and diagnostic examination. Snellen visual acuities were obtained preoperatively, 4 to 6 weeks postoperatively, and at least 6 months after surgical intervention.
A, A preoperative fluorescein angiogram of patient 2 demonstrates foveal leakage in a petaloid pattern consistent with cystoid macular edema. Note the pooled fluorescence centered temporally in the form of a serous pigment epithelial detachment (PED). B, A fluorescein angiogram of patient 2 taken 1 month postoperatively shows an absence of foveal leakage consistent with resolution of cystoid macular edema, with corresponding collapse of the PED.
A, A high-speed indocyanine green angiogram of patient 2 demonstrates a hypercyanescent retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP) lesion, with a retinal feeder arteriole (short arrow) and draining venules (long arrows). The hypocyanescent area is consistent with serous pigment epithelial detachment (PED). B, A high-speed indocyanine green angiogram of patient 2 taken 1 month postoperatively demonstrates absence of perfusion of the RAP lesion through retinal feeder vessels and resolution of PED. Note the improved visualization of the choroidal vasculature underlying the original lesion site.
Patients underwent surgical ablation of RAP retinal feeder vessels at the Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa, and were followed up during a 6-month period. The RAP lesions and their corresponding retinal feeder arterioles and draining venules were identified on still frames from the high-speed ICG angiogram. A tracing was made to serve as a guide for surgical lysis. Lower-order vessels were chosen for ablation to avoid significant inner retinal ischemia. After a standard 3-port pars plana vitrectomy was performed, the posterior hyaloid face was detached and trimmed to the far periphery under wide-field viewing. The high-speed ICG angiogram tracing was used to identify the specific retinal feeder vessels targeted for excision. A partial thickness retinotomy with a 22-gauge needle was made superficial to the vessels; this retinotomy was placed at least 0.5 disc diameters away from the fovea. The RAP feeder vessels were then incised with intraocular vertical scissors (Synergetics, St Charles, Mo), with the arteriole lysed prior to the venule (Figure 3). The infusion pressure was elevated temporarily to ensure hemostasis, and endodiathermy was applied to prevent recanalization.
A, Intraocular scissors are poised to incise the retinal feeder arteriole and the draining venule (each lysis is performed separately). Intraretinal edema and serous pigment epithelial detachment (PED) are present. B, After lysis of the retinal feeder vessels, resolution of intraretinal edema and flattening of serous PED are noted after several months. Modified with permission from IRIDEX Corp, Mountain View.
Patient data are summarized in Table 1. The mean age of the patients was 82 years. All patients were female and had a history of hypertension controlled with medication. Preoperatively, the mean initial Snellen visual acuity was 20/200 as determined by conversion to the logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution. Postoperatively, the mean final visual acuity improved to 20/70 at a follow-up interval of 6 to 12 months. Macular thickening resolved in all eyes that underwent RAP ablation(Figure 4), with collapse of associated PED. No eyes developed surgical complications, such as endophthalmitis or retinal detachment, in the postoperative period.
A, A preoperative optical coherence tomograph of patient 3 demonstrates a decreased intraretinal signal in cystoid spaces consistent with cystoid macular edema, overlying a serous elevation of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)–choriocapillaris layer consistent with serous pigment epithelial detachment (PED). B, An optical coherence tomograph of patient 3 taken 3 months postoperatively demonstrates resolution of both intraretinal edema and serous PED, with restoration of a normal foveal contour; there is some residual parafoveal thickening of the RPE-choriocapillaris layer, with a normalized contour, as well.
Retinal angiomatous proliferation is a distinct clinical entity in the spectrum of patients with exudative AMD. The presence of an RAP lesion is suggested by preretinal or intraretinal hemorrhage at the point where the macular edema is thickest with or without associated PED. To date, there are no effective treatments for the subset of AMD patients with RAP. We present a novel surgical approach that may benefit patients with this manifestation.
Because RAP lesions, by definition, originate from the retinal vasculature, the focus has been on surgical lysis of the retinal feeding arterioles and draining venules associated with angiomatous proliferation. Patients with RAP stage 2 appear to be the best candidates for this procedure. In this small series of patients who underwent surgical ablation of an RAP lesion, improvement in clinical, angiographic, and tomographic appearance was noted in all cases. Upon successful lysis of the feeding and draining vessels, complete resolution of retinal fluid and PED was generally noted within 7 to 10 days. This translates into a trend toward corresponding improvement in visual acuity. In the current series, the lesions remained closed without recurrence of the RAP.
One theoretical advantage of this surgical approach is that it spares the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), unlike laser photocoagulation. The reduction of macular thickening with preservation of the underlying RPE may allow for better functioning of the overlying outer neurosensory retina. In contrast, it can be argued that localized inner retinal ischemia from retinal vascular ablation may prevent optimal functioning in the distal retina supplied by the ablated vessels. For this reason, lower-order vessels are chosen for ablation to avoid significant inner retinal ischemia. Also, by sparing the RPE, there may be a decreased incidence of typical choroidal neovascularization, which often manifests after conventional laser therapy. Finally, surgical ablation may induce a more permanent closure of feeder vessels with a trend toward decreased recanalization.
Patients with advanced RAP stage 3 may not be good surgical candidates because these lesions have developed anastomoses with the choroidal circulation. The high flow rates through such connections and the depth of vascular ingrowth would likely make this subtype of RAP lesions resistant to surgical lysis.
We acknowledge that the lack of a control group, relatively short follow-up period, and small number of patients are inherent flaws of this study. Nonetheless, surgical lysis of RAP stage 2 lesions appears to be a promising approach to a condition that currently has a poor natural history and no effective treatment. No complications were encountered in this small-group study. A large controlled, prospective trial is needed to ultimately determine the efficacy and safety of surgical RAP ablation.
Corresponding author: Arunan Sivalingam, MD, Retina Service, Wills Eye Hospital, 840 Walnut St, 10th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107 (e-mail: email@example.com).
Submitted for publication July 26, 2002; final revision received December 2, 2002; accepted December 26, 2002.
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A better you begins the moment you arrive. Our hotel offers ample opportunity to exercise with the WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Studio and rooftop pool. If you've arrived on business, stay productive with our 24-hour Business Center. For younger guests, the fun begins at check-in where kids are presented with a complimentary amenity, designed to encourage exploration and fun during their stay with us. No matter what you need to make your stay more rewarding, our concierge will make sure you have it.
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GEF STAP Hosts Panel on Outcomes of 2012 Planet Under Pressure Conference
29 March 2012: The biannual meeting of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP) to the Global Environment Facility (GEF) convened a high-level panel on how to leverage the outcomes of the 2012 Planet Under Pressure Conference to inform the GEF process.
The panel, which convened in London, UK, on 29 March 2012, was held on the sidelines of the 2012 Planet Under Pressure Conference, which convened from 26-29 March. The panel included a keynote address by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Secretary Achim Steiner, who underscored the importance of the STAP as the "reinsurance" mechanism of the GEF portfolio, thus determining the value-added of the GEF Instrument and delivering advice on the most efficient allocation of funds. Steiner said the GEF should be considered as a "venture catalyst," underscoring that the more it is driven by a consolidated environmental perspective, the better reinsurance it will provide.
Other panellists included Georgina Mace (Chair of the Scientific Committee of DIVERSITAS), Robert Watson (Chief Scientific Advisor Defra, UK), and Joseph Alcamo (Chief Scientist, UNEP). Two new STAP members were also announced at the meeting: Anand Patwardhan (India) for climate change and adaptation; and Annette Cowie (Australia) for land degradation. [IISD RS Meeting Coverage]


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Bungalows are unique due to several factors - first they use top of the line materials, larger footprints, and tend to be a single floor with many extra interior and exterior features. For the purpose of this discussion we will look at the cost of constructing a traditional bungalow-style home. According to home industry statistics, the size of the average bungalow is 1800 square feet which assumes a "footprint" of approximately 30'x60' per unit.
The building of a bungalow home would never be a "DIY" project and demands a knowledgeable contractor, an architect, a team of subcontractors, and an active owner to get the job done in a calendar year.
For the building of a bungalow of 1800 square feet, the typical costs include:
What is included:
(luxury-range materials bungalow)
Cost to build a bungalow-style home varies greatly by region (and even by zipcode). Get free estimates from builders in your city.


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257: What I Should've Said
Jan 16, 2004
People return to the scene of the crime where they should have spoken clearly, plainly, forcefully...to review what the hell went wrong, and in a few cases, to fix it. Jonathan Goldstein tries to stop time. Charles Monroe tries to figure out how to teach a lesson to the President of the United States.
- The President of the Maryland State Senate, Mike Miller, a veteran political operator, talks about the off-the-cuff remark in 1989 that many people say changed his life forever. (7 minutes)


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Movies With Computers
We can all recall movies that have computers in them as main 'characters' (
comes to mind). Here are some movies that show computers more or less as they really existed, or as society, or filmmakers, thought they existed.
Desk Set
The first (1957) cinematic romantic triangle involving a man, a woman and "The other woman" -- a computer. Great Hepburn-Tracy interactions as usual.
The President's Analyst
James Coburn is Dr. Sidney Schaefer who finds that someone is out to kill him. I can't discuss the role played by the computer without spoiling the fun.
Colossus: The Forbin Project
A sophisticated computer has a mind of its own and links up with its Soviet counterpart. A somewhat preachy Cold War flick. The computers look pretty much the way everyone expected them to look back then.
The (original) Thomas Crown Affair
Faye Dunaway decides to check airplane passenger lists to flight to Switzerland over the past year in order to see if any frequent passengers fit her profile of the bank robber. Her detective friend says "We can use the computer". One of the next scenes shows some IBM card shuffler spit out a small pile of cards.
Potentially historically accurate, assuming they had the right info online in the first place. Some of those card shufflers could do simple selection like that all by themselves, without burdening the mainframe.
The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes
One of the Kurt Russel "Medfield College" Disney flicks from the late 60's and early '70s. in which Kurt Russel's brain is networked (through a freak accident) with the school's mainframe. This, of course, makes him the school's College Bowl whiz kid and also a target for Gangsters who are using the mainframe to run a numbers racket.
All the Presidents Men
Most of the movie takes place in a 1970s era newsroom. Forget about the watergate story, the most amazing thing is the total LACK of computers. Everyone is typing on these archaic machines that have keyboards but PAPER comes out. Plus, the heros pore through PAPER telephone books from around the country and a box of PAPER library lending records.
A Small Romance
(late 70s)
A young girl gets her stepdad (who is an international businessman) to give her time on the computer 'for a school project'. He sets her up with one of the computer's keepers. She apparently has a program which allows her to pick horses at the Parisian raceway. The system's administrator is portrayed as a poorly-socialized recluse with his own cryptic method of playing the ponies.
The Black Hole
Disney movie starring V.I.N.CENT. (Vital Information Necessary CENTralized)
Superman III
Ouch. I guess this isn't really, as the top of this page says, movies that show computers more or less as they really existed, or as society, or filmmakers, thought they existed. Mind you, I think this page is drifting helplessly toward the rocks, arms flailing ... (or something)
Shall we play a game?
asks WOPR (War Operation Plan Response), the NORAD supercomputer, while it thrums impressively. Apparently a pun on the name of the real NORAD computer of that time, BURGR.
I've always liked movies like
, where a computer is used to crack a password/access code, and somehow the computer figures it out one character/digit at a time. This is generally accompanied by a display showing characters cycling randomly, but becoming "solid" one at a time. And the humans know that it will take the computer exactly 60 seconds to break the code. --
Strange Brew
The villains keep all of their incriminating evidence on an Atari-sized databank. Doug ("How's it goin' eh?") accidentally presses the right key code and all of the evidence pops out - on 8" floppies. Bob and Doug think they are bootleg records and try to play them on their stereo.
Electric Dreams
Miles buys himself a state-of-the-art computer that starts expressing thoughts and emotions after a having champagne spilled on it. Things start getting out of hand when both Miles and Edgar (the computer) fall in love with Madeline, an attractive neighbour.
A Data Analyzing Robot Youth Lifeform escapes from the lab and gets adopted. The military tries to capture him, but he manages to escape again to live happily ever after.
(Sorry for giving away the plot.)
During his period of captivity, researchers are stunned to learn that he prefers chocolate icecream over vanilla - apparently the AI can learn.
No Way Out
The pentagon mainframe and additional workstations is working on enhanceing a blurry polaroid-photo, meanwhile our hero Kevin Costner is using the equipment searching a foreign gift by *printing* all records, and then glimpse through the whole. Hehe, he could have used some SQL.
(But he would've been discovered as a spy when he pronounced it Ess-Kew-El instead of 'Sequel' thereby ruining the plot.)
Jurassic Park
The moral of the story: people who rely on a computer system to protect themselves should have manual overrides, failsafes and backup systems. The little girl utters something like "It's a Unix system!" when she tries to lock down the control room. (Not very realistic though - she should have spent the next ten minutes poring over man pages...) The 3D environment she uses is actually a real piece of
software - see
(Personal pet peeve: Using a Cray for DNA and a Thinking Machines (massively parallel computer) for security is backwards. And neither would be a good choice for security anyway, as security in a nature park is not a problem requiring heavy computation.)
Wayne's World II
When the geekette from the planning office goes over to waynestock, she's carrying a copy of "The Unix Programming Environment". Garth notices, and then says "It's the Unix book. Cool"
Terminator 2, Judgement Day
... the kid "John Connor" inserts a stolen ATM card (or card simulator?) with a RibbonCable
attached and has a portable gadget that runs PIN values until it hits the right one. Later, he uses it to break security when the whole building is locked down (let's see, insert random mag card, magically find PIN -- none of the other cards needs a PIN -- and override the security privilege system). Of course. Did I mention the NeuralNet
("learning computer")? With a write protect switch? Gotta get me one of those.
The Paper
Most of _this_ movie takes place in a 1990s era newsroom. There's a computer on every desk, and the guy who was on the Bill Cosby Show gets a really fancy computer which allows for a mockup of the front page.
Clear and Present Danger
For me, the most ridiculous movie/computer moment ever. Acting DDI Ryan asks one of the CIA techies to crack DDO Ritter's account. The techie softly, reverently, says, "...whoa. We're way beyond birthdays now. I'm gonna hafta write a ...very...special...program for this one." Just the way he says it makes me crack up. Then he turns to his green-CRT terminal (this in the mid-'90s) and starts banging away, while fragments of
BASIC and such fly across the screen, and tape autoloaders dance in the background. Sheesh. --
Features an uber-
called a "Gibson" (ho ho) with a ridiculous 3D interface, the HackerManifesto
by TheMentor
, a bunch of old textbooks about UNIX security, phreaking and endless heaps of misapplied tech jargon.
teams up with a programmer to stop villans in league with yet another programmer.
The hero creates CryptographicAlgorithms
by rotating spectacular ThreeDimensional
shapes with lovely textures on a machine with at least 5 monitors. (This entry was corrected, please watch the movie before summarizing it. Originally, this listing said, "The hero breaks CryptographicAlgorithms
". He was hired to create an encryption code.)
National Treasure
The hero contaminates someone's fingertips with invisible but UV-reactive dye, so when he plays a UV light over a keyboard he can see what letters she typed as her passcode. Of course, he just has to anagram the letters to guess what the password is, because nobody ever uses random numbers and letters as their password in a high security installation!
Harrison Ford stars as a security expert forced to defeat his own security scheme! Hijinks ensue.
Computers-in-movies Smells
The hero connects a small device next to big computer. This small device begin counting 1, 2, 3, to 9999 etc and the hero breaks in to the system.
This is potentially historically accurate depending on context, particularly for "war dialers" searching a range of phone numbers for a modem tone (popularized by the movie War Games, but a friend of mine built such a thing by modifying a simple 4 function calculator before the movie came out; in a few such details, it was more accurate than was popularly supposed), or when literally next to the mainframe, to search a range of numeric passwords (once upon a time, many systems did not allow alphabetic passwords).
In a big font, the monitor says "Access Denied" with flashing text, and alarm bells are ringing. Our hero runs out (of course, after getting what he wants).
Aside from the 48 point flashing text (and the hero getting anything after access was denied), this is potentially historically accurate for military systems. The original .MIL systems connected to the old Arpanet would, after 3 remote login failures, say something like "access denied", would furthermore say "system operator alerted to potential security breach", and some of those systems did in fact have physical alarm bells that were simultaneously triggered (not the ones on Arpanet, as far as I know, though).
Output text doesn't come at once, but the letters are slowly appearing with a click sound.
Historically accurate for old 110 baud/300 baud terminal protocols, which was used for both local and remote access. Characters were displayed
slower than reading speed. One could perform other tasks briefly while waiting for a page update (24 lines by 80 characters).
I don't recall which movie it was, but a very recent one had a big flashing notice and a
voice saying "Sending email, sending email!" Ludicrous. It was supposed to be a techno-thriller, too.
My Lexmark Z22 printer comes with a print manager that shouts "Printing started!" and "Printing complete!" and "Out of paper!".
For more of this sort of thing, see
Also see
(any particularly silly computer behavior above is a candidate to be copied to that page, but the two pages otherwise serve distinct purposes).
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March 12, 2011
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