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Taliesin Posted on: 11-Jun-2009, 09:23 AM

Replies: 949
Views: 22,041
QUOTE (Antwn @ 10-Jun-2009, 11:34 AM)
I agree about the waste of time, but not for the reason's you've specified. I gave my reasons, you don't consider them any more valid than I consider vague correlatives and ancedotal evidence. After 49 pages the arguments have been covered. That's what I meant. Read them if you doubt. If you guys want to post every news article where some gun was used to defend someone ad infinitum and brag about your personal gun proficiency, knock yourselves out, it doesn't PROVE anything.

The question I asked several posts ago was how the possession of a gun prevents events which haven't happened. Its unanswerable since no one can prove the prevention of a non-event. They could believe it and announce it authoritatively but what would that mean? Nothing. No, I'm not just going to be convinced unless something is convincing, and since we both agree this is a waste of time, I'll leave you all to your repetitions.

So you don't consider the fact that you've stated point blank that you will accept nothing as proof to be a reason why trying to convince you is a waste of time? That's a little short on logic. Those are the reasons I stated, with which you apparently disagree.

What's more, I HAVE read all of the pages of this post. I did it before posting my first time.

I've never bragged about my own gun proficiency. I know how to shoot, and am fanatical about safety.

As for preventing events that haven't happened, isn't that sort of the definition of prevention? To suggest that the concept of prevention is worthless is sort of lame, isn't it?

"Well, if I get enough sleep, eat well-balanced meals, and wash my hands, I might prevent being sick."

"Preventing an event that hasn't happened is not possible."

"Oh, I guess I'll forget about trying to stay well."

The fact of the matter is this: People factor in environment and possibilities into their decisions, and when those possibilities include the potentiality that their mark has a gun, they decide the path of least resistance, which has less of a chance of getting them killed.
  Forum: Politics & Current Events  ·  Post Preview: #282335

Taliesin Posted on: 10-Jun-2009, 09:59 AM

Replies: 949
Views: 22,041
My post wasn't a reiteration. I was trying to establish that absolutely nothing that could be said or shown would convince you that individual gun ownership leads to decreased rates of crime. Essentially, there's nothing anyone could say that would convince you, regardless of how much sense it made.

This is the essence of why this thread is so long.

"Look at this example and this example and this example..."

"There could be a third or fourth variable in every single one of those cases, so you have not convinced me."

Sounds like the height of wasted time: Trying to prove to someone who will accept nothing as proof that something is the case.
  Forum: Politics & Current Events  ·  Post Preview: #282302

Taliesin Posted on: 08-Jun-2009, 10:48 AM

Replies: 949
Views: 22,041
QUOTE (Antwn @ 08-Jun-2009, 08:16 AM)
Correlation is not causation.

A point of logic: Correlation MAY be causation, but does not PROVE it. A distinction I feel is important, here. Statistically speaking, there MAY be an unknown factor causing the negative correlation between crime rates and and individual gun ownership.

Out of curiosity, what would you accept as proof that allowing individual gun ownership CAUSES crime rates to drop, and that the converse is also true?
  Forum: Politics & Current Events  ·  Post Preview: #282249

Taliesin Posted on: 04-Jun-2009, 10:55 AM

Replies: 949
Views: 22,041
QUOTE (stoirmeil @ 31-May-2009, 04:30 PM)
  And as I've said, this is state by state and case by case.  I would never advocate blanket federal statute on it.


I agree.
  Forum: Politics & Current Events  ·  Post Preview: #282112

Taliesin Posted on: 04-Jun-2009, 10:52 AM

Replies: 949
Views: 22,041
QUOTE (stoirmeil @ 31-May-2009, 03:11 PM)
Somehow I think removing the guns from the equation would have simplified this just a little.

You're right, because it's obvious that the foremost thought in the murderer's mind was obeying all laws. If only guns had been illegal, he certainly wouldn't have even considered picking one up. After all, if you look at his track record, it's clear that obeying the law was a very important value to this man. Outlawing guns would have eliminated this tragedy entirely.

Wait a minute. Maybe we should have had the forethought to make murder illegal, too. After all, if murder were illegal, this man would clearly not have done it.
  Forum: Politics & Current Events  ·  Post Preview: #282111

Taliesin Posted on: 01-Jun-2009, 05:55 PM

Replies: 110
Views: 12,363
Heartening news, indeed! Er, I mean, um, I mourn the loss of the fighting men of your realms. Yeah, that's it. wink.gif
  Forum: Medieval Kingdom  ·  Post Preview: #281997

Taliesin Posted on: 01-Jun-2009, 09:25 AM

Replies: 110
Views: 12,363
Well, given the vast numbers wrapped up in Clan Gordon, I think we can all guess how it will end, but it'll sure be interesting to see it played out, Son of Duncan! smile.gif
  Forum: Medieval Kingdom  ·  Post Preview: #281989

Taliesin Posted on: 31-May-2009, 10:24 AM

Replies: 22
Views: 3,702
QUOTE (cahoots @ 30-May-2009, 07:12 PM)
How is someone new to the game to know which way to go....which clan to join ....and who to seek for advice on how to get started??? I would think one of the objects of this game is to have battles with other players but some think not... I would like to build a large strong kingdom but am unable to trust anyone as yet, maybe after playing awhile I'll know which clan to trust...

Well, knowing who to trust is really the trick isn't it? And how would that have been different in real life. Such is politics, medieval or otherwise.

The objects of the game are what you make of them, my Lord. If you would prefer to build up a massive, peaceful kingdom, then so be it. If you would prefer to make war, as Clan Gordon is doing, that is part of the game as well.

As for which CLAN to trust, I'd say go with your gut. Decide whether you want to augment an already large clan like DARK, Bruce, or Gordon. Or go with a smaller clan, like North, or Mac Na Galla. Read the clan pages and see which one has the attitude you like. Read the posts and see whose posts make the most sense to you.

And remember, once you join a clan, you can ALWAYS leave it.
  Forum: Medieval Clans  ·  Post Preview: #281923

Taliesin Posted on: 30-May-2009, 05:54 PM

Replies: 103
Views: 1,914
QUOTE (Antwn @ 30-May-2009, 09:54 AM)
Funny how people complain that the SC legislates from the bench then complain when they don't, as in the Prop 8 ruling in California. I wonder if people just want the court to rule in ways which please them.

Completely different issue, actually.

The majority voted in the California State Constitutional Amendment.

The minority filed a lawsuit demanding that the California State Supreme Court overturn the amendment as unconstitutional. The State SC upheld the amendment.

Who is demanding that the SC legislate from the bench? If anyone, it's the gay marriage proponents. By and large, these are not the same people as those who are complaining about Sotomayor's erroneous opinion that judges should legislate from the bench.
  Forum: Politics & Current Events  ·  Post Preview: #281882

Taliesin Posted on: 29-May-2009, 10:10 PM

Replies: 22
Views: 3,702
Well, as I said earlier, war is part of the game. However, some of the things that have been said have nothing to do with war, and more to do with the possibility of some taking an unfair advantage.

War in this game I do not have a problem with. It might destroy me and my clan, but it's part of the game. The possibility of people with multiple accounts is another issue, one which is easily resolved by Paul, and one which I have no patience for IF it's taking place.

Now, I've said this to others: it has not been proved to anyone that multiple accounts for the purpose of resource generation is taking place. That is something Paul will have to look into if he chooses to. That being said, I hope if people ARE using multiple accounts, something that is clearly against the spirit of the game, I hope Paul will take appropriate punitive action.

War, however, is part of it all. smile.gif
  Forum: Medieval Clans  ·  Post Preview: #281833

Taliesin Posted on: 29-May-2009, 03:20 PM

Replies: 22
Views: 3,702
QUOTE (glaswegian @ 29-May-2009, 01:23 PM)
2. there is no such thing as scottish clans anymore. They dont exist.

How do you figure? I mean, I figure you really are a Glaswegian, but I wonder how you can say that they don't exist at all when there is still a registered clan chief for many clans in Scotland.

If, however, you meant that they no longer exist as a political and familial force with which to be reckoned, I can certainly agree with you there. I'd say they still exist, though in a much different form than once they did.

It's an opinion, though. smile.gif
  Forum: Medieval Clans  ·  Post Preview: #281808

Taliesin Posted on: 29-May-2009, 02:10 PM

Replies: 22
Views: 3,702
QUOTE (gandolf3339 @ 29-May-2009, 12:04 PM)
This is just one of the lies that I have proof of, We have not and will not attack smaller Clans and have not attacked anyone as a Clan since McInn disbanded, As for the cheating just like with LoA I can not prove it but I hope CR will look into multiaccounts.

Well, this could be simply a manufactured pretext to create a war. Lord Englishmix once sent armies against me, claiming that there was a foul stench emanating from the lands of Buchanan. smile.gif

As for the multi-accounts, it's a serious accusation, and something Paul could pretty easily check into. (Having administered a number of forums in my time, such multi-account nonsense is simple enough to see.)

Has anyone asked him to look into it? Has he done so? Has he removed multiple accounts? If not, there may be nothing to this claim.

Again, I'm not stating an opinion one way or another. I know that aside from Lord Englishmix and my wargames, Clan DARK has not attacked us. That doesn't mean Clan Gordon is or is not lying. I don't know anything about that.

However, while it may not always be to our advantage, war is a possibility in MK, and is never as far off as we'd like to assume.
  Forum: Medieval Clans  ·  Post Preview: #281801

Taliesin Posted on: 29-May-2009, 11:59 AM

Replies: 103
Views: 1,914
So much for Lady Liberty being blindfolded, eh?

No, the laws need to apply to all without respect to race or gender. What's more, as has been stated prior, judges are not there to legislate from the bench. Camac, you said it's ok because the point of judges are to interpret the law and not MAKE law. IF that were the case in the USA, I would agree with you. However, this appointee has stated that she doesn't agree with the Constitution in this regard. That, alone, ought to make her unqualified.
  Forum: Politics & Current Events  ·  Post Preview: #281796

Taliesin Posted on: 29-May-2009, 11:52 AM

Replies: 22
Views: 3,702
QUOTE (gandolf3339 @ 29-May-2009, 10:32 AM)
If you wish to join a lying and cheating clan than by all means join Clan Gordon

C'mon. Provide some substance or don't say anything at all. I'm not saying they're NOT a lying and cheating clan, but if you're going to say something like THAT, you'd better provide more than an accusation.
  Forum: Medieval Clans  ·  Post Preview: #281794

Taliesin Posted on: 27-May-2009, 07:48 PM

Replies: 10
Views: 4,922
I'm a GM for Hackmaster, which is a rules system that (in its past incarnation) was based on 1st and 2nd Edition AD&D rules.

I read the portion of your setting that you posted here, and it's definitely intriguing.

Some questions I would have as a player in your campaign:

1. Is the 10,000 shards a hard rule, or is the number closer to "We Have No Idea"? smile.gif

2. Are the climates of the various shards the same, or would we find as much variance in climate as we would on earth?

3. Regarding the windriggers...considering that the people on all the shards are so mistrustful of magic, is it likely any one of them would even get on a windrigger?

4. Are the windriggers on a sort of schedule? How many of these windriggers are there, and who controls them?

5. Are the shards all under a single government, or is each shard self-governed?

6. Do the shards ever collide? Each one having its own gravity would indicate some form of motion. However, without an axis, a day/night cycle would be sort of impossible, not to mention seasons.

I like the beginning premise, to be sure. I don't know that I'll have time to check out the rest of the setting, but I'd say you've done well as a start.
  Forum: RPG - The Playground!  ·  Post Preview: #281729

Taliesin Posted on: 27-May-2009, 09:24 AM

Replies: 7
Views: 1,088
LOL!

That is definitely one heck of a do-over. wink.gif
  Forum: Medieval Kingdom  ·  Post Preview: #281682

Taliesin Posted on: 27-May-2009, 09:22 AM

Replies: 22
Views: 3,702
And let's not forget that Clan Gordon has promised to do some serious attackin' in the near future. smile.gif

Perhaps you might wish to get thyself on the rather big side? wink.gif
  Forum: Medieval Clans  ·  Post Preview: #281681

Taliesin Posted on: 23-May-2009, 09:30 AM

Replies: 3
Views: 1,645
I had it when I was in Boston last weekend.

It's sweeter than Guinness' standard dry stout, but it also packs a roasty punch.

If I had to label it anything, I'd call it a cross between Guinness Draught and Guinness Extra Stout with a little extra malty sweetness thrown in.
  Forum: Drinks  ·  Post Preview: #281547

Taliesin Posted on: 19-May-2009, 01:28 PM

Replies: 17
Views: 1,261
Agreed about the apology. It should DEFINITELY be forthcoming, and right quick.

However, I would change my statement if the school had a uniform policy AND if other cultures were not allowed to wear their cultural dress. I strongly suspect this is not the case, though.
  Forum: General Discussion  ·  Post Preview: #281404

No New Posts  Clan Bruce (Pages 1 2 )
Taliesin Posted on: 19-May-2009, 01:21 PM

Replies: 15
Views: 2,977
Congratulations, Lord Olorin!

I have enjoyed your messages and banter on these forums, and look forward to seeing what you do with the clan Bruce, as I'm sure all of the smaller clans can agree. smile.gif
  Forum: Medieval Kingdom  ·  Post Preview: #281403

Taliesin Posted on: 14-May-2009, 08:09 PM

Replies: 13
Views: 1,704
How disrespectful of this guy.

I respect and honor our veterans, but I also respect the laws concerning the flying of flags alongside ours. Not hard to find...

Camac, I agree with Paul that this guy does not represent the sentiment of anyone I know.
  Forum: General Discussion  ·  Post Preview: #281254

Taliesin Posted on: 06-May-2009, 10:35 AM

Replies: 6
Views: 963
I don't use Ubuntu, or any flavor of Linux for that matter, for my home machines for a couple reasons. Linux is not a perfect replacement for Windows when it comes to high-end and mainstream games, or programs like Photoshop. For specialized applications for which programs have not been developed for Linux, Linux can't hold a candle to proprietary Operating Systems like MacOS or Windows.

When it comes to Antivirus, Linux doesn't have any anti-virus built in to it. It is a very secure operating system, yes, but if hackers and virus writers wanted to target it, it would be vulnerable, though perhaps not AS MUCH as Windows. The fact of the matter is that viruses (and any other programs, for that matter, with the exception of Java applications) must be written specifically for the operating system on which they're going to be run. A Windows virus will not infect a MacOS or Linux machine, and the reverse statements are true as well. What's more, it's in a virus-writer's best interests to write a virus for an OS that's going to have the greatest impact, and like it or not, that OS is Windows.

There are programs that attempt to allow you to run Windows programs on a Linux machine. Programs like WINE and WINE-X, however, take a good deal of work to get running, and their implementations are never perfect. For games, Linux just doesn't have the support out there for it without a great deal of tweaking. (This does not include Flash games, or many free games available on the internet like the Battle for Wesnoth.)

Photoshop is an industry standard. I own a professional photography business, and all the educational material and tutorials are for Photoshop. GIMP is a free alternative that runs on Linux, and it's an AMAZING program. But I'm sorry...I've used both programs side by side, and GIMP doesn't hold a candle to Photoshop. My wife, who does the photoediting in our business, uses Photoshop. I, for graphics design and web graphics, use GIMP.

So my point to the Carolina Scotsman was that if he's just surfing the web, checking e-mail, and even using an office suite, Linux is a great way to get some mileage out of an old PC.
  Forum: Technical Support  ·  Post Preview: #280869

No New Posts  Windows Vista (Pages 1 2 )
Taliesin Posted on: 06-May-2009, 10:26 AM

Replies: 17
Views: 4,163
QUOTE (MacDonnchaidh @ 06-May-2009, 07:47 AM)
My dad just upgraded one of his client's computers to Windows 7 and said it's the best thing Microsoft has made yet. So for all of you that hate and curse Vista, either wait a month or two for the final Windows 7 version. Or upgrade to the Evaluation version (BETA) now.

For the record, Windows 7 will not be a panacea for all Operating System problems. There are bugs even in the Release Candidate of Windows 7 that have not been discovered yet. I repeat, there will be bugs and security holes. To expect otherwise, is folly.

That being said, I've heard really good things about Windows 7, and won't have a problem upgrading when my current Vista machines need hardware upgrades.

Here's an interesting study I remember reading about. Link follows:

Microsoft gathered a group of Windows XP users, and were told they were test-driving the new version (after Vista) of Windows code-named Windows Mojave. They were asked for their response to a couple of Mojave demos, and the results were positive. XP Users indicated that they liked Mojave. They were then told that Mojave was actually Vista.

From the article:

"Microsoft's rationale for the project was to show that people's negative perceptions of Vista have been influenced more by what they've heard than by what they've experienced, and Webster suggested that the positive results of Mojave were a form of vindication for Microsoft.

'And the hypothesis was confirmed when across the board, participants concluded that they needed to take another look before simply accepting what they'd heard,' Webster wrote. 'Again, we know from lots of user and non-user data that the closer they look the more they will like it. We just needed to give them a reason to take another look.'"

What's more, Microsoft originally planned to have a fun section of the website, showcasing people who refused to budge on their anti-Vista stance even after the demos, but they had to scrap that, as they had no one that did.

My point isn't that Vista doesn't have its problems, or that manufacturers didn't drop the ball in putting Vista on machines barely meeting the minimum system requirements. My point is that a great deal of many people's perception of Vista is based on what they've heard, rather than any concrete complaints about the OS itself. I am not speaking of Camac, of course, or anyone who has a valid complaint about the OS. Just that there are a great many people who have an impression of Vista that is based on what they've heard through blogs or the news, and not with a trial or experience of their own.

Article about the Mojave Experiment: http://www.crn.com/software/210201062;jses...LRSKH0CJUNN2JVN

The Mojave Experiment Official Website: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/mojave-experiment/
  Forum: General Discussion  ·  Post Preview: #280867

No New Posts  Windows Vista (Pages 1 2 )
Taliesin Posted on: 06-May-2009, 09:57 AM

Replies: 17
Views: 4,163
QUOTE (Patriot1776 @ 04-May-2009, 04:29 AM)
I most recently put Ubuntu Linux on the laptop of a friend of my brother's. I completely destroyed the Vista partition in the process, AFTER backing up all of his music onto a single DVD. He loves Ubuntu now and is a Linux convert.

I enjoy Linux for most average computing tasks. If all I did was check e-mail, surf the web, and occasionally use Word Processing and Spreadsheets, I'd go Linux all the way. However, that's not all I do:

1. Gaming - While many games are free on Linux, and some are amazingly awesome like Battle for Wesnoth. Mainstream games are not easy to get running on Linux. Yes, there's WINE and WINE-X that with many tweakings, can play some of the higher end games. Regardless, I do IT for a living. If I wanted to come home and work for hours just to be able to play a game....well, I'd never leave work. smile.gif Gaming is not a fantastic experience on Linux.

2, Photoshop - I own a professional Photography business. We're entirely digital, and Photoshop is the industry standard. I know that GIMP is out there, and *I* use GIMP for everything. However, my wife does all the photography editing, and we've used the programs side-by-side. GIMP does not hold a candle to Photoshop. All of the instructional material that's out there assumes photoshop or some other proprietary software, and the new versions of Photoshop just blow GIMP away.

So I like Linux. I have a soft spot in my heart for it, and wish I could use it. But I'm not going to sacrifice the convenience that Windows gives me. Couple that with installed antivirus, and safe computing practices, and you get the fact that I haven't had a single major problem with Windows in over a decade. (Apart from the pain in the BUTT that RAID drivers were with Windows XP. However, Vista took care of that perfectly.)

That being said, I'm not saying that Windows has no problems. They do. So does Linux, and MacOS. I like the fact that we all have choices on what OS we can run. Competition is good for everyone involved.
  Forum: General Discussion  ·  Post Preview: #280865

Taliesin Posted on: 05-May-2009, 06:12 PM

Replies: 6
Views: 963
What was wrong with your main computer?

As for your old one, it MUST be old if it can't even run Windows XP! lol Have you considered something like Ubuntu Linux for that old machine? For regular computing (i.e., not games, etc) Ubuntu Linux comes with most programs necessary, like e-mail, Instant Messaging, web browsing, and even Office-like programs. The names of the programs are often different, such as Firefox for browsing Evolution or Thunderbird for e-mail, and OpenOffice.org for the Office-like programs. (OpenOffice.org can even edit and save in Word, Excel, or PowerPoint 2003 formats.)

Ubuntu is one of the most friendly versions of Linux out there, discovering and installing drivers for most hardware components with little to no work.

Best of all, Linux is USUALLY FAR less of a resource hog than most versions of Windows, and so often make a lot of sense for older computers.

Whaddya think?
  Forum: Technical Support  ·  Post Preview: #280846

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