Like It Here

Well, lets take a trip back in history.

If you were lucky enough to be in your pre-teens during the peak of arcades, like I did, then arcades probably hold a very fond place in your heart. Certainly it's nostalgic, but it runs a lot deeper than that. It is without a doubt, a piece of your childhood as well as pop culture.

If you're thinking about building your own arcade collection, I must offer this disclaimer: You're going to be addicted the moment after you plug in your first game. They'll be no going back.

Sure, you could be like everybody else and buy an Xbox 360, PS3, Nintendo Wii, or whatever happens to be the best video game console out there. But guess what? Those console, while having all technology behind them, still won't be able to compete with arcade classics like Burgertime, Street Fighter, Double Dragon, etc...Sure, the visuals & presentation will be greater on the consoles. But what's the single most relevant aspect to playing video games? Fun! Capital F-U-N. All that other stuff is meaningless.

If there is one component that is missing from console games is that all encompassing experience that arcades brought to the table. Just think back to those old arcades. The machines entirely surrounded you. It was kind of like a capsule. All the bright lights and loud sounds that you were picking up was from this cocoon-like cabinet.

The statement that arises always when making the comparison is "But a console takes a few inches of space, you need a lot of room for arcade games". This is 100% true. There is no getting around it.. Arcade games take up a lot of space. But for the real video game historian, some real estate in exchange for an engrossing hobby seems like a fair trade off. As log as what you're doing is something you enjoy, there is no downside.

If you're just starting out, here are some of the things that you should know about collecting arcade games before you just jump right in:

1) Space. I cannot stress this enough but you do in fact need space in your house to get into collecting arcade machines. First just start by finding enough space for a couple of machines then you'll notice,your house tends to become more open. It's funny how that works.

2) Be handy. Look at it like this: if you're buying a 20 year old machine, you might get the random glitch. It comes with the hobby. Think if you were buying a 20 year old car. Chances are you're going to have to get under the hood once in a blue moon.

This is especially true if you're buying a machine that's been in an arcade for its entire life. Just think of all those bratty kids that treated the joystick like it was their own personal pull-up bar. The game is going to be tired and is going to need some love and attention.

The good news is that there are literally hundreds of places you could go online for a missing part or manual for the machine that needs a little fix.

If you are not the handiest person in the world, its ok. I am positive you could find someone within your city limits that can fix an arcade game. Just think about every time you walk into a 7-11, laundromat, pool hall, etc, you always see at least one arcade game, don't you? Well, chances are the owners of those games have people they use to work on any problems.

3) Where/Who do I buy the machines from? Thank goodness for the internet. There are many sites that sell arcade machines. Where I recommend purchasing arcade games is eBay. It may seem very obvious, and for good reason. eBay is the best place to purchase arcade games for several reasons:

Selection - When you go to most other websites, you are only going to see what that particular seller (chances are he sells on eBay too), and only that seller, has available for sale. Meanwhile, going to eBay you will see hundreds, if not thousands of listings on arcade machines for sale.

Price - If you're just starting your collection, you came in at a very good time. Arcade machines are selling for a lot less than they used to be and eBay is where you will get the most competitive pricing. It makes sense. The more competition there is, the better the prices are going to be. A tried and true example of the free market?

Feedback - This has to be the most important reason for buying machines through eBay. You can actually see what kind of reputation a seller has. If you went to another businesses' website do you honestly think they're going to report any problems they've had with past buyers? Of course they won't.

But in eBay you get to see every seller's feedback score. If you're looking at a particular game that interests you, then all you have to do is look at the seller's feedback and if it seems like he's had some problems in the past with buyers, then you know its time to move on to the next one. Because chances are, someone else in eBay is selling the very same machine and also has a much better reputation with buyers.

Thinking of building your very own arcade or perhaps want to add more games to your collection? Check out ClassicArcadeStore.com for more great tips on starting or adding to your arcade collection. You'll also find the thousands of arcade machines that are currently selling on eBay.

AP - Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden said Friday that Republican John McCain would need a Halloween costume to convince voters that he would depart from the policies and divisive politics of President Bush. "I know Halloween is coming, but John McCain as the candidate of change?

Console Gaming companies are still doing well in sales thanks to demand, but for how much longer will they be a viable sector of the growing video game industry? Some analysts predict that with online video games growing so rapidly, that the all in one console games could be on their way out. Not so fast say many manufacturers of console games, rather they believe they are evolving with these new venues. Console gaming plus, online interaction with online gaming communities is where it's at says one executive from a popular console game manufacturing company.

Indeed, why can't you have the best of both worlds? Sure the older console games end up in the free box at the garage sales or flea markets but not the new stuff, which has more interaction and the latest graphics and speed. Online gaming has some distinct advantages, in that it has increased inflows of venture capital, the latest talent and new advertising revenue streams of major brand names looking to make a connection with the primarily younger gaming demographic.

So the question on many minds of those who follow this sector seems to be; are all-in-one Console Games out and if so is this just the evolution of Gaming Technology, which is causing its extinction? "The older games are definitely out and have lost significant ground to the online gaming communities and the XBox," stated a gentleman from the Online Think Tank recently. Interactive consoles that can hook up to online gaming communities and be used as self-contained gaming consoles will always be a favored method for the online gaming gamer.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance Winslow's Bio

AP - Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin testified for two hours Friday in an abuse-of-power investigation that has been a distraction to her Republican vice presidential campaign. Palin's leadership was questioned this month in a stinging but largely toothless legislative report that found she violated state ethics laws by letting a family dispute influence her decision-making.

Guitar Hero is not about song lists, or storyline - it's about the gameplay. You can customise characters however and there is a huge amount of licensed items in the game which does stand out.

Guitar Hero is simply one of the most addictive and charming games of the year. It is just a fad, but the real guitar is an art, almost a way of life. Guitar Hero is a brand we all know and love, well established and now in its third main iteration. In fact is there anything that could make this air guitar lovers dream any better than it already is?

Guitar Hero is a terrific game, one that musical fans should not be without. If there is even a little rocker in you, you will want this game. It is entertainment only, not for showing off, although some people has forgotten that. There are people who don't have a social life, who just sits inside playing this game and putting their sessions up on YouTube. Guitar Hero is an entity of evil. It degrades the value of music.

Guitar hero is cool. I have never played but seen it being played and people were having fun. Guitar Hero is the gift of a great game and the gift of music. It is the gift of rocking your walls clean off your house. Guitar Hero is back - and in the finest tradition of rock flick Spinal Tap, everything in the game has been turned up to eleven.

Guitar Hero is easily as compelling as your more standard games types, like a good first-person shooter or platformer, and fast becomes the sort of game that pops into your head all the time. It's scary when you find yourself doing the hand motions as certain tracks pop up during a working day. Guitar hero is ripping off rockband SO hard. Is this even legal? Guitar Hero is his hobby, and he is a kid.

Guitar Hero is not a pathetic digital fair trade of guitar playing, it's a Fun Game. It is probably my favorite game of all time, so this is extremely exciting news for me. I'm very curious how they are going to implement everything. Guitar Hero is a game that's fun solo, but also another great party piece. If you want to feel like you're in Spinal Tap in front of friends.

Finally, a winner emerged (by only 8,000 points!) and his buddies stormed the stage and hoisted him onto their shoulders. With the final score nearing 300,000 points, we were all pretty quickly humbled. Finally, Battle is the ultimate head-on competition. Like Pro Face-Off, you play at the same time, but with Battle, as you play well, you earn power-ups that you can use to disrupt, sabotage, and frustrate your opponent.

Games that feature caricatures of celebrity artists, such as Guitar Hero III and Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, include the ability to unlock those artists as playable characters. Guitar Hero World Tour will introduce the ability for players to create their own characters. Game play begins as soon as you see the arrows come toward you on the screen. There is a control line where, when the arrows meet it, you press the corresponding colored button on the neck of the guitar controller. Gameplay is affected by the amount you snort, with a moderate amount giving you extra energy and inspiration, while too much will cause you to lose control, and possibly OD.

GameSpot released an April Fools article in 2006 announcing "cowbell Hero" as a successor to the first game. Games that feature caricatures of celebrity artists, such as Guitar Hero III and Guitar Hero: Aerosmith include the ability to unlock those artists as playable characters.

Gamers lucky enough to have a Nintendo Wii have to miss out on the "Rock Band" experience as it is not available for the Wii. Neither of the games are available for play on regular Xbox or Nintendo GameCube. Game Stooge sounds like the spoiled brat who cries to his mommy every time he doesn't get his way.

Players will be able to affect their character's poise, clothing, tattoos, makeup, and age. Selected characters from previous Guitar Hero games will also be available as starting templates for creating a rocker. Players use the Guitar Grip, which mimics a guitar fret board, and the Guitar Hero pick-stylus on the touch screen to strum their favourite tunes and create their rock 'n' roll legacy in career mode. Fans can also join together to play co-op mode using a local wireless connection, or battle each other in a Guitar Duel using new Battle Items unique to Nintendo DS. Players also can autograph a virtual fan's T-shirt using the stylus and the touch screen or use the wireless capabilities of the DS to play in cooperative or competition modes.

http://www.gh4.co.uk

Reuters - A man died just as he was about to win a university binge eating contest in Taiwan, scoffing down two buns filled with rice and cheese as well as some of his teammate's food, the college said on Friday.

Finding someone to play chess with can be hard work. I taught my son how to play chess but he grew up and left home! Of course living 48 miles from the nearest neighbor does limit your options for chess companions.

For years I played chess against myself and since I do not know what move I am going to make until I make it, it isn't boring.

I have even made chessmen out of nuts, bolts and washers!

One day I set up a fresh game and just studied the board. I imagined 4 players, 4 sets of chessmen and the home positions set back two rows.

The picture in my mind wouldn't go away. I dug out a cardboard chessboard and cut it into 4, 2 row strips.

Note: I used a fine-toothed hacksaw.

I taped, on the back of the boards, the extra row to each side of another cardboard chessboard. I used a set of black wood chessmen, a set of white wood chessmen, a set of clear glass chessmen and a set of green plastic chessmen for the game pieces.

I studied the visual effect. Of course the original board was larger because there were no chessmen on it.

I began to play using the same rules for standard chess. It was a blast!

I continued playing by myself until a bunch of chess players happened to meet at my place.

Wow! 4 real players was even better!

Several of the children who had no interest in chess got involved and began playing chess, 4-player style.

Keep your mind on the game, it moves very fast!

Oh yes, one minor modification of the rules; Make it to any one of the three 'new home back row' and you can exchange your men for your higher captured chess pieces!

I give any patent rights to all people.

Rhondalyn Teel is a researcher and correlator. Search Rhondalyn Teel on http://www.lulu.com or on Kindle at http://www.amazon.com

Dear Abby - DEAR ABBY: Unbelievable as it may seem, this actually happened. I was in the ladies' room in my office building when a woman came in talking on her cell phone. She went into the stall next to mine and continued carrying on a conversation throughout her visit -- even while washing her hands!

Next gen consoles come with next gen graphics, next gen fun, and most importantly a next gen price tag! With most games now ranging from 60-80 dollars per video game, it's obvious why renting video games online have exploded in the recent months. If you're like me, and I know you are, you probably only play games once and then never touch them again. What a waste!

Maybe you are on the fence. Maybe you are new to this concept. Either way, you have a bit to learn and I'm glad to teach! Renting video games online is much like renting dvds online. If you're not familiar with that concept either, it's like going to your local movie rental shop and renting movies or video games. However, instead of actually having to get up and waste gas to go pick up a product you will probably only watch or play once, you get to do it ALL from the comfort of your own home! You can rent video games online with a simple click of a button and you can have them shipped to you within 2-3 days.

Too good to be true right? Lucky for you, it IS true!
You simply go to a video game rental site, sign up for a free trial (that way there's nothing to lose on your end) and select a few games for them to send out. Within 48 hours you have yourself the hottest titles without having to break your wallet!

There couldn't possibly by anything more, right? Wrong.
Renting games online from these clubs also gives you the luxury of not having to worry about returning them on time. You can keep them for (literally) as long as you want! If you were signed up to a conventional rental store, they would slap you with penalties as much as they possibly can. So rolling up back-due fees will never be something you have to worry about. Another luxury these rental clubs provide is the ability to play vintage games! It is very rare that you ever see a rental store offering games for the playstation 2, playstation 1, the original xbox, the dreamcast, etc. However, with these online clubs they provide you with virtually every game created for virtually every console created (even for some of you old school Atari fans!).

In closing, renting games online has saved me at least 1000 dollars by now (Think I'm lying? That's about 10 games if you were to buy them at a store!). It is a very valuable service that for gamers - recreational players and addicted players alike - one les thing to worry about when trying to decide how we are going to get our next video game! Have you decided to take the plunge? Well I've got more good news! I have reviewed every top online game rental service out there that ranks their prices, shipping times, and game availability. Check out our reviews and let your wallet decide whats best!

Clark Cassidy has been saving people money for a year by telling them to rent games online So if you are ready to take the leap and rent video games online, then check out his site for reviews of the leading services.

Dear Abby - DEAR ABBY: I would like to tell "Friend-Challenged in Glendale, Calif." (Aug. 2) that I have been in her shoes. She needs to make her desire for friendship known to others.