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July 23, 2008 6:29 PM PDT

The Digital Home 25: Time for some realization

Posted by Don Reisinger
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Join Don Reisinger in this week's episode of the Digital Home podcast as he explores what's wrong with Microsoft's advertising and why Apple may need help. After that, he sits down with Boxee, an XBMC startup and ends the show off with your comments.
Listen now: Download today's podcast

EPISODE 25

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Don Reisinger is a technology columnist who has written about everything from HDTVs to computers to Flowbee Haircut Systems. Don is a member of the CNET Blog Network, and posts at The Digital Home. He is not an employee of CNET. Disclosure.

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Add a Comment (Log in or register) 7 comments
by cporpheus July 23, 2008 6:50 PM PDT
What you said was true. There is no reason to switch from XP to Vista, BUT there is no reason to switch from Vista to XP if you have current hardware. Vista is stable and runs fine on current hardware. (Just try some computers at Best Buy and see).
Reply to this comment
by cporpheus July 23, 2008 6:53 PM PDT
One thing for Vista: DirectX 10 support. Future games will only run well on Vista.
Reply to this comment
by cporpheus July 23, 2008 6:58 PM PDT
My mistake, DX10 is available for XP. My Bad!
Reply to this comment
by cporpheus July 23, 2008 7:02 PM PDT
I hate double retractions. Direct X 10 is available only for Vista because DX10 needs WDDM, which only runs on Vista.
Technet Link: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb219721.aspx#Will_DirectX_10_be_available_for_Windows_XP

Sorry for the many posts, all.
Reply to this comment
by Miroresh July 24, 2008 5:32 AM PDT
Don,

I agree with your comments on FPS games but it shouldn't stop there and continue to 3rd person shooters. There are so many clones out there that they all feel the same, like you said no innovations.

One thing or one company you forgot to mention was Valve. They created (well, bought the mod of their engine and brought the teams to their company), some of the best FPS out there today. Portal, with it's complete innovation of an FPS; HL2, which now is dated but still great fun Gravity gun; Team Fortress 2, with their new take on the feel of the game, style and colors; and lastly Left for Dead, which is looking and sounding great.

I'm sure you know most of these games but just wanted to send a reminder to all that there is STILL hope out there.

(Yes, i know i might sound like a Valve fanboy but that's the only example i can come up with right now)
Reply to this comment
by Miroresh July 24, 2008 5:36 AM PDT
Don,

I agree with your comments on FPS games but it shouldn't stop there and continue to 3rd person shooters. There are so many clones out there that they all feel the same, like you said no innovations.

One thing or one company you forgot to mention was Valve. They created (well, bought the mod of their engine and brought the teams to their company), some of the best FPS out there today. Portal, with it's complete innovation of an FPS; HL2, which now is dated but still great fun Gravity gun; Team Fortress 2, with their new take on the feel of the game, style and colors; and lastly Left for Dead, which is looking and sounding great.

I'm sure you know most of these games but just wanted to send a reminder to all that there is STILL hope out there.

(Yes, i know i might sound like a Valve fanboy but that's the only example i can come up with right now)
Reply to this comment
by G_Slade July 24, 2008 6:50 AM PDT
Yea valve is definately a big inovator, dont forget the whole steam application that lets you buy and download games and mods from the comfort of your own home. Red faction was quite inovative with its destructable buildings and earth.
Im looking forward to mirrors edge which is a First person free running game. And the new operation flashpoint which should hopefully be super realistic, and open world drive any vehicle.
I can see Dons standpoint though. I dont think im even gona bother with the new call of duty, whats new in it? flamethrowers and you can climb trees! big deal! its as if they are just hoping people will buy it just on the name, its not even made by the same people as COD4.
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About The Digital Home

Don Reisinger is a technology columnist who has covered everything from HDTVs to computers to Flowbee Haircut Systems. Besides his work with CNET, Don's work has been featured in a variety of other publications including PC World and a host of Ziff-Davis publications.

Don writes product reviews for InformationWeek and is a regular contributor to Processor Magazine. You can visit his personal site at DonReisinger.com or if you would like to email Don with questions or comments, drop him a line at CNETDigitalHome@gmail.com. He is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CNET. Disclosure.

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