The topic for this week's Wings Over Atreia presented itself when I logged into Aion at prime-time on Thursday night and found the very odd occurrence of both an empty legion list and an empty friends list. Considering how full the latter is (plug for larger lists here), I've never seen both be completely empty simultaneously, even when I pop in during my odd super-late hours. While I saw some life over the rest of the weekend, overall numbers stayed pretty low, even during the hours of the new arena instances. To what do I attribute this? In some cases it was the usual attack of the Real Life (tm) that got ahold of people, but two extra factors contributed to the population insta-decline: the release of Skyrim and more weekend beta invites from Star Wars: The Old Republic.
Now in the case of Skyrim, it can't be helped (but maybe we can have a little spacing between the release of so many games?!). We know that once the game is played through, people will wander back to their MMOs. TOR, however, is another matter: Besides the shininess of of a new game and the fact that it is both Star Wars-based and made by BioWare, does Aion have a future of vast, empty lands to look forward to at the release of the latest OMG-it's-the-second-coming-of-games title? Some are certainly screaming doom-and-gloom, but we hear that from dissenters about nearly every little thing. Is it possible that there is room enough for both games to survive after the initial hype has passed?
Before we delve any further, please note that this article is not going to be a play-by-play comparison of game features. Go ahead and ignite those flamethrowers or burn me in effigy, but I cannot really comment on features of a game that hasn't been released yet. In my opinion, feature lists are all speculative until a game is out and proves it has what it claims. And no, checking it out beta pre-NDA lift (which I haven't done and wouldn't tell you if I did anyways!) doesn't count. I will offer a comparison at a later date, once I have actually stepped in and experienced the game myself.
Yes, I did just admit that I will be testing the waters of TOR; once the devs mentioned the combination of my two most favorite abilities, I knew I'd give it a whirl. Mmmmm... healing and stealth -- like chocolate and peanut butter, two great gaming tastes that taste great together! Not to mention that I game alongside someone who has an almost insatiable need to sample every possible game that comes by, just to see.
I fully admit that upon release of TOR, pretty much all games -- including Aion -- will see a drop in participation. It is the nature of many gamers to run off after the latest shiny and check out what's new. Many studios even make efforts to mitigate this phenomena by offering new content or their own expansions around the time of a major title's release. However, even among those who head out to try the latest game, there are many who always keep one foot planted firmly in their main game or soon return after the seductive newness wears off of the other. As for those who move on, many in that group tend to do that no matter what, always moving on to supposedly greener pixels. However, that drop in population is not necessarily permanent nor will it kill the game. In fact, I doubt it will.
Believe what you will, but I have heard from people (yes, more than a handful!) who have zero desire to try SWTOR. I have also heard plenty of others express some interest in checking it out yet have also declared that they will not let their Aion subs lapse because they plan to remain. Reasons for leaving are at times the same reasons for staying: friends, legion, aesthetics, and genre.
Another reason for heading on over to another galaxy far, far away is that friends or legions are trying it out. I know some legions have already made the declaration that they are moving en masse into the new game. If truth be told, I am not going to miss some of those legions and counter that the overall game experience in Aion will be better for their departure. Conversely, I know legions that are staying as well as players who are content to remain in Atreia with friends.
While both games have a strong focus on faction PvP, for those who are mild to extreme Star Wars fans (or even just prefer a science fiction setting), the decision to move on is natural. On the flip side, there are gaming geeks who are not Star Wars fans or who prefer a fantasy setting. For these gamers, TOR doesn't have any particular pull other than being new. Sure, those players may also test-run the game to check out the new features and compare the games. But some people just would rather play in a particular genre or setting, and those who prefer fantasy will be sticking with Aion in the long run.
2011年11月14日星期一
2011年9月29日星期四
Man threatens officer with needle, disease, police say
A man suspected of stealing from a drug store in Brooklyn Park Wednesday afternoon threatened an off-duty Anne Arundel County police officer with a needle, according to authorities.
"When confronted, the suspect pulled out a hypodermic syringe, repeatedly stabbed himself with it and threatened to infect the officer with a communicable disease," a statement from police says.
The officer protected himself and the man was caught on Ritchie Highway a short time later. For more details, read the news release from police:
On September 28, 2011 at approximately 1537 hours, officers responded the Rite-Aid store in the 5800 block of Ritchie Highway, Brooklyn Park, MD for a reported theft. The suspect, described as a thin black male, dropped store property and ran as officers were responding.
An off-duty officer saw the suspect in the median of Ritchie Highway near Hammonds Lane. When confronted, the suspect pulled out a hypodermic syringe, repeatedly stabbed himself with it and threatened to infect the officer with a communicable disease.
The officer was able to protect himself from the suspect in this heavily trafficked area, but the suspect continued his flight north along Ritchie Highway. Responding patrol officers canvassed the business area where the suspect fled but were initially unable to locate him.
At approximately 1613hours, officers responded to the Save-A-Lot in the 5000 block of Ritchie Highway, Brooklyn Park for another reported theft. The suspect description in this incident matched the description from the earlier incident at Rite Aid. The suspect filled a trash bag with merchandise and held a knife in view of store personnel as he departed with the property.
The suspect was last seen running north on Ritchie Highway, and responding officers found him as he tried to hide in the 4500 block of Ritchie Highway. The suspect was taken into custody without incident and was positively identified as the person involved in the Rite Aid incident and assault on the off-duty officer. No one was injured during either altercation.
"When confronted, the suspect pulled out a hypodermic syringe, repeatedly stabbed himself with it and threatened to infect the officer with a communicable disease," a statement from police says.
The officer protected himself and the man was caught on Ritchie Highway a short time later. For more details, read the news release from police:
On September 28, 2011 at approximately 1537 hours, officers responded the Rite-Aid store in the 5800 block of Ritchie Highway, Brooklyn Park, MD for a reported theft. The suspect, described as a thin black male, dropped store property and ran as officers were responding.
An off-duty officer saw the suspect in the median of Ritchie Highway near Hammonds Lane. When confronted, the suspect pulled out a hypodermic syringe, repeatedly stabbed himself with it and threatened to infect the officer with a communicable disease.
The officer was able to protect himself from the suspect in this heavily trafficked area, but the suspect continued his flight north along Ritchie Highway. Responding patrol officers canvassed the business area where the suspect fled but were initially unable to locate him.
At approximately 1613hours, officers responded to the Save-A-Lot in the 5000 block of Ritchie Highway, Brooklyn Park for another reported theft. The suspect description in this incident matched the description from the earlier incident at Rite Aid. The suspect filled a trash bag with merchandise and held a knife in view of store personnel as he departed with the property.
The suspect was last seen running north on Ritchie Highway, and responding officers found him as he tried to hide in the 4500 block of Ritchie Highway. The suspect was taken into custody without incident and was positively identified as the person involved in the Rite Aid incident and assault on the off-duty officer. No one was injured during either altercation.
2011年9月20日星期二
Hands in the soil
Grab a handful of soil. Go ahead, step outside and scoop up a small amount in your hand. It’s hard to imagine all that’s going on in there. You’re holding trillions of creatures, though that’s just an estimate. Nobody has done the actual counting.
Unless you happened to grab an earthworm or beetle in your handful, you’re not likely to see much of anything without the assistance of an optical device. But with a simple hand lens or magnifying glass, you’ll see some tiny animals, including mites, springtails, and potworms. Some are these animals are predators, but many are detritivores (eaters of dead things). They’re largely responsible for tearing holes in the tissues of the dead things and for spreading them around -- the first step of decomposition.
With a microscope, you can see even more minute animals. You’re likely to see tiny worms called nematodes and rotifers, as well as amoebae and miniscule, eight-legged animals called water bears. These organisms eat everything: other animals, dead things, bacteria, fungi. Some nematodes can infest plant roots by stabbing into them with hypodermic-needle-like mouth parts. (When gardeners plant marigolds because they are "good for pests," they are taking advantage of marigold roots’ nematicidal properties.)
You can also see root hairs, algae, cyanobacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, and bacteria.
They may not be very noticeable, but they are the source of most of the diversity in the soil, accounting for the bulk of the soil’s biomass and most of its metabolism.
Root hairs are tiny, single-celled extensions of a root’s epidermal layer. They anchor the roots, which are actively pushing through the soil, and increase the surface area with which to absorb water and nutrients. Algae need light to photosynthesize, so they are generally found near the surface of the soil. Green algae are most often found in moist (though not flooded) acidic soils; diatoms, another kind of alga, are often plentiful in garden soil that is rich in organic material. Cyanobacteria are similar and are often found in wetland soils.
Over 700 species of fungi have been found in the soil so far. They include single-celled yeasts, filamentous molds, mildews, and rusts. These various kinds of fungi are responsible for much of the humus formation, soil stabilization, and the breakdown of organic matter. Although we may think of mushrooms as above-ground organisms, this visible fruiting body is only a small portion of the whole organism; fungal strands called hyphae extend throughout the soil. Some fungi are even predators. One uses a lasso-like device to trap nematodes.
Fungi are the source of many plant diseases, including late blight, the disease that plagued tomato and potato plants in the region in 2009, but one fungus (a mold) is also the source of penicillin. Fungi are particularly important in bogs and forest soils, where they are able to withstand acidic conditions. Perhaps the most important fungi, however, are those that form mutually beneficial associations with plant roots, called mycorrhizae ("fungus root"). Most plants depend on mycorrhizae to survive.
Actinomycetes have some fungus-like characteristics and some bacteria-like ones. They are detritvores. Many produce antibiotics to kill other microorganisms. The drugs actinomycin and streptomycin are derived from actinomycetes. In forest soils, the genus Frankia (one type of actinomycete) is responsible for much of the nitrogen fixation that makes atmospheric nitrogen available to higher plants. Actinomycetes also produce volatile compounds that make the "good earth" smell you think of when you think of dirt. There are hundreds of millions of actinomycetes per gram of soil, weighing up to 5,000 kilograms per hectare.
Although actinomycetes weigh the most, in non-acidic soils, their numbers pale in comparison to those of bacteria. There are ten times more bacteria, anywhere from several billion to a trillion of them in a single gram of soil. They do everything fungi and actinomycetes do, from breaking things down to forming humus to stabilizing soil structure to cycling nutrients. Some bacteria can even break down oil, insecticides, and other organic toxins. Others are responsible for changing inorganic compounds into forms plants can use and for keeping certain elements in insoluble and nontoxic forms or at nontoxic levels. In agricultural soils, rhizobia bacteria are the most important nitrogen fixers.
Unless you happened to grab an earthworm or beetle in your handful, you’re not likely to see much of anything without the assistance of an optical device. But with a simple hand lens or magnifying glass, you’ll see some tiny animals, including mites, springtails, and potworms. Some are these animals are predators, but many are detritivores (eaters of dead things). They’re largely responsible for tearing holes in the tissues of the dead things and for spreading them around -- the first step of decomposition.
With a microscope, you can see even more minute animals. You’re likely to see tiny worms called nematodes and rotifers, as well as amoebae and miniscule, eight-legged animals called water bears. These organisms eat everything: other animals, dead things, bacteria, fungi. Some nematodes can infest plant roots by stabbing into them with hypodermic-needle-like mouth parts. (When gardeners plant marigolds because they are "good for pests," they are taking advantage of marigold roots’ nematicidal properties.)
You can also see root hairs, algae, cyanobacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, and bacteria.
They may not be very noticeable, but they are the source of most of the diversity in the soil, accounting for the bulk of the soil’s biomass and most of its metabolism.
Root hairs are tiny, single-celled extensions of a root’s epidermal layer. They anchor the roots, which are actively pushing through the soil, and increase the surface area with which to absorb water and nutrients. Algae need light to photosynthesize, so they are generally found near the surface of the soil. Green algae are most often found in moist (though not flooded) acidic soils; diatoms, another kind of alga, are often plentiful in garden soil that is rich in organic material. Cyanobacteria are similar and are often found in wetland soils.
Over 700 species of fungi have been found in the soil so far. They include single-celled yeasts, filamentous molds, mildews, and rusts. These various kinds of fungi are responsible for much of the humus formation, soil stabilization, and the breakdown of organic matter. Although we may think of mushrooms as above-ground organisms, this visible fruiting body is only a small portion of the whole organism; fungal strands called hyphae extend throughout the soil. Some fungi are even predators. One uses a lasso-like device to trap nematodes.
Fungi are the source of many plant diseases, including late blight, the disease that plagued tomato and potato plants in the region in 2009, but one fungus (a mold) is also the source of penicillin. Fungi are particularly important in bogs and forest soils, where they are able to withstand acidic conditions. Perhaps the most important fungi, however, are those that form mutually beneficial associations with plant roots, called mycorrhizae ("fungus root"). Most plants depend on mycorrhizae to survive.
Actinomycetes have some fungus-like characteristics and some bacteria-like ones. They are detritvores. Many produce antibiotics to kill other microorganisms. The drugs actinomycin and streptomycin are derived from actinomycetes. In forest soils, the genus Frankia (one type of actinomycete) is responsible for much of the nitrogen fixation that makes atmospheric nitrogen available to higher plants. Actinomycetes also produce volatile compounds that make the "good earth" smell you think of when you think of dirt. There are hundreds of millions of actinomycetes per gram of soil, weighing up to 5,000 kilograms per hectare.
Although actinomycetes weigh the most, in non-acidic soils, their numbers pale in comparison to those of bacteria. There are ten times more bacteria, anywhere from several billion to a trillion of them in a single gram of soil. They do everything fungi and actinomycetes do, from breaking things down to forming humus to stabilizing soil structure to cycling nutrients. Some bacteria can even break down oil, insecticides, and other organic toxins. Others are responsible for changing inorganic compounds into forms plants can use and for keeping certain elements in insoluble and nontoxic forms or at nontoxic levels. In agricultural soils, rhizobia bacteria are the most important nitrogen fixers.
2011年6月1日星期三
Haverford Police report June 1st
Police said a 56-year-old Haverford man was arrested and charged with unlawful restraint, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, terroristic threats and harassment after police were sent to the residence, 2:16 p.m., May 21, for a report of child abuse.
According to the report, a witness said they saw a man beat a child with a belt, then force him into the residence. When police arrived, they heard a child saying “help me.” The man came out of the residence with a belt wrapped around his hand and stated he was allowed to hit his son. Police saw large red marks on the child’s legs and back.
Fight
Police were sent to Cantina Diablos in the 2300 block of Haverford Road, 10:23 p.m., May 19, for a report of a fight.
According to the report, the complainant said he was assaulted in the restroom by two men, who fled the scene. The complainant refused medical treatment for his injuries.
Weapons possession
Police said a petition to Juvenile Court was filed charging a 10-year-old boy with possession of weapons on school property after an incident, 11:05 a.m., May 6, at Manoa Elementary School in the 200 block of Manoa Road.
Theft, possession
Police said an 18-year-old Bryn Mawr man was arrested, 5:27 p.m., May 14, and charged with dealing in proceeds, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, tampering with evidence, deceptive business practices, recklessly endangering another person, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to the report, police were sent to the 2800 block of Haverford Road, 8:48 a.m., May 13, for a medical emergency. When they arrived, they found an unconscious female laying in bed. A witness said the female’s boyfriend, gave the female heroin then fled the scene when she became ill.
DUI, trespassing
Police said a 53-year-old Ardmore man was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, burglary, criminal trespass, harassment and terroristic threats after police were sent to the 100 block of Wood Lane, 9:25 p.m., May 15, for a report of someone breaking the front window and entering the residence.
According to the report, a witness said they saw a man beat a child with a belt, then force him into the residence. When police arrived, they heard a child saying “help me.” The man came out of the residence with a belt wrapped around his hand and stated he was allowed to hit his son. Police saw large red marks on the child’s legs and back.
Fight
Police were sent to Cantina Diablos in the 2300 block of Haverford Road, 10:23 p.m., May 19, for a report of a fight.
According to the report, the complainant said he was assaulted in the restroom by two men, who fled the scene. The complainant refused medical treatment for his injuries.
Weapons possession
Police said a petition to Juvenile Court was filed charging a 10-year-old boy with possession of weapons on school property after an incident, 11:05 a.m., May 6, at Manoa Elementary School in the 200 block of Manoa Road.
Theft, possession
Police said an 18-year-old Bryn Mawr man was arrested, 5:27 p.m., May 14, and charged with dealing in proceeds, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, tampering with evidence, deceptive business practices, recklessly endangering another person, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to the report, police were sent to the 2800 block of Haverford Road, 8:48 a.m., May 13, for a medical emergency. When they arrived, they found an unconscious female laying in bed. A witness said the female’s boyfriend, gave the female heroin then fled the scene when she became ill.
DUI, trespassing
Police said a 53-year-old Ardmore man was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, burglary, criminal trespass, harassment and terroristic threats after police were sent to the 100 block of Wood Lane, 9:25 p.m., May 15, for a report of someone breaking the front window and entering the residence.
订阅：
博文 (Atom)