Who else is tired of the crap that software companies pull these days?

Here is the list of "crimes against customers" some of these companies perpertrate:

• Requiring an Internet Connection for game which can be played offline
• Taking over control of our PC's (in a manor which says "I now own your PC. Oh sure, I could give you control back of your own computer, but then you can't play our game :P").
• Installing "hidden" program elements (see cmdlineext.dll).
• Creating inaccessible registry keys (see SecuROM)
• Cloud (aka wring money out of a player) computing. aka, they own everything, we are "lucky" to get to play, we can't possibly play without agreeing to their every demand.

Here is a list of the shamed:

• Valve (aka Steam)
• Sony (search RootKit and Sony)

Thank god theres still the independent development community, producing software for everyone to be bought, and owned (not licensed and rented).

Though, its a sad fact that once some idependants become known, many buy-in to the "customer is to be controlled" mentality.

As a final note, there can be a case made for protecting investment in the face of unscruplous copying. I am not against copy protection, I am against software facsism (seeking to resolve societys issues by forcing behaviour and control, as appose to freedom, understanding, advice, direction, nuturing and assistance then finally, if absolutely neccessary, policing).

Thats just Charming!

Oh my god!

Whoever wrote the later series of Charmed (4th Season onward) completely runined the character of Phobe :(.

The love whole story between a Demon and a Good Witch (Cole and Phoebe) is/was timeless (and should have ended in a win for the power of love.. should of). In the first, second and even third seasons it was explored so vividly and so well (with love conquering all against great odds). The up's and down's, the mistakes and the forgiveness.

Then, the Seer arrives and maniplulates the couple (which was not in of itself a bad direction for the plot). Love then proceeds to fly out the window and the whole series decends into a pointless re-living of earlier events (and in essence basic story concepts of Cole plotting subitly) and attempts to turn Cole back into the evil character he once was. Though at each stage its the actions of Pheobe that turns Cole more and more evil (whilst she is excused of her own evil and making cole feel he can be nothing but).

All the charm went out of Charmed!

Pheobe and Page's characters are made to appear to be total sluts going from one seemingly loveless bedding to the next (though some small amount of effection is always involved) and all the witches are painted as blameless and good no matter what they do whilst a Demon (who infact often behaves far better than any of the witches, is evil).

It left me feeling I should be getting in touch with my inner demon as the Demon sets a better example than the girls. Maybe its a bitter writer trying to say its better to be demonic than good O_o but this is hardly a moral to live by, nor one I would support.

Just to be clear, I don't think theres anything wrong with a strong female character, but its hardly strong sleeping with a range of men (who all want to sleep with the girl) and the character keeping moving on to the next. To many "males" of this world its their idea of the ideal girl i'm sure *rolls eyes*.

At least Pipers character remained strong and thats probably the only thing compeling me to keep watching (as I need something I can relate to / sympathise with). Piper stays true to love without ceasing to be faithful and loving to her partner.

The whole Cole-Pheobe love story was so complelling and filled with the best and sometimes the most challenging aspects of true love.

Only eventually to paint true love as pointless and evil in the later episodes.

"Pheobe has become the architypal loveless slut" would be a fair quote for the seasons past season 3.

Which is such a shame because Phoebes started out as a powerfull woman living by her own rules. Which didn't initially mean a lack of love. She started out as strong and independent, willfull and loving. I am not sure what she became but it wasn't the original Phoebe. Maybe its more realistic and thats why I don't like it... I guess that could be fair to say.

Grand Theft Auto IV

This is the worst game in the GTA series yet (so far).

First off theres the massively invasive installation process which forces you to play online (or at the least forces you to require an internet connection to use the product).

Right, so for now I've put up with that s**t on the basis, hey maybe the game makes the loss of personal privacy worth it? (hah).

So, I am playing the game... unlike the other GTA's (which where suggestive and excitingly unconventional and to be fair down right criminal hehe) this game just comes across as lude, crude, rude and somewhat offensive.

Within the first converstation between the main character and his cousine many sensiblities are down right offended. Now, I realise thats part of the ethos of the game genera, but frankly previously it was done with alot of class. This introduction is just plain "base", it might be more realistic, but I don't want to REALLY be a criminal. I want to PLAY at the exciting parts of the fantasy of Crime (thats why I play). This incarnation of the game so far seems to completely miss this concept.

Graphically the game is good, but, I bought the game months and months ago but only reciently upgraded with a machine good enough to play it. Now, bear in mind my old machine was no slouch. It was a Pentium D 3.2ghz with a Nvidia GTO 7900. Sufficient for many lush games (like BioShock and Batman). Though failed for GTA IV.

Now my new setup runs it fine, but what a disapointment.

The MOST annoying thing though, the thing that made me quit the game in disgust, is the completely control freak nature of the new system.

In the older GTA games the joy of the game is not doing what your told the freedom of those games is massive and frankly very exciting. I thought this would be a given for the new game so the first thing I do is ignore my "cousin" and wander off to explore. At this stage, without the irritating dialog, the games looking pretty exciting again. However, just as I am enjoying myself, the game cuts me off mid pummel and says "You have abandoned your cousine" and then RESETS ME back to the car.

OH MY GOD! How shit can you get!

I will probably try the game again at some stage but that experience has put me right off.

Torchwoood / Could-have-been-so-good

What a tragedy! Great actors, great initial concept.. entirely ruined by a lack of creative writing talent (and possibly poor direction).

First episode, exceptional, good start (enough to get me hooked, well done)...

Second episode, bizare unsettling but never the less passibly good (weird tho, but par for course I guess).

Third episode, utter drivel. Yet, still vuagely watchable drivel.

Fourth episode... could be a recovery, not quite working but an improvement.

Then, the worst kind of desperate plots follow. Dr Who, know for its scientific fiction with a little bit of artistic licence just to give science a shine. Torchwood, their dealing with ghosts, twisted horror, thrillers and faries! OMG why not just take every major B movie ever made and make it into a Torchwood episode.. oh wait.. you did >.<

Its a criminal shame!

Not to mention how weak is the introduction sequence (Actor playing Jack, c'mon i've seen great acting from you in Dr Who, I know your good.. was this an off day?)!

So so very disapointed!

Oh my god (watching it now) this is so awful (as people try to make dramtic what is senseless drivel.. and bear in mind, I can rather enjoy drivel if its good)! I feel like i'm wasting my life watching this but I know i'll watch them all for the sake of the fact that Dr Who is still excellent (and I want to know how things tie in as a stickler for completeness).

Torchwood (as a series) fails on nearly every level, and what is most tragic is that it should have been a hit (its so good in theory, just lacked execution). Jack Harkness, what a character (ruined) all the characters had so much potential, but the way they played out resulted in sh**.

Highly Recommend Dr Who, highly slate Torchwood (which is sad because I so want to like it too).

Doggy