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A place to discuss topics/games with other webDiplomacy players.
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Tettleton's Chew (0 DX)
19 Dec 11 UTC
The Greatest Threat To Us All
The greatest danger to us all is the fear of failure.
It's that simple. Without failure to identify the errors individuals and society make total disaster becomes a real possibility.
Embrace failure because failure alone tells us where the edge of the cliff lies
13 replies
Open
PowMacP (140 D)
23 Dec 11 UTC
World Map Winner takes all.
gameID=75629
3 days phase not to interfere with weekends although we can have it move to our own pace
All welcome
5 replies
Open
WoodenSpork (100 D)
23 Dec 11 UTC
Players needed for Live Game Quick
NAME: silent quick game 15
we need 3 people to complete hurry while spaces last very very very fun game please join
13 replies
Open
Zennith (0 DX)
23 Dec 11 UTC
Quick Game Now!
Get a game going here! Starts in 20!

http://webdiplomacy.net/board.php?gameID=75738
0 replies
Open
Tettleton's Chew (0 DX)
13 Dec 11 UTC
The World's smartest people=Americans
n U.S., Fear of Big Government at Near-Record Level
Proof positive Americans are the smartest people in the world.
69 replies
Open
P-man (494 D)
23 Dec 11 UTC
Ten center Oz... Any takers?
0 replies
Open
MadMarx (36299 D(G))
12 Dec 11 UTC
MadMarx ABI-36 EoG's
http://webdiplomacy.net/board.php?gameID=69819
27 replies
Open
jmo1121109 (3812 D)
22 Dec 11 UTC
World Games Unwrapped
My thoughts on world games and what I’ve seen. I’m curious to see what everyone else thinks and has noticed.
8 replies
Open
abgemacht (1076 D(G))
21 Dec 11 UTC
Point Loaning has been discontinued
I'm not exactly sure how this policy started, but the mods will no longer be transferring points between players. If you need points to play in a tournament, we will still give them to you. It's just too much of a hassle and completely undermines the point system.
60 replies
Open
abgemacht (1076 D(G))
22 Dec 11 UTC
eBooks and Christmas
So, as you may know, I'm a big proponent of eBooks. However, about half the gifts I'm giving this year are still traditional books. This is partly because a lot of people still don't have ereaders, but partly because giving ebooks seems wicked lame. In fact, for those I know have ereaders, I've avoided giving them books in either form.
2ndWhiteLine (2736 D(B))
22 Dec 11 UTC
I'm giving a few e-books as fallback presents for a few family members that are hard to buy for but enjoy their Kindles. I do agree with you though in that giving an e-book is pretty lame, on par with gifting an album of MP3s. As a librarian, I love gifting real books, but sometimes, you can't beat the convenience of an e-book, even though you can't put a bow on it.
Dharmaton (2398 D)
22 Dec 11 UTC
I like real books. & for many many reasons...!
the only good thing about anything 'e'- is the search then copy + paste ;)
Tom Bombadil (4023 D(G))
22 Dec 11 UTC
Why does it seem lame?
abgemacht (1076 D(G))
22 Dec 11 UTC
I don't know, really. Even thought I'm a fan of ebooks, I still think traditional books have some sort of intangible quality to them. I guess I would just print out a picture of the ebook I had got for them? Maybe I'm making a big deal out of nothing.
Tom Bombadil (4023 D(G))
22 Dec 11 UTC
If you are artsy fartsy you could always make a fake book and wrap that up. Then inside the fake book put whatever e-book you are getting them. That way they have something to open up, and still have the benefits of an e-book if that is how they prefer to do their reading.
Tom Bombadil (4023 D(G))
22 Dec 11 UTC
Or some other creative wrapping, just so they have something to open.
abgemacht (1076 D(G))
22 Dec 11 UTC
That's actually rather clever.
Dharmaton (2398 D)
22 Dec 11 UTC
or, The real book & it's companion e-book ;)P
abgemacht (1076 D(G))
22 Dec 11 UTC
heh

I'm not sure that makes too much sense.
SacredDigits (102 D)
22 Dec 11 UTC
Even on a low budget, you could print out the book's cover, stick it as half a page printed landscape, fold it over, and write inside why you bought them that particular e-book as a personalized note. Then put it in a card envelope.
Thucydides (864 D(B))
22 Dec 11 UTC
Fuck ebooks. Lol.

Idk. I dont really want to get into ebooks v real books but:

Reg. books pros:

-No DRM-type trash, you can lend it to whoever, etc
-You can write on them and dog ear them and all that
-A single book is not that valuable - getting it wet or lost or whatever isn't the end of the world
-People can see what you're reading, you can show them what you're reading
-Books allow bookstores - places to read and places to talk to readers
-Books smell good, feel good
-Book pages can be torn out, used for other things
-Thickness of book can be useful for judging
-Book covers and designs are much more important to the reg. book than ebook
-Bookshelves in home are still a thing with reg. books (serve as decoration and coversation piece)
-Related to DRM thing - lending, libraries, selling, all easier.
-And you can wrap them as tangible gifts as this thread points out
-No battery life
-No elec required at all
-No technical knowledge needed besides literacy
-No unnecessary freedom like changing typography which can dilute power of books presented in a single form decided by author/publisher
-No distracting ads/sidenotes/other "features"
-Not target for theft
-More hipstery
-Staying power - you can still read books printed in 1800. Who knows if this will be the case on ebooks
-Reg books cant be pirated

So hmph. Lol. Might still get an ereader one day, but only to duplicate books I already have for travel.
obiwanobiwan (248 D)
22 Dec 11 UTC
Oh dear...here we go again! XD
A friend of mine borrowed my copy of Lord of the Rings when he went travelling around Europe. Then he got the trots while miles from anywhere in Italy and was crouching down behind a bush doing what came naturally (if explosively) and trying to speed-read every page before tearing it out so he could put the paper to another, more sanitary use. Can't do that with an e-book.
abgemacht (1076 D(G))
22 Dec 11 UTC
@Thucy

eBook Pros:

-Cheaper
-Also no DRM
-I can take 1,000s of books with me
-I can buy a book when/wherever I want
-Old eBooks don't give me allergies
-I can easily hold an ebook in one hand
-Even more staying power. Even if the eReader breaks, you'll always have digital backups.

"-Reg books cant be pirated"

Oh please. There's this thing you may have heard of: it's called a photocopier.
abgemacht (1076 D(G))
22 Dec 11 UTC
"No elec required at all"

Have you ever tried reading in the dark?

"No DRM-type trash, you can lend it to whoever, etc"

No DRM on my books. I can copy them to whomever.

"-No distracting ads/sidenotes/other "features""

My eReader does nothing but select books and turn pages. No distractions there.

"-More hipstery"

Is this really a plus?
Putin33 (111 D)
22 Dec 11 UTC
Sorry but having copied many a portion of real books, it takes hours to do. I do give credit to ebooks for allowing me to have the Collected Works of Charles Darwin anywhere I go for the sum total of $1.
Putin33 (111 D)
22 Dec 11 UTC
Though cheaper books will come at a price to those who write them.
Dharmaton (2398 D)
22 Dec 11 UTC
As a budding author, I'd never even consider publishing 'e-'
Real books is really where it's at ;)

"Books I have Loved": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1h8-WvzexY
obiwanobiwan (248 D)
22 Dec 11 UTC
+! Dharmaton, from another--hopeful--budding author!
Dharmaton (2398 D)
22 Dec 11 UTC
you might enjoy Haikus ;)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/162412150504417/
2ndWhiteLine (2736 D(B))
22 Dec 11 UTC
Definitely benefits to both. I think Putin's argument is the best. I've stocked my Kindle with hundreds of books and paid nothing for them because they are in the public domain.
Draugnar (0 DX)
22 Dec 11 UTC
@abge - You must not be reading some of the latest books. Many eBooks are now DRM protected with limited or no lending allowed. The standard even allows the publisher to set how long you are allowed to loan the book out. It's just tyrannical. Hell, I'm sure the RIAA wishes they had thought of the scheme for digital music, but they were in catch up mode, not the leaders.

As far as piracy of regular books goes, well they do have a problem with paperbacks being stolen. If you've ever worked in a book store, you know that you only return the front cover of a paperback to the distributor/publisher when doing book returns and dumpster divers have for years collected the rest of the book and sold it at flea markets. Publishers have started putting a little note that says "If missing the fornt cover, the authro of this book was not compensated" or something to that effect, and many bookstores have started adopting a policy of tearing the book in the middle and ripping the front cover off after that so the books are effectively destroyed, but not all do that.
abgemacht (1076 D(G))
22 Dec 11 UTC
"Though cheaper books will come at a price to those who write them."

I'm not sure this is true. The ebooks I buy are around 10% less. The price of publishing a physical book (which you don't need to do for an ebook) must be more than 10% of the price.


@Draug

I read relatively recent books. They aren't in public domain; that's for sure. I have a Sony ereader and I am able to completely copy my library to another person with a Sony. When I get to my laptop, I'll check the file format of the books. Maybe something has changed recently.
abgemacht (1076 D(G))
22 Dec 11 UTC
Ah, I guess a lot of them do have DRM, but it's not too obtrusive. I can share my books with 6 devices, which seems pretty fair. All the DRM does is prevent further copying; it doesn't delete the file after time or anything like that.
Draugnar (0 DX)
22 Dec 11 UTC
OK, I was going off the Kindle which allows the publisher to restrict a book from being shared or restrict the loan to being a certain period of time.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_rights_management#E-books
http://copyrightandtechnology.com/2009/02/04/76/

And from another article back when Google adopted eBook DRM...

"In general, publishers require DRM to be applied to eBooks in order to prevent unauthorized distribution of copyrighted works. These eBooks are authorized to a user’s Adobe ID and can be transferred to up to six devices and six computers via Digital Editions."
abgemacht (1076 D(G))
22 Dec 11 UTC
Oh, and books from Sony are ePub, which can be decrypted easier than buying them was in the first place.
abgemacht (1076 D(G))
22 Dec 11 UTC
@Druag

There's a reason I didn't get my ereader from the company I knew would win. Winners get to make the rules, as draconian as they wish. Losers are too busy just trying to stay alive to worry about things like this.
Draugnar (0 DX)
22 Dec 11 UTC
And, just so you are aware, Amazon deleted two books from their library and "refunded" the money to the purchasers without their purchasers' consent. Something a traditional paperback couldn't have happen, thank God.

It's just going to get worse if we let them. you no longer own the book. Instead you own a license to read it for a period of time. Currently that is as long as you own the device and it's next 5 replacements, but what if the publishers decided you owned the book for one year? It's in the DRM now. That's how libraries can loan out eBooks as they send a restricted copy with time expiration and an inability to select and copy from it. All eBook readers are obligated by the DMCA to implement these features, so you can't get around them without breaking the law. It's only a matter of time before they sell you a 1-year or 1-month license to a publication, and I'm not talking periodicals where you stop receiving new editions, but where any copy you have becomes unusable.
Draugnar (0 DX)
22 Dec 11 UTC
@abgemacht - So what happens when publishers refuse to use ePub for it's lax DRM? Your Sony eReader becomes a brick as far as new material is concerned because nothing is published for it anymore.
abgemacht (1076 D(G))
22 Dec 11 UTC
"And, just so you are aware, Amazon deleted two books from their library and "refunded" the money to the purchasers without their purchasers' consent."

Yes, I know. Another reason I didn't buy my ereader from Amazon.

"So what happens when publishers refuse to use ePub for it's lax DRM?"

By that time I'm sure pirating books will be as popular as pirating movies or music.
abgemacht (1076 D(G))
22 Dec 11 UTC
"It's just going to get worse if we let them."

I'm not letting them. I'm supporting an underdog who respects the customer. I'm not sure I can do much more than that.
Draugnar (0 DX)
22 Dec 11 UTC
But through our inaction to protest to our elected officials, we are letting them. Sony and ePub don't have a big enough eReader share to make a difference when the rest of the world has Kindle's and Nooks. Only through *politcal* action will we hope to change the paradigm that has big business running over the consumer.
Dharmaton (2398 D)
22 Dec 11 UTC
or...there's this kind of library also ;) http://www.archive.org/
Thucydides (864 D(B))
22 Dec 11 UTC
The thing I meant about the DRM is that for any reason the sellers can sort of "reach into" your library and fuck with your stuff. Not saying they will, but they can, and fuck that.

"Have you ever tried reading in the dark?"

Candles

"Is this really a plus?"

Well on a college campus where this sort of thing gets you more uh. Enjoyment out of the college experience, yes. Lol. Perhaps "cooler and more classic" is what I ought to have said.

It's like the reason you might buy special glasses for your wine or prefer Coke in glass bottles.
abgemacht (1076 D(G))
22 Dec 11 UTC
"The thing I meant about the DRM is that for any reason the sellers can sort of "reach into" your library and fuck with your stuff. "

Some can. Mine can't. That's good enough for me.

"Well on a college campus where this sort of thing gets you more uh. Enjoyment out of the college experience, yes. Lol. Perhaps "cooler and more classic" is what I ought to have said."

Well, fuck me sideways, Thucy! Sign me up for fixed-gear bike lessons and a store that sells lense-less glasses! Watch out, ladies!
abgemacht (1076 D(G))
22 Dec 11 UTC
@Draug

It may get ugly for a while, but I think it will work itself out. You can now download DRM-free music off of amazon. Why can't it be the same for books. I'd wager literaphiles have just as much zeal as audiophiles.
Thucydides (864 D(B))
22 Dec 11 UTC
Haha let's not go too far here.

Hispter-Y would be the key thing to notice there, not plain old "hipster" mind you.

Lol.
abgemacht (1076 D(G))
22 Dec 11 UTC
That's good because skinny jeans don't fit my physique too well.
Tom Bombadil (4023 D(G))
22 Dec 11 UTC
Wait... Did Thucy bring up sex?? What a surprise!!! =P
Tom Bombadil (4023 D(G))
22 Dec 11 UTC
Also, "That's good because skinny jeans don't fit my physique too well." is now going into my profile. Taken out of context, it will leave people to their imagination as to why you said that.
Draugnar (0 DX)
22 Dec 11 UTC
DRM free music on Amazon? I thought they only sold DRMd stuff. Learn something new everyday.
abgemacht (1076 D(G))
22 Dec 11 UTC
lol I'd be honored
abgemacht (1076 D(G))
22 Dec 11 UTC
@Draug

Yes, unless I'm horribly mistaken. You get 1 download, but it's DRM free, so you can copy it as many times as you please. I have a copy of my music on my computer, laptop, phone, ipod, and gps. Nothing has stopped me from copying so far.
abgemacht (1076 D(G))
22 Dec 11 UTC
Wow, 3 quotes on Tom's profile. Truly honored, indeed!
Dharmaton (2398 D)
22 Dec 11 UTC
I like to scribble parts I'd like to quote in my books :)
abgemacht (1076 D(G))
22 Dec 11 UTC
I was never big into writing in novels, but I can see how that would be a deterrent.

The argument is, of course, completely different for text-books. I don't think I could function as an engineer without physical textbooks to reference.

Thucydides (864 D(B))
22 Dec 11 UTC
lol fuckin bombadil, following me around
can i be blamed sweetheart?
Cachimbo (1181 D)
23 Dec 11 UTC
Kindle with keypad allows You to highlight passages you like and stores the clippings in a separate document. Priceless.
Dharmaton (2398 D)
23 Dec 11 UTC
You might enjoy this one ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jixnM7S9tLw


49 replies
Thucydides (864 D(B))
22 Dec 11 UTC
Kim Jong Il is still dead!
Reactions to the lack of resurrection of the Dear Leader?
22 replies
Open
acmac10 (120 D(B))
22 Dec 11 UTC
NFL Week 16 Pick 'Em
Go get 'em, boys. With only 2 weeks left in the schedule, teams like the Giants and Cowboys are battling it out for a playoff spot! It should be an exciting two weeks, and now, PICK 'EM!
7 replies
Open
Yonni (136 D(S))
22 Dec 11 UTC
!! and checkmarks
I'm pretty conflicted on whether or not I like the fact that you can see if people have inputted orders yet. Reasoning to follow.
19 replies
Open
Levelhead (1449 D(G))
23 Dec 11 UTC
Merry Christmas!
A Merry Christmas to all my Christian colleagues, a Happy Hanukkah to all my Jewish colleagues, and lastly to Tettleton: Happy Holidays!
0 replies
Open
Alderian (2425 D(S))
21 Dec 11 UTC
Vegetarianism is evil
Imagine we make contact with an alien lifeform. A lifeform that is much like our plants in that they get their energy from the sun or other light sources. What would they think of us savage earthlings.
27 replies
Open
erik8asandwich (298 D)
23 Dec 11 UTC
Join booty pirates!
Come on. You know you want to find some treasure.

http://webdiplomacy.net/board.php?gameID=75675
1 reply
Open
The Czech (41806 D(S))
23 Dec 11 UTC
Sitter needed for a live game
gameID=75620
PM me if you are interested.
1 reply
Open
PowMacP (140 D)
22 Dec 11 UTC
World map. Need 7 more players.
gameID=74616 World Diplomacy map
Starts in 11 hours. Missing 7 players
password: purps
Don't be shy, we don't bite. :o)
5 replies
Open
santosh (335 D)
22 Dec 11 UTC
WTA-GB-27
6 replies
Open
Sydney City (0 DX)
22 Dec 11 UTC
new rome needed- great position- winning
http://webdiplomacy.net/board.php?gameID=75595&nocache=539
0 replies
Open
LordVipor (566 D)
22 Dec 11 UTC
If you are in a game, and you miss three turns, do you have to pay to rejoin?
If you are in a game, and you miss the three turns and get kicked out ("Player Blah has Left"). If you come back, do you have to repay to join or not?
9 replies
Open
stratagos (3269 D(S))
20 Dec 11 UTC
I'd just like to point out...
that I'm a FREAKING IDIOT.

21 replies
Open
darklordpotter (102 D)
22 Dec 11 UTC
Live Classic NOW
http://webdiplomacy.net/board.php?gameID=75580
2 replies
Open
darklordpotter (102 D)
22 Dec 11 UTC
The World Ends in FIve Minutes
http://webdiplomacy.net/board.php?gameID=75565
1 reply
Open
Kochevnik (1160 D)
21 Dec 11 UTC
Luis Suarez and the difference between Spanish and English terminology
So, the Liverpool football player Luis Suarez just got a huge ban from the English FA for racism. The problem is that what he said is racist in English, but not Spanish, and he was talking in Spanish.
77 replies
Open
redhouse1938 (429 D)
19 Dec 11 UTC
22 years
This game took 22 diployears to finish. Anybody interested in a summary of what happened here?
gameID=67307
68 replies
Open
Putin33 (111 D)
22 Dec 11 UTC
GOP cuts off CSPAN cameras
Because they hate criticism and want to hide their hatred of the middle class. Spin this one, Repugs.
38 replies
Open
goldfinger0303 (3157 DMod)
20 Dec 11 UTC
The Masters Tournament
So just a quick update for all those involved
2 replies
Open
erik8asandwich (298 D)
22 Dec 11 UTC
Rome: Total War Again
Hey we just had 4 of the 5 we need. So I am trying it again. JOIN!!

http://webdiplomacy.net/board.php?gameID=75548
0 replies
Open
Hyperion (983 D)
21 Dec 11 UTC
Thirsty Tuesday EoG
http://webdiplomacy.net/board.php?gameID=75413
6 replies
Open
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