When Apples bit back.

"This problem is not an OS 3.1 or 3.1.2 problem, that's just a cooincidence. The problem is the lack of ability to do a CLEAN install. "

Could not agree more. I know my iphone worked fine before OS 3.1, but ever since it has not.

The problem is I am 2 months out of warranty and still have 4 months left on my contract. My phone quite probabbly would work fine on 3.0 but does not like the 3.1 versions for some reason. Apple will be trying to fix it and it's easy to miss the odd bug that only affects a small percentage of users.

Even after waiting weeks for a fix the new fix did not work for me, it solved it for some but I must be in the unfortunate even smaller sub group where the problem was not solved, dispte removing all my free apps, hours of reinstallng iTunes, iPhone OS and playing with settings... The coma problem is creeping back in and slowlly getting worse again.

It has given me plenty of time to think about why the problem is there, what could be the cause and why Apple does not want us to use an old version of the OS.

Understanding a bit about software I can see how hard this bug is going to be to track down. From reading all the posts in the 3.1 threads, there seems very little in common between the people having the problem.

But equally I understand how easy it would be to add the function to itunes to allow you to download and install OS 3.0 clean install on the phone, it would barely take a good software engineer half a day to patch itunes with an option to load the latest OS or previous version.

This would be enough for most users, you could upgrade without fear knowing you could always roll back. So this leads us onto why we can't go back...

One obvious reason would be it's easier for developed only having to support one OS at a time. That's not a strong enough reason though, like the it's easier to support argument, you could offer the option with a warning you may have problems or lose support. So why the barrier? The most logical reason I can see is its part of the cat and mouse jailbreak game. If you can roll back its easier to hack your phone. This means that the reason we can't fix our phones is because Apple is in an anti-piracy race it feels it can only win by forcing everyone using their device to only run the latest version of their OS. Now I understand Apple's want to protect their revenue stream from the app store, but I for one will not be spending any more money at the app store while my phone is playing up, in fact I'm regretting the money I have invested so far.

Now if I have to hack my phone to go back to a version of the OS that works I might as well go the whole hog and get some of those grey apps. I'm not bothered about pirated apps, if it's priced right I'm happy to pay for stuff, but some of the non Apple approved free apps seem worth a look.

If Apple gave me an easy option I would not be bothered, but if I have to go through the bother of hacking my phone to get it
useable then it's worthy the little extra effort.

Not decided yet on whether its worth waiting this one out, with Apple you just don't know how long it will take.

What really bugs me is the fact that I did not know this was going to be the case when I bought the phone. Almost every updateable product I have bought so far has had the option to restore it to the same software that was on it when I bought it. Now I have a product I happy with, but the software has gone bad, I can't restore it to the same as when it was working, its out of warranty and I still have 4 months left to pay four it on my contract. Enough to make you frustrated, Any other device and I would not care but this is my only phone and I'm missing calls and unable to make some calls when I want to. I've even resorted to carrying my old iPod around with me so I can listen to music if I can't wake my phone!

So a more open option is looking like a good choice for my next phone. Although with every other phone OS now having a crack at an app store of their own you have to wonder if this could be the beginning of a dangerous trend. If all phones follow Apples lead, if you ever have to restore your phone you may only get the option to use the most recent OS. This in it's self is not bad but it seems unfair to have a shorter warranty than the contract and no way to roll back to the software you had while it was working within warranty.

The one thing I will be doing this weekend will be writing to all the UK and European regulators I can think of. I'm going to ask them to consider bringing in regulation where software updateable devices must give you the option to fully roll back the software to the same state as when you took it out of the box. I think the European Union could well pass something like this.

If you are having problems, would like the option to roll back or are scared of the possibility of an update killing your phone one day then do the same in your local area.

My take on the 3DR NDF affair 13th May 2009

Now don't know about this one. Put it down as a 'what if'.

DNF is going to be released for free!

Sounds Crazy?

Well yes but so was giving away 1/3 of a game when DN3D came out.

The radar group? An alternative to the likes of Epic and Valve. What do they have in common? An engine.

3DR have not just been working on a game. They have their own development suite they made the game in.

Now what if they figure their engine and tools can make a rich game in a fraction of the time.

It would make sense of some off the stories like levels being scrapped and rebuilt over and over again.

Then there is the dispatching off the staff, who know the development suite. The jobs fair, to showcase the engine and what can be done with it.

Hmmm sounds a bit far fetched...

So you are selling a development environment and staff that can make heavily scripted immersive games quickly.

5 deals could net you more than a million people buying the game, think Sony, Disney, Universal, Fox or even book authors!

http://www.radargroup.com/projects.html

Unannounced Project 1 & Unannounced Project 2?

DNF & DN3D both made with the new engine, both for free!

Why free? Remember "Radiohead offers next album for download by donation"? Remember donation-ware?

How many people have said they would give all their money to see the game?

Save DNF donation site with rumours of it being set up before the news was announced.

Give the game away and ask for donations and sell the development suite.

Think I'm crazy?

http://www.3drealms.com/news/about_3dr_3dr_staff/


3rd Newest news story.

"Because in today's industry it's nearly impossible, unless you're Epic or Valve, to create original games and not give away full IP ownership to the publisher."

Or develop your own games with our easy tools...

"Another key part of the Radar plan is that all of our projects are built around a rich storyverse. Think about properties like Star Wars, Harry Potty and Lord of the Rings."

Turn a story into a game with our storyboard to game development suite.

2nd to last story.

"How long should a demo be? A level? Two levels? Apogee had different ideas. Starting with the concept of "shareware" (try before you buy), they pioneered the idea that a game could be successful by giving out anything up to a third of the full game for free, and encouraging gamers to pass on the disks."

Giving the game away makes a game popular, spreads it faster and makes the development suite worth more. I bought DN3D because it had build for free, maybe this time it will be game for free pay for the tools.

Last story Good-bye?

Were off to get new jobs, guess which development suite is on the CV's?

Hmmm ok but it better be good...

So there is the media leak. Always smelt fishy to me.

First the shots that look like production shots, Models next, a bit off video showing off some heavily scripted scenes. All from within the development suite ;)

Bit off eye candy and better quality shots.....

Now here's the REALLY CRAZY bit....

We are watching the game development as it happens for a massive demo?

Yep in real time?

Days not months....

If true they will be kings, if not anyone else fancy a go sounds like a cunning plan :)

As I've been saying WIN (when it's done) has become WAS (wait and see)

Running QuakeLive on OS X via CrossOver Pt 2

Got in and downloaded the plugin







But kept getting these incomplete messages








Tried a Software install again







This time to the bottle i created earlier.







Same message over and over. Restarted and tried FireFox and enough had installed to get to the next stage of the site.Create a character and downloading the first map.







After a few of these...







Launch Time







Got this the first time







Then it looks like either a connection problem or more problems their end.

Running QuakeLive on OS X via CrossOver

Step one get the OS X version of CrossOver and the windows installer for FireFox, look for the little link to 'other systems' under the big FireFox button.



Save this file to disc and install CrossOver and run it.



Choose install software and from a file, browse and open the firefox file.







When it has installed and you have FireFox open go to the www.quakelive.com website. Here you will be prompted to install Flash.







You will probably have to do the by clicking on the manual install. This will download in the Windows FireFox download manager. Wait for it to download and then double click on the file in the download manager.







This will say you need to close FireFox. So close all the Firefox windows and leave the Flash installer open. When FireFox is closed click try again.








The bottle will reboot after installing Flash and show you a Finder window with FireFox. Double click on the FireFox icon and it will launch the Windows version with Flash installed.








Now you will be able to log into the quakelive site like a windows user. As I'm now only number 13,000+ in the line then it might take some time to see if the plugin works...

Same old same old.

There are a few things that you really appreciate if you really understand what they mean.

The more things change the more they stay the same.

Ignorance is bliss.