Saturday, April 02, 2005
Friday, April 01, 2005
Star Wars Games
I recently came across an absolutely amazing homemade Star Wars game simulating the final Battle of Endor from Return of the Jedi. Amazing work that I highly recommend any fan try out:
Battle of Endor
If, however, you are a Star Trek fan, you can use this Mod for Battle of Endor to put yourself at the helm of the Defiant at the Invasion of Cardassia at the end of the series Deep Space 9. Of course you need to install Battle of Endor first before you install the mod.
And, here's one other oddity, a simulator that allows you to see how a battle between a small group of Jedi and an army of Droids would play out. It's in Java, and needs a recent client to run.
Jedi vs. Droids
Enjoy!
Rob
Battle of Endor
If, however, you are a Star Trek fan, you can use this Mod for Battle of Endor to put yourself at the helm of the Defiant at the Invasion of Cardassia at the end of the series Deep Space 9. Of course you need to install Battle of Endor first before you install the mod.
And, here's one other oddity, a simulator that allows you to see how a battle between a small group of Jedi and an army of Droids would play out. It's in Java, and needs a recent client to run.
Jedi vs. Droids
Enjoy!
Rob
Animal Life in Taipei
Today as I was walking to the bank with my office manager Sharon to open an account, she suddenly stopped just before the bank and said. "Oh, look at that cat, it's got blood on it's paw." There, slumped up again a stone pillar was an orange and brown housecat and as she said it the cat started to move. Once it started to move, I knew that it's paw was the least of the animal's worries. "It's been hit by a car or moped and dragged itself off the road to here," I told her as the animal wobbly tried to move under the fleet of mopeds parked on the sidewalk. "It's going to die soon." She expressed her horror at seeing it, and we moved on to do our business.
Now, in reading this you might think we were callous for not helping the cat; maybe we should have called the local humane society or tried to get it to a vet. But, the truth is this isn't the first time I've had such a sight since I've been here in Taipei. Taipei is a very crowded and busy city filled with fast-moving cars, incredibly aggressive cab drivers and hundreds of thousands of moped drivers who zip around everywhere. Into this, put an explosively huge dog and cat population unhindered by climate and largely free to roam the city and you're making a recipe for disaster.
When I first came here I was horrified at seeing dogs wandering loose in this busy environment, then I was more relaxed when I realized many of the dogs around me were actually very car-savy. They would wait at crosswalks, and most of them crossed the roads with humans rather than do it alone, knowing there was safety that way. I was actually very impressed by how smart they were, that was until I got to see a dog that wandered onto the road ahead of us one night get hit not once by twice as it staggered away and wandered into the other direction of traffic.. (Well, I couldn't watch the second time when I knew what was coming and could do nothing to stop it as I was in a car several cars back.) That's when it occured to me that the reason I saw so many smart dogs was all the stupid ones were long dead. (And, the other living dogs are a tribute to the skill of Taipei's drivers.)
There are a lot of wild and stray dogs in Taipei, since many owners let their animals wander or abandon them when they get too troublesome, and a lot of tamed ones too. The easiest way to tell the difference is grooming (of course pets are better groomed) and the second easiest way is the pets are wearing clothes. Whoever thought of doggie t-shirts should be making a mint in Taipei, because there are a lot of dogs here wearing them. I guess it's a way to let people know your dog isn't just some stray. Mostly, the dogs ignore the people, and the people ignoore the dogs and life goes on.
I hope all dogs go to heaven, because after this they deserve it.
Now, in reading this you might think we were callous for not helping the cat; maybe we should have called the local humane society or tried to get it to a vet. But, the truth is this isn't the first time I've had such a sight since I've been here in Taipei. Taipei is a very crowded and busy city filled with fast-moving cars, incredibly aggressive cab drivers and hundreds of thousands of moped drivers who zip around everywhere. Into this, put an explosively huge dog and cat population unhindered by climate and largely free to roam the city and you're making a recipe for disaster.
When I first came here I was horrified at seeing dogs wandering loose in this busy environment, then I was more relaxed when I realized many of the dogs around me were actually very car-savy. They would wait at crosswalks, and most of them crossed the roads with humans rather than do it alone, knowing there was safety that way. I was actually very impressed by how smart they were, that was until I got to see a dog that wandered onto the road ahead of us one night get hit not once by twice as it staggered away and wandered into the other direction of traffic.. (Well, I couldn't watch the second time when I knew what was coming and could do nothing to stop it as I was in a car several cars back.) That's when it occured to me that the reason I saw so many smart dogs was all the stupid ones were long dead. (And, the other living dogs are a tribute to the skill of Taipei's drivers.)
There are a lot of wild and stray dogs in Taipei, since many owners let their animals wander or abandon them when they get too troublesome, and a lot of tamed ones too. The easiest way to tell the difference is grooming (of course pets are better groomed) and the second easiest way is the pets are wearing clothes. Whoever thought of doggie t-shirts should be making a mint in Taipei, because there are a lot of dogs here wearing them. I guess it's a way to let people know your dog isn't just some stray. Mostly, the dogs ignore the people, and the people ignoore the dogs and life goes on.
I hope all dogs go to heaven, because after this they deserve it.
Monday, March 28, 2005
Videos
Sumo-rai Soccer: A Japanese soccer team vs. an Australia soccer team, really funny.
The Armour Stopping Abilities of the 5th Edition HERO Rules: (You might need to right-click and save this one to your HD to see it, it's about 15mb.) A couple of HERO gamers took a copy of the new edition of the HERO rulesbook (aka REvised Fifth Rules EDition or Re-FRED) and did a series of tests on it's military usefulness using their gun collection. It brings to mind the question...how does YOUR favorite RPG stand up to a 45mm armour piercing bullet?
Rob
The Armour Stopping Abilities of the 5th Edition HERO Rules: (You might need to right-click and save this one to your HD to see it, it's about 15mb.) A couple of HERO gamers took a copy of the new edition of the HERO rulesbook (aka REvised Fifth Rules EDition or Re-FRED) and did a series of tests on it's military usefulness using their gun collection. It brings to mind the question...how does YOUR favorite RPG stand up to a 45mm armour piercing bullet?
Rob
Sunday, March 27, 2005
Peace for Taiwan
Saturday was my birthday, and by tradition I usually celebrate it with family and friends, but yesterday I decided to participate in a historical event instead. Yesterday here in Taiwan a rally was held in protest against China's anti-succession law which China passed last week as a way to declare they were willing to use any means necessary to "reacquire" their national territory that is Taiwan from the rebel factions that "hold it".
Of course, this is utter bull.
To give a quick history lesson, Taiwan was originally a small piece of land off the coast of China which was settled by people from the pacific islands and the FuJian province of China. These independant people were conquered by the Dutch during their colonial phase and taken in turn by the Portugese (who named it "Formosa", the "beautiful island"). After they'd had it for a while, it fell into the hands of China who considered it a pirate and disease infested island they had very little interest in. They used it as a place to send governors who were out of favor with the Chinese court and it was considered of minimal interest at best. So, when Japanese got colonial at the start of the Meiji period (1866) and began to threaten China, China more or less threw Taiwan at them as a bone to keep them at bay. The Japanese were the first to actually take serious interest in Taiwan and modernized the country, treating the Taiwanese like Japanese citizens. (Second class citizens, but above the dirt the Chinese had treated them like.) This is the reason that the Taiwanese, despite having been somewhat abused during WWII (Taiwanese women were sent to Indonesia as comfort women for Japanese troops.), actually don't have any real hatred for the Japanese, unlike the people of mainland China or Korea.
Regardless, WWII came to an end, and at that time the Japanese renounced all colonial holdings, which included Taiwan, setting Taiwan free. Of course, this was just in time for the losing side of a Chinese civil war to show up and take refuge in Taiwan, turning the island into their last stand fortress and putting the whip to the local population. After 40 years of military dictatorship, however, the Taiwanese managed to win their freedom and the government became just another faction in a democratic state. They are a peaceful, industrious people who enjoy their freedom and work hard to maintain it because they know the difference. They have become a leader in technology, and most of the computer chips and parts in the world are made or partially produced right here. (Including the computer you are using to read this.)
Now, the problem comes that as far as China is concerned, because they were the former owners of Taiwan at one point (note, they also owned Vietnam, Mongolia and Korea during some points of history) they are still the rightful owners of this island. But, when one considers their claim one begins to wonder why they care so much about this island and not as much about Korea or Vietnam. (They're not passing a Korean Succession Act anytime soon...) As far as I can tell based on what I have been told and read, there are three answers.
A) The Chinese civil war at the beginning of the 20th century was fought by the Communists and the Nationalists, and the Nationalist retreated here after the Communists won. Technically, as long as territory held by the Nationalists (known now as the KuoMingTang or KMT party) exists they haven't really won the war. Taiwan is a glaring failure of their glorious empire to rule over the Chinese people and a matter of national pride.
This answer was the reason for the animosity they held for most of the 20th century, and the reason they have bullied the international community into paying lip service to the lie that there is only one Chinese government. There is only one Chinese government, but there is also a Taiwanese government. But, as the 21st century dawns, their motives have changed to more practical ones.
B) Taiwan lies in the middle of the shipping lanes that oversee most of the ship traffic in this part of the Pacific, and were China to control Taiwan they would effectively dominate Asia. It's simply a key strategic point, and this is why the United States has it's long-standing agreement to defend Taiwan. If Taiwan were lost, Korea and Japan would both be at China's mercy as they're reliant on resources that pass by Taiwan daily.
C) I have been told there may be large amounts of oil and mineral resources sitting under the oceans around Taiwan that are as yet untapped. China wants Taiwan for the same basic reasons the US wanted Iraq, the world's oil supply is running low and they're grabbing everything they can get their hands on. Right now, China is buying oil left right and center to meet their growing needs, but the more they have in their own territory the better. In 20-30 years or less oil will be more precious than gold and he who has the oil, wins.
Really, Taiwan is just a pawn in a game of power politics being played by the United States, Japan and China. But, the people here want the right to determine their own future, and I agree with them and their right to choose. That's why I marched with them yesterday to declare that they want a peaceful future and the right to choose that future, be it as part of China or an independant state. (Which they started as, even if they haven't spent much time being independant in history.) It was a new an exhillerating experience, and now I have some sense of how the protest marchers of the 1960's in America must have felt as they stood strong against the government and asked for change. Ironically enough, the Taiwanese don't want change, they are already a strong independant nation, they just want the rest of the world to stop letting China's government bully them.
Of course, this is utter bull.
To give a quick history lesson, Taiwan was originally a small piece of land off the coast of China which was settled by people from the pacific islands and the FuJian province of China. These independant people were conquered by the Dutch during their colonial phase and taken in turn by the Portugese (who named it "Formosa", the "beautiful island"). After they'd had it for a while, it fell into the hands of China who considered it a pirate and disease infested island they had very little interest in. They used it as a place to send governors who were out of favor with the Chinese court and it was considered of minimal interest at best. So, when Japanese got colonial at the start of the Meiji period (1866) and began to threaten China, China more or less threw Taiwan at them as a bone to keep them at bay. The Japanese were the first to actually take serious interest in Taiwan and modernized the country, treating the Taiwanese like Japanese citizens. (Second class citizens, but above the dirt the Chinese had treated them like.) This is the reason that the Taiwanese, despite having been somewhat abused during WWII (Taiwanese women were sent to Indonesia as comfort women for Japanese troops.), actually don't have any real hatred for the Japanese, unlike the people of mainland China or Korea.
Regardless, WWII came to an end, and at that time the Japanese renounced all colonial holdings, which included Taiwan, setting Taiwan free. Of course, this was just in time for the losing side of a Chinese civil war to show up and take refuge in Taiwan, turning the island into their last stand fortress and putting the whip to the local population. After 40 years of military dictatorship, however, the Taiwanese managed to win their freedom and the government became just another faction in a democratic state. They are a peaceful, industrious people who enjoy their freedom and work hard to maintain it because they know the difference. They have become a leader in technology, and most of the computer chips and parts in the world are made or partially produced right here. (Including the computer you are using to read this.)
Now, the problem comes that as far as China is concerned, because they were the former owners of Taiwan at one point (note, they also owned Vietnam, Mongolia and Korea during some points of history) they are still the rightful owners of this island. But, when one considers their claim one begins to wonder why they care so much about this island and not as much about Korea or Vietnam. (They're not passing a Korean Succession Act anytime soon...) As far as I can tell based on what I have been told and read, there are three answers.
A) The Chinese civil war at the beginning of the 20th century was fought by the Communists and the Nationalists, and the Nationalist retreated here after the Communists won. Technically, as long as territory held by the Nationalists (known now as the KuoMingTang or KMT party) exists they haven't really won the war. Taiwan is a glaring failure of their glorious empire to rule over the Chinese people and a matter of national pride.
This answer was the reason for the animosity they held for most of the 20th century, and the reason they have bullied the international community into paying lip service to the lie that there is only one Chinese government. There is only one Chinese government, but there is also a Taiwanese government. But, as the 21st century dawns, their motives have changed to more practical ones.
B) Taiwan lies in the middle of the shipping lanes that oversee most of the ship traffic in this part of the Pacific, and were China to control Taiwan they would effectively dominate Asia. It's simply a key strategic point, and this is why the United States has it's long-standing agreement to defend Taiwan. If Taiwan were lost, Korea and Japan would both be at China's mercy as they're reliant on resources that pass by Taiwan daily.
C) I have been told there may be large amounts of oil and mineral resources sitting under the oceans around Taiwan that are as yet untapped. China wants Taiwan for the same basic reasons the US wanted Iraq, the world's oil supply is running low and they're grabbing everything they can get their hands on. Right now, China is buying oil left right and center to meet their growing needs, but the more they have in their own territory the better. In 20-30 years or less oil will be more precious than gold and he who has the oil, wins.
Really, Taiwan is just a pawn in a game of power politics being played by the United States, Japan and China. But, the people here want the right to determine their own future, and I agree with them and their right to choose. That's why I marched with them yesterday to declare that they want a peaceful future and the right to choose that future, be it as part of China or an independant state. (Which they started as, even if they haven't spent much time being independant in history.) It was a new an exhillerating experience, and now I have some sense of how the protest marchers of the 1960's in America must have felt as they stood strong against the government and asked for change. Ironically enough, the Taiwanese don't want change, they are already a strong independant nation, they just want the rest of the world to stop letting China's government bully them.
Tens of thousands of people cram into the area around the ancient city gate that has survived for hundreds of years and which acts as the entrance to Taipei's political district. It was a clauserphobic experience at some points, being part of a literal unending sea of people. To give you an idea, when we left we had to walk 8 blocks before the crowds started to thin, and it was like that in all directions. When they say almost a million people showed up, they're not kidding.
Even the country's canine population showed up in force to support peace, this was one of many dogs who participated with their owners, and I even saw a few golden retrievers. The t-shirt this woman is wearing says "A-Bian", which is the nickname for the country's president Chien Shui-Bian, but all sides of the political spectrum showed up for the rally.
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