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Blog posts now monthly instead of daily

Due to blog posts being shorter, hurried, and less special, I’ve decided that from now on, there will only be one blog post a month.  This is to reduce the pressure to write every day, and deliver longer and richer articles with the possibility of videos with animations, diagrams, audio snippets, and more.

If something catches my attention, or is requested or needs our opinion, we’ll of course write about it, but no promises can be made.  Creating new software titles, providing remote services, and maintaining a proper work life balance are other more important tasks; these tasks now have more energy that can be devoted to them.

Please share our Facebook posts and comment on them.  We encourage a healthy debate, but please do not resort to name calling or violate our bill of rights or other policies.

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Telltale Games Showing Telltale signs of Closing

On 9/21/18, Telltale Incorporated laid off the majority of its staff, leaving only 25 of it’s 250 employees, and canceled most of the games it was making.  Multiple Telltale employees stated that they had been laid off.  The let-go employees were informed that they would not receive any severance package. The Wolf Among Us: Season Two, Game of Thrones: Season Two and the untitled Stranger Things game were cancelled until further notice with development basically ceasing due to a lack of staff to make the games, while the remaining team would finish the final season of The Walking Dead.

Telltale Incorporated, dba Telltale Games, is a video game developer based in the us. The company was founded in June 2004 by Kevin Bruner, Dan Connors and Troy Molander, initially employing staff from what was LucasArts. Telltale’s business model revolves around serial storyline based titles, and the company is best known for games based on existing ip franchises.

Most of Telltale’s products are adventure games based on licensed properties from film, comics, television, and other video games already existing games. Their initial games followed more traditional adventure game approaches with the player solving puzzles to progress.

The software title they are best known for, The Walking Dead, based on the comic book series and television series by AMC, introduced a more narrative-directed approach.  This type of game play allows the user to essentially choose their own game, much like a goosebumps choose your own adventure book.

Possible explanations include issues with business creditors, insufficient cash-flow, loss of a major investor, poor sales, or poor product quality.  Whatever the case is, it just goes to show you that game development isn’t a stable career.  More people make games, more games fail.  It’s a well known truth that game programmers are also underpaid and overworked, especially towards a ship date.  Just because a job is a “Dream Job” doesn’t mean employees should be fearful of workplace issues like layoffs, cost cutting, or H1-B replacements.  In my opinion, globalization has gone too far and hurt the domestic economy.  Cheap goods flood in, and jobs flood out to cheaper labor pools when tariffs are low, or free trade agreements are in place.

Works Cited

For Immediate Press Release. (2018, September 21). Retrieved September 21, 2018, from https://twitter.com/telltalegames

 

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Microsoft Windows Internet Browser “Warning”

Microsoft is testing a “warning” for Windows 10 users not to install Chrome or Firefox. Microsoft is in the final stages of testing its October update. Testers have spotted a pop-up that appears when you try to install a rival web browser. “You already have Microsoft Edge – the safer, faster browser for Windows 10” says a nuisance message that appears when you run the Chrome or Firefox install files.

While the messages can be dismissed, they’re yet another example of Microsoft infesting thier products with annoyances. This change escalates Microsoft’s war against Chrome even further. Why Microsoft thinks it’s a good idea to include this garbage is beyond me, but it may only make people install Chrome just to spite Microsoft.

Works Cited

Warren, T. (2018, September 12). Microsoft tests ‘warning’ Windows 10 users not to install Chrome or Firefox. Retrieved September 20, 2018, from https://www-theverge-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.theverge.com/platform/amp/2018/9/12/17850146/microsoft-windows-10-chrome-firefox-warning?amp_js_v=0.1#amp_tf=From %1$s&share=https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/12/17850146/microsoft-windows-10-chrome-firefox-warning

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An editorial on Bendy Computers

My name is Colleen. I am a student at Montgomery College. In this review, I shall be discussing Bendy Computers. For a small company, they are very flexible and professional. They were able to give me a substantial amount of time to complete my task, so I could still do any other important things I had in my schedule. We were even able to set up brief calls to discuss how everything was going. My job was to test two of their previous games, plus a new one: Turtle Time.

The games are reminiscent of something one would play in an arcade, but with a bit of dark humor thrown in. One example of this dark humor is “All lives splatter”. This is a Frogger-like game in which you must cross a busy intersection without getting hit. The graphics are simple, but it’s easy to tell what everything is. The controls are only 4 buttons: W, A, S, and D. These controls are also used for “Turtle Time”.  The 8-bit style music is also very catchy.

Their second game is “Hell’s Highway”. You play as a driver trying not to hit anything on the road and must consistently dodge obstacles. Unlike “All Lives Splatter”, you only get one life. If you lose this life, the game will immediately close. The graphics are like the previous game, using stick figures for people and simple shapes representing other obstacles, like traffic cones. The controls this time are only A and D since there are only two directions the player can go. There is no music here, but one could argue that makes it easier to focus on the game and dodge easier.

The newest game, Turtle Time, is straightforward. You play as a turtle and swim around to get worms and avoid poison. This is far more colorful than the previous games, literally. The game makes use of brighter shades to represent the environment. Like “All lives splatter”, this also uses WASD controls. The music is a short drumming tune instead of an 8-bit style song.

All these games are “endless”, meaning you can play them for as long as you want. They don’t require internet to play them, either, so it’s a fun way to pass time whenever you please. To get the games, you can get then on Bendy Computers’ website.  I ran these games on a Windows 10 Home computer. The computer didn’t recognize the program, so I had to confirm that I wanted to download and run the games. After that, the games ran as intended without any problems.

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Nintendo Switch Online Need to Know

Nintendo Switch Online is well, now online…more than a year after the console launched!  This marks the very first time Nintendo has charged for online play.  Nintendo fans had it pretty good until now.

The service goes operational at 11pm EST on 9/18/18 in the US. You can access the service for a full seven days before your free trial ends.

There are a few payment packages, starting at $3.99 per month, or $19.99 for a year. Compared to competing services such as Xbox Live at $40 a year or PlayStation Plus at $60 a year, Nintendo Switch Online looks like a bargain. But not everyone with a Switch is going to sign up for the service, and if your friends don’t maybe you should think twice.

Nintendo Switch Online will let you take part in online matchmaking for games like Splatoon 2, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Super Smash Bros Ultimate, or the many other games that just aren’t complete until you’ve played with others, whether in your living room, or online.

Signing up is also the way to get HD remasters of older classics. Nintendo Switch Online members will get 20 NES games at launch, with three additional games coming on a monthly basis, with upgraded graphics and some limited online / two-player functionality. You’ll be able to use these games for some time without internet before your Switch requires you to phone home online and make sure you’re still a paying customer.  This could give those with tight budgets the time to get funds together to keep their games and enjoy them without risk, such as children with an allowance that doesn’t fall on the billing date or adults with unpredictable incomes like restaurant workers or uber drivers.

Of important note is that Fortnite is unaffected by this and will not require Nintendo Switch Online.

Works Cited

Leger, H. S. (2018, September 18). Nintendo Switch Online arrives on your console today: Here’s what you need to do. Retrieved September 18, 2018, from https://www.techradar.com/news/nintendo-switch-online-arrives-on-your-console-today-heres-what-you-need-to-do

 

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30 day thoughts on assurance wireless

Nobody wants to have their cellphone shutoff because they have an income problem, but fortunately the government realizes that in order for people to get back to work, they need a phone for employers to call.  Some internet to do those online applications wouldn’t hurt, and a way to text government services like the bus system or crisis lines is also helpful.

So, the FCC funds through the Universal Service Fund a program called, “The Lifeline Program.”  These phones are simply that, a lifeline, not a luxury device.  In my stated, it’s called Assurance Wireless, and other states use Safelink.  They do offer flip phones, but are phasing them out in favor of smartphones because they are multipurpose and can be used to get access to other government needs based programs.

Here’s a few takeaways after we put one to the test for a month.

  • With the data saver feature on the android based ANS UL 40, 1GB should last you most, if not all of the month.
  • $5 per extra gig is a good deal, and can be paid for with cash via Virgin Mobile Top Up Cards, or even paypal.
  • The credit and debit card payment system however was very unsatisfactory and charged a few times.
  • Customer service will give you extra data if you complain and are nice.  So be nice.
  • The network is 4g, but it is Sprint, so the coverage could be better.
  • You can use your data on the device itself, or tether.  We recommend you tether to something beefier, and keep a powerbank handy.
  • The display is tiny and the phone chews through it’s battery in 2 to 3 hours.  So keep a power bank handy.
  • The processor and ram make it sluggish and under powered.  1gb of ram is not enough.
  • You can sign up for the program by fax, email, or at a outreach booth.  I preferred email.
  • You should be grateful this exists, and use it often as this is a use it or lose it benefit program.
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We are safe and publishing again

If you are reading this, it means a few things:

  • We are safe.
  • Our hosting provider is safe.
  • Your ISP’s systems are working and safe.
  • You are safe.
  • We kept our promise.

The death toll from Florence stands at 5 people so far, and the storm completely missed Maryland.  Other storms in the past few weeks had hit us though, and one life was lost in Ellicott City in the flood on May, 28th, 2018.  Still, 5 people is 5 too many, and our hearts are with the family of the departed and those who lost their homes and property.

We recommend that you be careful when donating online, and choose reputable fundraisers like Facebook Donate, The Red Cross, or a local church.

The next post will be a tech one, we promise.

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Stay safe during the hurricane

Due to hurricane florence and the need to prepare on our end and the end of our clients, readers, and providers across the East Coast; there will be no articles until we are certain the storm has ended.

We don’t want the last bit of your battery or data to be used on us, so please save it for an emergency and please charge your devices now before landfall.

Make sure you store all electronics high up and in ziploc bags. Be ready to go at a moments notice and have every bit of data backed up to the cloud.

After the storm passes, be wary of any online donations and stick to reputable charities like churches or the Red Cross.

We will not be providing disaster relief as the last time we did the site went down. Discounts on support or other products are limited to current offerings for now.

Stay safe.

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Apple and Google Pay coming to 7 Eleven Very Soon

7 Eleven has never been known for being technologically advanced, except when it comes to cold beverages and security systems. Still,  the convenience store chain has been notably slow on the uptake of mobile payment technology compared to other similar outlets.

The company said that it is bringing Apple Pay and Google Pay to “most” of its U.S. stores. Samsung beat its two major competitors to the store likely the two companies reached some sort of agreement behind closed doors.

Apple CEO Tim Cook announced earlier this summer that support at 7-Eleven stores was coming, along with the CVS pharmacies. The addition of the payment options should help make this manner of mobile payment popular among many users. The company has more than 66,000 stores worldwide. The U.S. currently makes up about 14 percent of that market.

Works Cited

Heater, B. (2018, September 10). Apple and Google Pay are finally coming to 7-Eleven this month. Retrieved September 11, 2018, from https://techcrunch.com/2018/09/10/apple-and-google-pay-are-finally-coming-to-7-11-this-month/
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New Facebook Chat System in place

@915d71cIf you need any technical work done or have any questions, direct them to http://m.me/bendycomputers and our 24/7 chat service will alert me or a trusted agent.  You can do everything from set appointments to get follow up messages about your service or products, and it’s all automated and integrated into Facebook Messenger.

This is just to ensure that all communications are central and secure, as well as to allow faster payment processing and support remotely via telephone or screen-share.

Please note that online ordering and payment is still done here, but all other communications will be done via our business Facebook page.  After you get in contact via Facebook, we can use a conventional phone call, email, or any other means of communications you prefer.

Please also note that prepayment before any goods or services are rendered is still required, and we now only use paypal or cards.  Cash on Delivery has been discontinued.