I just read about the launch event of the Alienware X51 and I'm pretty impressed with it. It looks like the PC response to next gen consoles. I've always wanted an Alienware PC, but they're always a bit pricey for me, but this is much more reasonably priced.

What do you guys think of it?

The hardware choices are very limited, you pretty much get what you're getting with little customization. With small form factor PCs, I always worry about the ability to expand it later, but they say that shouldn't be a problem. I've replaced many parts on my current computer to get it to last as long as it has.

Episode 518 - Voyager - "Blood Fever" - 02/05/1997

http://www.allstepisodes.com/megvid.php?n=4316

Vorik passes on the Pon farr to B'Elanna.

Enjoy!

I like the idea too and will love to participate when I get my character to the right level :)

So as most know from the state of the guild for February I am the new Membership Officer. My role is to keep track of every character in the game and make sure that the records on the forums all match. That every member has the permissions that they should. With us having over 500 members as I type this out it is a daunting task.

Here are some things that you can do to make this easier.

-Step One-
Register on the site! If you are reading this you've completed step 1 heh.

-Step Two-
Post an introduction post on the site(here) so that we can get you to the member level in the website. It doesn't have to be an essay just a quick blurb on you or why you play the game.

-Step Three-
Add your characters that are in game to our website here. Although I don't mind if the characters are not added I have to do it for every person in the game so any bit I don't helps.
Please note: Has issues in IE you need to start typing and it will autocomplete. I have also found hitting submit twice makes it go through without getting "stuck" submitting.

-Step Four-
Add your forum name to your member note to all of your characters. (Right click your name in guild window or your portrait. Select Guild, then select Member note.) Although it makes sense to say "Alt of" it makes me have to search through and find your characters to eventually track your forum name. So clearly stating your forum name on each toon helps me to take less time to get things situated.


I appreciate in advance the effort to assist and also would ask that people mention this post to their friends if they notice they have no member note in game. In the future as Guild banks and other features release you will need to be verified with the information in order to obtain access and I am trying to make this future transition as smooth as possible.

Quote by Varel

I completely agree Kidd, I hope I didn't come across like I was being all "omg futility" with it. I just wanted to inject that little bit of reality back into the moment. This isn't the end of the fight yet!

Oh no, we need a reality check from time to time. :)

Quote by Varel

On a side note, I think we need more movement taking on the IRS's tax codes especially with DOMA because right now Kor and I are trying to file our taxes for the first time as a married couple (thank you NY) and it's a whole heap of confusion about how exactly we should file.

I do not evnvy you at all trying to figure out the tax codes. I usually do the taxes for 4 to 5 people every year.

Quote by kiddkasper

While it's true that any Supreme Court decision won't create law instantly around the nation allowing for SSM, their decisions tend to have very significant impact on law making. Also, if a ban, even one voted on by the majority of a state's population is considered unconstitutional, bans entacted by legislatures will be futile.

The other thing to be hopeful about is the past decisions of the current court that uphold individual freedoms and privacy. No, it won't be the ultimate victory we seek on this. But, every little victory we can get helps us get that much closer to the goal.

I completely agree Kidd, I hope I didn't come across like I was being all "omg futility" with it. I just wanted to inject that little bit of reality back into the moment. This isn't the end of the fight yet!

On a side note, I think we need more movement taking on the IRS's tax codes especially with DOMA because right now Kor and I are trying to file our taxes for the first time as a married couple (thank you NY) and it's a whole heap of confusion about how exactly we should file.

Quote by Varel

While I'm encouraged by the 9th District Court's ruling there is one thing to keep in mind should the Supreme Court of the United States take on this case.

Assuming the court takes up the case which we will have to wait and see, Depending on how whatever decision is written; whether allowing the ban to stand or striking it down as unconstitutional, The writing of the decision will have national effects.

If the court tackles just the issue of this Prop 8 case, they will only rule on the constitutionality of VOTER approved bans. Those would be bans like Prop 8 that are in place because the majority of the voters in that state approved it. If this is the path that the Supreme Court would take that would have no bearing on Legislative bans that are passed by the legislature of the state without voter approval.

If the court chooses to take on the topic of whether ANY ban against Same Sex Marriage is constitutional that ruling would have a further reaching effect applying to all states that currently have banned Same Sex Marriage.

That's the tricky thing about the Supreme Court, Just because they rule on a case it doesn't always have the implications that many people think it will have. It all comes down to how their decision is written. For all we know they may decide that Legistative bans against SSM are unconstitutional, but those approved by the majority of voters are. We just need to wait and see how this plays out.

I do hope for the best though.

While it's true that any Supreme Court decision won't create law instantly around the nation allowing for SSM, their decisions tend to have very significant impact on law making. Also, if a ban, even one voted on by the majority of a state's population is considered unconstitutional, bans entacted by legislatures will be futile.

The other thing to be hopeful about is the past decisions of the current court that uphold individual freedoms and privacy. No, it won't be the ultimate victory we seek on this. But, every little victory we can get helps us get that much closer to the goal.

While I'm encouraged by the 9th District Court's ruling there is one thing to keep in mind should the Supreme Court of the United States take on this case.

Assuming the court takes up the case which we will have to wait and see, Depending on how whatever decision is written; whether allowing the ban to stand or striking it down as unconstitutional, The writing of the decision will have national effects.

If the court tackles just the issue of this Prop 8 case, they will only rule on the constitutionality of VOTER approved bans. Those would be bans like Prop 8 that are in place because the majority of the voters in that state approved it. If this is the path that the Supreme Court would take that would have no bearing on Legislative bans that are passed by the legislature of the state without voter approval.

If the court chooses to take on the topic of whether ANY ban against Same Sex Marriage is constitutional that ruling would have a further reaching effect applying to all states that currently have banned Same Sex Marriage.

That's the tricky thing about the Supreme Court, Just because they rule on a case it doesn't always have the implications that many people think it will have. It all comes down to how their decision is written. For all we know they may decide that Legistative bans against SSM are unconstitutional, but those approved by the majority of voters are. We just need to wait and see how this plays out.

I do hope for the best though.

If the Supreme Court refuses to take Perry v. Brown, I'm going to be majorly pissed at them. It's a sad cop-out by them to avoid making a decision on an issue that has national implications. Sure, California gays would be allowed to get married, but the rest of us still have to live under unconstitutional bans because the Robert's court doesn't want to make a controversial decision.

Now the experts are saying that the Supreme court will probably not take the case which will let the ruling stand. That would be both a good thing and a bad thing.

Qapla!

Hooray! Another step closer to equality. I like what George Takei wrote in his blog.

http://www.allegiancemusical.com/blog-entry/another-nail-coffin

This made my day a lot brighter! Thank you.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/02/gay-marriage-prop-8s-ban-ruled-unconstitutional.html

Episode 517 - Voyager - "Coda" - 01/29/1997

http://www.allstepisodes.com/megvid.php?n=4315

Janeway appears to be trapped in a time-loop with different events, but all ending in her death.

Enjoy!

Quote by SorenStarkiller

I love this idea. It would be a great way to not only build a stronger bond between our guild members but we could also begin to build more relationships with the other guild on our server such as Rough Trade. I think this is a very creative and fun way to add a new element to the game. Who knows maybe they will implement swoop racing as a game element later but for now this can be a fun way to get together and blow off some steam as a guild.

So at any rate I am in. I am not at a level yet to get on Alderaan safely for instance but we can start with their Nar Shaddaa map because it is neutral space. Who would be up for helping me to organize this event for maybe this Sunday?

-Kevin

I'll help!!

Quote by SorenStarkiller

I love this idea. It would be a great way to not only build a stronger bond between our guild members but we could also begin to build more relationships with the other guild on our server such as Rough Trade. I think this is a very creative and fun way to add a new element to the game. Who knows maybe they will implement swoop racing as a game element later but for now this can be a fun way to get together and blow off some steam as a guild.

So at any rate I am in. I am not at a level yet to get on Alderaan safely for instance but we can start with their Nar Shaddaa map because it is neutral space. Who would be up for helping me to organize this event for maybe this Sunday?

-Kevin

I'll help get things organized. Maybe the first time we just try it out with our guild, and if it goes well we can reach out to other guilds and do a big event sometime. Sunday should work for me too.

I love that idea.

I love this idea. It would be a great way to not only build a stronger bond between our guild members but we could also begin to build more relationships with the other guild on our server such as Rough Trade. I think this is a very creative and fun way to add a new element to the game. Who knows maybe they will implement swoop racing as a game element later but for now this can be a fun way to get together and blow off some steam as a guild.

So at any rate I am in. I am not at a level yet to get on Alderaan safely for instance but we can start with their Nar Shaddaa map because it is neutral space. Who would be up for helping me to organize this event for maybe this Sunday?

-Kevin

On the Republic side, my new toon Arion is Synthweaving. I'm going to try to do a lot better with this one now that I've figured out crafting a little better in game. So he should level up in Synthweaving with me.