The cataclysm is here

... and no, I haven't turned into one of those crazy guys on the side of the road with the big placard forecasting the end of days. What I'm talking about is World of Warcraft: Cataclysm.

I spent Monday night in line outside BT Games at Greenstone, waiting for the midnight release of this, Blizzard's latest expansion to the world's most popular MMORPG. It was really great to see all the players that share my fascination with this fictional world. We chatted about what we were expecting from the new areas, how cool it is that the dragon Deathwing has wreacked the old world and swapped stories of our epic victories (and defeats).

Blizzard has really made this game a fantastic success: the game-play is fun, it's visually stunning, the story and lore are engaging and the people it attracts are (mostly) friendly, helpful and fun.

If you haven't given this a try yet (and don't have anything else to sink 20+ hours a week into), then ask a friend for a trial key... it's the only game you'll ever need.

In The News:

US showcase a new firearm - and this thing is some SERIOUS hardware.

Study suggests that being too clean can make people sick - ... makes alot of sense once you think about it.

Iranian nuclear scientists admit Stuxnet attacks - ... they did get nailed by the Stuxnet worm.... makes you wonder who first created this virus and why.

Scientists reverse ageing in mice - and so we're getting closer and closer to being immortal ourselves... somehow I don't think our society will handle it very well.

NASA launches Solar-sail propelled satellite - This is still very much a test of the technology, but it's so awesome to see the stuff that I've been reading about in SciFi for years actually start to come out IRL.

Just in time for the holidays - the UK are selling the HMS Invincible... ya... selling an aircraft carrier in an internet auction... it's a weird world we live in folks.

Word of the Week:

Impetrate (verb)

To entreat; ask for.

And so we're another week down. March's archives have been ported across too, so you can give those a re-read if you're strapped for something to do... or check out the links section. As always: Tell your friends, and post a comment if you've got something to say. Thanks.

-Odd

"I like to play blackjack. I'm not addicted to gambling, I'm addicted to sitting in a semi-circle." - Mitch Hedberg