So, it's 11:45 pm, and t-minus two days to starting back with college. It's starting to hit me that school is starting back. It's been such a blessing this summer not having to do a summer semester. Last year, that just about killed me, and this last spring semester, I felt like I was burning out. So, the break was really needed. Now, I have re-set my mind and am ready to go full force into a tough semester. This upcoming semester will bring me Calculus 3, Physics 2, and Introduction to Java. Easy right? *rolls eyes*
But in all honesty, I am going to hate the massive workload these classes will bring, but I am just really happy to be FINISHED with all my "core" classes, having taken my final core last semester being American History (the foundation, to like 18something). So, from now on, all my classes will directly relate to my major, and there will be no more "why the heck do I have to take this class because it will never relate to my major?" classes.
Other then the hard schedule, I am also nervous over a few other things right now. Tomorrow, I have the chance to completely change my schedule for the fall (to a much better one then I have right now), and I am praying that the seats won't be filled by the time I can register. But... It IS KSU, so I know there are NO promises there whatsoever. Also, I am awaiting news from GA Tech about my transfer. That is making me really nervous due to the fact that to transfer over, apparently, even though they look at it in an individual case, the main GPA they look at is math and science, and I am barely over the requirement for those. Oh well, I guess this is just one spot where I just have to trust that God has a plan for me no matter what. If Aerospace Engineering doesn't work out, I have thought about switching my major to Electrical Engineering, just something that's been on my mind lately. But as of now, I am going to try full force for the Aerospace Engineering degree and just see where that goes.
On the note of me moving out, the new apartment is GREAT! Chris (my roomate) and I have been getting along great, and this upcoming Friday, my friend Ells is moving in, so it'll be interesting to see how all that will go. I'm excited though to be able to have roomates who are really good friends of mine. The biggest issue I have right now is I am between jobs, awaiting to hear from a few people on contracting work for websites and such, and also as I mentioned last post, working on L.A.G. so, maybe that will be a way for me to earn some side cash (and some really good skills in things such as: animation, video editing, and similar things). I figure, if anything, I learn some really good skills to know in my life that I can use in a large variety of ways.
So, I guess to wrap up this post, I pray for all of my friends right now who are starting college for their very first time. Stay strong guys, and good luck! It's challenging, yes, but don't fear it. Also, for the friends who are just going back, stay ahead and on top, and many successes be upon you!
- Ryan Mueller
Album suggestion: If you guys are looking for a good album to listen to right now, the new SIXX:A.M. is fantastic. I highly recommend it.
Well, I figured I haven't posted on this blog in a while, so I'll fix that. The biggest thing in my life recently has been the fact that I've moved out. I am now at an apartment with my roomates Chris and Ells (Ells hasn't moved in quite yet, so me and Chris have had a lot of room to ourselves so far). It's interesting as I am having to completely re-think how I do everything now that all the responsibility is on myself. But it's interesting, and I'm looking forward to see what the rest of the year brings.
Well, with moving out of the house, I have had to consecutively quite my job as well. So right now I am in a "transition" stage. What I REALLY want to do some sort of computer work so I can make money on my own time. So, because of that, I've started a new webcast called the Latest About Games (or conveniently called LAG if you just use the first letters). Basically, I want to use it as a place to share the latest in gaming news, what me and my friends are playing, or anything related to gaming. So, I figure if I devote these first couple weeks into it like a job, then perhaps it could be a good median for me to work off of when school starts back. What I say? What is the harm in trying. If anything, I am learning a lot of new skills in doing such a thing that can be applied in a lot of different fields.
Well, finally, school will be starting back next week. I am excited to be back in school (weird huh?). But I think I am mostly looking forward to seeing my friends on an almost daily basis again. This upcoming semester will be no walk in the park, as I will be facing calc. 3, physics 2, and computer science back to back. But, if I just buckle down and focus on it, I think I'll be alright. One good thing is my roomates are studying the same material, even if we are going to different colleges. So if I need study partners, what better way to look? So, as long as I can keep on top of the homework, I think I should be fine. But then again, a couple months from now, I might be pulling out my hair. Who knows...
Well, that's about it for now. I can't really think of anything else as it's 3:19 am right now and I am mainly writing this while waiting for a LAG episode to upload to YouTube. But, now it's finished, I am going to finish up this blog post. So until next time!
-Ryan Mueller
Ok, I fully admit to being a gamer. As such, I use Steam all the time. I absolutely love having a single app to store all my games in. Also, Steam's interface is very useful, especially with all the various different features it has built into it. If you are a gamer, or want to get into gaming, that is the best place to start.
Another thing I love is EA games. I absolutely love the Battlefield series and and psyched about Battlefield 3 coming out this fall. But there is a slight problem. Steam is not listed as a partner for Battlefield 3, and as a participant in the Alpha trial, from what I've seen from that is that Steam will not be partner. So then, other then a physical disk, where will you get the game? Well that's where the problem starts.
EA has always been restrictive with VALVE and as such, it seems that they have been very restrictive with Steamworks. None of their games has Steamworks integration, such as achievements. In fact, Crysis 2 was removed from Steam due to DLC issues between Valve and EA. So EA decided to copy VALVE and come out with Origin. Basically, Origin is the Steam for EA games.
Originally Origin was called EA Download Manager, and it was a place you could apply your EA game keys to get a downloadable copy of the game. But recently EA did a huge re-design of it, and re-released EA Download Manager as Origin. Now, it's nice you can redeem your EA games off of Origin, and have access to downloadable copies of their games, but the issue still arises, do gamers want to have to split up their libraries?
As a gamer myself, I like just having a list of games in one place, have the games auto-update, and only have to worry about, if I am playing online, if the server has a good ping or not. But the problem I have with EA is the fact they can't play ball with VALVE, and decided to branch out on their own. One of the biggest issues I have with Origin is the fact that the auto-update feature is not on of their features. Basically with Origin, you get access to the install file, and you then have to go through the frustration of whenever a patch is released, having to launch the game, have it download and install the patch, and waste that much time to something so trivial. Whereas with Steam, you just have your computer on, if they release a patch, it updates in the background, and you don't have to waste time waiting for the stupid thing to install.
All I ask for big developers is to figure it out. Gamers want one thing, and one thing alone, and that is to play a game, not have to figure out with app the game is on, and having to deal with those pesky patches. It annoys me to think that I will have to deal with these issues with Battlefield 3 when it is released, as EA has promised upcoming DLC with the game. The DLC means that patches are a guaranteed thing, and with that, I don't want to waste time with the update feature EA builds into its games. I also hope that if EA decides to stick with Origin (which looks like a guaranteed thing), they add the features of auto-updating, and out of game achievements. Personally, I just wish they could play ball with VALVE and just use the Steam client. If that is too much, at least listen to gamers and work to please them with the features they expect. If EA can do that, I might accept Origin.
Here is what I ask to the readers of this post. What is your opinion about Steam and Origin. Do you like it or hate it, or do you not have any preference over the two. Also, what features would you like to see EA add to Origin if that ends up being the way they release their games from now on?
