Burke's Joystick

I think most gamers would agree that Gabe Newell's Steam has been a boon to PC gaming.  In just a few short years, this digital distribution service has managed to become the Walmart of PC gaming - an incredible bazaar of often discounted digital entertainment options for the gaming enthusiast.  But it is also more than just an elaborate store as Steam has also become a beloved home for gamers, a mega-community where gamers can not only chew the fat, but also a place where aspiring game designers can get their prototypes "green-lit" by the community, potentially providing an invaluable boost to a fledgling title that might otherwise languish in obscurity.  With this in mind is it any wonder that Mr. Newell has become something of a rock star in our gaming subculture? Nonetheless, despite all the good will Steam has garnered over the years, I still come across a vocal minority that simply distrusts any service that requires the gamer to be at the mercy of a digita...

I know we all like to idolize teachers, but in my experience the truly good teachers were few and far between in the government-run school system. In fact, out of my 12 year experience, I can only claim to actually having four good teachers (the rest were little different than the surly bureaucrats you meet at the DMV). Not surprisingly, two of the four had doctorates, with a third working on his doctorate at the time I was in his class. The fourth...well, I don't know much about him because he was my sixth grade(?) music teacher and I didn't take note of such things. Nonetheless, this man makes my list because he, too, managed to impart some wisdom that has stayed with me throughout the years.

As you probably heard, a rather big snowstorm - blizzard even! - is going to hit a large portion of the Tri-State area and New England.  Details: Blizzard Warning NJZ006-104-106-108-NYZ071>075-176-178-081200- /O.CON.KOKX.BZ.W.0001.130208T1100Z-130209T1800Z/ HUDSON-EASTERN BERGEN-EASTERN ESSEX-EASTERN UNION- SOUTHERN WESTCHESTER-NEW YORK (MANHATTAN)-BRONX- RICHMOND (STATEN ISLAND)-KINGS (BROOKLYN)-NORTHERN QUEENS- SOUTHERN QUEENS- 1054 PM EST THU FEB 7 2013 ...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM FRIDAY TO 1 PM EST SATURDAY... * LOCATIONS...NEW YORK CITY...SOUTHERN WESTCHESTER COUNTY...AND COASTAL PORTIONS OF NORTHEAST NEW JERSEY. * HAZARD TYPES...HEAVY SNOW AND STRONG WINDS. * ACCUMULATIONS...SNOW ACCUMULATION OF 10 TO 14 INCHES...WITH LOCALIZED HIGHER AMOUNTS WITHIN DEVELOPING SNOW BANDS. * WINDS...NORTH 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 45 MPH. * TEMPERATURES...FALLING INTO THE 20S BY FRIDAY EVENING. * VISIBILITIES...ONE QUARTER MILE OR LESS AT TIMES. * ...