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Print 136 comment(s) - last by Wererat.. on Mar 21 at 2:23 PM
Blame smoking for Super Smash Bros. Brawl issues

It’s undisputable that smoking is hazardous to one’s health, but who could have expected that the smoke from cigarettes could also be harmful to a videogame system?

Super Smash Bros. Brawl was released last Sunday, and will likely be one of Nintendo’s biggest Wii titles for 2008. Several of those who purchased the game found that their Wii consoles had issues reading the disc, preventing it from running.

According to the Boston Herald, second-hand cigarette smoke could be one of the culprits for giving the Wii trouble in reading the disc. Super Smash Bros. Brawl is the biggest Wii game yet, and requires dual-layer DVD media in order to contain all the data. The slightest bit of smoke residue on the optical pickup inside the Wii could be enough to stop the console from reading the dual-layer disc.

Although Nintendo would not comment on what the precise causes could be for a Wii to be unable to read Super Smash Bros. Brawl, it did erect a support page that read, “A very small percentage of Wii consoles may have trouble consistently reading data off this large capacity disc if there is some contamination on the lens of the disc drive.”

Wii owners not willing to part with their consoles for cleaning have attempted to take matters into their own hands. Some have reported that using compressed air to blow into the disc drive has helped their consoles run the software, though Nintendo advises against any user-performed maintenance.

The Nintendo support note continued, “Nintendo has specialized cleaning equipment that can resolve this problem. (Please do NOT attempt to clean the lens yourself, as you may damage the system.)”

The idea of preventing smoke inhalation by a console’s cooling system may not be entirely crazy. Japanese peripherals maker has developed a dust and smoke filter accessory for the PlayStation 3 – though no accessory exists yet for the Wii.

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Hardly surprising
By MrTeal on 3/14/2008 7:24:12 PM , Rating: 5
quote:
but who could have expected that the fumes from cigarettes could also be harmful to a videogame system?


I think anyone who's had to open up a piece of consumer electronics equipment that's been in a smoker's house for a few years would expect just that.




RE: Hardly surprising
By m1ldslide1 on 3/14/2008 7:44:40 PM , Rating: 5
Agree. I don't know that the word "fumes" is accurate, as it's more about the particles that build up on components. I would imagine an optical lense on the Wii would be far more susceptible than even most other electronic internals.


RE: Hardly surprising
By Wererat on 3/21/2008 2:23:43 PM , Rating: 2
Consider the root word for 'fume' and you will find it derived from words meaning 'smoke' which is of course the particulate remains of burning.


RE: Hardly surprising
By danz32 on 3/14/2008 7:48:14 PM , Rating: 2
Agreed. I've seen white computer cases covered in a layer of yellowish-brown (on the inside and outside). It obviosuly not good for it


RE: Hardly surprising
By eye smite on 3/14/08, Rating: 0
RE: Hardly surprising
By Belard on 3/14/2008 9:01:58 PM , Rating: 3
Nope... smoke leaves residue. Heavy smokers cause the inside of electronics to turn yellow from the pollution. The walls are yellowish-brown, rather than white... just like the lungs of smokers.

It gets in clothes, cars and stink. Unfortunetly, I have the "hots" for a smoker, but everytime I leave - my clothes are stinky and I smell it all the way home. I've put them in a plastic bag to severely reduce how smokey they get... ;)

Now... if you want to smoke, go for it... it should be your right.


RE: Hardly surprising
By mindless1 on 3/15/2008 12:17:37 AM , Rating: 4
You two are comparing different things. Smoke in a static system won't tend to do much harm at all but on an optical lense needing more clarity because of DL disc it can become quite significant.

Then there's the dust level, smoke by itself isn't nearly as problematic as when the sticky tar deposits have a dusty environment making that dust stick to things more, then that dust also accumulates more tar at an elevated rate due to being a larger surface area.

The proper engineering solution to the problem is that the optical drive be heatsunk to the casing and the exterior of the casing be the cooling mechanism, without unused holes and the front door sealed with a foam strip. This substantially reduces the amount of smoke, dust or other particles that get into the drive even if the system has active airflow to cool it. Even then, nothing in a typical consumer device is quite airtight and it will be opened periodically, a really smoky environment and precision optics just don't mix well.


RE: Hardly surprising
By eye smite on 3/15/2008 7:42:45 AM , Rating: 1
Oh thank you Captian Obvious, my point was said residue has never affected any of my equipment and it's all working just fine. You idiots jump to the wrong conclusion everytime though.


RE: Hardly surprising
By chick0n on 3/15/08, Rating: 0
RE: Hardly surprising
By Brigandier on 3/15/2008 2:25:28 PM , Rating: 1
Welcome to DT, immortal, what was it like when the first telephone was released? That must have been pretty ground-breaking. It's so refreshing to meet some one that lives forever, I have so many questions to ask you!

Non-smoker immortality complex is quite bothersome. A smoker could die in a car accident(at any time), get hit by a bus, catch ebola, whatever. The statistical chances of dying for anyone is 100%. Lots of smokers don't get lung cancer, and by the time they do 70's-80's, would be a time where people start dying anyway. Sure, some get it earlier, but what's to say they didn't have a genetic predisposition to dying? Sure, cigarettes aren't healthy, but what life is?


RE: Hardly surprising
By lexluthermiester on 3/15/2008 2:41:20 PM , Rating: 1
Yet another ignorant statement...

Both of my mothers parents died of smoking related cancers, my grandmother at 56 and grandfather at 61. Now I'm no rocket scientist but from a national average of nonsmokers dying at 81, lets see 81 minus 56 equals 25, and 81 minus 61 equals 20. 25 and 20 years difference. That seems significant to me, but then I'm not the shiniest apple on the tree either...

Things that make you go HMMMMM...


RE: Hardly surprising
By Brigandier on 3/15/08, Rating: 0
RE: Hardly surprising
By lexluthermiester on 3/15/2008 3:02:17 PM , Rating: 4
quote:
Well, sucks to be you, my friend. But not all smokers smoke fifteen packs a day, and a lot of other factors. Maybe your grandparents loved huffing gasoline.


You're not my friend. I don't associate with such cold and callous people such as yourself, let alone call them friend.

Any smoking is damaging to the health of the person lighting up and others around them. So really, get a clue...


RE: Hardly surprising
By eye smite on 3/15/2008 4:37:54 PM , Rating: 1
You know, everyone dies, that's just the way it is. I smoke. Do I care, no. Reason being, if smoking doesn't kill me the multiple sclerosis will. So all you nambi pambi's can just suck my smoke. You're all retards anyway.


RE: Hardly surprising
By snowbro on 3/15/2008 9:28:25 PM , Rating: 4
LOL

You are rather uneducated...

I am a practicing physician, a radiation oncologist, and I spend a good amount of my time treating lung cancer patients with radiation therapy...

But it is NOT just lung cancer, soooooooooooo many other cancers are caused by smoking... head and neck tumors (including mouth, tongue, tonsil, voice-box, etc), bladder cancers, cervix cancers, etc, etc...

Not only that, all the adverse affects to your arteries, including your coronaries results in hypertension, increased risk of heart attack, etc...

Finally, you are DESTROYING your lungs... emphysema, chronic bronchitis, do you know what it is like to be unable to breath because your lungs keep producing too many secretions, and you are at the point of almost suffocating, on a regular basis?

Most people who smoke do not die quickly, it is a long drawn-out and painful process...

But it keeps me in business ;) So keep on puffing away and throwing away your OWN life... I'm telling you, 10 years of smoking goes by like nothing, another 10 years, and you're a 20 years smoker... serious irreversible damage...

BEST THING you can do for your body is quit, IMMEDIATELY...

Nothing, and I mean nothing - no fitness program, no diet program, no new-age shit is gonna come close to how much you are doing to help your body with that single act...


RE: Hardly surprising
By Regs on 3/21/2008 1:42:56 PM , Rating: 2
You're right on two main points. The years go through fast. I smoked for 4 years and it felt like I've only been smoking for a week after I quit. The sooner you quit, the better as it takes a long time ,if ever, for the lungs to heal from years of smoking.

Second point is that it's ludicrous to intentionally poison ourselves with something that could lead to a long and miserable death. So many sad stories as well. Take for instance a man who never thought in a million years would be a grandfather, will likely not survive to see his grand children. He regrets not quitting sooner the last days of his life.

This is my 9th straight week without smoking tobacco. Every week I become ever more thankful I did quit. To be able smell, think clearly, wake up with more energy, and be able to just plain breath - far out weights the enjoyment of breathing tar, un natural chemicals, and carcinogens for a little "buzz". Even that buzz does not last long because our body grows a defense to it. A true chemical addiction accures.

In short, after smoking for so long, the calmness and comfort associated with being the “real you” faded into distant or even forgotten memory. It took me about 2 months to bring the real me back without the need for nicotine. I would estimate for someone who's been smoking for 15-20 years, at least 3-12 months of recovery time. Just all depends on how badly you want to quit.


RE: Hardly surprising
By Flunk on 3/16/2008 2:13:14 AM , Rating: 2
So, because you like something you have the right to inflict it upon other people? What if I liked burning down houses, does that mean I can burn down yours? Also, everyone else is a retard because they don't want to:

1. Poison themselves
2. Smell terrible
3. Destroy their homes with tar
4. Pay large sums money for something they don't need

I see you subscribe to the L. Ron Hubbard school of logic.


RE: Hardly surprising
By jtemplin on 3/16/2008 6:35:50 PM , Rating: 1
Apparently this guy is on disability too... Maybe stopping smoking would be a good start on turning things around.


RE: Hardly surprising
By encryptkeeper on 3/17/08, Rating: 0
RE: Hardly surprising
By afkrotch on 3/17/2008 8:45:30 AM , Rating: 3
quote:
You're not my friend. I don't associate with such cold and callous people such as yourself, let alone call them friend.

Any smoking is damaging to the health of the person lighting up and others around them. So really, get a clue...


It's about as damaging as being a non-smoker living in a large city...like New York City.


RE: Hardly surprising
By lexluthermiester on 3/15/2008 2:52:11 PM , Rating: 2
By way of comparison, my dad's parents are still alive. My grandfather is 87 and my grandmother is 82. Both are very healthy and are likely to live for some time longer. The ONLY difference in the lifestyles of either set of grandparents that I ever noticed was the smoking. All of them ate/eat healthy foods and got/get regular exercise.

All of that matches up very well to all of the smoking related studies that have been conducted by many universities and governments all over the world.

So really, Brigandier, wise up...


RE: Hardly surprising
By Brigandier on 3/15/08, Rating: 0
RE: Hardly surprising
By lexluthermiester on 3/15/2008 3:08:00 PM , Rating: 4
An interesting point. But that does not dismiss the fact that smoking is unhealthful. I fail to understand why anyone would inflict that kind of damage on themselves, not to mention how expensive a habit it is, and then get so defensive about. Do I love my departed grandparents? You bet do. But I still think they were foolish for not giving it up after they found out about all the risks...


RE: Hardly surprising
By encryptkeeper on 3/17/2008 10:39:14 AM , Rating: 1
people die for stupid senseless reasons

Too bad trolling isn't a capital offense.


RE: Hardly surprising
By retrospooty on 3/15/2008 5:21:46 PM , Rating: 1
I remember seeing a clip a few years ago on what was beleived to be (at the time) the worlds oldest woman. She was 121 years old. She was French. They asked her (through a translator) "what was your secret to living such a long healthy life" she stated "well, I eat right, try to stay active... and I quit smoking 5 years ago"

Not to say that smoking is good for you, but its all "relative".

Anyhow, back to point, I grew up around smokers and I used to smoke myself, and residue happens if you smoke in any non-ventilated space. It will build up on the inside of your car windshield, it will be all in your curtains, and all over your walls after just a few years. It WILL also be all mucked up inside your PC case. The residue is there, and is sticky and very VERY difficult to clean.


RE: Hardly surprising
By omnicronx on 3/15/2008 5:28:41 PM , Rating: 2
Its not all "relative". Smoking does not have a 100% kill rate on those who smoke. But it is a proven fact that it highly increases the chances of getting not only lung, but mouth, gum and many other types of cancers.

If you smoke for 40 years of your life, theres a good chance it will take a good chunk off your life. There really is no debating this.

BTW this all comes from your friendly neighboorhood smokes at least half a pack a day smoker ;)


RE: Hardly surprising
By retrospooty on 3/16/08, Rating: 0
RE: Hardly surprising
By HOOfan 1 on 3/17/2008 8:16:03 AM , Rating: 2
I've dropped my cell phone on hard surfaces several times, and it hasn't affected it yet, but that doesn't mean it is ok to continually drop it.


RE: Hardly surprising
By Creig on 3/17/2008 8:05:18 AM , Rating: 3
Ugh... Kissing a smoker is like licking an ashtray.


RE: Hardly surprising
By afkrotch on 3/18/2008 6:18:02 AM , Rating: 2
And sometimes it's a really hot ashtray that licks back.


RE: Hardly surprising
By HighWing on 3/15/2008 1:24:20 AM , Rating: 5
quote:
I've smoked since I was 18, have one computer here that's 10yrs old and don't have any issues with any of the computers I run here.


I am actually rather surprised that you haven't had any issues with your computer. But then the question is do you smoke in the same room as your computer? If you do, then maybe you should open up your computer and take a look for yourself. Fact is from my experience, the dust inside a smokers computer not only looks bad, but is thicker the normal dust.


RE: Hardly surprising
By madeofpain on 3/15/2008 6:41:49 AM , Rating: 4
I cannot count the number of times I have opened up a clients computer and been struck with the odor of cigarette smoke. I have seen processor heatsinks completely clogged with cigarette goo and mixed with dust. I would imagine it is just the same for any other electronic device the smoker owns, as well as their lungs. Not only are they shortening their lifespan but the life of their electronic equipment. The last time I received a system from a heavy smoker I almost handed it back.


RE: Hardly surprising
By encryptkeeper on 3/17/2008 10:42:10 AM , Rating: 2
I've smoked since I was 18, have one computer here that's 10yrs old and don't have any issues with any of the computers I run here.

You're still using a computer that's ten years old? Wow what is that, a K6 233?


RE: Hardly surprising
By eye smite on 3/15/2008 7:48:49 AM , Rating: 1
Oh geez, I build computers on the side for people. Of course I've seen the inside of my cases. Of course I blow them out with canned air. Of course they're still working properly. Oh wait.........ok the 10 yr old system is the only thing where a R&R was needed and it's because the old TNT Riva card went out some time ago.


RE: Hardly surprising
By FITCamaro on 3/15/2008 9:55:57 AM , Rating: 5
I don't care if you smoke. Just don't do it around me. It smells like shit. We've got people at work who take smoke breaks every hour and I hate working around them because they smell like ass.

Not to mention its easy to tell women who smoke. It ages them so much faster. I can easily tell a girl who is a heavy smoker.


RE: Hardly surprising
By Polynikes on 3/15/2008 11:36:10 AM , Rating: 3
First off, I'm a former smoker.

That, however, does not change the fact that smoke leaves residue. Ever seen the teeth of a person that's smoked for 20+ years?


RE: Hardly surprising
By Lazarus Dark on 3/15/2008 3:03:44 PM , Rating: 2
One thing very different in the case of a Wii: there is no door. Air is sucked in through the front and over the lens. This is not the case in most situations. Your comps optical drive is fairly closed and has a door. Typically air would not be sucked through the drive very much. The same with a dvd player or whathaveyou. The Wii is unique in its always open drive and air being sucked through it.

And we only site the fact that many of us have seen the buildup in computers because then you can imagine what would happen to the lens of the Wii disc drive, considering the airflow across it.

If anyone is having this Smash Bros problem, apparently a blast of air should do it. Problem solved (hopefully).

PS: My stepdad smoked while the comp sat on the desk right next to the monitor, pulling the smoke directly through the front and through the comp. I'd have to clean out his comp every month or it would start overheating cause of the buildup. And the keyboard had to be replaced every six months cause the tar would make the keys stick.


RE: Hardly surprising
By aos007 on 3/20/2008 12:06:49 PM , Rating: 2
Thank you. I was waiting to see if anyone will point this obvious thing (Wii has a slot loading drive, hello!) but they are too busy debating the smoking.

However, so does the PS3 and I haven't heard of any problems related to smoke. Perhaps Wii's optical pickup and error-correcting hardware are a piece of crap after all.


RE: Hardly surprising
By Targon on 3/16/2008 8:30:26 AM , Rating: 2
If you have a ten-year-old computer, then chances are you don't have a DVD drive unless you added it later. Dual-layer may be the standard for most normal DVD movies, so it would be interesting to see how many regular DVD players end up being replaced due to smokers. With the price of a DVD player being under $100(many down near $50), most people would assume that the failures are due to the cheap nature of the low-cost DVD players when it is the air quality in the environment that is responsible.


RE: Hardly surprising
By eye smite on 3/15/08, Rating: 0
RE: Hardly surprising
By lexluthermiester on 3/15/2008 1:46:54 PM , Rating: 5
You just gotta love the irony of that statement...


RE: Hardly surprising
By rcc on 3/17/2008 12:50:57 PM , Rating: 1
lol, smoked troll anyone?


RE: Hardly surprising
By Xodus Maximus on 3/14/2008 7:51:20 PM , Rating: 3
True, I remember "fixing" VCRs for family and friends when I was younger, nothing big just cleaning the head with isopropyl alcohol and replacing the usual broken belt with a rubber band. Anyway most were from smoking households, and I gross myself out from the yellow grime that covered the insides and especially the outside plastic face....ewww.

However this is mostly Nintendo's fault, It has an open slot that points upward in its stand. Did they not expect dust to fall in or smoke going in the opening, I mean cmon.


RE: Hardly surprising
By sprockkets on 3/14/2008 10:59:52 PM , Rating: 3
slot location is irrelevant. The wii like a computer runs a fan during operation and thus like a human being inhales the stuff.


RE: Hardly surprising
By Xodus Maximus on 3/15/2008 12:18:58 PM , Rating: 2
Oops, sorry I don't have a Wii, so I just assumed given the low specs of the system it didn't have a fan... bad assumption on my part...


RE: Hardly surprising
By Schugy on 3/15/08, Rating: 0
RE: Hardly surprising
By lexluthermiester on 3/15/2008 2:03:08 PM , Rating: 2
An example of yet another ignorant statement. Nintendo has a reputation of building reliable products. The only Nintendo system I've ever had any issues with is my first NES[the blinking screen thing], which I still have and it still works perfectly. And after using a cleaning kit the problem was gone. My Wii is one of the originals and I've had zero issues with it.

Now if you'd like to discuss "Bad low cost engineering", let us discuss the Xbox 360 shall we?...


RE: Hardly surprising
By lexluthermiester on 3/15/2008 2:11:06 PM , Rating: 2
Or perhaps the original Playstation?


RE: Hardly surprising
By Manch on 3/15/2008 6:23:27 PM , Rating: 1
don't forget the early PS2's


RE: Hardly surprising
By lexluthermiester on 3/16/2008 1:37:02 PM , Rating: 3
You know, I've only ever heard of the lens of the PS2's dying after a hard jolt. Other than that the PS2 has been a good piece of hardware. And I'm a Nintendite. I honestly wish the Gamecube had been more popular. But I'm loving it now! Wii is kicking but and will in the next few months over take the 360 in numbers of systems sold. Wii has been the #1 seller since it's release the world over. It's not hard to see why either, the games just rock. Don't get me wrong, I love my PS3, but if I had to choose 'tween it and my Wii... Hmmm.


RE: Hardly surprising
By Manch on 3/17/2008 5:31:35 PM , Rating: 2
There was a small batch at launch that had issues with locking up. I'm not sure if it was the pick up or what. I had one of them but sony replaced it really quickly and I still have that one now.


RE: Hardly surprising
By VashHT on 3/20/2008 3:49:32 PM , Rating: 2
Or perhaps the original NES?


RE: Hardly surprising
By Aquila76 on 3/14/2008 8:06:52 PM , Rating: 3
Yeppers. I though a candle or something had melted in my friend's chassis; everything had a glazed-donut look to it. Ended up being airborne tobacco 'grease' or whatever that is. Don't want to imagine what that looks like on the lungs.


RE: Hardly surprising
By ShadowZERO on 3/15/2008 8:37:15 AM , Rating: 3
I still remember my friends Super Nintendo console from when we were kids. His parents chain smoked, and the console had a permanent yellow tint to the plastic on the outside.


RE: Hardly surprising
By Alexvrb on 3/15/2008 2:00:40 PM , Rating: 4
Certain types of white plastic used in some production runs of various white consoles (and other white plastic hardware, toys, etc) can yellow (or yellow faster?) due to UV rays. That was a typical problem with some runs of the SNES, and a friend of mine has a slightly yellowed Dreamcast as well (although my launch DC appears unaffected). Smoking isn't always the culprit, nobody in his family smokes, for example.

Some plastics are more resistant to yellowing. Also, exposure to sunlight isn't the only way, but it does seem to cause it or accelerate it greatly. Some plastics yellow or break down due purely to age - or so it seems. Perhaps it's a combination of factors such as airborne contaminants (smoke, etc), oxidization, UV rays, etc.

I wonder if a plastic polish (such as the readily available Mothers Plastic Polish) would remove yellowing from a SNES? It is designed to work on clear or non-clear automotive plastics, it could be worth a shot.


RE: Hardly surprising
By lexluthermiester on 3/15/2008 2:27:29 PM , Rating: 2
My original SNES had that problem. some of the parts were yellowing faster than others. I tried polishing it out to no avail. Then just decided to paint the thing. I used metallic paint, which worked very well. The finish effect looked very smart. Ended up trading it for a Super Famicom[Japanese SNES] and $60. Took the money bought Chrono Trigger. That was a rockin' deal!


RE: Hardly surprising
By Joz on 3/15/2008 11:04:02 AM , Rating: 2
its awfull to clean one of those.

Iv done it a few times. Not to mention the visual off that much built up gunk, tar and other stuff.

ew.


RE: Hardly surprising
By SharkManEXR on 3/15/2008 12:02:48 PM , Rating: 2
first computer repiar outside of work was like this; slime and gunk all over the inside, not to mention dead bugs; it was the grossest thing i've ever seen inside of the computer. cleaned it out and it stopped making the wirring noise the user was talking about. I could not get the smell out of the psu though, everytime she turned it on it smelled like an old dusty closet.


Problem solved
By kyleb2112 on 3/14/2008 9:29:19 PM , Rating: 5
Slapped a nicotine patch on mine and it's good to go.




RE: Problem solved
By Samus on 3/15/2008 3:20:48 AM , Rating: 1
Nintendo should hand out a bunch of joints and encourage their primary user base (appearantly the elderly) to smoke pot instead of cigarettes. Hell, some of them might even be able to get a prescription.

Pot smoke doesn't linger and has virtually no carcinogens, so the likely hood of its less poluting second-hand causing damage is much lower ;)


RE: Problem solved
By madeofpain on 3/15/2008 6:46:38 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
Pot smoke doesn't linger and has virtually no carcinogens


So that makes it better? ;)


RE: Problem solved
By FITCamaro on 3/15/2008 9:59:29 AM , Rating: 1
I beg to differ. It does linger. A roommate in college toked up every now and then and I could smell that shit for days in his room.


RE: Problem solved
By lexluthermiester on 3/15/2008 3:30:40 PM , Rating: 3
Agreed. Pot smoke lingers longer than tobacco smoke and is more pungent...


RE: Problem solved
By giantpandaman2 on 3/15/2008 9:01:17 PM , Rating: 2
Just to add to the fact that Samus is grossly misinformed.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7217601.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7226969.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7150274.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6917003.stm

Of course, as always, take all studies with a grain of salt. In this case, though, I'd rather side on the overly cautious.


RE: Problem solved
By Samus on 3/16/08, Rating: 0
RE: Problem solved
By robinthakur on 3/17/2008 5:41:28 AM , Rating: 2
I'm not sure what you think you know about the BBC, but if you were from the UK you would know that actually the BBC is and has always been very left wing, so quite the opposite of Fox. The UK government HATES the BBC and virtually forced its director general to resign when the two parties disagreed! In fact Fox and the BBC have a long running spat with each other since Fox called one of the whistleblowers on the Iraq war dossier being basically put together by the press office a liar and the BBC generally worse than the third reich. Who's laughing now :)?

Marijuana consumption has only become massively widespread in the last 10 years. By massively widespread, in the UK, I mean you'll walk down the street or in the station and smell it. The health consequences and the mental consequences are still to be seen. I've known people who got so paranoid after regularly being heavy smokers of it that they because too paranoid to go outside (except to get more, obviously) and there is quite a few studies now which show it has serious effects on mental wellness. Since most people who SMOKE marijuana and cut it with tobacco with NO filter, I'd say that its just as bad if not worse for you than cigarettes.

Lastly Top Gear is a tongue-in-cheek (this means not fully serious for you Americans) programme on the BBC which loves being deliberately polically incorrect and is for petrol-heads. You are right in saying that the reach of the UK government has recently become absolutely ludicrous with congestion charging, road tolls in the offing, huge amounts of other taxation and a reduction in basic rights, not to mention a super-duper tax for the very rich. In short I'll be emmigrating poste haste. America, will you have me? I might wait until your recession cools off though to be honest. BTW if you do have funds in Bear Stearns, you might want to pull them now like 99% of your fellow investors as its going down.


RE: Problem solved
By P4blo on 3/17/2008 9:13:11 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
Of course, who else but to trust but the BBC? Do you watch FOX news and gather tha family in the fallout shelter during ***FOX NEWS ALERTS*** too.


You haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about. Shut up and stop spouting your idiotic head-up-your-ass FUD before I get all xenophobic and start calling you a stereotypical American - (displays little appreciation for the world outside his front door).

The BBC and Fox news are like comparing chalk and cheese. The BBC is a *non profit making news organisation*. It also doesn't lick the boots of the UK government so I'd say that makes it pretty trustworthy by comparison. Fox news? Jesus their reputation is in such tatters they've become a global joke.

You should also look at how internationally accepted the BBC has become. Many citizens from around the world use it to get an impartial view of world events when their own media is under state control or suffers other questionable external influences. There's a reason why China banned the site. Chinese officials report one thing (or nothing at all), BBC site says another. Oops, they believe the BBC site. I expect that can get annoying for the Chinese ministry of disinformation.


RE: Problem solved
By Samus on 3/16/2008 5:58:12 AM , Rating: 1
I just wasted valuable smoking time reading those BBC links you referred to in your unbelievably flawed defense toward marijuana health risks, and if you cared to read them, three of the four links you posted all end with 'there is still no conclusive evidence.'

You might as well referenced Wikipedia.

And if you knew jack about politics, you'd have paid attention to where those study's were based: the UK.

If you think the United States hates marijuana, try it there. Try anything there. Try speeding there. Read their traffic study's. Watch some Top Gear (irronically a BBC-funded program, but none-the-less, the hosts comment on how out-of-control the government is.)

It's practically 1984 all over again over there.


RE: Problem solved
By giantpandaman2 on 3/16/2008 11:54:36 AM , Rating: 1
Apparently your reading comprehension, or lack thereof, is what exacerbates your ignorance. The studies were based in New Zealand, Canada, and the UK.

Just about all epidemiological studies are inconclusive. That's the nature of the beast. They use statistical analysis to draw correlations between disease and habits, diet, etc. They do not actual microscopic/biological goings on that would make causation conclusive. (Such a study is very difficult to accomplish.) Does that mean epidemiology isn't valuable? If you say no, you have even less of an understanding for science and health than I thought.


RE: Problem solved
By Samus on 3/16/2008 5:30:20 PM , Rating: 2
I all the study's are so inconclusive and therefore statistically useless, why did you post four of them?

Why haven't we heard a case in recorded history of a pothead dying from lung cancer, or anything unusually biological, for that matter?


RE: Problem solved
By Kazairl2 on 3/15/2008 10:12:15 AM , Rating: 1
From what I read, the average joint puts out about as much tar as 8 Marlboros...

Here's a (not so) pretty picture:
http://www.mededu.miami.edu/Tobacco/MarijuanaTarSt...

So a couple of tokes a day would be about like smoking a pack a day of regular cigarettes.


RE: Problem solved
By Kazairl2 on 3/15/2008 10:25:36 AM , Rating: 1
From what I read, the average joint has considerably MORE tar than a tobacco cigarette.

Here's a (not so) pretty picture:
http://www.mededu.miami.edu/Tobacco/MarijuanaTarSt...

Just think, lighting up 3 or 4 tokes a day would be like a pack-a-day cigarette habit.


RE: Problem solved
By lexluthermiester on 3/15/2008 2:09:05 PM , Rating: 2
Have you ever seen bong water? And that is just the crap the water actually filters out, most of the crap still slips through. Pot smoke is worse than tobacco smoke buy far...


RE: Problem solved
By Fnoob on 3/15/2008 10:53:04 PM , Rating: 2
Pot smoke is worse than tobacco smoke buy far...

Which is why you eat it, duh!

(don't try that with the cigarettes)


RE: Problem solved
By Samus on 3/16/2008 5:51:00 AM , Rating: 2
I'm going to clear this up plain and simple, especially those of you that obviously watch too much FOX news and probably voted for George Asshole Bush (sorry, but simply put you're a dumbass and are partly responsible for destroying our great country)

As a chemist, THC Delta-9 is a carcinogen inhibiter, making it a refractor for chemical elements that impeed lung health by preventing binding material such as TAR (commonly found in tobacco, and...marijuana.) However, as tobacco has no Delta-9 complex, it will kill you over time as there are no inhibitors to prevent binding to lung tissue.

There. You've been pwned. And if you smoke, double pwned for not smoking something that won't kill you.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/artic...


RE: Problem solved
By jlips6 on 3/16/2008 1:48:57 PM , Rating: 2
Where in the article does it say that THC prevents tar from binding to your lungs? Although this does make sense, i would like to see where it comes from.


RE: Problem solved
By Samus on 3/16/2008 5:33:26 PM , Rating: 2
This study doesn't elaborate on the THC anti-binding elements, but basically summarizes the results with the following...

quote:
Earlier work established that marijuana does contain cancer-causing chemicals as potentially harmful as those in tobacco, he said. However, marijuana also contains the chemical THC, which he said may kill aging cells and keep them from becoming cancerous


RE: Problem solved
By jtemplin on 3/21/2008 10:58:26 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
Tashkin's group at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA had hypothesized that marijuana would raise the risk of cancer on the basis of earlier small human studies, lab studies of animals, and the fact that marijuana users inhale more deeply and generally hold smoke in their lungs longer than tobacco smokers -- exposing them to the dangerous chemicals for a longer time. In addition, Tashkin said, previous studies found that marijuana tar has 50 percent higher concentrations of chemicals linked to cancer than tobacco cigarette tar.

While no association between marijuana smoking and cancer was found, the study findings, presented to the American Thoracic Society International Conference this week, did find a 20-fold increase in lung cancer among people who smoked two or more packs of cigarettes a day.


Interesting findings indeed. No difference compared to 20-fold difference. I wonder about the mechanism too...I was pretty much under the impression that smoking any organic plant material is bound to release a certain amount of carcinogen. But different kinds of materials release different kinds of carcinogens, I suppose. Also some research has shown that tobacco has radioactive polonium 210 in it via a certain radioactive fertilizer that decays into the above isotope. Hmm...just found a straight dope on this subject. They acknowledge the fertilizer aspect but have this to say:
quote:
The alleged claim by C. Everett Koop that radioactivity causes 90 percent of tobacco-related cancer has so far resisted the tracking skills of my research team (it's all over the Web, typically attributed to a Koop appearance "on national television"), but if he said it, it's way off from what everyone else says — including surgeon generals’ reports from before, during, and after his tenure. The U.S. National Council on Radiation Protection and Management estimates that if you've smoked for 50 years, polonium-210 accounts for 1 percent of your overall lung cancer risk.

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/070928.html


Ebay.....
By Bigjee on 3/14/2008 8:10:02 PM , Rating: 3
Is that why some listings on Ebay have"comes from a smoke free home?" written on them. This would seem like a good reason though.




RE: Ebay.....
By Brandon Hill (blog) on 3/14/2008 8:11:03 PM , Rating: 5
Same with cars. I'd never buy a car that had been driven by a smoker. Filthy and disgusting.


RE: Ebay.....
By trustingsoup on 3/15/2008 4:18:11 AM , Rating: 1
I with I could avoid the filthy disgusting smoke that pours from the exhaust of cars. Yet, I'm stuck breathing that crap everyday. Second hand exhaust anyone?


RE: Ebay.....
By trustingsoup on 3/15/2008 4:18:54 AM , Rating: 2
I wish.....


RE: Ebay.....
By trustingsoup on 3/15/08, Rating: 0
RE: Ebay.....
By Alexstarfire on 3/15/2008 12:25:35 PM , Rating: 2
That's hardly the same thing. I doubt most people are going to come in contact with THAT much exhaust fumes. Second hand smoke on the other hand, you are much closer to the source, hence the worse the effects are. It'd be just like that guy breathing in all those exhaust fumes.


RE: Ebay.....
By madeofpain on 3/15/2008 6:45:04 AM , Rating: 2
I have never purchased anything from Ebay but that is interesting to know. I would probably be more likely to buy from someone if they added that line after plenty of experience with tobacco'ed up computer systems.


Dubious
By rainwalker on 3/15/2008 2:14:47 AM , Rating: 3
I'm not sure why the guys above me got rated down for their doubtful opinions. I didn't see anything wrong with their thoughts.

I'm a wii/ssbb owner and I recently experienced the disc read error. I find it a little hard to believe that it's from second-hand smoke, though. I have a cigarette about once every month or two but I never smoke inside and keep my wii at an unconcealed but semi-remote location. The "smokiest" thing I've ever done around my wii (like two weeks ago) was to take off a shirt that I had been wearing after I had a cigarette and throw it onto my couch. Neither myself, my shirt, or my couch was ever closer than four or five feet from my wii. Furthermore, SSBB played fine for like the first twelve hours. All of a sudden it started making weird disc reading sounds. I powered the system off the first time to let it cool down or whatever. The second time I turned it on it played fine for an hour or so and then started making the noise again. I decided to let it continue until it became very loud and sounded like it was shredding my disc. After powering it off the second time, I couldn't get it to read any discs anymore. Smoke just doesn't seem (to me) like the likely culprit in my case.

I already sent my unit off to Nintendo but, just in case it ever happens again (which also raises the obvious question: is Nintendo going to have us send our units in to be cleaned on a regular basis or are they making some kind of hardware modification?), has anyone tried the compressed air-cleaning trick and had it fail? After reading a post online, I tried the oldschool cartidge-blowing trick (which didn't work) but I never used a powered canister. Does it always work?




RE: Dubious
By Inkjammer on 3/15/2008 3:42:38 AM , Rating: 3
My Wii also has issues with SSBB and... I don't smoke. In fact, my room has an air purifier to remove dust/lint particles from the air.

The kicker: my Wii is one of the originals Wiis produced, but has only been out of box for about two weeks. That's it. TWO WEEKS. I was overseas in Kyrgyzstan for almost a year, never had a chance to play it. So it sat, mint, unopened, for almost a year. Read: my original production Wii is having problems with a game... and it just came out of the original packaging almost a year later.

I don't buy the "smoke" argument at all.


RE: Dubious
By madeofpain on 3/15/2008 6:48:16 AM , Rating: 3
quote:
I don't buy the "smoke" argument at all.


I don't either, but it probably doesn't help.


RE: Dubious
By jackedupandgoodtogo on 3/16/2008 1:36:39 AM , Rating: 2
Supposedly the original Wii drives have lower laser power (DL drives tends to have problems reading certain DL discs, which is why they have firmware updates frequently, to support more brands) making them more likely to fail reading the second layer of SSBB. I have a 3rd rev Wii and the game runs fine.


smoking just an excuse
By Ixion on 3/15/2008 2:35:24 PM , Rating: 2
Whilst I can understand smoke being detrimental the Wii should still be able to read DL disks,lots of Xbox/360 disks are dual layer as are most commercial DVDs you stick in a DVD player, you don't tend to hear of problems playing them because they're dual layer. Sounds like an overly sensitive set of optics or cheap lenses to me.




RE: smoking just an excuse
By lexluthermiester on 3/15/2008 3:42:42 PM , Rating: 3
Not true. I have a few friends[that smoke tobacco and pot] who've had to do lens cleanings on their Sony's, Sega's, Gamecube's, Xbox's and DVD players. One of them is a laserdisc collector and has to clean the optic in his player every six months. Nasty business that.

It's only matter of time before all of the tar and gunk from the smoke gets onto the lenses, which then requires a cleaning. It is a fact of a smokers life...


RE: smoking just an excuse
By Boushh on 3/16/2008 5:43:34 AM , Rating: 2
I've been smoking for more than 20 years. And non of the systems I own (optical or otherwise) has had any problems reading any media ever.

I've not cleaned any lense ever. Besides, there is more stuff in the air than just smoke. Just don't clean your house for a few days and dust starts popping up.

However, I do admit that smoking is bad. So I advice anyone to NOT start smoking (because once you have become addicted, stopping is very hard).


They quit smoking on the spot
By rupaniii on 3/14/2008 8:37:05 PM , Rating: 4
That was one bit of good I did at Comp.
I opened up a case for a guy because I didn't think he had a big deal of a problem. tested without some of his ram, had some bad ram, sold him some ram, installed it, Pay Me, i helped you out, etc.
Welll...
When I opened it he was like 'What is all of that yellow crud?
Me: "Oh, that's whats your lungs have stuck inside those little airsacks. Your a heavy smoker aren't you? The worst thing sir is, well, this machine isn't that old. But, yeah, that's what's in your lungs, except your lungs have alot more. "
Customer: "Your preachy"
Me: "You asked. Nah, my dad died of lung cancer. Worked hard every day of his life, driving trucks, delivering bread for H&S company and various other driving jobs. You can blame gas fumes if you want, but his brother did the same work the same amount of time and he's fine, breathes great, didn't smoke. Besides, i didn't put your machine out of commission for 2 weeks, maybe i care.".
Customer: "Is that sheet in that box really from my cigarettes?"
Me: "Get a good whiff, you'll probably just want to huff your PC from now on".
Customer came in a week later looking for a new laptop case chewing Nicorette. I doubt he gave a shit about my father either.
The Irony? The rest of the Tech Shop Smoked!!!




By madeofpain on 3/15/2008 6:51:32 AM , Rating: 2
I can't say I've had the same luck with clients and getting them to stop smoking, but I'm certain after some of them saw the mess they made of their computers they probably thought about quitting.


Ethics 101
By 457R4LDR34DKN07 on 3/16/08, Rating: 0
RE: Ethics 101
By lexluthermiester on 3/16/2008 1:54:00 PM , Rating: 1
Ethics 101?!? LOVE that irony!

People like you are the reason I come on here, your cluelessness is so very entertaining!

Yes, when someone buys a game they are paying more than just those who created it, but you ARE still paying those who created it. You are giving them job security and ensuring that there with be more games like it. Lets take an example, Command & Conquer 3. I know a few people who downloaded that game. Of those who I know downloaded it, 4 went out and bought it. Thus assuring that the C&C universe will go on. That is why and how the system works. But see, you lack the intelligence to understand that very basic ideal.

The point is, if you like something, buy it! Quit being thieving parasite.


RE: Ethics 101
By 457R4LDR34DKN07 on 3/16/08, Rating: -1
RE: Ethics 101
By lexluthermiester on 3/16/2008 3:02:23 PM , Rating: 1
The difference is I PAY for what I use. And if you could care less, why bother responding? Do you need help extracting your foot from your mouth, or would you like a laxative?


RE: Ethics 101
By 457R4LDR34DKN07 on 3/16/2008 3:11:12 PM , Rating: 1
Just Killing time really. How do you know I don't pay for what I like? Oh yeah that's right ya don't dummy. Your right of course that's what you want to hear right. So once you get of your ego trip, relax drink a beer, or your suggestion to me take an ex-lax so your C&C buddies can pound your hypercritical, do as I say not as I do FUK455.


RE: Ethics 101
By lexluthermiester on 3/16/2008 3:39:11 PM , Rating: 1
Other than the fact that in previous statements[posts] YOU said, or at the very least implied, you don't? Gotta love the name calling though. Really shows your level of maturity[or lack there-of].

So, AstralDreadKnot, it seems clear that I'm not the one with the overabundance of ego. Your pathetic response to my foot-in-mouth/ laxative comment shows very clearly that you lack the cognitive ability to even understand it... Which is such a shame...


RE: Ethics 101
By 457R4LDR34DKN07 on 3/16/08, Rating: 0
RE: Ethics 101
By lexluthermiester on 3/16/2008 8:29:51 PM , Rating: 1
I rest my case...


RE: Ethics 101
By 457R4LDR34DKN07 on 3/17/2008 4:58:54 PM , Rating: 2
yeah a head case... cock gobbler. can't wait to see what your gonna reply 'cause I know you need to have the last word. Oh wise and powerful one, gimme a fuk'n break, dweeb.


um...
By Comdrpopnfresh on 3/16/2008 1:11:38 AM , Rating: 2
How hard is it to get one of those cd/dvd lens-cleaning discs w/ the fine metal bristles on it? Works wonders for DVD players that are constantly gobbling up junk from rental discs.




RE: um...
By Manch on 3/16/2008 2:05:09 AM , Rating: 2
metal bristles? How many DVD players have you ruined!


smoking is repulsive
By n7 on 3/14/2008 9:43:34 PM , Rating: 3
Working with electronics, especially the insides of PCs belonging to smokers is beyond disgusting.

Doesn't surprise me at all that things can be damaged by that garbage.




smoke bad; clean air good.
By RussellD on 3/15/2008 12:00:31 AM , Rating: 3
quote:
but who could have expected that the smoke from cigarettes could also be harmful to a videogame system?


Who would not know that cigarette smoke is harmful to a videogame systems or any other electronics?




.
By Heyga4Huk on 3/15/2008 5:51:49 AM , Rating: 3
Smoking is the leading cause for disrepair of any electronics components, premature death, the upcoming recession, and the holocaust.




Smoking
By Schadenfroh on 3/15/2008 12:03:32 AM , Rating: 2
At least wii can still smoke in our own homes!




anything
By omnicronx on 3/15/2008 4:10:38 PM , Rating: 2
Most big electronic devices are smoke and dust magnets, so there is really no surprise here. What makes it worse is devices like the Wii are always on in standby mode, not helping the situation at all.

My ps3 just died on me today actually, discs just stopped reading. While looking through the cracks of the casing with a flashlight i could see how much dust was inside and i could not believe it, as I have only had the thing for 3 months, and I only use it for BD movies.

Moral of the story, smoking in a room and it will probably lower the life of most electronic devices that are not completely sealed.




Cause and solution
By CZroe on 3/15/2008 5:08:27 PM , Rating: 2
When this problem first surfaced in Japan, it was said to affect older, dustier Wiis (are the newer dusty Wiis equipped with a more resilient drive/laser?). Sure enough, both my and my out-of-state nephew's 2006 Wii consoles were having trouble with this game. My problem was only with FMVs triggering a freeze and disc-read error, but it seems to have resolved itself (I never even blew in the front). My nephew, OTOH, couldn't wait for me to whip up a solution for him: his friend stuck a paper towel in the drive (NOT ADVISED! Paper fibers scratch discs and you'd better believe they can scratch a laser lens as well as contaminate it with particles). It actually got the disc booting, though he still skips FMVs to avoid DREs. He couldn't get past the Channel splash screen before (locked after a black loading screen).

I can't say for sure that mine is now flawless (I think I saw the FMVs hitch once or twice), and his certainly isn't, but it does go to show that dust *is* the problem. His shelf was COVERED in a thick layer of it all around his Wii, which explains why his late-December 2006 Wii was worse than my launch 2006 Wii (November).

Neither of us had the option of sending it in because they are modded Wiis. Other solutions I was considering were:
CO2 cartridge dust sprayers - these will not spray an evaporable liquid on the laser like regular compressed air will.
Traditional DVD lens cleaner with Gamecube DVD player homebrew application - Though I'm not sure how the drive mechanism will handle the discs with brushes.
Taking apart the drive to swab with an optics-grade cleaning kit.

The reports of this are exascerbated by the fact that the WiiKey modchip has an outstanding unfixed glitch with Dual Layer discs. It is supposed to disable itself to avoid detection when a retail Wii disc is inserted. Instead, it assumes that any DVD9 DL disc is a Gamecube disc... there are no DL GC games, much less DVD9 DLs (they wouldn't even physically fit), but there is support for multi-game 120mm DL discs in GCOS, which would load as a Gamecube disc on a modded Wii.

Many incorrect reports of trouble reading the original DL disc are WiiKey owners who tested a dual or single-layer backup and found it working. DL backups will most likely have problems even if your drive is 100% OK with DL originals, so even that is hard to go on.

Me? I am using a WiiKey, but I socketed mine externally and did external wire-wrapped pin header or wired installs for my friends and family (they can easily disconnect or add a switch too). Even so, Nintendo would notice the wires and I just couldn't risk sending it to them. There is actually a retail product from a major game accessory company that solders to the same points, but they wouldn't like that either: The Datel Drive Doctor. Just like the Datel Max Media Dock I bought at Wal-Mart for $13 will "unofficially" play patched Nintendo DS game backups, the Drive Doctor was "unofficially" modified to do the same thing on the Wii. Datel's presumed intentions require me to use quotes on "unoficially."




By Manch on 3/16/2008 12:44:10 AM , Rating: 2
I've notice that I get a lot more vibration noise from my Wii when its vertical vs horizontal when a disc is spinning. I would get really loud humming sound from some of my games when I would play them and the discs spun up. That is usually a combination of the label, and variances in the disc which make it unbalanced. I keep my Wii horizontal because of that.

I think since they are using compact(notebook) style drive the mechanism isn't able to completely compensate for the vibrations. This combined with dust, cigarette or otherwise makes it difficult the pick up laser in the Wii to read the higher density discs, especially when it's sitting vertical.

This shouldn't seem too far fetched. Some of my notebook drives have problems with some of my CD's/DVD's but they play fine in a regular 5 1/4 bay drive.

I smoke so I checked my Wii for dust build up. I wiped the edges of the slot with a q-tip. It had a little bit of dust but it was negligible.




Questionable Journalism
By mindless1 on 3/16/2008 1:45:44 AM , Rating: 2
Here we have an article, based upon another article, based upon a comment in Nintendo's forum (and possibly elsewhere) which actually stated:

"We have found that these issues are typically related to the Wii console’s optical lens being obscured by environment factors, such as dust or cigarette smoke."

So essentially there is as of yet, NO TIE, just speculation that it could be some kind of contamination on the lens.

Instead we have a bandwagon jumping on the virtues of not smoking. Yes smoking is terrible for one's lungs, and given enough smoke deposits can certainly interfere with reading optical discs. The stretch is from point A to point B, that there isn't actually anything that speculation leading to hearsay about it.

That's not worthy of a news article and shouldn't be presented as such. How about just a general article that some people are having trouble reading the discs with this particular game and that Nintendo is offering a cleaning service, it's not as though smokers don't realize their grimey tar covers anything it comes in contact with.

Similarly, consuming a lot of alcohol is bad, especially paired with driving, but does it mean Ford Explorer accidents should be tied to drinking? Have a little patience waiting for some evidence first.




Maybe its the radioactive isotopes..
By Durrr on 3/16/2008 1:35:05 PM , Rating: 2
From Polonium-214 that decays. Gotta love alpha radiation! 1 REM per year exposure to your lungs yay!




Ahh, memories...
By MattCoz on 3/16/2008 10:39:33 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
Some have reported that using compressed air to blow into the disc drive has helped their consoles run the software

Just like the NES days when we had to blow into the carts to get them to play. :)




Does anyone think it is funny
By rudy on 3/16/2008 11:45:59 PM , Rating: 2
That this would make news with Nintendo remember blowing dust out of cartridges? lol




All this arguing...
By Alazar on 3/17/2008 8:55:58 AM , Rating: 2
All this pointless complaining...

I wonder where that little Eye Smite fellow went. I love watching him talk.




So? Make it illegal
By ldlcholester on 3/17/2008 10:10:04 AM , Rating: 2
IF SMOKING IS THAT BAD THEN MAKE IT ILLEGAL AND QUIT QUACKING ABOUT IT.
I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF YOU SMOKING NAZIS.

You're perfectly willing to collect taxes on cigarettes but you don't have the decency to ban it. We've been subsidizing tobacco farmers for a century.

Where has the medical profession been Dr. Radiologist?

Are we suppposed to buy cigarettes but not smoke them? Give me a break.

Food kills more people than cigarettes. Why don't you people take a break and go after bagels, french fries, colas, frozen foods for a change. You have a whole generation of little fatties with diabetes from the garbage peddled by supermarkets, and you're whining about smoking.

SMOKING IS A LEGAL ACTIVITY. IF IT'S THAT BAD THEN MAKE IT ILLEGAL.




By senbassador on 3/17/2008 3:49:31 PM , Rating: 2
I suddenly remember the good old days, the original NES, when sometimes you had to blow really hard just to make the cartiges work properly.




makes sense
By piroroadkill on 3/18/2008 8:23:55 PM , Rating: 2
To me it seems that air could be drawn through the slot opening drive (as the fan is at the back exhausting air) and this would in turn bring any particles in through the slot opening and over the disc surface and possibly the laser, so this makes perfect sense.

You wouldn't see it as often in a standard tray loading drive because there's almost nowhere for the air to flow around the closed tray door, so air doesn't pass over the disc.




i'm calling bs
By michal1980 on 3/14/08, Rating: -1
RE: i'm calling bs
By Thalyn on 3/15/2008 12:13:05 AM , Rating: 2
The Wii is the only slot-load console on the market at present. The rest all use a tray or cover of some description, while also not using the optical drive as part of the air intake system.

It stands to reason the Wii will naturally get more foreign matter into the optical drive than the others...


RE: i'm calling bs
By Thalyn on 3/15/2008 12:22:25 AM , Rating: 2
OK, I stand corrected - the PS3 is also slot-load. But I don't believe it's a key part of the ventilation system.


RE: i'm calling bs
By madeofpain on 3/15/2008 6:57:59 AM , Rating: 2
Don't hold me to it, but looking at the slot of my PS3 it seems it has a little black brush (or piece of plastic, or something) inside the slot that swipes over the disc surface when you insert them. I would think that this would help remove foreign debris from the surface of the disc to some extent. In a typical tray drive you just place the disc on the tray and it closes. I don't really know what goes on once it closes but I don't think anything swipes the CD once it's inside the drive.


RE: i'm calling bs
By lexluthermiester on 3/15/2008 2:33:13 PM , Rating: 2
Ya, my Wii has one of those too. I think it's made of velvet or something it that. I don't see how to much air can get past that...

And on tray drives, nothing wipes the disc...


Oh really? Not me...
By 457R4LDR34DKN07 on 3/14/08, Rating: -1
RE: Oh really? Not me...
By lexluthermiester on 3/15/2008 3:24:04 PM , Rating: 2
You know, I have no issues with folks who download out of print games for systems that are not longer being made. Using mods like the Wiikey and the such to play imports and homebrew apps is really a lot of fun. But to download current games who's companies deserve your support[read money] strikes me as outright theft. So to you, and your habit of thievery, I wish many unpleasant days in jail...


RE: Oh really? Not me...
By 457R4LDR34DKN07 on 3/15/08, Rating: 0
RE: Oh really? Not me...
By RIPPolaris on 3/15/2008 9:41:39 PM , Rating: 2
1. Uh, it doesn't matter who the law benefits. It's the law, and it's for everyone.
2. No, it's not only a crime if you're convicted; it's always considered a crime - you're only guilty if you've been convicted. The same can be said for a murderer before trial.
3.Obviously nobody is innocent, but don't forget that you aren't above scrutiny either. The law isn't an opinion, and you are breaking it.

For the record, I do pirate music, though I try to buy CDs and go to concerts to support the artist. Unlike you, though, I don't make up stupid excuses like "these laws are only in place to support greedy rich people".


RE: Oh really? Not me...
By jlips6 on 3/16/2008 2:22:44 PM , Rating: 2
may i point out that laws are in fact opinions? the only difference is that they are enforced because enough people agree with the opinion that they say it should be endorsed by everyone. laws are not set in stone, they are not always right, and they are not applicable to everyone in every situation. (think murder in self-defense.)


RE: Oh really? Not me...
By lexluthermiester on 3/16/2008 2:38:31 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
(think murder in self-defense.)


An excellent example of misunderstood perspective. "Murder" is defined as killing without cause or killing without reasonable cause. If you take a life in the defense of yourself or another person[s], you would in fact be killing with reasonable cause. You would not be committing murder.

Other than that, you have a valid point. There are some laws, however, that have been changed or modified that needed to remain untouched... But I won't go into that...


RE: Oh really? Not me...
By jlips6 on 3/16/2008 2:57:56 PM , Rating: 2
thank you for the correction.


RE: Oh really? Not me...
By johnsonx on 3/16/2008 12:11:29 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
It's there to support corporate greedy people that don't really need the money anyway (read stock holders/board execs) the people that make the games normally get a standard 40-50k salary.


Who is it who pays those salaries? Oh, the corporate greedy people. Rip them off, and they pay fewer of those salaries.


RE: Oh really? Not me...
By Manch on 3/16/2008 1:04:24 AM , Rating: 3
quote:
It's there to support corporate greedy people that don't really need the money anyway (read stock holders/board execs)


I don't even make 40K but I hold stock. So thanks @$$HOLE!


RE: Oh really? Not me...
By Manch on 3/16/2008 12:56:50 AM , Rating: 4
This is what I posted on the COD4 article talking about piracy. I think yours was umber #9 on the list.

Why I justify pirating:

I (INSERT EXCUSE) so I download (YOU MEAN STEAL) it (EXTRA JUSTIFICATION IF NEEDED).

Here below are some excuses you can insert: *extra justification is separated by a "~"

-can't Afford it

-am afraid it might be crap

-can't return it

-spend all of my money on hardware

-don't trust the reviews ~ to make sure it's good.

-like to try before I buy ~ then if it's good I buy it(NO YOU DON'T)

-am broke because of the poor economy took my leisure money

-deserve this game

-am not hurting anyone but the multi-mega-gazillion-billion dollar whore like corporations who feed on the innocent and poor

-feel everything should be handed to me free of charge, and free of the consequences of my actions

-wouldn't if there were a finite number of games available, or if the number of pirated copies equated lost sales -which by any stretch of the imagination will never be the case

-can't drop $50 on a new game when it comes out to see if I like it

-feel the prices that are being charged for video games and computer games right now are way too high for what you are getting

-have no other recourse because it's no longer for sale

-can steal it without suffering any consequences

-am not "stealing" I'm cloning it like as if I were to clone a car

-shouldn't pay American prices when I make several times less money than they do

-am not making any money off of it

-am helping the company obtain media exposure!

I didn't even get half way through this forum before I gave up on copying(or am I pirating!) excuses from all the damn post justifying stealing.

That being said since I may have "procured" some of my "official" excuses from other peoples post, in all fairness I give everyone in the world permission to use my "Official Guide to Justifying Piracy"!!!

Just copy it to notepad or whatever and use as your own! It's OK I swear!


RE: Oh really? Not me...
By lexluthermiester on 3/16/2008 2:25:02 PM , Rating: 2
I'll admit that I've downloaded a few things to try them out and mostly because of some of the reasons you mentioned. But I do buy my stuff. I have a very sizable DVD, CD, Game and software collection. No one can come into my home and be able to walk away calling me a pirate. I however have no issues "sampling" various works I have interest in. I'm not going to invest my money in something unless I know that it will have value to me. I personally think the DMCA is a load of crap, but I understand the reasoning behind it. I simply feel it needs to have been implemented better.


"When an individual makes a copy of a song for himself, I suppose we can say he stole a song." -- Sony BMG attorney Jennifer Pariser

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