Hey Mike,

I'm running a Win7 machine that got installed over XP the weekend after launch. I had made the decision to skip Vista because the only thing it provided was DirectX 10, and that wasn't enough of a reason for me to switch when Vista was released. My hardware at the time wasn't spectacular and I'd been running XP since I switched off ME on XP's launch day.

Anyways, I bought new hardware but decided that I was just going to stick with XP cuz of rumors that Win7 was on its way. I wanted to get onto 64-Bit and I knew that drivers were out that would work for everything i had.

Did the upgrade, couple hours to install. Couple more hours to get all my data off my backups and onto the computer. I have all the same software i was running on my XP rig under Win7 with no issues so far. Some of these programs are well over 6-8 years old. No one thing i have tried to install on Win7 has not worked. It's also been very stable and comes out of sleep mode faster.

I seriously haven't run into a problem since the upgrade.

Look who's calling someone a schmuck.

First of all, if you have that high end of a system in your home, you better have a battery back up and line conditioner to make sure all your super expensive components are safe.

Second, you also will need to buy audio grade Romex to run to that $147 outlet, because the regular stuff isn't made of moon dust in a airtight room and plated in platinum... oh, and make sure it's shielded to prevent any pesky outside EM interference from entering the line

Third, you'll need a special breaker to control the flow of electricity down that special Romex. Don't want to use just any old part at this point.

Forth, Contact the local electrical company to come and replace the meter at your home, because I'm sure that could introduce some interference somewhere down the line.

Finally, While the electric company is out replacing that meter, have them run a new line from the overhead to your home, with the same properties as the Romex you used in step 2.

/sarcasm

Yes, there is a difference between a 'Home Theater in a Box' system that you'll get from Wal-Mart and a true high end piece of home theater equipment, but believing that a special electrical outlet is going to make a noticeable difference in your listening pleasure is absurd. Especially since the first step above (which was the only thing not sarcastic) will take care of any 'faults' the outlet may have.

And, of course, I screwed up in my own post.

The punctuation and grammar in by jesse and hoodgangstaz makes me fear not only for the future of the English language but also the fate of the planet.

From Idiocracy:

".. the English language had deteriorated into a hybrid of hillbilly, valleygirl, inner-city slang and various grunts. Joe was able to understand them, but when he spoke in an ordinary voice he sounded pompous and faggy to them."

It happens more and more every day.

On to the subject now.

3D does have the potential to take off with Glasses required. Early adopters with disposable income will purchase the technology just to look cooler than their friends. Mass adoption of the technology probably won't happen until the requirement to use glasses is gone.

I looked up the Troll Dance from WoW (since I don't play) and it's Capoeira. It's a Brazilian martial arts form. Check out 'Only the strong', it's like the only movie ever based around the form.

I should also add:

Nearly everything Control4 does uses and IP based system of control. The iPod dock, speaker points, controllers, amplifiers, audio switchers, tuners, and touch panels... yeah, they are all controlled over IP. If it's hard wired to the system, it's probably IP controlled.

Of course, then the lighting, thermostats, keypads and remotes are all zigbee and require nothing but power and a decent programmer to make function.

Your comments are laughable.

The GUI being hideous is only the blame of the installer. There are plenty of more than capable programmers out there that can produce exquisite looking panels. It mostly comes down to what the client is willing to pay for. If they want to save money, the standard panel is available. If they want something much prettier and more intuitive, they have to pay for it.

A quality install company can make a near bullet proof system. Does equipment break? Sure, but don't tell me your PC hasn't had a PSU or Vid Card blow up in it's day either.

The systems are only closed to a point. AMX, Crestron and Control4 all can communicate with anything that has the ability to controlled via IR, RS-232, or even IP. Yes, I said IP. Do you really think that AMX, Crestron, and even Control4 don't allow you to control over IP? If that's really what you believe, your very mistaken. I can think of a number of items that we control over IP, including (but not limited to) Video Switchers, Audio Switchers, Lighting Control, etc. All of the touch panels run over IP or WiFi with AMX and Control4 (not sure on Crestron) and some are even PoE.

You may think you know what's going on in the automation field, but your comments are inaccurate at best.

Sounds exactly like Control4.

and THAT is why I LOVE THIS GAME!

Dude, can I come play?

I have been a big, BIG fan of the movie's and both series so far and will be greatly disappointed if this doesn't make it to release.

I really think the Stargate story has the potential to make a nice addition in the MMO world; plenty of different races, a means to travel quickly between Point A and B, and a theme that hasn't been beaten to death. Hell, the Dev's could even be the Ancients :)

Anyways, I wish them the best as they try to raise capital to finish the project