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What are you playing: Electroplankton edition
We weren't lying when we said this would become a regular Friday feature like how it originated at Xbox 360 Fanboy. So, another week, another asking. What are you playing? Like we said last week, we recently received Electroplankton and Star Fox: Command. As much as we'd like to say Corneria is saved and currently defended against all ne'er-do-wells, we have to admit that it has been hard to put down Electroplankton. Our favorite gametype in Performance Mode is currently pictured.
An AppleScript to enable Windows keyboards to control a Mac
Someone by the name of UNIXGEEK posted an AppleScript a while ago at Mac Geekery that changes Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger's keyboard layout to play nicely with a Windows keyboard. To be specific: the Command and Option keys are switched on a Windows keyboard (as the Windows key and Alt, respectively), so this script simply changes the layout on Tiger so your non-Apple keyboard still feels like home (sorry pre-Tiger users, Apple only introduced the ability to tinker with keyboard layouts in 10.4). If you aren't a fan of Apple's stock Pro keyboard or the MacBook/Pro 'boards, this script is for you. However, the script at Mac Geekery has a few errors in it, and Engadget's Ryan Block trudged through the post's discussions to make the proper edits to the script, and posted a fixed copy for everyone's benefit (download it from us, not Ryan. We don't wanna hit him with the TUAW effect).As a side note, I think it's funny how attached people can get to one keyboard or another. I'm slowly getting used to this MacBook keyboard, though I've been a die-hard lover of the PowerBook/MacBook Pro's tight and low-travel keys since I've owned one for the last 4 years. Ultimately though, I dislike most keyboards because I used to own an ergonomic - y'know the funny looking split ones? - and that was absolutely killer for both teaching myself better typing habits and making sure I don't get carpal tunnel. The only ergonomic keyboards I can find in stores (since you gotta get your hands on those to really get a feel for 'em) these days are Microsoft's and, while I love their Intellimouse Explorers, their ergonomic keyboards' construction just doesn't feel up to par, and there's far too much needless travel in their keys.But I digress (a lot) - if you're using a non-Apple keyboard on a Mac, enjoy this script for easily swapping the keyboard layout for your Mac computing pleasure.
Terminal Tip: Keep your Mac portable from waking when the lid is opened
Although I'm a Mac Geek by trade, I tend to avoid the terminal unless I'm out of other options. I'm a GUI kind of girl. It's the Mac OS that I love, not its Unix underpinnings. I appreciate the power of the command line - I just don't want to spend all day there. Still, once in a while I come across a tip like the one, which Glenn Fleishman posted in the most recent TidBITS, and I find myself unable to resist the urge to fire up the Terminal. This tip solves a problem that I've experienced myself and many of my clients have complained about - laptops waking from sleep while in their cases because the latch won't keep the lid closed. This can cause overheating, which can lead to a variety of other problems, like hard drive failures, etc. My solution is, of course, to fix the latch! But there are times when that isn't convenient and even if it's convenient it doesn't happen often enough for some people to even bother stressing about it. By harnessing the power of pmset, the command line app that controls power management settings, you can fix it so that your sleeping beauty stays asleep, even when the latch isn't doing its job.The command is an easy one - a single line. Ready for it? sudo pmset lidwake 0 By setting the lidwake value to 0 you prevent the machine from waking until you tap a key on your keyboard, and since the value gets written just to a plist file, it takes hold right away. Of course you'll need administrator privileges since you'll be asked for an admin password before the command is executed.For more pmset options, have a look at the "man" pages at Apple's Darwin Reference library, or open your Terminal and type "man" (without the quotes), hit return and then type "pmset" (without the quotes.)
Nintendo celebrates Star Fox in Animal Crossing
K-Man, whom you may remember from a previous Animal Crossing update, recently wrote in to us documenting his latest free gift from Nintendo. The fact that Nintendo would keep giving away free gifts in the game to keep players active in the game as well as one of its players constantly maintaining their town just reiterates how awesome a game this is. The latest gift given our by Nintendo is none other than an Arwing. The letter from Nintendo reads:"Dear K-man,Star Fox Command stats are live! We were going to give you Slippy, but take this instead!"Congrats on the free gift K-Man and all you other readers out there should make sure you let us know how your town is doing. We're always watching, always listening...[Additional thanks to Reeve, who tipped us off, yet failed to include pictures.]
Star Fox Command developer interview
Producer Takaya Imamura and Director Dylan Cuthbert on the recently-released DS game Star Fox Command conducted an interview with RMC over at Go Nintendo. The interview mainly revolves around the development phase for the game. When asked about taking the game "off rails," Imamura commented that the portable nature of the DS begged for a change.RMC - When it comes to the StarFox series, many of the entries have been on-rails shooters. How did the decision come about for StarFox Command to break from tradition, and go with free roaming game play? Imamura – The main reason relates back to the fact that this is on a portable device. We wanted something that the player would be able to control their playtime. With StarFox Command, the player can choose to go through and just hit the core enemies and complete the levels quickly, or they can go through slowly and take out all of the enemies. Giving the player the ability to pick up and stop when they wanted was one reason to take the game off rails. As you know, on rails has a definite beginning and ending point, which does allow the player that freedom to adjust the time they are playing.Nothing new comes from the interview, but it's a nice long read and insightful look into how Star Fox Command came to be the game you know and love. Or hate, if that's your cup of tea.
Metareview: Star Fox Command
One of the highest-profile Wi-Fi titles of the year has finally released and the critics were quick to offer up their opinions. Generally, the game has seen a fair amount of praise, however critics have mentioned that the title's multiplayer is not exactly on par with the game's single-player experience. The scores are as follows: IGN - 80%: "It's at the very least a great start to the franchise. Bump up the difficulty, add some variety to the missions, bring back the forced-scrolling on-rails levels and the wingman-in-danger elements in a sequel and you'll have yourself the ultimate Star Fox adventure." Gamespot - 75%: "Star Fox Command has great controls and introduces a strategic layer that's fairly interesting. However, the random feel of the story battles and the frantic multiplayer mode don't make the most of this game's solid foundation, which might cause nostalgic fans to long for the series' good old days." 1UP - 70%: " None of the strategy elements that comprised the core of the single-player game are in multiplayer -- how cool would it have been to battle for strategic positions and race to key items on the overhead map against friends? How loudly does this game scream for a custom map editor? Should Command see a sequel, competitive strategic multiplayer ought to be a big part of it." We've heard from the critics, now how about the readers?
Starfox Command Preview
Ever since Starfox Command was released in Japan, the rest of us would like to know what's going on with it. How is Wi-Fi? What about gameplay? Has Starfox redeemed itself from its horrible predecessors on Gamecube? What about graphics and control? Music? Tell us! Luckily, Game Trailers has a very well done video preview to answer all those burning questions and more. Starfox Command is set to release in only a few weeks, if even that. Then we can all get our greedy little hands on it!
The Command and Conquer DS project
If it's one thing we crave more of on our dual-screened handheld, it's some good RTS action. Enter the Command & Conquer DS project, where the goal appears to get Command & Conquer: Tiberian Dawn running on the DS. The project looks to still be in its infancy, but is making some strides toward achieving the goal. Partly because we have a lot of love in our hearts (we aren't exactly human) for those vigilant homebrewsters who sit there coding away late into the morning with only the soft fizz of an open can of Mountain Dew and dim glow of the monitor to keep them company. Partly because we want to try the game. Well, maybe mostly, so do us a favor and try to help out any way you can. The faster it is released the faster we can...love you?[Via Gaming Dump; Thanks Randy!]
Starfox Command reviewed
Gamebrink has posted a review for the Japanese version of Starfox Command, providing overall positive feedback on their experience with the title. While their two biggest gripes about the game are the amount of time it takes to complete the single-player campaign (if you do not take the alternate routes) and overall ease of succeeding in combat, including boss fights, aren't these basically what the only problems people had with the stellar N64 game were? Composing the longer list of things the guys over at Gamebrink enjoyed about the title, the fast-paced, tense gameplay and non-linear progression take the top positions. Also, they state that the stylus-exclusive control of the title really works well and is implemented excellently into the game's overall formula of Arwing-based combat.
Star Fox Command Comic-Con video
ShadowDoubleX, an attendee of Comic-con, was kind enough to post this video of StarFox Command. His excitement was clearly too great because the video is a little jittery but still appreciated. We see a few battle shots and a little animation here and its lookin' good. Basically, you shoot stuff, it blows up. Perfect! [Thanks, ShadowDoubleX!]
Starfox Command looks to shake it up
With the news of 30 stages to traverse in the upcoming Starfox Command, the added news that the game will feature full support for the DS rumble pack, which a few of you might've been able to acquire on the cheap, is like a sweetest cherry on top of our sundae. Also, the game will see the return of mainstay characters in the franchise actually getting into their respective cockpits and taking to the skies alongside Fox across the various game areas. Multiplayer, both locally and through Wi-Fi, also looks to be a very good place to spend some time. August 28 cannot come soon enough...[Via Gamespot]
Starfox Command screens and info
In their ongoing coverage of Starfox Command, Famitsu has revealed some interesting tidbits about the game as well as unveiled several new screenshots and game art. Turns out Fox is all alone now, with his comrades having gone on to greener pastures. With Falco off exploring the vast regions of space, Peppy taking up the role of a general, and Slippy having found the toad of his dreams, Fox continues to fight the good fight alone. This game also marks the return of Star Wolf.Gameplay will be handled via two distinctly different modes. In the map mode, you're charged with using the stylus to trace out a route to your designation, encountering enemies along the way, which then takes you into the adventure mode where you can fly your plane and take out said enemies.
Starfox Command video
Cabel, the gentleman known for his astounding DS Lite review videos, has recently provided the hungry intertron with sustenance in the form of a tasty appetizer Starfox Command video in his E3 2006 wrap-up. The video, which is a bit on the short side and fails to provide any kind of long-term satisfaction, shows Fox flying about one of the game's areas, dodging Tesla-like towers that fire red pulsing beams.[Note: Clicking on the graphic to the right or the Read link at the bottom of the post will take you directly to the .mov file for the clip, which will require Quicktime to play.][Thanks Mikami!]
TUAW Tip: easily open a file or folder location
Here's an easy tip for quickly opening the Finder location of a file you currently have open in almost any app.Let say, for example, that you're working in Photoshop on an image that's buried a few folders deep within your Home folder. You'd like to get to that file's location, but unless you've used Dave Caolo's tip for taking control of your sidebar (or you have another trick up your sleeve), it requires clicking on the Finder icon in the dock, then digging deep into the folder system. Well to bypass all that clicking, all you have to do is command click on the small icon at the top of the image window in Photoshop to open a popup list (pictured) of the full directory structure leading to your file. As you can see, my hard drive is named Stewie (yes, I use Family Guy character names for my drives), and my Home folder is named dcharti. I could then click on any of the folders in that list to immediately open it in the Finder, making it a lot easier to boogie around in the file system.The beauty of this trick is that it *should* work in any OS X app that has a file icon (like Photoshop) in the window's title bar (not the white menu bar which sits at the very top of OS X's desktop), and even in some apps that don't necessarily display that icon. Try it in Word and Illustrator. Then try command clicking on Safari's title bar, as it will give you a list of URLs the frontmost tab has visited (like a tab-specific history). You can even open something like a local PDF file in Safari and it will give you the directory list. I bet this works in all sorts of other apps I haven't even tried yet, but it doesn't seem to work in database-driven apps like Mail.app and NetNewsWire. If you find some handy extras with this trick, feel free to add them to the pile in the comments.
Flickr Find: Command Tattoo
I've seen some Mac tattoos in my day, but this might be the best. Flickr user boogah has a few pictures posted of his new tattoo, so check it out.[via Tom Bridge]
Immediately delete messages from Mail.app with a hotkey
Sure, you can simply hit the delete key in Mail.app to send a message to the Trash, then empty the trash or go in and manually delete the message again to remove it for good. Or, you could use a simple, handy little tip that MacOSXHints tracked down to immediately and permanently delete any message from any folder in Mail.app. You simply need to use the cut command (cmd-x) on any number of messages to permanently remove them from Mail, no Trash middle-man required.Of course, a mild word of caution might be needed here: bypassing the Trash means you're bypassing the trash. That message is gone for good if you use this command, so use it wisely, young Mail.app padawan.[via Hawk Wings]
