Astronomer

Just dropped a second superclocked EVGA GTX 680 into my rig. I pushed the thresholds on the power target to max and added +58Mhz on the GPU clock offset. Next up is to upgrade the firmware on them with hacked versions that unlock voltages, fan speeds (out of the box the fans will only go to 85% of capability to keep the sound low. Dumb idea in my opinion. Let ME decide how much fan noise is acceptable) etc. Then I'll slowly bump the clocks up, find a stable maximum, then back it off a bit from that peak.

be easy on me. i havent been stretched in a bit. I'm sure you won't be stretched. Crushed, blown-up, sniped, stabbed maybe... Half the battle is learning which skills/weapons are available to each class. The other half is choosing a class that strengthens the squad e.g. if there are no players in "support" they may actually need someone to replenish their ammo. (I also like that class as one can use C4!) Try to join the clan servers when they are sparsely populated as that is a good time to practise flying. If you get a bird airborne when the server is full you will be dead meat within seconds as a new player. I discovered that when I first tried it online a few months back. Got my ass fragged near-contiguously, and haven't gone back yet. I plan on playing the single player game for a bit to get used to the game mechanics, then dip my toes into the online games again. Been playing COD-WAW for 3-4 years now. Time to try something different.

Congrats there Merlin, and Merry Christmas!

Love it!

Thanks muchly for keeping the COD-WAW engines a-humming!

Mine's pretty obvious if you take a look at my Avatar. Astronomy is my passion. A night at a dark-sky site with my telescope and a few good friends is the best tonic for the soul that I can think of. When I do public outreach with my club, seeing a child's or a senior's eyes light up when they see the rings of Saturn through the eyepiece for themselves for the first time is immensely satisfying.

I've been clouded out the past couple, and it looks like i will be for this one. Drat!

You Idiot! Look at what you've done! Glad to see you with the tags.

Awesome indeed! You're a lucky guy. Great cause!

No I don't want you to trust an armed civilian...You live in Canada...You are expected to just stand there and not defend yourself or try to out run the bullets your assailant sends your way...Myself on the other hand will defend myself and those around me and terminate the threat... :) No problem. Just try and avoid collateral damage i.e. killing or maiming other people. I agree we're in a different situation up here. Tighter controls on guns and far fewer gun deaths per capita. Different situations, different cultures altogether. I did state that the genie is out of the bottle down there, and your situation is unique, and much like Afghanistan or Mexico for comparison. I heard an interview this evening on the CBC radio news magazine "As It Happens" with a photo-journalist who's covered wars, crime scenes, and the Hell that Mexico has become. He's seen and documented the aftermath of hundreds of gun murders, seen many lives extinguished first-hand, and spoken with many of those on the business-end of the deaths - both good and bad guys. His perspective is riveting, his observations insightful, and I'm glad that I live where I do, and I worry for my family living in the USA. Stay safe and all the best to you and your family over the holidays.

I'll post here if I hear that my British Commonwealth brothers/sisters intend to invade. No one here is concerned about an invasion from another country but being robbed and killed by the crack head a few streets over is a real concern...Your answer just shows how little you really understand this country... :) Your answer shows how little you understand humour. No offence. If Crack and crackheads are the problem, why not tackle - seriously, and with real intent - the issues that cause crack and crime to be common. If crackheads are an issue in your neighbourhood, move. And please don't patronize me. Scratch that. As per Little-Old-Man, I'm expected to have a thicker skin, damned progressive, liberal, leftie, commie, puppie-eating, atheist that I are be

I recall a trained policewoman on a talk show recently describing confronting a gunman in a hallway. Despite her firearms training, close range, and the confined area, only one of her 5 shots hit the gunman. Recall the Empire State Building incident in August where two trained police officers hit the gunman 7 times, but 9 bystanders were injured by police bullets and fragments from ricochets (http://online.wsj.co...3836585324.html). In a situation, adrenaline is PUMPING. Hard. Highly-trained police officers cannot avoid the stress reaction and their accuracy is impaired. Given that, you want me to trust a civilian with high-power big-clip weaponry i.e. AR-15? Most folks would like to believe that they'd be Dirty Harry in a situation; cool, calm, and icily focused. Good luck with that. Guns should be sold with a free pack of Depends™.

I'll post here if I hear that my British Commonwealth brothers/sisters intend to invade.

Do a need a tank? It depends on who I'm fighting. I'd like to have a bigger gun than my enemy. If your opponent has a tank, I'd consider moving to a different neighbourhood...

Based on past gun buybacks, NONE of those guns that Chicago took in could probably be fired. That's the repeating scenario at ALL of the buybacks. Folks bring in their absolute garbarge that they couldn't sell for $20 to have the taxpayers buy them for $200+. In fact, I know of several "collectors" that go looking for garbage guns for the explicit purpose building an inventory for profit at the taxpayers expense when the stupidass cops decide to waste our money on propaganda. One more point, if someone is hellbent on killing someone, it's not just a gun that will be the weapon of choice. A baseball bat, a knife or a pipe will do the job just as well. I hate to cliche, but GUNS DON'T KILL PEOPLE, PEOPLE KILL PEOPLE. You could confiscate every fucking gun in the country and the murder rate won't change. Criminals will be the only ones left with guns (they will use them too) when our legal rights are stripped by liberal-peacenic dolts. If you want to reduce crime and murder, make it a law that EVERYONE has to carry. That will make 99% of the idiot criminals think long and hard before they commit a crime. It's funny, when you know there's a good chance you'll die during committing a crime, you'll probably give up the idea. Think about it this way - How many times have you heard of some dumbass trying to go into a police station or military base to steal? Obivously, they don't because the odds of dying are so high. Conversely, think about some old lady or whimp walking down the street alone, an easy target, However, if it was manditory to carry a gun, even those types of people would become far less ripe as targets and criminals would think twice (or three times) about robbing them knowing there's a good chance the intended victim will resist or even kill them. How many drive-by knifings have you read about in the news recently? Innocent bystanders killed in a knife fight...? A good question that I read recently was "If a child in the school yard is throwing rocks at other kids, does it maker sense to give rocks to all the other kids so they can defend themselves?" Look, I get it that the genie is out of the bottle in the USA in regards to guns - 250,000,000 in circulation last estimate - but when there's talk of gun regulation, it does not mean "blanket ban". Does the average citizen really need an AR-15 assault rifle with a large clip capable of firing shit-loads of rounds per minute? Your question is moot...As long as he/she is a law abiding citizen they have the CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT to own it... :) I'm not disputing the right to bear arms, but I don't believe that the 2nd amendment said anything about not allowing reasonable limits to ownership. Should the average person be allowed to easily acquire and own a 7.62mm Dillon Aero M134?

Based on past gun buybacks, NONE of those guns that Chicago took in could probably be fired. That's the repeating scenario at ALL of the buybacks. Folks bring in their absolute garbarge that they couldn't sell for $20 to have the taxpayers buy them for $200+. In fact, I know of several "collectors" that go looking for garbage guns for the explicit purpose building an inventory for profit at the taxpayers expense when the stupidass cops decide to waste our money on propaganda. One more point, if someone is hellbent on killing someone, it's not just a gun that will be the weapon of choice. A baseball bat, a knife or a pipe will do the job just as well. I hate to cliche, but GUNS DON'T KILL PEOPLE, PEOPLE KILL PEOPLE. You could confiscate every fucking gun in the country and the murder rate won't change. Criminals will be the only ones left with guns (they will use them too) when our legal rights are stripped by liberal-peacenic dolts. If you want to reduce crime and murder, make it a law that EVERYONE has to carry. That will make 99% of the idiot criminals think long and hard before they commit a crime. It's funny, when you know there's a good chance you'll die during committing a crime, you'll probably give up the idea. Think about it this way - How many times have you heard of some dumbass trying to go into a police station or military base to steal? Obivously, they don't because the odds of dying are so high. Conversely, think about some old lady or whimp walking down the street alone, an easy target, However, if it was manditory to carry a gun, even those types of people would become far less ripe as targets and criminals would think twice (or three times) about robbing them knowing there's a good chance the intended victim will resist or even kill them. How many drive-by knifings have you read about in the news recently? Innocent bystanders killed in a knife fight...? A good question that I read recently was "If a child in the school yard is throwing rocks at other kids, does it maker sense to give rocks to all the other kids so they can defend themselves?" Look, I get it that the genie is out of the bottle in the USA in regards to guns - 250,000,000 in circulation last estimate - but when there's talk of gun regulation, it does not mean "blanket ban". Does the average citizen really need an AR-15 assault rifle with a large clip capable of firing shit-loads of rounds per minute?

In a rural area about 20 minutes drive from London. I work there in the South end.

"South Detroit"? Isn't that Windsor? I live on the "M".

No Omaha Beach map in COD5. There's the one with the village on one end and a bunker on the hill at the top, with tunnels, and beaches all around. Not sure if this is that one. Wait - I think I know which one...I can visualize it. Port on one end, enclosed by a wire fence, warehouses on one side, tower and a building on the other. Looking towards the other side on the left, a hill, looking into a tunnel/bunker entrance with several side tunnels and whatnot. To the right is another entrance, a downed plane, and a village, and paths through the jungle with hills. That the one?

>XI< Code of Conduct XI is an adult clan with no prohibitions on use of language except for two primary rules: no racist remarks, and no personal attacks. You need to check your sensitive feelings at the door when you come here: if you don't like it, don't look at it or don't comment on it. If you believe someone has broken one of our rules, let an admin know and we will take action as needed. We also do not tolerate cheating or disrespect by members or guests, and insist on good sportsmanship. Violations can lead to permanent bans. We play for fun, we play with honor, and we strive to treat each other with respect and consideration. No one, member or guest, is above our Code. ...and last I heard, discussion of politics (banished to its own hidden corner) and religion are banned. With good reason. I recall a discussion on political candidate's faith getting shut down as disrespectful or divisive or somesuch. How is calling someone a fool for not being believing in what another group believes any different, hmmm? I'm not actually all that sensitive, but there has to be some consistency, don't you think? Wow, where do I start? How about determining if Atheism is a religion or not? Atheism is the absence of god-belief. Atheism has no dogma, no rites, no holy books, no places of worship and no clergy of any description. It offers no moral guidance, no political opinions and no world view. It is not a religion. In effect, calling an atheist a fool doesn't fall under a religious or political discussion, although you're doing your best to turn it into one. So, we've determined that the original post was a joke about an event that never happened. By design, most jokes (at least the good ones) are for the most part fictional in nature. I must have missed your outrage in the other forums when somebody posted a blonde joke (ie: calling blondes foolish or stupid), or outrage over something to do with Muslims. For your argument to hold water, certainly you would be policing the forums and alerting the webmaster to any post that could be potentionally offensive to other XI members (in the spirit of consistency of course). You make no attempt to hide your feelings about American politics and gun ownership. How would you describe Americans who don't agree with your views about Americans? Foolish? Perhaps you're not saying it out loud but you certainly come across that way, and as foolish as your posts look to us simple minded, gun toting and God fearing Americans, you don't see us attempting to have any of your posts removed or changed to a forum that the majority of XI member don't read any longer. So I'll repeat what I said earlier and what it says on the home page of this web site. You need to check your sensitive feelings at the door when you come here: if you don't like it, don't look at it or don't comment on it. OK big guy. You and I obviously don't see eye-to-eye on many most things, but your presumption on what I think about Americans as a generalization is so off-base as to be insulting. Do not presume to project your opinions of non-Americans and Liberals on me. Don't even go there. Do not presume to speak for all American either, or all Conservatives for that matter , as you obviously consider Liberals and Progressives as un-American.. Your generalizations and assumptions are the ones that are foolish here, bud. Your definition of Atheism/Secular Humanism/non-theism is dictionary correct until you got to this part: "It offers no moral guidance, no political opinions and no world view" (I consider that willful flame-bait) but I will point put that all surveys of religious affiliation includes them, and their definition is in context and contrast with major religions and religious belief, and therefore must be afforded the same consideration that they ask - demand - in terms of respect. FYI, Secular Humanism, or just Humanism: "It posits that human beings are capable of being ethical and moral without religion or a god. It does not, however, assume that humans are either inherently evil or innately good, nor does it present humans as being superior to nature. Rather, the humanist life stance emphasizes the unique responsibility facing humanity and the ethical consequences of human decisions. Fundamental to the concept of secular humanism is the strongly held viewpoint that ideology—be it religious or political—must be thoroughly examined by each individual and not simply accepted or rejected on faith. Along with this, an essential part of secular humanism is a continually adapting search for truth, primarily through science and philosophy. Many Humanists derive their moral codes from a philosophy of utilitarianism, ethical naturalism or evolutionary ethics, and some advocate a science of morality." According to the Council for Secular Humanism, within the United States, the term "secular humanism" describes a world view with the following elements and principles:[7] Need to test beliefs – A conviction that dogmas, ideologies and traditions, whether religious, political or social, must be weighed and tested by each individual and not simply accepted by faith. Reason, evidence, scientific method – A commitment to the use of critical reason, factual evidence and scientific method of inquiry in seeking solutions to human problems and answers to important human questions. Fulfillment, growth, creativity – A primary concern with fulfillment, growth and creativity for both the individual and humankind in general. Search for truth – A constant search for objective truth, with the understanding that new knowledge and experience constantly alter our imperfect perception of it. This life – A concern for this life (as opposed to an afterlife) and a commitment to making it meaningful through better understanding of ourselves, our history, our intellectual and artistic achievements, and the outlooks of those who differ from us. Ethics – A search for viable individual, social and political principles of ethical conduct, judging them on their ability to enhance human well-being and individual responsibility. Justice and fairness – an interest in securing justice and fairness in society and in eliminating discrimination and intolerance. Building a better world – A conviction that with reason, an open exchange of ideas, good will, and tolerance, progress can be made in building a better world for ourselves and our children. My initial post here was intended to point out a double standard that exists and is accepted in society, and to point out that threads that were perceived to demean Christians were taken down that were far less baiting than the joke that started this. Note that the "joke" was initially believed to be a report of an actual event.

>XI< Code of Conduct XI is an adult clan with no prohibitions on use of language except for two primary rules: no racist remarks, and no personal attacks. You need to check your sensitive feelings at the door when you come here: if you don't like it, don't look at it or don't comment on it. If you believe someone has broken one of our rules, let an admin know and we will take action as needed. We also do not tolerate cheating or disrespect by members or guests, and insist on good sportsmanship. Violations can lead to permanent bans. We play for fun, we play with honor, and we strive to treat each other with respect and consideration. No one, member or guest, is above our Code. ...and last I heard, discussion of politics (banished to its own hidden corner) and religion are banned. With good reason. I recall a discussion on political candidate's faith getting shut down as disrespectful or divisive or somesuch. How is calling someone a fool for not being believing in what another group believes any different, hmmm? I'm not actually all that sensitive, but there has to be some consistency, don't you think? Wow, where do I start? How about determining if Atheism is a religion or not? Atheism is the absence of god-belief. Atheism has no dogma, no rites, no holy books, no places of worship and no clergy of any description. It offers no moral guidance, no political opinions and no world view. It is not a religion. In effect, calling an atheist a fool doesn't fall under a religious or political discussion, although you're doing your best to turn it into one. So, we've determined that the original post was a joke about an event that never happened. By design, most jokes (at least the good ones) are for the most part fictional in nature. I must have missed your outrage in the other forums when somebody posted a blonde joke (ie: calling blondes foolish or stupid), or outrage over something to do with Muslims. For your argument to hold water, certainly you would be policing the forums and alerting the webmaster to any post that could be potentionally offensive to other XI members (in the spirit of consistency of course). You make no attempt to hide your feelings about American politics and gun ownership. How would you describe Americans who don't agree with your views about Americans? Foolish? Perhaps you're not saying it out loud but you certainly come across that way, and as foolish as your posts look to us simple minded, gun toting and God fearing Americans, you don't see us attempting to have any of your posts removed or changed to a forum that the majority of XI member don't read any longer. So I'll repeat what I said earlier and what it says on the home page of this web site. You need to check your sensitive feelings at the door when you come here: if you don't like it, don't look at it or don't comment on it. OK big guy. You and I obviously don't see eye-to-eye on many most things, but your presumption on what I think about Americans as a generalization is so off-base as to be insulting. Do not presume to project your opinions of non-Americans and Liberals on me. Don't even go there. Your generalisations and assumptions are the ones that are foolish here, bud. Your definition of Atheism/Secular Humanism/non-theism is dictionary correct until you got ton this part: "It offers no moral guidance, no political opinions and no world view" (I consider that willful flame-bait) but I will point put that all surveys of religious affiliation includes them, and their definition is in context and contrast with major religions and religious belief, and therefore must be afforded the same consideration that they ask - demand - in terms of respect. FYI, Secular Humanism, or just Humanism: "It posits that human beings are capable of being ethical and moral without religion or a god. It does not, however, assume that humans are either inherently evil or innately good, nor does it present humans as being superior to nature. Rather, the humanist life stance emphasizes the unique responsibility facing humanity and the ethical consequences of human decisions. Fundamental to the concept of secular humanism is the strongly held viewpoint that ideology—be it religious or political—must be thoroughly examined by each individual and not simply accepted or rejected on faith. Along with this, an essential part of secular humanism is a continually adapting search for truth, primarily through science and philosophy. Many Humanists derive their moral codes from a philosophy of utilitarianism, ethical naturalism or evolutionary ethics, and some advocate a science of morality." According to the Council for Secular Humanism, within the United States, the term "secular humanism" describes a world view with the following elements and principles:[7] Need to test beliefs – A conviction that dogmas, ideologies and traditions, whether religious, political or social, must be weighed and tested by each individual and not simply accepted by faith. Reason, evidence, scientific method – A commitment to the use of critical reason, factual evidence and scientific method of inquiry in seeking solutions to human problems and answers to important human questions. Fulfillment, growth, creativity – A primary concern with fulfillment, growth and creativity for both the individual and humankind in general. Search for truth – A constant search for objective truth, with the understanding that new knowledge and experience constantly alter our imperfect perception of it. This life – A concern for this life (as opposed to an afterlife) and a commitment to making it meaningful through better understanding of ourselves, our history, our intellectual and artistic achievements, and the outlooks of those who differ from us. Ethics – A search for viable individual, social and political principles of ethical conduct, judging them on their ability to enhance human well-being and individual responsibility. Justice and fairness – an interest in securing justice and fairness in society and in eliminating discrimination and intolerance. Building a better world – A conviction that with reason, an open exchange of ideas, good will, and tolerance, progress can be made in building a better world for ourselves and our children. My initial post here was intended to point out a double standard that exists and is accepted in society, and to point out that threads that were perceived to demean Christians were taken down that were far less baiting than the joke that started this. Note hat the "joke" was initially believed to be a report of an actual event.

People Who Talk Funny Explained:

I'm from People Who Talk Funny, but I now live in SMOG.

>XI< Code of Conduct XI is an adult clan with no prohibitions on use of language except for two primary rules: no racist remarks, and no personal attacks. You need to check your sensitive feelings at the door when you come here: if you don't like it, don't look at it or don't comment on it. If you believe someone has broken one of our rules, let an admin know and we will take action as needed. We also do not tolerate cheating or disrespect by members or guests, and insist on good sportsmanship. Violations can lead to permanent bans. We play for fun, we play with honor, and we strive to treat each other with respect and consideration. No one, member or guest, is above our Code. ...and last I heard, discussion of politics (banished to its own hidden corner) and religion are banned. With good reason. I recall a discussion on political candidate's faith getting shut down as disrespectful or divisive or somesuch. How is calling someone a fool for not being believing in what another group believes any different, hmmm? I'm not actually all that sensitive, but there has to be some consistency, don't you think?

So, how would you react and feel if someone posted a lame joke that called Christians fools? Probably the same way that I reacted and felt when I saw the lame joke that started this thread.