Hello, from Weatherlight

[weatherlight]

Well I have been reading and posting on the Game politics site for a couple of months now and finally found a link to the actual forums. And it looks like I have found my new home page.

Well a little about me. My name is Peter. I'm a 21 year old Mechanical Engineering student studying in northern Germany until July. I have been in Germany since mid-September of 2006. I grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and plan or returning there to finish school.

As an engineer I hope to work on robotics, specifically with the use of polymers. A very specific field, just think of the applications. I have been playing video games since I was 13 and have continued as a hobby for unwinding after a long day.

One of my personal goal is learning as much as I can about people's opinions and what motivates them, so my apologies I like to play "devils advocate" from time to time. I am fascinated at times by what drives people, myself included.

That about sums it up, hope to see you commenting around.

~Weatherlight~

[Garbage Pail Kid]

Hi. I like mechanical and robotic stuff, too. How is Germany? I was supposed to go there on a field trip for German class, but I got canceled, because of Sept. 11. :(

Oh, by the way, pretty soon some dude will post a picture of cats and a bunch of weird rambling. Ignore him.

[weatherlight]

Cool, studying anything of the sort?

Germany is great. Weather is currently overcast, but that comes with the time of year. The country side is beutiful. The people here are differnt, but that is in the culture. Oh and the Beer is outstanding.

[Garbage Pail Kid]

Cool, studying anything of the sort?

Not at the moment, but I took a robotics class and a shop class that dealt with mechanical things in High School. I'm currently a digital art major, although I'm still finishing my general education and electives.

[kurisu7885]

Welcome to the boards.

I'm a bit of a fan of robotics myself and was a part of a robotics team in high school, problem was was a little chaotic, and it didn't hold my interest, I just wanted to learn how to build robots and experiment with my own designs.

And my dad was stationed in Germany at one point. He told me about visiting one of the old concentration camps. Even showed me some pictures. Scary stuff

[seductivpancakes]

Hi. Robots are cool.

[Dagrak]

Welcome to your new eternity my good man! There is no escape!

Warning in the next few posts you will be subjected to King Nintendoids "copypasta" featuring some cats and spiel about never being able to leave...ignore it and maybe he will learn.

[Thefremen]

My sister almost got into robotics until she decided she hated money and wanted to be a teacher instead.

[KN]

Welcome to your new eternity my good man! There is no escape!

Warning in the next few posts you will be subjected to King Nintendoids "copypasta" featuring some cats and spiel about never being able to leave...ignore it and maybe he will learn.

NEVER

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v363/King_nintendoid/pixor/yhelotharcats.png

Welcome to GP. You're ours now. Here's what you can expect.

You'll stay for a while, see a few threads, laugh a bit, and see a few odd things. You'll bookmark the place for further amusement. This is where it all begins.

Before too long, you'll find yourself checking on GP in increased frequencies. First it'll happen occasionally during the week. Then once every day or so. Then more frequently. You'll find yourself checking on it twice a day. Three times. Once per hour. Before you know it, you'll be browsing it for hours at a time.

Slowly, your life will take a back-seat to GP. You'll find yourself forgetting to call people. You'll be late for work because you'll be reading legendary threads. Slowly, your life will decline into a mindless chaos.

As GP and /OT/ slowly consume your mind, your humor will be replaced with our humor. You'll become glued to GP. It'll be the only place you feel accepted. And then, you'll start accepting the weirder conventions. You'll find yourself fapping to all sorts of odd things you used to find disgusting. But now it'll all be commonplace for you, as a normal part of your life. Your personality.

And then, someday down the road, you'll realize what has happened to you. Your loved ones will have left you. You'll be alone. Unemployed. Struggling to survive. And worst of all, you'll be hooked. You won't be able to fight it, because we will be all you know, and all you remember. You'll slowly dissolve into madness, or mindless stupidity. Whichever comes first. And then, one day, you will snap, and all remains of your former self will be crushed under our weight.

Welcome, my friend. Welcome, my brother.

Welcome to your new home.

Welcome to GP.

[Dagrak]

NEVER


Bah! One day KN I shall defeat thee! One day I shall return and destroy you all!!*





*May or may not be VICIOUS LIES!!!

[Grahamr]

One of my personal goal is learning as much as I can about people's opinions and what motivates them, so my apologies I like to play "devils advocate" from time to time. I am fascinated at times by what drives people, myself included.

That about sums it up, hope to see you commenting around.

~Weatherlight~

We have much in common.

@Dagrak-I'm going to one-shot you!
:cool:

[Dagrak]

We have much in common.

@Dagrak-I'm going to one-shot you!
:cool:

Bring it on!!:D

[Grahamr]

Bring it on!!:D
Bring it on!!:D

I just copied your text! I have copypasta skills! I can duplicate your abilities!

What ever will you do?!

[weatherlight]

Not at the moment, but I took a robotics class and a shop class that dealt with mechanical things in High School. I'm currently a digital art major, although I'm still finishing my general education and electives.
Digital art? What do you do for that subject?

Welcome to the boards.

I'm a bit of a fan of robotics myself and was a part of a robotics team in high school, problem was was a little chaotic, and it didn't hold my interest, I just wanted to learn how to build robots and experiment with my own designs.

And my dad was stationed in Germany at one point. He told me about visiting one of the old concentration camps. Even showed me some pictures. Scary stuff
The possible application of polymers to robotics is amazing. Human replacement limbs are just one of many ideas.
Germany is a great country. I enjoy the difference in culture, however it does have it dark moments. I recommed visiting it sometime in your life.

As to everyone else thank you for the welcome. Im sure my name will be poping up everywere.

[ZippyDSMlee]

Digital art? What do you do for that subject?


The possible application of polymers to robotics is amazing. Human replacement limbs are just one of many ideas.
Germany is a great country. I enjoy the difference in culture, however it does have it dark moments. I recommed visiting it sometime in your life.

As to everyone else thank you for the welcome. Im sure my name will be poping up everywere.

Hows the ban on media there is it that much in your face or just a mere annoyance that any place can have.

[weatherlight]

Hows the ban on media there is it that much in your face or just a mere annoyance that any place can have.
Actualy in the north it is currently a non-existant topic. I have however stopped playing CSS in the student union, just because I dont need to create a stir.

There are only two "states" over here that were pushing for anytype of ban. Saxony and the northern most "county" in Bavaria. However it has seemed to have become a mute point right now because of issues with EU. When they were reporting on this topic, oppinions were taken from a very small area and did not reflect the oppinions of the country.

We talked about this as an issue in our humanities class and was an option for our final presentation, but no one really wanted to touch it. We have a very nice, but a very strong willed anti-war teacher. So instead we talked about WMD's and Guncontrol.

If it means anything, I can still walk down to the local Karstadt (think like a higher scale Walmart, what Sears used to be) and pick up a copy of GTA:SA which is kept in plain view, something that I couldnt do back home. So I have to say that people invented an issue where there was none.

[ZippyDSMlee]

Actualy in the north it is currently a non-existant topic. I have however stopped playing CSS in the student union, just because I dont need to create a stir.

There are only two "states" over here that were pushing for anytype of ban. Saxony and the northern most "county" in Bavaria. However it has seemed to have become a mute point right now because of issues with EU. When they were reporting on this topic, oppinions were taken from a very small area and did not reflect the oppinions of the country.

We talked about this as an issue in our humanities class and was an option for our final presentation, but no one really wanted to touch it. We have a very nice, but a very strong willed anti-war teacher. So instead we talked about WMD's and Guncontrol.

If it means anything, I can still walk down to the local Karstadt (think like a higher scale Walmart, what Sears used to be) and pick up a copy of GTA:SA which is kept in plain view, something that I couldnt do back home. So I have to say that people invented an issue where there was none.
Can you do that with DOOM3,Quake 4,RE4 or Dead raseing with the unedited ones?

to me GTA is a non issue because theres no gore,poor/low sexual and violent content.

I mean really its almost like POTC stealing drugs fighting and women.

Speaking of movies is that noticeable?

it is like the US where some things are ok in some citys but others are very "limited" when I read about banning and other things I think more of a "one country" thing which I should not even japan has its inner regions.

Does Germany has a complete ratings system (it should but I am un sure)for games kid to adult?
I know Austriala dose not and they are the other ban happy country I know of.

BTW I am a wee bit odd I hope you don't mind me bothering you ><

[weatherlight]

Can you do that with DOOM3,Quake 4,RE4 or Dead raseing with the unedited ones?

to me GTA is a non issue because theres no gore,poor/low sexual and violent content.

I mean really its almost like POTC stealing drugs fighting and women.

Speaking of movies is that noticeable?

it is like the US where some things are ok in some citys but others are very "limited" when I read about banning and other things I think more of a "one country" thing which I should not even japan has its inner regions.

Does Germany has a complete ratings system (it should but I am un sure)for games kid to adult?
I know Austriala dose not and they are the other ban happy country I know of.

BTW I am a wee bit odd I hope you don't mind me bothering you ><
I dont recall seeing those games, but I wasnt looking for them. I recall posibly seeing quake. Tell you what though, I will go to the store tomorrow and check for you.

Movies, I dont see a lot of horror movies, but again I will check tomorrow. I really dont watch them so I dont take notice. The one big difference I noticed is you can find movies that contain significant pornographic material in clear view. That does not mean that they stock porno's in the normal stores, but it is more common to see something of that nature, in contrast to "violent" images.

[Dagrak]

Bring it on!!:D

I just copied your text! I have copypasta skills! I can duplicate your abilities!

What ever will you do?!

Well all things considered, I'm afraid you'll have to die

*powers up lightsaber (red)*

[steelcobra]

Jumps in with dual lightsabers and intercepts your blade.
http://pics.livejournal.com/1steelcobra/pic/000187ek

[ZippyDSMlee]

I dont recall seeing those games, but I wasnt looking for them. I recall posibly seeing quake. Tell you what though, I will go to the store tomorrow and check for you.

Movies, I dont see a lot of horror movies, but again I will check tomorrow. I really dont watch them so I dont take notice. The one big difference I noticed is you can find movies that contain significant pornographic material in clear view. That does not mean that they stock porno's in the normal stores, but it is more common to see something of that nature, in contrast to "violent" images.

Dont go out of your way ^^
I know Europe is liek that nudity is "ok" while media violence is not (its arse backwards in teh states) do you notice anythign music wise is it still a untouched meduim?

From what I have heard from people I have chatted with in Austrila they activity restrict all baned items and can confiscate imports.

I do not believe Germany is that bad they just want control over whats in the store fronts to a degree,edit witch is not bad as long as the restriction dose not stop a adult from importing or buying it from a store that can sell itedit,I dislike any government to actively ban media it dose not like because it dose lead down a bad road,however if its not enforced or can not be enforced the they the polis are only making them selfs and their voters feel good.

[Dagrak]

Jumps in with dual lightsabers and intercepts your blade.


You Jedi, always showing off

http://www.dagrak.com/gpsaber2.jpg

[steelcobra]

I love my little tripod and timer mode. And my camera (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canons2is/)'s fliparound LCD is great for framing perfect shots.

[Dagrak]

I love my little tripod and timer mode. And my camera (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canons2is/)'s fliparound LCD is great for framing perfect shots.

I had to spend a few moments in photoshop just to make it visible (downside of black robes!)!

[steelcobra]

For $440, it had better have really good automatic adjustment of F-stop and light level.

I uploaded that pic to the net straight off the SD card.

[weatherlight]

Dont go out of your way ^^
I know Europe is liek that nudity is "ok" while media violence is not (its arse backwards in teh states) do you notice anythign music wise is it still a untouched meduim?

From what I have heard from people I have chatted with in Austrila they activity restrict all baned items and can confiscate imports.

I do not believe Germany is that bad they just want control over whats in the store fronts to a degree,edit witch is not bad as long as the restriction dose not stop a adult from importing or buying it from a store that can sell itedit,I dislike any government to actively ban media it dose not like because it dose lead down a bad road,however if its not enforced or can not be enforced the they the polis are only making them selfs and their voters feel good.
Dont worry about it, I have other reasons to go into town. I will say I love that the bus system over here, especialy since university students ride free, or at half off.

[ZippyDSMlee]

Dont worry about it, I have other reasons to go into town. I will say I love that the bus system over here, especialy since university students ride free, or at half off.

thanks it would be nice to know ^^

I am starting to see a new picture of Germany in my head one that passes stern laws but lets the regions handle details of it,of coarse this is a balanced view I should have had from the start ><

I think also they focus on 1 movie or game and totally ban it till something else gains their attention I dunno I am graping at straws here *L*

[weatherlight]

Sorry it took me an extra day, all stores are closed here on Sunday and they closed early this past Saturday for no reason.

I checked the store stock and they had openly displayed PC versions of Doom III uncensored, Quake 4, Fear, and a number of other titles that were fairly graphic. I didn’t bother to check the Xbox 360 or PS2 titles because I’m not familiar with the games.

As for movies, I saw the Godfather boxed set, SAW 1 & 2, all of the exorcist movies and a ton of other "Horror" flicks that I wont watch because of their graphic nature.

Germanys rating system for games I did not look to closely at. The highest rating is effectively 16+, depending on the origin of the game their are different levels marked on the package 10, 12, 14, any games that are not rated cannot be sold in normal stores. So I would not call it complete.

Importing games, by carrying them in "on person" you can bring about anything. I got a full copy of the new wolfenstein game though. Though it is banned from distribution/sale in Germany. Movies I didn’t try to bring any that would raise a flag. As for mailing them, its a hit or miss. Sometimes they will confiscate them, other times tax you to death, or it will come though no problems.

Hope this helps you out a bit. If I missed anything let me know.

[ZippyDSMlee]

Sorry it took me an extra day, all stores are closed here on Sunday and they closed early this past Saturday for no reason.

I checked the store stock and they had openly displayed PC versions of Doom III uncensored, Quake 4, Fear, and a number of other titles that were fairly graphic. I didn’t bother to check the Xbox 360 or PS2 titles because I’m not familiar with the games.

As for movies, I saw the Godfather boxed set, SAW 1 & 2, all of the exorcist movies and a ton of other "Horror" flicks that I wont watch because of their graphic nature.

Germanys rating system for games I did not look to closely at. The highest rating is effectively 16+, depending on the origin of the game their are different levels marked on the package 10, 12, 14, any games that are not rated cannot be sold in normal stores. So I would not call it complete.

Importing games, by carrying them in "on person" you can bring about anything. I got a full copy of the new wolfenstein game though. Though it is banned from distribution/sale in Germany. Movies I didn’t try to bring any that would raise a flag. As for mailing them, its a hit or miss. Sometimes they will confiscate them, other times tax you to death, or it will come though no problems.

Hope this helps you out a bit. If I missed anything let me know.

Sounds like a typical broken overly restrictive and poorly enforced system they do and don't do allot of things its kind of a mess and can easily get worse depending on the poli power of the year.

lests thats my take on it.

[steelcobra]

Though it's easier to get stuff through the mail here if you're military. The APO section of the USPS doesn't have any import restrictions or tariffs because it's technically still in the US when the soldier gets it.

[ZippyDSMlee]

Though it's easier to get stuff through the mail here if you're military. The APO section of the USPS doesn't have any import restrictions or tariffs because it's technically still in the US when the soldier gets it.

its a mess but then all countries have messy laws over some mainstream stuff.
its good to know our soilders are not restricted they need all the relaxation they can get ^^

[steelcobra]

Especially since AAFES (http://aafessucks.com/) pretty much has a stranglehold on our money, as the euro is worth 1.30 US. And the local sales tax is ****ing ridiculous.

[KN]

Especially since AAFES (http://aafessucks.com/) pretty much has a stranglehold on our money, as the euro is worth 1.30 US. And the local sales tax is ****ing ridiculous.

You mean VAT? Is that 19% in Germany too?

[steelcobra]

I think so. We can get around it with a special form, but it's still ridiculous. Back home the sales tax is only 6.5/7% (Minneapolis has an extra .5% over the rest of the state).

[weatherlight]

The VAT is 19% in germany, but when reciving stuff by mail you can get taxed a lot more then that. One issue that has come up in the past is that the US military does not have to follow the package guidlines, so its it considerably easier to get "banned" or otherwise hard to get items in the south by the bases.

[steelcobra]

Well, that's also because the Army Post Office is considered an extension of the United States Post Office, and thus less restricted by customs.

[weatherlight]

Well, that's also because the Army Post Office is considered an extension of the United States Post Office, and thus less restricted by customs.
Yep I just wish I had someone to ship my calculator to. I ended up spending 100 euro in taxes for importing my used TI-89. Did that ever tick me off when I got the bill.