In Windows XP creates a system restore point every 24 hours and whenever you make changes to the system. The problem I was having is that when my available disk space was shrinking the system restore points were getting more and more defragmented. This normally wouldn’t be a problem but for some reason the disk defrag says these restore points are unmovable files. Well I looked for a solution and the most obvious one is to use the disk cleanup wizard to delete the restore points. The only problem I had with this is that the wizard doesn’t delete the latest restore point. This creates a fragmented restore point that fragments the newest restore point. Basically I will always have an unmovable restore point unless I can find a way to delete every single one of them.

I found a way. In the Windows XP Control Panel go to the System Restore tab and check “Turn off System Restore on all drives” and then click OK. This will delete all the system restore points. After you have turned off system restore run the defrag utility and then enable system restore and you have a cleaned up drive.

I’ve known about this for a while but I forgot how to do it and I was getting frustrated that I couldn’t remember how to do it. Hopefully writing this out will make me remember.

So I check out the trends feature a realized something, I can’t maintain a normal sleep schedule.

So at 3-4am is the drop due to no one else publishing or me sleeping.

I thought this was a really cool picture. Follow the link for the larger version

I think someone at id noticed how cool my domain name was. QuakeZero will be the official name of the next Quake Arena and it will be free!

We don’t want to create a game just for the hardcore players as it’s not broad enough of an audience, and we want to bring new players in, that’s why we’re doing QuakeZero and releasing it for free.

id Software claimed to have a goal of making the most balanced multi-player game possible, thats cool. They also want to make it accessible graphics wise so I wouldn’t expect any jumps in rendering technology. Its taken game developers awhile to figure out that only single player games can exclude people but multi-player games are all about the number of people that can play. More players means lower system requirements. Something I dont like is the jump to completive gaming means a tamer game so that it can be shown on TV. Luckily it sounds like it will be a feature that you can disable.

Read the interview with Marty Stratton.

It is now possible to take over a users entire screen with an unclosable window. Time to turn off java or more drastically javascript all together. I use noscript but I’ve enabled it to allow the site only the domain I’m visiting. This exploit (5 clicks to close) works in every browser I’ve tried. NoScript fixes the problem if you turn off disable the offending site. Internet explorer users will probably have a harder time with this due to market share compared to firefox.

There is also a javascript popup exploit in the wild that is modal and prevents you from closing the browser without ctrl-alt-del. Unfortantely I didn’t save an example. This combined with all the new exploits like computer finger printing with res timing as well as credential theft with XMLHTTPRequest.

Remember all the sites you could send people in 2000 to that totally fucked over their computers? They’re possibly making a come back. Firefox should hopefully be safer in a month but I wouldn’t have hopes for IE6 or IE7. It will be the bane of the internet in a few weeks when it makes its way into the wild.

I’ve been following justin.tv for a while and today they got a new update to their layout. Call me a voyeur but I find it entertaining to be able to log in and see someone else doing absolutely nothing to help convince me that my boredom isn’t a unusual trait. I can’t say that I’m that pleased with the update, many of the features that would make the service truly great are still missing.

Anyway their added features are pretty poorly implemented and could be so much more if they thought about how to compress the crap. They have an updated directory that appears at the top of the channel displays all the users currently streaming but it takes up so much space that it scrolls off the screen. If they limited the directory to the top 10 and then expanded the list when you scrolled over it would be much better. Any implementation like a light box, a fish eye view or a scroll over that allows you to view the active channels without interrupting the feed you are viewing would be nice. They spent so much time allowing you to tip surf without leaving the page that they forgot about channel surfing.

This is sort of accomplished with the beta version of their new live video viewer but in my mind this is just them reinventing basic browser features. I guess it feels like a ripoff of the ABC player and the slowness of trying to find a show on there leaves me with bad feeling about the player going in this direction.

The new justin.tv archive also needs a lot of work. The new archive page has best of tips which seem to look like what the channel creator recommends you watch. If they were smart they would implement a full page calendar that had the top 3-5 tips for the day and the ability to view all the tips for the day. They could take it a level further and allow thumbnails to show up for users to find something that looks visually interesting instead of just reading tips and seeing how many people tipped them. The other major complaint I have is that if the channel isn’t live it doesn’t appear anywhere on the site. I know the site is all about live video but whats the purpose of the archive if you cant access it when the live video is down. A perfect example is Ron Paul’s channel. You cant access it unless he leaves it running 24×7 under the current system.

The current flash player still leaves a lot to be desired. There is no way to restart the stream when it pauses. In my opinion something is wrong with the design when I have to refresh the browser to view the main content. The archive feature is also kind of sparse. The tip system should be implemented into the archive player similar to how the comment function on viddler works. Its also very annoying when the stream repeats itself or works in slow motion because it never buffers itself enough. I haven’t experienced this a lot but it happens a lot on Sarah Meyers stream.

Some other features are still missing. The channel page needs a revamp to the schedule of the day. Why doesn’t the schedule allow you to go into the archive to see something that was supposed to have happened. The links to RSS feeds are there but aren’t active. I still have no idea what the number next to my username on the site is supposed to mean.

The server this site is hosted on lost its hard drive last night. Complete and utter failure. I had to revert back to a weekly backup because the daily backup was corrupted. I lost 2 posts about warcraft and blizzcon, no big deal.

Edit: Restored the posts, gotta love Google Reader and RSS.

I told you, official site is out.

If you want to follow Blizzcon and see some good pictures of the game you can find them on Joystiq. The game features 10 new zones and some much needed outdoor pvp. Along with hero classes.

The most interesting is the new inscription profession. The profession will let players customize individual spells and abilities in their spell book — to change the cooldown timer on a Fireball, for example, or alter the crit rate of a healing spell. This sounds a little overpowered and basically required unless the other professions allow similar bonuses.

The most celebrated will be the ability to change the way your character looks by changing hairstyles and the way they dance.

I currently host the website for the top World of Warcraft PVP guild. I was in the guild myself and even participated in the CTF league and helped convince other teams to transfer to form the best pvp battlegroup. Many of the members from the guild were people I helped recruit. Team Pandemic was recently featured on CBS where they beat every team and placed first.

Coming from a top guild I think its refreshing how much the developers talk with the players in the top guilds. The PVP players give good insights into how the majority of players will be thinking in 1-2 months time. Its funny to hear about Paladin changes or Warlock nerfs months before they are announced.

Anyway the FAQ for the game was leaked and then taken down from a European Union site and then published by a German gaming site. The most interesting parts are:

1. Death Knight Hero Class (starting at higher level, damage-dealing tank)
2. Level cap increased from 70 to 80
3. Siege weapons and destructible buildings in PVP

Normally I would brush this off as fake but it seems that the musicians at Blizzcon are going to be playing scores called ‘Northrend 1′, ‘Northrend 2′ and ‘Northrend 3′. There is also 3 trademark registrations at the USPTO.

First Patent (Game)
Word Mark WRATH OF THE LICH KING
Goods and Services IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: Entertainment services, namely, providing online computer games; providing computer games that may be accessed via a global computer network; and providing online information in the field of computer gaming entertainment

Second Patent (TCG / Goodies)
Word Mark WRATH OF THE LICH KING
Goods and Services IC 016. US 002 005 022 023 029 037 038 050. G & S: Comic books, strategy guides, trading cards, coloring books, adhesive stickers, rub-on transfers, notebooks, stationery-type portfolios, posters, greeting cards, calendars, instructional leaflets, manuals, advertisement boards of paper or cardboard, catalogues, photographs, art prints

Third Patent (Guides)
Word Mark WRATH OF THE LICH KING
Goods and Services IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: Computer game software and related instruction manuals and guides sold together as a unit; downloadable software for use in connection with computer games; interactive multimedia computer game program; mousepads

If you try to access the name on the official world of warcraft website with /wrath you get a 403 forbidden which means that it exists and is different than the 404 error the other strings I entered generated. All this information combined leads me to believe its this is the real deal. So without further ado here is the full English FAQ for the January 1, 2008 release of World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King.

FAQ for World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King

What are the features of the new expansion?

Wrath of the Lich King builds on the rich foundation established in World of Warcraft and The Burning Crusade, providing a wealth of new content for players to explore. The harsh, forbidding continent of Northrend, home of the Lich King and his undead minions, will be uncovered on the world map, and to contend with the new challenges found there, players will be able to advance to level 80, acquiring potent new abilities and talents along the way.

In addition, Wrath of the Lich King will introduce the death knight hero class to World of Warcraft. Once certain criteria are met, players will be able to create a new death knight character, which will start at a high level. Furthermore, player-vs.-player battles will reach a new level of intensity with the addition of siege weapons and destructible buildings, not to mention a new battleground. There will also be an abundance of new quests, dungeons, monsters, items, and recipes — as well as a new profession, inscription — for players to try out. The expansion will include some additional character-customization options for players as well. We’ll be going into more detail on all of these features in the months ahead.

How will the death knight class fit into the game?

The death knight combines martial prowess with dark, necromantic energies. Players might be familiar with the death knight from previously released Warcraft games — most recently, in the campaigns for Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos and the Frozen Throne expansion, the former paladin Arthas became a death knight and wreaked havoc across Azeroth and Northrend before fusing with the spirit of Ner’zhul to become the Lich King. The death knight is the first hero class in World of Warcraft; once certain criteria are met, players will unlock the ability to create a new death knight character, which will begin play at a high experience level. We’re currently exploring various options for how the death knight will play and the types of abilities at its disposal, and we’ll be revealing more information about this new class as we get further along in development.

Will the death knight have any abilities from previously released Warcraft games?

The way we portrayed death knights in past Warcraft games is certainly a source of inspiration, but we are still determining how best to capture that feel within the mechanics of World of Warcraft, and haven’t made any final determinations on specific abilities.

What role will the death knight play in groups and raids?

In general terms, the death knight can be considered a type of class that combines damage dealing and tanking, but naturally it will have an array of unique abilities as well.

What races will be allowed to play death knights?

We haven’t yet made a final determination about which races can be death knights. However, the class will be available to both the Alliance and the Horde.

Will there be additional hero classes in the future?

Yes, we do intend to add more hero classes in the future, but right now our focus is on the current expansion.

What is the story background of the expansion?

Players last visited Northrend in the Warcraft III expansion, when Arthas Menethil fused with the spirit of Ner’zhul to become the Lich King, one of the most powerful entities in the Warcraft universe. He now broods atop the Frozen Throne, deep in Icecrown Citadel, clutching the rune blade Frostmourne and marshaling the undead armies of the Scourge. In Wrath of the Lich King, the greatest champions of the Alliance and the Horde will do battle with the Scourge amid Northrend’s howling winds and fields of jagged ice, and ultimately face the Lich King himself.

Will players actually get to encounter Arthas himself?

Players will be skirmishing with the minions of Arthas from the moment they set foot on Northrend. He will be a constant presence as players progress through the expansion content — which will culminate in a showdown with the dread Lich King himself.

Can you discuss some of the new talents and abilities that will be available from level 70 to level 80?

As with character advancement up to level 70, players will gain access to an array of potent and exciting new abilities and talents as they make their way from level 70 to level 80. However, it’s still too early to get into specifics on these.

How long will it take to advance from level 70 to level 80?

We were pleased with the pacing from level 60 to level 70 in The Burning Crusade, and we intend to take a similar approach to pacing character advancement in Wrath of the Lich King. However, the specific amount of time that it will take players to reach level 80 will vary widely based on play style.

What can you reveal about Northrend?

The first area of Northrend we’re showcasing is the Howling Fjord, a region of grasslands overlooking massive cliffs at the southeastern edge of the continent. This, along with the Borean Tundra, is the front line of the war against Arthas, and players will come face to face with his minions as soon as they set foot on Northrend. Eventually, as players progress further, they will explore the Grizzly Hills, Dragonblight, and more. We’ll be showing off some of these new areas in the months ahead.

What’s the level requirement to enter Northrend?

Players of any level who have purchased the expansion can visit Northrend. However, all of the content is designed for players level 68 and up.

How many new dungeons will be in the expansion?

The first dungeon players will enter is Utgarde Keep, which is intended for five players around level 70. Utgarde is inhabited by the Vrykul, a Viking-like race bent on proving their strength to the Lich King, who will raise the most worthy of their warriors to serve him beyond the grave. We intend to provide a variety of dungeons comparable to that in The Burning Crusade and will be revealing more details about some of these in the months ahead.

Do you plan to continue with the 25-player model for raids?

Yes, we’ve been pleased with the tactics, intensity, and variety of the 25-player raid model, and plan to continue with it.

In what ways will players be able to further customize their characters in the expansion?

In addition to the numerous new character-customization options that will be available with all of the new weapons and armor added by the expansion, we’ll be offering some fun ways to alter both existing and new characters with regard to dances and hairstyles, but we’re not ready to go into more detail just yet.

What can you reveal about the new profession coming with the expansion?

Inscription allows the player to permanently enhance their spells and abilities and to create mysterious items of power to use, trade, and sell.

What can players expect with regard to player-vs.-player combat in the expansion?

Players will be able to take control of siege weapons and use them to destroy opposing buildings, adding a new layer of complexity to PvP battles. Naturally, we’ll be providing some fun places to put these new tools to good use, and we’ll be revealing more information about them in the months ahead, in addition to the new battleground content being added.

Can you give a sneak peek at the new recipes and items in the expansion?

There will be hundreds of new recipes and thousands of new items available, but we’re not ready to discuss specific examples just yet.

How many zones will be in the expansion?

Northrend will be roughly equivalent to Outland in terms of size and scope.

Will there be any new cinematic scenes?

Yes, our cinematics department is hard at work preparing a new intro movie for the expansion.

Release/Availability

Do you need to own the expansion to play with friends who have it?

There will be many aspects of the expansion that will be available to all players. However, in order to experience certain content, such as Northrend, or be able to play as a death knight, players must purchase the expansion.

Will there be an open beta test of the expansion?

We have not yet determined whether the expansion will require an open beta test. If we do decide to conduct a beta test, details will be posted on the official World of Warcraft website once we’ve gotten further along in the development process.

When will the expansion be released? How much will it cost?

We have not yet announced a release date for the expansion set. However, we expect to announce further details, including the release date and price, on our community website in the months ahead. Please stay tuned to [link] for more information.

Will there be a collector’s edition?

We have not yet made any determination about whether there will be a collector’s edition of Wrath of the Lich King. We’ll be announcing details such as this closer to release.

Will a Mac version be available simultaneously with the PC version?

Yes. As with all of our games, Wrath of the Lich King will be compatible with and optimized for both the Windows and Macintosh platforms.

What are the system requirements?

We’ll continue to ensure that the game is playable on a wide range of hardware. However, we have not made a final determination on the system requirements as yet.

Will the expansion be released globally at the same time?

We recognize that players throughout the world will be eager to experience all of the new content being added with Wrath of the Lich King, and we will make every effort to release the expansion simultaneously worldwide. However, there’s always the possibility that unforeseen circumstances could delay the launch in any given region. We’ll share the launch timing with players in each region as soon as the plans have been finalized.

What is the ESRB rating for the expansion?

The expansion has not yet been rated by the ESRB. However, we anticipate that it will receive the same rating that the original World of Warcraft received — “Teen.”

I’ve spent 3 months trying to come up with a name for my newest website. Today I finally thought of a few decent ones that have unclaimed domain names. It’s taken so long that I’ve resorted to writing down my ideas on note cards even if they are stupid. The worst roadblock is the name of a website. I can develop a site in hours but a good name takes months.

Anyway, I might register the domain. I like the way the name works as a verb.