# It's a new year - time for fresh new mini-rants! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 4, 2010, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-new-year-time-for-fresh-new-mini-rants/523629 "2010-01-04T16:26:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 36
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-new-year-time-for-fresh-new-mini-rants/523629/701 "2010-03-25T16:24:50Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > Further evidenced by the fact that as soon as someone finally kicked her dumb ass into gear, _she fucking merged_. Sheer coincidence. There just happened to be a quarter mile gap in traffic when he let go with his entirely unnecessary and unjustified outburst. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-new-year-time-for-fresh-new-mini-rants/523629/702 "2010-03-25T16:41:08Z")
> [@MJinks](#): > > Let me throw Ubisoft and EA under the bus too while I’m here. As if DRM wasn’t annoying enough now you want to force me to be online while playing your games? If my connection drops for a couple of minutes you wont even let me reconnect and continue with my game uninterrupted? If I’m in the middle of a campaign mission in Command and Conquer 4 and my connection drops then you wont save my progress and I have to start all over again? Fuck you. What? You don’t actually have to be online to play Steam games. Just select “offline mode” from the drop-down. Actually, I don’t think you even have to be online to launch them. ---
**Author:** ![MJinks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@MJinks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MJinks)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-new-year-time-for-fresh-new-mini-rants/523629/703 "2010-03-25T17:05:03Z")
My problem isn’t with Steam, I like Steam. You have to be connected to Ubisoft servers to play their games now, there is no offline mode. It’s the same with EA and C&C4. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-new-year-time-for-fresh-new-mini-rants/523629/704 "2010-03-25T17:59:06Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > Sitting on the on-ramp, refusing to move for 8 minutes is not a reasonable course of action. You can complain and whine all you want about there not being an opening, but the simply fact is that millions of people flow through that exact same situation every single day without being paralyzed into inactivity at the bottom of the ramp. Therefore the problem lies not in the flow of traffic, but in the stupidity of the person who can’t merge like everyone else. Agreed. When merging into traffic, you don’t go to the end of the ramp and cross your fingers that there will be a spot there; you pick your spot as you’re accelerating up to speed on the ramp, and merge in when you get there. My guess is that this woman was not properly trained on how to drive, and as a result every merge is a nightmare for her and everyone behind her. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-new-year-time-for-fresh-new-mini-rants/523629/705 "2010-03-25T19:15:59Z")
> [@MJinks](#): > > Let me throw Ubisoft and EA under the bus too while I’m here. As if DRM wasn’t annoying enough now you want to force me to be online while playing your games? If my connection drops for a couple of minutes you wont even let me reconnect and continue with my game uninterrupted? If I’m in the middle of a campaign mission in Command and Conquer 4 and my connection drops then you wont save my progress and I have to start all over again? Fuck you. I have a Myst game I’ve never even installed, because as far as I’ve been able to determine it was released when Ubisoft was still installing its own CD driver as part of its DRM. A CD driver known to slow down and eventually disable the CD drive and that is uninstallable. I’ve a couple others I’d like to play again but can’t install for that same reason (new operating system since the last time I played). Yeah, I replaced my CD drives a couple times before I learned about this and stopped installing Ubisoft Myst games, and I’m ticked because those are GOOD GAMES AND I CAN’T PLAY THEM. Fuck Ubisoft. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-new-year-time-for-fresh-new-mini-rants/523629/706 "2010-03-25T20:17:19Z")
@ **Morgyn** : Buy the official version, and then download a hacked copy minus the DRM. I’m not sure if it counts as legal, but it’s certainly ethical in my book. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-new-year-time-for-fresh-new-mini-rants/523629/707 "2010-03-25T20:20:04Z")
> [@MJinks](#): > > My problem isn’t with Steam, I like Steam. > > You have to be connected to Ubisoft servers to play their games now, there is no offline mode. It’s the same with EA and C&C4. Even in single player mode? That’s fucking stupid. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-new-year-time-for-fresh-new-mini-rants/523629/708 "2010-03-25T20:28:09Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Even in single player mode? That’s fucking stupid. Apparently so. > **[Ubisoft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubisoft#Controversies)** > > Ubisoft Entertainment SA (/ˈjuːbisɒft/; .mw-parser-output .IPA-label-small{font-size:85%}.mw-parser-output .references .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .infobox .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .navbox .IPA-label-small{font-size:100%}French: \[ybisɔft\]; formerly Ubi Soft Entertainment SA) is a French video game publisher headquartered in Saint-Mandé with development studios across the world. Its video game franchises include Anno, Assassin's Creed, Driver, Far Cry, Just Dance, Prince of Pe... > [@](#): > > In January 2010, Ubisoft has announced the Online Services Platform, which forces customers to not only authenticate on the first game launch, but to remain online continually while playing, with the game even pausing if network connection is lost. This makes it impossible to play the game offline, to resell it, and means that should Ubisoft’s servers go down, the game will be unplayable. In February 2010, review versions of Assassin’s Creed II and Settlers 7 for PC contained this new DRM scheme, confirming that it is already in use, and that instead of pausing the game, it would discard all progress since the last checkpoint or save game. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-new-year-time-for-fresh-new-mini-rants/523629/709 "2010-03-25T20:44:31Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > Keep moving forward slowly and someone will leave you an opening by slowing down. Hmm, gradually force your way into traffic flow until your perceived risk to other drivers compels them to brake in order to avoid a potential accident? I echo the other poster, you can honk behind me all day, but somehow if there is an accident I really doubt that you’ll be volunteering your time to testify about how helpful you were being with your traffic monitoring and right of way suggestions conveyed to others via your horn. ---
**Author:** ![badbadrubberpiggy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/57b2e6/32.png) [@badbadrubberpiggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/badbadrubberpiggy)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-new-year-time-for-fresh-new-mini-rants/523629/710 "2010-03-25T21:32:56Z")
I enjoy hanging out on the pregnancy boards, this being my first pregnancy it’s a good way to figure out what’s normal and talk to other people who are in the same state of mind. But can we please, please do away with the cutesy slang and shorthand? DD, DS, DH don’t bother me, I think I’m used to them, but…snowbabies for your frozen embryos?? REALLY?? Also, if you’re bleeding, cramping, or just feel really bad or sick in general, the correct thing to do is call your doctor, not post on the message boards asking if it’s OK. Same thing if you’re not sure if that half a tylenol you took the day before you found out you’re pregnant is OK. ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_the_Impaler)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-new-year-time-for-fresh-new-mini-rants/523629/711 "2010-03-25T21:38:30Z")
Both drivers have a responsibility. Those on the highway need to pay attention to the fact that they are coming up on an on-ramp, and if they can’t move to the left lane, to anticipate car(s) are going to be merging and allow space for it. Drivers merging need to note the flow/speed of traffic and time their acceleration accordingly. Honestly, it’s not that hard. Both need to be aware of the other. Coming to a dead stop at the end of an on-ramp is just stupid unless traffic you’re trying to merge into is at a dead stop. And staying at a stop for 8 minutes is just \*fucking \*stupid. Traffic on the highway is expecting you to merge. I’d be very, very wary of a driver stopped at the end of an on-ramp if I was driving on the highway. That’s unpredictable and unsafe and how do I know what the hell that driver is going to do? If you’re that scared of highway traffic you need to find an alternate route. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-new-year-time-for-fresh-new-mini-rants/523629/712 "2010-03-25T21:47:48Z")
> [@badbadrubberpiggy](#): > > but…snowbabies for your frozen embryos?? Ask them if they’re going to cry when they flush the snowbabies they didn’t pick down the drain. ---
**Author:** ![badbadrubberpiggy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/57b2e6/32.png) [@badbadrubberpiggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/badbadrubberpiggy)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-new-year-time-for-fresh-new-mini-rants/523629/713 "2010-03-25T21:48:37Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > Ask them if they’re going to cry when they flush the snowbabies they didn’t pick down the drain. I was thinking suggesting making snowballs. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-new-year-time-for-fresh-new-mini-rants/523629/714 "2010-03-25T23:29:40Z")
> [@GargoyleWB](#): > > Hmm, gradually force your way into traffic flow until your perceived risk to other drivers compels them to brake in order to avoid a potential accident? People aren’t going to stop and wave you in to let you proceed from your standing stop at the onramp. It is the merger’s job to get the car up to speed and merge smoothly into traffic; it is the job of someone driving in the right-hand lane, when coming up on an onramp merge, to be aware of merging traffic and allow merging to occur by adjusting driving speed. ---
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-new-year-time-for-fresh-new-mini-rants/523629/715 "2010-03-25T23:32:28Z")
> [@badbadrubberpiggy](#): > > I was thinking suggesting making snowballs. The _throwing_ kind, I hope. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2010, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-new-year-time-for-fresh-new-mini-rants/523629/716 "2010-03-26T00:12:15Z")
> [@Projammer](#): > > Sheer coincidence. There just happened to be a quarter mile gap in traffic when he let go with his entirely unnecessary and unjustified outburst. Were you there? No? Then you’re a fucking jackass who is pulling shit out of the air to feel sanctimoniously judgemental about something you know nothing about. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2010, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-new-year-time-for-fresh-new-mini-rants/523629/717 "2010-03-26T00:13:29Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > Were you there? No? Then you’re a fucking jackass who is pulling shit out of the air to feel sanctimoniously judgemental about something you know nothing about. I think that was sarcasm. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2010, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-new-year-time-for-fresh-new-mini-rants/523629/718 "2010-03-26T00:16:38Z")
“Words take on strange and wonderful powers when they are written down. Context and intonation disappear, and the words sit in a void to be construed according to the mood, intelligence and socio-political leanings of the reader.” — Siri Agrell This is the Pit. I would be remiss if I didn’t react harshly to any perceived slight. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2010, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-new-year-time-for-fresh-new-mini-rants/523629/719 "2010-03-26T00:25:36Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > Ask them if they’re going to cry when they flush the snowbabies they didn’t pick down the drain. Shouldn’t they be going to medical research? Stem cells and stuff? ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2010, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-new-year-time-for-fresh-new-mini-rants/523629/720 "2010-03-26T05:09:11Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > Were you there? No? Then you’re a fucking jackass who is pulling shit out of the air to feel sanctimoniously judgemental about something you know nothing about. Was I there? Nope. Fucking? Occasionally Jackass? Also occasionally. Pulling shit out of the air? Definately. To feel sanctimonious? Nope. More a line of sarcasm at the offending driver. I know nothing about? Unlikely. I’ve been driving far to long not to have experienced this too-common occurance. I overlooked the requirement to include a smiley to deflect the offenderandi and clue in those with acute humor deficit disorder. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-new-year-time-for-fresh-new-mini-rants/523629.md?page=35) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-new-year-time-for-fresh-new-mini-rants/523629.md?page=37)