Old News - August 2003 Contents

08-28-03
08-16-03
08-07-03

Thursday - August 28, 2003   <2:30 AM CST>

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Anti-Virus 101   <2:30 AM CST - schu>
This is a general plea to the public.  Recently I've been getting upwards of 1000 emails a day, all from people infected by the Sobig virus.  Please, if you are not running updated virus protection, at the very least, run a free online scan.  If you do have virus protection, make sure it is updated and has the latest virus definitions, if you don't update your anti-virus software on a regular basis then it's practically useless.  If you can't afford to buy an anti-virus program then I highly suggest the free version of AVG.  Not only does it offer free real-time scanning of your computer, but it is also updatable.  You will have to give them a valid email address so they can mail you a key.  If you're leery about giving out your primary email address then I'd suggest creating a temporary account on Hotmail.  If you are running virus protection but you suspect you may be infected, you may want to try running a free online scan for a second opinion.  

For all the Windows users out there, I would highly suggest running Windows Update about once a week.  Just grab all the critical updates to plug up all the security holes in Windows.  If you're on a dialup connection you'll probably want to set this up overnight so you don't have to stare at a progress bar for five hours.

Lastly, on a non-virus note, I'd also suggest running AdAware on a regular basis.  AdAware is a free program that will search out and remove adware/spyware from your computer.  You should be forewarned that some free programs require spyware to operate correctly, Kazaa is one such program that may seem free but will cost you CPU cycles and system stability in exchange for use of their software.  To get around this I'd suggest using Kazaa Lite, a free program that doesn't contain any spyware, but uses the same network and provides the same functionality as Kazaa.


Manhunt vs GTA   <2:30 AM CST - schu>
doc was reading the latest IGN preview of Manhunt when he came across an interesting bit of information.  According to IGN's preview, Manhunt is based in Carcer City.  Ring a bell?  If not, you may want to load up GTA3 and pay close attention to the news on the radio.  Carcer City is located somewhere near Liberty City, which gives us a nice GTA tie-in :).  If you haven't already, check PS2.IGN for all the latest on Manhunt, including some great new screens..  Thanks to doc and Andrew.

Announcements   <2:30 AM CST - schu>
GTA2.com is temporarily down.  I think Rockstar is having some domain issues because you can still get to the site via the rockstargames.com/gta2 address.

   

Saturday - August 16, 2003   <10:30 PM CST>

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No Screens   <10:30 PM CST - schu>
Rockstar asked that I remind everyone that no screenshots of the next GTA have been released.  The one San Andreas shot that many people spot floating around the web is completely fake and was pieced together using various other VC shots using a little photoshop magic.  Rockstar has not even so much as released an official name for the new game, much less a screenshot...

SOE PC   <10:30 PM CST - schu>
Gamespot recently released a review of State of Emergency for the PC giving it a 7.2.  The PS2 version was a great party game, sort of a cross between Crazy Taxi and a total massacre if you played it on the Chaos/Kaos mode.

Announcements   <10:30 PM CST - schu>

  • My internet connection has been down all week so I apologize for the response time on the email but I really couldn't do anything until the cable guy finally turned up today.
  • If you've been under a rock for the last week then you probably haven't heard about the worm going around.  If you are running Windows 2000 or XP and you haven't been hit yet then I highly suggest you get the following Windows update, or go to Windows Update and grab all the critical updates.  Symantec has released a removal tool for the worm, just make sure you apply the Windows update as well, otherwise you'll just get infected again.  Believe it or not, locally they are charging up to $150 to remove this damn thing, but I'm guessing most of you are more computer savvy than these people dropping $150 for a fix that takes 30 minutes to apply at the very most.

 

Thursday - August 7, 2003   <12:15 AM CST>

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MTA VC   <12:15 AM CST - schu>
In case you haven't heard the big news yet, a VC version of Multi Theft Auto has been released.  Check out www.multitheftauto.com for more details.  The MTA group is also looking for some financial help, so if anyone out there has some deep pockets and would like to help them pay off their current server contract I'm sure it would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks to XaeroN9ne.

Manhunt Screenshots   <12:15 AM CST - schu>
IGN has released some of the first screenshots of Manhunt.  It almost looks like they are using some sort of stylized/cell shaded technique.  From everything I've read so far it sounds like a very dark disturbing game.  Thanks to Chris.  Don't forget to visit the official/unofficial Manhunt site at rockstargames.com/manhunt / www.valiant-ent.tv.

Summer Carmakin' Compo   <12:15 AM CST - schu>
Szmal sent word that Zaibatsu, in cooperation with Mekanix, is running a new car making competition. Check out www.scc.gta.pl for details.  As of today you only have 53 more days left to enter.

Midnight Club Demo   <12:15 AM CST - schu>
The PC demo of Midnight Club 2 has been released over on the official web site.

New GTA Sites   <12:15 AM CST - schu>

  
Announcements   <12:15 AM CST - schu>

  
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