Derek

I also had a terrific Wii launch experience. I was #69 in a line that eventually grew to around 200 people. The line was organized by a small group of guys keeping a list and doing roll call. Even though the method of organization wasn't endorsed by Target officially, everyone adhered to it without incident.

The whole night was filled with gaming and crude game-related humor. The people around me became my official Nintendo family, and we bought food, coffee, and ran errands for each other. It was great.

We even played a prank on the people in line at Best Buy in the same plaza. The GameStop nearby gave an empty Wii box to one of us, so we filled it with various breakable items... and well, you get the idea. Needless to say, about 100 people at Best Buy thought we ran over a Wii at 3:00 a.m. with a car.

After a cold but enjoyable (thanks to all of the really cool people in line) 16-hour wait at my local Target, I too received my precious Wii and copy of Zelda.

Although I was excited for the system, I had very serious fears that the controls would be gimmicky and I would be disappointed. Was I wrong!

The controls are remarkably easy to grasp, the Wiimote and nunchuck feel just right, and Wii Sports and Twilight Princess have presented me with some of my most memorable gaming moments in years.

I officially was sold on the system when I asked my roommate if he wanted to try bowling against me. He rarely plays games, and almost never buys consoles (He has only ever owned an Xbox, bought it late in its life cycle, and has played but a couple titles on it.). He indifferently said he'd play a few frames, but wanted to go run some errands. Five hours later, we were still playing the various Wii Sports games. Not only that, but an hour into our play session, he asked when the next shipment of Wiis would arrive so he could purchase one. I was shocked.

I'm completely buying into the revitalized Nintendo now, and I'm expecting even greater games down the road.

Thanks for the quick tutorial. I was being a retard and put the video folder in the wrong place at first.

By the way, if anyone hasn't had the chance to get the Soccer demo yet, here's a link:

http://rapidshare.de/files/27199595/UCES00206.zip.html

Daniel-kun,

I totally share your frustrations at asome of Sony's decisions- especially in regard to various limitations of the PSP. I'm not a big fan of havign to convert my anime episodes to .mp4 to play them, but it doesn't take too long. We should totally make a website that had RSS feeds of anime fansubs for the PSP. That would be hot shit!

Has anyone had any luck with the new /video folder thing? I created a video folder on my memory stick and threw some .mp4 files in there, but the PSP doesn't recognize them.

#2 >

I tried to open an .avi/divx podcast feed after updating, and the rss tool skipped though all of the available podcasts and then labeled them all as "Corrupted Data." So, I'm assuming that all of the standard PSP video restrictions apply still.

#3&4 >

I haven't experienced any similar problems since my own update. As far as the browser freezing, it did happen to me after a different update, and restoring the default settings in the System Settings resolved the issue for me.

Like others have posted, I resent the fact that women are automatically being associated with this pink DS.

I'm a guy, yet I've been waiting for a pink DS since they announced multiple colors. I'm secure enough to sport a pink accessory from time to time.

Besides, pink is the new black.

#11:

I agree with your assumption that manufacturers did not switch to smaller DVD-style boxes because Wal-mart needed additional shelf space. (It may partly be a space issue... but that would aid all retail stores, not just Wal-mart.)

But when you mentioned the need to lower manufacturing costs, one could argue that Wal-mart had much more to do with that. What I consider the most negative aspect of the Wal-mart effect would be the pressure the company is able to place on manufacturers. In olden days, the manufacturing company set the price point of a product. Wal-mart broke that tradition. Now they are constantly pressuring their suppliers and affiliated companies to reduce costs. One of the most significant consequences of this pressure has been the large number of American companies that have been forced to outsource their production plants and staff members to foreign countries.

Todd,

I would respectfully disagree with your previous post. When Wal-Mart comes to town, everyone gets a pay cut. Sure they can now go buy twice as much toilet paper as they previously could, but studies have shown that the introduction of Wal-Mart stores into a new market tends to slowly upset the local economy. The property values and average incomes of community members generally plunge when Wally sets up shop.

So in theory, people can buy more for less... but after they lose their job at the local grocery and have to take a $2.00/hr. paycut, they generally have less to buy with. Maybe it just all averages out in the end.

(Disclaimer: All of the above assumptions are based on various books, documentaries, etc. I've read or viewed. If my logic or facts are inaccurate, please correct me.)