I am not the biggest fan of snow.  I think every Christmas should have snow as there is nothing quite like a 'white Christmas' to warm the heart.  Just thinking of a night slay ride through the woods with the snow gently falling, trees decorated in lights, and the fresh scent of pine and sugar cookies in the air is nothing short of perfect.  But its not ever like that!!!  I can't remember the last time I had a slay ride, and the woods at night is really just kind of creepy.  Additionally, the snow never seems to fall gently in Minneapolis.  The snow is either a blizzard or sleet push around by treacherous winds smacking you in your ice cold face.  Unfortunately, I live in Minnesota where snow is a very real possibility from October to May.  So on April 3, I am officially declaring the weather to stop with the snow and give us citizens the sun we deserve.

Writing about things that I want changed has opened up my eyes to other changes I think we should see made today.  In addition to the weather, I want to see Microsoft come clean and change its new advertising slogan.  Instead of 'I'm a PC', I'd like to see the truth 'you're stuck with me like it or not'.  I'd also like to see the State of Minnesota make a change and take some initiative.  They can start by PICKING A SENATOR ALREADY and follow it up with lowering my taxes, refusing government bail out money, and placing a greater emphasis on supporting small businesses (the backbone of the new economy).  Finally, I'd like my 10 year old dog to make a change and stop making messes (you know what I mean) in the house.  If my three year old daughter can use the potty, I want my 10 year old dog to do the same. 

The purpose of this blog isn't just to rant.  Its also about hope.  We're already seeing some change... the weather is getting nicer, the state courts are upholding Franken's senatorial lead, my daughter is using the potty (of course my dog is oblivious to this little tidbit), and users do have choices when it comes to Microsoft.  In the coming months, CrossOver 8.0 will be released.  While not perfect, 8.0 will take significant steps to reducing the dependency on the Microsoft operating systems.  With some liberation from XP, Vista, and soon to be 7, users will be able to freely move from Windows to Macs to even Linux with little concern for compatible applications.  Imagine a world where users can choose what's best for them based on what's best for them.  That would be nothing short of perfect!

I think BLOGS are interesting, pretty, funny, and nice.  However, I never feel that I have enough witty comments to make reading a BLOG worthwhile.  Don't get me wrong, I am rather cool (in my own mind).  HOWEVER, I am also rather boring.  I lead a normal life in the suburbs with a family and a dog.  Not the stuff that makes you jump out of your seat and go 'HOLY COW, THAT'S HOT!!!'.  So, I have decided to make up all the information in my BLOG postings so they are rather cool and rather dangerous.  I hope that you enjoy the alter-reality that I call virtual life....

First, TEAM FORTRESS 2 on a MAC is AWESOME.  I use CrossOver Mac Games to access TF2 on my MacBook Pro, and I LOVE IT.  I play way more then I should, and I am getting better almost daily.  The best part about TF2 in CrossOver Games is that the action is actually smoother then in Windows.  As a SNIPER, I can shoot the hell out of just about everyone and quickly run the ranks in the standings.  I am also a mean PYRO and a nasty HEAVY.  For the record, the stupid SCOUT update just stinks.  Baseball and baseball bat!!!  Really???  It could also be that I play two hours a day every day; but I'd like to think that TF2 in CrossOver gives me an advantage.  I can tell you I suck on Windows.

Next, I supported the LAME DUCK CHALLENGE.  If you were one of the 600,000 people that got a free license of CrossOver Mac or CrossOver Linux, we appreciate your support.  It has, however, come to my attention that many, many, many of you failed to register your software license.  THIS MEANS NO UPGRADES FOR YOU.  I'm not trying to be a 'dick' about this, but rules are rules.  If you are wondering why you are not in our system or can't get the upgrade to CrossOver Games 7.2, chances are that you did not register your serial code at http://register.codeweavers.com by November 30, 2008.  If you're hoping to register now (in March), the best I can do for you is a SPECIAL DEAL CODE to save you some serious money in your purchase of the best Mac-Windows virtualization software.  Again, I am not a 'dick' but the LAME DUCK CHALLENGE has ended.

Next, I'll be using this space to venture out into all sorts of topics both technology and non-technology related.  I am going to start using this space as personal therepy to reduce my stress and calm my nerves.  Those ideals may not hold up well, but I am going to give it an honest shot.  And lastly if you're looking for me in other places on the 'net, you can follow my Twitter feed (jbramey@msn.com); reach me on FaceBook (James B. Ramey), and even find me in Linked-in (James B. Ramey).  I'm like that mouse from the Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoon ... 'I'm everywhere'

We go through our days looking for meaning and purpose to our lives, and I think I've found just that in playing Team Fortress 2.  While I am getting better almost daily, I have found several life lessons from killing (and being killed) in the course of hours (and hours) of gameplay.  I thought I'd share a few of the more poignant lessons.

10)  Rushing into any situation with guns blazing and little forethought only leads to a quick and painful death.
9)  Having great focus (Sniper) without any direction or goals is meaningless.
8)  Being the fastest (Scout) or the strongest (Heavy) isn't nearly as effective as being prepared.
7)  You can heal (Medic) the pain of others, but you're not very effective if you do so at your own expense.
6)  You can successfully build (Engineer) almost anything, but you should always have a contingency plan for when things blow up.
5)  Using only one of the weapons at your disposal (Demo) only insures that you'll be the first to run out of ammo. 
4)  If you make your living in the shadows (Spy), its only a matter of time before you're caught.
3)  If you are close enough to light the fire (Pyro), you are most likely close enough to feel the heat.
2)  Having everyone play the same role (Soldier) is the easiest way to getting nothing accomplished. 
1)  All of us are better then any one of us.

I guess I don't have much to say because I find it difficult (even challenging) to keep up with my BLOG.  I admire people that have the ability to consistently write witty and interesting thoughts on a daily basis.  Me, I am more of a monthly, bi-monthly, even quarterly guy which equates to dull and sparatic.  In almost every context, dull and sparatic are not good adjectives.  I mean no one strives to be dull and / or sparatic.  Some people accept their limitations and try to put a good spin on it as to say that they are reliable, dependable, or even easy going.  I don't buy that either.  Sometimes less is more, but I think with BLOGs more is more.

My experiences, though, are very interesting as of late.  I am working with a variety of individuals and companies from around the world on their technology projects.  Some projects are incredibly vast and complicated - like assisting government agencies in Africa in moving to Linux or delivering "the mail" across a Linux enterprise for a media company in Germany.  I am involved in providing elementary students with the portal to visit vast virtual worlds and also in making the computers more usable for the visually impared.  Other projects are very personal - like working directly with individuals who are trying to create and build their own Linux-centric technology companies or assisting a dad in trying to make a mapping program work on his daughter's laptop.  In both the micro and macro projects, I see first hand how technology is evolving and impacting the lives of so many people.  If only I could put all those thoughts and feelings into words.

When I see the opportunities available with technology today, I am simply amazed.  Imagine delivering standard applications across mixed platforms or porting specific PC applications to Linux and Mac environments.  10 years ago, this was not possible.  10 years from now, it may be ancient history.  I truely enjoy being a part (if only the smallest part) of the technology revolution.  If only, I could write it down more.

My entire life has been centered around playing video games.  I come from the generation that just played the heck out of games.  From my earliest Atari 2600 with 40 or 50 games to my Nintendo box, I have always been enchanted and captivated by video games.  Not that I was ever good enough to take on the world or even the best in my neighborhood, but I have always enjoyed the mental break that is derived from focusing on nothing else but dominating your enemies.

As I am getting older (and wiser), my focus is changing.  I appreciate more strategic games with less action but a more encompassing story.  I no longer want to destroy the world but instead save it from the bad guys (whomever they may be).  I no longer wish for the stress of having to make life and death decisions in fractions of seconds.  I want to foster growth, build and execute upon a drawn out plan, and release the benevolent leader from within. 

Actually, I just really stink at first person shooters and find them frustrating now as groups of 10 year olds pound me for sport and hobby.  I know some of these "young guns" have made their reputation off of beating me and me alone.  That's the only explanation I want to believe as to why I can't seem to survive long enough to check my weapons, aim, and fire.  That and my responsibilities as the Vice President, Sales keep me from playing hours on end.  That last line is a lie.  I actually play for hours on end at work, and I still stink which means it must be my state of the art MacBook.

The cold dark truth is that with the release of CrossOver Games I can't claim that my MacBook is the sole source of my 'suckdom'.  CrossOver Games is coming along very nicely.  Within the next week or so, we will be releasing the coolest emulation solution for Mac and Linux platforms.  Soon, you too can take on hordes of 10 year olds (hey, shouldn't these kids be at school???) in Team Fortress 2, Counter Strike, and other really, really cool games.  While this functionality has been available in CrossOver Mac and CrossOver Linux for quite some time, CrossOver Games is the optimized platform specially tweaked to run games at native speeds.  Games is continuously updated to take advantage of all the latest and greatest CrossOver developments.  So far, my very embarrassing game play has been stable, very fluid, and very fast.  While I can't attest that CrossOver Games will make you a better gamer, I can testify that CrossOver Games won't be the reason why the 10 year olds use your carcass as bait (did I mention that these kids should be in school!!!).    

I know if I keep practicing for hours and days on end that I can get somewhat better.  Of course, my wife, my daughter, my friends, my family, my co-workers, and (most importantly) my boss have other plans for my time.  Without being able to make that time commitment, I'll never be an elite gamer and be able to turn pro.  I'll never be able to play in the 'big game'. I know what you're thinking and you're right.  My wife and my boss don't buy that excuse either.