Ubuntu is Great The requirements listed might be confusing. Ubuntu is an operating system (it is a version of Linux). You would run Ubuntu *instead* of running MS Windows or Mac OS. (It is, however, possible to keep Windows or Mac OS on your disk and choose which to boot.)
Once you are running Ubuntu you will have a ton of free software to run. Some will be installed when you install Ubuntu, others you can easily install from inside Ubuntu.
One benefit of Ubuntu is that it is more reliable and more secure than Windows.
Another benefit is that it is "open source" software. That is, anyone (at least any programmer who understands it) can get a copy of the source code and see how it works, and even make changes. With open source software it is completely legal to pass on copies to others; it is even encouraged.
Ubuntu is available for free for download if you have a fast internet connection, though if you buy this product you also get 60-days of technical support, which might be very helpful.
Your American Dream starts behind the wheel of your own big rig.
REVIEW
Nothing New Valusoft/SCS has created a great series in 18 Wheels of Steel. They've constistantly kept the price down (only $19.99) and have made great products. The 18WoS franchise has been a great driving simulator and buisness sim as well as being pretty stable (not counting Convoy).
Unfortunately it seems like the 18WoS series is beginning to get stale and repetitive. The cities need to be lively! Going into cities which seem so familiar and seeing no one walking or people coming out of shops and office buildings just doesn't cut it anymore. The traffic signals even look the same. Turning lanes would be a nice addition because a accident is just waiting to happen, plus when you wait for a clear path making a left turn, you are constantly being honked at. Please, no more cardboard buildings.
In the latest release by Valusoft/SCS American Long Haul has the same graphics as Haulin as well as the same premise. You start off with a truck and haul different types of cargo through the United States, Canada and now Mexico (only a few cities). Mexico was added but it was previously in 18WoS: Pedal to the Medal only. The only thing different in 18WoS: ALH is that you can bid on cargo and their are some shortcuts. There are a few large truckstops but to me it's not a truckstop if you can't get out of your truck, fill up the tank, go to the bathroom, talk to other drivers, or relax in the resturant. You can also be your own boss and hire other drivers just like in Haulin. I think the minor additions to American Long Haul could of very well been a patch for Haulin.
When I saw this on the SCS website, I was looking forward to a new chapter in the 18WoS series however when I played the demo, it's exactly like Haulin. I wasn't expecting American Long Haul to be almost the same as Haulin. Very disappointing!
Sadly, the graphics are getting old and the game itself is beginning to get stale. When you travel the highways, there are barren areas and areas that you wish were barren. The same setup for the cities is again in American Long Haul. What this means is that the cities are devoid off people, the traffic lights are strangely the same in every city, the buildings and scenery are bland and look like pop up books or blocks of cardboard. The only pleasant scenery is the water (bodies of water). What is inexusable are the highways and streets throughout the United States, Mexico and Canada. The developers should of at least done their homework on how the cities are laid out as well as the routes to get to them. I was hoping for the actual suspension bridges that lead to New York City as well as others. What about the tunnels to go from Manhattan into New Jersey? The Deleware River Gap Bridge when you drive on Interstate 80 through New Jersey? I'm not just talking about the New York/New Jersey area, I'm speaking for the whole area that is included in 18WoS: American Long Haul. With games being manufactured on DVD's you can't tell me that there isn't enough space on a DVD. If the budget was too tight maybe split it into several expansions? Use Google Earth if you can't travel all over the United States and take pictures. I also am wondering that thoughout the game, how come there are absolutely no truck stops anywhere. At truckstops, you can relax, have a meal (everyone, come on you know the words....YMCA, gonna stay at the YMCA....sorry couldn't help it! :-), maybe wash your rig, or buy acessories as well (Yes I saw the History Channels Modern Marvels: Truck Stops). At some weigh stations if you make the wrong turn to the parking lot before you "get weighed, you get a ticket! It's also weird to see no one manning the weigh stations. You can't even look through the building's window. What I'm implying is that the realism factor has certainly gone down. The first couple from the 18WoS series it's understandable and I have been amazed as to how 18WoS first came out and matured into a surprising hit as a drivingsimulation and business sim. If the cities are more realistic instead of empty of any human activity, and the routes to get to and from cities was more accurate, I think I would not mind to pay extra if the coompany raised the price from $19.99 to $29.99 or even $39.99. With todays computers (dual core, quad core) and graphic cards, SCS/Valusoft can certainly put together a 18WoS game that certainly can be deep and wow people. Reading a few reviews when the 18WoS franchise was first started showed that it was a surprise hit and got better with each new release (again not counting Convoy).
I only played the demo for a few minutes because it seemed like I was playing Haulin all over again. I enjoy Haulin even though the graphics are making me go blahhhh. If you do to, stick with Haulin because if you buy American Long Haul, its 99.9999999% the same and yes if you don't own Haulin then American Long Haul would be the one to get.
It would be nice if the next title in the 18WoS series would bring live cities: people, more realistic buildings, bridges, traffic, construction, accidents, and toll bridges. Maybe the developers can add car washes and realistic gas and service stations. Can I get out of my truck to pump my own gas? Can I check the oil and engine? Check my tires? Can I buy a snack or a drink? Can I tell the mechanic (depending on the time of the day to check the engine)? Replace the tires? What about truck stops? What about after a long delivery, can I go to a Motel or Hotel (again getting out of my truck) and rest? Talk to other truckers in the lobby? Talk to other truckers in the truckstop? If I am in Las Vegas, can I actually stop off at the casino? If my house is nearby, can I go home and rest? It would be nice if I had a reason for working as a trucker or owning my own business. If I had a house somewhere in the cities or outlining suburbs-I have bills to pay. If I own a company there is got to be other things to do than simply hiring drivers and buying them rigs. How about building an office complete with a truck yard? Take on multiple computer opponents. Finally, since when do you deliver your cargo and there is no one to except it. It would be nice to have a forklift and deliver the goods into the warehouse or place of business that you are deliverying to. If you brought cars, you should beable to drive the cars off your trailer and put them in the dealers lot. Can you give bills/reciepts to show that you had reached your destination. It's weird dropping off cargo and it all of a sidden disapears when you press "T" and you get the money automatically into your bank account. All the companies are completely devoid of people and no other trucks come in but yours.
It's time to polish up the graphics, extend throughout the farthest reaches of North America. Let it become what the Simcity franchise has been known for----neverending and without any "clear goals." You just need to balance your budget. The game could end if you decide to retire, steal from the company and get caught, get arrested and can't pay the court fees and fines and/or jail time or cause such a horrific accident that your license it taken away for good. A good lesson within the game would be if you are in a resturant/bar on your night off or your down time and you drink to much, the police WILL catch you and determine if you were under the influence, arrest you, and this means game over. A realistic police force (an intelligent AI) would be fantastic. Throwing a wrench in this game would be to become the TOP TRUCKING COOMPANY that meets the demands of "its" customers while balancing a budget. If you retire you can have the option of buying an industry or a commerical business that trucking companies do business with so you're still a part of the action if you decide to "take a break." It would be great to have control of building your own warehouse to store whatever your hauling and actually have employees as well yourself removing the cargo. Again the cities in Long Haul as well as the previous 18WoS, are so stale that it seems like no one lives in these cities. All you see are cars and trucks. The wow factor in this game and hopefully this won't be the last one is to release it on a DVD(s) and restore this game as a model of beauty. The 18WoS franchise had put a lot of $30-$50 games to shame. I think (and I'm not speaking for everyone) people will be willing to shell out a little bit more if this game, company, and franchise go up a level or two and take the Tycoon trophy. I would love to see this game be the talk of the industry with system requirements copying Flight Simulator X. In a lot of forums I've see most people say Flight Simulator requires at least a Quad Core Processor.
An option for multiplayer would be interesting. People can decide to be a trucker, own, a truck dealership, drive in cars, become a police officer, a customs official (goods coming from abroad and into your warehouse to ship), own/build resturants, car washes, gas stations, industries, the tools for trucks (pipes/hoses for gasoline trailers ect. You could drive a gasoline trailer either to the gas companies refinery and/or the actual gas station and fill up the stations gas tanks for its customers.
I realized that the modest system requirements have allowed the 18WoS franchise to bring a great level of playability and realism. I think it's time to up the system requirements and completely change how a simulation and a tycoon game can be created. With todays computers and computer components as well as their prices the game can reach another level. I would love to see this game require dual core processors and at least a NVidia 8800 and ATI x1950 or higher video card. The graphics being the most important. Even with thise requirements I promise you, you will not break the bank.
To anyone who's never played the 18WoS games then this is the game for you. For those people who own 18WoS: Haulin, it's pretty much the same game and you might feel disapointed and think, "Hey, I just played this in Haulin.", when you play the demo. I love the 18WoS series and hope new content is added.
Bored? This game has a pretty cool story. Your a paratrooper flying in. You have lots of weapons and the graphics are decent. But the AI is terrible. The Nazis dont shoot back often and their detail is low. Its also a very short game. Perfect game for a rainy day or slow computer.
One of the biggest collections of jigsaw puzzles for novice puzzlers and serious challengers where you can select from 1,000 unique puzzles to play for hours on end. Pick your favorite type of puzzle - from landscapes and landmarks to abstracts and famous art - Ultimate Puzzles 1000 has got puzzles for you. You can even create your own puzzles with pictures of your kids, pets or vacation shots!
REVIEW
so-so quality a lot of the puzzels on the list would not work correctly.
I was a little disspointed. The quality of the graphics low.
Surprised at no reviews Recently I was trying to play Prison Tycoon with Windows Me,but couldn't because it's only for Xp. But I seen that the demo for Battle For Troy was on the same disc, and installed it and played it for about an hour. At first, I was blown away by the game. But recently I played a similiar point and click strategy game called American Conquest. That game bored me to tears after just two days. Then I realized how games like that are long and drawn out. I think American Conquest really ruined me on liking games like this.
To the game...
Plot - You can be either the Greeks or Trojans. You're given a top-down side view of the map. You must build a tent to produce fighters and go around exploring the map for gold to produce more fighters and tents. While you're exploring you must fight off enemies. It's not very hard. Since the enemies usually come in about 10 to you're 30 or more.
All in all the graphics are decent. But so much clicking just to group your troops and healers up can be a task.
MotoGP 3 takes the fun and thrills of the first two MotoGP games and doubles it. Go way beyond the Grand Prix, racing through the introduction of high-adrenaline street racing in Extreme Mode. Players can hone their skills on the streets,experiencing the carnival-like atmosphere that follows the Grand Prix Championship around the world.
Fast and Furious Wrist-Flicking Action! Prove youre the pinball champion on 20 wildly fun tables. Only lightning fast reflexes will keep your ball alive as you rack up points beyond your wildest imagination. Get ready for awesome new ball effects, flashing lights and eye-popping graphics that will have you playing for hours on end!
REVIEW
Buggy, but kinda fun. I really like pinball and I thought this would be okay to chance for under $10 bucks...The first game I tried to play, UFO INVASION, has this weird glitch where you can't launch the ball. The plunger goes right through it. (I have since seen this same complaint about this game in some gaming forums). I then tried a few of the other games, which seemed to workfairly well, then tried ALIEN WURM, which won't play and ultimately freezes the computer. I contacted ValueSoft, who told me my computer might not meet the requirements. It's a brand new Alienware and far exceeds the requirements. Then they said I should update my video drivers. They were up to date. What they really need is a patch, because this software is buggy. But the tables that do work are fun, and I'm hoping they come out with a patch soon.
3 Great Sports - 3 Great Challenges. Quick to learn controls get you straight into the action. Take to the court, field, or ice against a variety of computer opponents that will test players of all skills. Will you be the one lifting theTrophy?
Can you solve the great mystery of Atlantis?Product InformationDeep in the ocean leagues below the surface fish have been disappearing. Some blame the Greek god Poseidon whose unpredictable actions have oceandwellers wondering who will vanish next. Join Coral on a quest as sheswims against all odds to reach Atlantis and solve these underwater puzzles.Product Features Fire colorful bubbles into groups of three or more of the same color to clear each level. But be careful - with each new puzzle level comes a new enemy who is determined to stop you! Control the action through 50 frantic underwater levels. Play 2 fun and challenging puzzle modes. Swim to catch 15 unique Power Ups that will help you blast past enemies.Windows Requirements Windows 98 Me 2000 XP Pentium III 500 MHz processor or faster 128 MB of RAM 40 MB free Hard Disk Space DirectX compatible Sound Card DirectX compatible Video Card 8X CD-ROM drive
REVIEW
Game Is A Big Hit I bought this game for a "token gift" for my newspaper carrier and her son. She was so delighted that she sent me a "thank you" card as her son absolutely loved the game. She mentioned that it was not only challenging for him but loads of fun for her as well. What she liked the best is that there is no violence and how easy it was to install. I really am happy with my purchase and will be on the lookout for other games like this.
Live the life of The Naked Brothers Band as you play their music, manage their touring schedule and more. Playing in the nude is not required, and not recommended.
