Forty Years of Lunar Lander 136
Harry writes "2009 marks not only the fortieth anniversary of Apollo 11, but also four decades of the iconic, omnipresent Lunar Lander, one of the first simulation games ever written. The first version was written by an Apollo-crazy high school student; among its countless descendants are the classic Atari arcade machine and versions for practically every other platform, from the Apple II to the iPhone. We're celebrating with a look at the game's origins, history, and significance — including an interview with creator Jim Storer, who hadn't given the game a moment's thought since he left high school, and wasn't aware of the phenomenon he spawned."
Re:The difference between a violin and a fiddle? (Score:5, Informative)
Well, a fiddle is a crude folk instrument or a medieval precursor to the voilin, and a violin is a sophisticated, nuanced instrument that the fiddle is a crude imitation of. So your version was a bit of a fiddle?
Um, no. In the U.S. a fiddle [wikipedia.org] typically is a violin, especially when referring to American Folk, Bluegrass or Country music, so literally, from mcgrew's American point-of-view, the only real difference is the style of music being played (although "fiddle" players may prefer one variety of string or bow over another, the instrument that is called a "fiddle" and the instrument that is called a "violin" are typically the same thing.)
In the States, Classical music is not nearly as popular as Folk, Bluegrass or Country. Hence "fiddle" music is more popular than "violin" music, although technically these are typically the same instrument.
So what mcgrew is saying is that RadioShack's "Lunar Lander" game and his "Lunar Lander" game were very, very similar, but people liked his better for various reasons that he didn't clarify in his original post, but I'm guessing by the fiddle analogy, he means that his had better graphics/visuals and probably better controls.
Just thought I'd clear that up for you non-Americans out there who are all probably not going to get what mcgrew means.
Re:Get your own accomplishments (Score:4, Informative)
"I grew up watching this stuff as a kid. The America we had back then is a far cry from that we have today. Gone is the self reliant take responsibility for one's self and actions. Now we have the wealth envy its not fair someone who works harder has more stuff crowd that can only relive the accomplishments of past generations because all they have nothing to show for themselves (mainly because it would require DOING SOMETHING)"
Just the opposite -- I think the main problem is that nowadays we no longer feel it necessary to PAY our fair share for our DEBTS.
Indeed, let's return to those halcyon days of our youth. Let's re-establish the top income tax rate at 77% as it was in 1969 (instead of today's pittance 35%). That will solve many of our problems, as it did for our parent's and grandparent's generations, who were not such belly-achers as we.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Income_tax_in_the_United_States#Tax_rates_in_history [wikipedia.org]
Re:Get your own accomplishments (Score:4, Informative)
Gone are business owners who gave a shit about anything but money. Gone are corporate ethics, replaced by Enron ethics and Bernard Madhoff ethics.
You know how they referred to Madhoff's scam as a Ponzi Scheme [wikipedia.org]?
Yeah, "Madhoff ethics" are not a new thing.
Don't forget these two things... (Score:3, Informative)
America... FUCK YEAH!!!!
First of all, you forgot to include a link to one of these [nocookie.net] all important pictures [photobucket.com]
And secondly, there's still one of the original lunar landers existing today, and is still actually flying intact. Snoopy was the LEM used on the Apollo 10 mission [theconquestofspace.com], and one of two that flew to the moon, but didn't land. Snoopy was flown down to within about 7.4 miles of the lunar surface, but was not equipped for actual landing. It was then flown back up to rendezvous with the command module, and then Snoopy was released into a heliocentric orbit where it still is today. The other LEM that went to the moon but didn't land was Aquarius, the LEM from Apollo 13, which served as a space lifeboat to get the crew back home to earth.
I think I'll go have me a hamburger and a Coke for lunch now, thank you!