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Farscape Trailer Released On Apple Site	Babylon6 [25 Aug 2004]
Farscape : The Peacekeeper Wars is the 4 part mini-series that was made possible in large part by the relentless campaiging of fans, following the shows cancellation. Even after securing the show, the work goes on and the latest outcome is to have a cinematic trailer placed on the biggest trailer site in the world. Go check the trailer out at Apple. The mini-series is due to air in the US in October on the SciFi channel.

Farscape Trailer Released On Apple Site

Babylon6 [25 Aug 2004]

Farscape : The Peacekeeper Wars is the 4 part mini-series that was made possible in large part by the relentless campaiging of fans, following the shows cancellation.

Even after securing the show, the work goes on and the latest outcome is to have a cinematic trailer placed on the biggest trailer site in the world. Go check the trailer out at Apple. The mini-series is due to air in the US in October on the SciFi channel.

New Trailer for Commandos of the Old Republic	Middenface [18 Jul 2004]
New footage sparks hope While we have all been beavering away in that slightly broken Galaxy far far away, some of us may have forgotten that SWG is not the only Star Wars game around. Republic Commando is the name of a stonking looking tactical shooter. From what I gather it's a First Person Shooter but you will have control of your squad. The closest analogy I can think of is Rogue Spear with geonosians. You can see how (good) it is looking by heading over to the official page and checking out the trailer.

New Trailer for Commandos of the Old Republic

Middenface [18 Jul 2004]

New footage sparks hope
While we have all been beavering away in that slightly broken Galaxy far far away, some of us may have forgotten that SWG is not the only Star Wars game around.

Republic Commando is the name of a stonking looking tactical shooter. From what I gather it's a First Person Shooter but you will have control of your squad. The closest analogy I can think of is Rogue Spear with geonosians. You can see how (good) it is looking by heading over to the official page and checking out the trailer.

Richard Biggs Has Passed Away	Babylon6 [23 Mai 2004]
Just read the shocking news that Richard Biggs, the actor who played Dr Stephen Franklin in Babylon 5 is dead. JMS posted the terrible news on rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated: I was awakened today with several phone calls from cast members and Doug [Netter] to pass along the terrible news that this morning, Richard Biggs passed away. We're still gathering information, so take none of this as firm word, but what seems to have happened, happened quickly. He woke up, got up out of bed...and went down. The paramedics who showed up suggested it was either an aneurysm or a massive stroke. His family members have been informed, and all of the the cast have, as far as we can determine, also been informed. This is a terrible loss for all of us. Richard was a consummate professional but more than that he was an honorable, stand-up guy. If he gave you his word on something, you never had to wonder about it afterward. He was always helpful and supportive of all the cast, even those who only came in for one episode, always with a ready smile and determined to do whatever it took to make the scene work. He was, quite simply, a terrific guy, and everyone here is just devastated at the news. More word as this develops. We may try to have some kind of fund raiser to help give whatever assistance may be helpful for his kids. We all miss him terribly." I watched "The Deconstruction Of Falling Stars" last night as well, so for me this is doubly sad, as he was not only a fine actor, but a lynchpin in the Babylon 5 universe.

Richard Biggs Has Passed Away

Babylon6 [23 Mai 2004]

Just read the shocking news that Richard Biggs, the actor who played Dr Stephen Franklin in Babylon 5 is dead.

JMS posted the terrible news on rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated:

I was awakened today with several phone calls from cast members and Doug [Netter] to pass along the terrible news that this morning, Richard Biggs passed away.

We're still gathering information, so take none of this as firm word, but what seems to have happened, happened quickly. He woke up, got up out of bed...and went down. The paramedics who showed up suggested it was either an aneurysm or a massive stroke.

His family members have been informed, and all of the the cast have, as far as we can determine, also been informed.

This is a terrible loss for all of us. Richard was a consummate professional but more than that he was an honorable, stand-up guy. If he gave you his word on something, you never had to wonder about it afterward. He was always helpful and supportive of all the cast, even those who only came in for one episode, always with a ready smile and determined to do whatever it took to make the scene work. He was, quite simply, a terrific guy, and everyone here is just devastated at the news.

More word as this develops. We may try to have some kind of fund raiser to help give whatever assistance may be helpful for his kids.

We all miss him terribly."

I watched "The Deconstruction Of Falling Stars" last night as well, so for me this is doubly sad, as he was not only a fine actor, but a lynchpin in the Babylon 5 universe.

Mozilla FireFox 0.8 Released	Babylon6 [10 Feb 2004]
Mozilla have released a new version of their standalone browser. Formerly known as Mozilla FireBird, the new browser release has been coordinated with a change of name. Now called Mozilla Firefox, you can get a download here.

LOTR - ROTK nominated for 11 Oscars !	Sid [27 Jan 2004]
Finally, perhaps just maybe a non-American film might just get the credit it deserves! We have all been wondering and speculating if the Academy might finally get over its previously obvious xenophobia and actually credit a non-American film with its just deserves. Well the wait is over.... Return of The King has been nominated for 11 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay. Master and Commander (Russell Crowe) has 10 nominations and Cold Mountain and Seabiscuit have 7 each. Full List of ROTK Nominations: Art Direction, Costume Design, Directing, Film Editing, Makeup, Music (score), Music (song), Best Picture, Sound, Visual Effects, Writing (Adapted Screenplay) Notably none of the cast are nominated in any of the acting categories. Sorry Andy Serkis, no Oscar for your dedication to brining Gollum to life! That is still a travesty imho. _{[Source : 76th Oscars Official Site - Nominations List]}

LOTR - ROTK nominated for 11 Oscars !

Sid [27 Jan 2004]

Finally, perhaps just maybe a non-American film might just get the credit it deserves!

We have all been wondering and speculating if the Academy might finally get over its previously obvious xenophobia and actually credit a non-American film with its just deserves. Well the wait is over....

Return of The King has been nominated for 11 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay. Master and Commander (Russell Crowe) has 10 nominations and Cold Mountain and Seabiscuit have 7 each.

Full List of ROTK Nominations:
Art Direction, Costume Design, Directing, Film Editing, Makeup, Music (score), Music (song), Best Picture, Sound, Visual Effects, Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

Notably none of the cast are nominated in any of the acting categories. Sorry Andy Serkis, no Oscar for your dedication to brining Gollum to life! That is still a travesty imho.
_{[Source : 76th Oscars Official Site - Nominations List]}

SWG gets just a footnote in BBC article.. and its not a good one.	Sid [19 Jan 2004]
The BBC news website is carrying a story regarding the increasing popularity (and income) of MMORPG worlds in which SWG gets only a passing mention which is not positive. The article describes the increasing revenue via subscriptions and also sale of in-game items and how this trend is continuing on the upward path. It mentions future releases such as Middle Earth Online and the competition between the top publishers to create a profitable online sports gaming zone. The reference to SWG is little more than a footnote regarding the transition from film to online game world and says that Final fantasy has managed it but that SWG is "widely recognised as failing to do". _{[Source : BBC news article]}

SWG gets just a footnote in BBC article.. and its not a good one.

Sid [19 Jan 2004]

The BBC news website is carrying a story regarding the increasing popularity (and income) of MMORPG worlds in which SWG gets only a passing mention which is not positive.

The article describes the increasing revenue via subscriptions and also sale of in-game items and how this trend is continuing on the upward path. It mentions future releases such as Middle Earth Online and the competition between the top publishers to create a profitable online sports gaming zone.

The reference to SWG is little more than a footnote regarding the transition from film to online game world and says that Final fantasy has managed it but that SWG is "widely recognised as failing to do".

_{[Source : BBC news article]}

Too Many Masters Spill The Froth	Babylon6 [16 Jan 2004]
Big up to all the following folk who just made Masters in various professions. First up is Beezul, now Master Musician, after a night of beer and disease in the island cantina. GenT for becoming TK Master. Hopefully that will keep those Ewoks off his bro Kntajus for becoming Master Tailor - keep those dodgy orders for headpieces coming in Bartus for achieving Master Combat Medic. Nice disease you got their m8 Sid for making Master Smuggler alongside Cybadog. Get them to slice up those weapons and armour. More to follow as the DND world domination plan unfurls

Too Many Masters Spill The Froth

Babylon6 [16 Jan 2004]

Big up to all the following folk who just made Masters in various professions.

First up is Beezul, now Master Musician, after a night of beer and disease in the island cantina.
GenT for becoming TK Master. Hopefully that will keep those Ewoks off his bro
Kntajus for becoming Master Tailor - keep those dodgy orders for headpieces coming in
Bartus for achieving Master Combat Medic. Nice disease you got their m8
Sid for making Master Smuggler alongside Cybadog. Get them to slice up those weapons and armour.

More to follow as the DND world domination plan unfurls

Ewoks Really Are Vewy Vewy Nasty	Babylon6 [15 Jan 2004]
News is filtering in of a major incident on Endor. Reliable sources indicate that a certain SWG player was seen lying dead after being death blowed by an Ewok. It appears the Ewok was armed with a ghaye loin cloth and a stone knife. The player, who shall remain nameless (Druid) is a Master Doctor and a Teras Kasi Student. It just goes to show you - you never can trust a teddy bear to not best you in a brawl :)

Ewoks Really Are Vewy Vewy Nasty

Babylon6 [15 Jan 2004]

News is filtering in of a major incident on Endor. Reliable sources indicate that a certain SWG player was seen lying dead after being death blowed by an Ewok.

It appears the Ewok was armed with a ghaye loin cloth and a stone knife. The player, who shall remain nameless (Druid) is a Master Doctor and a Teras Kasi Student. It just goes to show you - you never can trust a teddy bear to not best you in a brawl :)

First comments on the BSG mini-series appear	Sid [12 Dez 2003]
The new Battlestar Galactica mini-series has now been aired in the US and the first comments have started to appear on Slashdot. Generally the comments seem to be positive with a only a few niggles. The recommendation seems to be not to watch it thinking that it is simply a modern remake of the old series with the same story but new special effects. _{[Source : Slashdot Thread]}

More on the return of the Battlestar... fans up in arms!	Sid [11 Dez 2003]
Following on from my last news post is another this time on CNN which has a couple of interesting pictures of a few of the cast in clips from the new minseries. But a lot of the conventialist fans of the original are not happy. Many fans believe that the new miniseries has simply taken the title and exploited it to create a ready-made fan base. The article is short and rattles on about post 9-11 relevance and stuff like that but at least one of the pictures shows how it's intending to grab audiences. _{[Source : CNN News article]}

More on the return of the Battlestar... fans up in arms!

Sid [11 Dez 2003]

Following on from my last news post is another this time on CNN which has a couple of interesting pictures of a few of the cast in clips from the new minseries. But a lot of the conventialist fans of the original are not happy.

Many fans believe that the new miniseries has simply taken the title and exploited it to create a ready-made fan base.

The article is short and rattles on about post 9-11 relevance and stuff like that but at least one of the pictures shows how it's intending to grab audiences.
_{[Source : CNN News article]}

The Cylons are returning... but they are a little different!	Sid [9 Dez 2003]
According to Wired News, The Sci Fi channel in the US will be playing host to a new Battlestar Galactica mini-series. Wired reports that the creators of the series wanted to make the remake "darker and grittier." This appears to have been manifested by the Cylon "walking toasters" being succeeded by -- "really hot blonde chicks, who infiltrate human society to engineer its doom" [I just hope they still say "by your command"]. Now add to this that Starbuck is now a woman in the new series and it all seems very different. _{[Source : Wired News article]}

The Cylons are returning... but they are a little different!

Sid [9 Dez 2003]

According to Wired News, The Sci Fi channel in the US will be playing host to a new Battlestar Galactica mini-series.

Wired reports that the creators of the series wanted to make the remake "darker and grittier." This appears to have been manifested by the Cylon "walking toasters" being succeeded by -- "really hot blonde chicks, who infiltrate human society to engineer its doom" [I just hope they still say "by your command"].

Now add to this that Starbuck is now a woman in the new series and it all seems very different.
_{[Source : Wired News article]}

Brits whup the French :D	TDO_Kntajus [9 Dez 2003]
A 3-0 drubbing was handed out by the British at a recent Counterstrike tournament in Oxford, at an event hosted by Intel. OK, so I've overdone it a bit there if I'm honest, as it was a closely-fought contest. Still, 3-0 is 3-0 :) _{[Source : BBC News]}

Lots Of Babylon 5 Goodness	Babylon6 [4 Dez 2003]
JMS has posted a lengthy update on the Moderated B5 Newsgroup regarding next years DVDs and some unexpected news. "On the B5 front, there has been something of rather substantial proportion that's finally gone from talk to money, such that I'm now working frantically to meet some deadlines, but there's nothing I can say about this until after January 15th, probably closer to the end of that month." Want some more? Huh? Huh? "Oh, yeah...and next year you can expect two new DVD sets that a) include all of the TV movies in one package (with commentaries from me on "The Gathering" and "In the Beginning") and b) package all 13 of the Crusade episodes into one box."

Lots Of Babylon 5 Goodness

Babylon6 [4 Dez 2003]

JMS has posted a lengthy update on the Moderated B5 Newsgroup regarding next years DVDs and some unexpected news.

"On the B5 front, there has been something of rather substantial proportion that's finally gone from talk to money, such that I'm now working frantically to meet some deadlines, but there's nothing I can say about this until after January 15th, probably closer to the end of that month."

Want some more? Huh? Huh?

"Oh, yeah...and next year you can expect two new DVD sets that a) include all of the TV movies in one package (with commentaries from me on "The Gathering" and "In the Beginning") and b) package all 13 of the Crusade episodes into one box."

B5 : IFH Almost There. Stay On Target	Babylon6 [27 Nov 2003]
Mixed metaphors aside, the news on the Babylon 5 front is dandy, Jim. Season 3 DVD r0x and just when you thought all you'd ever see of B5 again was some rants between JMS and Garibaldi, up pops the mod of all mods. Babylon 5 : Ive Found Her has been in development for yonks and its about to emerge. Keep your eyes peeled on http://ifh.firstones.com/ for news.

New Forums Now Available	Babylon6 [20 Nov 2003]
At long we have moved to a more robust and powerful forum system. The new forums are at http://www.nomad-jedi.com/forums/default.asp. Can you please go over and register yourself. I am hoping to shut the old forums down by the weekend so if you have any posts that need to stay around for a while, post to the new forum. Kudos to the guys at www.snitz.com for their GPL licensed forum. Open-Source r0x!

New Forums Now Available

Babylon6 [20 Nov 2003]

At long we have moved to a more robust and powerful forum system.

The new forums are at http://www.nomad-jedi.com/forums/default.asp. Can you please go over and register yourself. I am hoping to shut the old forums down by the weekend so if you have any posts that need to stay around for a while, post to the new forum.

Kudos to the guys at www.snitz.com for their GPL licensed forum. Open-Source r0x!

Farscape Is Confirmed As Returning. WooHoo!	Babylon6 [19 Nov 2003]
Who said I always back the loser! This was just posted on SaveFarscape.com. Savefarscape.com is now free to confirm that the rumors swirling have their basis in fact. Farscape, cancelled last year by the SCI FI Channel, will return as a 4 hour mini-series. While we can't currently name the source of this information, please trust that we wouldn't post this news without a trustworthy and solid source. Filming will begin in December and the mini-series is expected to air next year. There is no current word on distribution. Ben Browder and Claudia Black will reprise their roles as Commander John Crichton and Officer Aeryn Sun. Brings a tear to the eye.

Farscape Is Confirmed As Returning. WooHoo!

Babylon6 [19 Nov 2003]

Who said I always back the loser! This was just posted on SaveFarscape.com.

Savefarscape.com is now free to confirm that the rumors swirling have their basis in fact. Farscape, cancelled last year by the SCI FI Channel, will return as a 4 hour mini-series. While we can't currently name the source of this information, please trust that we wouldn't post this news without a trustworthy and solid source.

Filming will begin in December and the mini-series is expected to air next year. There is no current word on distribution. Ben Browder and Claudia Black will reprise their roles as Commander John Crichton and Officer Aeryn Sun.

Brings a tear to the eye.

Farscape News	Babylon6 [15 Nov 2003]
The word on the matrix is that there is big news in the wind. Everyone's trembling with the urge to shout out what all hopes for, but none (including me) dare to tempt fate. Checkout the various articles at SaveFarscape.com, including this one urging fans to write letters to a few important people. Apparently the Henson Corporation had arranged a press conference early in the week but it was postponed. Fingers crossed Farscape1 gets to complete its mission.

Farscape News

Babylon6 [15 Nov 2003]

The word on the matrix is that there is big news in the wind. Everyone's trembling with the urge to shout out what all hopes for, but none (including me) dare to tempt fate.

Checkout the various articles at SaveFarscape.com, including this one urging fans to write letters to a few important people. Apparently the Henson Corporation had arranged a press conference early in the week but it was postponed. Fingers crossed Farscape1 gets to complete its mission.

SW Original trilogy DVD release news.. and more...	Sid [7 Nov 2003]
Finally some news about the relase of the original trilogy on DVD plus some other bits and pieces is finally starting to surface. According to the article on Ain't It Cool the release schedule is as follows: Original Trilogy DVD/VHS - September 2004 Episode 3 teaser - January 2005 Episode 3 - May 2005 Episode 3 DVD/VHS - November 2005 Also..... there is talk of 2 possible TV series... 1 animated and 1 live action. WARNING: The article does have a coupe of very minor spoilers, but they do give a warning. _{[Source : Ain't It Cool News]}

SW Original trilogy DVD release news.. and more...

Sid [7 Nov 2003]

Finally some news about the relase of the original trilogy on DVD plus some other bits and pieces is finally starting to surface.

According to the article on Ain't It Cool the release schedule is as follows:

Original Trilogy DVD/VHS - September 2004
Episode 3 teaser - January 2005
Episode 3 - May 2005
Episode 3 DVD/VHS - November 2005

Also..... there is talk of 2 possible TV series... 1 animated and 1 live action.

WARNING: The article does have a coupe of very minor spoilers, but they do give a warning.
_{[Source : Ain't It Cool News]}

TV Is Dead. Long Live Gaming	Babylon6 [1 Nov 2003]
Slashdot are running an interesting story about how US TV bosses think CounterStrike is killing TV ratings. The article quotes from an ABCnews story: The fall-off in viewership is unprecedented, and among no group is this more the case that young males between 18 and 24, a prime target group for advertisers. Among this cohort, the drop in viewership has been an astounding 20 percent this year compared to last, which showed a 12 percent drop in men 18-34. What's causing this cultural earthquake? It's called, appropriately, Counter-Strike. It's a computer game, and even as you read this, thousands of young men (and a few hundred young women) are playing it on the Internet ? instead of watching TV. QuakeTV anyone?

TV Is Dead. Long Live Gaming

Babylon6 [1 Nov 2003]

Slashdot are running an interesting story about how US TV bosses think CounterStrike is killing TV ratings.

The article quotes from an ABCnews story:

The fall-off in viewership is unprecedented, and among no group is this more the case that young males between 18 and 24, a prime target group for advertisers. Among this cohort, the drop in viewership has been an astounding 20 percent this year compared to last, which showed a 12 percent drop in men 18-34.

What's causing this cultural earthquake? It's called, appropriately, Counter-Strike. It's a computer game, and even as you read this, thousands of young men (and a few hundred young women) are playing it on the Internet ? instead of watching TV.

QuakeTV anyone?

Next MS Win XP Update Plans to Turn Off Windows Messenger Service	Rosie [29 Okt 2003]
Microsoft to shoot Messenger in next update Story here means that messenger will soon be no more Spam attacks, made possible by the Windows Messenger service, have caused Microsoft to announce that they plan to turn the feature off with the next Windows XP update pack. Neil Charney, director of product management in Microsoft's Windows client group said that the turn off "is the current plan of record." AOL has turned the feature off for many of its customers without their knowledge. "From a consumer, end user point of view, I think it is something that will be left off," Charney said.

Next MS Win XP Update Plans to Turn Off Windows Messenger Service

Rosie [29 Okt 2003]

Microsoft to shoot Messenger in next update
Story here means that messenger will soon be no more

Spam attacks, made possible by the Windows Messenger service, have caused Microsoft to announce that they plan to turn the feature off with the next Windows XP update pack.
Neil Charney, director of product management in Microsoft's Windows client group said that the turn off "is the current plan of record."
AOL has turned the feature off for many of its customers without their knowledge. "From a consumer, end user point of view, I think it is something that will be left off," Charney said.