No, I'm not back - this is just the quickest way to inform everyone.

I'm Wolfcoyote on the Playstation Network. Right now I only have Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction and Wipeout HD, so add me on and we can maybe converse. Please also remember that I'm available on Twitter for short updates and can be reached via my Gmail account (see my profile). The podcast is also going very well, and thanks goes to Darth_Homer for his participation in the interview (will be posted soon).

James

First of all, Happy Labor Day to everyone. Now, with that out of the way:

Recently I've been asked to post more often on this blog as some of people tracking my blog want to know what I've been up to, my opinions on certain issues and to join in on the general goings-on in the gaming community. While I have posted as much as I could my energies are currently directed elsewhere. However, my Random Thoughts idea as a new interactive method for Gamespot blogging went bust, and with the podcast taking off and bringing in the download and subscriber numbers that I never thought possible (for at the time was a simple "poor man's project") I no longer have the energy to think of something else to draw in the readers here on the site.

That said, I'm going to follow in the lead of my good friend Comthitnuong (the anime expert who urged me on to produce more content for Gamespot back in the early summer of 2003) and retire from Gamespot blogging completely. I'll be available as dsjimman on Twitter and Wolfcoyote on NintendoLife, but other than that, I guess that's it. TempleTrio, Platyphyllum, 6h05tly, Vexx and Houtx1836, thank you for all of the extra support, you know where you can find me. For now this is JWallace, playing my favorite 3 Doors Down track as I finish this.

Please will you one time - let me be myself,

So I can shine - with my own light. Let me be myself,

For a while, if you don't mind, just let me be myself,

So I can shine, if my own light, let me be mysseeeelllllfffff!

James M Wallace

Good morning/afternoon/evening - I have a lot to discuss today, not only with the second edition of Random Thoughts but to respond to the late posts written at the conclusion of the first Thought. And I'm using my Mac's "Spaces" functionality to switch between desktops with the keyboard shortcut Command-Left/Right Arrow so that I can get this post up as quickly and accurately as possible.

Now if you remember from last week's topic regarding the merits of digital distribution, Platyphyllumhad briefly brought up the idea that lower prices are needed in order to make digital downloads more attractive to the consumer, yet with lower pricing may come the unfortunate side effect of low-quality titles. He also lays bare his stances regarding both sides: building a physical library as well as the the ever-present risk of losing all of your legally purchased/downloaded media should anything happen to the server or the host site, versus the ease of simply paying for and downloading the product in the comfort of your own home. which I will add below as his statements are well written:

"When it comes to movies, books, video games, anything, I just seem to have this obsessive collector's impulse. I look at my collection and just seem content that my collection has grown this large and I keep wanting to build it up more. I can also relate to the whole file corruption deal there...It's definitely a constant worry in the back of my head that something might happen or the digital distributor might get sued and that the games that I legally downloaded will go down the drain and I can do nothing about it.

"I wanted to experience [The Secret of Monkey Island, Special Edition], the so-called c1assic that I decided to download it [from Steam] and play. I was very satisfied with how it went. The game was paid for, it started downloading which took less than an hour,and I could easily access it from the Steam account.The price was also very reasonable at $10. After this, I think I'm more comfortable with downloading".

To briefly answer his posts (because they deserve to be answered), I have the same mentality as I currently have neat rows of Sega Saturn games (some of them hard-to-find c1assics), almost fifty Nintendo DS titles and a row of anime and live-action comedy box sets. I too wish to see my collections grow, but when you're living in tight quarters and are running out of space, a lot can be said for having media conveniently stored on a hard drive. And while there will always be a risk of losing your precious media, it helps to do research and read the terms of service to see who is liable in the case of missing or inaccessible content. And to finish: it's thanks to Steam that I'm finally playing the Orange Box, and at only $30.00 USD for six games. Half Life 2 was an addictive experience and Portal is as good as everyone has claimed it to be. I'm too scared to play Team Fortress 2 though...I might need Trav's help.

And now, without further ado, this week's Random Thoughts discussion:

Question: Is Microsoft's latest marketing scheme to stem Apple's growing market share feasible?

Please note that before I continue I must disclose in the interests of fairness that I am a Mac "slider", meaning a person who prefers Macs for creativity projects such as podcasting, imaging and writing but prefers Windows for games (Steam specifically) as well as Microsoft Office (it allows me to earn my pay). This discussion will focus ONLY on marketing and not the preference of one OS over another so "Winblows" "Crapintosh" and "PC/Mac sux/rools" will not only be marked with negative ratings but will also be ridiculed. You have been warned.

It's no secret that with the the security problems that crippled Windows XP and the forced restrictions by Microsoft in regards to Vista users has caused many casual computer users, computer geeks and students to either revert back to earlier operating systems or gravitate towards "friendlier", safer operate systems to fulfill their needs. Needless to say, Apple has taken public shots at Microsoft's operating system flaws, from the "Get A Mac" advertising campaign to notable taunts during their World Wide Developer Conferences. Along with Apple's launch of the iPhone and continued marketing of the iPod product line, Apple's market share has grown from 2% in 2005 to 10% in 2009.

Despite Apple's growth, let's be realistic. While Mac OS X itself as well as hardware is eye-pleasing and easy to use, Microsoft's Windows software has a history of being "the" OS for getting tasks completed in the workplace. Partnerships with established PC manufacturers such as Dell, HP/Compaq and Lenovo allow Windows OSes to be distributed more freely and to allow Microsoft many more channels of distribution in comparison to Apple's. You would think that with so many open channels of distribution as well as the knowledge that nearly every PC comes with a Microsoft OS preloaded (not to mention that as of now Microsoft still owns almost 90% of the OS market), that Microsoft would take subtle marketing moves to combat Apple's campaign.

According to a recent Macworld Headlines podcast (quoting from PC World) as well as several other sources, they chose a more extreme route: by building Microsoft Stores to compete with Apple's. According to the links in the previous sentence, the stores will be stocked with hands-on displays of Microsoft's Vista and Windows 7 as well as have productivity software, Xbox 360 consoles and Zune media players available for sale. In addition to hiring former Walmart store designers as well as other executives to head their retail efforts, they also plan to have the stores located in close proximity to Apple's own.

For the purpose of Random Thoughts I won't disclose my full view of Microsoft's efforts until next week, but offhand I say that this is strange behavior coming from the world's biggest software industry giant (a title granted by pretty much everyone). Please briefly post below whether or not you think this marketing tactic is feasible, and explain your answer. Just like the previous Random Thoughts post, your statements WILL be included in the second part of this discussion.

So enjoy the linked content, post away and I'll check on your postings whenever available.

Jay