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Let's set the record straight. This version from KINO is from a 35mm positive release print of the Astor re-issue. It does NOT have opening titles from a 16mm print as some people have stated. The entire print is from a 35mm transfer. Some folks have been spoiled with computer "restoration" which is a joke. I do have one complaint. The transfer is done at a speed of 1.4 which is about 26 frames per second. This does not affect the film, but it does affect the running time. Deuces runs 69 minutes, however the KINO version is only 65 minutes. Why would they do that?	negative	[ "Let's set the record straight.", "This version from KINO is from a 35mm positive release print of the Astor re-issue.", "It does NOT have opening titles from a 16mm print as some people have stated.", "The entire print is from a 35mm transfer.", "Some folks have been spoiled with computer \"restoration\" which is a joke.", "I do have one complaint.", "The transfer is done at a speed of 1.", "4 which is about 26 frames per second.", "This does not affect the film, but it does affect the running time.", "Deuces runs 69 minutes, however the KINO version is only 65 minutes.", "Why would they do that?" ]
We have purchased three watering cans from local stores and had to return each of them. Every can we have seen has some design or manufacturing flaw that compromises its functionality. The best watering can I have ever used is a Rubbermaid 2 gallon can; sturdy; nice wide spout, strong handle; large fill hole. Everything else, including this Union Products can pales in comparison. Can't some company make a quality watering can....IT JUST CAN'T BE THAT COMPLICATED !! Problem 1....This Union Products can came with only three of the many holes in the spout open. All the holes were clogged with plastic. I had to get my drill press out and drill out every single hole in the pour spout to get any water to pour. Problem 2... Just a minor issue but the color of the can is nowhere near as dark green as what is shown. SOMEONE'S HEAD SHOULD ROLL AT THIS MANUFACTURER !!	negative	[ "We have purchased three watering cans from local stores and had to return each of them.", "Every can we have seen has some design or manufacturing flaw that compromises its functionality.", "The best watering can I have ever used is a Rubbermaid 2 gallon can; sturdy; nice wide spout, strong handle; large fill hole.", "Everything else, including this Union Products can pales in comparison.", "Can't some company make a quality watering can....", "IT JUST CAN'T BE THAT COMPLICATED!!", "Problem 1....", "This Union Products can came with only three of the many holes in the spout open.", "All the holes were clogged with plastic.", "I had to get my drill press out and drill out every single hole in the pour spout to get any water to pour.", "Problem 2...", "Just a minor issue but the color of the can is nowhere near as dark green as what is shown.", "SOMEONE'S HEAD SHOULD ROLL AT THIS MANUFACTURER!!" ]
I guess I'm missing something here, but the game was confusing as hell. I've played RPGs before, but mostly ones from Squaresoft which aren't as customizable as this one was. In my opinion, the customization is annoying...it makes the game way to complicated. I'll put it this way - I've played for over 20 hours and I still don't know how to get my guy to gain a level. There's just way too many skills and stuff in this game. The graphics are okay. If you're not playing on a HDTV, this game will look a lot like a PS2 game. The gameplay is pretty tedious. Combine those 2 features and you've got one heck of an overrated game. One last gripe - and maybe this only occurs on my system - but the graphics "skip" around very frequently while playing. This was by no means a smooth playing experience. It seems like they made the worlds too big for the 360 to handle or something, because it skips around quite frequently during normal gameplay.	negative	[ "I guess I'm missing something here, but the game was confusing as hell.", "I've played RPGs before, but mostly ones from Squaresoft which aren't as customizable as this one was.", "In my opinion, the customization is annoying...", "it makes the game way to complicated.", "I'll put it this way - I've played for over 20 hours and I still don't know how to get my guy to gain a level.", "There's just way too many skills and stuff in this game.", "The graphics are okay.", "If you're not playing on a HDTV, this game will look a lot like a PS2 game.", "The gameplay is pretty tedious.", "Combine those 2 features and you've got one heck of an overrated game.", "One last gripe - and maybe this only occurs on my system - but the graphics \"skip\" around very frequently while playing.", "This was by no means a smooth playing experience.", "It seems like they made the worlds too big for the 360 to handle or something, because it skips around quite frequently during normal gameplay." ]
This is an awful product. When I needed it most, it failed me. It would not resize automatically the hard drive as the one that I put in to replace the one that busted, was larger. It would not work. Problem after problem after problem. The only way I could get a restore done was through windows. And then... my machine would drop off of the domain. Anyone who has a domain knows that when you "join" a domain, Windows resets your profiles... and it takes as much time to set everything back up as it would to just reinstall windows and everything else from scratch. Acronis support, though, didn't seem to understand this until 4 or 5 emails into the email request for support. You know, I really love the boot disk that Acronis makes. I really love that it's easy to use. But I hate that it's one issue after another and tech support is just not that great. What I hate most though... is that this software failed me when I needed it most. It was eventually recommended I use Acronis Workstation... and so we gave that a shot too only because my workstation is technically connected to a domain (even though it's just my own server) but even that did not work well at all. I really gave Acronis a lot of grief and I do commend them... they maintained their customer service the entire time, over multiple months of trying to work things out. I would not touch Acronis 2012 with a 10 foot pole! That is just my opinion though.	negative	[ "This is an awful product.", "When I needed it most, it failed me.", "It would not resize automatically the hard drive as the one that I put in to replace the one that busted, was larger.", "It would not work.", "Problem after problem after problem.", "The only way I could get a restore done was through windows.", "And then...", "my machine would drop off of the domain.", "Anyone who has a domain knows that when you \"join\" a domain, Windows resets your profiles...", "and it takes as much time to set everything back up as it would to just reinstall windows and everything else from scratch.", "Acronis support, though, didn't seem to understand this until 4 or 5 emails into the email request for support.", "You know, I really love the boot disk that Acronis makes.", "I really love that it's easy to use.", "But I hate that it's one issue after another and tech support is just not that great.", "What I hate most though...", "is that this software failed me when I needed it most.", "It was eventually recommended I use Acronis Workstation...", "and so we gave that a shot too only because my workstation is technically connected to a domain (even though it's just my own server) but even that did not work well at all.", "I really gave Acronis a lot of grief and I do commend them...", "they maintained their customer service the entire time, over multiple months of trying to work things out.", "I would not touch Acronis 2012 with a 10 foot pole!", "That is just my opinion though." ]
The light is per the manual supposed to some with a part that attaches to the bottom with a wing-nut that hold the chemical that attracts the bugs. Instead, this part is replaced with a snap in piece that has no bottom. Since it has no bottom the chemical came with a sticky bottom which is used to hold the chemical. The chemical has to be near the light so it heats up to release the chemical. With this new part the chemical is too far away from the light and once the sticky part heats up the chemical pack falls off and out the bottom. Your only option is to put a piece of tape on the bottom, but then once it falls, the chem pack is an inch from the light and doesn't heat up enough on cool summer night. I used this in northern Michigan near water where there where hoards of bug. It didn't attract them and was only killing one every couple of minutes. If it came as described in the manual it probably would be better, but apparently some MBA decided it would save a spec of money to remove the metal parts in the bottom. I have had ones in the past that were great, this is not one of them	negative	[ "The light is per the manual supposed to some with a part that attaches to the bottom with a wing-nut that hold the chemical that attracts the bugs.", "Instead, this part is replaced with a snap in piece that has no bottom.", "Since it has no bottom the chemical came with a sticky bottom which is used to hold the chemical.", "The chemical has to be near the light so it heats up to release the chemical.", "With this new part the chemical is too far away from the light and once the sticky part heats up the chemical pack falls off and out the bottom.", "Your only option is to put a piece of tape on the bottom, but then once it falls, the chem pack is an inch from the light and doesn't heat up enough on cool summer night.", "I used this in northern Michigan near water where there where hoards of bug.", "It didn't attract them and was only killing one every couple of minutes.", "If it came as described in the manual it probably would be better, but apparently some MBA decided it would save a spec of money to remove the metal parts in the bottom.", "I have had ones in the past that were great, this is not one of them" ]
I loved Martin's first three books, but I doubt I will read another in this series. He is no Tolkien. I don't mind a 1,000 page book if it is interesting, has a good plot, and the characters are well-developed. However, I feel that Martin thought he was being paid by the word! This particular book is supposed to run parallel to book four. He admits that book four was running too long and that he split it. Well, he should have taken one of the swords from the book to it. It gives you the feeling that he cut all the description or stuff he didn't like in book four and threw it into book 5 as an after thought. He keeps killing off old characters and creating new ones, as well. This makes the book seem disjointed. I wound up skimming a great deal and forcing myself to read through to the ending. Only a few story lines were resolved in the book. I am really disappointed.	negative	[ "I loved Martin's first three books, but I doubt I will read another in this series.", "He is no Tolkien.", "I don't mind a 1,000 page book if it is interesting, has a good plot, and the characters are well-developed.", "However, I feel that Martin thought he was being paid by the word!", "This particular book is supposed to run parallel to book four.", "He admits that book four was running too long and that he split it.", "Well, he should have taken one of the swords from the book to it.", "It gives you the feeling that he cut all the description or stuff he didn't like in book four and threw it into book 5 as an after thought.", "He keeps killing off old characters and creating new ones, as well.", "This makes the book seem disjointed.", "I wound up skimming a great deal and forcing myself to read through to the ending.", "Only a few story lines were resolved in the book.", "I am really disappointed." ]
I bought this game, before learning about the DRM, but decided to give it a shot anyway. On top of the ridiculous 3-install limit and SecuROM that is forever embedded into your computer, the game is simply unplayable because of annoyingly consistent crashes in space stage. I cannot fly to my home world and then leave the atmosphere without the game doing a freeze/flicker than cannot be resolved. Of course, you need to be in space, away from your planet to actually save the game so it is impossible to progress. That being said, even if the game wasn't a piece of junk that locked up every five minutes, I STILL would not enjoy playing it. When I saw the previews for this game, I was expecting lots of freedom to roam and build your universe however you choose. WRONG. In space stage, for example, I cannot spend more than a minute traveling the vast collection of stars without needing to defend my home planet that is forever under attack by enemies. I'm not kidding, you get zero time to just enjoy the game, you're always saving the same planet from the same, repetitious attacks. You have the option of adding all kinds of defense turrets to your colonies but they do NOTHING. Every time I return to my planet under attack, the turrets have been blown away seemingly before the enemy even arrived! Lame, lame, lame. I've never been so disappointed in a game before; the absolute worst $50 I ever spent. I wish I would've lost that money instead; at least then I wouldn't have wasted all this time trying to get an incredibly buggy game to run on my new machine.	negative	[ "I bought this game, before learning about the DRM, but decided to give it a shot anyway.", "On top of the ridiculous 3-install limit and SecuROM that is forever embedded into your computer, the game is simply unplayable because of annoyingly consistent crashes in space stage.", "I cannot fly to my home world and then leave the atmosphere without the game doing a freeze/flicker than cannot be resolved.", "Of course, you need to be in space, away from your planet to actually save the game so it is impossible to progress.", "That being said, even if the game wasn't a piece of junk that locked up every five minutes, I STILL would not enjoy playing it.", "When I saw the previews for this game, I was expecting lots of freedom to roam and build your universe however you choose.", "WRONG.", "In space stage, for example, I cannot spend more than a minute traveling the vast collection of stars without needing to defend my home planet that is forever under attack by enemies.", "I'm not kidding, you get zero time to just enjoy the game, you're always saving the same planet from the same, repetitious attacks.", "You have the option of adding all kinds of defense turrets to your colonies but they do NOTHING.", "Every time I return to my planet under attack, the turrets have been blown away seemingly before the enemy even arrived!", "Lame, lame, lame.", "I've never been so disappointed in a game before; the absolute worst $50 I ever spent.", "I wish I would've lost that money instead; at least then I wouldn't have wasted all this time trying to get an incredibly buggy game to run on my new machine." ]
Halo is a fun game, no doubt. The graphics are pretty, the gameplay is challenging, and the storyline is fantastic. Everyone knows the single-player game is phenomenal; the single-player game in this PC version is identical to the Xbox version. What this PC version adds to the Halo experience is true online multiplayer. And it's terrible. Oh, the new weapons (flamethrower, fuel rod cannon) and vehicles (Banshee, various Warthogs) are neat. The maps are okay. It's the lame players that drives Halo multiplay into the ground. At the time of this writing multiplayer Halo is filled with dweebs who enjoy nothing more than killing their own teammates while swearing in all caps. This is not fun. Worse, cooperative play through the single-player storyline--easily Halo's best feature--is simply absent. Inexplicably, there is no way to play through the game alongside a pal. Other PC games (Serious Sam, Tom Clancy games) have featured cooperative gameplay. Halo PC supports over a dozen simultaneous players. Halo Xbox had cooperative play. So... why is this feature absent? It makes no sense, and it makes the game much less appealing. Stay away from this game until a patch implements such standard multiplayer controls as Banning, Voting, and auto-kicking for excessive TKs.	negative	[ "Halo is a fun game, no doubt.", "The graphics are pretty, the gameplay is challenging, and the storyline is fantastic.", "Everyone knows the single-player game is phenomenal; the single-player game in this PC version is identical to the Xbox version.", "What this PC version adds to the Halo experience is true online multiplayer.", "And it's terrible.", "Oh, the new weapons (flamethrower, fuel rod cannon) and vehicles (Banshee, various Warthogs) are neat.", "The maps are okay.", "It's the lame players that drives Halo multiplay into the ground.", "At the time of this writing multiplayer Halo is filled with dweebs who enjoy nothing more than killing their own teammates while swearing in all caps.", "This is not fun.", "Worse, cooperative play through the single-player storyline--easily Halo's best feature--is simply absent.", "Inexplicably, there is no way to play through the game alongside a pal.", "Other PC games (Serious Sam, Tom Clancy games) have featured cooperative gameplay.", "Halo PC supports over a dozen simultaneous players.", "Halo Xbox had cooperative play.", "So...", "why is this feature absent?", "It makes no sense, and it makes the game much less appealing.", "Stay away from this game until a patch implements such standard multiplayer controls as Banning, Voting, and auto-kicking for excessive TKs." ]
I had been running XP for some time, but I ended up getting a virus despite sophisticated internet security. I figured I'd upgrade to Vista and do a fresh install. The installation was easy. After everything was up and running, I noticed it ran pretty well on my system. I have a 2gig AMD 64 dual core processor. After about a week, I noticed that my computer would progessively slow down day by day. Which is funny since it hasn't gotten any more sophisticated. It just takes more memory. I have a gig of memory, but even with that, Vista was using around 68% at any given time...just to run the OS. I could use a little extra memory for my system, but why would I want to spend money to upgrade my hardware just to run the same stupid tasks? This OS takes 15 extra gigabytes of hard drive space too. 15 gigabytes can hold about 1000 mp3 files, and I'm basically subtracting it from my computer without question so I can have Vista hog it all. Now I know why Macs have been selling so well. I don't have $1500 for a new Mac, so I put a copy of Ubuntu Linux on my computer. It took 10 minutes to install. It's just as flashy, more intuitive, and it does everything Windows can do-and it's friggin' free. It reads all my music files, it reads all my pictures and videos. My printer works and I have Open Office. From the time it takes to boot up Vista, I can log on, off, and back on again 10 times over.	negative	[ "I had been running XP for some time, but I ended up getting a virus despite sophisticated internet security.", "I figured I'd upgrade to Vista and do a fresh install.", "The installation was easy.", "After everything was up and running, I noticed it ran pretty well on my system.", "I have a 2gig AMD 64 dual core processor.", "After about a week, I noticed that my computer would progessively slow down day by day.", "Which is funny since it hasn't gotten any more sophisticated.", "It just takes more memory.", "I have a gig of memory, but even with that, Vista was using around 68% at any given time...", "just to run the OS.", "I could use a little extra memory for my system, but why would I want to spend money to upgrade my hardware just to run the same stupid tasks?", "This OS takes 15 extra gigabytes of hard drive space too.", "15 gigabytes can hold about 1000 mp3 files, and I'm basically subtracting it from my computer without question so I can have Vista hog it all.", "Now I know why Macs have been selling so well.", "I don't have $1500 for a new Mac, so I put a copy of Ubuntu Linux on my computer.", "It took 10 minutes to install.", "It's just as flashy, more intuitive, and it does everything Windows can do-and it's friggin' free.", "It reads all my music files, it reads all my pictures and videos.", "My printer works and I have Open Office.", "From the time it takes to boot up Vista, I can log on, off, and back on again 10 times over." ]
Review may contain spoilers. However, I made an effort to keep everything as vague as possible. Admittedly, I have a love/hate relationship with the Song of Ice and Fire series. As much as I love seeing how all the stories weave together, I roll my eyes every time a new setting is introduced, as undoubtedly twenty new characters are about to be introduced, most of whom will die over the course of the next few chapters. Of course the few that I don't commit to memory are the ones who go on to survive and have some lasting impact later on, but I digress. A month ago, I sat down with A Feast for Crows and began reading. As it was so long ago, much of what happened at the beginning of the novel has become a bit fuzzy in my head. However, I was immediately drawn to the side characters from Dorne, and even though I was leery of the Iron Islands chapters, I was willing to give them a chance. A few weeks later, I was about a few hundred pages into the book, and I was ready for it to be done. I understand why GRR Martin chose to cut his manuscript into two books. However, without the entire cast of characters, certain voices became overpowering, and a sense of balance was missing. I felt as though this book could have been heavily edited, and a lot of the perspectives could have been excluded. As other reviewers have pointed out, it seems as though Martin's become too indulgent in his writing. I find it hard to critique the book as a whole, so instead I'll go into the individual characters. I'll try to keep everything as vague as I possibly can, but if you fear spoilers, read no further. Cersei: When I referred to a lack of balance in the books, this is the primary reason why. After a few of Cersei's chapters (which were compelling for a time), I was ready to roll my eyes into the back of my head. We understand that Cersei wants to keep Tommen safe. We understand that Cersei makes questionable choices. I felt like that point kept being beaten in over and over again, each time with a new scheme she was trying to execute. While this may have worked once or twice, I quickly began to dread every time I'd see her name. Also, heads up if you're not a Cersei fan, her chapters seem to comprise a large chunk of the book. I think what could have really helped would have been having another perspective at court. Just someone to balance out the world through Cersei's eyes. Jaime: I have to say that Jaime is one of the characters who's really grown on me, and his chapters were some of the more enjoyable. Of course, his were also some of the worst for the introduction of new side characters. Brienne: I honestly question if a reader would miss any valuable information by skipping all of her chapters, save the last few. It's travelling, travelling, and more travelling. This is the kind of stuff that could easily have been cut out. And the "cliffhanger" that was left for her? It felt like incredibly poor writing, since it was so obviously intended to leave her story unfinished. And as someone who hardly cared about Brienne from the start, even a poorly written cliffhanger failed to make me care about her ultimate fate. This description obviously doesn't make sense to anyone who's yet to read the book, but trust me, you'll understand when you get there. Sansa: Her chapters are few, but they were interesting. At first I found it strange how her name switched to "Alayne" mid-book, but as the story went on, it made more sense, as Sansa began to identify more with her new identity than the one she left at King's Landing. I really love Sansa's overall character development, and those who have criticized her before for being weak and powerless will be happy with the way she's progressed. Arya: Now on the other hand, changing Arya's name when she was identified each chapter hardly made sense. "Cat of the Canals" was just an identity she picked up and would shrug off. Maybe I'm splitting hairs, but the constant changing of titles began to irk me after a while. I've never cared much for Arya, so her chapters weren't the most exciting for me. Her story ends with a cliffhanger as well, though at least it was written better than Brienne's. Samwell: Sam's story is similar to Brienne's in that it's a lot of travelling. However, at least his chapters always seemed to have some kind of point. Still, I feel as though a lot of what got put in the book was information we could have lived without. Had Martin done a bit more editing, I have a feeling there could have been three Sam chapters I loved, instead of a handful I was a step above indifferent towards. Aeron/Asha/Victarion: For all they added to the story, I feel compelled to critique them as one group. Let me start by saying I hated how instead of being identified by name, they would be identified by some title at the beginning of each chapter, and the titles they were identified by would change. I just don't understand what the point of it was, and it was irksome trying to keep track of who everyone was. And honestly, I could care less about the Iron Islands. In my opinion, they're being brought in too late. We all have our favorite characters and plotlines we've become attached to, and here's another story arc thrown in. It just felt unnecessary, and the events happening in the Iron Islands could have been noted by someone in passing. We really didn't need to be there firsthand in my opinion. Aero: Now Aero's where I have to break my trend of ripping on the characters that haven't been established. I really found his one chapter interesting. It gave us a good look at Dorne and its prince, and even if I would rather be reading about Daenerys and Tyrion, I was okay with sidestepping for a bit and looking at things through his perspective. Arys: Unnecessary. Unnecessary. Unnecessary. I can't say much more without spoiling the book, but I was so upset that his perspective actually made the final cut. There was no point, other than to establish his relationship to Arianne and maybe give readers a better understanding of her plan. Then again, couldn't that all have been done through Arianne's eyes? Arienne: I get the feeling that Arienne was used to kind of ease into the plotlines of the next book. I guess if Martin felt compelled to write about the events happening in Dorne, Arienne was the person to use, though personally, I would have loved to have seen a few chapters through her father's eyes. Overall, I felt relieved by the time I'd finished the end of the book. Hopefully the next is better, though I think I need a break from the series before I delve into the next one. Ultimately, I questioned the relevance of a great deal of material in the book, and I feel as though with a bit of editing, GRR Martin could easily have put out one finished product rather than two.	negative	[ "Review may contain spoilers.", "However, I made an effort to keep everything as vague as possible.", "\n\nAdmittedly, I have a love/hate relationship with the Song of Ice and Fire series.", "As much as I love seeing how all the stories weave together, I roll my eyes every time a new setting is introduced, as undoubtedly twenty new characters are about to be introduced, most of whom will die over the course of the next few chapters.", "Of course the few that I don't commit to memory are the ones who go on to survive and have some lasting impact later on, but I digress.", "A month ago, I sat down with A Feast for Crows and began reading.", "As it was so long ago, much of what happened at the beginning of the novel has become a bit fuzzy in my head.", "However, I was immediately drawn to the side characters from Dorne, and even though I was leery of the Iron Islands chapters, I was willing to give them a chance.", "A few weeks later, I was about a few hundred pages into the book, and I was ready for it to be done.", "I understand why GRR Martin chose to cut his manuscript into two books.", "However, without the entire cast of characters, certain voices became overpowering, and a sense of balance was missing.", "I felt as though this book could have been heavily edited, and a lot of the perspectives could have been excluded.", "As other reviewers have pointed out, it seems as though Martin's become too indulgent in his writing.", "I find it hard to critique the book as a whole, so instead I'll go into the individual characters.", "I'll try to keep everything as vague as I possibly can, but if you fear spoilers, read no further.", "Cersei: When I referred to a lack of balance in the books, this is the primary reason why.", "After a few of Cersei's chapters (which were compelling for a time), I was ready to roll my eyes into the back of my head.", "We understand that Cersei wants to keep Tommen safe.", "We understand that Cersei makes questionable choices.", "I felt like that point kept being beaten in over and over again, each time with a new scheme she was trying to execute.", "While this may have worked once or twice, I quickly began to dread every time I'd see her name.", "Also, heads up if you're not a Cersei fan, her chapters seem to comprise a large chunk of the book.", "I think what could have really helped would have been having another perspective at court.", "Just someone to balance out the world through Cersei's eyes.", "Jaime: I have to say that Jaime is one of the characters who's really grown on me, and his chapters were some of the more enjoyable.", "Of course, his were also some of the worst for the introduction of new side characters.", "Brienne: I honestly question if a reader would miss any valuable information by skipping all of her chapters, save the last few.", "It's travelling, travelling, and more travelling.", "This is the kind of stuff that could easily have been cut out.", "And the \"cliffhanger\" that was left for her?", "It felt like incredibly poor writing, since it was so obviously intended to leave her story unfinished.", "And as someone who hardly cared about Brienne from the start, even a poorly written cliffhanger failed to make me care about her ultimate fate.", "This description obviously doesn't make sense to anyone who's yet to read the book, but trust me, you'll understand when you get there.", "Sansa: Her chapters are few, but they were interesting.", "At first I found it strange how her name switched to \"Alayne\" mid-book, but as the story went on, it made more sense, as Sansa began to identify more with her new identity than the one she left at King's Landing.", "I really love Sansa's overall character development, and those who have criticized her before for being weak and powerless will be happy with the way she's progressed.", "Arya: Now on the other hand, changing Arya's name when she was identified each chapter hardly made sense.", "\"Cat of the Canals\" was just an identity she picked up and would shrug off.", "Maybe I'm splitting hairs, but the constant changing of titles began to irk me after a while.", "I've never cared much for Arya, so her chapters weren't the most exciting for me.", "Her story ends with a cliffhanger as well, though at least it was written better than Brienne's.", "Samwell: Sam's story is similar to Brienne's in that it's a lot of travelling.", "However, at least his chapters always seemed to have some kind of point.", "Still, I feel as though a lot of what got put in the book was information we could have lived without.", "Had Martin done a bit more editing, I have a feeling there could have been three Sam chapters I loved, instead of a handful I was a step above indifferent towards.", "Aeron/Asha/Victarion: For all they added to the story, I feel compelled to critique them as one group.", "Let me start by saying I hated how instead of being identified by name, they would be identified by some title at the beginning of each chapter, and the titles they were identified by would change.", "I just don't understand what the point of it was, and it was irksome trying to keep track of who everyone was.", "And honestly, I could care less about the Iron Islands.", "In my opinion, they're being brought in too late.", "We all have our favorite characters and plotlines we've become attached to, and here's another story arc thrown in.", "It just felt unnecessary, and the events happening in the Iron Islands could have been noted by someone in passing.", "We really didn't need to be there firsthand in my opinion.", "Aero: Now Aero's where I have to break my trend of ripping on the characters that haven't been established.", "I really found his one chapter interesting.", "It gave us a good look at Dorne and its prince, and even if I would rather be reading about Daenerys and Tyrion, I was okay with sidestepping for a bit and looking at things through his perspective.", "Arys: Unnecessary.", "Unnecessary.", "Unnecessary.", "I can't say much more without spoiling the book, but I was so upset that his perspective actually made the final cut.", "There was no point, other than to establish his relationship to Arianne and maybe give readers a better understanding of her plan.", "Then again, couldn't that all have been done through Arianne's eyes?", "Arienne: I get the feeling that Arienne was used to kind of ease into the plotlines of the next book.", "I guess if Martin felt compelled to write about the events happening in Dorne, Arienne was the person to use, though personally, I would have loved to have seen a few chapters through her father's eyes.", "Overall, I felt relieved by the time I'd finished the end of the book.", "Hopefully the next is better, though I think I need a break from the series before I delve into the next one.", "Ultimately, I questioned the relevance of a great deal of material in the book, and I feel as though with a bit of editing, GRR Martin could easily have put out one finished product rather than two." ]
Let me begin by saying that I really like Neil Young. I've followed him since his days with Buffalo Springfield. I have virtually everything he's ever recorded on either vinyl or CD (usually both), and I even have a couple of bootlegs (sorry, Neil!) of concert performances. I have the utmost respect for Neil Young, both as a songwriter and musician. But with all due respect, this album sucks. That's not to say that there aren't a few bright moments-- but in all honesty I have to tell you that this is the only-- ONLY-- Neil Young album that I have yet to ever be able to sit through all the way without taking it off. I have always thought that Geffen Records did Neil wrong, but this album almost justifies their claims that he intentionally recorded records that wouldn't sell while with their label. I have to wonder if this was actually Neil's way of giving the label the finger-- sort of an inside joke that only he gets. Maybe, but to those of us who actually paid money for it, it was a bit of a slap in the face. I'm giving it 2 stars only because it IS Neil, after all, and because he deserves some kind of credit for having the guts to put his name on the line for an album this bad. Sorry Neil, I luv ya, but I just can not recommend this one.	negative	[ "Let me begin by saying that I really like Neil Young.", "I've followed him since his days with Buffalo Springfield.", "I have virtually everything he's ever recorded on either vinyl or CD (usually both), and I even have a couple of bootlegs (sorry, Neil!", ") of concert performances.", "I have the utmost respect for Neil Young, both as a songwriter and musician.", "But with all due respect, this album sucks.", "That's not to say that there aren't a few bright moments-- but in all honesty I have to tell you that this is the only-- ONLY-- Neil Young album that I have yet to ever be able to sit through all the way without taking it off.", "I have always thought that Geffen Records did Neil wrong, but this album almost justifies their claims that he intentionally recorded records that wouldn't sell while with their label.", "I have to wonder if this was actually Neil's way of giving the label the finger-- sort of an inside joke that only he gets.", "Maybe, but to those of us who actually paid money for it, it was a bit of a slap in the face.", "I'm giving it 2 stars only because it IS Neil, after all, and because he deserves some kind of credit for having the guts to put his name on the line for an album this bad.", "Sorry Neil, I luv ya, but I just can not recommend this one." ]
This is definitely a "like it or loathe it" film, and I think the reason is pretty easy to see (and I mean that literally, folks!). If you like your films primarily for the visual and special effects, with any other considerations coming a long way second, then it is quite likely that you will thoroughly enjoy this film. From a purely visual perspective (!) it struck me as having pretty high production values. My only criticism, in this department, is that the actors, for all their alleged in-depth training, never come across as anything but human beings in very clever makeup. No-one managed to maintain even the basic simian crouch throughout the film, and most of the actors (stars and extras alike) didn't even seem to be trying. Of course the story was always meant as a metaphor rather than a genuine alternate reality, but even a metaphor works best when there is at least a veneer of realism. If, on the other hand, you like your films to have at least a smidgeon of intelligence then you can scratch this new version of "Planet of the Apes" from your viewing list straight away. This is a film that is almost over-run with latent characters and latent themes and subplots - but none of them are ever allowed to amount to anything. They arise, and are left dangling in the wind. Even the "twist" at the end seems to be nothing more than a jokey throwaway line - either that or a thoroughly patronising "moral message" (yuk, barf!). To be blunt I enjoyed this film not at all, and I could say that it's a "bad" film - a waste of money, time, resources and effort for a result that is ultimately pretty trivial. But that wouldn't be entirely fair. No doubt the film turned out pretty much as the director, Tim Burton, intended. And for Mr Burton's many fans this may even rate as a classic. For the rest of us, however, in regard to both the film itself, and the second disk full of special features - there are many "better" productions on offer.	negative	[ "This is definitely a \"like it or loathe it\" film, and I think the reason is pretty easy to see (and I mean that literally, folks!", ").", "If you like your films primarily for the visual and special effects, with any other considerations coming a long way second, then it is quite likely that you will thoroughly enjoy this film.", "From a purely visual perspective (!", ") it struck me as having pretty high production values.", "My only criticism, in this department, is that the actors, for all their alleged in-depth training, never come across as anything but human beings in very clever makeup.", "No-one managed to maintain even the basic simian crouch throughout the film, and most of the actors (stars and extras alike) didn't even seem to be trying.", "Of course the story was always meant as a metaphor rather than a genuine alternate reality, but even a metaphor works best when there is at least a veneer of realism.", "If, on the other hand, you like your films to have at least a smidgeon of intelligence then you can scratch this new version of \"Planet of the Apes\" from your viewing list straight away.", "This is a film that is almost over-run with latent characters and latent themes and subplots - but none of them are ever allowed to amount to anything.", "They arise, and are left dangling in the wind.", "Even the \"twist\" at the end seems to be nothing more than a jokey throwaway line - either that or a thoroughly patronising \"moral message\" (yuk, barf!", ").", "To be blunt I enjoyed this film not at all, and I could say that it's a \"bad\" film - a waste of money, time, resources and effort for a result that is ultimately pretty trivial.", "But that wouldn't be entirely fair.", "No doubt the film turned out pretty much as the director, Tim Burton, intended.", "And for Mr Burton's many fans this may even rate as a classic.", "For the rest of us, however, in regard to both the film itself, and the second disk full of special features - there are many \"better\" productions on offer." ]
The quality of the 'distressed nylon' on these bags is just not what it used to be. I bought one for my hubby about 10 years ago and it wore beautifully. It got softer and more pliable and looked better and better over the years and he carried it daily. Now they feel like a cheap nylon bag and the 'distressed' quality is barely noticeable. They're stiff and cheap looking when new and that doesn't get any better with use. Really disappointed in Ameribag. Seems like they've taken the path of so many other companies....cutting corners here and there to pump up the bottom line convinced the consumer won't notice. We. Do. Notice. Doubt I buy another. Sling bags are everywhere now so there are other options.	negative	[ "The quality of the 'distressed nylon' on these bags is just not what it used to be.", "I bought one for my hubby about 10 years ago and it wore beautifully.", "It got softer and more pliable and looked better and better over the years and he carried it daily.", "Now they feel like a cheap nylon bag and the 'distressed' quality is barely noticeable.", "They're stiff and cheap looking when new and that doesn't get any better with use.", "Really disappointed in Ameribag.", "Seems like they've taken the path of so many other companies....", "cutting corners here and there to pump up the bottom line convinced the consumer won't notice.", "We.", "Do.", "Notice.", "Doubt I buy another.", "Sling bags are everywhere now so there are other options." ]
I have played just about every morg out there and can say that this game has its moments. The graphics and music are excellent. The leveling system is novel, you do not lvl like most morgs. Instead you train up skills over time, even while your offline. Some skills take only hours (real time not game time) to lvl up and others take days and weeks. Only one skill can be trained at a time. I am not sure what the end game is though, I'm not sure they know what it is. For the player that likes to mine and manufacture this is the game for you. The travel can be tedious and finding good hunting spots can be difficult. Death can be rather expensive. You can lose very expensive ships very fast. In addition to the monetary loss you lose skills even if you have a clone set up. Without a clone prepared you can lose even more of your skills. Most games that launch these days seem to have their share of bugs and this game isn't any different. I am not as concerned about the bugs being fixed as I am about the ultimate end game. What is it??	negative	[ "I have played just about every morg out there and can say that this game has its moments.", "The graphics and music are excellent.", "The leveling system is novel, you do not lvl like most morgs.", "Instead you train up skills over time, even while your offline.", "Some skills take only hours (real time not game time) to lvl up and others take days and weeks.", "Only one skill can be trained at a time.", "I am not sure what the end game is though, I'm not sure they know what it is.", "For the player that likes to mine and manufacture this is the game for you.", "The travel can be tedious and finding good hunting spots can be difficult.", "Death can be rather expensive.", "You can lose very expensive ships very fast.", "In addition to the monetary loss you lose skills even if you have a clone set up.", "Without a clone prepared you can lose even more of your skills.", "Most games that launch these days seem to have their share of bugs and this game isn't any different.", "I am not as concerned about the bugs being fixed as I am about the ultimate end game.", "What is it??" ]
Look, I get that you want to let the vita swing lose to allow access to the back for use with the camera and whatnot, but this is not a CASE. A case implies protection from the elements. I would be ok with (and expecting) a case that I had to take my vita out of to use, but when not in use, would afford my device some level of protection from things like rain, and children, and droppage. This thing does none of that. What it does is expose the entire device on the sides to everything near it. This is literally two pieces of hard leather padding, roughly oval shaped, with the clip in the middle to attach the vita. So you have a leather/vita/leather sandwich. That is not an exaggeration. Seriously. This thing sucks. You're better off with a fanny pack and some foam peanuts.	negative	[ "Look,\nI get that you want to let the vita swing lose to allow access to the back for use with the camera and whatnot, but this is not a CASE.", "A case implies protection from the elements.", "I would be ok with (and expecting) a case that I had to take my vita out of to use, but when not in use, would afford my device some level of protection from things like rain, and children, and droppage.", "This thing does none of that.", "What it does is expose the entire device on the sides to everything near it.", "This is literally two pieces of hard leather padding, roughly oval shaped, with the clip in the middle to attach the vita.", "So you have a leather/vita/leather sandwich.", "That is not an exaggeration.", "Seriously.", "This thing sucks.", "You're better off with a fanny pack and some foam peanuts." ]
The base of this antenna includes a rubber boot which does not stay in place. The antenna itself is tall, and the magnet is relatively weak. This means the slightest brush with an overhead object (tree branch, beams in a parking garage, etc) causes the antenna to fall over. When the antenna falls over, the rubber boot falls out of place, leaving it hanging on by a very small area that is caught between the edge of the base and the roof of the vehicle. This makes it impractical to leave on your car most of the time (in my case a Jeep Grand Cherokee). So keeping this thing inside your vehicle is also a nightmare. The antenna element is so long, and the coax cable is captive (not detachable), so you can't easily bundle it up and put everything away for storage. The element is just waiting to poke somebody in the eye if its not kept carefully out of the way in the rear cargo area. As for its performance, even when tuned according to the instructions, the antenna's performance is lackluster. The beam pattern is the issue. It must be like a lopsided figure 8, with the strongest part of the beam moving around depending on exactly how the antenna bends in the airflow as the vehicle travels. Perhaps the base does not couple well with the metal roof. I have no idea. It's not worth trying to figure out. I replaced this thing with a thru-glass antenna, brand with a T, "CB with Weather band", available here on Amazon, which outperforms it in every way. I thought the factory tint on my Jeep would be a problem for the thru-glass antenna, but apparently not, since the tint is non-metallic.	negative	[ "The base of this antenna includes a rubber boot which does not stay in place.", "The antenna itself is tall, and the magnet is relatively weak.", "This means the slightest brush with an overhead object (tree branch, beams in a parking garage, etc) causes the antenna to fall over.", "When the antenna falls over, the rubber boot falls out of place, leaving it hanging on by a very small area that is caught between the edge of the base and the roof of the vehicle.", "This makes it impractical to leave on your car most of the time (in my case a Jeep Grand Cherokee).", "So keeping this thing inside your vehicle is also a nightmare.", "The antenna element is so long, and the coax cable is captive (not detachable), so you can't easily bundle it up and put everything away for storage.", "The element is just waiting to poke somebody in the eye if its not kept carefully out of the way in the rear cargo area.", "As for its performance, even when tuned according to the instructions, the antenna's performance is lackluster.", "The beam pattern is the issue.", "It must be like a lopsided figure 8, with the strongest part of the beam moving around depending on exactly how the antenna bends in the airflow as the vehicle travels.", "Perhaps the base does not couple well with the metal roof.", "I have no idea.", "It's not worth trying to figure out.", "I replaced this thing with a thru-glass antenna, brand with a T, \"CB with Weather band\", available here on Amazon, which outperforms it in every way.", "I thought the factory tint on my Jeep would be a problem for the thru-glass antenna, but apparently not, since the tint is non-metallic." ]
During the first half of the 20'th century (and before) there were many injustices perpetrated against the negro. Those stories need to be told and understood. This movie tries to tell such a story but failed because it ignored the historical realities. I lived in a place much like the one in the movie in the 50's and was overwhelmed with the liberties the movie took with "the way it was." First, had anybody white or black been caught with their hands in a cash register with 3 dead people around, they'd have been sentenced to die. Second, the black people in those days were very poor. There were also poor whites. In the movie, these poor blacks wore cloths from Norstrom's! Not the way I remember it. THird, there were some powerful white landowners that might have behaved as depicted in the movie. However, I often heard stories of charitable acts to the poor blacks. My father, who owned a grocery stroe, gave them food at Christmas. He forgave numerous blacks when he caught them red handed shop lifting. The cruelty and arrogance of the whites in the movie do not reconcile with my memories. Although I will readily admit such folks existed. My grandparents had about 20 blacks that worked for them. My mother's nanny was black. I would characterize the relationship as one first of employer-employee, and second as one of affection. My grandmother, and I saw this many times, would be more of a supervisor not a bourbon drinking white ninny. I think my grandmother was more represntative of the way it was than the white woman in the movie. My mother and father tell stories of working right along with the blacks picking cotton. Fourth, the blacks had a heavy and difficult to understand accent. Living in the west, I often am asked to repeat soemthing I said with my sourthern accent. Similarly, in the south, then negro at that time had a very strong accent...more of a dialect. The movie has them speaking the King's English with a fake accent. Fifth, the dirt roads in those times were more like two tracks with pot holes, not well manicured packed gravel paths like you would see in a park today. Again, I truely believe there have been many injustices against the negro. It is unfortunate that this movie could be more historically accurate so that those of us who lived in that era and that location could not be repulsed by the deviations from the truth and more moved by the fundamental stroy.	negative	[ "During the first half of the 20'th century (and before) there were many injustices perpetrated against the negro.", "Those stories need to be told and understood.", "This movie tries to tell such a story but failed because it ignored the historical realities.", "I lived in a place much like the one in the movie in the 50's and was overwhelmed with the liberties the movie took with \"the way it was.", "\"\n\nFirst, had anybody white or black been caught with their hands in a cash register with 3 dead people around, they'd have been sentenced to die.", "Second, the black people in those days were very poor.", "There were also poor whites.", "In the movie, these poor blacks wore cloths from Norstrom's!", "Not the way I remember it.", "THird, there were some powerful white landowners that might have behaved as depicted in the movie.", "However, I often heard stories of charitable acts to the poor blacks.", "My father, who owned a grocery stroe, gave them food at Christmas.", "He forgave numerous blacks when he caught them red handed shop lifting.", "The cruelty and arrogance of the whites in the movie do not reconcile with my memories.", "Although I will readily admit such folks existed.", "My grandparents had about 20 blacks that worked for them.", "My mother's nanny was black.", "I would characterize the relationship as one first of employer-employee, and second as one of affection.", "My grandmother, and I saw this many times, would be more of a supervisor not a bourbon drinking white ninny.", "I think my grandmother was more represntative of the way it was than the white woman in the movie.", "My mother and father tell stories of working right along with the blacks picking cotton.", "Fourth, the blacks had a heavy and difficult to understand accent.", "Living in the west, I often am asked to repeat soemthing I said with my sourthern accent.", "Similarly, in the south, then negro at that time had a very strong accent...", "more of a dialect.", "The movie has them speaking the King's English with a fake accent.", "Fifth, the dirt roads in those times were more like two tracks with pot holes, not well manicured packed gravel paths like you would see in a park today.", "Again, I truely believe there have been many injustices against the negro.", "It is unfortunate that this movie could be more historically accurate so that those of us who lived in that era and that location could not be repulsed by the deviations from the truth and more moved by the fundamental stroy." ]
This book jumps around a lot and has only a very loose structure. It does not give a chronological account of Lenin's life. On one page he jumps from 1917 to 1921 back to 1918 and then jumps to 1964 and Breshnev's reign. This in and of itself is not a problem, but Volkogonov does not connect a lot of his arguments and mearly skips around. Likewise, he often strays too far from his subject. Almost half of the book is devoted to explaining the lives and evnets of leaders other than Lenin. This ranges from Stalin to The Meneshevik, Martov. The leader will learn a great deal about many Soviet personalities, unfortunately Lenin is not necessarilly one of them. Volkogonov seems bent on radically changing the historical view of Lenin. At times, his bias compromises his work, and he tries to blame Lenin for all of the USSR's problems, including collectivization and many items usually associated with Stalin. In his quest to revolutionize history, the author dismisses many previous arguments. Unfortunately, he often does not give them proper attention. The work is interesting but fails to fairly treat the complex character of Lenin. There are many biographies of Lenin that are better than this one.	negative	[ "This book jumps around a lot and has only a very loose structure.", "It does not give a chronological account of Lenin's life.", "On one page he jumps from 1917 to 1921 back to 1918 and then jumps to 1964 and Breshnev's reign.", "This in and of itself is not a problem, but Volkogonov does not connect a lot of his arguments and mearly skips around.", "Likewise, he often strays too far from his subject.", "Almost half of the book is devoted to explaining the lives and evnets of leaders other than Lenin.", "This ranges from Stalin to The Meneshevik, Martov.", "The leader will learn a great deal about many Soviet personalities, unfortunately Lenin is not necessarilly one of them.", "Volkogonov seems bent on radically changing the historical view of Lenin.", "At times, his bias compromises his work, and he tries to blame Lenin for all of the USSR's problems, including collectivization and many items usually associated with Stalin.", "In his quest to revolutionize history, the author dismisses many previous arguments.", "Unfortunately, he often does not give them proper attention.", "The work is interesting but fails to fairly treat the complex character of Lenin.", "There are many biographies of Lenin that are better than this one." ]
This "newer" Yogi product is very different from their old mix and is a big disappointment. (To me). It's hard to describe the flavor in what I got, but there is a distinct taste of something like the odor of fresh, moist dirt. I don't know if they got some tea from a different source, or what. The ingredients of both are identical. But this one is definitely unpleasant. I make sun tea with it almost exclusively. Their old style came in a maroon bag with a yellow square on it, and said "Yogi Tea" instead of just "Yogi". And, silly me, I bought a bunch of this thinking I would get exactly what I like and was used to. So, I'm sending this shipment back and going with the licorice and the ginger. So don't buy a large quantity like I did until it meets your expectations. My bad!	negative	[ "This \"newer\" Yogi product is very different from their old mix and is a big disappointment.", "(To me).", "It's hard to describe the flavor in what I got, but there is a distinct taste of something like the odor of fresh, moist dirt.", "I don't know if they got some tea from a different source, or what.", "The ingredients of both are identical.", "But this one is definitely unpleasant.", "I make sun tea with it almost exclusively.", "Their old style came in a maroon bag with a yellow square on it, and said \"Yogi Tea\" instead of just \"Yogi\".", "And, silly me, I bought a bunch of this thinking I would get exactly what I like and was used to.", "So, I'm sending this shipment back and going with the licorice and the ginger.", "So don't buy a large quantity like I did until it meets your expectations.", "My bad!" ]
I bought this machine for my husband for Christmas, based on Amazon's customer reviews. At first, it seemed like a pretty good machine, even though it dripped badly (despite the touted "no drip" feature). It is our first pump machine, so the ability to make lots of steamed milk was a big plus, even though we didn't think the coffee came out as well as our 10-year old bottom-of-the-line Krups. However, it started malfunctioning quickly. The sliding 'knob' to control amount of coffee did not work. Sometimes only an ounce of coffee would come out, sometimes several ounces, no matter how it was set. Finally, hardly anything was coming out. I figured it was obstructed, and I started soaking the filter in vinegar overnight. This would work for a day or so, then no coffee again. We called the 800 number on the back of the machine, and they said to send it (our responsibility to pay the postage) to New York for repair. We use only filtered water in the machine, and there is no scale built up anywhere. The machine is 3 months old and looks new. IT JUST DOESN'T WORK. I will not be buying this kind of thing online anymore. It's too messy and inconvenient to deal with problems. I'm sticking with books and records.	negative	[ "I bought this machine for my husband for Christmas, based on Amazon's customer reviews.", "At first, it seemed like a pretty good machine, even though it dripped badly (despite the touted \"no drip\" feature).", "It is our first pump machine, so the ability to make lots of steamed milk was a big plus, even though we didn't think the coffee came out as well as our 10-year old bottom-of-the-line Krups.", "However, it started malfunctioning quickly.", "The sliding 'knob' to control amount of coffee did not work.", "Sometimes only an ounce of coffee would come out, sometimes several ounces, no matter how it was set.", "Finally, hardly anything was coming out.", "I figured it was obstructed, and I started soaking the filter in vinegar overnight.", "This would work for a day or so, then no coffee again.", "We called the 800 number on the back of the machine, and they said to send it (our responsibility to pay the postage) to New York for repair.", "We use only filtered water in the machine, and there is no scale built up anywhere.", "The machine is 3 months old and looks new.", "IT JUST DOESN'T WORK.", "I will not be buying this kind of thing online anymore.", "It's too messy and inconvenient to deal with problems.", "I'm sticking with books and records." ]
Another thing to add to the list of problems (hot handle, ridiculous tiny, deep crevices to clean with a toothpick) other reviewers have mentioned is the lack of a "floating hinge". It is unable to keep the two plates parallel as the waffle expands. So the front opens further, resulting in a back dark half and light front half. Of course, if you underfill, you'll get a dark bottom and light top. The Krups brochure included has a motto on the front: "Quality by design." Well, quality is indeed directly related to design and this unit has rather little of either. (BTW, some reviewers seem to have misunderstood the purpose of the "ready" light. As explained in the manual, it merely indicates whether the heating element is on. You can start baking when it first turns off, but when it comes back on it doesn't necessarily mean the waffle is done. It just means the plates cooled to the point where the thermostat kicked back in.)	negative	[ "Another thing to add to the list of problems (hot handle, ridiculous tiny, deep crevices to clean with a toothpick) other reviewers have mentioned is the lack of a \"floating hinge\".", "It is unable to keep the two plates parallel as the waffle expands.", "So the front opens further, resulting in a back dark half and light front half.", "Of course, if you underfill, you'll get a dark bottom and light top.", "The Krups brochure included has a motto on the front: \"Quality by design.", "\" Well, quality is indeed directly related to design and this unit has rather little of either.", "(BTW, some reviewers seem to have misunderstood the purpose of the \"ready\" light.", "As explained in the manual, it merely indicates whether the heating element is on.", "You can start baking when it first turns off, but when it comes back on it doesn't necessarily mean the waffle is done.", "It just means the plates cooled to the point where the thermostat kicked back in.", ")" ]
The cell phone service in my place isn't too bad. It's about what you'd expect - you look at your cell phone and see that you have a full signal, but as soon as you place a call, or go online, it drops to 1 or 2 bars. I was hoping this thing could fix that - or at least give me a stronger signal. I set it up as best I could - I live in a condo - but saw no difference in cell phone signal strength before and after plugging this thing in. As I am in a condo, I could only put the receiver up against a window, not outside on a pole or something. I saw the video, read the instructions, but still received no increased signal strength or call clarity by using this product. One odd thing - the receiver says to point a certain side of it towards the cell phone tower. I want you to look around your area right now - do you see a cell phone tower? Any idea where one might be? Yah, me neither. I am going to give this to someone else who has much worse cell phone reception in their home than myself, and if they have better luck, I will update this review. But for now - PASS.	negative	[ "The cell phone service in my place isn't too bad.", "It's about what you'd expect - you look at your cell phone and see that you have a full signal, but as soon as you place a call, or go online, it drops to 1 or 2 bars.", "I was hoping this thing could fix that - or at least give me a stronger signal.", "I set it up as best I could - I live in a condo - but saw no difference in cell phone signal strength before and after plugging this thing in.", "As I am in a condo, I could only put the receiver up against a window, not outside on a pole or something.", "I saw the video, read the instructions, but still received no increased signal strength or call clarity by using this product.", "One odd thing - the receiver says to point a certain side of it towards the cell phone tower.", "I want you to look around your area right now - do you see a cell phone tower?", "Any idea where one might be?", "Yah, me neither.", "I am going to give this to someone else who has much worse cell phone reception in their home than myself, and if they have better luck, I will update this review.", "But for now - PASS." ]
Rock music was at a crossroads in 1985. Many groups that had come on the scene the past couple of years that had an immediate splash were "dead", or very close to death. Progressive rock on this side of the Atlantic had already been buried (and would not rise again for years). Album-oriented rock in its true form did not exist. Just listen to any AOR band in '85 and you'll find they sounded sterile and sanitized; their music lacked an edge. And Rush, on Power Windows, sounded no different. As much as Grace Under Pressure possessed a "dirty electronic" sound, Power Windows sounded cleaner, with the advances in electronic technology heavily displayed here, as this was the band's first full digital recording. And as much as I liked Grace Under Pressure, I could not say the same for Power Windows, although in a few spots it is good. Lee's bass playing is more in the mix in spots ("The Big Money", "Grand Designs", "Marathon") and possesses slightly more low end than it did on GUP. Lifeson did pull off some fine solos again ("The Big Money", 'Grand Designs", "Marathon$Q, and "Middletown Dreams$Q). And Peart, after his "noodling around" with the electronic percussion on GUP, incorporated it more effectively into his overall playing ("Territories", "Emotion Detector", "Mystic Rhythms") coming up with patterns that better suited the music being made. And lyrically, he really began to connect on a more human level, penning his best lyrics to date. But with those good points aside, there are glaring weak ones. The production here is too smooth for my taste. as much as GUP still featured Rush with a little bit of an edge, Power Windows is overly processed (which would become much worse on Hold Your Fire). Aside from the solos, Lifeson's guitar playing loses its edge here with the bright tone he employed, and his parts lack creativity, which hurts the songs as a result. The keyboards took over the guitar playing, you could say. And that is not the way Rush music was meant to be...I would only recommend this album to a completist, and not a casual fan looking to begin a Rush collection. This album is not the piece you should start with; it is just too weak overall. Start instead with Moving Pictures or Signals. Power Windows is one of the few Rush albums that sounds dated now, belonging in its point of time. It does not age well. I rarely listen to it now, it just lacks the vitality that was present in their earlier releases, and most of the releases that followed it. You could say that Rush stood at the crossroads at this point in their history. They ended up straying down the wrong path, at least for a while. Fortunately, a few years later, they would find their way back home.	negative	[ "Rock music was at a crossroads in 1985.", "Many groups that had come on the scene the past couple of years that had an immediate splash were \"dead\", or very close to death.", "Progressive rock on this side of the Atlantic had already been buried (and would not rise again for years).", "Album-oriented rock in its true form did not exist.", "Just listen to any AOR band in '85 and you'll find they sounded sterile and sanitized; their music lacked an edge.", "And Rush, on Power Windows, sounded no different.", "As much as Grace Under Pressure possessed a \"dirty electronic\" sound, Power Windows sounded cleaner, with the advances in electronic technology heavily displayed here, as this was the band's first full digital recording.", "And as much as I liked Grace Under Pressure, I could not say the same for Power Windows, although in a few spots it is good.", "Lee's bass playing is more in the mix in spots (\"The Big Money\", \"Grand Designs\", \"Marathon\") and possesses slightly more low end than it did on GUP.", "Lifeson did pull off some fine solos again (\"The Big Money\", 'Grand Designs\", \"Marathon$Q, and \"Middletown Dreams$Q).", "And Peart, after his \"noodling around\" with the electronic percussion on GUP, incorporated it more effectively into his overall playing (\"Territories\", \"Emotion Detector\", \"Mystic Rhythms\") coming up with patterns that better suited the music being made.", "And lyrically, he really began to connect on a more human level, penning his best lyrics to date.", "But with those good points aside, there are glaring weak ones.", "The production here is too smooth for my taste.", "as much as GUP still featured Rush with a little bit of an edge, Power Windows is overly processed (which would become much worse on Hold Your Fire).", "Aside from the solos, Lifeson's guitar playing loses its edge here with the bright tone he employed, and his parts lack creativity, which hurts the songs as a result.", "The keyboards took over the guitar playing, you could say.", "And that is not the way Rush music was meant to be...", "I would only recommend this album to a completist, and not a casual fan looking to begin a Rush collection.", "This album is not the piece you should start with; it is just too weak overall.", "Start instead with Moving Pictures or Signals.", "Power Windows is one of the few Rush albums that sounds dated now, belonging in its point of time.", "It does not age well.", "I rarely listen to it now, it just lacks the vitality that was present in their earlier releases, and most of the releases that followed it.", "You could say that Rush stood at the crossroads at this point in their history.", "They ended up straying down the wrong path, at least for a while.", "Fortunately, a few years later, they would find their way back home." ]
UPDATE: original review below. BALLAST FAILURES. I own three of theses and with in a year, two ballasts failed. Pondmaster was good in covering one under warranty, but I could not find receipt for the second, so no warranty. I am very disappointed in what could be an excellent product, but ends up being a piece of expensive junk. I have $600 invested in these, and now it is either keep buying ballasts at $90 a piece, or scrap them and move onto a new brand. Too bad. As you see below, I was very excited about the design.... Original review (originally 5 stars) I have 3 of these installed as follows. 240 gal display overflows into 10 gallon pre-filter, which then overflows into a 10 gallon bio-media tank. The bio-media tank then overflows into a 40 gallon sump, where it is the returned to the display. I use these sterilizers as the overflow "tubes" that feed water from the bio-media tank to the sump. They are mounted in bulkheads drilled into the side of the bio-media tank (the sterilizer's in/out are NPT threaded, that thread perfectly into threaded bulkheads). The three units are mounted in "parallel" (i.e., 3 bulkheads, at the same level in the sides of the bio-tank). The water fills up the bio tank, reaches the bulkheads and overflows, flowing through the sterilizers into the sump directly below. Thus I have a very high flow rate (total measured at 1900 gal per hour), split across 3 sterilizers, each handling about 630 gph. This assures that 100% of the water goes through a sterilizer at a low flow (assuring adequate dwell time, which is essential for UV to do its thing). If I were to use only one sterilizer, the full 1900 gph could NOT flow through a single unit because there would not be enough dwell time to sterilize the water; it would only clarify (i.e. kill free floating algae). Algae is not my problem--I want sterilization capacity to kill potentially free floating organisms (e.g., ick or other parasites). The only other option for sterilization in my set up would be to bypass only some of the water through the sterilizer (this is the most common technique), but then I am not getting 100% of the flow sterilized. So I opted for the 3 units in parallel. Very pricey, but accomplished what I wanted. Finally, the reason I chose the Pondmaster Units: because they are submersible--the only ones as far as I know. They hang off the side of my bio tank, and hang, vertically, INTO the sump; they are thus submerged in the sump water (I have added some plumbing and elbows routing the flow to assure the UV units are never without water in them, even if the sump drains). No other unit can be used in this manner. I would have used AQUA UV's but they are not submersible, and must be mounted horizontally, thus they cannot be used as I have designed this system. Given the versatility of the Pondmaster's they get my high praise. Whether UV in general actually does what it claims is another discussion...	negative	[ "UPDATE: original review below.", "BALLAST FAILURES.", "I own three of theses and with in a year, two ballasts failed.", "Pondmaster was good in covering one under warranty, but I could not find receipt for the second, so no warranty.", "I am very disappointed in what could be an excellent product, but ends up being a piece of expensive junk.", "I have $600 invested in these, and now it is either keep buying ballasts at $90 a piece, or scrap them and move onto a new brand.", "Too bad.", "As you see below, I was very excited about the design....", "Original review (originally 5 stars)\nI have 3 of these installed as follows.", "240 gal display overflows into 10 gallon pre-filter, which then overflows into a 10 gallon bio-media tank.", "The bio-media tank then overflows into a 40 gallon sump, where it is the returned to the display.", "I use these sterilizers as the overflow \"tubes\" that feed water from the bio-media tank to the sump.", "They are mounted in bulkheads drilled into the side of the bio-media tank (the sterilizer's in/out are NPT threaded, that thread perfectly into threaded bulkheads).", "The three units are mounted in \"parallel\" (i.", "e., 3 bulkheads, at the same level in the sides of the bio-tank).", "The water fills up the bio tank, reaches the bulkheads and overflows, flowing through the sterilizers into the sump directly below.", "Thus I have a very high flow rate (total measured at 1900 gal per hour), split across 3 sterilizers, each handling about 630 gph.", "This assures that 100% of the water goes through a sterilizer at a low flow (assuring adequate dwell time, which is essential for UV to do its thing).", "If I were to use only one sterilizer, the full 1900 gph could NOT flow through a single unit because there would not be enough dwell time to sterilize the water; it would only clarify (i.", "e. kill free floating algae).", "Algae is not my problem--I want sterilization capacity to kill potentially free floating organisms (e.", "g., ick or other parasites).", "The only other option for sterilization in my set up would be to bypass only some of the water through the sterilizer (this is the most common technique), but then I am not getting 100% of the flow sterilized.", "So I opted for the 3 units in parallel.", "Very pricey, but accomplished what I wanted.", "Finally, the reason I chose the Pondmaster Units: because they are submersible--the only ones as far as I know.", "They hang off the side of my bio tank, and hang, vertically, INTO the sump; they are thus submerged in the sump water (I have added some plumbing and elbows routing the flow to assure the UV units are never without water in them, even if the sump drains).", "No other unit can be used in this manner.", "I would have used AQUA UV's but they are not submersible, and must be mounted horizontally, thus they cannot be used as I have designed this system.", "Given the versatility of the Pondmaster's they get my high praise.", "Whether UV in general actually does what it claims is another discussion..." ]
I have to replace my sink disposal every 2 years on average (and that's with a water softener). I always have to buy the badger 5 model because I have size constraints under my sink that no other brand would fit in reasonably. It pains me every time I have to purchase one of these because it always seems to fall outside the warranty period, and it's always the same problem. It just starts leaking over time (and floods my cabinets in the process). The floor plate on the machine is made of a pretty thin galvanized metal, and over time it just rusts and holes form in it. Then water just pours into the motor cavity and out the bottom of the unit. I doubt if I was able to invest in a nicer model by insinkerator that I'd have these same problems. This is just their bottom of the line model. And unfortunately I'm stuck with this model until I remodel my kitchen cabinets (which could be sooner rather than later at the rate the water damage forms after one of these goes out...).	negative	[ "I have to replace my sink disposal every 2 years on average (and that's with a water softener).", "I always have to buy the badger 5 model because I have size constraints under my sink that no other brand would fit in reasonably.", "It pains me every time I have to purchase one of these because it always seems to fall outside the warranty period, and it's always the same problem.", "It just starts leaking over time (and floods my cabinets in the process).", "The floor plate on the machine is made of a pretty thin galvanized metal, and over time it just rusts and holes form in it.", "Then water just pours into the motor cavity and out the bottom of the unit.", "I doubt if I was able to invest in a nicer model by insinkerator that I'd have these same problems.", "This is just their bottom of the line model.", "And unfortunately I'm stuck with this model until I remodel my kitchen cabinets (which could be sooner rather than later at the rate the water damage forms after one of these goes out...", ")." ]
WARNING: My rats were infected with mites from this bedding. I will not be using it again. While it is cheap, the vet bill was not - nor the aggravation my pets are going through from itching until there is blood. ---------------------------- Original Review I have two rats who are litterbox trained. I normally use CareFresh bedding, but this was cheaper. This bedding is a little more "shredded" and I think it will be hard to get up from the carpet. I think I will have to use more for them than the few handfuls of the CareFresh I had to use before. Might be an ok, cheap replacement - but, I think I will be sticking with CareFresh. Keep in mind, I only use a small bit of this and the rats do not use it as bedding. As a cage layering bedding product, this would probably be nice for small critters.	negative	[ "WARNING: My rats were infected with mites from this bedding.", "I will not be using it again.", "While it is cheap, the vet bill was not - nor the aggravation my pets are going through from itching until there is blood.", "----------------------------\nOriginal Review\n\nI have two rats who are litterbox trained.", "I normally use CareFresh bedding, but this was cheaper.", "This bedding is a little more \"shredded\" and I think it will be hard to get up from the carpet.", "I think I will have to use more for them than the few handfuls of the CareFresh I had to use before.", "Might be an ok, cheap replacement - but, I think I will be sticking with CareFresh.", "Keep in mind, I only use a small bit of this and the rats do not use it as bedding.", "As a cage layering bedding product, this would probably be nice for small critters." ]
If you are like me, a father just trying to make his child happy, DO NOT BUY THIS! First, there are no Childrens titles for the 360. Maybe in a few years there will be some. Second, this console IS NOT BACKWARD COMPATIBLE with most games. Check the Microsoft site and they will confirm this (about 15 levels deep into the X-Box site). However, no where in the XBox manual do they tell you this. Third, Toys R Us will sell you Xbox games(not 360) and claim they will work with the new X-Box. They simply do not! In the rare case they do work, you must first download and install a software patch! DOES THIS MAKE ANY SENSE!! Finally, the XBox 360 is a decent DVD player and has great graphics for those with HDTV and the hookups (MS supplies the component cables). I was a huge fan of Microsoft until this product. Don't waste your money. Also, don't waste your child's time.	negative	[ "If you are like me, a father just trying to make his child happy, DO NOT BUY THIS!", "First, there are no Childrens titles for the 360.", "Maybe in a few years there will be some.", "Second, this console IS NOT BACKWARD COMPATIBLE with most games.", "Check the Microsoft site and they will confirm this (about 15 levels deep into the X-Box site).", "However, no where in the XBox manual do they tell you this.", "Third, Toys R Us will sell you Xbox games(not 360) and claim they will work with the new X-Box.", "They simply do not!", "In the rare case they do work, you must first download and install a software patch!", "DOES THIS MAKE ANY SENSE!!", "Finally, the XBox 360 is a decent DVD player and has great graphics for those with HDTV and the hookups (MS supplies the component cables).", "I was a huge fan of Microsoft until this product.", "Don't waste your money.", "Also, don't waste your child's time." ]
AWFUL!!! was going to give at least one star more..but it's just not worth it..i liked the 1st story..the Cat was very amusing and interesting..and sadly even though it was really short.. too short to do the idea of the story justice ,it sadly was longer than some of the others...some of the others weren't soo much as stories as unfinished ideas..one called the Soldier and the Siren i think..is just some poor Soldier coming home after being dumped in a letter ...comes home has a racy dream about a sexy voice on the radio and then races to meet her the next day...that's it? WTH? I couldn't believe that was it..that wasn't a story that was AN IDEA FOR A STORY!!! i know short stories are well short..... but there needs to enough there to at least MAKE A STORY!!!.. off to delete it..	negative	[ "AWFUL!!!", "was going to give at least one star more..", "but it's just not worth it..", "i liked the 1st\nstory..", "the Cat was very amusing and interesting..", "and sadly even though it was really short..", "too short to do the idea of the story justice ,it sadly was longer than some of the others...", "some of the others\nweren't soo much as stories as unfinished ideas..", "one called the Soldier and the Siren i think..", "is just some poor\nSoldier coming home after being dumped in a letter...", "comes home has a racy dream about a sexy voice on the\nradio and then races to meet her the next day...", "that's it?", "WTH?", "I couldn't believe that was it..", "that wasn't a story\nthat was AN IDEA FOR A STORY!!!", "i know short stories are well short....", ".", "but there needs to enough there to at least\n MAKE A STORY!!!", "..", "off to delete it.." ]
I frequent a woodworking supply store and look at every table they have. I've never seen a Rousseau setup put together to compare. I just went by the reviews and the claim by the manufacturer. It sounded like a good buy as well as a good idea. Ok, I've had this base plate for about two years. Actually, it's my second one. I called Rousseau and told them that I think the crown is too high and I think I'm going to have trouble. They told me to route the opening a little lower so that the edges are are a little recessed and then the crown would be parallel to the table or a bit above and it's supposed to work great. They even sent out another plate that less of a crown. Well, it sort-of works but my stock often catches on the lip of the recessed table. You have to carefully feed the stock along the table and watch for the catch. I've shimmed up the corners, adjusted it every with way and am just completely annoyed with the way the stock rides up the crown and across the other side. Like one of the other reviewers noted, forget precision work. You need to have a completely smooth top without added variables that make a seemingly simple process a little extra complicated. If you're cutting plain moulding it works fine. I've cut a ton of bead moulding and coves etc. But forget divided light and anything that has parts that need to be assembled accurately. I've since purchased an aluminum plate that fits my 9" x 12" opening and it works wonderfully. It costs twice as much as this Rousseau but more than makes up for the trouble.	negative	[ "I frequent a woodworking supply store and look at every table they have.", "I've never seen a Rousseau setup put together to compare.", "I just went by the reviews and the claim by the manufacturer.", "It sounded like a good buy as well as a good idea.", "Ok, I've had this base plate for about two years.", "Actually, it's my second one.", "I called Rousseau and told them that I think the crown is too high and I think I'm going to have trouble.", "They told me to route the opening a little lower so that the edges are are a little recessed and then the crown would be parallel to the table or a bit above and it's supposed to work great.", "They even sent out another plate that less of a crown.", "Well, it sort-of works but my stock often catches on the lip of the recessed table.", "You have to carefully feed the stock along the table and watch for the catch.", "I've shimmed up the corners, adjusted it every with way and am just completely annoyed with the way the stock rides up the crown and across the other side.", "Like one of the other reviewers noted, forget precision work.", "You need to have a completely smooth top without added variables that make a seemingly simple process a little extra complicated.", "If you're cutting plain moulding it works fine.", "I've cut a ton of bead moulding and coves etc.", "But forget divided light and anything that has parts that need to be assembled accurately.", "I've since purchased an aluminum plate that fits my 9\" x 12\" opening and it works wonderfully.", "It costs twice as much as this Rousseau but more than makes up for the trouble." ]
I got the 60 cubic foot version, and although it will adequately hold many outdoor garden tools, it is not an impressive product. First and foremost, although assembly is nominally tool-free, that is only the case if you don't have to disassemble any pieces. The pieces are labeled for convenience, and the instructions say to attach Part A to Part B, and the parts have the part numbers embossed on the plastic for easy identification - or so it seems. You see, although there are three sections called 'Part A', which implies they are the same, they are not the same. So if you follow the instructions and use just any old part labeled 'Part A' you may find yourself in the same situation as me, which is having to disassemble and reassemble sections. There are no instructions given on how to do this, and I used a flat-head screwdriver to pry up the sections that latch together, and came very close to ruining/breaking a couple of pieces. In retrospect, a close review of the instructions shows that the picture shows that even though the written instructions say to use 'Part A', you are supposed to use 'Part A' that has a notch in it when you place it in a certain position, etc. If I assembled another one of these I wouldn't make the same mistakes, so my advice is to pay extraordinarily close attention to the directions and accompanying pictures to be sure you're using the right variation of each part with the same label. Secondly, the pieces do not snap together cleanly, meaning that in many cases the bottom of the top part is supposed to slide down over the top of the bottom part, but due the flexing in the plastic they just hit together at the edges and won't slide together. I again had to take a screwdriver and run it along these junction points to make sure the parts slid together cleanly. This was particularly irksome for the pieces on the back wall, because I was assembling it with the back against another building, and I had to pull it out to get back there and assist with the joining. Which brings me to the third point, which is if you find yourself in a situation where you have to move the piece, you will find that already-assembled pieces will disconnect, causing you incredible grief to reassemble. Last but not least, when it came time to snap the lid on, I found that the unit again has to be slid away from the any obstructions (like the wall I was assembling it against) by 3-4" to allow room for the top to snap into place before rotating down. This cause yet another forced move of the partially assembled unit with another round of spontaneous disassembly due to flexing. When I was finally done with the infuriating assembly, I got to the (supposedly) fun part - loading in the garden tools. First thing in was a standard leaf rake and...tadaaa...the unit was too short for the rake to stand up in it. Really, Suncast? You made a vertical garden shed that won't hold a standard leaf rake? Bad on me for not taking down the dimensions of the unit and then measuring all my tools, but a rake is a rake and you figure a shed designed to hold rakes would hold a flippin' rake. Nope. So now the rake leans across the inside of the unit, conveniently blocking access to everything else every time I get in it. The bottom line is that if I had to do it again I wouldn't buy this unit, and I would explore other options. It's not horrible enough for me to try to disassemble it and send it back, but I am not happy with it and will be grumpy every time I use it until it either breaks irreparably or I smash it to bits when one of the doors fall off for the umpteenth time. NOT recommended.	negative	[ "I got the 60 cubic foot version, and although it will adequately hold many outdoor garden tools, it is not an impressive product.", "First and foremost, although assembly is nominally tool-free, that is only the case if you don't have to disassemble any pieces.", "The pieces are labeled for convenience, and the instructions say to attach Part A to Part B, and the parts have the part numbers embossed on the plastic for easy identification - or so it seems.", "You see, although there are three sections called 'Part A', which implies they are the same, they are not the same.", "So if you follow the instructions and use just any old part labeled 'Part A' you may find yourself in the same situation as me, which is having to disassemble and reassemble sections.", "There are no instructions given on how to do this, and I used a flat-head screwdriver to pry up the sections that latch together, and came very close to ruining/breaking a couple of pieces.", "In retrospect, a close review of the instructions shows that the picture shows that even though the written instructions say to use 'Part A', you are supposed to use 'Part A' that has a notch in it when you place it in a certain position, etc.", "If I assembled another one of these I wouldn't make the same mistakes, so my advice is to pay extraordinarily close attention to the directions and accompanying pictures to be sure you're using the right variation of each part with the same label.", "Secondly, the pieces do not snap together cleanly, meaning that in many cases the bottom of the top part is supposed to slide down over the top of the bottom part, but due the flexing in the plastic they just hit together at the edges and won't slide together.", "I again had to take a screwdriver and run it along these junction points to make sure the parts slid together cleanly.", "This was particularly irksome for the pieces on the back wall, because I was assembling it with the back against another building, and I had to pull it out to get back there and assist with the joining.", "Which brings me to the third point, which is if you find yourself in a situation where you have to move the piece, you will find that already-assembled pieces will disconnect, causing you incredible grief to reassemble.", "Last but not least, when it came time to snap the lid on, I found that the unit again has to be slid away from the any obstructions (like the wall I was assembling it against) by 3-4\" to allow room for the top to snap into place before rotating down.", "This cause yet another forced move of the partially assembled unit with another round of spontaneous disassembly due to flexing.", "When I was finally done with the infuriating assembly, I got to the (supposedly) fun part - loading in the garden tools.", "First thing in was a standard leaf rake and...", "tadaaa...", "the unit was too short for the rake to stand up in it.", "Really, Suncast?", "You made a vertical garden shed that won't hold a standard leaf rake?", "Bad on me for not taking down the dimensions of the unit and then measuring all my tools, but a rake is a rake and you figure a shed designed to hold rakes would hold a flippin' rake.", "Nope.", "So now the rake leans across the inside of the unit, conveniently blocking access to everything else every time I get in it.", "The bottom line is that if I had to do it again I wouldn't buy this unit, and I would explore other options.", "It's not horrible enough for me to try to disassemble it and send it back, but I am not happy with it and will be grumpy every time I use it until it either breaks irreparably or I smash it to bits when one of the doors fall off for the umpteenth time.", "NOT recommended." ]
I really like Splinter Cell. MGS2 is no Splinter Cell... not even close! The one main problem is the horrible camera angles. Just let me play in 1st person mode! Next, why in the world doesn't Snake have a knife? If I had just put a terrorist to sleep, knowing he'd wake up again in a few minutes, I'd just slit his throat! At the very least, toss him overboard, toss his weapons overboard, or something!!! And why can't I pick up their weapons? Also, what's with the stupid shaking the body to find stuff? Why can't Snake just go through the pockets, instead of having to shake the body repeatedly, to try and find something? And wouldn't this wake them up if they're asleep??? Dumb doesn't even begin to describe the contrived story line and limitations. Wasted 3 hours on it, trying to see if it would "grow on me". Yeah, it grew... like fungus. I'm not sure why I'm even giving it 2 stars, but I'm in a generous mood.	negative	[ "I really like Splinter Cell.", "MGS2 is no Splinter Cell...", "not even close!", "The one main problem is the horrible camera angles.", "Just let me play in 1st person mode!", "Next, why in the world doesn't Snake have a knife?", "If I had just put a terrorist to sleep, knowing he'd wake up again in a few minutes, I'd just slit his throat!", "At the very least, toss him overboard, toss his weapons overboard, or something!!!", "And why can't I pick up their weapons?", "Also, what's with the stupid shaking the body to find stuff?", "Why can't Snake just go through the pockets, instead of having to shake the body repeatedly, to try and find something?", "And wouldn't this wake them up if they're asleep???", "Dumb doesn't even begin to describe the contrived story line and limitations.", "Wasted 3 hours on it, trying to see if it would \"grow on me\".", "Yeah, it grew...", "like fungus.", "I'm not sure why I'm even giving it 2 stars, but I'm in a generous mood." ]
I've been on the hunt for a good eye makeup remove for a while. So far all of the brands that have been recommended to me either aren't very good at all (Clinique) or contain aloe (Neutrogena). Some of the products I've wanted to try (like L'Oreal) had scary reviews. I had hoped that this product from Vichy would be different. The Amazon product page gives the description of the product as a "highly effective, yet gentle eye make-up remover to hydrates [sic], soothe and help reduce the appearance of fatigue." The product is supposed to effectively remove eye makeup while soothing the under eye area. I will say that the product is rather soothing. It doesn't irritate the sensitive skin around my eyes, nor has it caused any irritation or dryness or anything like that. It also doesn't sting if it gets into my eyes during use. However, it doesn't do much toward removing my eye makeup, either. No matter how careful I am, no matter how much I put on the cotton pad nor how much time I take swabbing the eye area, I still have product come off onto my towel when I dry my face. I cleanse my face again before bed every night, and yet I still wake up with black smudges under my eyes every morning. I confess, I do wear a lot of eye makeup - every day, I wear shadow, liner, and mascara. Before I ever swab with eye makeup remove, I use cold cream and a warm washcloth to remove most of the makeup. It doesn't get it all obviously (I wear contacts and you don't want to risk getting cold cream in your eye, and you also don't want to scrub too much in that area) but it gets a lot. The fact that this product can't remove what's left is a big disappointment. Perhaps it would work better for someone who wears less makeup. But I can say I won't be spending $17.00 for another bottle.	negative	[ "I've been on the hunt for a good eye makeup remove for a while.", "So far all of\n the brands that have been recommended to me either aren't very good at all\n (Clinique) or contain aloe (Neutrogena).", "Some of the products I've wanted to\n try (like L'Oreal) had scary reviews.", "I had hoped that this product from Vichy\n would be different.", "The Amazon product page gives the description of the product as a \"highly\n effective, yet gentle eye make-up remover to hydrates [sic], soothe and help\n reduce the appearance of fatigue.", "\" The product is supposed to effectively\n remove eye makeup while soothing the under eye area.", "I will say that the product is rather soothing.", "It doesn't irritate the\n sensitive skin around my eyes, nor has it caused any irritation or dryness or\n anything like that.", "It also doesn't sting if it gets into my eyes during use.", "However, it doesn't do much toward removing my eye makeup, either.", "No matter\n how careful I am, no matter how much I put on the cotton pad nor how much time I\n take swabbing the eye area, I still have product come off onto my towel when I\n dry my face.", "I cleanse my face again before bed every night, and yet I still\n wake up with black smudges under my eyes every morning.", "I confess, I do wear a lot of eye makeup - every day, I wear shadow, liner, and\n mascara.", "Before I ever swab with eye makeup remove, I use cold cream and a warm\n washcloth to remove most of the makeup.", "It doesn't get it all obviously (I wear\n contacts and you don't want to risk getting cold cream in your eye, and you also\n don't want to scrub too much in that area) but it gets a lot.", "The fact that\n this product can't remove what's left is a big disappointment.", "Perhaps it would work better for someone who wears less makeup.", "But I can say I won't be spending $17.", "00 for another bottle." ]
* This review may contain spoilers * Coal Miner's Daughter is the type of film constructed that seems to recreate meager events as important, but in reality they are nothing more than fabricated fluff which attempt to move us in some way. What we have here is an endeavor to create a "bliblical epic" about a disproportionate life of poverty. There's no Marxist analogy though, just an acceptance of lousy conditions under the brutal and greedy mine companies. The noble life of poverty is supposed to make us side with the righteous Loretta Lyn, played like a spiritless doll by Sissy Spacek. Enter the ignorant young girl who dreams of a better life. She meets up with an abusive drunk loser and falls in love. Simplistic, even idiotic. Such are the films of Hollywood. She's vicious at heart, loathing both her brothers and sisters, even her parents, who are warped by an infatuation with Appalachian Christianity, complete with moon shining hypocrisy, or blood feud swaggering, etc. Her claim to fame, shown in an uncritical light, is that she can sing like an injured cat. What appeal this would have to intelligent people is beyond me, obviously it is made for the masses, who cry at such nefarious laid-back stories, that are ideal for showcasing lies which manipulate emotions. It's biased, and only casts Loretta Lyn as a benign genius who can sing and act like a saint, everything really human about her, including her faults, which would make the story interesting, is left out.	negative	[ "* This review may contain spoilers *\n\n Coal Miner's Daughter is the type of film constructed that seems to recreate meager events as important, but in reality they are nothing more than fabricated fluff which attempt to move us in some way.", "What we have here is an endeavor to create a \"bliblical epic\" about a disproportionate life of poverty.", "There's no Marxist analogy though, just an acceptance of lousy conditions under the brutal and greedy mine companies.", "The noble life of poverty is supposed to make us side with the righteous Loretta Lyn, played like a spiritless doll by Sissy Spacek.", "Enter the ignorant young girl who dreams of a better life.", "She meets up with an abusive drunk loser and falls in love.", "Simplistic, even idiotic.", "Such are the films of Hollywood.", "She's vicious at heart, loathing both her brothers and sisters, even her parents, who are warped by an infatuation with Appalachian Christianity, complete with moon shining hypocrisy, or blood feud swaggering, etc.", "Her claim to fame, shown in an uncritical light, is that she can sing like an injured cat.", "What appeal this would have to intelligent people is beyond me, obviously it is made for the masses, who cry at such nefarious laid-back stories, that are ideal for showcasing lies which manipulate emotions.", "It's biased, and only casts Loretta Lyn as a benign genius who can sing and act like a saint, everything really human about her, including her faults, which would make the story interesting, is left out." ]
Nope. Didn't look any of those words up. BUT... I was wondering why so many people are willing to write so much about these guys, and I have finally figured it out: 1. Tool is not popular and highly rated because the world is coming to an end, they are popular and highly rated because the world has already ended. 2. We are currently existing in a harmonic reverberation of the 4th dimension 'echo' that issued forth from the cataclysm which ended all time and space previously known to what we now call 'us'. 3. At the exact moment of the end of time, someone or something was making so VERY much noise, that it has imprinted on this 'echo.' 4. We now call that imprint 'TOOL,' and in the resulting veil of illusion, have given its manifestation human faces and names. Thus we believe it to be a 'band.' 5. So, you see, if you imagine the previously existing universe as some kind of ordered cosmic waste, and the end as some kind of elimination of that waste, then 'TOOL' is really the useful sound of the Cosmic Toilet Flushing, heard from somewhere way, way down the hall. 6. Spinach and roses. (This lines is here only to ensure an adequate mangling of metaphor.)	negative	[ "Nope.", "Didn't look any of those words up.", "BUT...", "I was wondering why so many people are willing to write so much about these guys, and I have finally figured it out:\n1.", "Tool is not popular and highly rated because the world is coming to an end, they are popular and highly rated because the world has already ended.", "2.", "We are currently existing in a harmonic reverberation of the 4th dimension 'echo' that issued forth from the cataclysm which ended all time and space previously known to what we now call 'us'.", "3.", "At the exact moment of the end of time, someone or something was making so VERY much noise, that it has imprinted on this 'echo.", "'\n4.", "We now call that imprint 'TOOL,' and in the resulting veil of illusion, have given its manifestation human faces and names.", "Thus we believe it to be a 'band.", "'\n5.", "So, you see, if you imagine the previously existing universe as some kind of ordered cosmic waste, and the end as some kind of elimination of that waste, then 'TOOL' is really the useful sound of the Cosmic Toilet Flushing, heard from somewhere way, way down the hall.", "6.", "Spinach and roses.", "(This lines is here only to ensure an adequate mangling of metaphor.", ")" ]
After spending several weekends installing & re-installing this product on my XP Pro box, to use with its sister product (Belkin F5D6130 AP), I GAVE UP. Included CD was flakey -- so, got new driver from Belkin website. Installed & worked -- until I rebooted, then XP froze up. Had to disable an XP service (SSDP Discovery). After reboot, USB device is recognized, but offline, and cannot bring online. I have extensive experience with networking (20 years). Tech support was of no help. Could be an XP problem, but note: Belkin Driver is "unsigned". Avoid this product (for XP) until Belkin releases a better XP driver. Going forward, I will be looking for a wireless Ethernet bridge, possibly LinkSys WET11.	negative	[ "After spending several weekends installing & re-installing this product on my XP Pro box, to use with its sister product (Belkin F5D6130 AP), I GAVE UP.", "Included CD was flakey -- so, got new driver from Belkin website.", "Installed & worked -- until I rebooted, then XP froze up.", "Had to disable an XP service (SSDP Discovery).", "After reboot, USB device is recognized, but offline, and cannot bring online.", "I have extensive experience with networking (20 years).", "Tech support was of no help.", "Could be an XP problem, but note: Belkin Driver is \"unsigned\".", "Avoid this product (for XP) until Belkin releases a better XP driver.", "Going forward, I will be looking for a wireless Ethernet bridge, possibly LinkSys WET11." ]
I rented this game this year instead of buying it because of the garbage that EA had last year. I also played the Espn game and it was horrible too. I can't believe that the people that own the best sports game out there (Madden) cannot create another franchise mode similar to the one that is so successful. If they cut and paste Madden's franchise mode to NBA live it would be one of the best games ever. Year after year since live has been on PS2 we have had the same gameplay, except for the freestyle gimmick which is useless, but I hope that they change the franchise mode and they never do. This year is the worst I've seen where only the star players get a rating in the 90's and the next best player on your team is a 70. Who came up with this rating system? And from year to year your players stats never change. You think you're going to be the Cavs and make Lebron awesome good luck, 10 years from now he's still 77 or whatever he starts out at the beginning of the game. I was totally heartbroken to see the pathetic attempts at basketball games this year from both companies and I hope that next year they can fix this because one of the reasons I have stopped becoming such a hardcore NBA fan is because there isn't a game that I can play anymore to get me in the mood to watch basketball.	negative	[ "I rented this game this year instead of buying it because of the garbage that EA had last year.", "I also played the Espn game and it was horrible too.", "I can't believe that the people that own the best sports game out there (Madden) cannot create another franchise mode similar to the one that is so successful.", "If they cut and paste Madden's franchise mode to NBA live it would be one of the best games ever.", "Year after year since live has been on PS2 we have had the same gameplay, except for the freestyle gimmick which is useless, but I hope that they change the franchise mode and they never do.", "This year is the worst I've seen where only the star players get a rating in the 90's and the next best player on your team is a 70.", "Who came up with this rating system?", "And from year to year your players stats never change.", "You think you're going to be the Cavs and make Lebron awesome good luck, 10 years from now he's still 77 or whatever he starts out at the beginning of the game.", "I was totally heartbroken to see the pathetic attempts at basketball games this year from both companies and I hope that next year they can fix this because one of the reasons I have stopped becoming such a hardcore NBA fan is because there isn't a game that I can play anymore to get me in the mood to watch basketball." ]
The instructions in the box are inadequate. The trick is that after activating it on one device you have to log in to your account and download it from there to additional devices. You do not activate it for each device. The activation screen has an option for if you have already activated the device. If you notice it, you can try that route. However, it asked for my email and phone number and found no account, apparently their bug because when I went to norton.com I could log in from there. Once in my account I found that I could download to the device from which I logged in. I have had other problems with Norton in the past. One year I returned it. My take is that they did a poor job of testing there user interfaces and provided inadequate documentation for the current release.	negative	[ "The instructions in the box are inadequate.", "The trick is that after activating it on one device you have to log in to your account and download it from there to additional devices.", "You do not activate it for each device.", "The activation screen has an option for if you have already activated the device.", "If you notice it, you can try that route.", "However, it asked for my email and phone number and found no account, apparently their bug because when I went to norton.", "com I could log in from there.", "Once in my account I found that I could download to the device from which I logged in.", "I have had other problems with Norton in the past.", "One year I returned it.", "My take is that they did a poor job of testing there user interfaces and provided inadequate documentation for the current release." ]
Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley, is a story of a futuristic society in London. Human life is centered on advanced technologies. It is controlled by some people at the top of what is called the World State. The story begins with a group of students touring a lab where human beings are created and conditioned to what is known as a caste system. There are several levels such as Alphas, Betas, and Epsilons where each level has a certain job. In more detail, one of the main characters of the book is Bernard Marx who is an Alpha-Plus psychologist. Bernard is an outlier in this world as he lives in discontentment. Despite his disdain for women, Bernard attracts the attention of Lenina Crowne. She agrees to vacation with Bernard to a place known as the Savage Reservation, which is far from the controlled society in their hometown. At the reservation, they meet Linda, a woman who used to live in London, and her son John. They agree to bring John and Linda home. Bernard eventually gains attention in London from John, the new celebrity known as the Savage. John later becomes dissatisfied with the strange and confusing society in London where there is no creativity or passion. When Linda dies, John becomes nearly insane, and resorts to self-harm and takes a massive dose of the drug soma. SPOILER ALERT: The story ends with John hanging himself. Although the last few chapters are exciting and culminate with a suspenseful ending, Brave New World is ahead of its time to say the least. This book was written only a few years after the great depression ended in America. The plot itself is relatable today, but the old style language style makes the book quite boring at parts. It is an old story (published in 1932) but like I said, it has a realistic theme. Although everybody seems to be content with their controlled lives, Bernard and even his friend Helmholtz are dissatisfied by the lack of uniqueness and individuality. Helmholtz once asked Bernard if he felt as though he had something inside him that was only waiting for him to give it a chance to come out. This was a common feeling between these two friends. Later, when Bernard and Lenina go to the Savage Reservation, they are surprised to see how people can live in such putrid conditions. However, when John hears of the brave new world located in London, he becomes excited and has high expectations of London. But, when he sees the lack of creativity and self-expression there, he, like Bernard and Helmholtz, is also discontented and dissatisfied. In conclusion, Brave New World can be a tedious and hard to understand book, but it displays a plot that still applies to the world we live in today where people sometimes feel restricted by the life they live and cant express their true passions. It is a powerful story that ends with a shocking outcome and makes the reader wonder about their society today. This book is not for anyone that loses focus easily when reading; however, many teenagers can relate to this story and will find themselves hooked on the last few chapters.	negative	[ "Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley, is a story of a futuristic society in London.", "Human life is centered on advanced technologies.", "It is controlled by some people at the top of what is called the World State.", "The story begins with a group of students touring a lab where human beings are created and conditioned to what is known as a caste system.", "There are several levels such as Alphas, Betas, and Epsilons where each level has a certain job.", "In more detail, one of the main characters of the book is Bernard Marx who is an Alpha-Plus psychologist.", "Bernard is an outlier in this world as he lives in discontentment.", "Despite his disdain for women, Bernard attracts the attention of Lenina Crowne.", "She agrees to vacation with Bernard to a place known as the Savage Reservation, which is far from the controlled society in their hometown.", "At the reservation, they meet Linda, a woman who used to live in London, and her son John.", "They agree to bring John and Linda home.", "Bernard eventually gains attention in London from John, the new celebrity known as the Savage.", "John later becomes dissatisfied with the strange and confusing society in London where there is no creativity or passion.", "When Linda dies, John becomes nearly insane, and resorts to self-harm and takes a massive dose of the drug soma.", "SPOILER ALERT: The story ends with John hanging himself.", "Although the last few chapters are exciting and culminate with a suspenseful ending, Brave New World is ahead of its time to say the least.", "This book was written only a few years after the great depression ended in America.", "The plot itself is relatable today, but the old style language style makes the book quite boring at parts.", "It is an old story (published in 1932) but like I said, it has a realistic theme.", "Although everybody seems to be content with their controlled lives, Bernard and even his friend Helmholtz are dissatisfied by the lack of uniqueness and individuality.", "Helmholtz once asked Bernard if he felt as though he had something inside him that was only waiting for him to give it a chance to come out.", "This was a common feeling between these two friends.", "Later, when Bernard and Lenina go to the Savage Reservation, they are surprised to see how people can live in such putrid conditions.", "However, when John hears of the brave new world located in London, he becomes excited and has high expectations of London.", "But, when he sees the lack of creativity and self-expression there, he, like Bernard and Helmholtz, is also discontented and dissatisfied.", "In conclusion, Brave New World can be a tedious and hard to understand book, but it displays a plot that still applies to the world we live in today where people sometimes feel restricted by the life they live and cant express their true passions.", "It is a powerful story that ends with a shocking outcome and makes the reader wonder about their society today.", "This book is not for anyone that loses focus easily when reading; however, many teenagers can relate to this story and will find themselves hooked on the last few chapters." ]
I bought this for its celebrated magic water-scrubbing powers. Once working leave it for a half hour to an hour and the results are inspiring. The Vortex does work, but at a fairly steep price. It is very time consuming to get going. In fact it is a pain of a science project to get the air out of the vessel so that it can pump properly. The impeller blade for the pump is located at the top of the vessel, bottom of the black assembly (with the motor on top). If you have any air in the jar, positioning the pump as shown in the display pic, it will rise to the top and the impeller blades will not be contacting water. The result of this is pump no workee. The best work around for this seems to be keeping the pump at an angle so that the air bubble is on the side of the container and the impeller is in full contact with the water. Cleaning the pump is a nightmare. You need a slop sink or an aesthetic where mess is ok. In my case I do not use the pump that frequently (once every few months) on my fresh water tank. Fungus/mold/mystery life forms will develop in the tubing If you do not remove the tubes and hang them out in the light to dry. I am going to have to buy replacement tubing before I use this pump again. I would not recommend this pump to anyone who isn't going to leave it connected 24 x 7. The time and energy to set up, strike, clean, and reassemble for each use is simply not worth the aggravation.	negative	[ "I bought this for its celebrated magic water-scrubbing powers.", "Once working leave it for\na half hour to an hour and the results are inspiring.", "The Vortex does work, but at a fairly steep price.", "It is very time consuming to get going.", "In fact it is a pain of a science project to get the air out of the vessel so that it can\npump properly.", "The impeller blade for the pump is located at the top of the vessel, bottom of the black\nassembly (with the motor on top).", "If you have any air in the jar, positioning the pump\nas shown in the display pic, it will rise to the top and the impeller blades will not be contacting\nwater.", "The result of this is pump no workee.", "The best work around for this seems to be keeping the pump at an angle so that the air bubble\nis on the side of the container and the impeller is in full contact with the water.", "Cleaning the pump is a nightmare.", "You need a slop sink or an aesthetic where mess is ok.", "In my case I do not use the pump that frequently (once every few months) on my fresh water tank.", "Fungus/mold/mystery life forms will develop in the tubing If you do not remove the tubes and hang them\nout in the light to dry.", "I am going to have to buy replacement tubing before I use this pump again.", "I would not recommend this pump to anyone who isn't going to leave it connected 24 x 7.", "The time\nand energy to set up, strike, clean, and reassemble for each use is simply not worth the aggravation." ]
alright i thought. a true AD&D game from the company that created the classic baldur's gate series and other great games that ran well on my computer. unfortunately, this game barely runs on my mid-high range system. the game literally stutters along with constant 2-3 second pauses. i find that many of the other people in the bioware tech support problem were having the same issue without a response from bioware. after much research, i discovered there is only one solution to this problem and this consists of using a third-party graphics program (costs about 20 bucks to register). this program will not allow you to see any of the in-game movies and the performance is still slow, sluggish and just unplayable. to play this game, it comes down to either buying new hardware, waiting months for a patch that might not be released or just returning it. from what i've read on here and elsewhere, i see that this game isn't even worth playing even if it ran flawlessly on my system (to save space i won't repeat what others have said). my advice: get warcraft III. if you want a real authentic AD&D experience, play in real life for now as this game doesn't provide it even if it runs smoothly on your system.	negative	[ "alright i thought.", "a true AD&D game from the company that created the classic baldur's gate series and other great games that ran well on my computer.", "unfortunately, this game barely runs on my mid-high range system.", "the game literally stutters along with constant 2-3 second pauses.", "i find that many of the other people in the bioware tech support problem were having the same issue without a response from bioware.", "after much research, i discovered there is only one solution to this problem and this consists of using a third-party graphics program (costs about 20 bucks to register).", "this program will not allow you to see any of the in-game movies and the performance is still slow, sluggish and just unplayable.", "to play this game, it comes down to either buying new hardware, waiting months for a patch that might not be released or just returning it.", "from what i've read on here and elsewhere, i see that this game isn't even worth playing even if it ran flawlessly on my system (to save space i won't repeat what others have said).", "my advice: get warcraft III.", "if you want a real authentic AD&D experience, play in real life for now as this game doesn't provide it even if it runs smoothly on your system." ]