Girlzilla

It's OK - The Sims series seems pretty used to being misunderstood, even ignored, in the mainstream gaming industry.  It’s undoubtedly a feminine game (“virtual dollhouse”) against masculine shoot-em-up types, the majority of games out there.  (Though you can kill your Sims.  Death by drowning, electrocution, starvation, eaten by the famous Cow Plant, etc.  It gets weird.  It’s definitely goofy).  Case in point, the E3 Expo this past June, the Sims 4 barely got any attention compared to EA’s big titles like Mass Effect and Battlefield.  I don’t have the link right now, but I remember one commentator saying something along the lines of being embarrassed about "admitting" he liked playing the Sims.

Plus, after the SimCity fiasco, Sims 4 will definitely *not* be online.  The only really interactive thing is the Gallery where you upload your Sims and houses, and other people can download and put it in their game.

I personally like playing it for the building.  I’m surprised Fatty hasn’t gotten his girls a copy (I’m guessing).  It’s kind of like Minecraft in that you can creatively build things, like homes and community lots (like bars and parks, etc).

Sims 4 videos, for those interested

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KSFkcKBBMo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZmtGfTj-to&list=PLSnHrMX7SCvNtIERLfzYZ4xHXt3n5Pz8p

Hmmm... I have the entire collection on their original, physical discs and only registered this deal on Origin as a free digital backup - so I don't know what the download file looks like.  I'm assuming you have to install as if they were physical copies, in the correct order for each expansion/stuff pack (see the order list above), unless it's all just one convenient huge file.  I don't know.   Hopefully, the installation wizard is walking you through it!  Sorry I couldn't be more help.

Just note, the entire collection takes FOREVER to install disc by disc - it's a huge game with all the expansions, etc.  It's not a fun process.  I have notes at home I can share about running it in compatibility mode if it fails to launch.  I can't remember, but I think I had to create a new shortcut to point to a different .exe to run it.  I'm running it on Windows 7, btw.  Also, the resolution was stuck on a really low setting - I had to edit some .ini file to fix it so I could get access to the 1600X900 setting.  I'll get that posted when I'm home from work!

Edit: Well, I couldn't find the notes, but hopefully this helps if you run into trouble, chick82:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwqBECnGPis

Good luck! I'm gonna relive my gym membership next week. As always, I gained extra pounds during winter. Must burn them!

I personally hate gyms.  The only ones I liked were during college - we had co-ed volleyball in the rec room.  That was a lot of fun.  I really only like exercise that feels more like playing or exploring, ya know what I mean?

Welp, anyway, after finally getting a smart phone, I started using the app MyFitnessPal for calorie counting and exercise tracking.  My goal is to get to 125-130 pounds (last seen when I was in my early 20s).  My desk job has done me no favors.  I have about 15-20lbs to lose.  Actually, it's less about losing weight as being able to climb stairs without getting winded.  Endurance and strength, I guess.  Is the app helping?  Well, it’s really made me more self-aware of what I’m eating.  I just want to be healthier, stronger, feel more energetic and stabilize my moods.  I have crazy genes in the family.   My favorite activities are bike riding and visiting parks to hike and walk, but when the weather is bad, it’s really hard to motivate myself to exercise indoors.  I just LOVE trees and rivers and not seeing cars and buildings, and so being on a treadmill is torture!  I need an exercise buddy – it’s hard because my husband is on his feet all day (he has a pretty active job – total opposite of mine), so when we’re both home he just wants to relax, so I’d have to go to the park alone L.  I don’t mind walking alone – personality wise, I’m pretty introverted – so it’s mainly a safety issue.  I’m afraid I’d get jumped.  Maybe I should just get a dog?

So THAT'S why it was broken down. I thought it from being overloaded with pizza.

Now I want to find a pizza aroma air freshener for my car

Well I started the process to get my bachelors in Journalism from Cabrillo College.  I'm so nervous, I get all these e-mails about my financial aid, and I'm like oh my, I haven't been to school in years, I didn't even finish high school in the traditional sense (got my GED), and I did really well on it considering.  Anyway, so now I have to take this assessment tests and stuff and it's very unnerving. 

 

BUT, even before I started I already feel defeated.  I'm trying to fill out all these e-forms I'm missing and just getting flustered.  Oh this is annoying.  Idk, I'm sure things will be fine I'm just nervous.

 

So here, tell me this:

 

Weather you went straight to college after high school or maybe years later:

 

How did you get past that fear, or nervousness. 

 

Is there a lot of people who you can reach out to if you get stuck?  And by that I mean like are people usually (like classmates) open to helping if you are lost or trying to figure things out.

 

Any advice on how to handle the next 4 years of my life as I make this journey.

 

 

Thanks,

Chick

My advice is network as much as you can while in college.  Make friends in your classes – students and professors.  They’ll probably be assigning a great deal of group work, so this should make it easier.  I can’t stress this enough.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard about job openings and just business in general from other students and professors.  Mostly professors that have been pretty high up in the working world – they can provide recommendations and even get your foot in the door if you make a great impression.

Financial aid paperwork is definitely a burdensome chore, but the first year is always the worse.  After that, renewing it year after year using the same process, you realize it’s not so bad.  Call your financial aid office and ask for help – that’s what they’re there for.  Also, try to make payments before you graduate if it’s accruing interest.

On a personal note, why did you pick journalism?  Do you enjoy writing a lot?  *Please* don’t take this the wrong way – but using “weather” instead of “whether” makes me roll my eyes.  Yes, forum posts aren’t college papers, but I would think journalists will have to write a TON in college and these little things will matter.

Overall – try not to get so wrapped up in it that you feel nervous.  Enjoy the journey – as corny as that sounds.  It’s an awesome feeling once you graduate.  Personally, I can’t wait to be done myself.  I have one year left before I finally earn my MBA this coming Spring.  It was definitely strange going back to school at a much later age - I started in 2010 when I was 28, about 5 years after earning my Bachelors - and it was a totally different experience.  The curricula was much more team-oriented, and most everyone had techno-gizmo gadgets.

Let us know how your first semester goes!

This game is not multiplayer. 

It's also very entertaining.  Probably more for women?

Just defending the Sims against the online game "Second Life," which I agree is a total waste of time.

Hearing people reminisce about the old times in CS puts a tear in me eye!  Time FLIES.

For me, it's about the people, playing with friends.  CS is probably the most social thing I do all day.  

Sorry I missed this thread - so CUTE!

As Queen would say, that's not a forehead, it's a foreface

Thanks everyone for your replies.  I'll be thinking on this - I'm hoping to save $$ to buy this in the next 1-2 months.  I also need a new video card.

I have the Sims 2 installed on Windows 7, but it only runs if you use compatibility mode since the game is older.

Here is the order that The Sims 2 should be installed in:

• The Sims 2™ (or Sims 2 Deluxe, Sims 2 Double Deluxe or Sims 2 Holiday Edition, whichever you have)
• University (or University Life Collection)
• Nightlife (disregard if you have Sims 2 Deluxe or Double Deluxe)
• Christmas Party Pack (US) OR Holiday Party Pack (UK)
• Open for Business or Best of Business Collection
• Family Fun Stuff or Fun with Pets Collection
• Glamour Life Stuff
• Pets (disregard if you have Fun with Pets Collection)
• Happy Holiday Stuff (Disregard if you have Sims 2 Holiday Edition)
• Seasons
• Celebration Stuff (disregard if you have Double Deluxe)
• H&M Fashion Stuff (disregard if you have Best of Business Collection)
• Bon Voyage
• Teen Style Stuff (disregard if you have University Life Collection)
• FreeTime
• Kitchen & Bath Interior Design Stuff (disregard if you have Best of Business Collection)
• IKEA Home Stuff (disregard if you have University Life Collection)
• Apartment Life
• Mansion & Garden Stuff (disregard if you have Fun with Pets Collection)

Also, be sure to patch whenever you are prompted by the game to do so.

Source: http://help.ea.com/en/article/installation-order-for-the-sims-2/

In case you want to go back to the original neighborhoods after you've played them for a while:

Resetting Pleasantview, Strangetown or Veronaville
 

1. Make sure that The Sims 2 game isn't running.
2. Back up your games files.
3. Now find the following location on your hard drive: My Documents\EA Games\The Sims 2\Neighborhoods.
4. Right-click on the folder you are replacing, (N001 for Pleasantview, N002 for Strangetown and N003 for Veronaville) and choose 'Delete'.
5. Click yes when asked, to confirm deletion.
6. Find the following location on your hard drive: C:\Program Files\EA GAMES\The Sims 2\TSData\Res\UserData\Neighborhoods. (Note: This assumes you have installed the game into the default location. If you have the game installed on a drive with a different letter, then change the C:\ to the letter of the drive your game is installed on).
7. If you look in the folder listed in step 6, you will see at least 4 folders and 1 file. The three folders we are interested in are the ones labeled N001, N002 and N003.
8. Choose the neighborhood that you want to reset from the three folders mentioned in step 7. The neighborhoods are as follows:

• N001 = Pleasantview.
• N002 = Strangetown.
• N003 = Veronaville.

1. Right-click on the folder for the neighborhood you will be resetting and choose the 'copy' option. (i.e. If you will be resetting Pleasantview then the correct folder to right-click on will be N001).
2. Now find the following location on your hard drive: My Documents\EA Games\The Sims 2\Neighborhoods.
3. Right-click inside a blank part of the folder listed in step 10 and select the 'paste' option, wait while the folder and files are copied over.
4. Start your game and go to the pre-made neighborhood you have just replaced. Verify that everything has been reset.

Source: http://help.ea.com/en/article/how-to-reset-towns-in-the-sims-2/

Backing Up your Sims 2 Files:

Backup the save data in Windows XP:

1. Click the Start button and select My Documents.
2. Select the EA Games folder.
3. Right-click The Sims 2 folder and select Copy.
4. Right-click on the folder or drive where you want to save your backup and select Paste.
5. Make sure you re-name your copy and include 'backup' in the file name to avoid confusion.
6. To restore your Sims 2 save games, move this folder back into the EA Games folder and select the Overwrite option when prompted.

Backup the save data in Windows Vista:

1. Click the Start button and select Documents.
2. Select the EA Games folder.
3. Right-click The Sims 2 folder and select Cut.
4. Right-click on the folder or drive where you want to save your backup and select Paste.
5. Make sure you re-name your copy and include 'backup' in the file name to avoid confusion.
6. To restore your Sims 2 save games, move this folder back into the EA Games folder after re-installing the game.

Source: http://help.ea.com/en/article/backing-up-your-sims-2-files/

Welp, I don't just like First-Person-Shooters.  I'm a bit of a Simmer and have played Sims 1, 2, 3, and eventually I will play Sims 4 coming out this September 2nd.

BUT, you might like to know that EA is giving away Sims 2 Ultimate Collection FREE on Origin, but you have to redeem by July 31st.

Source: http://help.ea.com/en/article/how-to-get-the-sims-2-ultimate-collection/

The Ultimate Collection includes the base game + every expansion pack (8 of them) and stuff packs (9 of them).

You need Origin:

From the ‘Games’ tab in the Origin menu, select ‘Redeem Product Code’ and enter the code
I-LOVE-THE-SIMS

Also, since someone asked, this collection is completely free - you don't have to already own the base game to get all the expansions, etc.  The code gives you the whole shebang.

Zomg, I have my own plant and it's EXTREME!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zilla_(plant)

If you were to buy an SSD, which and why?

Memory size - only need to install Windows 7 and a few programs.  My old, regular drive would be for games.  I want to hear people's opinions on brands so I don't buy a brick!

Thanks!

I'm framing mine and putting it on the wall.

     It's OK - I can go 4 days without a shower, can't I?

As a side note, the bathrooms at Black Wolf Hall are very nice & spacious - I think a sponge bath may work.  

I just really don't want to leave once I'm there.

 

 

Now, onto my observation: i looked at my friends list, and I had 8 different friends playing CS:GO (not in a match, just playing).  Guess how many were in our server?  None, it was empty.  Back in the day I NEVER played anywhere but our server (still won't)...

 

Part of it is that GO is a different world now with CMM competitive match making.   A lot of us want to play matches competitively.

 

 

Absolutely...we discussed this.  The match creation part is something I always dreamed of.  This game was meant to be played as a team (many of our thousands of bans were probably due to people not getting that) This is just when people are pubbing that I'm speaking about.

 

OOooooo.  OK, welp, when I pub, I only GC!

You need to add more bathrooms?  

LOL I like that idea - we can bring tents and sleeping bags!  But what about showers? lol 

I'm trying to comment on some of the Gallery pics for your captions, Turn. 

Now, onto my observation: i looked at my friends list, and I had 8 different friends playing CS:GO (not in a match, just playing).  Guess how many were in our server?  None, it was empty.  Back in the day I NEVER played anywhere but our server (still won't)...

Part of it is that GO is a different world now with CMM competitive match making.   A lot of us want to play matches competitively.

Get someone to build a hotel across the street.

Lol YES!!!

OK, I rated up your map, and that canyon one, too.

How do you rate using the stars 1-5?  All I see is the thumbs up or down. 

Jack and I are back at home, we had a blast at Fragfest and can't wait until next year.  We didn't really take that many pics, but I added them to the Gallery.    The CS:GO tournament was  a lot of fun! lol

All these pics in this thread should be added to the Gallery. 

 

xt are in Ohio!

Front left: gl, Front right: DirtyBird, Back left: Discom, and Back right: Cujo

Am I right, or am I right.

No Shaftiel this year