A couple of months ago I decided to start playing the massive multi-player online game, Travian. Travian is a browser based game that lets you choose one of three races (Romans, Teutons or the Gauls), and then you have to create and build up a village (and its resources) while creating alliances with other gamers in your area to try create a competitive team to make it to end game.

The game, while simple when you start, gets extremely more complex and political as the months go on, and by looking at previous game play, games tend to last 12 to 15 months. I have being informed that after 10 months no new entrants are allowed in the game, and the final 6 months is a race to conquer a computer controlled race and build a Lvl 100 World Wonder.

When I first started playing Travian I was skeptical. How could a browser based game be as fun and as entertaining as the current list of games I play (Battlefield 2, COD4, World of Warcraft), but a couple of months into the game and I am completely sold. I really want to see if I can take my village to end game. However, to do that, I am going to need to make sure the alliance I am associated with 'keeps with the program', and that all enemy alliances and villages in my area are cleaned out and conquered.

There are currently over 20 000 players in the game of Travian that I am competing in. When I started writing this post, the point was not to give a review of the game (as I have just done), but rather to give a list of very useful links (as I am about to do) I have found to enable you to be better equipped for your Travian experience.

List of useful Travian links:

- Travian Website - http://www.travian.com - This is where you register and login to play the game.

- Official Travian 'manual' - http://help.travian.com - A mostly useful manual on the game and its units, resources and infrastructure.

- Travian map tool - http://travianmap.nl/index.php?ln=en# - A great tool to work out where you are in the Travian world, and who is around you.

- Travellog - http://travilog.org.ua/en - A tool to let you post battle and scouting reports to your friends and alliances members.

- Travian toolbox - http://www.traviantoolbox.com/index.php?lang=en - This tool does all types of really good calculations for you. Useful for working out battle coordination.

- Travian analyzer - http://www.travian.ws - The Travian world analyzer is a great tool for when you are doing research on a village or an alliance you have to interact with, or if you just want to have a look at whats going on in the world of Travian.

- Farm finder - http://traviantool2.ww7.be/frame_T.php?lang=com&titre=inactive - This tool lets you find inactive players so you can "farm" (thats when you raid their resources) them.

- Cropper finder - http://asite.110mb.com/cropfinder.php - This is a great tool for finding croppers (resources areas that you can take over that are very valuable) close to you.

Playing guides:

Here are a couple of guides to give you the best possible start in your game of Travian.

- Gauls. The Gauls are the best defensive race in the game. http://forum.travian.us/showthread.php?t=6302

- Romans. Romans are the economic powerhouses of the game. http://ionutbatman.trei.ro/

- Teutons. They are the most aggressive race. I could not find a decent enough guide that I would like to show you.. so if anyone is able to find one, please let me know so I can post it here.

That should be enough information to start you on a successful road to conquest. Let me know if you think there should be any other links added here.

Linux for years has being one of the best quality server operating systems on the market and there are currently more Linux servers on the web than any other operating system. Over the last couple of years, with distributions like Ubuntu pushing into the desktop market, the Linux desktop has come of age.

I was simply amazed at the native driver support that my Ubuntu desktop offered me. My blue tooth dongle, my Skype phone, my USB wireless device, HSDPA modem, my Ipod Nano and flash disks were all picked up automatically by the system and the correct drivers and applications loaded.

I have never seen an operating system with so much support for all my devices right out of the box. The Linux desktop has come of age and is in almost every aspect, superior to its Windows Vista and Windows XP counterparts.

Instead of paying a lot of money for hardware that struggles with the most basic versions of Vista, rather install Ubuntu and get a quicker, faster... superior desktop.

Why not to get a HP product.

I used to be a strong supporter of the HP brand... well at least until HP and Microsoft got into bed and had a child called Vista that really should have being aborted. I used to support HP products because they had reliable hardware, and decent support. I never thought a company could sink its reputation as quickly and efficiently as HP has done.

I ordered 2 HP Pavilion notebook / laptops. They had great hardware specs and they looked stunning, the only problem with them being that they came with Vista installed. For those of you who have not realized it. Vista is designed for really stupid people who like shiny things. Anyways.. back to HP. I think, "well no problem", when I get these laptops in I will purchase two copies of Windows XP professional SP2 and install that and a copy of Ubuntu onto my notebook.

The notebooks arrived and I get all excited. Yay! Two stunning pieces of hardware with decent specs... I will even be able to play the latest games I have, and I was really looking forward to using my notebook. I format the drives... navigate to the HP website... to the section that has the XP drivers for it... only to find... NO XP drivers!!! I nearly fell of my chair in surprise. HP is not supporting the worlds most popular desktop operating system (XP)... you cant be serious? The bastards!

The reason I dont want to install Vista is because its Windows XP in a fancy frock. Its a waste of time, resources and a disgusting insult to anyone with an IQ above that of a retarded rabbit. Even though this notebook had very decent specs (duel AMD, Nvidia chipset, 1GB of RAM)... it completely chokes with Vista Basic, and any hopes and dreams of me running any type of game were quickly being dashed against the rocks of corporate stupidity.

However, the story gets even sicker. I find out that while HP does not support XP for my laptop, they do have the drivers for XP for my hardware, but I only found that out after some digging through their other drivers and similar models. HP are trying to screw its customers into using Vista and that's the only reason why they did not put the drivers up on their website. Must be some great kick backs being paid to HP execs that they're willing to destroy their customers trust for profit.

So not only do you get shafted by Microsoft with a terrible product, but you also now get shafted by HP your hardware supplier because they are more interested in profit than quality or you.

So to all my readers... If you want to get a decent notebook that supports multiple operating systems and would likely meet all your entertainment and business needs... get an Acer. If you want to get a notebook that does not really do much and can only run one operating system.. get an Apple product. If you want a useless doorstop for your office... Get a HP notebook or a government official.

Lastly, if you are looking to download drivers from the HP website... set aside a couple of hours for extremely slow downloads for extremely bloated drivers.

WARNING. Some spoiler information.

I have just finished watching the latest documentary by Michael Moore titled SicKo and I am sitting here completely stunned. The documentary shows how Nixon was able to take the American health system and turn it into one of the most disgusting capitalistic quagmires I have ever seen.

The documentary shows how people without HMO (American version of our Medical Aid) are treated like scum and sometimes turfed out onto the street without proper care or medication. However, that's not what this documentary is about. The documentary covers how the slime that run the American HMO system have perverted America`s health services so badly that America dropped from being first in health care... to 32nd (Just above Slovenia).

It never ceases to amaze me at the levels of greed and stupidity of some people around the world. Seriously I just sometimes sit back in awe at the stupendous levels of non-thinking it must take for a country's health service to end up like the American health service.

Such a powerful nation, yet it cant even look after the most vulnerable of its citizens correctly.

The bright spark American president who came up with the idea to privatise the American Health Services was a well known conman by the name of Nixon. Yup, your ol "Mr Trustworthy" of Watergate was the "genius" president who started the slide on the American health system, but he is not alone in the blame here. Regan with as much gusto as an actor *cough* president can come up with fully endorsed Nixon`s system which has left America as the only western democracy without free medical services for those who need it.

Luckily it is easy to brainwash the ignorant, especially in America during tough times with the Soviet Union. All you had to do was say the word "socialist", and people jumped into line. Years of propaganda and non-thinking have lead Americans (and some others) to believe that socialism is all out evil. Even though they don't have a clue about what it is really about. As Moore so correctly points out, the American police force, the American firemen and library's are already socialist systems.

The documentary then spends a bit of time with many many Americans who have had their health claims turned down for reasons that would disgust a human with a shred of morality in them. I remember clearly one female having her claim denied because she did not get "pre-approval" to be taken to Hospital. I am sure she will remember next to to schedule her accident to please the HMO thieves.

Michael Moore then goes and visits some 9/11 heroes who had helped rescue survivors from wreckage of the Trade Towers. These heroes were not fireman or police officers, they were normal people who were in the area who put their lives at risk to help complete strangers by joining in the rescue operations with the local emergency services.

Due to the massive amounts of dust and other foreign particles in the air, some of the people involved in the rescue operations developed crippling lung conditions. You would think that they would be looked after right? Wrong. Since they were not official fire fighters they were simply discarded and told they were on their own. Let's stop for a moment. Imagine that... you put your life at risk to save a complete stranger as you know it is the right thing to do, only to learn a little later that your own government is going to shaft you on medical services for ailments you acquired while assisting the government.

They say you can judge a people on how the treat the weak, the old and their animals. By these criteria America has fallen far and fast.

Michael Moore then finds out that the military base in Guantanamo Bay is offering really good (but free) medical services to all its inmates. Moore gets together a group of the Americans heroes from 9/11 and tries to take them to the military base for proper treatment. The one bit that sticks out in my mind here is Michael Moore shouting over a loud speaker system asking the US military to give the same treatment to the 911 heroes as they are giving to Al -Quade suspects. This was obviously not accepted.. there's no profit in it.

But where the American health care system fails, the Cuban health care system shines like a beacon. All the 911 patients where accepted by Cuba and given almost free medical services. I remember one American
woman crying because in America she was barely able to survive on her $1000 payout and her medical inhalers cost her $129 (each) back home.. at the local pharmacy in Cuba the same medication cost her 5c.

Needless to say, the Americans with Michael Moore in Cuba were treated with care that they would not have received in their own country. Medical exams, treatment and medication that the 911 heroes were not able to receive in the USA was gladly given out in a small 3rd world country with an iota of the resources America has.

The last bit just before the Americans left Cuba was one of the most moving points in the documentary. A local fire station close to where the Americans were getting treatment invited them around to visit. When the Americans arrived at the fire station all the Cuban firemen stood to attention and saluted the patients. When asked why they did this, they responded to Michael Moore that they have the utmost respect for the heroes of 911 and wanted to honour their bravery. The Cuban firemen also informed the patients that they were sorry that they were unable to assist America during that dark time.

Michael Moore in the documentary SicKo was able to take me through a kaleidoscope of emotions as he presented his information. There was anger at how Capitalistic greed could be allowed so negatively to effect the precious lives of those around it. There was sadness when learning how some of the people interviewed for this documentary would still be alive today if they had received a half way decent health care. There is hope when you see how a small country like Cuba which has been demonized by the American government... was able to put forward an olive branch and help those who needed help.

Kudos to the Cuban people!

I really hope the Americans can learn a thing or two from countries like France and Cuba and move forward into looking after the most important resource in America. Its people.

As Michael Moore points out. To many people think about "me", and not enough about "we".

I came across this clip in the local MyADSL forums showing a comparrison between the Linux Ubuntu Beryl desktop look vs that of the new Windows Vista Aero desktop.

As you can see by the video clip, Vista Aero stands no chance against the vastly superior Ubuntu's Beryl desktop. Not only can Beryl degrade itself to look as simple as Aero, Beryl clearly shows that it surpasses Aero in just about everything. With fantastic new concepts for your desktop that are out of this world, there is simply no reason why not to switch to Ubuntu.

I have heard the uncountable propagandic reasons on why Piracy is bad for South Africa, how its hurts the economy, yada, yada, yada... You have all heard the well thought up storyline. So I thought I would add something to it, and give you a couple of reasons why piracy is both good for South Africa and good for Microsoft.

Firstly, South Africa. This one is very simple.. every time you pirate some international software or media you help reduce the South African trade deficit. Yup, by not buying an imported product you help improve our trade deficit by that much. So if you want to use this line just remember not to pirate local products, otherwise you nullify the effect. However I will be honest, I doesn't seem like there is such a big demand for eGoli or 7de Laan media on the piracy market, but the world is a big place so I could be very wrong.

Now onto Microsoft. Loosing $1.5 Billion to piracy is bad. Assuming that figure released by Business Software Alliance (BSA) are truthful (its hard to trust these people), well Microsoft should be counting their blessings. That loss would be a lot more significant if all those people who couldn't afford Microsoft products (most of the world) moved to Open Source products.

This got me thinking, Microsoft most likely approves of piracy, so I did a little bit of an investigation and came across this information:

http://www.crime-research.org/articles/2383/

Which basically explains that due to Microsoft's insane pricing models most of the world can not afford their product. However rather than close all the holes in their systems they allow and need their product to be pirated. If they made it that no one could pirate their products they would loose ground to free Open Source alternatives.

Lastly, there is the myth that piracy is hurting the music industry. That's another fallacy. In fact it has been shown through RIAA's own research that people who pirate a song are more likely to go purchase the original music, and boosts music sales!

- http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn4831
- http://news.com.com/Study+File+sharing+boosts+music+sales/2100-1023_3-898813.html
- http://news.com.com/2100-1027_3-5181562.html

Old corporate models of control of failing RIAA. Welcome to the power of social networking.

Over the last couple of weeks I have heard more and more disturbing information about this strange Christian sect called Shofar . The straw that broke that proverbial camel's back was when a fellow blogger informed me that he had had his website taken down by this cult.

I decided to do a little more investigation and what I have found out scares the heck outta me. This cult activly goes around to pubs and clubs, harassing and recruiting vulnerable lonely youth for sect.

The more I learnt about this cult sect, the more I was reminded of Scientology. People in this cult are "not allowed" to date people outside of their cult. Reminds you of Scientologist's "disconnects" does it not? However Shofar take it to a new level. Not only are you not allowed to date someone outside of this cult, but you have to date someone on the same "level" as you (apparently you get levels 1-7). Simple things like holding hands is also considered taboo.

This cult actively talks about "harvesting souls" for the "Lord of the Harvest". When reading their site I had to keep reminding myself that I was not reading up on ancient Celtic pagan sect, but rather a 'supposed' "Christian Church" in South Africa.

A bit more research revealed the following comments from people in the area who have had the misfortune on been on the receiving end of their brainwashing techniques.

"I'm one of those unfortunate people who have been prayed for by Shopharites in a pub. I would probably have moered those okes if I wasn't so stunned by their blatant lack of respect!", Jakes Lombard

"There was an incident on campus this week where a guest lecturer (lecturing on evolution) was intimidated by a few members of the Shofar group. After the lecture, they asked him whether he was an atheïst? After replying yes to this question, they spat at his feet and left. I find this degrading and feel that it is extremist!" Student at Stellenbosch University.

That second quote scared me even more! Here was a evangelical group, actively promoting religious myth over real life science! I don't know about you, but I sure think that South Africa has had enough backwards ideologies, and this is not helping the future prospects of our students on any level.

The fact that these people actually go after recognised and accepted scientific theory (that actually has sweet nothing to do with religion) should identify to you the problems this cult faces to us.

Lets make a quick list of the negative impacts the Shofar cult has had so far:

1) Negative impact on the person's social abilities. I have had numerous emails from people telling me how they got 'disconnected' from their friend's, how almost ever aspect of their social lives is controlled by the Church, and other techniques which appear to follow normal sect brainwashing patterns.

2) Shofar are against freedom of speech. Yup they so are. Not only are their recruitment methods very similar to Scientology and other cults, but they also attack our constitutional right to free speech like the Scientologist's. As noted earlier on, a fellow blogger of mine had his site taken offline by this cult, with threats from their lawyers. I asked my blogger associate on what grounds they wish to sue him on, his reply was, "defamation of company".

Shofar cultists... are you a church or a company? Make up your minds please. PS, Please ask your lawyers to email legal@pickledbushman.com. My advocates are standing by.

3) Shofar will 'harass' you in public places where you should be enjoying yourself such as pubs and clubs. Perhaps we should all go to their "Church" and get pissed? Fairs fair right? Since the damaging days of the Dark Age, mankind in enlightened cultures has tried to seperate religion from as many aspects of public life as possible. We learnt in the Dark Ages what happens when religious cults take power. Let us hope we do not allow them back into our public spaces.

4) Shofar seems to have a negative effect on a real education, such as their hostility towards scientific theory such as the theory of evolution. Imagine a world where all your biologists, and all those doctors where creationists... Imagine how much worse of our health and education systems would be due to religious bigotry...

A cult sect as militarized as this one needs to be investigated as quickly and thoroughly as possible to find out what harm it might be doing to local Western Cape community. I am instantly suspicious of people who offer prayer in return for cash or pretend to know what God wants. For those of you who are not worried yet, I advise you go see the documentary "Jesus Camp" http://jesuscampthemovie.com

I would like to find out more about this cultist sect known as "Shofar Christian Church", and if you have been harassed or have any information about this sect please email me at pb@pickledbushman.com . I did try contact Shofar for comment, but a lot of the links on their site are broken (including the contact link). If you think any of the above information is incorrect, please contact me on the email address mentioned earlier.

I will be writing more about this sect and others as I get more information. For more information please see:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2381216748
http://www.sundaytimes.co.za/PrintEdition/Article.aspx?id=456264

EDIT

Shofar Christian Campus Cult Part 2: http://www.pickledbushman.com/index.php/2007/05/29/shofar_campus_christian_cult_part_2

If you are in South Africa I am sure you have heard all the commotion about the De La Rey song sung by Bok van Blerk. Our South African Department for Arts and Culture's issued a statement regarding the song "De la Rey" (which is a tribute to Koos de la Rey) regarding the controversy that arose due to the popularity of the song with right-wing Afrikaners, who interpret the lyrics as a call to armed battle.

For those who want to know what the song is about its basically about an event in the history of our country. In the song the Afrikaners fighting the British Empire in the 2nd Anglo-Boer War call on their general, Koos de la Rey, who was regarded as one of the finest military minds for his time. It was only through using dreadful tactics by Lord Kitchener such as 'Scorched earth' policy and confining all the woman and children of the Afrikaners in concentration camps, that the British Empire was able to bring the Boer warriors under control.

I am an English South African but even I found this song to be stirring and powerful. It reminded me about a very important event in our history and is a part of our cultural identity.

Now on to Impi sung by Johnny Clegg and Juluka. The reason I am writing about this song is because of the similarities it has with Bok van Blerk's 'De la Rey'.

This song is also about a great battle between the British Empire and the Zulu Empire called the Battle of Isandlwana during the Anglo-Zulu War. It was a noticeable event for the British Empire as it was the largest loss the Emipre ever sustained by any native force. The British force lead by Lord Chelmsford were taken by surprise beneath the mountain of Isandlwana by Zulu king Cetshwayo's impi (warriors)and defeated.

After looking at these two songs, one has to wonder why so many people are in a huff about the De La Rey song... Both songs sing about conflict with the English and both add identity to our culture.

If anyone has a right to be upset it should be the English! But were not, because those songs are also a part of our history and our identity as well and the songs simply rock.

My name is "Zukeka"

So I say, "I do not care"

Zukeka Jacob is a classic whiny South African that was previously disadvantage. Zu-ke-ka recently complained to the media how her name is "Zu-ke-ka", and we should all call her "Zu-ke-ka". Apparently she has problems with anyone who is not Xhosa... pronouncing her name, and in people been unable to pronounce her name she is basically calling them racist for not taking the time to kiss her ass.

We I am sorry "Zu-ke-ka", I have lived in this country all my life. My grandparents came here in the 1800`s and were of the french lot that arrived. I can honestly say that in the last 200 years, I would be surprised if ANYONE has EVER got my surname right.

Yes, I have to spell it for everyone, and so do so many of my mates. A lot of us have funny names or surnames.. its one of those, "things" about been human.

Then you take this common human character trait, and make it into a race based comment... well guess what Zu-ke-ka. GET A LIFE. GROW UP, and PRODUCE SOMETHING FOR AFRICA (instead of the whole "oh god! look at me, I need attention so I am going play the race card"... again)

I have a suggestion for you Zu-ke-ka... learn some of the other ethnic group names so you dont have to dance around the country changing them because of your stuttering.

Whiny, bias Zukeka Jacob... that's how I will remember you.

Original article here: http://www.news24.com/News24/Your_say/Your_story/0,,2-2127-2128_2110802,00.html

Freshlyground is a South African Afro-Fusion band that is gaining massive support on both its home turf and abroad. The band is able to infuse their music with the different sounds of traditional South African music such as kwela and mix that all together with some jazz, blues and some indie rock.

Zolani's distinctive voice contributes much to the band's unique sound. There are very few South Africans both in South Africa or at home in another country who don't feel the prickle of hope and pride when they hear their songs.

I have been told that they were told not to play the track 'Doo Bee Doo' (featured above) at the unveiling of a parliament event the other day, As a certain chief whip said it was a marijuana song. The crowd went mad and they played as an encore. The chief whip then apparently walked out in frustration. Go Freshy Ground!

Band information:

Origin: Cape Town, South Africa

Years active: 2002 – present

Genres: Folk
Afropop
Jazz
Indie Rock

Labels: Sony BMG Africa
Freeground Records

Members: Zolani Mahola
Simon Attwell
Peter Cohen
Kyla Rose Smith
Julio Sigauque
Josh Hawks
Aron Turest-Swartz

Please find out more information about this band at http://www.freshlyground.com/