Introduction

Now this time, some of you may know what Cortex Command is, due to the extremely generous act by Scancode a few weeks ago. But i take it that not everyone knows what it is, or that you may just want a rating before you try it.

See, Cortex Command is a retro-style platformer-like shooter game, which is still under development. Right now there's only a minimal part of the campaign available, but Data, the creator, has said that there will be a full and extensive campaign once it's done. Although it's a WIP game, Data has been charging for licenses since Test Build 19. The current price is 18 US dollars, but should be expected to rise as the game nears completion. The current test build is 21.

In game, everything is based on the pixels you see. There are basically three types of pixels: Active pixels, which are moving and have physics applied to them, passive pixels, which are frozen and act like terrain, and background pixels, which can't be affected by the player at all, and are generally behind everything. This might be misleading though, as one might get the sense that you just control a pixel or something, which is entirely wrong. Your (standard) avatar would basically be a brain in a jug, sort of. This brain can control clones, robots, rockets and so on, and you can freely switch between all your units.

But there are two things that really makes Cortex Command shine: The physics, which applies to anything that is active, and even to terrain to a certain degree, and the near-absolute modding freedom. Everything except the very core of the game can be modified, and you can also create your own content.

Ok here's a really nice new Tower Defense game called Warzone Tower Defense.

Very nice smooth graphics and animation, nice range of weapons and requires real strategy.

Also has a few TD features of note:

• you can place walls and adjust route of enemies -- i always like this feature, adds nice strategy element.
• you have some direct-application weapons -- i'm not a huge fan of this weapon style, which adds an arcade-like element to the game.
• multiple maps to choose from

http://www.madcowint...ctive.com/TDWarzone/

I've been trying to think of a coding snack idea that a DonationCoder member might make as a way of showing DC support for the Lifehacker AHK project (see here).

And i think i came up with a cool one.

I call it Deluxe AHK Script Manager (AXEM).

Here is what it should do:

• When you start the script it discovers a list of .ahk scripts in its Scripts\ subdirectory.
• Double clicking on tray will present a simple form with each script listed on its own line with a checkbox on the left.
• Checks will be shown for scripts that are currently running.
• The user can then enable and disable scripts from that dialog by checking boxes.
• Scripts that are enabled will be launched if not currently running; scripts unchecked will be closed.
• Right clicking on the menu will show menu list of scripts that user can select to open the .ahk in a text editor.

So this utility would be an excellent way to manage a set of scripts and test them.

Anyone feel like coding this? (dont forget to then post it in the Lifehacker AHK group!)

Hi,
I am thinking about installing Linux on my laptop can anyone give me any ideas of which one I should instill. I have heard Ubuntu is good?

Tech News Weekly - Edition 43

It's rare that Microsoft decides to release a patch for Windows outside the monthly Patch Tuesday, but today they decided to do just that. The vulnerability is located in the Server service, and just like many others before allows remote code execution. It's rated as highly critical, and according to the details published in the Secunia advisory, it's a 0-day exploit, so it's better to patch sooner than later.

http://www.microsoft...lletin/MS08-067.mspx

As a curiosity, it should be noted that even the private builds of Windows 7 are affected.