Looking for a new hobbie

[Taem]

Well, I have quit Diablo on and off many times, usually because I found it was interfering with my family duties or simply got bored, but I never lost interest in the game or its mechanics (even when I was bored of it, it was because I did all I could with my current characters, but I still didn't loose interest in the concept of the game).

But suddenly, just five days ago, I lost interest in Diablo completely. I have no interest to ever return to this game, and I have no idea why this notion overcame me. I had five level 80 characters I was still working on, some long-time Diablo friends and two I just met, five sets of classic and LoD cd keys, no less than 5 personal Diablo-based strategy guides, and I gave all my Diablo possessions to my Diablo friends. That was the best way to stop playing for me, or else I would of fallen into old patterns of MF'ing and selling gear on Ebay, dueling, then PK'ing until all my characters were dead and finally quitting.

So to sum it all up without sounding like a confessional, I want to know what other people do on their computers for enjoyment and fun. What hobbies are there? Since I quit Diablo, I feel like an ex-smoker who has no interest in smoking ever again, but dosent know what to do with his time; eating more, wondering around my house aimlessly (even thou I have chores to do), etc.

I like the concept of programming and once knew Basic. I enjoy writing but I can't think of anything to write (maybe I could start with a journal). I love video games but don't see any that I currently like that even come close to Diablo's game play mechanics, although I have been eye-balling Never Winter Nights (on a side-note, I had a little fun with a similar game Baulders Gate, but quickly tired of it. Dungeon Siege was also a lot of fun for me, but I also got really sick of that game after two weeks). Obviously I enjoy reading posts and posting. I'm not sure what I'm looking for in particular. Just tell me what you do for fun (please don't mention sexually explicit subjects, because that doesn’t interest me).

[Archon_Wing]

Yep, I've lost intrest in D2 completely. I haven't really thought of too much to do. I haven't posted or even read outside the Lounge forum for quite a while. :)

For fun, I might play the old SNES or maybe Brood War. But really, this thread intrests me, because, well... :P

I enjoy writing but I can't think of anything to write (maybe I could start with a journal).

Sounds good to me, since I like writing as well. I think you ought to consider doing that. Let's see what you can come up with in the time that you would normally waste spend playing D2 :D

[Chameleon]

So to sum it all up without sounding like a confessional, I want to know what other people do on their computers for enjoyment and fun. What hobbies are there? Since I quit Diablo, I feel like an ex-smoker who has no interest in smoking ever again, but dosent know what to do with his time; eating more, wondering around my house aimlessly (even thou I have chores to do), etc.

I like the concept of programming and once knew Basic. I enjoy writing but I can't think of anything to write (maybe I could start with a journal). I love video games but don't see any that I currently like that even come close to Diablo's game play mechanics, although I have been eye-balling Never Winter Nights (on a side-note, I had a little fun with a similar game Baulders Gate, but quickly tired of it. Dungeon Siege was also a lot of fun for me, but I also got really sick of that game after two weeks). Obviously I enjoy reading posts and posting. I'm not sure what I'm looking for in particular. Just tell me what you do for fun (please don't mention sexually explicit subjects, because that doesn’t interest me).

I have interest in two things: Audio/Visual and Astrology.
A/V:
I download TV shows, anime, the odd movie (usually related to a TV show). One of my biggest beefs is with the inconsistancy of source for the videos. Thus, I have episodes of a particular series in like 10 different file formats, and plethera and a half of codecs to play them all.

So, I spend time trying to download a really high quality versions, then converting to a standardized format for myself (prefered VCD). Also, editing the files to remove the stuff I just don't like scenes from the next/last episode, which are useless to me as I have the episodes and don't need the dramatic build up/recap or adding stuff like missing credits for an episode.

Astrology:
This is a new hobby for me. I just decided to learn how to make Zodiac Charts and creating description of the person based on the results. This got me thinking about automating the process, as it is slow to do it by hand for me. Thus, I have started building a VisualBasic Program that will do this. When I get a chance to setup an Apache server, I will make a web version in PHP. This has the dual purpose of entertaining me and allowing me to flex my programming skills as they have erroded since finishing school two years ago.


To finish up, there is a lot information on the net, you just have to want to look for it.

[[wcip]Angel]

I too like watching television shows. Right now, I'm knee-deep in the new season of The Sopranos, but I also enjoy watching The Office over and over again.

As for other games.. I really don't know what your preference is, seeing as you only mentioned having played Diablo2. If you're into RPGs, I can suggest Morrowind. I've played NWN, but only single player, and as I understand from listening to some friends who've played it online; that's where the fun is.

I also like using my PC to make ring tones for my Nokia 3510i mobile phone. If I start from scratch, I'll need some sort of sheet music to go by. If I have a midi to start with, I simply modify it by using a programme called "Studio 2003 XP".

If you don't see any game titles you'd like for the PC, you might want to consider switching platform, if you have the spare cash. Metal Gear Solid -remake is just around the corner for Gamecube. (March 26th)

edit: But seriously: Season 1 and 2 of The Office are only £12 each at www.play.com :) I can't stress how much you'll die laughing watching this ;)

[Hammerskjold]

> I want to know what other people do on their computers for enjoyment and fun. What hobbies are there?

> Just tell me what you do for fun

Since I use and do some work related learning on and with the computer, more and more I want to spend time away from it during my leisure time.

Exception being looking up something online, for fun I am currently getting into basic and rudimentary knife smithing. I can spend 6 hours online just reading the history and practices of bladesmithing and blacksmithing. Not to mention basic metallurgy, and heat treatment, though most of that stuff is still way over my head right now.

Though I don't have the space and equipment for forging a knife blade right now, I do have the basic tools to do the stock removal method. It's fairly cheap. All a beginner like me need are some files, sand papers, the appropriate steel blank, a vice\clamp, a drill, and mask and eye protection. And lots of patience. Almost all the tools I mentioned are easily available and very affordable.

Although I had fun 'crafting' items in D2X, it simply can not compare to actually crafting something real with your own hands. (Even if the items I make right now don't go beyond letter openers and kitchen knives, it's still satisfying to me.)

[ShadowHM]

Although I had fun 'crafting' items in D2X, it simply can not compare to actually crafting something real with your own hands.  (Even if the items I make right now don't go beyond letter openers and kitchen knives, it's still satisfying to me.)

On that note:

My husband makes stained glass items. The tools for the job are also not terribly expensive, and until you start doing very large projects, take up little space. The satisfaction he derives from the "Yes, Thank You, I made it myself" is immense.

You can start with simple sun catchers and move along to large window filling expanses. You can be traditional or wildly inventive in what designs you choose and colour palettes/glass types you work with. Lastly, it costs virtually nothing to start, since most stained glass stores offer free introductory courses, so you can find out easily if you don't like it.

[Rhydderch Hael]

Right now, I've set up a campaign character in Red Baron 3D and am handwriting into a journal the experiences of the pilot as he completes sorties on the Western Front, weaving in whatever off-duty flavor that I can conjure up. All in order to develop a character for some fiction I have to pen for college in my advanced fiction writing class.

Already on his second missiom, the first short hop over the lines, and his squadron commander and a flight captain, both of them the star turns of the squadron, have 'gone west', along with another lieutenant, whilst a rookie flyer was forced down and captured. Suffice it to say, the fellow is having a bit of a rough start. I have no illusions that it will get any better: Bloody April is only four months away for the flyer.

[Occhidiangela]

Whree is the download to make RB 3d?

[Jim]

Hi

Keep in mind I'm a retired gentleman sooooo I have lots of time on my hands...these are my current projects:

#1 Myst3 Exile...>Adventure game, you don't Kill anything, I solve Puzzles within the game, I've been working on a puzzle now for 3 days, I'm near Insane & almost ready to post @ at Myst3 forum for a HINT, "BUT" I'm having Fun using my Head, instead of my...Armor rendering Imbued, Fire Broad Sword in Asherons Call ;)

I played the URU demo an Adventure game from the CD in PCGamer mag and when I finished it, I purchased Myst3 Exile [2002] for $10.00, URU was $50.00 :D URU Demo......URU web site Try the Demo :D

#2 I'm studying for ...A+ Certification...I won't take the test I just want to learn the next step dealing with Computers, the one after you hit the ON switch. I want to Up-Grade my computer myself & since I want to replace the Motherboard I will need Basic computer knowledge :P

Faster Smarter A+ Certification Book !

#3 I play as many FREE Game Demo's I can, I have DSL so DLing is np & I get PCGamer mag with a Game CD with demos on it "I Love Gaming" :rolleyes:

Go here for the Best Demo list & high speed downloads:
100 Game DEMOs The Best of The Best @ GamersHell!!!

MMORPG Offering a FREE Trial !!!

MMORPGs in Beta !!!

[--Pete]

Hi,

Pardon me for jumping in.

A good place to go for the patches and the order that they need to be installed is http://rensg.sqhq.net/a_begin/Readthis.html

Good luck ;)

--Pete

[Occhidiangela]

That should do it.

-Occhi-

[Taem]

I download TV shows, anime, the odd movie (usually related to a TV show). One of my biggest beefs is with the inconsistancy of source for the videos. Thus, I have episodes of a particular series in like 10 different file formats, and plethera and a half of codecs to play them all.

Ahh yes! I had every eposide of Berserk and a few of Kenshin. My friend recommended One Piece and Naruto. I also like reading translated manga. Perhaps I will do that again, however I need a much bigger harddrive. Mine is a measly 10 gigs and is almost filled up, even after deleting almost everything I never use anymore.

[Taem]

Angel,Mar 24 2004, 01:44 AM] As for other games.. I really don't know what your preference is, seeing as you only mentioned having played Diablo2. If you're into RPGs, I can suggest Morrowind. I've played NWN, but only single player, and as I understand from listening to some friends who've played it online; that's where the fun is.

If you don't see any game titles you'd like for the PC, you might want to consider switching platform, if you have the spare cash. Metal Gear Solid -remake is just around the corner for Gamecube. (March 26th)

Well, I have an "odd" gaming taste, I've been told.

Basically, I think that the combat engine is the most important part of a game and loathe turn based systems such as Final Fantasy, Star Wars: KotoR, etc. Even WoW sounds too turn based in real time for me. I guess game play goes in the category, and honestly, Diablo has the BEST game play I've ever seen.

The next most important thing is being able to equip your characters with lots of different choices, ala Dungeon Siege, Baulders Gate, etc. I can't stand games where you have the same item throughout the entire game.

The third most important thing is for your items to be able to effect the environment equally. Nothing pissed me off more than playing Zelda: Wind waker and watching 1/10th of my items be totally useless where logically, they should work (but I still beat the game ;) ).

The fourth most important aspect for me is death! I'm an avid fan of "hardcore" but apparently MMORPG's taboo this subject like the plague, which is why I can't stand them. I remember the first time I tried Everquest and died to rats and drowning and would respawn right next to town and say in a worldshout, "wtf is the point of this? I can't die... there’s no 'fear' of the monsters... I don’t loose anything important when I die... who cares about this game?" And when I was threatened, I just laughed. Unfortunately, this is also the main reason I CANNOT STAND single player games for every long.

I don't care too much for a good story. IMO, Zelda games have good stories, as do a lot of first person games, but I can't stand them for very long for numerous reasons listed above.

My favorite games were: Civilization II, Pirates, Dungeon Master, Diablo, Diablo II, Doom II, Mario Kart 64 (with friends), Golden Eye 007 and Perfect Dark (with friends), Bomberman 64 (with friends); (IMHO, all the Gamecube versions of Mario kart and Bomberman are a huge disappointment and totally lacking in fun compared to their 64 counterparts).

I had fun with: Dungeon Siege, Baulders Gate + Sword Coast, Prince of Persia: Sands of Time, Resident Evil, Metroid, and for some reason Mario World 64.

I hated: Sims, Sim City, Sports games, Everyquest, Shadowbane, Final Fantasy, Castle Wolfenstine, and Mario Sunshine.

[Cryptic]

Umm … I draw, travel, dance, exercise, play games, and read. Lots of reading. My major hobby is working on a novel – 3 years running so far, almost done, getting an agent this fall. I highly recommend writing as the ultimate time sink, where it doesn’t feel like you’re wasting your time or your mind.

I sell stuff on eBay to make about $5K extra a year which goes straight to leisure, so I guess you could say that’s a hobby in itself. Or a hobby enabler.
:P

[[wcip]Angel]

Have you tried Silent Hill 2: director's cut, Meat? There *is* a storyline there but also

* not turn-based
* Not much room for equipping your character, other than a weapon, a flashlight and a busted radio
* If you die in SH, you'll have to load to a previous save game and do everything you did from that point on over again. I know it isn't hardcore, but there *are* ramifications of dying. You'll care if a nurse takes a shining to the inner workings of the protagonist's body.

I love it because of the storyline and the music, but it's widely popular for other reasons as well. It's "kinda" scary, which appeals to some twisted individuals
:o



.... :lol:

[Count Duckula]

Have you tried Heretic or Hexen? They're FPS games made by the same people who made Quake and Doom. Hexen 2 and the original Heretic are my favorites. The atmosphere really sucked me in. Plus, I think the full version of Heretic's gone abandonware. Might want to check around for it.

[kandrathe]

Not on your list, but on mine;

Starcraft -- very good game mechanics, not huge on story but enough to hold the universe together.
Warcraft -- much like starcraft, not as balanced (IMO) but fantasy genre, rather than space genre.
Halflife/Blue Force/Opposing Force, etc. -- Great series, single player has a story, good game mechanics -- lots of online fun as well.
Team Fortress -- a halflife mod, more like Quake in that you respawn if killed -- very good online team oriented FPS
Counterstrike -- also an online only mod to the halflife game, but adds more realism
-- if killed you wait until the end of the round (objective met, time limit, or team killed) {my personal fave}
Age of _____ -- great RTS series -- since you liked Civilization
Rise of Nations -- ditto

As for writing -- code or prose -- You might try Java, which is pretty popular and there are existing free IDE's which really help. I personally have most experience with JBuilder, the free personal use Dl is here. You might consider putting together a personal web site or blog site, and just build content which you find interesting.

And, just a personal hobby of mine -- getting more leet with linux.

[Yrrek]

If you enjoy music, pick up an instrument. Bass is always fun to play! Or banjo, be creative! :)

[Artega]

Knife-smithing, eh? Sounds entertaining. Any links you could give us?

I've studied European swordsmanship to a degree, and am able to use a lathe and other shop tools to fashion wooden long swords (I've made one using oak, and am in the process of going it over with very fine sandpaper and I think I might finish it, too), but it's highly unlikely I'll ever find proper equipment to forge a real sword. But this knife-smithing... it sounds both fun and doable.

I'll trade you a good sword site for some sites on knife-smithing :)

Go to www.swordforum.com for a variety of information: reviews on literature, articles on specific swords and sword styles, and even a store featuring AngusTrim swords. It's where I got started on my journey :)

[[wcip]Angel]

Show us a picture of the sword when you're done, Artega :) Enquiring minds want to know what a wooden sword would look like.