Why is this game not more popular?

[Binkowski]

I find stock ArmA rather enjoyable.

[DMarkwick]

It may be that the people you know make similarly limited use of their car and their computer but it doesn't then follow that the purposes of both car and computer are similarly limited.

*shrug*

I'm not saying they are. I'm just saying that scope of functionality doesn't exclude it's black box status. That would be like saying a car is not a black box item because it has more uses than a microwave oven. To be more clear:

the entire point of a personal computer is that it can be programmed.

I highlighted what I hope is a self-explanatory detail, can be, not must be. (And I would take exception to the notion of "entire point" too, but that's another detail ) As mentioned, most people simply use PCs, and that is how they're designed.

[johncage]

the only way for this game to become more popular is to become the garbage that the big corporations like ubsoft and ea are pushing out.

50 dollar games that are over in 5 hours, have zero replay value and are designed for the braindead consumers(who compose 80 percent of the game market).

hopefully arma 2 stays exclusive and pure. don't go the way of ofp2 with codemaster. what a disaster that was.

[Defunkt]

I'm not saying they are. I'm just saying that scope of functionality doesn't exclude it's black box status.

Every time you install a software package you are re-programming and re-purposing your computer. I frankly find it hard to imagine a more mutable or configurable piece of technology and if that alone isn't the antithesis of what a 'black box' is we're very obviously debating two utterly different concepts. One of us obviously misunderstands the accepted meaning of the term.

[DMarkwick]

Every time you install a software package you are re-programming and re-purposing your computer.

Every time you install a software package you are using your PC in a way that doesn't necessitate you knowing how it's being done. You insert a disk, you follow instructions, you use the installed software.

I frankly find it hard to imagine a more mutable or configurable piece of technology

I frankly find it hard to imagine how such a complex activity could be made simpler by the OS and the install wizard.

and if that alone isn't the antithesis of what a 'black box' is we're very obviously debating two utterly different concepts. One of us obviously misunderstands the accepted meaning of the term.

Certainly

[anfiach]

Every time you install a software package you are using your PC in a way that doesn't necessitate you knowing how it's being done. You insert a disk, you follow instructions, you use the installed software.

You would be amazed at how many people cannot even do that.

[DMarkwick]

You would be amazed at how many people cannot even do that.

Just like I am amazed how badly some people drive

[anfiach]

Just like I am amazed how badly some people drive

And yet there aren't people falling over themselves to get those people behind the wheel 'easier'

[Bulldogs]

I should have defined it better. Basically a black box is something that you can use without needing to know how the internal operates. By definition it's something that can take input and give output without needing anything more than that.

The term is loosely used for a computer because a computer is built of hardware and software that allows you to input data and get an output. Every program doesn't require you to reprogram it to get an output.

Many people make the mistake of thinking a black Box is something that you can't change the internals of, and while it cam be, it's not limited to.

A PC is a black box, it also contains algorithms. Algorithms are black boxes, as are most of the hardware and software components.

The term simplifies it though, but yes, PCs are much more customisable than consoles, but as far as the analogy gos, for any car enthusiast, comparing a car to a console is an insult as cars are very customisable compared to the console limitations.

Anyways, back on topic......

[Defunkt]

Thank you for that rather vague and meandering definition, I'm sure I should be much the wiser. Many things have inputs and outputs, the actual defining concept for a 'Black Box' is that one doesn't monkey with the internals which of course pretty much everybody routinely does with a PC (see re-purposing, re-programming, installing software above).