[Geo]

Welcome to Beyond3D's inaugural 2006 edition of Bricks & Bouquets! What is it, you ask? Well, it's equal parts Year in Review, therapy on the cheap, and love notes to the class cuties. In other words, we're going to get off our chests everything we liked and "not so much" about 2006 in the graphics world. AMD, NVIDIA, our colleagues in the techie press --no one is safe from our criticism or sloppy kisses. First staff from site and forums argued with each other, and now we're inviting you to pick up the cudgels and heart-shaped candy boxes and have a go. Just remember, Guido will be collecting all knives, chains, and BFGs at the door. . .and we'd appreciate if you'd recall the general guidelines for rotten fruits --"Not in the face!". So enter already, and join the party.

[Skrying]

Ahh, a good laugh!

[Zaphod]

So, is that another logo sneak preview, or just an eight that had too much to drink at the christmas party?

[Tim Murray]

Originally Posted by Zaphod

So, is that another logo sneak preview, or just an eight that had too much to drink at the christmas party?

It can't be both?

[ClyssaN]

A good read

[trinibwoy]

Heh, good job guys

[Cypher]

Regarding The Baron's comments on Kyle Bennett, I'm surprised he didn't mention the so-stupid-it-hurts review of the Core 2 Duo from July. You know, the one where he discusses performance results for ten pages that demonstrate that the Core 2 duo performs at the same speed in GPU limited enviornments as the 2nd best chip on the market. Yeah, that's about as useful as knowing all of the years that are on each quarter in his pocket.

Oh, also, Rys' comment, "NVIDIA, Intel and co must be worried on some levels, since the combined cojones in AMD and ATI R&D are pretty melon-shaped and very very hairy." made me lol.

[Tim Murray]

Originally Posted by Cypher

Regarding The Baron's comments on Kyle Bennett, I'm surprised he didn't mention the so-stupid-it-hurts review of the Core 2 Duo from July. You know, the one where he discusses performance results for ten pages that demonstrate that the Core 2 duo performs at the same speed in GPU limited enviornments as the 2nd best chip on the market. Yeah, that's about as useful as knowing all of the years that are on each quarter in his pocket.

At least they actually ran tests for the Core 2 Duo article. The KillerNIC one... jeez.

[nelg]

Great stuff I really like the 'new' staff. Would have liked to see a thread and post of the year though.

[Cypher]

Originally Posted by The Baron

At least they actually ran tests for the Core 2 Duo article. The KillerNIC one... jeez.

Y'know, that makes me think...wanna start a pool on how long it'll be until Kyle decides to apply the Pepsi-challenge methodology to GPU and CPU reviews?

[Miksu]

Good read.

Though I don't agree with Rys that driver development has taken a back seat. For me this has been the first year since umm, ever, when I didn't have to worry about the display drivers. Ok, I haven't played as much as I used to but everthing I've tried has just worked. No need to switch between driver versions because Game A only works with x.xx and Game B need x.xxx. And I would presume that developing Vista-drivers has taken its toll regarding software development resources.

[Geo]

Originally Posted by Miksu

Good read.

And I would presume that developing Vista-drivers has taken its toll regarding software development resources.

I suspect there's a lot of truth to that. Certainly Terry Makedon has explicitly said on these boards that some things have taken a back seat to Vista temporarily.

I wonder when that will be over tho. I doubt it is yet. In fact, I suspect the first 1/2 of 2007 will be all about Vista bug fixes and performance tweaking. I'd like to be wrong about that. I'd like to think on January 31st everything goes back to normal that way, but I think that's pretty unlikely.

[digitalwanderer]

That was a fun and excellent read, thanks to everyone who put it together.

[Ateo]

This article confirmed what I have been feeling all along:
http://www.behardware.com/articles/6...-crts-yes.html

CRT's > LCD's for gaming...
And who(gamers) in their right mind runs a mouse via USB?

[nelg]

Since humility and decency would prevent the staff of B3D from doing so.



To Dave Baumann for leaving B3D in good hands.

[Geo]

Originally Posted by nelg

Since humility and decency would prevent the staff of B3D from doing so.



To Dave Baumann for leaving B3D in good hands.

I may nick that bouquet image for next year. What to use for bricks? Broken window maybe?

Three of us gave Wavey some love (and deservingly so) for his R580 interview at least.

[hoom]

just an eight that had too much to drink at the christmas party?

Isn't it just the Bluetooth logo? (not sure what relevance that has for 3D graphics though... )

[ET]

I'd like give a "most annoying trend in news reporting" award for 2006 to "analysts". The number of "analyst" news on tech sites (and others) went beyond all proportion this year. The stupidity of these analysts was funny at first, but it got on my nerves really badly. I know you love to hate Kyle Bennett, but "analyst" would certainly earn my "sock in the mouth" (or "shot to the head") award.

[Sc4freak]

Sander Sassen Memorial Professional Suicide award

It's been a while since I laughed like that!

[Reverend]

I don't quite like the idea behind No.7 being in the list but this being a media outlet itself I'm sure it's not entirely out of place.

It's a little weird to read Ratchet's nomination re No.6 without thinking about Dave's big leap across the pond in the same vein.

[Geo]

Originally Posted by Reverend

I don't quite like the idea behind No.7 being in the list but this being a media outlet itself I'm sure it's not entirely out of place.

It's meant to be a sweet/tart kind of piece. We gave out a lot more love than otherwise to our colleagues in the community and industry, so I don't feel too bad about that one being in there. We're on the firing line too, of course. And its not really any different than the idea behind setting up the "Industry" forum in the first place.

[Mark]

Originally Posted by Reverend

It's a little weird to read Ratchet's nomination re No.6 without thinking about Dave's big leap across the pond in the same vein.

I thought about Dave, but I'm thinking that the decision to either continue running a niche website to the security of working for a huge multi-billion dollar multi-national company didn't require a whole lot of "Courage" (and not to take away from his achievements; it's what we all would love to accomplish... at least I know I would).

[Geo]

Maybe he meant going to live with Canadians was brave?

[Reverend]

Originally Posted by geo

Maybe he meant going to live with Canadians was brave?

Hehe. Actually, what I meant was that I think I would need courage to decide to move/work in a country that far away from my own. It probably wasn't easy at all for Dave, especially considering he has a wife too.

[Reverend]

Originally Posted by Ratchet

I thought about Dave, but I'm thinking that the decision to either continue running a niche website to the security of working for a huge multi-billion dollar multi-national company didn't require a whole lot of "Courage"

No, but I would think moving to another country (which means basically starting a new life, not only for him but for his wife too) certainly needs more courage.