Grand Theft Auto 4, Is It Appropriate For Kids?

Grand Theft Auto 4 is a fun game if you’re the right age. Most parents care if their children are playing games with violence, sex, cursing, and drugs so I feel it is good idea to let people know that Grand Theft Auto 4 has all of these aspects.

These aspects do not occasionally pop up, but are present at all times in the game – they are inescapable. In the game, you are a Russian mobster that has many jobs, from selling drugs to being a hit man. Your player does refuse to use drugs when presented, but he does sell drugs to others. When you are walking the streets you can kill any civilian or steal any car. The game also encourages you to kill police officers.

Grand Theft Auto 4 also allows you to get drunk, fall over, and have all the effects of real drinking including the ability to drive while drunk. As in real life, the effects of drinking impair your driving skills. You automatically swerve and hit people walking on the sidewalks.

I do not feel that video games affect children’s actions adversely although some people may disagree, as when I was a child I would play games with these themes. I never had the impulse to go kill anyone or do drugs. But, I do understand that if a parent feels that a game will influence their child they should know about the game before they buy it or allow it to be played.

I would strongly caution parents to play this game before their children do just to be sure that they know what is going on first.

What I Like About Xbox Live

Xbox live is something most every Xbox and Xbox 360 owner has or if they don’t should have. It’s a fun way to meet new people and show your skills in specific games online. It allows you to compete with others, and prove you are the best. Everyone loves a little competition, right?

I happen to love playing Halo 2 online and when I’m at my friend’s place I play Halo 3. I love the competitive nature of the game and the “trash talking” that takes place before and after a game. You can hear some pretty outlandish things! People are always trying to come up with a logical reason for why they lost that excludes the other opponent simply being a better player.

Xbox Live has many features for you to enjoy including the microphone so you can talk to other players. Xbox Live for old Xbox is different than Xbox Live for the 360. The old Xbox Live is much simpler but has less features.

Xbox Live for 360 has options including a new point system called Microsoft points. These points can be bought with money and allow you to make new gamer tags and download new demos for up and coming games. Also all games for Xbox 360 are Live compatible unlike the old Xbox. This means you can talk with friends and receive messages on the game, even if you are unable to play the game online.

On Vacation

Wishing You a Happy New Year!
Wishing You a Happy New Year!

I’m taking a vacation next week and Chris Harper will be posting for me all next week on my blog. Chris is my college aged son who is home for the holidays from Frostburg State University.

Be gentle with him as he is a new blogger, but I’ve helped him to choose the topics that he will be writing on this next week. I think that you will like them.

If you can think of a topic also that you think he would find interesting, just click comments below and leave a note and I’ll pass the topics on to him.

I hope that you’ve had a wonderful family holiday, shared gifts with family and friends, and eaten enough to blow your diet.

As I will be back online after the New Year, I want to take this time to thank each one of you for reading my blog this year and pass on my wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Year!

How to Upload and Tag Photos on Facebook

This tip is for all new Facebook users that can’t seem to find out how it all works. Don’t worry, I had the same problem when I first started to use Facebook. The transition form MySpace to Facebook was strange.

Step one, on uploading pictures, first, find the “Photo” link on your screen. It should be located in the upper right quarter under “Applications”. Click the link and it will bring you to a page showing everyone’s pictures. Go to “My Photo’s” at the top of the screen right below “Home” then it will take you to your albums. Depending on which album you wish to add the photo to, click “Edit Album”. Then from there it will give you the option to “Add Photos”.

Now to tag photos, all you need to do when you upload them is click the “Tag Photo” option. Then, just select the face of the person you wish to tag and find them on your friends list that pops up.

If they do not have a Facebook profile, give them a name in a little writing bar Facebook supplies. If you ever want to tag older photos just go to “Photos” then “My Photos” and click on the album in which the picture is located. After this, find the picture and just click on the face from the line of photos you have. You will be able to tell you can tag the photo because your cursor will show up as a cross hair. It will show you the list of friends once again and you just choose their name.

Why tag someone in a photo?
When you tag someone that person will now see this newly tagged photo on their profile page. Other Facebook users can now identify who people are to then in turn visit their profile and check them out as a possible new friend.

Also when you are tagged in a photo all your friends will see this photo on their entry page under updates letting others see what you are doing and who is photographing and tagging you.

Uploading and tagging photos simply makes your interaction on Facebook more fun and personal.