Overheard: Weapons Discussion

Passing by a room full of developers this morning, I overhear what sounds like a weapons discussion going on. I slow down and hear "... but the aiming point will change." Coming to a full stop outside the door, I soon pick up more of the conversation.

"But sometimes I get packet loss and it seems like I'm walking in mud. And when I die I don't even know it."

Gamers. Sheesh.

iPad Beer Magic

Remember the iPint app for the iPhone? Here's someone who has taken it one step further to create an entertaining, at least to drunk people, illusion with his iPad.

Sadly the iPint app is no longer available in the US due to copyright issues.

H/T to Beerpulse.com.

Seems Like A Bad Idea

I actually got a knot in my stomach reading about this. A water balloon game in which your children can simulate "Russian Roulette" using a plastic pistol and water balloons. If the balloon doesn't pop, the gun is passed to the next person.

Less 'bang bang you're dead,' more 'boing, pop, you're slightly deaf.' The Balloon Russian Roulette is a harmless version of classic Russian Roulette, taking away the blood, murder case and disposal of a body. Ideal Birthday and Christmas gifts, Balloon Russian Roulette involves pointing a 'gun' at another persons head with a balloon attached to the front, pulling the trigger will either produce nothing...or a pin that pops the balloon!

I've never had any issues with toy guns for kids. Playing "Army," or "Cowboys and Indians" is part of growing up. And games with toy guns even can involve pointing the toy guns at your playmates. This pushes the envelope. One of the comments on the Amazon page stated, "This game is a wonderful way to teach kids of all ages about statistics, probability, and handgun safety." I see the wrong lessons coming out of this. Here's a better idea, take them to the range teach your kids actual gun safety. And show them what a bullet will do to a watermelon.

Targets!

While loading up the car recently for a trip to the range, I was struck by the number of different target styles we have on hand. I thought I'd share a few of them.

There's the USPSA practice target, for obvious reasons. I've have similar targets on order with the IDPA layout. We occasionally use the headshot / hostage target. You can alternate which figure you want to hit. And yes, even as a paper silhouette it adds to the pressure. The two targets with the colored shapes are part of Rob Pincus' "Balance of Speed and Precision" series. There's an unlimited number of drills and games you can create with these. Of course, we also use the ubiquitous "man with a gun" poster. The numbered circles on the side add to the options. The body silhouette with scoring rings is one of the earliest targets we started using. Affectionately known as "postage stamp" guy for the small tiny target in the upper left. There's more than one tiny postage stamp guy with a center hit posted as a trophy on a shooter's refrigerator or office door.

Most of these paper targets are 24 inches wide, which is wider than the typical 18" cardboard USPSA/IDPA targets, and stands. When I made my stands I set them up to accommodate the wider targets. I keep a constant eye out for scrap cardboard wide enough to use with the stands.

Why so many targets? Mostly for the fun of it. We like to mix things up at the range, and we sure don't want to get bored. A lot of our range trips involve "games" we make up, and the various targets add to our options.

Of course, that's just the commercial paper targets. We also use paper plates, index cards, sticky notes, colored construction paper, the occasional lottery ticket or novelty target. We'll haul out the steel targets regularly too.

Both in sport and self defense, one doesn't want to train to always look for an X. I believe that using a variety of targets, and mixing up the drills and games we play, helps to avoid complacency in practice. And we certainly never get bored!

Xbox Controller Mods for Shooters

I ran across this article describing some interesting Xbox 360 controller modifications. Replacing the controller buttons with ammo brass is apparently a popular thing to do. The author refers to the replacement buttons as "bullets." I doubt that using bullets would make very useable, and certainly uncomfortable, buttons.

Admittedly, I've played very little Xbox. There are simply too many buttons on the controller for me to track. My son does have a very nice custom controller with lighted buttons, so I'm not sure that this mod would stack up with that. However, we certainly have enough raw material to make our own attempt.

Party Game Product Placement

They're probably not promoting responsible drinking with this display. But, hey, this is a college town.

At least they hung the ping-pong balls near the factory beer, not the good stuff.