They keep denying that they're working toward a Steam Box, but they keep doing things that make it look more likely. Who knows whether they will or not, but I'd certainly pre-order one. :)

With big picture mode, Linux support and some hardware rumors coming from Valve a console seems very likely. I hope they have success with big picture and Linux too because I would love moving from a Playstation to a Steam box. :D

One of the reasons I though Portal 2 was so cool. If you got the PS3 version you got a Steam code for a PC copy. I played single player on PS3 then later made some levels on the PC version. I want this for everything.

Jacob, for what it's worth, I use my PS3 and 360 controllers on my PC to play games. Haven't bought a PC controller in years.

And Jon, yes. I thought it was amazing to start up Portal 2 and sign into Steam... ON MY PS3! I wish other games had taken that route-- buy it on PS3, get it on PC for free. Even better, with Steam cloud sync, saves and stuff could transfer between the two. Want to max out your settings and get harcore? Play it on PC. Get tired of sitting in an office chair and want to lounge on the couch? Continue where you left off on PS3.

This is what I hope Steam can achieve with whatever future products they work on, whether it's a Steam Box or something we haven't thought up yet.

You can us le your PS3 controllers on your PC? Whoa, going to look into that!

No they do work by default. Well, the 360 one does if it's wired. The ps3 controller just requires some software.

Further info. The wired 360 controller just needs a driver download on older versions of Windows, but is just plug and play with newer versions. For the wireless controller, you'll need one of these: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HZFCT2?ie=UTF8&tag=brihub02-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000HZFCT2

The PS3 controller is a bit trickier, and requires a third party program, but it works smooth as silk once you install it: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/45610/how-to-use-your-ps-3-controllers-as-a-joystick-for-your-windows-pc/

Benefit to the PS3 controller, if you have a bluetooth receiver in your PC you can do it wireless or wired. If you don't have a Bluetooth receiver, just use a standard mini-USB cable.

I'm not sure about the Mac situation, but for Linux the 360 controller (even if you're using the wireless dongle) is built in to the kernel. No hacking required.

The PS3 controller is only a little bit of a chore. Here are some Ubuntu examples:

http://www.ehow.com/how_7729420_use-ps3-controller-ubuntu.html

Maybe this whole thing is deserving of its own post?

One important caveat. A wireless 360 controller with a charging cable is not the same as a wired 360 controller. For some reason they didn't make it work like that. Annoying, but there you go.

Changing topics from Minecraft a bit... You're a Jeet Kune Do instructor? That's fascinating. How functional is it, actually? I was never sure. It certainly looked badass when Bruce did it on film.

I picked it up cause it just went free. I've heard it doesn't keep people's attention though. It being free to play for me means if it does get boring, I can put it down and not feel as bad because I am not out any money.

That said, it seems my choices in game are somewhat limited but that's not too bad as I am still level 1. :)

I don't think it had anything to do with getting to Hell, though I guess they may have some threshold for it. I got that email yesterday as well.

I probably won't give it a shot, with all the other things I have to play at the moment. Though if you can start that 30 days whenever you want, and you don't have to start it immediately upon activating the freebie, then I might.

No I mean the Battle Chest has a limit. If you don't activate it soon it expires. Does your 30 day eval start with activating it or when you start playing? Because I'd like to activate it just to have it and start playing when I'm ready.

Right I knew that. Just wondering when the free month *started*-- whether it was when you activate the battle chest or when you start playing-- but (unless you've played WoW since you activated that) it looks like it starts when you activate it.

I think I was bad at explaining exactly what I was wondering.

I never spent more than 10k on anything until I hit about level 56 or 57.

Kinda thought this wouldn't be good, but after watching ep 1 and 2, its not bad.

Sometime I will sit down and crank through them all. Seeing Dorn and Sirtis together in something again is pretty awesome. The Next Generation is awesome and I recently watched them all on Netflix. Going through Deep Space 9 right now.

Thanks for sharing.

Hey check it out! There I am again!

I can't even imagine how crushed you must have felt. Ouch. That's really freakin' terrible. For me it was one game, but that's looks like years of your gaming life right there.

I agree with every single thing you said. The mouse controls are the only thing I haven't liked (didn't get far into it, granted).

So the game was made for iPhone/iPad so it makes sense there are no keyboard controls because the phone doesn't have them either :D It was brought to PC afterward and then to a bundle and now to the Android bundle.

So, yeah you are not missing on anything without keyboard controls. ENJOY MOUSE ONLY! :D