Mountain Surfing

Looking for a great bargain Real-Time Strategy game that still plays like new? Then I suggest you check out Big Huge Games' Rise of Nations. In fact, you can get Rise of Nations (RoN) and its expansion pack (Thrones and Patriots) together for a great price now, so I'll be talking about both in this review. RoN combines elements from Turn-Based Strategy games into an excellent RTS engine. Though it is beginning to age, RoN still looks and plays great.

RoN gives great RTS gameplay. Your empire-building is centered around cities. Cities expand your national borders, allow you to build resource-collecting and research buildings, and even Wonders of the World, historical structures that boost your performance. Resources are spread throughout the map, and are not depleted. Rare resources can also be found, which give increased production and added bonuses. Technology is also key, unlocking new units and buildings, and allowing you to progress through eight "ages," from Ancient to Information. Most technology is researched at the library, but nearly every building has some of its own. Combat follows the rock-paper-scissors concept, in that one unit easily defeats another, but is easily destroyed by a third, making well-balanced armies and navies the best choice.

Replayability is unlimited, with different map types that can be randomly generated time and again. There are 24 different "races" available, from British to Nubian to Mongol, each with its own unique units and national bonuses. Quick Battles offer custom fights between you and up to seven computer opponents, on a variety of different map types, with many customizable options. When (or if) you tire of unlimited Quick Battle play, there are five "Conquer the World Campaigns" to choose from. These range from Alexander the Great, Napoleon, the New World (following the colonization of the Americas), the Cold War between the USA and USSR, and "The Entire World," a Risk type map where each nation starts small and must expand its empire. Multiplayer is still highly active, and many player-made scenarios are available. RoN does not bore easily.

Even though it has been out for several years, RoN is still worth getting. It offers unlimited play with a very innovative design. Even graphics wise, RoN still holds up to more modern strategy games. Choose your nation, choose your gametype, and play in your own style. Rise of Nations is a great game that is easily found for a bargain price.

Scott is a student and avid strategy gamer. Please support him by visiting his blog http://greatstrategygames.blogspot.com/ for more reviews, info, and screenshots.

Reuters - An unusual buildup of ice likely caused the collapse of a gondola tower that stranded more than 50 skiers in mid-air at the popular Whistler ski resort in Western Canada, officials said on Wednesday.

Dell is an American-based international, diversified information-technology supplier that mostly trades in Computer and technology-related products and services. Dell deals in the range of products that caters to both Business Class and Consumer Class. Some of the products developed by Dell are - Personal computers, Softwares, servers, data storage devices, televisions, network switches, computer peripherals and many other technology-related products. Most of the products and services are developed, manufactured, promoted, put on the market and supported by Dell itself. Dell manufactures most of its products especially the computer systems at six different locations: Central Texas and Middle Tennessee in the United States; Limerick, Ireland; Xiamen, China; Limerick, Ireland and Penang, Malaysia.

Though it is headquartered at Round Rock in Texas, it's products and services are available all around the world, including countries like UK, Canada, China, Japan, India and Australia etc. Since it's inception in 1984 by Michael Dell who is also the computer technology industry's longest-tenured chief executive officer, Dell has continued to function based on its 'Direct Model'. The Dell's concept of 'Direct Model' is based on the principle that a company can serve its customers best by catering to their needs directly. Hence till this date Dell continues to sell all it's products and services directly to all its customers that are spread worldwide. It facilitates centralized ordering and billing for the global customers and gives the exceptional advantage of local delivery and local onsite service.

The solutions offered by Dell consists of:

* Solutions for Home and Home Office - Products offered under this category are - Desktops, Laptops, Electronics and Accessories, Advertised Systems, Computer monitors, Printers and ink etc

* Solutions for Small businesses - Apart from the products listed above, other products available under this range are - Dell precision workstations, Servers, Storage and Networking.

* Range of products and services for Medium and large businesses - Dell provides a range of services under this category. All their services are driven by their commitment to reduce the cost and complexity involved in day-day to technology challenges faced by businesses today. Interestingly Dell has introduced a Dell Pro-Support package of services again designed specifically for business corporations. It has been designed in the form of Portfolio that provides pro-active strategies and rapid response to combat technology challenges and save on crucial time. The Portfolio also has a tech-to-tech support program meant for IT-professionals to help businesses strengthen their internal technology-solutions capacity.

* Dedicated services especially designed for Government, Education and Health care management - Under the public sector domain too, Dell has through the local government and healthcare portals reached out to professionals in the field of education and health along with teachers and students.

With persistence and foresight Dell has seamlessly acclimatized its direct selling model to the Internet better than any other company. This is why Dell is the No.1 seller of personal computers over the internet.

John Somme is the author of this article on Dell. He is the owner of a computer company and specialises in writing articles on computers in his spare time. For more information visit Dell Computers.

AP - Galveston police knew who to look for - exactly - when they arrested an alleged delivery man in a call-for-cocaine investigation. A 29-year-old Galveston man was jailed Friday on a charge of manufacturing or delivering a controlled substance. Sgt. T. Barr, at the Galveston County Jail, told The Associated Press that John Patrick Lacour Jr. was held on $250,000 bond. Barr had no information on an attorney for Lacour.