A dead printer... or is it???

I raised the dead at work.

Adminisk8or

04/23/2023

So goes another week of wishing warm weather would just frickin' happen, already. I am about ready to scream for how much I want to go out riding my bike and do outdoor things in general.

Perhaps I should talk about the photo subject, though. Some few weeks ago, I got a ticket in to look at a client's printer that showed signs of dying. It was shooting off a random error code that wouldn't go away after they rebooted, and would cause the printer to just continue in a regular bootup loop. Looking at the situation back then, in fairness, I didn't investigate too deeply, because not only did that sound like game over, but the printer was getting on in its years, and was due to be replaced soon, anyway, so I declared it dead and suggested they find a replacement. I was onsite again this week, and while there, I took a look at the printer. Someone had altered the note you see on it, and left behind a momento for this apparently near-and-dear device. After a quick bit of research, I discovered a job was stuck in a queue, and was causing this error. After clearing the queue, lo and behold, she breathed new life, and even allowed us to update the firmware! Indeed, it's not every day I get to raise the dead at work.

One other fun note this week was that I played the game Mr. Saitou. If you are unfamiliar with Laura Shigihara's game, titled Rakuen, you very much need to take this moment right now, pause reading, and go look it up. Don't worry, this post will still be here when you get back, go look it up! You probably think, "okay, looks kinda interesting, albeit pretty simplistic..." But you would be only scratching the surface. It's not a long game- it's pretty short, all things considered- but the impact it'll leave on you is the kind of thing you will forever look back on and be glad you played the game- now, how many games can you say that about? Mr. Saitou is another game in the same "universe", and I loved it. It was a beautiful simple game, with profound and meaningful themes, and maybe most importantly, was just a beautiful, fun, short adventure! No sponsorship here, but I am strongly suggesting you find the time very soon to play these games if you haven't, already- no matter who you are, what your age, etc- it's just that good of a game...(s).

Honestly, I wish there were more games like it out there. Games that are all heart, and whose purpose is to contribute and add something to your life. I won't list off any one game, because there are countless concourses, but so many out there are just created with such lesser intents- whether its a cash grab opportunity, or to showcase some fancy-pantsy graphics, or even the dark, depressing horror games that seem to have no reason for existing. Understand, none of these things is inherrently bad, for the most part- there are games which were really made with love, and also show off fancy-pantsy graphics (quite a few!) and other games which are pretty dark and depressing which were given a lot of thought and time. But at the end of the day, when I play a game, I'm just such the odd kind of person, I want to walk away with more than I came with. If all I come away with is an empty feeling of darkness, or disappointment at a game that was obviously just made to pander to an audience and for no other reason, I've wasted my time.

On that note, I certainly make no claim to call out any particular game to fall into one of these unfortunate categories, because I recognize that to others out there, some of these games I see no point to are fun, and even sometimes near and dear titles. And sometimes it's worth enduring a game with poor story to see the beautiful graphics and art it offers. I know I said I wouldn't call out one... but I lied. Firewatch, a game from... wow, almost a decade ago... weird... is a game I LOVE LOVE LOVE! for it's graphics, art and wonderful use of colors and lighting. I can think of few games that compare with it in that regard, just because of how unique and beautiful it is! But personally, although the storyline was interesting, I ultimately didn't care for it all that much. I thought it was alright, but just not my thing, you know? But I bring it up as an example that a game can leave you with good things, even if there are aspects you weren't so much a fan of. I guess, ultimately it's obviously all a matter of opinion. But I hope this provides an example of how some games and media just aren't worth your time, while others, though maybe not quite your scene, may have surprising aspects that actually are.

Confusing rant over. Until next week, see ya!