Over at Technologizer, I've written an opinion piece that argues why history needs software piracy.

I had the idea for this piece a few years ago, so it's nice to finally put my thoughts into written form — especially at a time when public debate over digital piracy's role has reached a new high.

I don't claim to be laying down the final word on the subject; instead, I view my piece as the beginning of a broader discussion about piracy's role in the study of history. I hope you enjoy it.

Strange proportions courtesy of Blip's comic book dimensions.

Discussion Topic of the Week: Quick! Favorite space shooter of the 1970s or '80s?

Quite possibly the first ever print ad for Sid Meier's Pirates!

Discussion Topic of the Week: What's your favorite Sid Meier game of all time? Oh, and what did you get for Christmas?

Santa has little respect for floppy disks, shoving them in there without sleeves.

Discussion Topic of the Week: When's the last time you used an Atari ST series computer? What did you run on it?

It's that time of year again: the Yuletide. Instead of writing something new and fresh for the season, I thought I'd dredge through the VC&G archives for Christmas material and collect it all in one place.

Below you will find a list of everything Yule-flavored from this site and my freelance work. There are a couple slideshow gems in there that you don't want to miss, so check those out if you haven't already.

I have a soft spot for Christmas, having been raised with the tradition, so this list is for me as much as it is for everyone else. After going through these things again, it's amazing to see how much Christmas stuff I've posted over the years. I hope you enjoy it.

[ Continue reading The VC&G Christmas Collection » ]

When you're done reading that Computer Space piece I wrote, feel free to mosey on over to PCMag and check out this slideshow of 10 game consoles that could transform into PCs. (The title they gave it is kinda confusing, but the content still stands.)

Most of the console conversions featured in the piece are from the 1980s, but there's one more recent example in there that might surprise you. Or maybe it won't, because you guys tend to know a lot more than the average bear. Either way, I hope you enjoy it.

I see great things in your future.

I recently scanned this lovely Nintendo-sponsored Christmas greeting off the back of a 1988 issue of Nintendo Power. You can see the complete magazine back in the full-sized version of the scan (click the image above to see it). In that larger scan, names and addresses have been changed to protect the innocent.

Kinda gives you that warm and fuzzy feeling, doesn't it?

Discussion Topic of the Week: Did you ever receive a NES (or even a NES game) for Christmas? Tell us about your memories of the occasion.

You may not have noticed, but commercial video games turned 40 years old just recently. To celebrate, I've written an in-depth history of Computer Space, the first mass-produced video game and the first true arcade video game, which launched in 1971. Those daring enough among you to read over 500 words in one sitting can find the piece over at Technologizer.com. I hope you enjoy it.

Greetings, my fellow chess fans. Welcome to The Chessmaster.

That is, welcome to a new feature where I, The Chessmaster, will answer your personal letters to the best of my chessly ability.

Since I have been playing chess almost non-stop for over 300 years, I thought it might be a good time to bring my accumulated wisdom directly to the people.

In preparation for this column, I have been soliciting questions from a troubled American populace for the last six months. It is my hope that my responses will benefit all readers as much as they help those who submitted the questions.

With that out of the way, let's get to the first question.

[ Continue reading Ask the Chessmaster » ]

A novelty cocktail ice cube for giants.

Discussion Topic of the Week: Has one of your computers or video game consoles ever overheated? Tell us about it.