I know times are tough all around, so I'm offering you a business suggestion. I suggest you offer computer protection. Affordably priced, say $100 a year. But, you protest, "I am just a humble businessman, and am befuddled by computers, as much as the next honest entrepreneur."

I know. I know.

What would I expect for $100? Sympathy. I'd call you up, and say "Mr. Honest Businessman, some bastard of a hacker snuck a virus onto my system, and now I'm getting pop-up ads offering to help me work at home earning a degree in computer art to design advertisements that offer to Make. Her. Ecstatic."

You would reply "That sounds terrible," and listen while I bitch about the 10 hours lost cleaning up my system. Believe me, a sympathetic listener is worth the money.

We will both be shocked and saddened to hear about that young hacker's suicide, via a silenced pistol to his temple. Such a tragedy. No doubt we will commiserate about the troubled state of modern society, leading a troubled young person towards a life of idle crime and destruction, which spiraled inevitably to self-destruction.

Signed, One of many

P.S. For now, I will get my sympathy via Malware-bytes, which will be getting some of my money, assuming that my computer is still working in a month. Technically quite proficient, but not nearly as sociable.

In that vein, we tried Resistance (a print-and-play game similar to werewolf) and it's reasonably fun, but I don't think it has depth to last more than 2-3 games. Still at 10 minutes, that's fine.

I've played the 2nd Race expansion a few times. With goals (which are fine). Nobody's yet comfortable enough with Takeovers, but soon, I imagine. Games are 5+ minutes slower, partially due to the unfamiliarity of the new cards and partially due to adding goals.

Three more games of BSG this week. I was completely sold on the expansion after the first two previews, but I'll admit that the third worries me. 1, 2, 3).

• Shadow Hunters (probably a noble failure)
• Snow Tails
• Say Anything
• Dominion + Intrigue
• FITS
• Automobile (makes me nervous, though).
• Masters of Venice (again, nervous)

So, open thread — what belongs on a new order?

Update: Answering comments --

• Endeavour does look intriguing. I had already put that on my watchlist ...
• Tinner's Trail and Founding Fathers not so much
• Don't care enough about Pandemic.
• Alea iacta est — never heard of it, must investigate further.

I've played many more of the Meeple's Choice nominees, but I still couldn't bring myself to vote for three. (I voted for Battlestar Galactica and Cosmic Encounter .... yes, the latter is based on the Eon version. Sue me). I'm tempted to vote for Dominion (played several face to face games this weekend) ...

Update: And Rule #1 of the internet -- Snark begets Snark. (Rule #2 is that snark quality has no genetic component).

• "Settlers of Catan," and
• "Insert gratuitous Nazi reference here."

I do like the following comment on Cities and Knights:

Hitting upon the excellent idea of removing all the compelling simplicity of the original version, he crafted a game that was just as strategically and tactically challenging, but also ridiculously overcomplicated

I then noticed that the author lives in San Antonio, and complains that nobody here is hardcore enough to play C&K. The mind boggles.

I've been meaning to mention that Linnaeus has some Race strategy articles [1, 2, 3] ...

The inside scoop behind the Wii Fit.

Some free online courses that may be of interest.

Chapel, Cellar, Chancellor, Woodcutter, Thief, Spy, Throneroom, Laboratory, Witch Council Chamber. 3 Players.

And then I misclick on what should be the last turn and add 2 more minutes to the game.

"-- Heavenly, Tao, scores 47 points, leaving the opponents no chance. (36:52 min.)"

Felt less divine to me.