TRB: Let's say I came to you and I'm an end-user that has never used anything other than Windows. I have no command line experience, just point-and-click abilities. How would you configure a system for me -- what distribution (assuming you would choose GNU/Linux as the OS), software, and so forth, would you give me?
RMS: When I recommend a GNU/Linux distribution, I choose based on ethical considerations. Today I would recommend GNU/LinEx, the distribution prepared by the government of Extremadura, because that's the only installable distribution that consists entirely of free software. If I knew of more than one such distribution, I would choose between them based on practical considerations.
TRB: What about Debian GNU/Linux, which by default does not install any non-free software?
RMS: Non-free programs are not officially considered "part of Debian", but Debian does distribute them. The Debian web site describes non-free programs, and their ftp server distributes them. That's why we don't have links to their site on http://www.gnu.org.
GNU/LinEx is better because it does not distribute or recommend those programs.
One of the really significant new technical features in Doom 3 is the per polygon hit detection, which does away with the invisible hitboxes of old in favour of accurate collision detection for every projectile. "This feature had a lot more an impact than we were expecting," admits id CEO Todd Hollenshead. "We've had per poly detection in single-player for a year, but we never realised the full impact of it, of the player no longer being, effectively, a big rectangular cube. A bullet can now go under someone's arm or between their legs, or just whiz by their head. It definitely puts a premium on aiming. The first thing we realised was like: 'Damn, people are hard to kill in Doom 3 multiplayer. Why is that?' And we looked at the damage values, the hitpoints, the armour, but eventually we realised - we're just missing. We're lousy shots."
Damn, that's just gonna mean that a better video card is required so you can see EXACTLY what you're shooting at instead of shooting at the moving blob Damn being a grad student and the complete inability to play 3d games because of it.
Unfortunately, there's also the problem of fairness now, especially since I doubt players want all characters to have the same geometry. Provided skins can still change geometry, the smallest ones are going to be the most desireable for most people.