I wrote an article about six months ago regarding a Bioware Austin job listing that hinted at microtransactions being used in SWTOR. Well, as many of you may know, beta signups went live over at the SWTOR site yesterday. Here's what I found while reading through the fine print in the beta testing agreement: 
 
(H)    You acknowledge and agree that all points acquired during the Game Program are non-refundable and have no monetary value.  

(I)    You acknowledge and agree that all items acquired for points during the Game Program are non-refundable and non-tradable.

(J)    You acknowledge and agree that BWA reserves the right to add or remove points to your account at any time and without warning.

(K)    You acknowledge and agree that BWA reserves the right to change/add/remove points rewarded  in the Game store at any time and without warning.

(L)    You acknowledge and agree that BWA reserves the right to change/add/remove items collected or updated, modify or remove any items in the Game at any time and without warning.

(M)    You acknowledge and agree that points acquired during the Game Program cannot be saved up for or used in the commercial version of the Game.

(N)    You acknowledge and agree that all points will be removed from your account before going into the next test phase (if applicable).

(O)    You acknowledge and agree that points acquired during the Game Program do not entitle you to any points during any other test stages (if applicable) or for the commercial release of the Game.
 
This seems to be proof that there is, at the very least, a microtransaction-based SWTOR store in the works. Only time will tell whether this store constitutes the entire fee structure for the game, or if this points system is in addition to a monthly fee.
 
What do you think?

I've got an iPhone 3GS coming via FedEx tomorrow or Friday and I need a good case for it. I've been an iPod Touch user for some time and I've always liked the combination of an anti-glare screen protector and a rubber case. I have the Incase rubber sleeve for my and it seems to work well.
 
I don't want anything too bulky but I do want the case to offer some decent protection. I'd prefer something that didn't include a screen protector so I can replace those independently as time goes on without replacing the entire case. Any recommendations?  

I thought it would be cool to start a thread for all of the amateur or would-be amateur photographers out there. I just started a few months ago with my first "real" camera, a Nikon D60. I'm still in the very early stages of just learning how the camera works, and I bought an instructional DVD to show me what the different features of the camera are and how to use them. I've never taken any classes or anything, but I've always been interested in photography and thought this was a good time to teach myself.
 
So, share your pics, what kind of cameras you use, and let's help each other be better photographers! Please don't spam this thread with random images you didn't take yourself or that are just complete jokes, I actually want to see pictures that people are proud of and took their time with. If you're a professional photographer, feel free to chime in with criticisms and tips as well!
 
My hardware: 
Nikon D60 with 18-55mm VR lens and a 55-200mm VR lens. 
I shoot in RAW and process images with Lightroom 2 64-bit. That's it, I don't use photoshop or anything.
 
I'm interested in getting into macro photography and doing HDR stuff, but I'll work on that later once I get the basics down. Here are a few shots I thought were decent. I have a strange tendency to hold the camera at a slight angle so most of the time I end up having to crop & rotate my pics, but I'm working on it.
 

I'll start. 
 
Get your Giant Bomb shirts here if you don't already have one!
 

So I came up with a delicious and refreshing drink for summer. Alcohol optional, here's the virgin version:
 
Glass full of ice
Sprite and/or club soda. I like two parts sprite to one part club soda so the drink isn't too sweet, but adjust as you like.
Squeeze the juice out of two or more lime wedges and drop them in
Add grenadine (cherry syrup) to taste (or any other flavored syrup)
Stir & enjoy.