Chibi graphics and "back to Renaissance" ain't got nothing to do with it. I guess, I was a being bit harsh - Final Fantasy XI might very well deserve a spot on the list, but not in the Top 25. My main reason for not liking it is the characters and story, really. I never found them very likeable or interesting, and I hated Steiner's guts.

Here's the original question: "A plane is standing on a runway that can move (some sort of band conveyer). The plane moves in one direction, while the conveyer moves in the opposite direction. This conveyer has a control system that tracks the plane speed and tunes the speed of the conveyer to be exactly the same (but in the opposite direction). Can the plane take off?" (The Straight Dope: 060203.)

The implicit assumption is that if the conveyor belt's speed backward exactly counteracts the airplane's "speed" (whatever that means) forward, the plane remains stationary relative to the earth and, more importantly, to the air. (We assume the winds are calm.) With no wind moving past its wings, the plane generates no lift and can't take off.

But the assumption is false. While the conveyor does exert some modest backward force on the plane, that force is easily overcome by the thrust of the engines pulling the plane ahead. The plane moves forward at roughly its usual speed relative to the ground and air, generates lift, and takes off. Many people have a hard time grasping this (although it can be easily demonstrated in the lab), but eventually they do, smack their foreheads, and move on.

Lift is created from differences in airspeed velocity pressing against the wings.

Of course it won't fly. Are people that stupid? It isn't moving, therefore the wheels spin but there is no force being pressed against the wings. What is it going to fly WITH?

Sony will roll out the PS3 by year end, in time for the holidays. If PS3 "delivers what everyone thinks it will, the game is up," Stringer boasts.