Now just about 14 months into my Xbox ownership I'm just about ready to call myself a former PC gamer fully converted to the consoles. The only hold out is my racing simulation addiction. The PC still dominates the simulation world by offering real simulations and superior controllers.

I still maintain that a mouse and keyboard is best way to play a first person shooter but I have to admit that I've gotten good enough with the Xbox controller so that I can really enjoy a FPS on the console and not feel restricted by the controls. Add in the excellent online service and I'm one content console player.

I've finally upgraded to the gold membership and have been enjoying some online games with friends. I'm still getting used to the black box way you join multiplayer games as very few actually offer a lobby where you can sort through the servers and select one to join. Most games I've tried seem to do the choosing for you.

All in all I'm finding myself more addicted to gaming than I have been in a while and I owe that to the ease of use of the Xbox. The 42" HDTV, 5.1 surround sound and comfotable sofa are far more enjoyable than my PC setup and that makes it really hard to look at the PC for any games other than simulations.

As a once very opnionated PC gamer I have to admit defeat and concede that the console has won my heart for the forseeable future.