Use Nem's Batch Compiler at the very least: it allows you to free up resources because you can close Hammer. I've also noticed that it's a lot easier to keep an eye on it since it doesn't freeze up Hammer like the normal compile window tends to do.
15 minutes is indeed absolutely nothing for a compile.
I understand that, Captain, but for it to actually have done something, you would've needed to have installed it or clicked something to get it to install on your system. Blitz is right though, Spybot-Search and Destroy is one of the best programs to use for those kinds of things. Also, I hope you're not using Internet Explorer...
How about a truck that's crashed into a building? You could have huge chunks of the building surrounding the truck: it would give it the blockage some height without having to resort to an obvious clip brush (you'd still have one obviously, but it wouldn't be apparent). You could also have parts of it on fire, but I'd steer clear of Insta-Death fire: players are curious and will want to see how far they can push the boundaries of a playing field. Killing them instantly isn't really a great mechanic. Simply have it burn the player, as briefly touching fire normally would.
Correct me I'm wrong, and there's no doubt I am, but I'm under the impression that the adoption rate of 64-bit hardware is incredibly slow, due to the fact that no-one's writing anything that takes advantage of it. Everyone's moved onto dual-core CPUs, where you can at least get some performance gain from most things without needing software specifically written for it.
Queens of the Stone Age - Turnin' On the Screw Queens of the Stone Age - Sick, Sick, Sick Queens of the Stone Age - I'm Designer Queens of the Stone Age - Into the Hollow Queens of the Stone Age - 3's & 7's
Yah, but I didn't buy mine for the purposes of gaming. It's lucky that I'm not a very heavy PC gamer though. Having said that, if I'm only missing out on games like Crysis, then I'm not really fussed.