SWGwYaMB

Choose your own adventure start!

Zurthas Gunflick — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 07:11:00 GMT

I wrote this in English for a creative writing assignment last semester, thought I'd share it. Just click the link that sounds more appealing to you as you go along. Do for reals the first time, after that you can go back and see what all the options do. Also, when I did this with my friends, they all chose the boring stuff, be daring! I dare you! I hope you find it funny or at least entertaining.

Here goes....

You are merrily skipping through the woods, when suddenly, a bear breaks through the undergrowth and scrambles over the open ground in front of you. When he reaches you, he stands up, offers a paw and says hello. You notice he's wearing a tie. What do you do?

Shake the bear's hand.

OH MY GOD IT'S A TALKING BEAR! RUN!

Computers Suck - Part 1 - Motherboards

Yivvits — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 22:21:00 GMT

I need to vent my frustration of everything that sucks about the tech industry right now. What better place to do so than in my blog. I considered writing down these thoughts in e-mail messages to myself, which I would delete, but why do that when posting in a blog is just about as productive! (albeit not AS productive)

Part 1 - Motherboards

I am so sick and tired of crappy motherboards. I don't care which manufacturer it is - they basically all suck. I've usually purchased ASUS boards but I won't in the future. All these manufactures seem to care about is putting in crap loads of "awesome" features, most of which are targeted at the l337 speaking, energy soda drinking, "my computer is faster than yours" crowd. If you're into that aspect of computers, hey I'm not judging you. Some of us want a reliable system that works.

... Did you just say "Yivvits, just get a Mac!" ? Sorry, that isn't the solution for me. I'm not that smug and my ego is only 1/2 the required size for entry into that club. I'm not a cool hipster like Jason Long.

Look, I just want a motherboard that:

isn't filled with every possible over clocking option
ends up with 12 different "sub-models"
gets BIOS updates to resolve problems, for at least 3 years after purchase
gets BIOS updates which actually include revision notes so I know what was fixed / added
doesn't include a CD full of poorly written and utterly useless utilities
includes a manual that was actually written in English to begin with
has a manufacturer who doesn't fill their damn support site with Flash objects
is made in the USA or at least the company is based here

Based on that last bullet point my options are pretty limited. There are but two or three companies who manufacture their boards in the USA and guarantee certain models to have a active life of 5 or 8 years. These boards are specialized for industrial use though, and as such do not include a few of the things most of us want on them. This leaves me with companies who are at least based in the states. Intel, sure, but even they fail on some of my requirements. This leaves me with Super Micro. Over the years I've owned three Super Micro boards and they've proven to be solid. True, 3 is such a small sampling but I've also owned three ASUS boards and ended up hating every one of them. In fact, I'm currently in the process of ordering a SM to replace the cancer that is my current ASUS board.

I don't care what any reviews say... in fact, I'm not even reading them anymore. I just want the boring, but solid, "motherboard for a 30-something guy".

Whew, I feel better now!

Awesome

Zurthas Gunflick — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 06:20:00 GMT

I was writing an English paper, and it had a super awesome (<- lol) ending where I ended on the word "awesome", but i meant it in the way it's regularly used, like "Inspiring Awe". Then we got the essays peer edited, and my friend who edited mine circled "awesome" and said that it wasn't the right word to use, even though it was because I was standing on top of a bloody mountain talking about the views from there, and they were, truly, awesome. And then I sat and thought for a while that "awesome" has to be at least one of the most misused words in the English language.

(it also took me almost 5 minutes to figure out how to post a new blog)

Cracking Party!

StripeyStormWaltz — Sun, 17 May 2009 17:18:00 GMT

Friday nights party on Vreni Island was another cracker. Finally got Lilium back on the xantha in the band, which was nice, even Flowerpot got a bit of exercise :). Another great band session, lead by Yivvits, was great as ever. I even got up and did some dancing with MrBubble. Only problem is I've been struggling like hell to stay awake all this weekend because I had to stay up until 5am to get to the end of the party. Can we have a party on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon please? It'd make my life (and probably Lilium and McCoid's also) a little less sleep deprived!

It was fun non-the-less and I wouldn't turn up unless I thought it was worth it :)

Going solo... but by no means alone!

StripeyStormWaltz — Tue, 05 May 2009 19:55:00 GMT

Well, I've been the only band member who's been rockin' the cantinas recently! Fear not however, I've not been alone. Fortunately I've had some great and wonderful entertainers to keep me company.

The likes of Ikewe, Grabs, 'Link', Buzzz, Iuna, Aythena, repairgirl, toffee, coohoo, SWR, and many more who I've misplaced the names of, have been keeping ol' Stripey company in the cantina recently.

I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank Yivvits, MrBubble, Sipam and Co for another excellent party on the 24th. In spite of some minor interruptions (we know who they are!) it was a blast, and I had a great time again. Yivvits once again put on a great show as band leader, giving the band some great riffs to jam to, myself included. I was honored to be handed the ban leader's baton by Yivvits towards the end of the show too while he helped out with the Droid Contest. I felt very proud leading a band of such distinguished entertainers as Ikewe, Grabs, Phoneesha and Emmaly. You made a guy very happy :)

I can't over-emphasize how lucky Shadowfire is as a Galaxy that we have such a great, dedicated and experienced entertainer community. I think Yivvits and MrB made an A-1 decision moving to Shadowfire. At least for me as an entertainer, it's been a place with a near-constant atmosphere of friendship and joy.

Here's to much more!

YaMB Spring Party Screenshots

StripeyStormWaltz — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 08:42:00 GMT

i just wanted to share the screenshots I took at the YaMB Spring Party with you folks. Sorry it's taken an eternity to post them but RL has been dragging a lot lately. I'm sure you guys & girls know the drill.

Anyhoo, here they are!

Pre-party Jam on the roof of the Party Hall

... which got quite popular! I didn't manage to hit anyone with a snowball sadly. I guess I fail.

Then we got the REAL party started on Sipam's wonderful stage!

Then we did some band shots with our distinguished guests:

I included this one because I almost fell off my chair laughing. I'm sure you get the joke.

And there we go. Band with Yivvits and Mr Bubble.

I prefer this one, I dunno, it's more Album-cover-ish.

Then we just had a group hug picture, so no-one felt left out :)

Thanks to Yivvits (great band direction, I need lessons on that one day), Mr Bubble, Sipam, Lilium, Pidraz, Hypatia, Burrito Bob, McCoid, Scat'Kat, Ikewe and everyone else that turned up to the party, it was a blast. I really enjoyed getting a big band together and having rocking out like that on such a cool stage with a swell crowd and stuff. Great. Can't wait for the next one!

Easter Weekend Band meetup

StripeyStormWaltz — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 08:31:00 GMT

Hi folks. I just wanted to say I'm going to be about in SWG a lot this weekend, and so I wanted to have a band meetup.

We'll probably meet up in Eisley Cantina. It's been pretty hopping in there this week because of spring break, so, if nother noob argument la grande doesn't break out like happened last night, it should be pretty happenin'.

I dunno which night it'll be yet, I'm just gonna turn up and play with whoever's there, and see where it goes, we'll be sure to yammer in GuildChat if it gets big :)

If I'm feeling good this weekend I'm planning to get some energy drinks in and pull an all-nighter also if we get the band together for a good long jam, so you get to experience me completely fruit-looped on Relentless :D

Welcome to the Alkaline HotShots Band Blog!

StripeyStormWaltz — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 06:37:00 GMT

I was looking at my home page this morning and noticed a Blog suddenly popped up in my Blog panel for the band. Thanks guys :)

So for those who don't know who we are and our history, here's a quick rundown.

The Alkaline HotShots is a band of entertainers playing music (and occasionally dancing) on Shadowfire. The band (and the name) was Lilium's idea, and was formed by Lilium (and Flowerpot), myself and Wookik whilst we were playing in Eisely cantina one day. It's grown from there to become an exciting and fun group with many members from within, and outside of, the YaMB guild. We not only play in Cantinas and offer buffs, we are also available (in one capacity or another) to play at social events and parties.

Our permanent member list has grown from the 5 initial members to a long and distinguished list:

Lilium
Flowerpot
Stremki
Wookik / Pidraz
Burrito Bob
Lonina
Ickta and Fey (think they are from W W)
McCoid (I forget his guild)
Hypatia

While it's rare for us all to play at once, various members of the band will meet up for a jam, depending on who's available and who is feeling the vibe. Also, we aren't a closed system, if you feel like joining us and jamming to the groove or dancing 'til you drop you just gotta ask, we'd be more than happy!

So I hope we'll see you online somewhere, and we look forward to seeing you out there.

Yamborra Labs Open

Wookik — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 01:51:00 GMT

This is my first blog so be nice. This blog is for anyone who want to know about my Beast Master projects and how they go. I am currently work on the server's second Ackley (Wish me luck). I will put the first attempt in the next week or so once I finish making the 20 point Hydrolyase's. My fails (Hope I don't fail) will be for sell, they all will be 60 points so hit me up in game. This is going to be a short blog post because it's my first, I promise that the coming up ones will be longer and more detailed. I would like to thank Yitson, Sipam, and 'Lilium' for helping me set up my lab. And I would also like to thank the "Alkaline HotShots" for playing at the lab once I finished it.

Thanks again everyone!

Wookik

Ranson Ehi, a History

Zurthas Gunflick — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 06:44:00 GMT

-=Imperial Persons Report=-

-=Subject: Ranson Ehi=-

Ranson Ehi was born on Naboo to Rendgo and Caer Ehi, members of the middle class of Naboo. Ranson excelled in school during his younger years, and began to take interest in biology and medicine as he grew older. Passing most of his classes with flying colors, he was accepted to the Theed University of Medicine. When he left home, both his parents moved back to Bothawui, saying they wanted the support of their clan as they grew older. Over the next few years, Ranson traveled the galaxy, experiencing new things and learning the field.

After 6 years studying at the University and abroad, Ranson got a Job at the Royal Theed Hospital. However, after only a year and a half working in the city, he grew bored and longed for the excitement of his travels. So he left his colleagues in Theed, and headed for the backwater planet of Tatooine, where he heard there was a new township starting up. He landed in Bestine, where he retrieved his medical and weapons licenses from city hall. He headed to the shuttleport, where he fetched a ticket for Mos Entha, where the excursion was gathering.

After hearing about the harsh, lawless conditions on Tatooine, he had picked up a long barreled, gas powered tranquilizer rifle, figuring he could use it on any crazys. On the shuttle ride over, he had it in his lap, slowly engraving a small medical cross on it.

He landed in Entha, and headed outside the shuttle port. Carrying a duffel of medical supplies and a backpack of personal items, he headed to the cantina. He was worried that his tranquilizer rifle would be conspicuous in the cantina, however when he entered the door he was confronted by a sea of scum, with everybody carrying guns and weapons of every sort. He made his way through the crowd to the back, where he found a group of people sitting around one of the bigger tables, talking quietly. He set down his bag and quietly asked, "Excuse me, are you the people going on the ... urm, excursion?" a shaken looking rodian responded,"Yeah, but keep your voice down, don't want to attract attention." As everybody got up to head to their dwellings for the night, the rodian took him aside, "So, you're the doctor right?" "Yeah, guess so..." "Alright well, good luck", Ranson looked quizzically at the ceiling after hearing that, he said, "Uh, you too?", and turned to the rodian, but he had already stepped out the door.

The next morning, they met up just outside the city. It was announced that there was another group waiting in the next town. They headed out by foot. It was about an hours walk for Ranson, who had joined up with the lead group, even with the burning suns. The rear group arrived about half and hour later. The two groups met up in the cantina, which wasn't crowded at all. They stayed there until sunset, when the temperature dropped enough to make this long section of the journey. It was a long march, and they had to fight off several large creatures. Finally, they made it to a flat, open, barren area. The Rodian looked at the piece of paper he had been leading with, and muttered, "We're here."

Soon they had established their city hall, named the city Jubinloo, and all of the citizens had permanent residences. Ranson had been busy setting up the medical center, and had shipped in several advanced machines. His house remained barren, with only a bantha skin bed in the corner of the back room, and 2 chairs and a table in the front. Over the next few years, Ranson mostly lived in the Medical center, with his house remaining nearly the same, with a few storage cabinets, a stove, and a refrigerator unit. What little free time he had, he spent in the pub, chatting up his friends. In the town as a whole, he became the quintessential town doctor, modest, friendly, but always open to solving fights in town with his trusty tranquilizer rifle. He also gained his famous line, which he frequently used after saving a life or such. "Just doing my Job"

After a few happy years in Jubinloo, tragedy inevitably struck. Ranson was away in Theed, acquiring new equipment for the medical center when he got an emergency call from a town policeman, Daceh, who told him to return immediately. Ranson left the shipment in Theed and got a ride back to Tatooine. Upon his arrival, he initially found nothing left of the city. He walked around, until he stubbed his tow on something where city hall had been. He figured it was the foundations, but dug down anyways. He just dug down on the edge of this wall, until he tired, and was about to leave the hole, when something caught his eye. Scraping away some sand, he saw the sign that sat above the entrance to city hall, it read "JUBINLOO" in big letters. The strange thing was that it was still attached to the wall. Then it occurred to Ranson that everything was just buried. He ran off to try to find anybody who was left. He stumbled upon some of the survivors and others who had been away during the event.

Daceh said that it was the tuskens (who had had on and off fights with the Jubinlooians since the foundation of the city), they had planted a bomb in the town square, which had exploded, demolishing most of the nearby buildings, except city hall because of it's size, and throwing up so much sand that it buried the rest. They assumed the rest of the people in the town had either been killed by the bomb, the tuskens, or taken prisoner. However way you put it, Jubinloo was dead.

The survivors worked for the next few weeks, living in tents, to recover the valuables in their buried houses. Ranson borrowed some money from his parents to have a shuttle ship out most of the heavy equipment from the medical center.

Back in Mos Entha, the friends and towns people said there good byes, as they left Jubinloo behind and headed back to where they came from. Ranson slowly walked onto the passenger shuttle, thinking of all the close friends he had lost. He returned to work in Theed, where his experience with the constant injuries in such a backwater town such as Jubinloo, had taught him well, and he was better at some procedures than many of the attending surgeons and doctors. Even though he had been forever saddened by Jubinloo, he still wanted that adventurous feeling he got from working abroad. Over the years he worked in small outposts and towns on Dantooine and Correllia and Talus and Rori, but never Tatooine, never again. However, all these towns seemed to be poorly led and collapsed after a few months to a year, nothing compared to Jubinloo.

After losing hope and returning again to Theed, he received a call from an old acquaintance in theed from before he left for Tatooine, a fellow bothan named Zurthas. He said that some fellows he knew were setting up a promising town on Dantooine, and they'd probably be needing a doctor. Ranson sighed into the microphone, closed his eyes and said, "Sure, I'll do my job."

Ranson Ehi is currently working as a field doctor and running an aid station in the town of Yamborra, on Dantooine.

-=Fin=-

-=Transmission Terminated=-

What is this?

Yivvits — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 03:27:00 GMT

Now and then I come across bits and pieces of information about the making of Star Wars Galaxies. I find this information fascinating and thought others might enjoy it as well.

This is soooo SOE

redheadedtim — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 16:44:00 GMT

Isn't it just perfect SOE that on the day Voice Chat is released, Voice Chat wouldn't work? Wow....

Also, on a completely unrelated note....listening to Ep 43, come on now Yivvits, don't even try to compare Taco Johns and Taco Bell. Taco Johns is layin down what I'm pickin up. A coworker and I will drive 30 minutes across town during noontime traffic for TJ's, and there's a Taco Bell across the street. Six pack and a pound FTW!!

First post

redheadedtim — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 03:04:00 GMT

Look for much inane-ness to come. Including version 1.0 of RHT's Trucker Rating system. (you can see version 0.7 in my media). Will keep you up to date on what I'm bored with lately.

A really confusing explanation

Zurthas Gunflick — Tue, 20 May 2008 06:28:00 GMT

This picture you see is an explanation of a crazy raid Idea I had that probably won't work, I just made this picture and the following explanation to attempt to make sense of it. If you don't know what RAID is this probably isn't your can of beans (not that I'm an expert or anything)

As you can see, each disk is partitioned into 2 equal parts, and each drive is a mirror of one another. On each disk, one of these halves is "used" and the other half is "backup". This setup allows the harddrives to work over seperate pieces of data in order to speed up read rate, while also retaining the full security of RAID 1. The crosshatched, or "backup" areas, are virtually invisiable to the computer, unless one of the disk fails, where the backup on the other disk becomes readable, therefore allowing the computer to continue to function, albeit slower. uhhh... I know that wasn't a very clear explanation, but it's late, and I"ll try to clear it up at some point.

Z's Problem solvers of the week (updated 7/08)

Zurthas Gunflick — Thu, 01 May 2008 11:35:00 GMT

Just something random I thought I'd do.

So, every week I will (try) to make a problem solver or life lessons:

1. Denial can be used in any and all situations.

2. If you're stuttering during and argument, you're probably wrong.

3. Today is the tomorrow you feared yesterday.

4. Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life. (I'm tellin you, TF2 is an obsessive disease)

5. Love is like a roll of tape, it makes two things one.

6. Don't inhale pillows.

7. Follow the dollar.

8. Humans are like slinkies, pretty useless, but really fun to watch fall down stairs.

9. If you do things right, nobody will know you've done anything at all.

What Zurthas Does For A Living

Zurthas Gunflick — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 07:17:00 GMT

Here's one of Zurthas' missions, made up as I went. Some things may seem outrageous, but it's starwars, and it's me. Enjoy! Oh yeah, it's 3 pages long, just a warning.

A Colonel was addressing a special operations unit about to embark on a mission most of them would not return from. They were in a submerged bunker, armored with multiple feet of reinforced concrete and steel. The Colonel stopped mid-sentence and looked up, a light whistling sound found its way through the armor. Suddenly, a large thump, quickly followed by a loud bang, as part of the roof collapsed onto the troops below. The remaining who were still conscious heard a second, much lighter thump on the roof. A dark figure dropped from the new hole in the ceiling, almost unnoticed. The dazed survivors looked amongst the rubble for the wounded soldiers underneath. Few if any heard the small gasp that came from the head of the room.

The colonel stirred, finally opening his eyes in a dark smoky room, with only one wall lit, just barely. He groaned slightly, realizing painfully that his left leg was broken. The light on the wall responded to the sound by jerking to the left onto the side wall, and then the source faced him, just a narrow strip of light, which then went out. His eyes were not spared the onslaught, as two bright lights, a bit higher then the small strip, and not spaced very far apart, turned on, cutting through the smoke, and bearing down on him.

A low voice mumbled, “well, for effect” and suddenly the two bright lights went out, replaced by a sparkling flare, which split in two, and now he could see his tormentor. The two flares dropped to the ground, revealing a tall, thin figure, encased in armor. The golden visor glinted in the light of the flares. The mysterious figure was holding a small black, highly durable booklet, which had been in the Colonel’s jacket pocket before the meeting. It was their battle plans for the next 5 years.

“He can’t get out of here!” the thought roared through his mind like a TIE fighter. He reached for his e-beacon on his belt. The man looked up from the glowing object on his wrist, realizing what he was doing, and full on dove across the room, landing a fist in the colonel’s face, but it was too late, the hand fell on the emergency button.

Zurthas heard a muffled alarm, got up from where he landed next to the colonel in an attempt to stop him, and jumped through a hole in the wall. He turns on the lights on the top of his helmet, and comes back out with a large cylindrical tank on his back, and holding a flame thrower.

He pulls the flamethrower up, holding it with one hand and resting it against his shoulder, and with resolve seldom seen outside the movie theater, states,” When in doubt, use fire.”

Arriving at the top of a long spiral staircase, with several burning carcasses somewhere behind him, he slowly forces the door open, enough to survey outside. Army personnel are lined up and patrolling, with others obviously searching for the colonel in charge, both groups are assisted by vehicles, heavy and light. Thankfully for Z, the emergency beacon didn’t have a homing chip. He places the flamethrower next to his right thigh, and activates the magnetic clips to hold it. Pulling from his belt several C4 charges, he places them on the door, and then he removes a cardboard tube from his back, mounting it on his shoulder, presses the safety, and fires a single high velocity rocket at the nearest tank through the door. He jumps backwards over the railing, landing a floor down, mid flight he presses the button to detonate the C4 on the door. He races back up the stairs, turns out the door, and begins throwing flames.

His advanced new flamethrower, with a range of over 200m, easily reaches most of the armed personnel in the area, as well as some of the vehicles. The lighter armored ones are out of action almost immediately, but some of the crews in the heavier vehicles aren’t getting cooked alive, and are still providing quite the nuisance. He reclips the flamethrower to his thigh, and grabs two thrown rockets from a clip. Leaning around a corner, he tosses one towards an APC spewing light turbolaser rounds in his direction. The rocket travels about 5m out of Z’s hand, before the rocket ignites and propels it towards the APC, where it impacts with enough force to punch through and kill the operator. With the other rocket, he turns, and seeing a tank slowly coming around a corner, he throws it, attempting to time it so it would hit the turret when it became exposed, but the pop out fins catch the wind and the nose falls, and it skips off the ground, destroying one of the tanks repulsor pods. Now disabled, the tank’s fire from its main cannon is blocked by the building. Seeing how most everybody who was in the courtyard had taken cover in buildings, he ran into what seemed like it would be an armory.

With plenty of small rooms filled with explosives and live rounds, mayhem ensued as soon as he lit the flamethrower. Though looking at the diagnostic screen on the weapon, Z realized he had spent more than most of his fuel in the courtyard, so he disconnected the fuel tank to the actual flame thrower, and dropped the auto-booby trapped fuel tank onto the ground. He attached the flamethrower to his back and pulled the shotgun from the shin attachment. Turning the next corner, he showered the room with BBs and lasers. After clearing what he thought was all the rooms, he returned to the main room to see if he could scavenge any useful weapons.

Scouring among the weapons, he heard a door open, and looked towards the sound. One of the Colonel’s personal guards and two other, much lower ranking guards stepped through the door. The main one, a trandoshan, was wearing what seemed like an awfully ceremonial outfit to be wearing during a one man invasion. Then he realized he was here to fight, one on one, mano a mano. The trandoshan was holding a power hammer, so Zurthas unclicked his belt and bandolier, and also disabled the magnetic weapon clips, so he was left with a machete and his father’s hunting dagger. He placed the dagger in a hideaway compartment in his right bracer. He felt no need to discard his armor, as the trandoshan was too wearing armor, though Zurthas felt confident it was not nearly as good, nor did it cover his face, hands, or feet. Looking down at himself, he activated a feature in his armor he had not used in a long time, the two liquid weapon dispensers in his right bracer lifted their back ends, and two long, brilliantly red feathers emerged. This was no longer about politics; this was a fight of honor.

One of the lesser guards clapped his hands twice, and the trandoshan charged, Z figured it meant go, so he did the same, sidestepping at the last moment, as his opponent went roaring past. The fight went on for a good twenty minutes, Zurthas simply sidestepping more attacks then blocking or giving. The trandoshan suddenly paused and reached under the small cape he was wearing, and pulled out a modified, high power blaster pistol. Z froze, then dodged as the gun went off. Figuring if it was a free for all, he turned, going to one knee as he did, raised his right arm, and activated the pop out mini flame thrower. He grinned under his helmet, and napalm gushed out the tube, but it failed to ignite, his target simply coated in goo. He dove to the side as another shot from the blaster rang off, then jumped up and charged at the dosh, pulling his last flare from his hip. The trandoshan raised his gun for the last time, as Z jumped he lit the flare and jabbed it into his opponent’s face, causing initial pain, before he burst into flames. He about faced the two other guards, reached down while lifting up his right leg, on which his shotgun was situated (he had slyly placed it there when he dodged after his flamethrower malfunctioned) and keeping it attached to his ****, fired it twice. Both guards received all the force of one shot in their stomachs, they died almost instantaneously. He returned to his pile of weapons, and replaced each to its spot.

Peering around the door frame, he saw a conjugation of armored vehicles in front of the building, though they were facing in no particular direction. Stealthing himself, he ran back to the door through which he came from the spiral staircase, and jumped down the stairwell. Arriving where he had left the Colonel, who was still there, or at least his body was, he stepped over the carcass and into where he had stashed his weapons months prior to the attack. He took what things he thought he might need, along with a 2 foot long, 10 inch thick, round topped cylinder, and booby trapped what remained. He slung the SPABTC (Self Propelled Air Burst Tactical Nuke) over his shoulder and headed back up the stairs.

Arriving topside, he scaled a short building, for a vantage point to activate this suicide weapon with. He unstealthed, and leapt off the roof, landing in the middle of a crowd of people and vehicles, at first nobody wasn’t surprised enough to realize who he was, so they all stood in stupor, until he stabbed the SPABTC into the ground, and activated it, in which, they began to grab for their weapons. Zurthas sprinted for cover, behind a pillar on the mayoral building, pulling a book sized box and a waterbottle sized cylinder from his belt, he pressed a button on the cylinder and stabbed it into the box, causing a handle to protrude from each object. He had started his count at 15 when he had initiated the nuclear device, he was now at 3…2…1. The bottom inch of the nuke exploded, igniting the rocket motor in the upper half, which sped strait up to over 500 ft in less then two seconds. Upon hearing the initial explosion, Z had grabbed both handles on the shield booster mechanism, sending millions upon millions of volts of electricity through his suit, which it used to create a ton of more shield power… for about 5 seconds. The nuke exploded at 572 feet above Zurthas and the large group of enemy forces. The 9 kiloton warhead wiped out the entire city.

Zurthas’ boosted shields had held up, though the outside of his armor was glowing red when he stood up. His armor’s radiation filter had kicked in, and he headed out of the flattened, lifeless town, through a mile or two of charred and decimated forrest, and to a pre designated rendezvous point.

SWG Tricks & Treats - Introduction

Yivvits — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 18:40:00 GMT

Until I have enough time to start one of the dozens of little projects floating around in my head, I need a place to record any handy SWG commands I find. For now, that place will be my blog. [:-)]

If you know of or have found a handy in-game command and would like to share it, please send me a PM. I'll review it and repost here (at my descression).

Raph talks about Content vs. Systems in game design.

Yivvits — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 17:03:00 GMT

In order for this post to make sense, please read this entry in Raph Koster's blog. I've also reposted it at the bottom of this post.

In his latest blog post, Raph talks about the importance of not just giving game designers a set of scripts to work with and that they understand the systems behind the scripts. To me, he just explained what I feel is missing from SWG. In fact, it feels missing from every other MMO I've played during the past 3 years. Many times I do feel like I'm simply walking through a database and not a game world.

Let me be clear, I'm not saying the current SWG devs are doing a poor job! They are currently doing a great job especially when you factor in how small the team is right now. They are working with the tools available to them.

With that out of the way... Think about it... How many times have we heard about how complicated the code behind SWG is? On many occasions it has been implied that too many systems are tied to each other or the code doesn't make sense. Over the years I think we've seen a lot of this "mystery" code removed and replaced with systems which use easy-to-understand scripts. These are the "tools" we hear sometimes hear devs talk about. The truth is, those difficult-to-understand systems are what really brought the world to life.

I don't understand how a sculptor carves a statue out of a block of marble, but I can appreciate how life-like and beautiful a statue can be. If the artist used a computer controlled device to produce his statue it may be perfect, to the micron - but I promise, it wouldn't be as beautiful and it would merely be one copy out of 1000. I eagerly await the day somebody or some company chooses to take the high road while designing their product. The path is more difficult, but the reward is well worth it.

-Yivvits

[hr]

Repost from Raph's blog:

The latest game dev debate around the blogosphere is about designer scripting. Joe Ludwig says,On the gameplay side we use a rich data-drive system that lets designers define an arbitrary list of “requirements” with which they are able to test most any condition. When a trigger fires, object is used, or skill is activated, an arbitrary list of “results” is activated which is capable of modifying just about any state in the game. The designers also have a few ways of maintaining persistent state on the characters depending on the circumstances. This system is working pretty well for us and eliminates the need for any designer-written scripts.No, it doesn’t. Because it means that implementing designers are nothing more than content creators, and that is not what the core job of game design is.In fact, it’s the most commodified part of game design. The core of game design lies in systems. And systems require massaging and testing and iteration. Doing it on paper is hopeless. At the very least you need to seat designer and programmer together to work like Siamese twins — like a lyricist and the composer. But better yet is to acknowledge that systems, for better or worse, are defined in code. And therefore knowing how to code at least a little is like saying that a painter needs to know how to use a paintbrush, or a composer really should play at least one instrument even if not as master.As one commenter said over on Zen of Design, a purely data driven system feels like wandering through a database. Well, yes. That’s because that is what it is. You can stick conditionals in everywhere you like, and it boils down to the fact that the inputs and outputs are fixed, a Chinese menu.Two points I must make even though they are obvious:

Content creation is still a noble pursuit, and a difficult one. Yes, content is critical, it’s king, etc. It’s just not the core. No system, no content. And there’s a lot more people who can mak content than can make systems.
Bad scripting is bad. Sure. Train your budding designers. Ramp them gradually. Still have the data-driven system, becauseyou do still need content. And feel free to have the scripting designer prototype and iterate, and then port the final result over to a robust programmer-created system.

It’s also worth pointing out that a designer who only works inside of data-driven systems will not have a career path and training path to learn systems design unless they are given access to system modifications. So I strongly advise designers to find a way to learn to code.Again, it’s not about being as good as a professional programmer. It’s about understanding the tools of your chosen medium well enough to actually work with them.

In fact, you can go back through this post, and substitute “Excel,” “presenting,” “visual design,” and “writing.” The gist of the post would be exactly the same.

Ashary's Armor

Ashary — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 19:13:00 GMT

Armor defence:

-The defence is a metal named Naborcium found in Naboo. The metal is very rare and is stronger than steel. An energy shield protects the suit. It is the first layer. The skin layer is a Nabooian black skiny material almost strong as steel called Stochmnoba. Then the electronics is in he metal and some of it in the stochmnoba.

Head:

-Contains several types of sensors like heat detector, night vision, radar vision et cetera.

-The HUD displays the shield's health, mission info, notes and can be overlayed by the diffrent types of visions.

-Main computer for the armor is stored in helmet

-Mind readers allow Ashary to control the suit systems by the brain.

-Hud can be custumized.

Arms:

-Left bracer contains a 5x5 cm, hologram displayer and cammera. It also has a precise dart launcher.

-Right bracer contains a mini grappling hook and a scanner (scaning objects, substances, atmosphere, et cetera.)

-Right Bicep has a heater that can go up to 500•c.

-Left Bicep contains a cold generator that can go up to -500•c.

-Each Bicep have gravity propulsors for underwater and space.

-Gloves have mini gravity generator that can make a gravity sphere of 10 cm of radius maximum, change gravity from 0.5 gravity to 5 gravity.

Chest:

-Contains the shield generator.

-Contains the power generator for the suit.

Legs:

-Has weapon holders.

-Has a tool holder.

Boots:

-Pop-out 5 cm blades all around the boots.

-Gravity generator.

Belt:

-Holds containers.

Bandolier:

-Holds grenades, darts ,explosive charges and EMP generators.

-Holds tools.

Backpack:

-Contains the gravity jet pack.

-Contains things.

-Contains the food making tools.

-Contains cookiees

Zurthas' Armor

Zurthas Gunflick — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 01:23:00 GMT

General Description:

-Primary Defence Consists of: Depleted Uranium Inserts cased in several layers of Titanium/Composite/Ceramic armor, with top layer being composite. A plasma and electromagnetic field are bound just under the top layer. 3rd most inside layer consists of aerogel, for thermal and kinetic protection.

-Unarmored areas are protected by synthetic spider silk bound Kevlar

Helmet:

-Contains several types of sensors, including but not limited to radar, FLIR, and night vision

-Visor displays vital signs, battlenet info, and can be overlayed with night vision or FLIR.

- Main computer for the armor is stored in helmet

-Neuro reader plates allow Zurthas to activate suit systems by thinking

Arms:

-Boosted Muscle Motors

-Left bracer contains a 5x2.5 in. screen for controlling suit systems and communications gear among other things

-Left bracer contains a miniature dart launcher

-Right bracer contains a flame thrower and an acid sprayer, with stores of each stored in backpack

-Each bracer has a pop-out blade, measuring 3 in. from where it passes the knuckles

-Right Bicep contains self auto injecting syrums and anti-venoms.
- Left Bicep contains pop-out lights.

-Gloves are Mandolorian Crushgaunts

Chest:

-Has a synthetic spider silk bound kevlar overlay for asthetics.

-contains backup batteries in case of generator failure. can run for 40 mins

Legs:

-Boosted muscle motors

-magnetic holster for a carbine at the shin

-Synthetic muscles don't require outside energy, and are used in event of generator failure.

Boots:

-Kick out knives are stored under the toes

-repulsors built into the sole assist the antigrav jets

Belt:

-Holds such weapons as: dual pistols, explosive charges, and a survival kit

-contains the backup generator for the suit, can run at max power for 10 minutes, with a 25min cooldown time

-Stabilizer clips for backpack

Bandolier:

-Holds such weapons as: grenades, darts (stun, poison, trinqualizer), and explosive charges.

-Clips for the backpack

-Magnetic clips for a rifle at the back

Backpack:

-Contains the main generator for the backpack

-3 hyper pressurized tanks contain oxygen, napalm, and acid

-2 pop-out antigrav jets can hold Zurthas in the air for up to 1 minute with a top speed of 55mph

Jacket:

-An optional excessory to the armor that fits over everything, magnets embedded in certain areas ahear it to the armor, where corresponding magnets lie.

-Consists of synthetic spider silk bound kevlar.

Bixiebopper

Yivvits — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 15:29:00 GMT

As I said in Episode 80.5, Fan Faire Love Affair, I presented Mr. Alan "Brenlo Bixiebopper" Crosby of SOE with his very own Yivvits and MrBubble undies - made by our good friend Ipee. Later that evening the shorts were used to mop up spilled drinks and save Aimee's camera. Yivvits and MrBubble saved the day! I hear the briefs are now hanging on Brenlo's office wall.

Now Fletch's Turn

Zurthas Gunflick — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 20:13:00 GMT

Fletchyr Gunflick (Flero Ku'rah) was born as the first child of his family, 4 years after he was born, his only sybling, Zurthas was born. The Gunflick Family lived peacefully in their community outside Anchorhead for many years, until the Empire caught on to a little smuggling business that Fletch and some friends had started to make some dough. at the age of 14 he was forcefully arrested by stormtroopers. There was no trial, he was sent to a jail in bestine, but when he blew a hole in one of the prison cells with a bomb he made in the prison machine shop, he was sent immediatly sent to the Imperial prison on Dathomir. Fletchyr rotted in quite hate for the Empire in the Dathomir prison for 7 years, dead to his family. Finally he got fed up with the jail and he and his cellmates managed to steal a rocket launcher from the Imperial barracks. Fletchyr and most of his cell block escaped, combined killing at least 25 stormtroopers. All of them went in seperate directions, some were hunted down, some weren't. Fletchyr managed to escape on a stolen Rhixyrk starship, which he would use as his own for the rest of his life. Aboard was a large sum of credits, solving another of his problems. He set course for Tatooine, to find his family.

But his family had long ago moved back to Bothawui, and upon finding a different family living in his home, one of his neighbors, very surprised to see him, told him his family moved. So, Fletch set out on the long journey to Bothawui, hoping his family resided on their clan lands, where they would be easy to find. When he arrived, his mother was sick and in the hospital, and he was not allowed to see her. However he could talk to his very surprised father, who told him that the imperials hadn't told them anything about where they put him. The conversation was very awkward as the last time they had seen each other, Fletchyr had been but a young teenager. Now past the drinking age on most planets, it was just weird. So Fletch asked his father was Zurthas was doing these days, the response was that he was in suclusion on Dantooine, which reminded his father that he had sent him the clan armor, which he had been elected to wear. Fletch was slightly mad, as he'd been expected to obtain the armor, but, that's what happens when you go to prison. So again, he set off on a journey, this time to Dantooine.

He ran into some trouble with pirates on his way, delaying his arrival, but he finally got there. Zurthas was surprised to hear the loud whine of military grade starship engines outside his house, he ran outside, ready to blow the hell out of anybody who was here to fight, he instantly dropped his gun when he saw Fletchyr climbing out of the cockpit. He then leaped off the porch and tackled Fletch. He invited him inside for a drink and they talked through the night, about what had happened to them both in the past 7 years. Zurthas showed Fletchyr the clan armor that had arrived but a week ago. Fletchyr remembered two things that he had captured when he was escaping the Imperial prison. He ran out to his ship and came back with a big heavy bag, he unloaded a full set of stormtrooper armor, and then handed Zurthas a pair of smallish, odd looking mandolorian Crushgaunts, which he had determined were crushgaunts on the next thing he pulled from the bag, a stormtrooper bracer, completely crushed, with bits of bone still inside from the wearer's forearm. Fletchyr had already modified the stormtrooper armor to accept his snout and ears, and h began to put it on. Seeing this, Zurthas began to put on his armor, and once he finished, he looked at his gloves, then at the crushgaunts. He slid the gloves off, then put on the mandolorian gloves, he clipped the end to his bracers, forming and airtight seal. They both left the house to go have some fun in their new armor. let's just say there wasn't much wildlife left in the area when they came back.

TOO BE CONTINUED............................................................................................................

Alliance Story Arc - "Nym's Getting Nervous" PvP Event Part 2

Canaryville — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 14:49:00 GMT

With the 77th able to get me on a transport to Lok, I made my way to Nym.

Like Jabba, Nym is a very underutilized NPC in the game. There is nothing like bringing Jabba and Nym together in working on something that will mainly benefit them. So why not pick the side that's currently winning the battle...

This was another part that I just loved to do and for the first time I had a lot of folks from in-game and on the forums who said they are really getting into the way the story is playing out.

What you get here are some "rarely" seen inside views of my Nova, called "Zebra I". She is the defacto command ship of the 77th and is setup with a actual hospital room along side a prison cell with prisoner uniforms. If someone would like to come up and take a look some time, just let me know. One of these days you'll see her in a much greater roll....

Canary
---------------------------------------------------------------------

(Deep Thought....Wow It's been quite a long time since I've been in the Karthakk System.)

Captain Canaryville: Pilot Ossaok, have you even seen a view as nice as this? Tatooine has never looked so peaceful. I hope we can avoid any additional detection before we land on Lok. I'm just afraid the way the battle went within the Tatoo System, The Emperor is going to make sure some of his top pilots are ready.

Iomew Ossaok: Captain....you are correct...

(Pilot Ossaok in thought on how he's going to ask the next question)

Iomew Ossaok: Captain....What if this mission fails? What's to become of all that we've worked for and what about the families of the pilots who gave their lives up?

Captain Canaryville: Son....This is one of the most difficult assignments I've ever undertaken. There were moments when I was riding back from Jabba's Palace and during the bombing of Mos Pax that I started to doubt myself on this mission. (A very long pause)

I know that Admiral Alirc Ec-Etic and I are never happy when we lose a single pilot in battle. Unfortunately I can't do much to change that. These brave men and women realize what needs to be done even though they don't know the reason behind it. They put trust in us and that's all I can ask of you. Just trust that we will lead you to Victory!

Iomew Ossaok: (Smiling) Indeed sir, that is why I have put my life into your hands.

(Pilot Iomew Ossaok has successfully docked at landing bay four)

(Captain Canaryville has made his way to Nym's Palace and realizes he has forgotten how it looked)

(Being escorted by a few of Nym's Elite Guards, I enter his palace)

(I walk up to where Nym is seated and proceed to review the events of the Bombing of Mos Pax and the Battle at Jabba's Star. Nym sits there taking it all in without saying a word....)

Nym: (Sternly) Captain....Indeed....need I remind you that if it wasn't for my help, the chances of the Rebellion surviving are diminished!

Nym: (Sarcastically) Captain...when my scientists hand me the results, you will have the results.

(I'm thinking to myself this is the reason why I have avoided coming here with that sort of talk. I turn my back to keep my composure.)

Nym: The last thing I want is the Empire mingling in any more of my affairs.

Nym: (Pounding the table) You better tell that Admiral of yours that indeed if I'm going to help you, he needs to protect that station at all costs!

Nym: Indeed Captain I will.....For both of our sakes this better work.

(Captain Canaryville makes his way out of Nym's Palace)

Alliance Story Arc - "Jabba's Star" Part 3 (This is the last of the Mos Pax Series)

Canaryville — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 14:45:00 GMT

This was suppose to be the ground battle portion of the event...so instead of that, I intergrated it to me coming into town and the actual fight for the evening...

Since the Alliance had won the event for that night..it set the stage up for the next portion.

Canary

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

/////Personal Log Data Entry\\\\

I avoided detection as I rode into Mos Eisley and made my way to the Starport.

Just as Admiral Ackbar said it would be, the full support of the Alliance was everywhere. I launched my ship from Mos Eisley Starport to make my way over to Jabba's Star. There taking the front lines of this mission escort were Lt. Ehne leading "Green Flight", Fuser-derelek leading "Gold Flight", and our strategic strike team lead by Lt. Delos of "Red Flight.

Admiral Alirc reminds the pilot of "Black Flight" how important it is to make sure I'm safely escorted to Jabba's Star.

Almost immediately after I launched, the 6th Imperial Wing came swooping in on us.

Many of the pilots were not prepared for their onslaught as I saw some of these new recruits ships disintegrate in front of my eyes. Such a terrible way to perish.

The initial wave of Imperial Fighters were pushed back as we made our way to Jabba's Star so I could get transport to Lok.

I have never felt as nervous as I am now have carrying this Rancor DNA Strand.

There in the slight distance was Jabba's Star....odd that I've never noticed this place before. I can see why Jabba likes it. This rock blends in with its' surroundings.

Just as we were getting clearance to land at Jabba's Star, the 6th Imperial Fleet made another thrust and this time they brought some heavy hitting craft. Missiles flared....blasters everywhere...debris drifting in almost every direction. I'm worried that I will not be coming home.

Wow...the strategic counter maneuvers by Gold and Red Flight push the 6th back away from Jabba's Star long enough to allow me to land. I was whisked to one of Nym's personal transport ships and with the protection of my fellow Black Flight and Green Flight Pilots, the transport ship made its' way through the narrow passage we commonly call "Zero". Many brave pilots have given their lives in this dangerous area and my gut feeling was that the 6th would try to intercept us once more.

All of the sudden "Hell" was unleashed at us. All I could do was watch as the 6th mustered enough pilots to try and stop us. My feeling is that The Emperor is quite aware of what could happen if this Rancor DNA Strand is indeed what Jabba's says it is.

The pilot engages the Hyper Drive and for a moment, it seemed like time stood still. I blinked again and get confirmation from the pilot that we have safely reached Lok Space.

All I can think is Nym better know what he's doing. We lost some very brave pilots today.

\\\\\Personal Data Log Entry Ended////

Alliance Story Arc - "Mos Pax Briefing" Part 2 (This is the 2nd of Mos Pax Series)

Canaryville — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 14:29:00 GMT

I wanted to cover the briefing that we had to show the pilots who come out to these events and to give the viewers that indeed we do not just say you are here and you are there, but that we do indeed immerse ouselves into the event.

A little know tibit is that the inital story arc had a ground portion to start off the event. I had hoped to have a ground battle where I would be the "Capture The Flag" sort of idea that as I walked to Mos Eisley Starport...(I timed myself and it was 15min from Mos Pax Briefing hall to just inside the Starport doorway. Whoever had control of me as I walked into the starport was going to determine the outcome of the balance of the evening.

This portion didn't make it beyond the planning stage due to logistical reasons...though it could come back in some form at the end of the event. The reason I wanted to include this was to get the ground folks more involved with what we were doing in space. Other than the one event we held some time ago in the rescue of Yivvits at the Imperial Prison on Dathomir, we never intergrated a coordinated ground and space portion together....

Canary

P.S. I ended up posting some of these pics in the Events Forum and got a positive review from Pex. I knew then that for every part of the events, I'll spend my hard earned creds on Props. It's hands down one of the best items added to SWG in years!

P.S.S. I also found out, but never have asked, that there must be a limit on how many screen shots you can have in your SWG folder as a lot more were taken. I have since cleared out the screen shots after an event so I never run into that again.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

/////Personal Log Data Entry\\\\\

(The sounds of enemy aircraft have passed as I make my way back towards HQ)

(Deep thought) Admiral Alirc and the other senior officer's are just about here....I better get things prepared. Ah...another troop transport.....

(It is nice to have these these support troops here...the shuttle port seems to be in order)

As I continue to walk around HQ, I come upon a squad sent by General Rieekan......

Ah...more reinforcements...at least seeing this sort of support makes me feel more comfortable with the mission at hand.

Time is getting near...

(The sound of the Admiral's Shuttle is grabbing my attention)

\\\\\Personal Log Data Entry Ended/////

Captain Canaryville: (Salute) Admiral....welcome sir. How was your trip?

Admiral Alirc Ec-Etic: (Salute) Captain....well my trip was much easier than what you had happened here in Mos Pax. How are things?

Captain Canaryville: The town is now secured and the injured have been transported back to Echo Base for further treatment.

Admiral Alirc Ec-Etic: Any additional casualties?

Captain Canaryville: Sir....I forwarded my report to your com.

Admiral Alirc Ec-Etic: Yes....Thank you....Well let's go inside HQ and greet the pilots.

Captain Canaryville: That sounds great sir....

(Slowly the Admiral walks up to Tatooine HQ....it's been some time since he's last been here. He reviews some of the troops stationed outside and walks through the doorway....the sounds of some of the bravest Alliance Pilots can be heard)

Captain Canaryville: (Announces to those gathered) Admiral on the deck!

(The pilots in attendance salute and greet the Admiral)

(The Admiral acknowledges the response and gestures for us to sit)

Admiral Alirc Ec-Etic: Gentlemen....It's great to see you again. (He notices a bit of tenseness within the room and tries to lighten things up a bit)...Ah Lt. Sikkyu....it seems you've gotten your own personal chair with your name on it. How can I get one? (The pilots laugh)

(The Admiral's head scans the room...)

Admiral Alirc Ec-Etic: Fuser-derelek....(The Wookie Pilot who has seen many battles in the past has come out of retirement to be here during one of our greatest needs) It's a pleasure to see you again. I hope things on Kashyyyk are well for you? (The caught-off-guard Wookie acknowledges the Admiral's words). I hope the Crew of "The Heart of Gold" are ready? (A big Wookie Roar bellows out of Commander Fuser-derelek)

(The Admiral smiles)

Admiral Alirc Ec-Etic: Ah...I see the crew of "Tempest" are here also. Gentlemen, on behalf of Admiral Ackbar, I thank you for coming. (The crew of "Tempest"..Suuko, Ratch, Anlisa, & Dakuut acknowledge the Admiral's words)

Admiral Alirc Ec-Etic: Okay...let's get down to business....

(You can see it in the eyes of some of the pilots...they are thinking why are we working with Jabba)

Admiral Alirc Ec-Etic: This mission involves us getting Captain Canaryville to Jabba's Star within the Tatooine Space Sector. He's carrying on him a High-grade Rancor DNA strand that needs to make it to Nym on Lok. I can't go into more details than that....(The quietness of the pilots passes as they look at each other wondering how this is going to happen).

Admiral Alirc Ec-Etic: Okay let me outline the flight assignments.....

                              In Black Flight protecting Captain Canaryville at all costs
                              Myself
                              Captain Vegi
                              Lt. Commander Xak

                              Lt. Krigulv
                              Ensign Kihoc
                              And our two newest Pilots Cellavalo and Naflow.

                              In Green Flight lead by Lt Ehne
                              Jir
                              Lt. Sikyu
                              Lt JrGr Ryukob
                              Lt JrGr Ridispon
                              Lt JrGr Aksala
                              And Pilot Fuzzlenuts

                              In Gold Flight lead by Fuser-derelek
                              "Heart of Gold" Gunners Muser-derelek & Druskie

"The Flying Torton" will be lead by Lt. Brawyn with gunners Lonl and Ensign Jigro

                              In Red Flight lead by Lt. Delos
                              Pilots Acebets, Trapper, and Ameru.
                              The "Tempest" will be piloted by Suuko with Com Operator Dakuut with gunnery team of Anlisa and Ratch.

(There is a long pause....everyone seems to be focused on the job at hand).

Admiral Alirc Ec-Etic: Gentlemen you have your assignments.  May the force be with us.