Yes, I think being blunt is a good idea. With that in mind: Thanks for being a snarky asshole and automatically assuming I am not looking out for the best interest of the sector... but it was a good way to make your point and lead by example, so have a cookie or something.
As far as being a "state recognized" nonprofit... There are 36 de-facto State Association Nonprofits who support and lobby for/against specific laws that will impact the Nonprofit sector. I see your sig is related to Alaska... if that's where you live, then your state association is The Foraker Group. You can find the full list on the National Council of Nonprofits website. We're all nonprofits, and yes we offer a multitude of FREE and discounted services to other nonprofits, as we have for decades....and WOW, you've worked with nonprofits in two states... I've worked with 2,000 nonprofits a dozen states over the past 10+ years. I volunteer a lot of my time to these nonprofits and do not ask nor expect to be compensated for it. I do it because I want my state to have a strong, vibrant Nonprofit sector... do I need to explain why that's important? Hopefully not.
I also agree with your last statement, I feel the/exact/ same way.
Unfortunately, one of the author's is a lawyer, and I'll need some better arguments.. lol.. Yes you can buy a book and give it away.. to ONE person. Or you can spend money and use a copy machine if you wanted, sure... but the author's concern is what stops people from illegally distributing it electronically?... and yes, my response is "You can't stop it, sorry"... but I am still getting push back and I get the sense that author WANTS DRM... and to me.. well... I've been involved in the Nonprofit sector for many years and I guess that type of thing just goes against my beliefs about what the sector stands for... I offered to research solutions, but if the author wants to stick with DRM, I just might bow out, as gracefully as possible... which I would hate to do and feel like I have an opportunity to influence a GOOD decision here, but I'm lacking the ammo needed to convince the authors...:(
I'm very interested in the comments and opinions about this topic. I am currently researching e-publishing options for an upcoming Nonprofit Handbook (for my specific State; I work for our State's recognized nonprofit association) and I want to make sure we're able to reach a broad audience but still do what I can do protect the author's copyright, while taking fair use rights into consideration as well.... *head explodes*... We don't want to "penalize" paying customers with draconian DRM but it seems like it's either or - you can't have it both ways...:\
We have an electronic version of the older edition for sale right now and it's just a PDF with a disclaimer "Please support the author's hard work and don't illegal share this PDF!"... but they author's want more protection than just that disclaimer...
At least in the Portland, OR area, Cricket stores are franchise.. so different stores (even in the same area) have different deals, rates, fees and penalties... something to keep in mind.
Those damn auto shops! It's their fault when you leave your car with them for repair and they open the trunk and find your kilo of H that you accidentally forgot to grab cuz you were too stoned to remember driving home?
The last time I tried to pass a cop (Oregon State Trooper), he pulled off while in front of me and then came in behind me to pull me over the "following too closely". (which was BS, he pulled me over for coming up on his ass @110MPH in my WRX, ha ha - his radar was off though!)
Too bad for him I knew the answer to his safety questions, denied his accusations and the PASSING LANE had just opened up and I was going to pass him on the left (I had been behind him for a couple miles, at a safe distance doing exactly the speed limit). So I was speeding up to pass his slow ass as soon as the passing lane opened up and he hit for me "following too closely" right at the last second, basically.
He had nothing on me though and he knew it. I thought it was a real bitch move.. traffic was great (as in, NONE) until I rolled up on him and the line of 8 cars in front of him all doing 55.
A lot of cops don't know when it's appropriate to use either.
If you want to be a LAW *ENFORCEMENT* Officer, you should be physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight (you know, like a boy scout!)
The standards for police officers should be raised and their pay should be raised with it. The bad cops should be fired and there's a hell of a lot of them around the media lately.
I work in IT and just yesterday I prevented a Crapcast (It's CRAPTASTIC!) sale by explaining their shady business practices. I have since switched back to DSL myself. At least it's a REAL Internet connection. If I wanted what Crapcast is providing now, I would have signed up with AOL.
The argument has nothing to do with "what people prefer". We're talking about INNOVATION vs. games likes World of Warcraft, which are linear and not open ended in the least.
Millions of people listened to Britney Spears - does that mean it's truly "good" music?
RTFA: "As a developer and publisher I actually believe that we owe it to the consumers to continue to innovate and provide new kinds of gameplay experiences and not just 'me too', grinding gameplay," said Garriott."
That is WOW, in a nutshell. It feels like a terrible grind compared to an open ended game like UO (was).
How is there even treasure hunting in WOW? Lock Boxes?
In UO, you had to find a random map then track down the treasure, dig it up, fight off spawns then claim your reward. In WOW, you find a lock box with treasure already in it from the start -- or maybe you have to "hunt" for a Rogue to open it for you, lol.
Dungeons in UO are more opened ended because THEY ARE NOT INSTANCED, therefore there is more open ended opportunity to interact with mobs/players. Not just "Point A to Point B" like it is in a WOW dungeon.
UO's engine supported role player to a greater extent than WOW. In WOW, you can only RP with costumes and text/emotes. In UO, you can RP with Costumes, text and in-game mechanics.
Example: I had a guild of role playing bandits called BaH (Bandits and Highwaymen - yes a real RP guild). We would drop a bag in the middle of the East Britain road to lure people into stopping to peek. A dozen of us of us would HIDE on the side of the road (because everyone could always have the hiding skill on any character, unlike WOW - another example of open ended vs wow's linear design) and wait for our prey. Then we'd cast Paralyze and surround them. After the paralyze wore off, they could not move because UO had collision detection (WOW does not). So we had them right where we wanted them, as bandits. We then "snooped" their packs to find something we wanted to steal (IE: Hold them up). Never anything substantial, because it was more about the role playing.
If they gave it up, we'd let em go. If they gave us lip, we PK'd them, like real bandits would probably do.
You can't do things like that in WOW because of engine limitations and their considerations to "balance".
UO also had player run vendors which is why it had a much better crafting system.
To each his own. You favor linear, I favor non-linear.
UO had variety, I feel WOW did not have as much due to WOW's linear nature. Of course it's all a grind in the end, but UO's variety and open-endedness made it feel like much less of a grind.
I think most RPG fans would agree, Non Linear Gameplay > Linear Gameplay.
He's totally right and he doesn't need to offer suggestions -- he's just stating the obvious because that's apparently what all the MMOG developers have forgotten since the UO/EQ days. Now, it's mostly about keeping players on the hamster wheel (grind) and paying the monthly fee to make your parent company/publisher happy.
For example: WoW is a terrible GRIND when you compare it to a game like UO, which had a much more robust setting to play in. Uo had crafting, gathering, hunting, quests, treasure hunting, boating in the seas, dungeons, role playing, houses, player cities and PVP (and that's just from 1996 to 2000 when I played) Those were all *MAJOR* aspects of the game. In WOW, the only major aspects are: PVP and Gear Grinding.
BOOORRRINNNGGG
Games like UO were designed to be open ended and non-linear, unlike WoW (which I played for 2 years, BTW). The UO developers might not have thought players would create an innovative city (such as Oasis on the Sonoma server) or build Fish Tanks in their towers using scraps of cloth left over from crafting and the fish you could catch from the sea... but due to the open ended design of the game, you COULD do creative things like this -- ALL over the place in UO.
WoW is still not as casual friendly as it should be. I should not have to set an appointment in my calendar just to "play" the game (RAID SCHEDULE, in other terms). I put up with that crap for two years before I finally quit. This is the big reason I never got into EQ. "Schedule a time to have fun", basically. If you want the best gear, you have to literally schedule it into your life. It's suppose to be a game, not work. The Arena/Gladiator system was a move in the right direction, at least.
"Sorry, I can't make the family picnic, I have Karazhan at 2" -- Words from my Nephew a few weeks ago.
You should be able to PUG or solo 95% (or better) of the games "content", anytime you want. In WoW, it's more like 50%-60%./rant, my 2 cents
Yeah... here's the problem. You don't have "time"?
You MAKE time.
If it's/that/ important to you, you MAKE time. Obviously, it's not. You have control over your own life, unless you're in jail or something similiar. You can change, if you choose to.
IMO, it's a mental issue for most. Some people just "aren't awake" (great quote from a friend).
I used to be 350lbs, +50% body fat. Two years of weight training 3-5 days a week and EDUCATION have helped to fix that. I think most people here are smart. I found what worked for me, people just need to do the same for themselves. Use your brain.
Slashdot Mirror
Yes, I think being blunt is a good idea. With that in mind: Thanks for being a snarky asshole and automatically assuming I am not looking out for the best interest of the sector... but it was a good way to make your point and lead by example, so have a cookie or something. As far as being a "state recognized" nonprofit... There are 36 de-facto State Association Nonprofits who support and lobby for/against specific laws that will impact the Nonprofit sector. I see your sig is related to Alaska... if that's where you live, then your state association is The Foraker Group. You can find the full list on the National Council of Nonprofits website. We're all nonprofits, and yes we offer a multitude of FREE and discounted services to other nonprofits, as we have for decades. ...and WOW, you've worked with nonprofits in two states... I've worked with 2,000 nonprofits a dozen states over the past 10+ years. I volunteer a lot of my time to these nonprofits and do not ask nor expect to be compensated for it. I do it because I want my state to have a strong, vibrant Nonprofit sector... do I need to explain why that's important? Hopefully not.
I also agree with your last statement, I feel the /exact/ same way.
Unfortunately, one of the author's is a lawyer, and I'll need some better arguments.. lol .. Yes you can buy a book and give it away.. to ONE person. Or you can spend money and use a copy machine if you wanted, sure... but the author's concern is what stops people from illegally distributing it electronically? ... and yes, my response is "You can't stop it, sorry"... but I am still getting push back and I get the sense that author WANTS DRM... and to me.. well... I've been involved in the Nonprofit sector for many years and I guess that type of thing just goes against my beliefs about what the sector stands for... I offered to research solutions, but if the author wants to stick with DRM, I just might bow out, as gracefully as possible... which I would hate to do and feel like I have an opportunity to influence a GOOD decision here, but I'm lacking the ammo needed to convince the authors... :(
I'm very interested in the comments and opinions about this topic. I am currently researching e-publishing options for an upcoming Nonprofit Handbook (for my specific State; I work for our State's recognized nonprofit association) and I want to make sure we're able to reach a broad audience but still do what I can do protect the author's copyright, while taking fair use rights into consideration as well.... *head explodes*... We don't want to "penalize" paying customers with draconian DRM but it seems like it's either or - you can't have it both ways... :\
We have an electronic version of the older edition for sale right now and it's just a PDF with a disclaimer "Please support the author's hard work and don't illegal share this PDF!"... but they author's want more protection than just that disclaimer...
Yes! Remember, we are generally smarter, so.. act like a Professional and use your brain and it'll usually turn out in your favor.
At least in the Portland, OR area, Cricket stores are franchise.. so different stores (even in the same area) have different deals, rates, fees and penalties... something to keep in mind.
It does, if you are a 501c3. :)
www.techsoup.org
If you are a non-profit, you can get MS Software for next to nothing.
Those damn auto shops! It's their fault when you leave your car with them for repair and they open the trunk and find your kilo of H that you accidentally forgot to grab cuz you were too stoned to remember driving home?
The last time I tried to pass a cop (Oregon State Trooper), he pulled off while in front of me and then came in behind me to pull me over the "following too closely". (which was BS, he pulled me over for coming up on his ass @110MPH in my WRX, ha ha - his radar was off though!) Too bad for him I knew the answer to his safety questions, denied his accusations and the PASSING LANE had just opened up and I was going to pass him on the left (I had been behind him for a couple miles, at a safe distance doing exactly the speed limit). So I was speeding up to pass his slow ass as soon as the passing lane opened up and he hit for me "following too closely" right at the last second, basically. He had nothing on me though and he knew it. I thought it was a real bitch move.. traffic was great (as in, NONE) until I rolled up on him and the line of 8 cars in front of him all doing 55.
Windows ME anyone?
A lot of cops don't know when it's appropriate to use either. If you want to be a LAW *ENFORCEMENT* Officer, you should be physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight (you know, like a boy scout!) The standards for police officers should be raised and their pay should be raised with it. The bad cops should be fired and there's a hell of a lot of them around the media lately.
The problem is, a lot of cops don't know when it's appropriate to use either.
Yep.
I work in IT and just yesterday I prevented a Crapcast (It's CRAPTASTIC!) sale by explaining their shady business practices. I have since switched back to DSL myself. At least it's a REAL Internet connection. If I wanted what Crapcast is providing now, I would have signed up with AOL.
(that last part was a joke!)
Whenever I see that "real time 4WD" sticker, I immediately think: "As opposed to turn based 4WD?"
^^ this guy has said it much better than I could. Thanks.
SWG had a lot of potential, but SOE royally fucked that game up because they are imbeciles.
The argument has nothing to do with "what people prefer". We're talking about INNOVATION vs. games likes World of Warcraft, which are linear and not open ended in the least.
Millions of people listened to Britney Spears - does that mean it's truly "good" music?
RTFA:
"As a developer and publisher I actually believe that we owe it to the consumers to continue to innovate and provide new kinds of gameplay experiences and not just 'me too', grinding gameplay," said Garriott."
That is WOW, in a nutshell. It feels like a terrible grind compared to an open ended game like UO (was).
How is there even treasure hunting in WOW? Lock Boxes?
In UO, you had to find a random map then track down the treasure, dig it up, fight off spawns then claim your reward. In WOW, you find a lock box with treasure already in it from the start -- or maybe you have to "hunt" for a Rogue to open it for you, lol.
Dungeons in UO are more opened ended because THEY ARE NOT INSTANCED, therefore there is more open ended opportunity to interact with mobs/players. Not just "Point A to Point B" like it is in a WOW dungeon.
UO's engine supported role player to a greater extent than WOW. In WOW, you can only RP with costumes and text/emotes. In UO, you can RP with Costumes, text and in-game mechanics.
Example: I had a guild of role playing bandits called BaH (Bandits and Highwaymen - yes a real RP guild). We would drop a bag in the middle of the East Britain road to lure people into stopping to peek. A dozen of us of us would HIDE on the side of the road (because everyone could always have the hiding skill on any character, unlike WOW - another example of open ended vs wow's linear design) and wait for our prey. Then we'd cast Paralyze and surround them. After the paralyze wore off, they could not move because UO had collision detection (WOW does not). So we had them right where we wanted them, as bandits. We then "snooped" their packs to find something we wanted to steal (IE: Hold them up). Never anything substantial, because it was more about the role playing.
If they gave it up, we'd let em go. If they gave us lip, we PK'd them, like real bandits would probably do.
You can't do things like that in WOW because of engine limitations and their considerations to "balance".
UO also had player run vendors which is why it had a much better crafting system.
To each his own. You favor linear, I favor non-linear.
UO had variety, I feel WOW did not have as much due to WOW's linear nature. Of course it's all a grind in the end, but UO's variety and open-endedness made it feel like much less of a grind.
I think most RPG fans would agree, Non Linear Gameplay > Linear Gameplay.
UO > WOW
Fallout > The Legend of Zelda
He's totally right and he doesn't need to offer suggestions -- he's just stating the obvious because that's apparently what all the MMOG developers have forgotten since the UO/EQ days. Now, it's mostly about keeping players on the hamster wheel (grind) and paying the monthly fee to make your parent company/publisher happy.
For example: WoW is a terrible GRIND when you compare it to a game like UO, which had a much more robust setting to play in. Uo had crafting, gathering, hunting, quests, treasure hunting, boating in the seas, dungeons, role playing, houses, player cities and PVP (and that's just from 1996 to 2000 when I played) Those were all *MAJOR* aspects of the game. In WOW, the only major aspects are: PVP and Gear Grinding.
BOOORRRINNNGGG
Games like UO were designed to be open ended and non-linear, unlike WoW (which I played for 2 years, BTW). The UO developers might not have thought players would create an innovative city (such as Oasis on the Sonoma server) or build Fish Tanks in their towers using scraps of cloth left over from crafting and the fish you could catch from the sea... but due to the open ended design of the game, you COULD do creative things like this -- ALL over the place in UO.
That's what he is saying and I agree with him.
WoW is still not as casual friendly as it should be. I should not have to set an appointment in my calendar just to "play" the game (RAID SCHEDULE, in other terms). I put up with that crap for two years before I finally quit. This is the big reason I never got into EQ. "Schedule a time to have fun", basically. If you want the best gear, you have to literally schedule it into your life. It's suppose to be a game, not work. The Arena/Gladiator system was a move in the right direction, at least.
/rant, my 2 cents
"Sorry, I can't make the family picnic, I have Karazhan at 2" -- Words from my Nephew a few weeks ago.
You should be able to PUG or solo 95% (or better) of the games "content", anytime you want. In WoW, it's more like 50%-60%.
I heard there's a WoW movie in the works.. that involves Peter Jackson in the executive producer role?
Alliance re-rolls.
Yeah... here's the problem. You don't have "time"?
/that/ important to you, you MAKE time. Obviously, it's not. You have control over your own life, unless you're in jail or something similiar. You can change, if you choose to.
You MAKE time.
If it's
IMO, it's a mental issue for most. Some people just "aren't awake" (great quote from a friend).
I used to be 350lbs, +50% body fat. Two years of weight training 3-5 days a week and EDUCATION have helped to fix that. I think most people here are smart. I found what worked for me, people just need to do the same for themselves. Use your brain.
This is marketing BS.
Technology, including a game console, will NOT last 10 year, despite the "lifespan" claim.
Every geek knows this.
Opinion: They are probably hoping this makes Microsoft look bad for a somewhat short Xbox 1 lifespan.?
"As someone already stated....you CANNOT transfer characters to another server at this time..."
Well, he had his chance. He can always re-roll on a better server.. it's not like it takes a long time to level up. Switch sides too (Horde/Alliance).
Besides, reading the site, it's possibly they will re-enable the character moves (I had forgotten they turned it off weeks ago).