Warning! Warning! Backup Yer Threads!

Gee, I had such high hopes for NS2...

I tried to maintain a positive outlook throughout the closed beta even when the dev team didn't seem to do anything, let alone acknowledge feedback.

I tried to grin and hope that it would get better soon, even when the closed beta went to open beta, heedless of the cries of those of us that tested it that it wasn't ready yet.

I gave up and left when it became clear that it wasn't going to happen. All my NS2 nations should as of now be defunct, and I haven't even done anything on them in the past several months.

So what's this got to do with anything? As you may know, NS1 has departed Jolt's servers in search of greener pastures and freedom from corporate influence, leaving NS2 to flounder in Jolt's care. The problem? The forums haven't - yet. Word from on high is that Max wants to get NS its own forum away from Jolt (and away from Jolt's downright intrusive, annoying, obnoxious ads.) However, they have been... oh, how to put it in the least offensive manner possible?

Okay! Jolt's been sluggish, bordering on downright uncooperative on facilitating this transition. What this means is that they could decide to pull the plug on the NS1 forums tonight, and we're screwed up the behind as far as taking our posts and user data with us.

We're trying to prod Jolt along in giving us our forum database stuff so we can pack up and get the hell outta Dodge, but for various reasons I probably shouldn't elaborate on, NS/Jolt relations are... ah... strained. So there is a possibility that we won't be able to take a nice, neat backup of the forums with us.

Sirocco's blog contains an excellent walkthrough however, on how users can make their own HTML backups of favorite threads. If you have any threads on the forums that you cannot bear to lose, I strongly recommend backing up your own copies.

Given that the Nationstates forum accounts for something like 80% of Jolt's forum activity (and thus the lion's share of the ad revenue, though I should hope you're all running Firefox with AdBlock Plus!), I'd like to think they won't just spitefully wipe the forums and destroy six-someodd years of NS history, but there are only two kinds of paranoia:

Absolute, and insufficient.

So get to backing up anything you fear losing! I've already got my relevant nation history threads, the Bastard NS Mod from Hell saga, and an assortment of other threads I'd rather not see lost in limbo.

~Rep Prod the Ninja Mod
"BLOOD OR CHOCOLATE!"

Nationstates 2 and a new email!

So if you've logged onto NS in the past month or so, odds are you've seen the telegram with the Big News: Nationstates 2 is announced!

Okay, well, it's been "announced" almost as long as NS has been running. But as vaporware, rumor, a distant "Gee, wouldn't it be cool if...?" rather than anything remotely tangible. Well... there's still nothing tangible... but there is a website! With a FAQ, even! And a blog by the programmers and stuff that are, as we speak, forging a game from the raw ore of Max's ideas.

.... And damnit, it'd be nice if he'd share those ideas with his moderators! Honestly, we work our butts off to keep his game running, you'd think we'd be entitled to some sort of insider info. But nope, we get tantalized and taunted just like the rest of you. Still, if I do get told anything new and cool, I'll share it here. Odds are though I'm gonna be watching the NS2 blog just like you guys though for my info.

Additionally though! Remember that for awhile, my Nationstates email address was "RepProdtheMod@gmail.com"? Well, not anymore! It only took the Powers That Be.... what, five years? to issue us fancy new @nationstates.net emails! So now it's "RepProdtheMod@nationstates.net".... isn't that all slick and fancy now?

And finally, for you issues hounds out there- hell may just freeze over and pigs fly alongside the wingless flying hippos. The issues submission list, at last check there are 594 issue submissions in the backlog. Which is down from well over 1,000. Out of those remaining few hundred, maybe a handful will make it into the game. A few of those issues still waiting to be processed are in the vicinity of a year old, but I would personally estimate the current backlog to only be about six months. So we might actually, just maaaaybe catch up on those!

~Rep Prod the Ninja Mod
"People are like slinkies. Bascially useless, and yet it's so amusing to watch them fall down the stairs."

Empty Threats

Y'know, empty threats amuse me, as do the people that make them. It's something I deal with on a regular basis on Nationstates, rulebreakers that get their nose bent out of shape and try and make threats, promising dire retribution unless the NS mods submit to their demands. It's like watching a little yappy dog throw a hissy fit, and it's really rather entertaining. Especially when they try to carry out those threats and find they aren't getting anywhere.

Usually it goes something like this:

1. Player A breaks a rule
   
2. Player A gets warned for it and complains that the rule isn't fair/doesn't apply/OMG MOD BIAS/OMG 1ST AMENDMENT
   
3. Moderator B listens to Player A for a bit and reasonably explains why the player was warned and why the rule is in place/applies/has nothing to do with bias/they have no 1st amendment rights.
   
4. Sometimes Moderators C, D, and E also weigh in and repeat step 3 with the player.
   
5. Player A breaks some more rules, feeling contrary, and gets his account deleted.
   
6. Player A makes a new account, bitches to the mods to restore his deleted nation or else he'll bring the site to its knees!
   
7. Player A becomes nuisance enough that the moderators declare him "DOS", short for "delete on sight." If applicable/useful, IP bans may be used as well.
   
8. Player A tries to carry out the threat, creating new accounts/getting around IP bans/spamming/etc.
   
9. The mods keep deleting him, often spotting the patterns quick enough to start bagging his new accounts before he even has the chance to DO anything with them.
   
10. The player eventually gets bored and gives up.

It seems the people who make the loudest threats are the ones with the least power. What CAN they do? Ban the NS staff from their own dinky little forum? I can tell you, I've lost no sleep over not being allowed to view Player A's Personal Online Dictatorship. They can't bring the site down- many have tried (some of them very persistent), and all have failed.

Heck, in one memorable case we ended up temporarily banning all of New Zealand from the site because the kid's ISP wasn't responding to complaints about the problem user after 6+ months of nightly spam attacks. After thousands of complaints to that ISP from the NZ users who were also effected by the ban, the ISP dealt with it. Kid came back from another address, which we tracked to a Catholic high school and got in contact with the principal; after which it was tracked to the single student responsible and led to his parents finding out. As far as I'm aware, he's still not permitted unsupervised use of a computer anywhere.

So yeah, when I see somebody growling like a little puppy all "I'm warning you, you'd better do what I say!", it makes me smile.

A tired ninja mod

Holy crap, it's been awhile since I updated, hasn't it?

Anime Expo went well, I was in a car accident and had to get my rear bumper replaced, school's started... what else?

Oh yeah. MikomiCon. Being on the working staff for an anime convention and simply attending one are two vastly different experiences. I thought going to Anime Expo and requiring two hours of makeup to get into costume each morning was exhausting... hah. That was like a light exercise compared to helping run an understaffed MikomiCon. Two days later and I'm STILL trying to recuperate from what I've termed the "convention hangover." No booze involved here, just lots of caffeine, lots of instant noodles, and lots of running all over the place. My head hit the pillow Sunday night, and I was dead to the world for about 12 hours.

Still, initial reports seem to be that people had a good time, so I guess all the effort paid off. Now I think I need to go and pass out again.

~Rep Prod the Con Ninja Mod
"There are two kinds of Stephanies in the world. The really cool ones like my friend Stephanie (CnA), and the really evil bitchy ones like Burke."

Five days until Anime Expo!

And the Otaku Mod is ready to go! Just finished my costume stuff today, and the guitar for my costume looks positively bitchin'!

I could probably post more, but I'm tired, stiff, sore, and not entirely coherent from giddiness. Look for me at Anime Expo!

~Rep Prod the Otaku Mod
"Time to rock my world! And when I mean my world, I mean MY world!" - Ember Mclain

Spring is in the air... Or maybe that's just change?

Spring is coming, the hillsides are falling because of sudden storms, and invaders and defenders from all regions are on pins and needles with breathless anticipation of the changes being foreshadowed on Nationstates.

Or maybe that's just the moderators heaving a pre-emptive sigh of relief from the knowledge that we'll no longer have to try and navigate those murky grey waters of the invasion rules?

Some hints, as I'd like to delude myself into thinking people actually read this modblog...

• It should eliminate ALL the grey areas of invasion rules as we know it that seem to always piss off certain Nationstates player organizations.
  
• It shouldn't affect the Warzones at all. For those who will likely wish to engage in more "traditional" or even "oldskool" invading/defending.
  
• The mods will probably start placing bets in the OMG SEKRIT FORUM on how long until the first complaints are raised by invaders/defenders who don't like the change simply because it IS a change.
  
• Traditional invasion/defense tactics will need to be rethought, and new tactics developed. Hopefully adding a bit more depth to the invasion game.

Salusa, Pythagosaurus, [violet], and lo, even Max Barry himself are going over the finishing touches as we speak.

Change is coming... are you ready?

~Rep Prod the Ninja Mod
"This isn't about my problems, Valerie. This is about your problems. Namely the fact that you're still breathing." - Jeremiad, Chapter 7

Rep Prod the Cosplay Mod's Guide to Good Convention-going

A discussion on IRC got me thinking, and hence spawned this. I'm sure you all know the stereotypes about Star Trek nerds (Trekkies), sci-fi/computer nerds (Geeks), and Japanese animation nerds (otaku): fat, smelly, no social graces, etc etc. Like all stereotypes, this is not universally true. So the thought came to me about conventioned (anime ones in particular), and how to make a convention experience enjoyable. Yeah, kinda windy train of thought, but whatever.

Like any collective experience, good convention-going starts with planning. Some things to consider when planning such an outing:

• How far away is the convention? How will you get there? By car, by plane?
  
• If you are going with a group, how will transport be arranged? Will everyone drive themself to the convention, or will there be carpooling to save money on gas? How many vehicles will be needed for all the luggage and/or costumes and/or purchases?
  
• How much money can you spend on this endeavor? The less money you have, the more complicated your plans will have to be.
  
• Are you going to bring a costume? If so, how complicated/expensive will it be? How many will you bring?

In an ideal world, you have enough money to afford your own personal hotel room on-site for the entire convention. However, this is not always the case. More often than not, it is never the case. Some guidelines and considerations for choosing roomies, hotels, and dates of arrival/departure.

• Regardless of where you end up staying, do NOT try to cram more than 5 people to a single room. The decrease in cost per person is NOT worth the stress and hassle of trying to cram lots of people into a single room for 3-4 days.
  
• If you cannot reasonably afford to stay at an on-site hotel, even with 5 people to one room, DON'T stay on site. In many cases there are less expensive hotels within reasonable walking distance of the convention center, sometimes with far better amenities. The extra walking is worth the peace of mind and saved money.
  
• Choose people you know you can get along with as roomies. If a friend has some annoying habit that just slightly irks you, DON'T share a room with them. Under convention conditions, tempers can often be drastically shortened, and minor quirks can become unbearable.
  
• Can you afford to arrive a day early? Most conventions start early in the day on the opening day, and if you want to get your badge, you need to either arrive a day early or get up early in the morning to get there and get a good spot at the front of the line. Or have a friend who can go a day early and pick up everyone's badges.
  
• Do you want to leave the final day of the convention, or stay an extra night and leave the day after? It costs more, and the final day most conventions are largely shut down by about 3 pm anyway. But if you don't get much sleep, the extra night may be a good idea, as you may not be fit to drive safely. Plus you can avoid the better part of the post-convention crush as everyone is leaving the last day.
  
• What will your eating arrangements be? Many people simply fork over the money to eat out at the various places near the convention, but this can be costly. Some people bring their own food to the convention- instant noodles, soda, and so on. This may be cheaper, but far less healthy, and can contribute to digestive problems either during or immediately following the convention. If you bring your own food, try to include healthier items- fruits and veggies if possible, or at least health bars of some sort. Most people get more exercise at a convention than they do in more than a month, your body requires extra nourishment if you want to stay energetic throughout the event. Don't forget to drink lots of water!
  
• For the love of $deity, keep yourself clean! Brush your teeth, use deodorant, and PLEASE, PLEASE PLEASE shower! Daily if possible, but at LEAST one per two days of the convention. You're running around, working up a sweat, and quite possibly wearing the same clothes for 2-4 days. Take steps to minimize your odor!

Now, things get tricky when it comes to cosplay. There are many things to consider, and a great many tips and suggestions for one's behavior regarding cosplay.

• Most people cosplay for one of two reasons: To have fun, or to compete, with the former generally massively outnumbering the latter.
  
• Have some pride! Don't just half-ass a costume together and expect to be complimented for it. If anything, you're likely to be scorned and insulted by the self-described "elites" of cosplay if you do.
  
• Use some sense when choosing your costume! Very few people have the figure to successfully cosplay a big-breasted chick in a battle bikini or other skintight suit. If you have ANY doubt in your mind about your body, don't cosplay a girl wearing hardly anything, and avoid spandex. Trust me, you will end the con feeling better about yourself than you would if you try and force yourself into something you don't feel comfortable in. If you're a guy, don't cosplay a character who runs around shirtless or with shorts or whatnot unless you're going to shave/wax/Nair the exposed areas. VERY few male characters in anime have body hair, and most girls are not attracted by it.
  
• Cosplay to your strengths! Maybe you don't have the figure to cosplay a battle-bikini clad hottie. There are plenty of cool characters who wear loose (and more comfortable) outfits! Match eye color, and hair color if possible!
  
• Don't be an ass about it. Even if you think you have the most awesomest costume known to the world, don't keep constantly trying to hog the spotlight or jump in where you're not wanted. Let the costume's awesomeness stand on its own.
  
• Again, don't be an ass about it. No matter how bad you think someone else's costume is, always assume that they put their best into it. Keep your nasty comments to yourself. People cosplay largely to have fun, and getting mean remarks after trying your best is not fun. Think of how you'd feel if someone waltzed up to you and insulted your costume, your efforts, and/or you to your face.
  
• Don't be rude, either. If you see a really awesome costume, don't just pounce the person. If you want a picture with that cosplayer, ask nicely- when asked, most cosplayers will be quite happy to pose with you or permit a picture with you clinging to them in a fangirlish/fanboyish manner.

There's probably more still to cover, but I'll save it for a future edition.
~Rep Prod the Otaku Mod
All aboard the angst train! BOOOOHOOOO!

An Open Letter to the Commander-in-Chief and ol' Buckshot

If you're still looking for those Taliban guys, the religiously fanatical oppressors of freedom, haters of liberty, doers of evil, etc etc etc, they seem to be alive and well in South Dakota.

I suggest we waste no time in invading and ousting the regime resposible for this cruelty, this injustice against the freedom-loving people of the United States! Besides, it can't go any worse than your current campaign against evildoers, right?

From a Californian who did not vote for you,
~Rep Prod the Pro-Choice Mod
"So a woman gets raped by her uncle. She is then required, by law, to carry and care for this reminder of the sexual and emotional abuse she suffered? I thought we outlawed cruel and unusual punishment."

The Road Begins Anew

Ah yes. February. A time when choices are made, allies must be chosen, and plans must be laid out. The time for hesitation is past, and one must go forward or fail!

I'm talking about Anime Expo, of course. You may be thinking "Waitaminute, that's not until July!" That's why plans must be laid and executed now! See, costumes don't just make themselves in a week. At least not with my group. No. We start months in advance so that we have enough time to build elaborate and/or complicated props and details! This year, I'm not building a 7 foot tall mecha, but that doesn't mean my costume is any less detailed. I'm doing something a little bit unusual for an anime convention in the US. I'll be in costume as a character from an American cartoon. Ember McLain from Danny Phantom, to be specific. The outfit will be simple enough. The tricky part is in getting a wig in that color and style, building her guitar, and building it to withstand convention use without breaking, and...

Makeup. Lots and lots of makeup.

I refuse to do anything halfway, so damnit, if I'm cosplaying a rockstar ghost girl, I will make sure I have that light blue complexion!

Also, plans must be made now for travel accomadations. Who's sharing a room with who, which hotel, for how long? We also have to coordinate with an out-of-state person, which further complicates things, such as arranging for her costume and for her transport to/from the airport and stuff. Other logistics as well- food supplies, drink supplies, who's bringing what in which vehicle?

We don't just go to these things man. We form a fucking military convoy. Complete with radios and unit leaders and code names! (Well, okay, we often use our online names as much as we do our real names at cons, but....)

~Rep Prod the Otaku Mod
"Dueling dopplegangers, have you lost your half of our mind?!"
"Dude, I'm not the one wearing a bedsheet."

Orange Bundle of RAGE

I love my school. Really! I do!

HEY! You in the back, I see you sniggering at me! Sit down!

So, as most of you may already know, it's first come, first served when signing up for classes. Well, my registration date for the Spring Semester was last November, I got regged, got all the classes I was hoping to get, 13 units worth. One class I was looking forward to in particular, was my Animation 260 class: Real-Time Video Game Animation.

So here we are in February. School starts in FOUR DAYS. I get a notice in the mail from the college. "We are cancelling the above class(es)." I look, and woe unto me! ANIM 260 has been most thoroughly sacked like $employee at Zephyr Holdings! Shit, that puts me at 11 units! 1 unit short of full-time status! I have to find some other class that doesn't conflict with the rest of my schedule, isn't already packed solid, and will propel me back to my previous lucky 13 units!

Some paniced thumbing through the college online registration later, and I've locked in my seat for CIT 173 - Website Design /w Dreamweaver.

Bastard college bureaucracy. Now I've got three night classes a week instead of just one!

~Rep Prod the Ninja Mod
"GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!!!!!!!"