Recent Posts

5776

Living Room / Re: Sci-fi novel now available from DC member kyrathaba!

« Last post by wraith808 on July 26, 2013, 10:37 PM »

I agree with everything that wraith said above, about finding inspiration or "getting it done". I'll be honest: in this case of this particular book, I'd had an idea to run a roleplaying campaign set in the not too distant future, in which VR became a bit more real than expected (tip of the hat to Tad Williams). The alien angle was just a dash of seasoning thrown in because, "Hey! Who doesn't wanna see humanity show ingenuity, bravery, and even a touch of panache when dealing with an overpowering alien foe?" Post-apocalyptic fiction has long been a favorite of mine. Loved Stephen King's "The Stand" and anything in that vein. The movie "The Road"? Loved it!

-kyrathaba (July 26, 2013, 10:24 PM)

That's hilarious... most of my writing up until now has been stuff for roleplaying games... to get me in the mood to either run or play them, and to flesh out characters. 

Three examples:

http://wraith808.com...Asha/Chronicle1.html

http://gamera.cc/fic.../viewstory.php?sid=4

http://gamera.cc/fic.../viewstory.php?sid=1

5777

Living Room / It was the best of Kickstarter, It was the worst of Kickstarter

« Last post by wraith808 on July 26, 2013, 04:29 PM »

So, we have two stories on Kickstarters- one that, in my opinion, was one of the best successes that I've backed, and one that was the worst failure that I've ever come close to backing.

First up, we have Shadowrun Returns.  A pretty ambitious game, and one close to my heart, Shadowrun was a SNES game back in the 90's that I played through several times.  It was based off of a PnP game, Shadowrun, that's recently released its 5th edition.  Shadowrun is basically what happens when someone wants to release a Cyberpunk game but gets beat out by a bit (and they have that info as a bit of an easter egg in the game)- a combination between Cybernetics and Magic based on the end of the Mayan Calendar.

The game just released, about 6 months behind schedule, and it's a great implementation, with the right mix of homage to the old game, introduction of the updated gameplay, and adherence to the game systems.  It's been getting great reviews, and is one of the best backings that I've done on Kickstarter.  It's available on Steam, and at only 6 months late with the amount of content that was added in the way of stretch goals, I'm impressed.

Next we have the The Doom That Came To Atlantic City!  It was touted as Lovecraftian Mythos meets Monopoly.  And that's just one of the things that got it in trouble by way of Hasbro.

The post is here (along with a clarification), and the post from the actual developer explaining that basically they don't know where the money went is here.

Several people have filed fraud charges, and things are getting ugly.  I guess the point is that Kickstarter is not a silver bullet- things can go well, and thing can go spectacularly bad.  I wonder how this will affect Kickstarter specifically, and crowdfunding as a whole?

Other media coverage
http://www.geekosyst...h-baker-kickstarter/
http://www.geekosyst...-board-game-failure/
http://www.geek.com/...y-collected-1563478/
http://www.gamepolit...refunds#.UfLlJtLOvW0
http://www.escapistm...laims-of-Malfeasance
http://penny-arcade....-released-refunds-mi

5778

Living Room / Dopamine Driven Game Design

« Last post by wraith808 on July 26, 2013, 03:54 PM »

Now in 2013 I have been using the term Dopamine Driven Design (DDD) privately for the last year to describe the use of techniques to optimize dopamine delivery in interactive media products. It is my belief that DDD is being used on a very rudimentary level in most social network and many mobile games currently. One company, Riot Games, has been deploying DDD capable scientists to optimize their product on a level that is beyond rudimentary. Most if not all major studios have been creating business intelligence units to optimize engagement, which in my opinion is tremendously inefficient without the presence of an embedded DDD capable scientist.

Great Read:

http://www.gamasutra...6848/Game_Dosing.php

5779

Living Room / Re: Knight to queen's bishop 3 - Snowden charged with espionage.

« Last post by wraith808 on July 26, 2013, 03:53 PM »

^No...the Russians wouldn't just hand him over. But they said nothing about not selling him back.

-40hz (July 26, 2013, 01:42 PM)

From the moment his plane went through Russia and they found out about it, he was their currency to spend in any case.

5780

Living Room / Re: The DonationCoder.com 30-Day Healthy Eating and Exercise Challenge!

« Last post by wraith808 on July 26, 2013, 03:52 PM »

20 lbs down and I've been running 3 miles a day for the last week -- I'm really excited about that, after not being able to run at all for the better part of the last decade.

-allen (July 26, 2013, 02:52 PM)

Congrats!  I actually deviated, though I'm going to get back into it (but that's what I always say).  But always good to see someone actually follow through with it.

5781

Living Room / Re: Sci-fi novel now available from DC member kyrathaba!

« Last post by wraith808 on July 26, 2013, 03:51 PM »

There was this recent thread https://www.donation...ndex.php?topic=35464

hover.com, name.com, namecheap.com are some of the recommendations.

-rgdot (July 26, 2013, 02:07 PM)

I still haven't chosen yet... moving a large number of domains, I need to get the cash first to do so.  But the one I think I was going to go with from that thread was 1&1, though my reason (the free private registration) might not be of importance to you.

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Living Room / Re: Sci-fi novel now available from DC member kyrathaba!

« Last post by wraith808 on July 26, 2013, 03:49 PM »

I know you asked Bryan, but I figured I'd chime in, as I'm working through this now.

I find that for me, when creating a new world, it's best to start with that rather than the story.  Taking notes about key elements that I want to appear in the novel.  Key characters, places, alliances, etc.  Then, once I had all of that, at first I started with the novel... but I found that it still wasn't solid in my mind.  So I decided on an approach based on a writer that I really respect.  The best way to write is to... write.  And to... finish.  It seems like it's pretty obvious, but it wasn't to me.

Set a goal of how many words you're going to write a day, and just like consistency is key in exercise, it is key in writing.  And just like with exercise you don't start out with a marathon, don't start out with a 50k+ novel.  Short stories help to gel the world in your mind... to make it come alive.  It also helps you to get better.

In general, my stories were to gel a world for RPGs or PbEMs before now.  But I've been inspired.   But I can say that they do help.  And there's a variety of places that accept and publish short stories, and it gets you in the mind of actually finishing something to actually submit.  That's been my biggest obstacle- actually finishing something.

5783

Living Room / Re: Sci-fi novel now available from DC member kyrathaba!

« Last post by wraith808 on July 26, 2013, 01:21 PM »

An couple of good themes I've found:

http://themeforest.n...reen_preview/4706203

http://www.authorlicious.com/

http://ithemes.com/purchase/book-nook/

The following are for writers, i.e. people who post writing... but some novelists post some interim short stories in their universe on the site:

http://www.johnparri...ress-themes/scribe5/

http://somadesign.ca...rojects/the-erudite/

And a couple of good ones that aren't specific to authors or writers:

http://elegantthemes...com/preview/Harmony/

A band theme, but with a little tweaking, it could be very useful for an author.

http://www.elegantth....com/preview/Memoir/
http://www.elegantth....com/preview/Glider/

Both of these frame the content well, IMO, and are very inviting to the reader.

http://www.elegantth...m/preview/DeepFocus/

A photographer theme, but again, I think with a little bit of maneuvering, it could be made to fit an author.  Again, I like the aesthetics enough that I decided to add it.

There a quite a few out there... it's just a matter of finding the one that appeals to what you want, or is close enough that you think you can make it work.

Let me know when you decide on and purchase the domain, and I can get you an account set up on my server as a start.

5784

DC Gamer Club / Re: Steam Collector Cards

« Last post by wraith808 on July 26, 2013, 01:00 PM »

I didn't care about hats... the cards and the other stuff that goes with it is pretty cool

5785

Living Room / Re: Movies or films you've seen lately

« Last post by wraith808 on July 26, 2013, 12:58 PM »

^ Oh yes, I love that movie.  If you liked it, then you should see the other also that came out around the same time- The Illusionist.

5786

Living Room / Re: Sci-fi novel now available from DC member kyrathaba!

« Last post by wraith808 on July 26, 2013, 12:55 PM »

Well, thinking forward, kyrathaba isn't going to be all that you write... but if that's what you become known for it could be a good move.  I'd go with your full name... I don't think it's too long, especially if you're already using it on facebook.

(and thats a hard one to remember how to type as shown by the fact that I had to edit the post )

5787

Living Room / Re: Sci-fi novel now available from DC member kyrathaba!

« Last post by wraith808 on July 26, 2013, 12:24 PM »

Ooh, I like the badge, 4wd. Can I have it, mouser? Pretty please?

@wraith: Yep, I have to admit I'm a blog novice. Don't know much about layout, etc., as anyone who has visited it can probably tell.

-kyrathaba (July 26, 2013, 10:15 AM)

I'll recommend the same thing that I always do... change it to wordpress.  It's not that there's not a learning curve just like other places, but it's easier to get over that curve with a lot of help and support, and wordpress has that.  And it's (relatively) easy to get it to a professional look.  Invest in a good theme- there are some good free ones, but several I've seen have had problems.  You get what you pay for.  But there are some good themes for writers/authors out there.  I see rgdot beat me to the punch offering to set it up... but I'll offer my services too.  And if you want to get your own domain, I can give you some space for that particular domain on my server if you want.

5788

Living Room / Re: Sci-fi novel now available from DC member kyrathaba!

« Last post by wraith808 on July 26, 2013, 10:03 AM »

I want one! LOL

... on a more serious note, I'd recommend that you update your blog also to reflect your recent ascension to author status, and your future plans.

5789

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: MyWamp Server

« Last post by wraith808 on July 26, 2013, 08:06 AM »

Looks interesting to me... I'm game.

5790

Living Room / Re: Knight to queen's bishop 3 - Snowden charged with espionage.

« Last post by wraith808 on July 25, 2013, 10:21 PM »

you'd want the most advanced Russian aircraft in a dogfight.

-wraith808 (July 24, 2013, 09:45 PM)

Speed has its place in air combat. But most of the consensus on modern air warfare has pretty much relegated dogfighting to the dustbin of military history. As was noted, when it comes to modern long-range weaponry and satellite/ground coordinated tac-intel and support, being fastest no longer matters. Having the best "eyes," being the stealthiest, and having the longest striking range will outweigh raw speed every time. The original stealth fighter (the F117 Nighthawk) was only capable, by design, of subsonic flight. And it didn't much matter. [Note: According to official reports, in the thousands of combat operations conducted between 1984 and the Nighthawk's retirement in early 1992, there has only been one incident where of an F117 was shot down, and a (disputed) second incident where an F117 was seriously damaged by enemy fire.]

-40hz (July 25, 2013, 09:15 PM)

That was the point of the rest of the statement in context, i.e.

But that would do you no good, because the Russian aircraft wouldn't get close enough where that would make a difference.  Engagement range for US aircraft far outstrips the same for Russian aircraft in general.

-wraith808 (July 24, 2013, 09:45 PM)

5791

Living Room / Re: Knight to queen's bishop 3 - Snowden charged with espionage.

« Last post by wraith808 on July 25, 2013, 08:53 PM »

I remember they described an SU (IIRC) fighter that could hover while oriented vertically, fall backwards then fly upside down. (I don't recall the model number or if they'd mentioned it.) Kind of like this:

1)
------>

2)
stop, hover & flip

3)
<------

They'd seen it in defense videos and claimed that there wasn't anything in the west that approached the maneuverability of that particular jet.

-Renegade (July 24, 2013, 08:59 PM)

http://www.globalsec...rld/russia/su-37.htm

5792

Living Room / Re: Sci-fi novel due on Amazon and B&N in August or September

« Last post by wraith808 on July 25, 2013, 02:45 PM »

Congrats!  That's a great review- especially towards the proofreading 

5793

Living Room / Re: Worth Reading: Trevor Pott's editorial on NSA PRISM and its real ramifications

« Last post by wraith808 on July 24, 2013, 11:52 PM »

Plan to defund NSA phone collection program defeated 

5794

Living Room / Re: silly humor - post 'em here! [warning some NSFW and adult content]

« Last post by wraith808 on July 24, 2013, 09:46 PM »

Like I said... we need a common nomenclature for silly. 

5795

Living Room / Re: Knight to queen's bishop 3 - Snowden charged with espionage.

« Last post by wraith808 on July 24, 2013, 09:45 PM »

what the hell is a janes guide?!  I was just about to eat dinner and unwind, too...

-superboyac (July 24, 2013, 09:35 PM)

https://en.wikipedia...7s_Information_Group


FWIW, from what I can say, from an avionics perspective, the US has historically been far advanced, but from the perspective of construction, Russia has the edge- so what this means is that you'd want the most advanced Russian aircraft in a dogfight.  But that would do you no good, because the Russian aircraft wouldn't get close enough where that would make a difference.  Engagement range for US aircraft far outstrips the same for Russian aircraft in general.

5796

Living Room / Re: Knight to queen's bishop 3 - Snowden charged with espionage.

« Last post by wraith808 on July 24, 2013, 07:57 PM »

^Funny. I know a whole raft of defense contract engineers and they've all said pretty much the opposite about a lot of Russian tech. Especially their aircraft. Described them as all balls and no finesse with decades old electronics.

Also just had a friend (non US citizen working for a non-US company btw) come back from China and Russia. He's an EE with a PhD in physics. He was very impressed by what he saw of China's tech - and very unimpressed with what Russia showed him.

Guess it all depends on who saw what - and who you talk to.

-40hz (July 24, 2013, 07:49 PM)

This.  Especially the emphasized part.  But for the record, my sources jibe with 40.  Especially in relation to aircraft.

5797

Living Room / Re: Knight to queen's bishop 3 - Snowden charged with espionage.

« Last post by wraith808 on July 24, 2013, 07:55 PM »

I was thinking clean house and hold emergency elections...because the only guy left in line that isn't in handcuffs is the janitor.

-Stoic Joker (July 24, 2013, 06:56 PM)

Emergency elections usually don't work out so well...

5798

Living Room / Re: Knight to queen's bishop 3 - Snowden charged with espionage.

« Last post by wraith808 on July 24, 2013, 05:47 PM »

Carefully orchestrated mid-air tragedies aside...I'm still rooting for Snowden. I'd love to see something really wild come out of his bag that the US can't spin doctor the crap out of. Give us something to kickoff impeachment proceedings with ... That'll make me giggle for days.

..And don't tell me it can't happen...I'm trying to keep hope alive damn it. 

-Stoic Joker (July 24, 2013, 05:24 PM)

Impeachment process leaves us with Biden.  Just as if W had been impeached, we would have had Cheney.  Incompetence vs. Evil.   *sigh*  What hope?   

5799

Living Room / Re: silly humor - post 'em here! [warning some NSFW and adult content]

« Last post by wraith808 on July 24, 2013, 02:40 PM »

Oh don't be so stuffy @wraith. Neologisms can be silly, funny, clever, and even useful.

-IainB (July 24, 2013, 12:54 PM)

Oh... not me.  I just said some would say.  And it wasn't referring to that, but to the earlier post, i.e.

Priceless. I actually did LOL when I read this at arstechnica:

-IainB (July 23, 2013, 10:23 PM)

Which was undeniably funny... but I don't think really *silly*.  At least by any definition that I've heard.  But that's just me, which was why we might want to know what silly means. 

5800

Living Room / Re: silly humor - post 'em here! [warning some NSFW and adult content]

« Last post by wraith808 on July 24, 2013, 11:54 AM »

Hmmm... seems we need a definition of silly humor.  

Some people (not me you understand) might suggest that there is humor found in many places, and if this was merely the humor thread, then all sorts of things might be at home here.  But when you add 'silly' in front of it, that makes it quite a bit better defined, and some humor is not at home in such a thread.