Siminar 2010 tomorrow.

I finally finished writing my presentation five minutes ago. I'm actually somewhat satisfied with it and I had a friend listen to it. I will not be speaking myself, but there will be a robot voice reading my words aloud. She's bad at pronouncing things, but my mic wouldn't work.

So yes, Siminar is tomorrow. It starts at 9:45 A.M. CST (schedule). You can find (hopefully) correct time conversions here. The entire event will take place here. I'll be going on at 12:15 CST on Day 1. I'll try to be there for most of it, but I start school Monday and I'm completely unprepared (not my fault).

If you cannot make it, I'll be posting my entire presentation on Pro Sim Union and I'll be taking any and all follow up questions you may have. I cover the five basics I do on my reviews here, just in a more general fashion. My friend said it was interesting, but I suppose that doesn't apply to everyone. However, I'm fairly certain that if you like reading my blog you won't mind listening to me there.

Also, I know it's been forever since I've really done anything. I'm sorry. Vis Servo opened for alpha testing and I got a free special alpha testing account (#20) and I've been preoccupied with it. I'm also a moderator in training on there now, so that plus my other sim-based job will take up some of my time. Plus with school, updates may be a bit slow. There will be updates though, I promise.

I never did get to tell you all about what job I took. It's a nonpaying job (unless you count site currency and credits) and I'm coding CSS and HTML for Mahka.com. I've already done a few things on there (none of which you can see right now) and there's another project I need to get done (after about two weeks of procrastinating which makes me sad) which shouldn't take me too long (I've just be uninspired). I'm actually having a blast coding CSS and HTML and if anyone needs a layout for a sim or something, please let me know.

Wajas and Wolf Haven will be reviewed. Just after I rave to all of you about Vis Servo.

Quick survey of sorts

Yes, I know I'm still putting off the posting of Wolf-Haven and Wajas, but it will be done. However, I'm going to be a bit busier due to a new "job" of sorts I got, which I'll tell you guys more about eventually. In the meantime, I would like to gather valuable information that I hope to use in the creation of my future sim. Everyone's input is appreciated and it would stupendous if you shared this with your sim-playing friends. The more people who fill this out, the better.

Now for the survey:

1. How important is the realism of a sim to you?
2. Do you prefer a sim in which you must only log on every (other) day to take care of things or one in which you must be on everyday?
3. If a sim requires that you login everyday, how important would the ability to freeze your account be?
4. Do you prefer gameplay where there isn't much for you to do so that it requires little effort to attend to your animals or a style in which there are a lot of options?
5. Would a site where your animals die turn you off?
6. How important is a good community to you?
7. How do you think moderators should be chosen on a site? What qualities do you believe a moderator should have?
8. What makes you want to upgrade your account? What are your feelings towards sites that have the option for players to upgrade accounts?
9. Would you like the option to choose specific perks instead of completely upgrading your account while still having the option to do so?
10. How would you feel if your animals interacted with their environment and others without you doing anything? Such as them learning something? Note that you would be informed on this, you just won't have to initiate it.
11. How long would you be willing to wait in order for your animal quantity to increase? Such as: You only have one animal and you must wait "x" amount of real life days to increase said quantity. Keep in mind the wait would be a one time thing.
12. How much would you like to interact with your animals?
13. How important would you say in-game currency is? For what reasons are they important?
14. If you joined a site where players could battle their animals in order to gain something, would you like the option to turn this off at the cost of not gaining said thing? This thing would be rather important to the gameplay, but you would have the choice to turn it back on after a set time.
15. How important are items to you? What kind of items do you consider the most important and the least important?
16. What do you think about a site that uses dynamic images? How important are markings to you?
17. How important are management options to you? Such as: Adjusting the description/name/priorities/etc of a "kennel" page.
18. How much do you think staff should value user input?
19. What are your opinions on the selling of alpha accounts? Should they be sold? If so, for how much?
20. What immediately turns you away from a site?
21. What makes you keep coming back for a long time?

Please try to fill this out neatly. Meaning, when you post a comment (or email this to me at custard@mahka.com) don't just post the answer next the to question without attempting to distinguish between them. It would be amazingly wonderful that if you post your reply in a comment that you'd only post the number of the question and then your answer. If you email this, bolding the question would be best. If have anything to add, please do. Also, you do not have to fill out all the questions. Just put "pass" as your answer on the ones you don't want to reply to.

And again, please tell your friends about this survey so that I can get as many points of view as possible.

New keyboard

...I've been procrastinating a little. There's a reason for it, I promise. It's not the best reason, but it's valid if you've had the experience yourself. My keyboard sucks. It's gross, hard to use, and far outdated. It got to the point that I couldn't use Ctrl+Alt+Delete because they were unable to be completely pressed down due to a decade of abuse.

But that's all over now! I just got a new keyboard (two hours ago, actually) that is grime-free and amazing. Already using it makes me want to type something, which is wonderful news because now I can finally write up that Wolf Haven post. And then Wajas.

I'm not really looking forward to reviewing Wajas. In fact, I'm rather dreading it. It's the response I'm fearing. I'm free to my opinion, but all of you are equal to argue yours. I'm never opposed to hearing others opinions (there is an exception with politics, but that's to be expected considering where I live), but some people don't understand the difference between expressing their views and flaming.

I have to write it though. And I will write it. Eventually.

Also, I'm adding Mahka to the "To Be Reviewed" list. I bought an alpha account on there not too long ago and am anxious to speak to you all about it. It'll mainly be an informational post (like Wolf Haven) considering it has a lot of potential to act upon, but there will be some of my personal views based on what I have experienced.

Because Mahka is in alpha stage, you'll be getting some information you can't find on the "About" page.

Can you art? Do you wanna art for VS?

Tyrant is currently looking for artist to work alongside her current artists:

"That's right, we're after a few artists to help our current (and may I add, wonderful artists) cope with their workload. We're opening for the first wave of Alpha Accounts in a week and whilst it's an exciting time, it's also a bit of a rush right now.

This is a wonderful opportunity to stretch your artist skills and portfolio as you'll be required to digitally draw a wide range of animals, humans, items and scenery! Payment will be discussed in private and we're asking that all applicants provide a sample or artwork (which I'll request) should your application be successful.
The workload is split between all artists and you're given the option to have art given to you or pick from lists; it's very flexible. All we ask is you turn in a reasonable amount of art weekly and can stick to deadlines.

If this seems like something you or someone you know may be interested in, please send me a message and an example of your artwork and I'll get in contact with you asap to discuss things further."

This was posted on the Vis Servo preforum. If you are a digital artist and are willing to help out, it'd be in your best interest to see about this position for a few reasons. One, this is Vis Servo, a unique sim with a lot going for it. Being an artist on here will undoubtedly make you rather well-known (if that's what you want). Two, you'll build up/expand your portfolio, which is important for any artist. Three, as mentioned, you'll be required to work with various themes which should further your artistic ability. And lastly, you'll be doing a wonderful thing for a wonderful person.

If you're convinced you're capable or just genuinely interested in this position, click here to see the thread. Click here to message Tyrant on the VS preforum. Click here for a picture of a squirrel drinking from a Coca Cola bottle with a straw.

Sorry

I want to apologize for the lack of updates and whatnot. There is a time in each month when I lack motivation to do anything (even eat) and until this time has passed (another few days or so), there won't be any reviews or... anything other than this. In fact, I lost interest halfway through this post...

Anyway, that's the reason for the lack of posting, but it will be back in full swing next week.

Oh, by the way, Vis Servo is auctioning off six alpha accounts (#5, #11, #12, #13, #14, #15) here. If you're interested in any of those numbers, I suggest you take a look. Bidding stops at 12 P.M. GMT on July 18th. Snail mail will only be accepted from the UK and PayPal for everywhere else.