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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36876 Posts |
 Posted - 24 Aug 2009 : 19:46:29
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Okay, so most everyone here knows I was banned from the WotC forums years ago, for reasons that have never been explained, despite me asking. I've recounted the tale here more than once, so I'm not doing it again now. The important factoid is that I was banned from their forums more than five and a half years ago -- it was the banning there that led me to become active on this forum I'd signed up for but only checked out before then.
When I was banned, it meant -- and this was explicitly spelled out -- that I could not reuse my original user name (which is the one I now use here). I believe it also said I couldn't make a new name that was too close to the old one or that referenced the old one. Since my banning was unwarranted, and since I could no longer use my chosen user name, I was done with them.
Now, we also know that for some reason, WotC decided this was a great time to take down and do some juggling with their forums. And I suspect that's why I got this email (note that I changed my email addy when posting it here)...
quote:
Dear Wooly @ some email site ,
Wizards of the Coast is pleased to announce that we’re upgrading to a new community platform. We are in the process of migrating our forums to a system that includes a host of new features like friends lists, groups, an invite system and calendar, blogs, wiki, and of course, our forums.
Due to this platform migration, we have changed the character restrictions for usernames in our accounts system.
This change has affected your screen name.
Your old screen name was: Wooly Rupert
Your new screen name is: Wooly_Rupert
We apologize if this causes any inconvenience. If you would like to change your new screen name, you may do so through Game Support.
1. Click this link: http://wizards.custhelp.com/
2. Click on Email Us.
3. Sign In if you already have a help account, or create a new help account.
4. Once you are signed in, on the Search by Topic menu select:
a. Wizards.com [topic]
b. Wizards.com Community [sub topic]
c. Other [sub sub topic]
5. In the message field, please enter your Top 3 screen name choices. In the event that none of those choices are available, we will pick the closest available name for you.
Thank you for being a part of our community.
Wizards of the Coast
Obviously, I'm a little puzzled by this, since I was told I couldn't use that name any more... I would have thought that my user info would have been purged from their system after the years of inactivity after my banning.
I know some other people here have been banned from WotC's forums; have any of you also received this email?
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen!  |
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Christopher_Rowe
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
879 Posts |
Posted - 24 Aug 2009 : 20:06:57
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| Probably just an automatically generated note, don't you think? Probably somebody didn't filter a file or file or filter or somesuch. |
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Brian R. James
Forgotten Realms Game Designer
USA
1098 Posts |
Posted - 24 Aug 2009 : 20:16:41
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| I wonder if after the upgrade, your account is not banned anymore. |
Brian R. James - Freelance Game Designer
Follow me on Twitter @brianrjames |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36876 Posts |
Posted - 24 Aug 2009 : 20:18:31
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quote:
Originally posted by Christopher_Rowe
Probably just an automatically generated note, don't you think? Probably somebody didn't filter a file or file or filter or somesuch.
Well, like I say, between being banned and being inactive for over five years, I'd not expect anything to still be active. If anything, I'd expect some lock on the user name, and that everything else would have been expunged. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36876 Posts |
Posted - 24 Aug 2009 : 20:21:50
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quote:
Originally posted by Brian R. James
I wonder if after the upgrade, your account is not banned anymore.
That's an interesting possibility... It doesn't matter, though. Even if I can go back to using that name over there, I'm not going back. I'm still irked over the banning, and won't go back without an apology. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Brimstone
Great Reader
USA
3290 Posts |
Posted - 24 Aug 2009 : 21:47:20
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I got the same kinda E-Mail awhile back. I was banned in Jan.
It still didn't stop me from creating a new account this month.
Yes I promise to be on my BESTEST Behavior.
I guess when the Forums do back online,(pun intended) I will try to see if my old Account works.
Had some great "Sockpuppets" with that account. |
"These things also I have observed: that knowledge of our world is
to be nurtured like a precious flower, for it is the most precious
thing we have. Wherefore guard the word written and heed
words unwritten and set them down ere they fade . . . Learn
then, well, the arts of reading, writing, and listening true, and they
will lead you to the greatest art of all: understanding."
Alaundo of Candlekeep |
Edited by - Brimstone on 24 Aug 2009 21:56:49 |
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Mace Hammerhand
Great Reader
Germany
2296 Posts |
Posted - 24 Aug 2009 : 21:49:45
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| Got the same sort of mail, but never bothered with it... not really into giving any pointers to Wizards... |
Mace's not so gentle gamer's journal My rants were harmless compared to this, beware! |
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Mr_Miscellany
Senior Scribe
545 Posts |
Posted - 25 Aug 2009 : 00:02:48
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Unfortunately like a lot of what WotC is doing lately this latest alert is half-arsed. When I played follow-the-links I ended up with a dead browser window that kept recycling itself over and over.
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 25 Aug 2009 : 00:59:46
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quote:
Originally posted by Christopher_Rowe
Probably just an automatically generated note, don't you think? Probably somebody didn't filter a file or file or filter or somesuch.
I'm thinking this is likely the case as well.
...
And I've received a similar message also, as I had a back-up profile at Wizards for some months back in '05. The web folks at WotC eventually deleted that account. But, I still got an email alerting me to the changes and about the alteration of the username. And I haven't used that account in 4 years. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
Edited by - The Sage on 25 Aug 2009 01:00:53 |
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Auzoros
Seeker
Australia
97 Posts |
Posted - 25 Aug 2009 : 13:03:00
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Have you tried logging in? Does it work? Or do you tread the same path Mr. Miscellany discribed?
But why would you have their snigglefritz when the pineapple express is here. |
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Erik Scott de Bie
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
4598 Posts |
Posted - 25 Aug 2009 : 22:20:46
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Oddities abound: I had two accounts, one under "eriksdb" and one under "erikscottdebie." This was because I signed up for erikscottdebie first, only I forgot my log-in info . . . or possibly my account got deleted . . . or possibly it was a casuality of gleemax's arrival (back in the day). Anyway, I never really knew what had happened to "erikscottdebie."
Except a few weeks ago, I got an email that said they were shutting down my account (erikscottdebie) because I hadn't been active for a long time, which was true, since I hadn't been able to figure out how to login to that account. (Which is a shame, since I prefer to use my full name.) I must have signed up for both with the same email, because when I put it in, I get my login info for my more recent account (eriksdb). Weird, eh?
Then a day later, I got another email saying "ignore the first email," your account isn't being shut down! 
Cheers |
Erik Scott de Bie
'Tis easier to destroy than to create.
Author of a number of Realms novels (GHOSTWALKER, DEPTHS OF MADNESS, and the SHADOWBANE series), contributor to the NEVERWINTER CAMPAIGN GUIDE and SHADOWFELL: GLOOMWROUGHT AND BEYOND, Twitch DM of the Dungeon Scrawlers, currently playing "The Westgate Irregulars" |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 26 Aug 2009 : 01:34:11
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quote:
Originally posted by capnvan
On a more generic note, but, I think, still relevant to Wooly's original post, very little surprises me about WoTC's online presence. Basic competence is not their strong suit. The idea that they have had to shut down for an hour each and every day, in this day and age, is evidence enough, to my mind.
I'm not sure I agree with that "basic competence" bit. Granted, the site has it's share of problems, but then, so has Candlekeep. If you recall the entire "ASP Error" saga, we were experiencing problems for almost an entire year. And that really began to affect our competency here.
All in all, I think most of the Wizards' web folks have done remarkably well -- especially when considering both the size and scope of their message boards. I've minor quibbles here and there, which often occur when I visit. But I know from my own experiences here at Candlekeep, that it can be a little difficult to sometimes manage a web community. Even one the size of Candlekeep. So I can appreciate how frustrating it can be, at times, trying to manage the WotC boards on a daily basis.
They've got basic competency. But the size of their boards also means they've got more opportunities for problems to occur that can't be easily identified/resolved. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Kes_Alanadel
Learned Scribe
USA
326 Posts |
Posted - 26 Aug 2009 : 06:07:11
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quote:
Originally posted by Erik Scott de Bie
Except a few weeks ago, I got an email that said they were shutting down my account (erikscottdebie) because I hadn't been active for a long time, which was true, since I hadn't been able to figure out how to login to that account. (Which is a shame, since I prefer to use my full name.) I must have signed up for both with the same email, because when I put it in, I get my login info for my more recent account (eriksdb). Weird, eh?
Then a day later, I got another email saying "ignore the first email," your account isn't being shut down!
Cheers
Yep, same thing here. Got an email saying they were going to get rid of my account because I hadn't used it in over..... heck maybe two years now? And then got the second telling me that due to some weirdness in the new server or something, they were changing my log in name slightly. *shrug* I just ignored both of them, since I have no real interest in their boards anymore.
~Kes |
Ack! I seem to have too much blood in my coffee stream!
When did 'common sense' cease to be common? |
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Quale
Master of Realmslore
1757 Posts |
Posted - 26 Aug 2009 : 12:43:44
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Wotc forums always were weird, how a company can be so incompetent when there are people that can maintain forums with just one administrator.
I had over ten accounts since wotc forums started ten years ago, some can't be activated cause I put in my real age. under 18 then. |
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Patrakis
Learned Scribe
Canada
256 Posts |
Posted - 26 Aug 2009 : 17:15:58
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Hi Wooly,
Technically, if your read back the email you received from WotC ... You did receive an apology :)
Pat
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Brian R. James
I wonder if after the upgrade, your account is not banned anymore.
That's an interesting possibility... It doesn't matter, though. Even if I can go back to using that name over there, I'm not going back. I'm still irked over the banning, and won't go back without an apology.
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Dancing is like standing still, but faster.
My site: http://www.patoumonde.com |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36876 Posts |
Posted - 26 Aug 2009 : 19:38:44
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quote:
Originally posted by Patrakis
Hi Wooly,
Technically, if your read back the email you received from WotC ... You did receive an apology :)
Pat
Yeah, but not for the wrongful banning. That's my sticking point. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36876 Posts |
Posted - 26 Aug 2009 : 19:52:33
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quote:
Originally posted by capnvan
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by capnvan
On a more generic note, but, I think, still relevant to Wooly's original post, very little surprises me about WoTC's online presence. Basic competence is not their strong suit. The idea that they have had to shut down for an hour each and every day, in this day and age, is evidence enough, to my mind.
I'm not sure I agree with that "basic competence" bit. Granted, the site has it's share of problems, but then, so has Candlekeep. If you recall the entire "ASP Error" saga, we were experiencing problems for almost an entire year. And that really began to affect our competency here.
All in all, I think most of the Wizards' web folks have done remarkably well -- especially when considering both the size and scope of their message boards. I've minor quibbles here and there, which often occur when I visit. But I know from my own experiences here at Candlekeep, that it can be a little difficult to sometimes manage a web community. Even one the size of Candlekeep. So I can appreciate how frustrating it can be, at times, trying to manage the WotC boards on a daily basis.
They've got basic competency. But the size of their boards also means they've got more opportunities for problems to occur that can't be easily identified/resolved.
I appreciate that you can have a great deal more empathy with the WoTC web people, but I find that there's an enormous difference between a labor of love like Candlekeep and a profit-generating outlet like the WoTC site.
Heck - there's not even ads on Candlekeep. It's kept running by the persistence and care of passionate people like yourself.
Contrast that with WoTC, which runs a specifically commercial site. Among other things, as I understand it, 99+% uptime is considered de rigueur in the IT world. So being down an hour each and every day, along with at least a week for forum migration is falling wildly short.
That's not to suggest that the individual web and IT people at WoTC/Hasbro are incompetent. This isn't any kind of personal attack. My strong suspicion is that Hasbro has them on a shoestring budget for things like DDi, etc. Almost certainly, they don't have sufficient resources for the problem. (And, of course, we're familiar with the tragedy of their DDI developer, although I'd suggest that part of that is reflective of what I just wrote above.)
Instead, what I'm saying is simple: as an example of a commercial site, one which was specifically marketed as being a significant part of the new edition, the online offerings of WoTC leave an enormous amount to be desired. I would grade them below a C, which is generally considered to be "competent with the material."
My personal issues with their website (not the forums) have nothing to do with downtime -- I don't visit them oft enough for that to be a factor. For me, the two main issues are organization and accessibility.
Organization-wise, the site rates poorly. Some stuff you can readily find, but a lot, you can't. And there have been many times that links to new content were posted, but the new content was inaccessible for longer than a day. There have been other issues, like site reorganizations that didn't include updating all the links. It's worth repeating once more that I know of at least five files posted on their site, circa 2000, that no longer have links anywhere leading to them -- but you can access them if you know the exact URL (the original Roll of Years is one of those files).
For accessibility, you have the same issue of not always being able to find everything. Some portions of the site do allow you to reorder what you're looking at (for example, the Book Publishing Main Archives can be sorted by brand), but after looking at a page or two, it can get wonky. And forget using their search engine to find anything -- you're better off hitting a third party engine, like Google.
Those are the complaints I have about their site. And I don't think it's a competence issue; I think it more likely that there is more site than there is people to maintain it. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 27 Aug 2009 : 01:05:42
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quote:
Originally posted by capnvan
Heck - there's not even ads on Candlekeep. It's kept running by the persistence and care of passionate people like yourself.
I appreciate the compliment, Capn. I will note, however, that Alaundo has had to ask for donations from the public at times, to help keep the site running. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Zanan
Senior Scribe
Germany
942 Posts |
Posted - 27 Aug 2009 : 23:23:19
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Just was there to see what has happened and that serverchange has finally wiped out WizO_BigSister's "Deliciously dark and deadly dollybird."
They look strange, they want info I don't want to provide ... t'seems they will lose a customer pretty soon, not least since the "Create Your Profile" option always kicks me back to the fill-in screen. |
Cave quid dicis, quando et cui!
Gæð a wyrd swa hio scel!
In memory of Alura Durshavin.
Visit my "Homepage" to find A Guide to the Drow NPCs of Faerûn, Drow and non-Drow PrC and much more. |
Edited by - Zanan on 28 Aug 2009 00:04:13 |
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Mr_Miscellany
Senior Scribe
545 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2009 : 01:43:10
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Well I got myself up and running over there.
Looking forward to smoother sailing and a more peaceful, friendly experience. |
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Dark Wizard
Senior Scribe
USA
830 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2009 : 03:56:38
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Just took a peek at the new WotC forums. They did add lots of functions, probably what Gleemax should have done at the start of 4e, or before it. Not sure I'm ever going to use them, but they're good to have. I'm sure many will put the new features to good use and start a thriving community there.
I am saddened that my forum handle there has been butchered. I wasn't aware of any others with that name. I wonder if there is any way to change it, since I didn't choose the format of the name on the new boards. Yes, it's the small things in life that keep my interested. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36876 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2009 : 04:45:33
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| I tried to see if I could get back in under this name, but it didn't work... I was really hoping that this changeover would have cancelled my banning! Not that I wanted to post over there, but it would have been nice to have the option back. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Zanan
Senior Scribe
Germany
942 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2009 : 08:33:15
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No chance to get past the Create Your Profile screen. Maybe it's a US-only thing, as my ZIP-code in Germany might not be good enough. Or an early-days - bug or whatever.
Mr_Miscellany
quote:
Looking forward to smoother sailing and a more peaceful, friendly experience.
Yeah, the 4E/NewRealms support looks to get the freedom of the Wizards. Peaceful sailing indeed. Farethee well then. |
Cave quid dicis, quando et cui!
Gæð a wyrd swa hio scel!
In memory of Alura Durshavin.
Visit my "Homepage" to find A Guide to the Drow NPCs of Faerûn, Drow and non-Drow PrC and much more. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2009 : 08:36:13
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quote:
Originally posted by Zanan
No chance to get past the Create Your Profile screen. Maybe it's a US-only thing, as my ZIP-code in Germany might not be good enough. Or an early-days - bug or whatever.
I didn't really like the idea of providing all that information either. So I opted for the bare-minimum. I just indicated my ZIP-code [for Australia] and my country of origin. That's it. I left everything else blank, and, thus, was allowed entry into the forums proper without any further problems. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
Edited by - The Sage on 28 Aug 2009 08:37:55 |
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Mr_Miscellany
Senior Scribe
545 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2009 : 10:19:34
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quote:
Originally posted by Zanan
Yeah, the 4E/NewRealms support looks to get the freedom of the Wizards. Peaceful sailing indeed. Farethee well then.
My thanks. We'd do far better with you there, though.
Sweet water and light laughter, Zanan. |
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Zanan
Senior Scribe
Germany
942 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2009 : 12:07:26
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quote:
Originally posted by Mr_Miscellany
Sweet water and light laughter, Zanan.
An Elven greeting ... now that takes the biscuit!
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Cave quid dicis, quando et cui!
Gæð a wyrd swa hio scel!
In memory of Alura Durshavin.
Visit my "Homepage" to find A Guide to the Drow NPCs of Faerûn, Drow and non-Drow PrC and much more. |
Edited by - Zanan on 28 Aug 2009 12:08:07 |
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Brimstone
Great Reader
USA
3290 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2009 : 13:37:38
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So what would be the Drow version?
On topic I hate the new Wizards Forums. Maybe I will like them, but that was not what I was expecting. |
"These things also I have observed: that knowledge of our world is
to be nurtured like a precious flower, for it is the most precious
thing we have. Wherefore guard the word written and heed
words unwritten and set them down ere they fade . . . Learn
then, well, the arts of reading, writing, and listening true, and they
will lead you to the greatest art of all: understanding."
Alaundo of Candlekeep |
Edited by - Brimstone on 28 Aug 2009 13:39:25 |
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Jorkens
Great Reader
Norway
2950 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2009 : 15:47:31
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quote:
Originally posted by Brimstone
So what would be the Drow version?
Booze and rowdiness for all?
Oh no, I forgot. That's the dwarven version. |
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Ashe Ravenheart
Great Reader
USA
3247 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2009 : 15:53:39
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quote:
Originally posted by Brimstone
On topic I hate the new Wizards Forums. Maybe I will like them, but that was not what I was expecting.
I don't know if I hate them, but they are very different from before (and I don't see anything where you can click to 'read next unread'). I do dislike the Facebook imitation they are going for, although I can appreciate why. |
I actually DO know everything. I just have a very poor index of my knowledge.
Ashe's Character Sheet
Alphabetized Index of Realms NPCs |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36876 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2009 : 16:18:35
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quote:
Originally posted by Ashe Ravenheart
quote:
Originally posted by Brimstone
On topic I hate the new Wizards Forums. Maybe I will like them, but that was not what I was expecting.
I don't know if I hate them, but they are very different from before (and I don't see anything where you can click to 'read next unread'). I do dislike the Facebook imitation they are going for, although I can appreciate why.
I don't really see it as a Facebook imitation... Though, if it is, it's quite sad that a company once known for innovation is now looking all over to see who they can copy. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Iluvrien
Acolyte
United Kingdom
49 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2009 : 18:05:37
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They seem to be playing the beta card pretty heavily. The "Yes, we know that you can't use sblocks or quotes properly and that your subscriptions, pms, sigs and the archives are gone... but some of that will be coming back soon!"
I really do hope they fix it all soon, because I quite like maintaining a presence over there (had some good Realmslore argum...discussions) and at the moment the colour scheme alone makes my eyes bleed ;).
All hail eventual improvment! |
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The hey? WotC Forums oddness...
