I'm Still Around, and Other Stuff

[kamakaziplumber]

Hey guys,

So, TDC has been on my mind a lot lately. I figured it was about time I explain myself, and a few other things.

First of all, I'm still always available. Really, if you send me a PM, or post in a topic I'm watching, or do anything else that is supposed to get my attention, it does. Immediately. I may not reply right away, though.

Some of you may wonder where I've been, since I'm not on AIM as much as I used to be. To be honest, I just don't sign on to AIM anymore. There's no reason beyond that one. I tend to talk to most people through other methods nowadays, so AIM has fallen by the wayside.

However, I do have a Skype account... and I'm usually signed in to that. You can reach me at abscondwithapie. KamakaziPlumber is also my account, but I don't really sign into that one very often. Here's the thing, though: you can friend me on Skype and talk to me whenever. If I don't answer, it's probably because I'm not there (I leave my computer on and signed in most of the time), but I don't usually have time for the same kind of chatting I used to do, so I may have to pass on talking to you guys just because I really can't at the moment. But I'll always see your messages.

As far as TDC's content goes, I realize that has been neglected a bit as well. I'm glad the SandCast has been revived, and I hope to see more episodes, AND I'm sorry I won't be a part of most of them. HNS and others have peppered the front page with articles as well, but I personally haven't done anything in a long, long time. That doesn't look like it will change any time soon. However, if anyone has any ideas for articles or content that they can actually deliver, don't hesitate to contact me. That being said, don't tell me you're thinking of starting a series of articles just to post one. If you have some unique thoughts on anything Zelda-related, feel free to send me a one-shot article. I won't be afraid to post it. I might post it under my screenname, to avoid the overhead of creating a new Journalist account, but you'll be given full credit.

Likewise, if you guys ever have any ideas regarding how to promote TDC, don't hesitate to let me know.

Finally, this summer (and possible even this semester), I will be working on some web design stuff again. This won't be TDC related, but I would be very surprised if it didn't spur me to focus more on TDC in the end. Unfortunately, TDC is too set in its ways as a site to change much... just look at the forum software and its desperate need for a total overhaul. But, we'll see what I can do. I know we need a lot of updating - I've seen you guys commenting on how the guides are lacking, and such - but I don't know how much of that I can do. I'd definitely need help, which means some of you guys will have to step up.

But that's the point of this post. Don't ever think I'm not around, or that I've abandoned TDC. I can't do everything myself, in fact there isn't much I can do in the first place, but if you guys are willing to help, then I'm available to make that happen.

[Pale Dim]

Well, it's good to hear from you again! I will admit, it has been rather...dead, without you, but I have already stated that.

[Deku]

KP, good to see you. Your friend HA2 would like a word with you. PM Alpha sometime, please. Good to see you're (somewhat) back.

While your inactivity has affected TDC some, it's affected HA2 in more ways than you can think of. It has completely died twice without an active webmaster.

This entire situation can be quickly remedied however, and it can be done really easily. Like I said before, please PM Alpha at HA2. Thanks.

[kamakaziplumber]

Well, ZV, I've never really been an admin at HA2... as in, I don't have any control over the main storyline or anything like that. So, if you mean an admin in that sense, then your only chances are RG or Alpha.

However, if for some reason RG or Alpha have been waiting on me to do something on the technical side, like adding more areas or items or that stuff, then... I don't see why they wouldn't have contacted me, but I guess I can PM Alpha and see what's up.

[Deku]

Well, ZV, I've never really been an admin at HA2... as in, I don't have any control over the main storyline or anything like that. So, if you mean an admin in that sense, then your only chances are RG or Alpha.

However, if for some reason RG or Alpha have been waiting on me to do something on the technical side, like adding more areas or items or that stuff, then... I don't see why they wouldn't have contacted me, but I guess I can PM Alpha and see what's up.

Thanks. There actually quite a few problems we need to address. Alpha should be able to fill you in one what's going on. We'd really appreciate a serious ear over there. Thanks again KP, it's good to hear from you again.

[MagmarFire]

Nice to see you still alive and kickin', KP. :D Life in general is going well for you, I hope?

Likewise, if you guys ever have any ideas regarding how to promote TDC, don't hesitate to let me know.

This.

[kamakaziplumber]

Do you... do you have any ideas, MagmarFire? Or are you agreeing with me?

[MagmarFire]

I was just agreeing with you. But...

I guess as one idea for advertising, we could do what Shika (I think it was Shika) suggested a year or so ago: Make a game. We do have a lot of the resources in regards to programming. However, the things we would be in great need of are artists (assuming Tach won't be able to help and we won't be using copyrighted images) and, more importantly, time. :/

[kamakaziplumber]

Although that would be a great way to get people to come to TDC, it's just too large a project to count on. Even if we actually got started on a game and began to advertise, chances are we'd all get caught up in something eventually and the game would go unfinished, and then it would be like every other fan game.

Most normal content here on TDC doesn't stick. I doubt a game would do much better...

[MagmarFire]

Which is why time is a huge factor.

I guess we also do have the SandCast as a trump card, but at the same time, time is also a big factor in that. It may have to be a summer project after all.

[kamakaziplumber]

Yeah, the SandCast does also require time. But if everyone can get together to make an episode, then it's done in a matter of hours and ready to be put up as content. A game requires a lot more time in general, but with much less to show for it until the end.

[MagmarFire]

So I assume you want at least one episode up before classes are over? If we all pull together, like you say, then it sounds good. The problem is getting everyone together at the same time.

I blame myself for most of that problem, though.

[kamakaziplumber]

No, no, you take all the time you need, that's not my point. My point is that something like the SandCast produces tangible content more quickly and more often than something like a fan game. Even if it takes months for the next SandCast to be released, at that time there will be a SandCast episode for people to listen to. In the same amount of time, it's doubtful that there would be a demo of a fan game to play, and even if there was it would be sparse.