SunfallE

[FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"][COLOR="RoyalBlue"]Ah, I see. I've only ever played Gale of Darkness since it came with my gamecube when I had to buy a replacement. I figured why not, free game and all. So other than to make sure it wasn't third generation or later, I didn't check much further. I can always hunt up a replacement since I didn't catch that it's considered a legendary Pokemon. =P I'll start looking and then edit my sign up with a replacement. [B]EDIT:[/B] I changed my signup with the replacement. [/COLOR][/FONT]

[FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"][COLOR="RoyalBlue"][SIZE="1"]Don't ask. >_

[FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"][COLOR="RoyalBlue"][QUOTE=emeraldsky]Actually, more than anything else I wish people could make profiles on myOtaku again. Ever since I got a myOtaku my two cousins wanted a site there too. But they had to wait until they were old enough. When the finally got old enough to join it was too late. And they were actually very dissapointed. I'm dissapointed too... out of all the features they disabled, I just wish people could join myOtaku. Just so my cousins can have an account there. And yes, they have a theOtaku account. I wish they could have a myO account too.[/QUOTE]As much as we'd like to offer this, it's simply not possible. As it was mentioned here in this thread, myOtaku simply wasn't built to expand to the extent that would be necessary to give people the features they wanted. [quote name='shred']One final thing that bothered me was what seemed to be a lack of moding when it came to submitted arts. There was a person on the site with wallpapers that were incredible I had saved countless numbers of them to my computer. However due to plagiarism they removed all of their wallpapers which I now have none of -_-. There have been a few instances where I have seen flat out undeniable plagiarism so its not a simple one time thing.[/quote]If you're concerned about plagiarism, like Sangome pointed out, we've provided a reporting system so members can alert us when something has been ripped from another site or member. With millions and millions of wallpapers, fan arts and other media posted on the web, it simply isn't possible for someone to recognize every single one. So if you know something is stolen and from where, use the report function and we'll deal with it. Just make sure you provide what's known as a proof of URL. Otherwise, unless it's something I happen to recognize, nothing will be done. I can't even begin to count the number of times people report things without bothering to give any form of proof. To remove it is unfair to the person who posted it since I have dealt with hundreds of reports where the person accused of stealing, was actually innocent of any wrongdoing, something that the person reporting it would have known if they had just taken a little time to look into it. Also, I wouldn't worry about it not being an isolated case here and there. This kind of thing, people stealing from others, isn't going to go away. So just report what you can, and don't worry about the rest. [/COLOR][/FONT]

[FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"][COLOR="RoyalBlue"]Looks like Phaidra and Sarvel are going to find an empty apartment. I didn't expect Karl to haul Lucia and Ruby off so quickly to look for a suitable location for the training. o_O[/COLOR][/FONT]

[FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"][COLOR="RoyalBlue"][CENTER][B]Uncertainty [/B][/CENTER] Lucia didn?t even know where to begin once the others had left. She hadn?t even known it was possible for familiars to train reapers. In her admittedly limited experience it was unheard of. She was wondering if it was even possible, but Karl?s serious look and slight smirk told her that if anything, he believed in his ability. ?[B]Why don?t you take a seat?[/B]? Karl motioned to the sofa, ?[B]The first step will be to go over your schedule and determine what you absolutely have to do, like your duties as a Shinigami.[/B]? Lucia glanced at her equipment and sighed inwardly before opting to sit in one of the lone chairs facing the sofa instead. Once Karl settled on the sofa she did as he asked; briefly touching on the activities she did outside of her regular assignments. She was fairly certain that most of what she did, he would consider unnecessary. ?[B]Seems to me that you can put all of that aside for the time being.[/B]? He commented, echoing her thoughts. ?[B]I figured you?d say that.[/B]? Lucia replied crossly. ?[B]I can halt my own personal research, but the other for tracking down the vampires, I don?t agree.[/B]? ?[B]Oh?[/B]? Karl?s smirk reappeared. ?[B]Are you saying you?re ready to face them as you are?[/B]? ?[B]Of course not.[/B]? ?[B]Correct me if I?m wrong, but aren?t a lot of processes done by today?s technology automatic, even for the humans?[/B]? ?[B]No, you?re correct, but they still need input?[/B]? ?[B]And since you?re nowhere close to being up to facing your opponent,[/B]? Karl smoothly interrupted her, ?[B]There?s no reason why you can?t limit the time you spend each day on that, correct?[/B]? Lucia sighed openly, ?[B]No there?s not.[/B]? ?[B]You also seem to have a fairly extensive lab already, is it really necessary to keep doing more part time jobs for the humans?[/B]? ?[B]Yes it is.[/B]? Lucia leaned forward without even realizing it. ?[B]I?m sure you know that we are limited in what we?re allowed to do technology wise. Keeping the equipment I have upgraded with the best humans have to offer, isn?t cheap. I no longer need to work as much as possible like I did when I first started, but I still need at least three or four large projects a year to fund upgrades to what I already have.[/B]? ?[B]Fair enough,[/B]? Karl conceded, ?[B]So long as the bulk of your time is reserved for training.[/B]? ?[B]That shouldn?t be too hard,[/B]? Lucia explained further. ?[B]I have a main contact who keeps me posted on potential work; he knows that I can?t have a set schedule other than to set things up.[/B]? ?[B]What do you mean by set things up?[/B]? ?[B]Anytime I accept a job, I usually have to go in and talk to whoever is in charge. How long it takes depends on the company. If it?s an affiliate I haven?t worked with before, it takes longer since they have to set up the paperwork. It?s rarely more than a day or two though.[/B]? ?[B]What about after that?[/B]? Karl inquired. ?[B]I set my own hours so I can do it whenever I wish.[/B]? Lucia smiled slightly. ?[B]Human technology is rather primitive so preparing a program to their specifications doesn?t take very long.[/B]? ?[B]Okay, we?ll cover that when it comes up, unless you?re already on an assignment.[/B]? Lucia shook her head. ?[B]I?m not, but my contact knows I want something within the next month or so. One of the computers I got when I first started needs to be replaced soon, what I?m looking at for a replacement, isn?t cheap.[/B]? Karl stood up and shrugged. ?[B]Like I said, we?ll cover that when the time comes. In the meantime, since your next assignment isn?t for another twelve hours, we?re going to check out potential locations for training purposes.[/B]? ?[B]Now?[/B]? Lucia stared at him incredulously. ?[B]Yes now.[/B]? Karl looked amused. ?[B]That?s more than enough time for us to pick a location and for you to show me what you know how to do.[/B]? ?[B]But?[/B]? ?[B]Didn?t we go over this already, about whether or not you wanted training?[/B]? His eyebrow shot up as if daring her to say otherwise. ?[B]Once I have a better picture of what you really need, then we can determine how much time you can spare for other stuff.[/B]? ?[B]Oh.[/B]? Lucia stood up. ?[B]Right, that makes sense.[/B]? ?[B]Good. Now, let me explain to you what we need to look for in terms of space?[/B]? Lucia resisted the urge to sigh again as she listened to Karl?s explanation and then started thinking of places that might suit what he was describing. [/COLOR][/FONT]

[COLOR="RoyalBlue"][FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"]Not sure if this works or not, but here's a set. [IMG]http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/6013/gomeavi01.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/194/gomeban01.jpg[/IMG][/FONT][/COLOR]

[FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"][COLOR="RoyalBlue"]I'm certainly still interested as well. I'm just not sure where to go since the landmark we were waiting on, prevented me from doing much more with my character. [B]EDIT:[/B] And posted, Rach will be following up on my post. [/COLOR][/FONT]

[FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"][COLOR="RoyalBlue"][CENTER][IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest%202/Elaine_Waltier.jpg[/IMG] [/CENTER] It didn?t take them long to find Juste and Felix?s campsite, yet another sign that the two had survived the fall. Elaine couldn?t be sure, but it didn?t look like they had stayed there for long. ?[B]It looks like they dragged this metal man here but then decided to break camp and leave for some reason, instead of spending the night here.[/B]? Jace said, echoing Elaine?s thoughts a bit. ?[B]There are some markings on the ground that look like this contraption made them but that doesn?t make any sense.[/B]? He turned to glance at the others and stood up. ?[B]Surely something as old as this wouldn?t be operational.[/B]? Elaine looked at the metal man. It was old and weathered, its joints covered in rust. Some of the rust looked disturbed, but surely that had happened when the others had dragged it to the campsite. She shivered again as she turned away and prepared to follow Jace who was already moving to follow the other?s trail. She only took a few steps and then shivered again before halting in her tracks. ?[B]What is it?[/B]? Gerald asked her, causing Jace to stop and look back. ?[B]The temperature has dropped.[/B]? Elaine said softly. ?[B]We?ve been traveling so at first, I didn?t notice it, but it?s definitely a lot cooler in the valley.[/B]? ?[B]Hunh, you?re right. We?d better hurry then.[/B]? Jace said grimly. ?[B]Why?[/B]? ?[B]Sudden temperature changes will make this area unstable, dangerously so.[/B]? The thick vegetation still made progress difficult, that is until close to lunch time, when it became obvious that the plummeting temperature was affecting the vegetation. Some of the plants were beginning to hang limply and the colorful birds had vanished. Elaine imagined that they were seeking shelter from the sudden climate change. [I]I wonder what?s causing it? Does this mean the others found the crystal?[/I] If they were connected, then retrieving the crystal would result in the entire forest, along with all the animals that depended on the warmer climate, dying. Doing something like that went against everything they church taught, or did it? If she was right, the valley was created unnaturally and that too was something the church did not believe in. If she looked at it in that light, it was better to put an end to the unnatural technology. She was so lost in thought that when the others stopped and called her name, she jumped in fright. ?[B]You alright Priestess?[/B]? Jace asked her. Elaine nodded. ?[B]Yes, sorry about that, I was wondering if the change in the climate was a result of the others retrieving the artifact.[/B]? She shivered again, at this rate; she would end up needing her cloak before long. ?[B]That?s certainly possible.[/B]? He conceded. ?[B]Anyway, it looks like their tracks come to an end inside the remains of that building there. It also looks like the floor gave way and there?s no sign of the two.[/B]? Elaine started to say something but Jace wasn?t finished. ?[B]I don?t see any signs of blood and the tracks in the dust look like they went further underground to find a way out.[/B]? ?[B]What do you think we should do?[/B]? Elaine asked. ?[B]I plan on fastening a rope and leaving it for them to use should they return.[/B]? Gerald was already getting into the packs for that purpose. ?[B]Unless the passages underground are really extensive, I think they've already found another way out. If we check the remains of this city, we?re bound to come across their tracks again.[/B]? ?[B]Understood.[/B]? Elaine just hoped they found the others, and soon. [/COLOR][/FONT]

[FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"][COLOR="RoyalBlue"]Actually the concept of a death panel deciding who lives or dies, is a complete and utter lie. Like it says in the article Nathan linked to:[quote]This lie springs from a provision in the House bill to have Medicare cover optional counseling on end-of-life care for any senior who requests it. This means that any patient, terminally ill or not, can request a special consultation with his or her physician about ventilators, feeding tubes, and other measures.[/quote]There is a fundamental difference between euthinasia and what's also known as setting up a living will. My grandmother, who passes away last year, had dementia and I was required to become her legal guardian so I could take care of her bills and make the decisions she was no longer capable of making. including the counseling to set things up that they are talking about. I did this based on what my grandmother had expressly said, many times as she got older, that she did not want to be hooked up to machines. Things like that. This counseling that the opponents keep trying to push as death panels, is nothing more than covering counseling for choosing how someone wishes their care to be done should something like a heart failure happen. You can opt to have on your file that should that happen, no effort will be made to start your heart again, or if you require life support, you can choose the option of them not being allowed to do this. I had to resign a form, every year that I was her legal guardian, indicating that her wishes to not be revived or put on life support was how her family wished for her care to be handled should she become terminally ill. I really wish people would actually take the time to learn just what the counseling is for, instead of assuming it's a death panel that decides who lives, when nothing could be further from the truth. [/COLOR][/FONT]

[FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"][COLOR="RoyalBlue"]I'm watching [B]Ghost Hunt[/B] over at FUNimation's website for it. Adam came into chat looking for screens from that show the other night. I got curious about it and took a look and ended up continuing to watch it, even though I am not a fan of ghost stories, at all. I don't believe in that kind of stuff so I tend to find it rather boring. So what got me to watch six episodes in a row and has me planning on watching even more? This right here: [YOUTUBE="Ghost Hunt OP"]eHaxcnHRJoc[/YOUTUBE] That's right, the music. o_O I got sucked in by the Opening and the Ending is really pretty too. And to make it worse, I think the way the music is done throughout the show, supports it really well too. It also helps that I like the main character, Kazuya Shibuya, quite a bit. Mainly because so far they have his character being the type to completely research a potential 'haunting' and combining it with actual science in addition to all of those 'mythos' about ghosts that I don't believe in. Some of the 'science' isn't real either, I just like the more intellectual approach to dealing with ghosts. It makes it fun to watch. There are some downsides of course, there is one 'Aussie' accent that I don't care for, even though I don't mind the character and I still cringe at some of the obvious ghost stuff and rituals to get rid of them parts. But so far it's at a ratio of 80% like on account of characters and the scientific angle and 20% don't like for ghost stuff and annoying accents. And then you go and toss in the music... which I want to get already... And I'm kind of sunk. If it continues along the same vein, I'm going to end up watching the entire thing. I've made it through 13 episodes at this point so I'm already halfway through and I only started on it a few days ago. XD[/COLOR][/FONT]

[FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"][COLOR="RoyalBlue"][SIZE="1"][I]*falls over laughing*[/I][/SIZE] I [I]LOVE[/I] that frowny face Allamorph.[/COLOR][/FONT] :catgirl:

[FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"][COLOR="RoyalBlue"][quote name='Mr. Maul][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][COLOR=DimGray]LOL ORGANIZED RELIGION[/COLOR][/SIZE'][/FONT][/quote][CENTER][IMG]http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/3374/qfty.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] I did laugh at the signs though. =P[/COLOR][/FONT]

[FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"][COLOR="RoyalBlue"]One possible reason could be the format you saved it in. The system is only designed to support jpg so uploading in a png format would result in blank or black pages. If you're still having problems, then I'd need your user name for theOtaku so I could take a look at the account. I tried searching for xberserk, but found nothing. [/COLOR][/FONT]

[FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"][COLOR="RoyalBlue"]So are they just urging people to cut back or did they actually change the policy to ban it? The title of the article says ban, but the actual deal says:[quote][FONT="Arial"]But when students in the Nassau community return to school next week, the superintendent will be urging abstinence. Everyone from the tiniest tots to the biggest high school football players will be asked to limit skin-on-skin contact in an attempt to prevent the spread of swine flu when it re-emerges this fall.[/FONT][/quote]There's a big difference between being asked to limit contact vs attempts to outright ban it. Seems to me that attempting to raise awareness doesn't really hurt anything in the long run. I'd be more inclined to issue reminders about washing one's hands instead of telling people to not touch. But the article doesn't say if they'll be going over that with students or not, so for all we know, they're doing both. [/COLOR][/FONT]

[FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"][COLOR="RoyalBlue"][quote name='sbsp13668] I don?t want TheOtaku to become exactly like MyOtaku because there are flaws with MyOtaku. However, there are also flaws with TheOtaku, and when I say that I?d like TheOtaku to become more similar to MyOtaku, I mean to have similar benefits (not similar problems). The most important of these benefits are the update system and customization options.[/quote]No worries there, that is the intent, to continue to add new features and upgrade the existing system. [quote=sbsp13668]If a better update system for TheOtaku is being worked on and has been taking a very long time (more than a year) to set up, then that?s great. However, there haven?t been many signs of the update system being upgraded to help members who can?t get on TheOtaku/MyOtaku as much or have subscribed to a lot of people. The update system that I?m thinking of is one that shows specific updates with their titles and can be sorted into the different categories (like we have now), but it shows as a list of the subscribed usernames and can show when the users? last updates were. Since this system is hard to get set up, I?m still willing to help in any way that I can.[/quote]The biggest reason you?re not seeing that kind of upgrade is on account of what James was talking about. Bigger items are not only more time consuming to do, but more expensive. We certainly haven?t forgotten it though and the plan is to eventually get that system improved even more.[quote=sbsp13668] All of my friends who have been updating on MyOtaku after VersionVibrant was set up have said that they prefer MyOtaku mostly because of the customization option. I?m not saying that TheOtaku should be made totally customizable, if it?s not possible, but several more options to make Worlds look different would be nice. Also, I?m not saying that the Worlds?design should be changed completely because some people like that design; I mean, provide people with the option of switching up more of the deisgn. Although members who won?t switch to TheOtaku mainly because of the lack of customization options still probably won?t switch over, I can see most members on TheOtaku still benefiting from more options.[/quote]I can?t speak for full customization since as far as I know, it?s going to stay limited to avoid the issue of those customizations breaking one?s world. However I can certainly see requesting more colors to choose from or even eventually adding different layouts that you can choose from. I don?t know how feasible that is, but I can certainly add it to the list of things people would like to see.[quote=sbsp13668] Please don?t think that I?m saying that active TheOtaku users don?t have lives, and that that?s the reason that they enjoy the current update system. I?m saying that the users who aren?t benefiting from the current update system are those who are busy and can?t get on for weeks or months; that?s the difference between the people who prefer TheOtaku?s update system and the people who prefer MyOtaku?s update system, one is able to get on the website more than the other. Simply being busy isn?t the only reason that some members have to leave for long periods of time, but these users share the same problem.[/quote]I believe that the biggest issue you?re addressing here is the fact that after so many updates, it scrolls off and you can?t see it anymore. That kind of ties back into eventually improving the updates so that?s less of an issue. [quote=sbsp13668] As for members who have subscribed to many other members, I don?t see this as a bad thing, if the member who has subscribed to many people intends to keep up with the updates. Since we all enjoy TheOtaku/MyOtaku partly for the friends that we?ve made here, making a lot of friends should be a good thing if it?s possible to keep in touch well with them. (The reason that I?ve subscribed to so many members is due to the fact that I made a lot of friends on MyOtaku when I had lots of free time [years ago], so I subscribed to a lot of my MyOtaku friends on TheOtaku). Also, when I said that it would take forever to visit each of my friends? portfolios to find out whether or not they updated anything, I meant that if I did so, there wouldn?t be time left to comment on all of their updates, which is quite the inconvenience.[/quote]And I understand what you?re saying here. You want a means to be able to see, at a glance, if someone has updated recently and when. We?re certainly going to keep that in mind when the time comes to work on upgrading the update system again. Simply visiting everyone in an attempt to see if they have posted would be a bit tedious and overly time consuming. So I understand what you?re talking about.[quote=sbsp13668] It seems that we all pretty much agree on eventually fixing TheOtaku?s update system and getting more customization options, so there isn?t a reason to continue debating these??[/quote]I think we?ve covered it pretty well. [quote=sbsp13668'] I think we?ve reached a stalemate about the guestbooks, coming down to personal opinion, so maybe we should conduct a poll about the guestbooks?? Where should it be put, though, TheOtaku or OtakuBoards? I think TheOtaku would be a good place to hold the poll on the home page, since not everybody uses OtakuBoards, but most people at least visit TheOtaku. O.O[/quote]It might be better for me to see if switching its location would be an easy task, before we consider holding a poll. Guestbooks use the comment system and it?s very complex and therefore not easy to change. I?d hate to hold a poll and then have to turn around and tell people, oh sorry, can?t do that after all. So for now, I think it would be better for me to see just what alternatives would actually be doable. Once we determine that, then we can consider a poll. Though you?re more than welcome to hold one on your world or post one here asking what people think. [quote=sbsp13668] So now I know that it isn?t possible at all for new members to gain access to MyOtaku because of the technical limitations. Maybe some minor things can be added of MyOtaku still to show that the members who prefer MyOtaku aren?t going to be ignored simply for being a minority?? I mean, the minor additions can come after all the major additions to TheOtaku, and that?ll be in a long time, but it would be good to know that TheOtaku cares about all of its members. That?s what I?ve been trying to get at: provide some benefits for the minority of TheOtaku/MyOtaku?s users, as long as it doesn?t hurt the majority. Parts of the majority can probably benefit from some of the suggested changes, as well. I?m assuming that MyOtaku will eventually get some additions because there?s still an open thread about suggestions/features for MyOtaku here? The minor changes that could be made are fixing the PM link, restoring the colour options in the comment box, edit button for comments on MyOtaku, and maybe setting up the reply management system (or getting the one on TheOtaku to manage replies from MyOtaku, as well, if that?s possible)??[/quote]It really has nothing to do with them being a minority. Most of the changes aren?t possible since they?re tied into the new system. I can ask about the stuff for the comment system. Also, the threads here are left open so those who still use it can come here for assistance. We simply didn?t bother to go in and change the wording of the existing threads and sections. It was left open because myOtaku is still being used by members.[quote name='sbsp13668] As for my lack of knowledge (leading to the learning about running a website stuff), I don?t know what to research because I don?t know where to start (feel free to tell me where). This is the ?Information Kiosk?, though, and it seems to provide questions and answers, so I didn?t think that my lack of knowledge would make me such an outcast. O.O; Also, I offer my opinion on a lot of this stuff (like most other people here as well) because I thought it was encouraged, and that my friends share similar opinions?[/quote]I don?t think anyone considers you an outcast, but it did seem that you weren?t understanding that myOtaku simply can?t be upgraded. But I think that misunderstanding has been sorted out. And that?s what this place is for so you?re certainly welcome to continue if there are other things you want clarification on. [quote=sbsp13668'] I quickly went to Adam?s blogging World to see what this stuff about a game is, but I couldn?t find anything. So what?s this about? I?m just curious, since a bunch of people mentioned it. ^.^[/quote]He?s not really putting the details out on his world since it?s not something for theOtaku, it?s a separate project that he?s working on. So other than to know it?s his main focus, we don?t have a lot of details on it either. [quote=sbsp13668] Update system Customization options Less limitations (# of pics, # of videos, types of video players, etc.) Movable comment box Control over # of displayed posts (as mentioned above) Quiz results page It?s all free (I know that it?s expensive running a website, but if you ask most people whether they?d like to have something free or pay for it, they?ll ask for it free) Guestbook (which is mostly a matter of opinion)[/quote]Okay, let?s look at this list. Improving the updates, adding more customization options and increasing the number of pictures and videos are on the list I have of things people would like to see. Moveable comment box is as well, however I can honestly say that restoring some moderation features are at the top of the list for the comment system. I don?t remember if making it detachable or not is possible, but I do have it on the list of things people would like to see. Improving the ability to change the number of posts is something to consider. Right now I believe its set to a default of five so I can see if it?s possible to let people choose between different settings. So I?ll include that as yet another thing people would like to see. Asking about a quiz results page is rather ironic since I presented an idea to Adam on how to restore this feature just last week in our staff meeting. People have mentioned to me, more than once, that they miss the quiz manager, so I worked out a possible solution and explained it to Adam. I don?t know when it will be implemented, but he liked the idea so we do plan on adding it back. As for the guestbook I already covered it so I?m not going to repeat myself. [quote=sbsp13668] Well, as I said before, my misunderstandings mostly come from my lack of internet knowledge and that I was under the impression that minor changes could be made. Also, in all of the previous discussion the phrase ?MyOtaku can not be expanded?? was used, and I wasn?t sure if this meant that new users couldn?t join or upgrades couldn?t be made or both. I?ve sorta been taking passive aggressive and outright aggressive hits here, which caused my snarkiness. However, it was lousy of me to take it all out on you, so I?m really sorry for being so low. And I appreciate your explanations greatly; I?m learning much from you. ^.^[/quote]Ah, I see. I don?t mean to be snarky either. I just felt like you weren?t listening, which unfortunately, I get a lot of from people. I explain again and again that it can?t be done and it?s like it goes in one ear and out the other. o_O So it kind of gets old after a while. So you don?t need me being abrupt either, sorry about that. Anyway, I?m always open for suggestions. Even if our list is rather long, we do like to know what members are interested in seeing. Perhaps I should write up that list and put it out there so people can see that their feedback has been received and not forgotten. It just takes time to keep adding new features and slowly upgrade existing ones. [/COLOR][/FONT]

[FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"][COLOR="RoyalBlue"][CENTER][B]House Guest?[/B][/CENTER] Lucia tried working on the recording she had after the others left, but the interference made it next to impossible to get more than a word or two scattered throughout the recording. Without the rest of the sentence to put it in context, she couldn?t get any meaning out of what had been said. Only the one peculiar phrase was of any interest, since like the others, she too felt like it was something she should recognize; but its true meaning eluded her. She was about to start writing up yet another program to filter the transmission even more when a chime indicated that she had an incoming call. It wasn?t often that she actually got a call since most of what she did was done via messages and file transfers. Lucia picked up the communicator and stared at the screen. It was Nathan, puzzled, she answered it. ?[B]What did you want?[/B]? ?[B]Oh, just something in regards to your request. I?m on my way over.[/B]? [I]Request?[/I] For a split second Lucia was lost and then she remembered. ?[B]Fine, I?ll be here all evening. Anything else?[/B]? ?[B]Nope. See you shortly.[/B]? Lucia put her communicator back on the desk. ?[B]I wonder if he?s going to set you up for training sessions.[/B]? Ruby mused. Lucia shrugged, ?[B]Who knows? I certainly hope so. I?d rather not have to deal with vampires like that again. I don?t know enough.[/B]? ?[B]It?s gonna cut into your time for research,[/B]? Ruby pointed out. ?[B]I know that![/B]? Lucia snapped crossly. ?[B]I?m sure it won?t be much different than what I already did with the humans.[/B]? ?[B]Lucia.[/B]? ?[B]Sorry Ruby,[/B]? she turned and offered her a tiny smile. ?[B]I shouldn?t be taking my frustrations out on you. I don?t know what will be involved, but I?m sure we?ll work it out.[/B]? Ruby stretched lazily, sat up and smirked. ?[B]You know what I think?[/B]? Lucia just stared at her since Ruby had that devious look she got when she was about to poke fun of her. ?[B]I think that from now on, every time you snap at me, you should have to get me fresh fish.[/B]? Lucia folded her arms across her chest and stared at Ruby even more. ?[B]You know, if you want to get something, all you have to do is say so.[/B]? Ruby harrumphed. ?[B]I did, but [I]you[/I],[/B]? she dragged the word out. ?[B]Were ignoring me like always. Anyway, it?s too late now since you told them we?d be here. I?ll remind you tomorrow, when things are open again.[/B]? ?[B]I?m sure you will.[/B]? Lucia said dryly before turning back to work on her program. It didn?t take her long to prepare another one for attempting to filter out the interference and recover more of the transmission she had picked up. She set it running and was just starting to review the data she got from the disturbance caused by the magic, when she felt Nathan?s aura rapidly approaching. It didn?t surprise her that Isen was with Nathan, but why were the other two, Gavrie and his familiar Karl, with them? She glanced at Ruby who was already sitting up on the desk and looking towards the door. She readily answered the door when they knocked, ushering all of them inside. She wasn?t quite sure how to approach the topic and turned to Nathan once she had shut the door, a questioning look on her face. She glanced over at Gavrie and Karl who were standing to the left of Nathan and Isen, and then back to Nathan again. ?[B]Is this about the training I asked for?[/B]? She said impatiently, not really giving Nathan time to say anything. ?[B]It is.[/B]? He nodded towards Gavrie, ?[B]He?s the one to talk to.[/B]? Confused, she looked back to Gavrie. ?[B]You?re being assigned to this area?[/B]? She couldn?t think of any other reason why he would be able to do so. ?[B]No.[/B]? ?[B]Then how??[/B]? She started to ask even more confused. ?[B]Karl would stay in the city and oversee your training.[/B]? Lucia was surprised. [I]Familiars can do training? Since when? And stay in the city? did he mean with her? Surely he didn?t, did he?[/I] ?[B]Uh? you mean with Adrian and Astera?[/B]? She ventured, though she got the impression that he did not. Karl snorted, ?[B]They?re not the ones who need training.[/B]? ?[B]But?[/B]? Lucia looked to Karl, not sure how to explain. ?[B]You do want training don?t you?[/B]? Karl pressed. Lucia nodded, hesitantly. ?[B]Then what?s the problem?[/B]? ?[B]I have quite a bit of work?[/B]? She started to explain. ?[B]So?[/B]? Karl interjected. ?[B]It?s not like the training would be done here, there?s not enough space.[/B]? He smirked slightly. ?[B]No one is going to bother your equipment, if that?s what?s worrying you.[/B]? That wasn?t it either, but Lucia didn?t know how to explain that she didn?t want any company at all. She glanced in Ruby?s direction, but she was too busy shaking from holding back laughter and carefully avoiding her gaze. ?[B]You do know that I have a smaller form like your dragon correct?[/B]? Karl said when Lucia didn?t saying anything for a minute. "[B]So it's not like I'll take up much space.[/B]" ?[B]I know that.[/B]? Lucia almost snapped as she looked back at Karl and Gavrie. ?[B]That?s not the issue.[/B]? ?[B]Then what is? Either you want the training or you don?t.[/B]? ?[B]Of course I want it.[/B]? Lucia said through clenched teeth. ?[B]I just figured we?d be setting up appointments for sessions every couple of days.[/B]? She resisted the urge to tell them to get lost when Karl laughed at that. ?[B]Did you really think a few sessions a week were all that you need?[/B]? Karl?s amused look vanished and he shook his head. ?[B]I?ll be the judge of that.[/B]? Helplessly she looked to Nathan and Isen, but he looked amused by the whole thing. Somehow, she got the feeling that this was how Nathan was handling her request. If she turned it down? She looked over to Ruby who was still shaking from holding in her laughter. She sighed inwardly and turned back to Gavrie and Karl. Realistically, she couldn?t afford to pass it up. She already knew that any request to return to the other side would be ignored. They wouldn?t even let her return to check the library for information on vampires. The one time she had tried, they had refused the request, telling her she already had the info she needed. ?[B]Fine, so long as you're careful around my equipment, you can stay here.[/B]? She finally managed. ?[B]Good[/B],? Gavrie clasped his hands together. ?[B]Now that that?s settled, I need to get going.[/B]? ?[B]Wait,[/B]? Lucia called out as Gavrie and the others turned to leave. ?[B]How long will this take?[/B]? She asked when Gavrie turned back. ?[B]Is she serious?[/B]? Gavrie asked Nathan, his eyebrow raised. Lucia stomped her foot angrily. ?[B]Of course I?m serious, why else would I ask?[/B]? Gavrie frowned in an almost comical manner. ?[B]I guess she is,[/B]? he said to Nathan before giving her his full attention. ?[B]Serious training takes at least a decade, if not longer.[/B]? ?[B]What!?[/B]? Lucia exclaimed. ?[B]You didn?t think it was going to be easy like basic training did you?[/B]? Gavrie asked her. Lucia opened her mouth to reply and then closed it. ?[B]How long it takes will also depend on what, if any training, you?ve had besides what they currently dish out. I will be Earthside for a couple of years at the very least. After that, you?ll work out the rest of the details with Nathan.[/B]? Lucia wanted to protest, but how could she? If what the others had said earlier about the vampires toying with them was true, she knew she lacked the skills to survive a serious fight. If Adrian and Alex, who were both, quite a bit better than her, didn?t feel up to the task? ?[B]I see.[/B]? She finally said. ?[B]Good, because I really do need to get going already.[/B]? He turned to Nathan and Isen and with a brief nod, took off, ghosting through the closest wall, a moment later, Nathan and Isen followed suit. Lucia turned to face Karl? now what? [/COLOR][/FONT]

[FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"][COLOR="RoyalBlue"][quote name='bokchoyjialu][FONT="Arial Narrow"]At theO, new comments are organized as 'X new comments (X new replies)' at the Backroom. What bothers me?and I'm sure other people as well?is that it will say that there is a new comment when that new comment is by you. Say you have 1 new reply by another user, and then you reply to that person. If you return to your backroom, it will say '1 new reply'. When you go see that "new" comment, you find out it's your reply to that other user. I find this kind of annoying, and I hope it will be fixed.[/FONT][/quote]The system isn?t set up to filter out comments based on a member?s user name. It has been brought up before, but whether or not it?s going to be possible or warrant the time needed to fix it is another matter. It is on our current list of suggestions though.[quote=bokchoyjialu][FONT="Arial Narrow"]Also in the page which lists new comments/replies, in the 'Comment Replies' section, the link to the replier's portfolio doesn't work. Since it only gives a snippet of the comment, it doesn't show everything the user said. And when I click on the snippet, the comment box doesn't even send you to the right portfolio (yes, this issue is usually only applied to when other users reply to you in their or someone else's portfolio other than yours). So instead, I have to type in the address bar the link to that person's portfolio... which could get tiring.[/FONT][/quote]Actually, we?re already aware of this particular issue. It?s not something that is easily fixed since the comment system is rather complex. Another issue that has to be tackled before this can be seriously considered is tracking down a site speed/glitch so some links and searches are in the process of being reassigned, and until that process is complete, this kind of thing can?t be addressed. However, like the other item you listed, it too is on our list of things to address. [QUOTE=bokchoyjialu][FONT="Arial Narrow"]When you modify a post, artwork, or anything that you've already submitted, I wish that it will stay on that same page [for modifying] so that in case anyone wants to further make changes, they don't have to constantly select which art piece or post, etc. that they want to make changes to, and keep cycling in that manner. It gets really annoying, especially for someone like me who likes perfection and I'm trying to find a suitable design for my World, let's say for example, and I'm trying to test different colors, and so on[/FONT].[/quote]The concept of having a preview page is under consideration. [QUOTE=bokchoyjialu][FONT="Arial Narrow"]Now, in comment boxes [for when you leave a description for your fan art, wallpaper, etc. or are creating a post for your World], when you make special changes to your text, such as making selected text bold, italic, or adding a smiley, you immediately get sent back to the top. Now this could be really irritating, since I post my stories in my World, and they're usually really long that when I get sent back all the way to the top of the comment box, I have to take the time to scroll back down to where I left off to continue to make any further changes.[/FONT][/quote]We?re also aware of this too. Until we?re able to get this addressed, you can use IE for typing up long posts that need formatting. Unlike Firefox, it does not jump back to the beginning of the post. It?s not the best solution, but it is a decent workaround that can be used for now. [QUOTE=bokchoyjialu][FONT="Arial Narrow"]I would like to know who favorites my stuff, so I could perhaps thank them, or any reason anyone might have for wanting to know this piece of information. So maybe a link could be added to 'X members' next to '[B]Favorited[/B]' and send you to a page that lists the users who favorited whatever it is they favorited.[/FONT][/quote]This is also on our list of wanted features and suggestions from members. [QUOTE=bokchoyjialu][FONT="Arial Narrow"]Having a record of who dedicated art to you. Same like having a page that lists who favorited what. It makes us feel good and we could remember who those people are.[/FONT][/quote]This was partially addressed by setting it up so people would receive a pm anytime a work was dedicated to them, though I do agree that having a list so you could see it all at a glance would be nice. Not sure how that would work, but I?ll add that to the list of features people would like to see. [QUOTE=bokchoyjialu][FONT="Arial Narrow"']In the inbox's 'Sent' folder, instead of having the column with 'Sent By', I think it would be better if it was changed to 'Sent To'. I mean, I think it would be obvious messages were sent by us. When I look back at messages and try to figure out something out, it's easier to know from looking at the page who the message was sent to instead of clicking every message I've sent to find out. (The same applies to when you open the message.)[/FONT][/quote]We?ve had this brought up as well so it?s on the list of things people would like to see. Thank you for the suggestions and input, it?s appreciated. Also, just to let you know, right now we have two rather large items being dealt with that take priority. The first being the site speed/glitch I mentioned and the second a game that Adam is currently putting the finishing touches on so it cant be released. Once those are dealt with, then Adam will have time to look into working on more of the suggestions that have been put forth. [/COLOR][/FONT]

[FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"][COLOR="RoyalBlue"]Hey there treflip360, Since you seem to be looking for some anime to watch, I fixed your title so people will know and shuffled this over to our anime section. Perhaps you might want to let us know what kind of anime you like? That way people will know what to recommend. [/COLOR][/FONT]

[COLOR="RoyalBlue"][FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"]If whack from chibi doesn't do the trick, you're out of luck Ace. =P[/FONT][/COLOR]

[FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"][COLOR="RoyalBlue"]Since many people already responded, I?m only going to cover certain points.[quote name='sbsp13668] [FONT="Arial"]If a member doesn?t have any Worlds, but has a guestbook in their portfolio, then the majority of their signings will probably be "HAY I LIEK UR AVI AND ARTZ. BE MY FRIEND PLZ". Although putting the guestbook in Worlds doesn?t stop those kind of signings, it might decrease them (and that?s worth a try, right?). Also, for esthetics purposes I would want my guestbook to be located in my Worlds, since that would be keeping the more social/personal functions together; keeping like and like together, as a sort of organizational thing. (< my vocabulary died).[/FONT][/quote]And signatures like that are a problem because?? This is the Internet. Like the others said, you will get signatures like that. If you don?t like it, you delete it, easy solution really. And since people have to create worlds, it?s impractical to have no guestbook at all until they do. I honestly see this as a non-issue. [quote=sbsp13668] [FONT="Arial"']I know that MyOtaku updates show up on TheOtaku?s update system as well, but whether they do or not still doesn?t matter to members who are busy and can?t see when all their subscribers/friends last updated. Even though the username only stays highlighted for 24 hours, the time of their last update is recorded next to their username.[/FONT][/quote]I?ve already said that further upgrades for theOtaku?s system is possible, but it feels like you?re not listening to what I?m saying. [quote=sbsp13668] [FONT="Arial"]Another thing that I don?t like is that sort of ?what they don?t know can?t hurt ?em? way of treating new members when it comes to MyOtaku (as in public acknowledgement of MyOtaku has been lacking since VersionVibrant was set up, so new members don?t know much about the other blogging system). I think it would be fair to provide them with the option of making a site maybe with the Premium membership. I agree that HTML coding is harder to use, but I don?t like the restrictions of the current coding on TheOtaku. Most members don?t mind the idea of making TheOtaku into a one-stop shop. However, the reason that some people still prefer to use MyOtaku is for its benefits over Worlds. If Worlds were improved so that they would be more like MyOtaku, then some of those people would probably switch to Worlds. (I?ll say more about all this later in the reply, though).[/FONT][/quote]MyOtaku is not getting public acknowledgment because it is not what people are signing up for. They don?t need to know about it because they aren?t going to be using it. This request was already researched, by Adam, to see if it would be possible to make it where new members could post at myOtaku. It is not possible because like we?ve been telling you, myOtaku reached the point where it couldn?t expand anymore. Creating Version Vibrant, which is capable of supporting the features people wanted, meant that other than people?s blogs, everything was shifted over. Once that happened, the connections to myOtaku were removed, it was necessary. And since it is the older system, it is, in many ways, not compatible with the new one. So it?s not something we can offer them. [quote name='sbsp13668] [FONT="Arial"']I agree that the report function is important to have back, but I think that other important upgrades should follow this one. After the report function is back, the update system should follow, then the amount of videos and pictures, and new comment boxes (if TheOtaku won?t be made more customizable). Making a new update system must be difficult, but not working on the problems with the system isn?t making a difference. The new update system is a major inconvenience for busier members, as I?ve said before.[/FONT][/quote]Did I just not say that they are on the list of things to be done? How does that equal ?not working? on the problem? The update system has already received two upgrades since Version Vibrant launched; it is still open to more. Perhaps the problem is you want to see it happen immediately when consistently adding new stuff and upgrading, takes time. So saying we?re not working on the problem is really you[I][U] not paying attention[/U][/I] and ignoring what has already been done to improve the system since it was launched. [quote name='sbsp13668][FONT="Arial"] I don?t think it?s that people don?t pay attention to the managers. In TheOtaku?s old news section, the managers would post about the upgrades that TheOtaku was receiving, as well. However, the news section no longer seems to post about upgrades, and if it does, I?ve never seen one of these posts on TheOtaku?s homepage[/FONT].[/quote]Allamorph already provided a link to where the updates have been from the very beginning, on the front page of theOtaku. News is completely separate from updates and site features like the podcast and caption battle. [quote=sbsp13668] [FONT="Arial"]Also, the FAQ link is a tiny one at the bottom of the homepage; more helpful websites tend to put the FAQ at the top of the homepage with more noticeable/normal font.[/FONT][/quote]And lots of sites have the FAQ link on the bottom of their page. It?s a given that if it?s not at the top, then it will most likely be along the bottom. [quote=sbsp13668] [FONT="Arial"]If I am misunderstanding something that you?ve said, it is because I have never been involved in running a website. I am just a normal person, like most other members on TheOtaku/MyOtaku. If it is utterly impossible to upgrade MyOtaku in any way, then just say so. However, I?ve been under the impression that at least minor changes can be made to MyOtaku, since the PM link and comment box were fixed. You could try being a little more understanding.[/FONT][/quote]I have already said that other than minor tweaks, myOtaku is not capable of expanding. Most of what you are asking for are not minor tweaks. You could try to actually[I][U] pay attention better[/U][/I], instead of getting slightly snarky over my explaining to you, more than once, why it?s not going to be possible to tie myOtaku back into theOtaku for all members. [quote=sbsp13668][FONT="Arial"'] Also, if it?s impossible to get new members access to MyOtaku, then the stuff that I mentioned about trying to get Premium members and experienced members access and such can be ignored. However, if it?s rather difficult to give new members access to MyOtaku, then I think the effort put into providing this access is worth it, since it?s only fair to provide the new members with the option; and I?m still willing to help in anyway that I can.[/FONT][/quote]Yes, it is not possible. And even if it was, why should anyone have to provide something just because you want it? TheOtaku already provides quite a few free services for all members. No matter what Adam does, he can?t make everyone happy. Again, the problem with myOtaku is it was not designed to expand, attempting to go backwards and tying it in, would break most of those features that Worlds can support. Why would anyone running a site, attempt to go backwards, to something that isn?t capable of supporting the features people want in the first place? It?s a complete and total waste of time. Think of it like Sangome?s game analogy she provided. The stuff that people want, either won?t run with myOtaku, or if you force it, will run with issues that constantly cause it to crash. So Adam did what a lot of places do, he created a new version that could support all of the features people want. To integrate things like we have now, to myOtaku, would essentially kill it since it can?t support it. It would be like trying to stuff a PS3 game in an old PS1 player. It won?t work. [/COLOR][/FONT]

[FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"][COLOR="RoyalBlue"][quote name='sbsp13668][FONT="Arial"']I doubt that a lot of members would want to comment on sites, if they aren?t able to make and post on their own, though, not unless a friend of theirs tended to blog more on MyOtaku; are they still able to add friends on MyOtaku and use the update system, by the way? Wordpad has replaced the comment box for me, but I don?t like having to go to the Start menu of my computer just to make a decent comment.[/FONT][/quote]I know some that do and aren?t at all bothered by not being able to use both. The biggest issues is that many people don?t realize that they can. They can add friends at myOtaku, however, it?s not necessary, if they subscribe to their theO profile, then they get an update in their backroom anytime a member posts on myO. I have friends who use both and I see their myO updates along with their world ones. Also, as I said, using wordpad is simply a means to get around the way comment boxes currently work. I have suggested making it detachable, but since our new comment boxes offer a lot of features, it?s something that either can?t be done, or needs more programming to make it possible. Right now the priority is on getting our report function back for it, for moderation purposes. Once that happens, we?ll probably look into upgrading other aspects of the comment boxes for theO.[quote name='sbsp13668] [FONT="Arial"]The number of pictures allowed in the introduction section and the posts of a World has increased since VersionVibrant was first set up. However, there?s still a limit. Often I find myself a few pictures over the limit from fanart thumbnails, and other features. I don?t have this problem in MyOtaku?s post because it allows an unlimited amount of pictures and videos.[/FONT][/quote]The point I was making, was that this is something that can be changed. It?s not permanent. When you have a new system go up, it?s best to start on the conservative side and slowly expand and work out the kinks as you go along. I?ve already got the suggestion of increasing the amount of images and videos per post on the list for future upgrades. [quote=sbsp13668] [FONT="Arial"]As I stated before, the update system only shows a member the most recent updates per category, and if that member is away for some time, they miss any older updates. Simply increasing the number of updates that appear doesn?t help people who go away for longer periods of time; some people have busy lives outside of the internet, so it can?t be help.[/FONT][/quote]If people are gone for weeks at a time, then even the older highlight system was no good, since it was only for 24 hours. Still it comes back to the same thing I was stating, this is something that can be improved on, for theOtaku. It too is on my list of suggestions for the site. [quote=sbsp13668] [FONT="Arial"]Well, that?s good to hear, but why isn?t this more well-known by other members? I know people who have left TheOtaku/MyOtaku because of the cosplay section being dropped with no sign of returning. T.T[/FONT][/quote]Perhaps they don?t follow the updates and FAQ? This was covered almost immediately after Version Vibrant launched. [URL="http://www.theotaku.com/worlds/faq/view/169/what_happened_to_the_cosplay_site%3F/"][U]What Happened to the Cosplay Site?[/U][/URL] It?s really a good idea to check the FAQ and updates that Adam puts out since they often have the answer to questions members might have. [quote=sbsp13668] [FONT="Arial"']Well, since you seem to be saying that whether a member likes MyOtaku over TheOtaku is a matter of opinion, isn?t it more fair to provide members with the option of choosing where they?d like to blog based on this opinion? New members used to be able to blog on MyOtaku, and somehow the changes on VersionVibrant made it so that new members can no longer blog on MyOtaku?? Would it require too much work to provide these new members with a way of making sites and blogging on MyOtaku? For members who are away for long periods of time or have subscribed to a lot of people MyOtaku is the ideal place to blog. Since such members exist on MyOtaku, it seems unfair to make them use the more difficult blogging system.[/FONT][/quote]This is where I start to feel like people don?t pay attention to what management says or takes the time to explain. What part of James? reply did you not understand? Let me outline it for you: [I]The problem was that [B][U]myOtaku wasn't built to be expanded as needed[/U][/B]. Also if we'd done a major upgrade, we would have destroyed a lot of content - especially people's custom pages. Although I was really opposed to the idea of splitting the userbase between myOtaku and theOtaku, [I][B][U]it was necessary to build an entirely new site, because it wasn't physically possible to do what we had to do with myOtaku.[/U][/B][/I][/I] It is not physically possible to grant this request or suggestion. The new platform was built because myOtaku had reached the limit of what could be done with it. I can?t be any plainer than that. I?m not even going to bother to answer the rest of your post since again, myOtaku is not designed to expand in that manner. I will however, continue keeping the suggestions for future improvements for theOtaku and Worlds. Those are things that can happen in the future, where the others will not. Like the limitations on images and videos and the comment boxes and update system. We are definitely open to suggestions for improvements, however, just keep in mind that most, if not all, requests for myOtaku improvements won't be possible. [/COLOR][/FONT]

[FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"][COLOR="RoyalBlue"]You’ll have to forgive me if I miss some of your points since the initial post and responses are on the long side. I know some of this has been answered already, but bear with me if you don’t mind.[quote name='sbsp13668][FONT="Arial"'] New members can not join MyOtaku to make a site. I’m guessing that the reason for this restriction is that TheOtaku’s managers are hoping that eventually all of the old MyOtaku users will die, get lost, or switch to TheOtaku’s Worlds.[/FONT][/quote]I sincerely hope you are joking. Mainly because, why in the world would we want any user to die? x_X Or to get lost for that matter? myOtaku holds a lot of fond memories for people so instead of getting rid of it (which is what often happens when upgrades happen), Adam chose to keep it around for those who joined initially. Also, new members can’t make a myOtaku page, but they can log in with their theOtaku account and password in order to comment on members pages. So they do have limited access to the older site. [quote name='sbsp13668] [FONT="Arial"]The new comment boxes on TheOtaku stay in the centre of the screen and shade the rest of the page.[/FONT][/quote]You do realize that it is a simple matter to type something up in say word or notepad, which is similar to how people would simply move their comment box over to the side, and then simply copy and paste once you are done? It’s not a fix all, but you can get around it being in the way of the post. [quote=sbsp13668] [FONT="Arial"']I should start telling y’all about the ways that MyOtaku’s sites are better than TheOtaku’s Worlds, and that forcing users to use the cruddier blogging system is unfair.[/FONT][/quote]This is obviously going to come down to personal preference really. I like worlds better and anyone who was around before the change can use both, so no one is being forced to use one over the other. New members who joined after the change were provided with Worlds. How is that unfair? Since they can’t access the older blogging, they were given a new one with features myOtaku lacked to make up for what did not transfer over. As a member of staff, I’ve seen the positives and negatives of both means of blogging. So going down the path of one is better than the other, falls flat pretty fast.[quote name='sbsp13668][FONT="Arial"'] To start, sites are much more customizable than Worlds. Similarly to MySpace, if you or a friend has some knowledge of HTML, you can make your site look anyway that you’d like it to look. There is a 1500 character limit to the amount of text that can be used to customize a site, but that limit can be easily bypassed (hehe). To be honest, though, I don’t think people bypassing this limit has become a major problem, since a good amount of users also like to keep their sites simple (not coming close to exceeding the limit). Here are just a few examples of sites that have been customized:[/FONT][/quote]And this is where your argument falls apart a bit. The ability for people to bypass it via customization, lead to numerous issues with people breaking their page and making it unusable. Plus, every time an upgrade was done, it would break these sites that were essentially ‘hacked’. You’re assuming that people were reasonable and knew what they were doing. It is an easy assumption to make when a member, unlike staff, is not required to deal with the complaints and help people fix the damage that they did by ‘hacking’ their pages. One of the advantage of the new system is the lack of ‘hacking/customizing’ since in that respect, it means that upgrades are easier to apply and don’t destroy people’s pages anymore. You’re complaints about number of images and videos allowed falls flat as well. All of these are things that eventually can be upgraded to include more and in fact already have from what was allowed when the new version launched. The same goes for updates. What we have now, can consistently be upgraded to make keeping track of your friends, their submissions and their activities, easier. I already requested a filter and increase in the number of updates showing, and Adam implemented it.[quote name='sbsp13668][FONT="Arial"'] TheOtaku has become more art and profit-oriented.[/FONT][/quote]If that were really true, it wouldn’t be a free site. Do a little research into what it takes to run a site the size of theOtaku. Also, it was already covered, but theOtaku has always been about art so in that respect, nothing has changed. [quote=sbsp13668][FONT="Arial"] But I know some people who seem to know how to get the page back to normal, using HTML formatting, so I doubt that it would be very difficult for TheOtaku’s staff members to fix. Also, I’ve had a couple friends whose profiles have just stopped working or their accounts have been deleted for no apparent reason. A better security system would be nice for sites, as well. Perhaps an optional security system that gives members the choice to block non-members from viewing their sites.[/FONT][/quote]It’s not as simple as you think. Someone who is an admin, has to go in and literally strip all of the code from the page out. It’s time consuming and tedious to constantly need to go in and fix pages for people. The security system you wish was incorporated with Worlds. You can set your privacy setting so only members can see your page, or only your friends you’ve subscribed to. You can even set a world where only you can see it. So you’re asking for something that we already have. [quote name='sbsp13668][FONT="Arial"] but I hate that the cosplay section was removed (shows how much the managers cared about TheOtaku’s cosplaying community)![/FONT][/quote]It has nothing to do with like or dislike but rather priority. Since the launch of Version Vibrant, the fan words (articles) and news have been restored. We still have all of the cosplay data stored and the plan is to eventually work it back in. [quote=sbsp13668][FONT="Arial"'] So what I’m trying to say is that TheOtaku is a fantastic art website, but MyOtaku is a much better blog website. MyOtaku and the older members don’t deserve to be ditched like this, and all of TheOtaku’s members deserve to have the option of using the better blogging system.[/FONT][/quote]No one was ditched. And as much fun as myOtaku was, it is not the better blogging site, at least not in terms of potential upgrades and growth. As James said: [B]“The problem was that myOtaku wasn't built to be expanded as needed.”[/B] Plain and simple really. It wasn’t that Adam didn’t want to upgrade and make myOtaku more fancy and such, it was that he literally couldn’t. Bottom line, you’re barking up the wrong tree when it comes to improvements. If something can be done for myOtaku, it is. Like the comment box and pm link, however other things like new members being able to blog, aren’t going to happen. I take each and every suggestion brought forth and present it to Adam at our weekly staff meetings. If it can be done with the older system, he does it, if it’s not that simple, he does not. On the flip side, like Allamorph just pointed out, a lot of suggestions for Version Vibrant end up being implemented because unlike myOtaku, it[I] is[/I] designed for expansion. A lot of the things you want, have a much better chance of happening for theOtaku and Worlds. There are a lot of features that myOtaku couldn’t support that Worlds and the new theOtaku can. Which is why it was created in the first place. [/COLOR][/FONT]

[FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"][COLOR="RoyalBlue"]I can honestly say I've never done texting while driving. And the few times I have answered a call, I have one of those blue tooth headsets. But I prefer to not use it. I may have gotten a commercial license and therefore quite a bit more training for driving, but I still think using it is foolish. I may have more experience driving, but it doesn't take away or make one immune to how deadly driving while distracted can be. Though that could be on account of literally seeing some form of wreck, every single day, when I was a truck driver. I've seen some pretty gruesome wrecks. x_X[/COLOR][/FONT]

[FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"][COLOR="RoyalBlue"]Soy Sauce is one of those things that if I use it occasionally, I really like it. But if I have it very often, I don't. So I have some, but I only use it in dishes a few times a month, if that. [/COLOR][/FONT]

[FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"][COLOR="RoyalBlue"]Sounds like someone should have his xbox taken away for good. If he's that obsessive about it, he doesn't need it. Though at the same time, threatening to call the police doesn't seem like a very good means for any parent to use to deal with things either. I wonder if they had used disciplinary measures from the beginning, about his playing habits, if it would have ever gotten to that point in the first place.[/COLOR][/FONT]