You may have noticed that there's a map in my blog's sidebar. It's a kind of counter that shows where the regular visitors of my blog hail from in the world. It's pretty cool to see just how widespread my readership is. I noticed it in a blog called Binnsy's Hovel and, since I'm a bit of a magpie when it concerns odd gimmicky things like these, I got myself one.
You can get one for your blog/website too at www.clustrmaps.com
25 February 2006
24 February 2006
Colourful Ideas
I'm happy to say that our admins have finished some new features for NationStates, and I have been given permission to share some of them with you. Others, as Pythagosaurus said, "are things the players shouldn't be told about". I can't say when these new additions will be coded into the game, because it hasn't been decided yet. If it has, then only SalusaSecondus knows when.
The features:
Colourful Words
This code will allow players to use colours and text decoration in RMB posts and telegrams.
Special Password Release
This code prevent regions with no founder or delegate from having a password.
New UN Rankings
I've already mentioned these in a previous post.
Very exciting for everyone I'm sure. There's also some news regarding the codifying of the invasion rules which is proceeding at a good pace, but boy is it complicated. There's more brackets and numbers than I've ever cared to see in one place at one time. I even saw a square root in there somewhere. Cheers to Sal and Pyth for giving this their best efforts though! This is a very important project of ours, if not the most important.
The features:
Colourful Words
This code will allow players to use colours and text decoration in RMB posts and telegrams.
Special Password Release
This code prevent regions with no founder or delegate from having a password.
New UN Rankings
I've already mentioned these in a previous post.
Very exciting for everyone I'm sure. There's also some news regarding the codifying of the invasion rules which is proceeding at a good pace, but boy is it complicated. There's more brackets and numbers than I've ever cared to see in one place at one time. I even saw a square root in there somewhere. Cheers to Sal and Pyth for giving this their best efforts though! This is a very important project of ours, if not the most important.
23 February 2006
NationStates Census
I've been rather ill this last week or so, so I've not been able to blog much. Anyway. News round-up:
I got the new batch of issues, stretching from the 31st of May right up to the 13th of February 2006. One of those naughty admins installed the new issues batch without telling me (I'm certain it was Sal). It'll take a while to plough through them, but I'm a patient man. Oh, yes.
By the look of Max Barry's latest blog, he's gone to Heaven early. The fact that he's still alive can only be considered a boon. Coincidentally there has been much discussion over NationStates' future if Max Barry did suddenly expire. How incredibly morbid.
Note that intriguing part of the blog where Max says that some progress is underway in regards to the much-awaited NationStates 2...
There's proposals for a new 'feature region' feature which has garnered quite a bit of interest from our admins. We may even use it!
SalusaSecondus has generated some interesting NationStates statistics (such as the total world population) that you may like to look at:
http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=470125
Here's some other interesting stats of his about regions:
A few useful stats about regions (as of early this month):
Total Regions: 14375
Average Size: 8.2
Min: 1
First Quartile: 1
Median Size: 2.5
Third Quartile: 5.5
Max: 7300
Or, more specifically:
Size: Count
1: 5656
2: 2495
3: 1480
4: 953
5: 701
6: 529
7: 366
8: 294
9: 234
10-19: 975
20+: 625
My region, Lancre, has about 40 nations. I feel quite privileged to have their support when so many regions fail to get more than one member!
I got the new batch of issues, stretching from the 31st of May right up to the 13th of February 2006. One of those naughty admins installed the new issues batch without telling me (I'm certain it was Sal). It'll take a while to plough through them, but I'm a patient man. Oh, yes.
By the look of Max Barry's latest blog, he's gone to Heaven early. The fact that he's still alive can only be considered a boon. Coincidentally there has been much discussion over NationStates' future if Max Barry did suddenly expire. How incredibly morbid.
Note that intriguing part of the blog where Max says that some progress is underway in regards to the much-awaited NationStates 2...
There's proposals for a new 'feature region' feature which has garnered quite a bit of interest from our admins. We may even use it!
SalusaSecondus has generated some interesting NationStates statistics (such as the total world population) that you may like to look at:
http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=470125
Here's some other interesting stats of his about regions:
A few useful stats about regions (as of early this month):
Total Regions: 14375
Average Size: 8.2
Min: 1
First Quartile: 1
Median Size: 2.5
Third Quartile: 5.5
Max: 7300
Or, more specifically:
Size: Count
1: 5656
2: 2495
3: 1480
4: 953
5: 701
6: 529
7: 366
8: 294
9: 234
10-19: 975
20+: 625
My region, Lancre, has about 40 nations. I feel quite privileged to have their support when so many regions fail to get more than one member!
12 February 2006
Issue #195 Is In The Game
Yep. And this is a special one: written by SalusaSecondus himself! But don't get too excited - it's not an Easter Egg. Just a regular one. Just five more issues 'til the big 200. Fantasticus.
10 February 2006
Tanks A Lot!
Modshort #8
This time starring our very own GMC Military Arms.
In other news, I'd like to highlight an interesting NS-related website which lists the ten most populous regions in NationStates, among other things. Fascinatin' read, and well done to Safalra for creating it.
www.safalra.com/special/nationstates/regions
This time starring our very own GMC Military Arms.
In other news, I'd like to highlight an interesting NS-related website which lists the ten most populous regions in NationStates, among other things. Fascinatin' read, and well done to Safalra for creating it.
www.safalra.com/special/nationstates/regions
08 February 2006
Of Thousands And Snazz
The number of Getting Help page requests passed fifty thousand on the 1st of February this year. That's fifty thousand since we got our first task on the 8th of May, 2003. Pretty snazzy.
Oh, and my blog's visitor-count has topped 3000. That's also pretty snazzy.
The new UN proposal categories have been changed a bit to make them even better, which is also of a most snazzy nature.
Oh, and I just put a new issue into the game. Snazziness reigns on high!
Oh, and my blog's visitor-count has topped 3000. That's also pretty snazzy.
The new UN proposal categories have been changed a bit to make them even better, which is also of a most snazzy nature.
Oh, and I just put a new issue into the game. Snazziness reigns on high!
07 February 2006
I've Got Company
Yep, I've got the book, which is pretty snazzy 'cos it's not out in Britain yet. How did this happen? Well, let me take you on a little adventure...
... To my sitting room. Where it all begins. Oh, yes. I discover, much to my surprise, that there is a package for me. I am further surprised when I find that it's addressed to 'Sirocco'. Who could know my secret crime-fighting alter-ego? Then realisation dawns, as I recall the boss mentioning this around Christmas time. I open the package (bearing not only its Australian stamps which only add to the experience, but the scrawl of a Mrs Jennifer Barry in the sender's signature box. Maybe I can sell it on eBay. But then maybe that'd be a wee bit irresponsible 'cos it has my address on it, and Max's address on the back too. Ach well.) and out plops my own copy of Company! Fantasticus! My dad's a second-hand book seller, so it's in my blood to be really pleased about having a signed first edition. The inscription reads thus: 'For the tireless Sirocco - Thanks for keeping NationStates ticking over. You do an awesome job! Max Barry'. I can now partially understand why people get his name wrong so often. His signature really does look like 'Max Berry'.
Anyway, I shall enjoy reading it, and I'm not going to give away anything on this 'ere blog. If you wanna know what happens, buy the book!
... To my sitting room. Where it all begins. Oh, yes. I discover, much to my surprise, that there is a package for me. I am further surprised when I find that it's addressed to 'Sirocco'. Who could know my secret crime-fighting alter-ego? Then realisation dawns, as I recall the boss mentioning this around Christmas time. I open the package (bearing not only its Australian stamps which only add to the experience, but the scrawl of a Mrs Jennifer Barry in the sender's signature box. Maybe I can sell it on eBay. But then maybe that'd be a wee bit irresponsible 'cos it has my address on it, and Max's address on the back too. Ach well.) and out plops my own copy of Company! Fantasticus! My dad's a second-hand book seller, so it's in my blood to be really pleased about having a signed first edition. The inscription reads thus: 'For the tireless Sirocco - Thanks for keeping NationStates ticking over. You do an awesome job! Max Barry'. I can now partially understand why people get his name wrong so often. His signature really does look like 'Max Berry'.
Anyway, I shall enjoy reading it, and I'm not going to give away anything on this 'ere blog. If you wanna know what happens, buy the book!
05 February 2006
Six Billions
Recently, Sirocco passed the much-respected (-feared?) figure of 6000000000 citizens. They're breeding like rabbits, it's crazy. But anyway, some catch-up on the local gossip:
First of all, I'm glad to say that we (the mods) have all been contributing towards ideas for new UN proposal categories so that you can all change the world in new and wonderful ways. I've edited them down to the necessities, and so far everyone seems pretty happy with them. I just need a nod from one of the admins, and enough of their spare time for them to put 'em in. Unless we come up with more ideas or someone raises an objection. We're very democratic, and as a result we quarrel a lot, but I guess it can't be helped.
I've also had enough spare time to begin editing a new issue. Once I've edited it and the one after it we can finally go onto a new batch.
First of all, I'm glad to say that we (the mods) have all been contributing towards ideas for new UN proposal categories so that you can all change the world in new and wonderful ways. I've edited them down to the necessities, and so far everyone seems pretty happy with them. I just need a nod from one of the admins, and enough of their spare time for them to put 'em in. Unless we come up with more ideas or someone raises an objection. We're very democratic, and as a result we quarrel a lot, but I guess it can't be helped.
I've also had enough spare time to begin editing a new issue. Once I've edited it and the one after it we can finally go onto a new batch.
More Cartography
Another bunch of computer programs to aid you in your search for the perfect map for your nation, courtesy of Tsaraine:
http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=466970
The previous article on map-making can be found here.
http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=466970
The previous article on map-making can be found here.
31 January 2006
Bastard Mod From Hell 3
Yes! Reploid Productions' saga has returned to enlighten us of those dastardly alter egos that seek to make your virtual existence a virtual hell. I may add my own little contribution later. For now, you can read what's already been written here.
27 January 2006
Two New UN Rankings
Yes, that's right! And one of them is that new feature I was promising all that time ago when I had created some new code for the game. You'll be able to tell what it is when it shows up. With this new UN ranking you can measure a whole new aspect of your nation and look at issues you've so casually answered previously in a different light. That's if you care anyway. Which you probably don't. But the thought's there! The other UN ranking is one I've been lobbying for for a while so I'm glad it's in at last.
This is an exciting new time for NationStates and I'd like to thank Pythagosaurus and SalusaSecondus for adding these UN rankings for me (and for coming up with the description for one of them). I don't know exactly when we'll be seeing them, since the order the UN rankings come in is random and I don't actually know whether Sal's got round to installing them. But you'll know 'em when you see 'em.
Oh, and check out the RSS feed in the sidebar! I'm not sure how it works exactly, but I'm assured it means that people can subscribe to my blog. If you understand it, please enjoy it. Many thanks to Rejistania for explaining how to install it to me.
This is an exciting new time for NationStates and I'd like to thank Pythagosaurus and SalusaSecondus for adding these UN rankings for me (and for coming up with the description for one of them). I don't know exactly when we'll be seeing them, since the order the UN rankings come in is random and I don't actually know whether Sal's got round to installing them. But you'll know 'em when you see 'em.
Oh, and check out the RSS feed in the sidebar! I'm not sure how it works exactly, but I'm assured it means that people can subscribe to my blog. If you understand it, please enjoy it. Many thanks to Rejistania for explaining how to install it to me.
26 January 2006
Invasion Rules Revision
All the mods (and admins o' course) have started work on trying to set up a better way of managing invasions, i.e. making sure that it's the game that stops griefing and not us. So expect to see some big changes on the invading/defending/watching-the-battle-at-your borders-with-a-big-box-of-popcorn front in the future, and a totally radical new way of playing the game through such 'wars'. There'll be some substantial changes to regional management too, which should be interesting.
Nothing's been decided yet, so don't think there's been any rule changes. You can still get deleted for kicking out everyone in the region (if you're a delegate), so mind you keep on the right side of things. So far we have come up with a number of intriguing, and, haha, secret ideas which I may expand on later if we decide to go with them. I'll tell you more when I can!
Nothing's been decided yet, so don't think there's been any rule changes. You can still get deleted for kicking out everyone in the region (if you're a delegate), so mind you keep on the right side of things. So far we have come up with a number of intriguing, and, haha, secret ideas which I may expand on later if we decide to go with them. I'll tell you more when I can!
19 January 2006
16 January 2006
New Features
Yes, NationStates has gained two new features courtesy of our admins SalusaSecondus and Pythagosaurus. The new feature that comes with all the issue updates I did long ago has not been installed yet. The new features we do have are thus:
Dossier In Sidebar
Now you can access your dossier no matter where you are looking on the site! EXCELLENT! I don't actually have any nations in my dossier, but I can appreciate how useful it is to others. This addition was written by SalusaSecondus.
Improved Nation And Region Search
Ever had trouble remembering the exact name of a nation who promised to lend you nuclear warheads? Had trouble locating a certain region that you were invited to join? Well, now you've got something other than your memory to give you a hand. If you don't put the exact name of a nation or region, the system will present you with a plethora of possible locations with similar names. This brilliant and oft-requested feature was written by Pythagosaurus.
Dossier In Sidebar
Now you can access your dossier no matter where you are looking on the site! EXCELLENT! I don't actually have any nations in my dossier, but I can appreciate how useful it is to others. This addition was written by SalusaSecondus.
Improved Nation And Region Search
Ever had trouble remembering the exact name of a nation who promised to lend you nuclear warheads? Had trouble locating a certain region that you were invited to join? Well, now you've got something other than your memory to give you a hand. If you don't put the exact name of a nation or region, the system will present you with a plethora of possible locations with similar names. This brilliant and oft-requested feature was written by Pythagosaurus.
15 January 2006
Misplaced
Modshort #7
This time starring that crazy rascal Euroslavia in this high-budget new episode in the Modshort series. Enjoy, and don't worry: I won't answer a single loose end.
In other news, there's a hilarious thread by Dishonorable Scum to read in the NationStates forum. Check it out!
This time starring that crazy rascal Euroslavia in this high-budget new episode in the Modshort series. Enjoy, and don't worry: I won't answer a single loose end.
In other news, there's a hilarious thread by Dishonorable Scum to read in the NationStates forum. Check it out!
14 January 2006
06 January 2006
Lancre Cup XIV
It's that time of the month again- well, no, not that time of the month. It's the time of the month when the nations of Lancre grudgingly search through their populace for their true champions of football, a sport of two halves. Or three thirds sometimes, like last month. It happens, it happens.
Check it out by clicking this very big hypertext!
Check it out by clicking this very big hypertext!
05 January 2006
Birthday Boy
It was my birthday yesterday, and, on the whole, I reckon it was one of the better ones. Just me, a few friends, a lot of food and drink, and some movies to watch. Nothing better than taking the piss out of a film we were too distracted to understand (The Prophecy).
I'll tell you all my age now, I think. Before, I felt it would probably skew people's opinions of me and the other mods agreed. But I don't think it matters anymore.
I'm 18 years, and one day old. I started modding at the tender age of 15, which makes me the youngest moderator operating at the moment. If I recall, Yavin, who is retired now, was about 13 and didn't get a lot of good feedback about it so I decided to keep it quiet. I'm old enough to vote, drink, and do, ooh, lots of things now. Should be great fun. See y'all later!
I'll tell you all my age now, I think. Before, I felt it would probably skew people's opinions of me and the other mods agreed. But I don't think it matters anymore.
I'm 18 years, and one day old. I started modding at the tender age of 15, which makes me the youngest moderator operating at the moment. If I recall, Yavin, who is retired now, was about 13 and didn't get a lot of good feedback about it so I decided to keep it quiet. I'm old enough to vote, drink, and do, ooh, lots of things now. Should be great fun. See y'all later!
01 January 2006
Hello, 2006
Happy New Year! May all your new year resolutions stick. And your UN ones if you are so inclined. I only ever tried writing a UN proposal once and it failed dismally. Can't remember what it was about now, which is probably fortunate. But I digress. I hope 2006 is a good year for you all. Have fun.
28 December 2005
Goodbye, 2005
Ah, what a year. It's been a busy one for NationStates Mods, that's for sure. We've shifted through about ten and a half thousand tasks, received three new mods (Tsar, Fris, and Euro), lost three mods (Ineptia, Myrth, and Unfree People), and acquired a whole new administrator (Pythagosaurus) and a smattering of promotions here and there. It would take an ice age to relate all the hundreds of thousands of stories and things that have happened, but you've got this blog to look through all the way back to April should the fancy take you so we'll leave it at that.
Christmas is over. I got heartily sick on chocolates, brussel sprouts (for which I admit having an inordinate fondness), christmas pudding (just LOOKING at it made me feel ill. My sweet tooth is rather deformed - I can't stand most sweet things.), roast potatoes, odd little quiche-like things, and, of course, walnuts (which I also enjoy a lot). I received many CDs, books, chocolates, much sheet music, a portable CD player, and, for some reason, a '3D Doodle Kit' which simply consisted of two pencils, red and blue, and a pair of 3D glasses. Weird.
Hogmanay's coming up, a time that we Scots traditionally enjoy a lot. Great fun, first footing and all that. Lots of shortbread. Lots of dancing. Lots of alcohol. Lots of Robbie Burns. Lots of Auld Lang Syne. Who'd want to miss it, eh?
Then, just four short days afterwards, it'll be my birthday. It's a shame really. I've got Christmas, Hogmanay, and my birthday all within the space of ten days and then suddenly it's the long, long barren valley of other people's birthdays to traverse before anyone spends anything on me again. I wouldn't mind so much if people didn't keep giving me their gift and saying 'now this is for your Christmas and your birthday'. I appreciate the present, I really do, but you wouldn't have said that to someone who'd been born in June would you? You can't say anything of course. Just grin, smile, and nod. Ach, well, it's not important, I'm feeling in a good mood.
I'll maybe even say how old I am when the 4th of January comes 'round!
See you all next year! Happy Hogmanay!
Christmas is over. I got heartily sick on chocolates, brussel sprouts (for which I admit having an inordinate fondness), christmas pudding (just LOOKING at it made me feel ill. My sweet tooth is rather deformed - I can't stand most sweet things.), roast potatoes, odd little quiche-like things, and, of course, walnuts (which I also enjoy a lot). I received many CDs, books, chocolates, much sheet music, a portable CD player, and, for some reason, a '3D Doodle Kit' which simply consisted of two pencils, red and blue, and a pair of 3D glasses. Weird.
Hogmanay's coming up, a time that we Scots traditionally enjoy a lot. Great fun, first footing and all that. Lots of shortbread. Lots of dancing. Lots of alcohol. Lots of Robbie Burns. Lots of Auld Lang Syne. Who'd want to miss it, eh?
Then, just four short days afterwards, it'll be my birthday. It's a shame really. I've got Christmas, Hogmanay, and my birthday all within the space of ten days and then suddenly it's the long, long barren valley of other people's birthdays to traverse before anyone spends anything on me again. I wouldn't mind so much if people didn't keep giving me their gift and saying 'now this is for your Christmas and your birthday'. I appreciate the present, I really do, but you wouldn't have said that to someone who'd been born in June would you? You can't say anything of course. Just grin, smile, and nod. Ach, well, it's not important, I'm feeling in a good mood.
I'll maybe even say how old I am when the 4th of January comes 'round!
See you all next year! Happy Hogmanay!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
