Jakkal's Ramblings

Today's Forecast: Forefast?

2008-07-23T07:23:29Z

Oh man, this is quite funny, our local news weatherman seems to have taken too much coffee this morning.

http://www.wral.com/weather/video/1076424/

Edit: Aw damn they fixed it. The original forecast was from the 11pm show last night. They accidentally sped it up. It sounded like he was on speed or something.

Don't Do This: Update Scam Fail

2008-07-22T07:10:56Z

So I'm working on avs on SL when I get a PM from someone asking for an update for a Wolf Critter avatar. "No problem," thinks I, "I'll just send him this card here and he'll be good to go."

Then I see the taletell sign of disaster about to strike...

*Shady Character is typing...

And then nearly an hour later, he finally pipes up with:

[22:46] Shady Character: I'm really really sorry to bother you again, I know your busy. But I also need the updater for the Critters V3 Red Fox.

"No problem," thinks I... until I looked it up.

So I sent Burtan Tae after this fellow. Burtan is the rookie of the WereHouse team. But he handles the job well (Though not as sarcastically snippy as Forefox does).

[22:56] Jakkal Dingo: I just sent this guy a card for the V3 Critter Wolf. But then he said...
[22:56] Jakkal Dingo: [22:46] Shady Character: I'm really really sorry to bother you again, I know your busy. But I also need the updater for the Critters V3 Red Fox.
[22:56] Jakkal Dingo: I have no record of him having a red fox
[22:57] Jakkal Dingo: he might have it on an alt or something, but still, no record of it.
[22:57] Burtan Tae nods
[22:57] Burtan Tae: I'm on it

Also, I looked up this guy's IM history with me. He contacted me in January claiming he bought two avatars and didn't get them:

Shadey Character: Hi,I just resently bought the Kitsune and Werewolf Male avi's from your vendor in FurNation,and it took my money yet I never resived the two Avi's,I relogged to see if I'd get them then but I didn't,help?
Jakkal Dingo: When did you try to buy them. I'm not showing any record from the vendor or the SL transactions page. Can you check your SL Transactions page and paste to me the information for the transaction?
Shadey Character: 3:18 pm SLT
Jakkal Dingo: Well it would help if you could actually paste to me the transaction history. I'm not getting any record of it, so I don't think the vendor actually took your money or you didn't actually pay it.

Not a thing from him after that. A few weeks later he actually bought those two avatars.

So here's how the discussion today went:

- Instant message logging enabled --
[23:00] Burtan Tae: Hello Shadey, you contacted Jakkal Dingo about needing further updates for your avatars. I think you requested a red fox avatar update but we do not have any record of you buying one. Is there some way you can confirm that you have that avatar on your current account or is it needed on another avatar's name?
[23:01] Shadey Character: Yes I did, and I already deleted it since my inventories big as it is and with the updated virsion I wouldn't need the old one ;>_<

Uhm, what? Why would you do that? If so, you've still got A. Either the box, or B. It's in your trash. Having both of those mysteriously vanish is simply... odd.

[23:02] Burtan Tae: Even so, do you have the box? It doesn't make much sense to delete it before you get the updated one?
[23:03] Burtan Tae: and as it stands without you providing the transaction history information through your account on the Secondlife.com homepage we have no history of it being bought
[23:04] Shadey Character: Fantastic, soyou're saying I have to go and just buy the new one?

Yes, typically people buy the avatars they want. Unlike, you know, scammers.

[23:06] Burtan Tae: Are you saying you don't have the transaction information? There's nothing I can see to confirm you had the avatar at this point so the only thing you could do would, yes, be to buy the most recent avatar
[23:09] Shadey Character: I'm saying, I'm looking at my transaction history from the latest date to day, it's not on there. I bought it around the time I bought my Critter Black Wolf. And unlike some people, not all of us are rich enough to say,"Oh well!" and go out to buy a 1.5K avatar :\

He bought the avatar around July of 07. The transactions history only stays up for a month. So there wouldn't be any record. The only kind of proof he could get is with the box, which was supposedly deleted. So obviously not all of us are poor enough to say "Hey, can I have an update for an avatar that I didn't buy?"

[23:11] Burtan Tae: If it's not there and you are missing your money I would suggest talking with a Linden Support representative as we cannot be held responsible for their failed transactions such as what seems to be the case. I understand that's alot to lose if you did indeed buy one but we hope you can get reimbursed and acquire the avatar you'd like.

Bwaha, classic. Deflect to the Lindens.

[23:17] Shadey Character: -.- It was not a failed transaction. I went to one of the shops, I bought the avatar, I put it on and I ran around everywhere in it for days. I went to a shop today, seen there was updates, I went through my inventory looking for all my avatars, I seen the Black wolf first and got the update, then I desided to go through the rest of my folders then I found I needed the update for the Red Fox. Once I sent Jakkal the IM like I did the first time, I deleted the V2 critter and waited for my updater.

See this? So he /just now/ deleted the avatar. Chances of him deleting it, the box AND emptying his trash? On top of us not having a record AND on top of him trying this in the past? Conclusion: You just got BUSTED.

[23:23] Burtan Tae: Well again, our records go back that far and still nothing about a red fox. There's not much else we can do to help at this point, but for future reference it is good practice to not delete original items before you are sure you have update that works, and even then to keep backups of originals.

*Name changed to protect the criminal.

Oh yeah....

2008-07-14T12:52:24Z

Imma 31.

>.>

ahem Yes... Scientific Testing!

2008-07-13T22:29:11Z

Created by OnePlusYou

49%

Created by OnePlusYou

Huzzah!

2008-06-27T02:40:50Z

My machine is working once more. We gave the damn thing to uath while we left the house and he somehow got it working again before we got back. He said the registry was all screwed up, which could have happened when it up and died when it was booting windows. Still odd but, meh. I'm running a virus scan on it now just incase and I've backed up my important info.

Of course this made me late for the artgrind and I have too much to do now to get back to it :/

I seem to have a problem.

2008-06-26T20:46:34Z

My work machine randomly rebooted itself just after I logged into windows. When it rebooted, it said it couldn't run windows because of a missing or corrupt file in the windows system folder. It told me to get the XP CD and run the repair setup. So we go through all that shit, and get to the repair part, and it bluescreens with this message: "PAGE_FAULT_IN_NON_PAGED_AREA". We tried it again, and got the same error.

It's running XP64 Pro. Any ideas? Need anymore info from me? I can't do anything with this machine down :(

Edit: So far it's been suggested to try reseating the RAM. So I'll have Bow try that first when he comes in.

Mall Managers: Don't Do This.

2008-06-20T09:00:41Z

So, yesterday someone dropped this notecard on me. I really hate it when people give me notecards because they're usually given to me after my IM buffer is full, and that way I never actually see that I get them. Then I look in my notecard folder later and there's a shitload of notes.

Whatever.

I got this notecard. It's so absurd. It'll make any sane person lol.

Hey, this is ********.
I am interested in hosting a vendor spot at my newly reopened club mall at *********.

Rent is FREE in this offer, at the clost of commission (you set the % I dont care what it is, This is more for traffic than anything.) or my prefered method: Access to your items, one a month free of charge. I prefere this method, Specially for Avatars and other high detail items.

I send this to you with the hopes that we may do buisness. And because your items are shown to be of high quality and may bring in some traffic once advertised.

Please Contact *******y if you want anymroe info or have other ideas of how i may have the privledge of having a vendor of yours on my land.

Access... to my items... for a little vendor spot that I've never heard of. Worth it? Absolutely not. And it's quite ridiculous that he would even ask for such a thing. I'm not even sure what "Access" means exactly. That he gets a box and I trust he takes just one av? That he gets a gift card once a month?

Though I am tempted to reply to him and say "Sure, that sounds reasonable" and then put a landmark giver to our real stores. He can have all the landmarks that he'd like.

It's just /so much/ easier to just pay $L for vendor space. Any 'trades' have always ended up screwing me over in the end.

Don't do this: You can tell school is out for the summer

2008-06-19T04:10:12Z

It's always when the idiot children come out of the woodwork.

So this idiot leaves a comment on my drifterlorelei Journal. I recognized his name as being someone we banned from Kaerwyn. So I wasn't concerned about flaming the troll.

"Subject: Old times...?
from:newblood1 Im sorry but i have givin up on BT and any other comic you have made... I dont see anything happening BT is a waste of internet space, i have been with BT since it started. Bt is a waste of my time comeing to the web page to be awarded the same comic page 4 MONTHS AGO!"

It's always funny when, I don't know, what I do or don't do impacts someone's life as to be a "waste of their time". I wonder if anyone gives a shit that he's given up on BT? Somehow I doubt it. I think his post is more of a waste of space than BT is. I'd say that his time was wasted more by typing that post than by knowing BT is still up on the intarwebs.

Okay, so I start posting away at my reply cuz everyone loves it when I get this email...

The following message was sent to you via the The Realm of Kaerwyn Contact Us form by newblood
.

------------------------------

I have been banned for acting immature for 2 years, i feel i have grown up and i wish to be unbanned, i am now 16 years of age and i will not cause trouble again with any administrator. I am sending this message to you in apology for what i have done wrong, back then i was immature and i had small anger issues, but i will not do those things again. I promise to aphold all the rules forever.

-Sincerely
Newblood,
Banned by Chat purposes,
and a mistake never to be done again!

--

He flames... then he posts that he's grown up... and he'll never make that mistake again... ... and he wants /me/ to unban him... wtf?

Really, would we find the internet so entertaining if people weren't this stupid?

Don't Do This: Insulting Customer

2008-06-18T05:16:44Z

This is yet another customer that bought something /months/ ago, and decided they didn't like it, and feel they are entitled to /something else/.

Entitled.

Entitled.

Entitled.

First it started with this IM I got on the 14th.
[14:47] Lolli Munster: Hello Jakkal Dingo.. I am sorry to bother you. I purchased the Critters Jaguar awhile ago...Unfortunately I dont have the transaction information anymore but I can show you it to prove I bought it. It was the black one but when I got it it wasnt exactly what I was looking for, It was to black so i never wore it until today when my friends and I were talking about your store. I finally tried to tint it to see if it would go lighter and to my amazement the texture used was a white spotted texture...This actually made the av look alot better than having just a straight black tit...but there was a problem, the black skin and my head popping out does not work well. So I am here to ask if I can get the proper skin for the spotted Jaguar I own to make the av complete so I can wear it around proudly. I would be very much appriciated and I thank you for your time and help. - Lolli Munster.

Then I got this IM today:

[19:22] Lolli Munster: Hello Jakkal Dingo.. I am sorry to bother you. I purchased the Critters Jaguar awhile ago...Unfortunately I dont have the transaction information anymore but I can show you it to prove I bought it. It was the black one but when I got it it wasnt exactly what I was looking for, It was to black so i never wore it until today when my friends and I were talking about your store. I finally tried to tint it to see if it would go lighter and to my amazement the texture used was a white spotted texture...This actually made the av look alot better than having just a straight black tit...but there was a problem, the black skin and my head popping out does not work well. So I am here to ask if I can get the proper skin for the spotted Jaguar I own to make the av complete so I can wear it around proudly. I would be very much appriciated and I thank you for your time and help. - Lolli Munster.

I pasted the original for my ~~lackies~~, ~~minions~~, employees to handle. I guess they didn't get a chance to get it yet. So naturally she repesters. Fair game, that.

So I tell Fore to tell her our general policy on stuff like this. We have, once again, signs in all the stores that warn people, buyer beware. You pay, you get your avatar, the deal ends there. She bought this avatar months ago. Notice I left her name in. Yes. Because she threatened to put it in her nonexistant blog. That's okay, hon, I'll put it in mine and make sure even more people see it.

[20:07] Forefox Rolls: Hello Lolli. You messaged Jakkal Dingo asking for a skin for your jaguar avatar. Unfortunately, we do not create custom skins tailoring to a specific coloration of the avatar nor do exchanges into any of the other color schemes we have.
[20:08] Lolli Munster: hmm well I am not asking for a custom skin.
[20:08] Lolli Munster: I got the black AV on the thought that I was getting textures
[20:08] Lolli Munster: and what I got was something tinted black
[20:08] Lolli Munster: anyone can tint the av black

Actually, yes, anyone can. That is why we sell themthat way. Yes, we could make hyper realistic avatar textures. But that removes almost all customization ability. There is a difficult balance that we, as avatar makers, have to juggle so that our avatars look good, with textures and builds, but are also customizable. If someone wants a black jaguar with a neon green underside, they can do that with our Critter Avatars. They would not be able to do that if we used a black texture on a white prim.

[20:08] Lolli Munster: thats not what I paid for
[20:09] Lolli Munster: what i got was a spoted jaguar

A spotted jaguar! Who woulda thunk?! Here I thought spotted jaguars were so.. so rare, I must have completely made them up! Striped and brindle jaguars are obviously more common!

[20:09] Lolli Munster: thats what I go
[20:09] Lolli Munster: t
[20:09] Lolli Munster: so it displease me alot

Caveat Emptor. Someone didn't read the signs

[20:09] Lolli Munster: had I known I would of bought the av I have and turned it black myself
[20:10] Forefox Rolls: However the skin is a set color that comes with the avatar.
[20:10] Lolli Munster: yes but the avatar is realyl white
[20:10] Lolli Munster: its white with spots
[20:10] Lolli Munster: its not black with spots
[20:10] Lolli Munster: I can show you it
[20:10] Lolli Munster: if you would like
[20:11] Lolli Munster: I am sorry that I have to argue about this..but I purchase alot and i want to purchase more

So she wants ... a black texture... instead of a black prim... because it... .... would remove all customization? Why don't we just sell them no mod while we're at it?

[20:12] Forefox Rolls: So you expected the texture itself to be black with darker spots.
[20:12] Lolli Munster: well YES
[20:12] Lolli Munster: but it wasnt
[20:12] Lolli Munster: no offence by this
[20:12] Lolli Munster: but it was a lazy way out

No offense, but here's an insult! Right. No offense, lady, but you're pretty ignorant about that balance between looks and customization. I think it's rather ignorant, and dare I say, stupid to call an avatar builder, that has over 1000 avs "lazy".

[20:12] Lolli Munster: I could of made an all black av

Please, feel free. I get this feeling if you could, you wouldn't be throwing a fit over this avatar that costs $3.

[20:12] Lolli Munster: out of any color i bought
[20:12] Lolli Munster: and the black is like that for all the avs
[20:13] Forefox Rolls: You most likely could have, but it would not have come with the black skin associated with the avatar that is making top part of the head a specific color.
[20:13] Lolli Munster: well the black skin is easy to make

Obviously her monitor's settings are off. The black jaguar's skin is a very dark gray (16,16,16) with black spots. She probably thought it was only black. However, making an all white skin is /just/ as easy as making an all /black/ skin. So her point is still invalidated.

[20:13] Lolli Munster: with a black texture
[20:13] Lolli Munster: its nothing special
[20:14] Lolli Munster: seeing as the black jaguar you couldnt even see the spots
[20:14] Lolli Munster: its okay.. what I am goingto have to go is make an all white jaguar..
[20:14] Lolli Munster: which again will be easy to do

So... do it. That av is modifiable. That is WHY it is modifiable.

[20:14] Lolli Munster: but I was hopping the the shop would just right this

Tell us what is wrong, and we will right it. All you're telling us is your ignorant opinion on how we should do things.

[20:14] Forefox Rolls: There is no correction to be made. The avatar is how it is intended to be.
[20:15] Lolli Munster: Well I dont think people would by the black if they knew that they could by any color and make the av black themselves
[20:15] Lolli Munster: its sneaky

Sneaky. ... Sneaky. She could have bought the white one. No she bought the black one. She could have asked someone about it first, before buying it. But she didn't.

[20:15] Lolli Munster: and if your okay with that that is fine but I am not okay with it
[20:16] Lolli Munster: everyone knows that good things are textured

It's textured with fur and spots. Do you really want to ruin it for all those people that want to customize because you're a nitpicking cunt? I mean seriously. You're being VERY insulting, and VERY unfair. You GOT what you paid for. You were NOT lead astray. If you had ISSUES you should have ASKED before you bought. If anything went wrong, it was your clicking 'buy'. Those avatars ARE customizable. You can make it look however you want. Get your own textures and put them on the avatar. Problem solved. Excuse us if we build for the majority and not /you/.

[20:16] Forefox Rolls: Like I said it wouldn't have come with the skin and if the skin was to be easily created by others they are certainly most welcome to do so. The avatar is how it is.
[20:17] Lolli Munster: and cheap things are tinted
[20:17] Lolli Munster: its a fact

fact (fākt) n.

1. Knowledge or information based on real occurrences

Nope, doesn't seem to qualify for fact. How about this one?

o·pin·ion –noun
1. a belief or judgment that rests on grounds insufficient to produce complete certainty.
2. a personal view, attitude, or appraisal.

Ding ding ding ding!

[20:17] Lolli Munster: and the skin doesnt go

No, generally, skins don't go anywhere.

[20:17] Lolli Munster: with what I got

A nice purse and a hat? What?

[20:17] Lolli Munster: that av was fully black when i got it
[20:17] Lolli Munster: you couldnt see any spots

No, /you/ couldn't see any spots.

[20:17] Lolli Munster: so really i should of had an all black textured skin
[20:17] Lolli Munster: I dont think anything i got was proper
[20:17] Lolli Munster: your selling the qwhite spoted jaguar
[20:17] Lolli Munster: and tinting it black for the av
[20:17] Lolli Munster: thats all your doing

We sell the jaguar in about 10 colors, actually. Yes they are recolored, and given the special spotted skin per color. If you wanted the white one, you should have bought the white one. If you want a textured one, feel free to make it.

[20:20] Lolli Munster: Also I want to appologizeto you..I hope this isnt upsetting you even though I am upset
[20:20] Lolli Munster: its not your fault
[20:20] Lolli Munster: but I do hope you can see what I am saying
[20:20] Forefox Rolls: Not my specific doing, but it is how it is.
[20:20] Forefox Rolls: To be able to buy the avatar and recolor it can be seen as a plus to some people.
[20:21] Lolli Munster: Yes and you can do that is my point
[20:21] Lolli Munster: but I didnt get a black av
[20:21] Lolli Munster: I got a white spoted av that was tinted black

we're all rolling our eyes at you now. You can stop.

[20:21] Lolli Munster: that is a joke to me

As you are to us.

[20:21] Lolli Munster: I shop alot

Such a proclaimation of such significance.

[20:21] Lolli Munster: and this is the first time I have come about this

Hint: Nobody cares.

[20:21] Lolli Munster: other than hair
[20:21] Lolli Munster: do you ever by a hair
[20:21] Lolli Munster: that is realyl white
[20:21] Lolli Munster: but it was tinted red
[20:21] Lolli Munster: thats CRAP

You know what? I feel the exact opposite. It really pisses me off when something is texture-colored, when it could be prim-colored, so that I can CHANGE the color to what I think is best. I understand some things don't work this way, and it's better ot use textures. And I'm sure some hair is like that (white highlights, not colored). But I totally disagree for MOST things. I want to be able to recolor them. And if a builder can come up with a way to make something look good in almost all the colors you could make it, I'd buy their product over others!

[20:22] Lolli Munster: anyways this is all I have to say...this was a mistake to me on both sides...I as a consumer wasnt fully aware and I cant say anything about the maker

And that's our fault, how?

[20:23] Lolli Munster: but I came to you hoping for an easy fix to make the customer happy

No, you came hoping to rip us off and throw a fit.

[20:23] Forefox Rolls: I can't do anything about this, because the avatar is how it is intended to be. The recoloring does make it easier for the creator to do so, but it is how it is.
[20:23] Lolli Munster: because she wants to come back for more
[20:23] Lolli Munster: its okay dear
[20:23] Lolli Munster: but what I am telling you is this
[20:23] Lolli Munster: I have a blog and I am going to be doing a post about this

Oh you go /right ahead/.

[20:23] Lolli Munster: to warn people about it...that is what i do

It's probably call the Prude Alert System. Their color is likely puce.

[20:23] Lolli Munster: But I do thank you for listening?

I love the way that's a question.

[20:24] Forefox Rolls: What I can suggest is you can ask me to demo any future ones you want to be interested and ask me questions about the avatar.
[20:24] Lolli Munster: well Now I know better
[20:24] Lolli Munster: but I AM highly displeased

River. Cry it.

[20:24] Lolli Munster: the proper coruse would of been the skin and an applogy

We don't want your skin, and we're not really interested in your apologies. Oh wait you meant from us. How about, you got what you bought, with all the information of the av on the screen of the vendor. Don't blame US for that.

[20:24] Lolli Munster: any one who was proud of their work
[20:24] Lolli Munster: wouldnt sell things like this
[20:24] Lolli Munster: its just commonscene
[20:24] Lolli Munster: sense too lawl

Sense. Something you don't seem to have.

[20:25] Lolli Munster: anyways thank you for not much and I will fix it myself athough its the developer who should be.

Sure, I'll fix it. Oh wait, there's NOTHING WRONG with it!

[20:25] Forefox Rolls: Have a good day Lolli, and take care.
[20:25] Lolli Munster: oh wait one more thing ja?
[20:26] Lolli Munster: have you spoken to the owner about this?

*snicker*

[20:26] Lolli Munster: or are you running on your own?
[20:28] Forefox Rolls: The messages are sent down to me to handle accordingly. I know the creators take on this and tell customers about it.
[20:33] Lolli Munster: So then other people have complained about this before?

Nope. Not one person has ever said anything about this. I would hope if anyone else did, they wouldn't be so damn rude about it.

[20:35] Lolli Munster: And also I would like to know his/her take on it

Read my blog!

[20:35] Lolli Munster: do they feel liek they sold me a black av or a white with black spots tinted black av?

I sold you a CrittersV2JaguarBlack. That is the name of the avatar.

[20:36] Forefox Rolls: I haven't had this particular matter to come up. You would be the first for me.
[20:38] Lolli Munster: hmm well what is the creators take on this?
[20:38] Lolli Munster: why isnt it textured like the rest?

Uh, it is textured like the rest. The rest of what?

[20:38] Lolli Munster: I could of just bought the dark spotted one
[20:38] Lolli Munster: but I BOUGHT The black av

That IS the dark spotted one.... JESUS FUCKING CHRIST.

[20:38] Lolli Munster: and I didnt get it..Im trying to understand what you or she doesnt understand

AHAHA! Pot. Kettle. Black

[20:39] Forefox Rolls: I'll relay this entire conversation to her.
[20:39] Lolli Munster: thank you. And I am sorry I just would like to see this somehow fixxed.

A shot to the head might do that.

[20:39] Lolli Munster: have a good night
[20:40] Forefox Rolls: Do the same Lolli.

It's funny that she has 'lol' in her name. Hint: If you're a nitpicky fuck, do ask before you buy things, and then throw a fit, over an avatar that costs $3. If it is "So easy" to retexture it, then just retexture it. We're selling avs to anyone that wants them on SL, NOT specifically for Lolli Munster. I do hope she avoids buying from us in the future.

I lol'd

2008-06-14T00:00:23Z

Damnit.

2008-06-13T00:13:22Z

I just lost the game.

Time for another Meme Monday!

2008-06-10T00:10:12Z

As a 1930s wife, I am
Very Poor (Failure)

Take the test!

Go Me.

The Grind...

2008-05-28T20:14:51Z

I think shadowsmyst said it best when she IMed me today: "I find it amusing how you try to do something fun for a small group and ultimately, inevitably it gets blown up into this massive thing."

That /does/ seem to be my curse, yes.

If anyone is wondering what's going on, artgrind got a LJ spotlight, like right there on their main page. Worst of all they called it a "Contest" which probably makes people think "prizes", but there is no prize (Other than that self satisfaction stuff :P).

But we're looking into clamping down on the moderation of the group so only people taking up the challenge, and authorized, can post to it. That should help. I see we've already gotten the lion's share of people not reading, or not understanding the rules. SM is going to clarify that as well.

Oy. I hope we don't lose anyone that signed up pre-spotlight over this.

BTW, does anyone know how to set up a post that always stays on the main page of a LJ Community? I've seen people do this on their personal LJ's, but I'm not sure if a community can do it. Any help here? I'd like to have a post that's always up with the rules and join info.

Don't Do This: Mall Admin Edition

2008-05-28T04:14:21Z

Okay so, there is some drama going on with the FurNation World's Mall, which suddenly became the Drakeal Mall. Power play? You bet. This is /very long./

Here's the Drama that went in the form of /Admin Notices/ to everyone in the Vendor Group. Unless you really care about watching Admins bitch towards each other (As opposed to directly at each other) you should

From Infernial Solvang: "With Regrets" May 19th, 2008

To all Merchants and Staff of the Mall...

Please read the attached notecard for explaination.

I wish you all luck in your SL Businesses.

The Attachment Notice:

To all the Merchants and Staff of the Mall,

So much has gone on in my life over the past few months that I am being pulled in too many directions. I have got too much on my plate at the moment. Without boring you all with details, I must focus on my RL since I am trying to open up a RL Business (web design). I can no longer handle being the superintendant. I have been so preoccupied between the Mall, AllFurRadio, my business, taking care of my health (mental and physical) that I have been on the brink of a nervous break down. Infact for the past two or three months, I haven't really been able to put much time into being the superintendant of the mall.

I regretably must resign from the mall staff and FurNation completely.

If you have any questions or problems, please contact Ethan Pow as I am no longer associated with the mall as of the sending of this letter.

Good luck to everyone with their SL businesses.

Later,
Inferniel Solvang.

---

From Ethen Pow: "Problem!" May 19th, 2008

since Inferniel Left, he locked and disabled the rest of the apez boxes, so if you have a apez box it will have to be changed when the time runs out. so there is no other option and I am not doing anymore forced boxes because I have no more time.

---

From Ethen Pow: "Plan." May 19th, 2008

All Stall Renters will be placed in the sky o the sim, a Builder will be comissioned to build a Mall then once its made all current Renters will have First Dibs on getting a spot. ALL land and shops will remain on the ground floor so they are noticed much easier. FYI do not ask me to do the comission, ask for the manager spot OR! Complain about what is being planned. the center of the mall will be slowly be removed (except the stalls and floors) to free pirms for the skymall part of the sim.

---

From Corsi Mousehold: "MY Plan." May 19th, 2008

I was really not looking forward to doing this before RCFM But ... Here goes.

At this time and in the liight of the mall crashing because of the recent actions I will be expanding the shops in Gamma and Vista. For those wishing to move and have their stores set up in these sims I wil be giving a full two weeks free rather than one. This change will be happening on the 27th of May and the two week gift is starting NOW. NONE of the current renters in the shops in Gamma or Vista will be affected in any way.

---

From Corsi Mousehold: "WARNING!! ETHEN HAS CHANGED THE MALL GROUP!" May 20th, 2008

The group for the FNW mall has changed and looks to be leaving the island set. If you have a vendor over there make sure you get your money back. If you can reclaim your rent .... do so now.

---

From Corsi Mousehold: "Working For the Future." May 20th, 2008

Well with Ethen leaving I am FINALLY getting the chance to bring officers into the group to help take care of adding people to the group, retutning things that are not suposede to be there and general assistance. I have added in the third floor renters in the Strip malls in Gamma and Vista (Head to the sandboxes, Look north, Can't miss it)Let me get out of RCFM for the time being. If you have ANYTHING you need .... Please go to Axeonos Fluffball or Victor Komparu. They can take care of you until the 27th.

---

From Ethen Pow: "Yes I changed the Group and Reason" May 20th, 2008

before I let the bitch mouse tell you what to do, I am moving all my sims including My Mall, I am going indenpendant because FurNation Staff has Disrespected me and acted like they can do better, yet, corsi does not have enough room on her current sims for a full mall. As for my move I am muting every single FurNation Admin that will try to harrass me. (Further info in notecard)

The Attachment:

I bet alot of people have heard that I would be moving, in the last month It left my mind. I am now Pissed at the disrespectful Admins in the FurNation Admin Group, I have already sent info to Linden Labs that I want to move and rename the mall. I own the Mall and my sims I have all control.

Corsi Mousehold and company has tried to get me to sell the Mall to them but when they have STOLE a sim form Logen Fasching, he was promised money for his sim.. he never got it. then people started to belittle me and act they control everything. they are wrong and I knew their little circles, changing often, always attacking someone within the group. sercet plans to undermine others. like when NEXXUS AND CORSI planned to steal my mall that I paid for, they misssed their chance if they ever had one and I am moving it and renaming my sims.

Owner of FurNation Pheonix was respectful and I Would help him anytime. he helped keep the peace as much he could. I would say he didn't do anything nor said anything to what I know about me.

I also helped anyone and said I would, no one never asked and complained that I would never help. I also got people into FurNation and Tried to make FN look good, I never tried to under mine anyone in the admin group and when I am going something I make it public.

Understand to anyone that harrasses me in anyway about this issue, I will take any legal means required. I want this to be painless as possible.

And if I know Corsi and Company will just make another mall sim, I can care less, they always had money issues and never helped to ask for my assistantance.

Hope you get the point I am making. good luck and have a wonderful day

--

From Corsi Mousehold: "A Solution to be provided....." May 20th, 2008

It is impossible for me to make a guess or to know exactly what everyone has for rent in the mall. I also cannot guess how much space everyone needs but I have a solution to hopefully rectify this situation.

All mall vendors that are renting space that cannot get their money back from Ethen's move will get one full months free rent in the shopps in Gamma or in Vista. Forward facing for those in the inner court and rear facing for those in the ring. I don't know what to do about the shops.

---

From Ethen Pow: "If you need help with the mall I am on now." May 21, 2008

If you need time recovery, refunds (w/o fee), vendor fix or group deed for shop I am online right now to handle those Requests. Do so now to get things before my mall moves and I will only take requests form now renters and those in the new vendor group of the mall.

thanks to LL que it will take 8 more business days before the mall moves.

---

From Anora Peart: "Anora's own few words." May 25th, 2008

Ethen, pleaz dont lie I was there wen desision about the mall were made, you never made a agrement to pay for the mall build you were paying inferniel to work in the mall not for the build and evryting hels is bullshit as well, so pleaz keep shuveling it if you wish. You lost many many friends wen your started this path.

---

From Ethen Pow: "Statement to about Inferniel Solvang." May 25th, 2008

pretty much my reply to that all is you could have talked to me in a mature and adult matter, and why would I lockdown all the apez vendors, it would only case more problems for me and me alone, I had to goto each shop and kill each one and replace it. you are only making more drama than need nessery, since you forget, I will rebuild the mall without your build, but this been handled better you sending a message that list your problems. I though your more mature than that.

---

From Inferniel Solvang: "Statement from Inferniel." May 25th, 2008

Due to recent events and drama in FurNation and Drakeal Estates, I must issue this statement about my actions recently and what is going on. Please feel free to pass this around so that you all know the truth.

Attachment:

To the Furry Community,

In the past week several things have happened to FurNation. It is time to put out a statement about some of the rumors and claims stated by Ethen Pow (the owner of the Drakeal Estates).

Firstly I want to say what has been happening in my Real Life. This week I QUIETLY resigned from being the manager of the mall. In my real life, I had wished to not have to list out the details, but let me say some things that have been going on in it. Over the past year alone, I am trying to get on Disability from SSI, I am seeing a therapist and a psychiatrist for severe depression and anxiety, I have lemphodemia (swelling of the legs from excess water and I almost had to have my legs amputated for it), my father died, I moved out of my mother's and am trying to become independant by either getting on Disability or opening an online business, I just had to end a 12 year friendship with my roommate who happened to be my best friend and kick him out cause he's an asshole, I was tired of the drama that is FurNation so I quit FN, I couldn't handle doing all the work around FurNation anymore (which is why Corsi and Nexxus added so many admins to the group so they could give alot of the stuff I was doing around here to people that could handle the jobs and I might add there are quite a few that do excellent at it), I am the CEO of the FurNation Branch of AllFurRadio (and tried so hard to make it a better Furry Radio station for this community). Last week I almost had a nervous breakdown. My therapist wanted to put me in the hospital for observation to make sure I wouldn't harm myself. And through all this the drama that is Ethen Pow never seased to amaze me. He was suppose to spread the profit from the mall (the mall made enough to pay for itself and one and a half other sims, I know this because the rent "WAS" going through my account until Ethen started changing my renter boxes to Hipporent and lyeing on me that the boxes weren't working. The ONLY THING that didn't work properly on APEZ was the "SHARE" FEATURE. It was suppose to auto pay Ethen 95% of the rent collected. It didn't and I had to give it to him by hand, which was never a problem. And he only paid me $25US a month for the ammount of work I did for this place. He was a TYRANT trying to make me do a job that you'd normally be paid at least $500US or more and didn't want to pay me for it.)

Now, I tried to slip out quiet. I gave Ethen the data from the Apez site and he lied saying that I "LOCKED" the boxes when I didn't. Ethen seized the oppertunity to turn my nervous breakdown and quiet resignation into more DRAMA!!!!!

Oh by the way,

To Logen Fasching, guess who it was that told Nexxus that you were planning to convince all the sim owners of FurNation to slit the island and this community..... Yep, you guessed it, Ethen Pow (I was present and so was Cobalt Neutra. Ethen RAN to Nexxus and couldn't wait to tell him fast enough to get you kicked out.)

To Chmarr Walcott, before you start believing everything that pompous and arrogant people like Logen Fasching or Ethen Pow tell you, you might want to start asking questions. Especially when I thought you were my friend.

FYI, be careful what you guys say on Ethen's TeamSpeak. You never know who is recording your conversations, especially when you are trash talking someone who put in alot of work helping Nexxus build this furnation community and that someone is rated among the top 5 nicest and most liked admins of FurNation.

So at this point, I am removing my mall build from Ethen's sim and have requested Linden Labs not do a rollback. This is due to Ethen's actions to turn my RL into drama for FurNation.

Loving the FurNation Community Forever,
Inferniel Solvang

---

From Ethen Pow: "Stall Problem, Sigh~" May 25th, 2008

since the Mall's main building(and shop prefebs) was returned, we will have to rebuild it, so we come to two solutions to fix the mall quick and effictively. All Shops and Land stores can still work when the stalls are offline, If you still have time we can move you over to a Empty shop parcel so you can operate without need to wait for the stall building to be rebuilt, for those that don't want to move you will be refunded in weeks you still have on your stall. contact me or Kahski Tuqiri to get support.

---

From Axeonos Fluffball: "Stop- just Stop" May 25th, 2007

never have i been more appauled at the constant bickering.... never have i even used this as an item to basically stop the fighting between you all. this shows bad taste. i have never such a disgrace of admins- what ever happened to "talking it out" instead we resort to constant notices that not only agrivate other admins but also vendors.

i am asking you....as Mrs Nexxus to stop. dont let James dream go down in flames becouse you cant see eye to eye. I Call for an end to this BULLSHIT at once. please

---

From Ethen Pow: "I will aplogise to the those in the crossfire" May 25th, 2008

I will say this to the community, I am sorry for my actions that is causing drama but my plans to move are not. I will Aplogise to those, I am a nice guy and when this blows over I might support FurNation like I have been even though. I can forgive and forget but not now. some lies and actions form Inferniel made me to cause more problems for you all. I will aplogise about that cause you problems but Equally same must be done by those that also Fuelled this drama in order to keep any more drama will arise

---

From Ethen Pow: "starting removal of remains of old building" May 27th, 2008

the old building remains that housed the stalls is now going to be returned, I just refunded and returned 1/4 of the old mall so far..

there is a skymall setup in the sky of Mall sim if you wish to remain a merchant for the mall there is a teleporter is south of the stargate

The Avatar stalls (that are in the center) can talk to me about some other options for you guys.

there is less then 3 days before I move the mall sim to another location, just fyi...

Now for my personal involvement.

Before any of this shit happened:

Transaction ID: 899026954 Date: 2008-05-15 20:00:12
Payment Description: Mega Parcel 1
Region: Drakeal Mall Destination: Inferniel Solvang L$6,000

I paid $6,000L for a month of vendor space on FurNation's mall. The drama started just a few days later.

First, I contacted Corsi Mousehold, as she is part of the FurNation staff, so this to me seems like a FurNation *admin* issue, and I Should speak with them.

She apologized to me for what happened. Then she offered me a very nice stall for free.

---

A few days later, I got this PM:

[19:35] Kahski Tuqiri: Hello, are you going to renew your membership to the Drakeal Mall plot that you have rented out?

I was offline at the time, I wasn't even at home. Three minutes later...

The object 'Second Life' has sent you a message from Second Life:
Your 21 objects have been returned to your inventory lost and found folder by Kahski Tuqiri near parcel 'The WereHouse Avatars' at Drakeal Mall 40.2717, 219.082 due to parcel owner return.

= Second Life is owned by Kahski Tuqiri
= Location unknown.

(Yes, it's buggy. Yes it's funny that it says "Second Life is owned by". It's not funny right now, so don't bother bringing it up. It basically means that the guy didn't get an answer so just up and sent my shit back.)

---

So I replied:

I guess not. Am I going to get a refund for the rent before all the drama started?

--

[19:56] Kahski Tuqiri: I guess not what?

My reply: You asked me if I was intending to renew, and without waiting much time for me to reply, you immediately returned my objects. So in essence, you've decided for me. So now I'm asking, am I going to get my money back for the space I rented?

It's been an hour and I've gotten nothing back from them. Real professional. If they offered me: An apology, my money back, or a vendor spot, I might actually support them. FurNation's admins? Treated me very well during this. This Ethen guy? The sim owner? Nothing out of him except /drama/. Why would I want to be any part of that? Why would I want my store under /that/ kind of administration?

I sent an IM to Ethen directly:

[20:57] Jakkal Dingo: I am curious if I am going to get a refund on the payment that I've made on my land rental at FurNation's world mall, or any kind of compensation for the $6000L I paid *just* before this drama started. I see that someone has already sent back all my stuff despite having my rent up to date. I am not interested in whatever drama has gone on. Please let me know as soon as you are able.

Ball is in their court now.

---

Got a reply:

21:06] Kahski Tuqiri: your rental space was up anyways
[21:06] Jakkal Dingo: I paid $6000L for my rent space on May 15th. I sincerely doubt a month passed in what is not even two weeks.

[21:07] Kahski Tuqiri: if u check your space the rental box is up if u have any further issues contact Ethen pow
[21:07] Jakkal Dingo: I have. If this is how you run this mall, I doubt I will want to be any part of it in the future.

[21:08] Kahski Tuqiri: um yea i returned object that had a run out timer on it, Again contact Ethen for further info

-----

You know, I don't give a /damn/ about what their issues were. I shouldn't need to know about the internal problems. I rent, I should get what I pay for. That's generally the way it works. I expect slip ups and issues to happen. We're all human (Despite them being furries) and we make mistakes. FurNation and Corsi did a wonderful job of rectifying the issues by offering free space for mall vendors. Even if they couldn't help us get what we lost, they helped us continue on. That means a lot.

Ethen and the Drakeal group have done nothing but sling insults and accusations at others, give empty, hollow apologies, and not offered compensation directly to those affected. This is not acceptable behavior. I told Fore that if they tried to get my money back, I would put it right back into their mall and keep my space, and see how well their mall does from that point. But if they aren't going to offer *anything*, Return my shit without waiting for a response, and then pass the buck, then fuck them. I'm not paying a *dime* into that mall, and I doubt it will last long with such *shady*, immature administration.

I don't expect them to act with business like conduct, but I do expect *some* decency, respect and maturity.

---

Edit! Ethen Pow finally wrote me back.

Suffice to say that he was *very* pissed off that this other person returned my crap. He offered me the full $6k back, and he apologized profusely. And that is /all/ I was asking for. While I still think that he handled this whole situation /very poorly/, what the admin does is their business. I don't want any part of it. I just want to make sure when I pay my rent, I get my spot.

But he is letting me keep my 2 weeks that I had left, AND he gave me a better spot (One that I wanted originally). So all in all, I didn't lose out and I got a good spot out of it. We'll see if business keeps up in this new sim if it's *worth* the $1500 a week I pay for it.

An Artist's Challenge

2008-05-22T01:24:03Z

I had someone ask me today for advice on making their character look more consistant every time they draw her. My suggestion to her was to get a pack of printer paper from walmart and doodle that character on every last page.

That got me thinking of an interesting artist challenge. Almost like an Art-Grind, if you will. Now I won't make people pay the $20 and the one that lasts the longest wins the total. But it would be an interesting experiment for any artists willing to play the game.

Basically the idea is simple. Pick a character, preferably yours, but I suppose it could be something from popular media (Like a Stargate Character) or just whatever. Sketch this character every day from June 1st til November 30. That is six months of drawing the same character every day. Post them, everyday, to your blog/journal. Track your progress. See how well you keep up. And most importantly, see from start to finish how you've improved at the character.

Is anyone interested in participating in this little challenge? If so, I might even make a community for posting progress.

Edit: I have made the community for it, since I've gotten some pretty good feedback thusfar (Not just here on LJ). So now's the time to start spreading the word as I make the post on what this community is about :) artgrind

Linden Bears

2008-05-13T03:11:10Z

There's a tradition on SL where Lindens (The people that run SL) given away teddy bears based on the Linden giving it away.

This little fellow, Leo Linden's bear, was given to me a couple of weeks ago.

As you could see... He could use a little help.

So Leo Linden contacted me about a commission. Normally I don't take commissions, but I thought this particular one would be fun and interesting. So he asked me to remake his "Bear". Of course "Leo" Linden isn't a 'bear' type. Infact, he's a lion. He likes lion avatars, and he even has our Lion Anthro and Critter avatars (Everytime I've seen him, he's a Critter Lion).

And keeping this in mind, as well as keeping in mind this is a cartoonish /teddy bear/ style build, this is what I came up with:

The teddy came out looking very cute. Infact, I'm considering making it a "Tiny" style avatar. (Leo actually told me to let him know if we do make it an av, he wants one :) It gave me a chance to work with some simple sculpty shapes as well, which I'm still trying to learn. Overall, I'd say it was a success.

For all of you on SL, you should ask Leo Linden for his bear to get your own copy of it! :D

You know...

2008-05-11T01:52:29Z

When someone IMs you on SL asking for an update, and you click on their profile, it's always nice to see the av you built right there in their profile image, like they like it that much that they even put it in their profile. You get a real warm fuzzy feeling from it. And it's pretty rare to see too.

But then you click on their "picks" and see ... that avatar ... in ... questionable positions.

Yeah.

A quadruped dog avatar in questionable positions... with a human avatar.

Yeah.

That warm fuzzy feeling is probably the bile that's ready to rise up the throat.

I hope this post amuses someone. That's about the only value it holds.

Texan Wreck...

2008-04-30T08:14:41Z

This is really funny to listen to. This guy is crazy.

http://www.chumfm.com/MorningShow/bits/march24.swf

Hypocrisy ftw!

2008-04-26T02:20:27Z

So once upon a time, a person was banned from Kaerwyn for harassing people.

We told him, four times, to stop harassing people. We temp banned him, for harassing people. We told him if he continued that he would be permanently removed.

He continued.

The amusing thing is, it's been several months since he was banned. Yet every now and then, he pokes me.

And get this! In his forum PMs, where I haven't banned him /yet/, he insults and jabs at me. He also demands that I prove that he's harassing me.

Yes, you read it right. He's harassing me to prove he harassed others. I've just been ignoring him, and pasting his PMs to show my friends, get a good laugh in at his expense.

I thought I'd share with you the funniest part of the last PM:

You know I'm right in the fact that I didn't harass anyone. The only reason you haven't done anything to prove that I did is because you can't. You just don't want to be proven wrong because God help the day the ever powerful Jakkal is wrong about something. I dare you to prove me wrong because so far I'm right and there's nothing you've done to change my mind.

I finally sent to him the definition of the word "hypocrite". I'm sure he'll ignore that just like I told him to look up "harassment".

Maybe next time I'll just reply with "The proof is in the pudding."

Lolitics

2008-04-24T11:22:46Z

This site is hilarious http://punditkitchen.com/

Politicians + Lolspeak = win

Shudder

2008-04-22T07:47:28Z

So far, whenever I do a search for BT related stuff, I just shudder. Lots of people apparently want to play Kaetif, or RP on Raekarta, or blahblahblah. Like typical Mary Sues they Fuck Everything Up™.

Almost every character I've ever seen from the BTverse has been a Kaetif with the art. If they aren't a Kaetif with the art, then they're human/kaetif shifters. Apparently people just don't understand that BT is my world, so my character gets to be the Mary Sueish "Only One".

Also, it really annoys me when I see descriptions for BT and such where either the Kaetif, or Issac, or Theropos gets all the glory. To many people BT is about the Kaetif struggle, apparently. It's not about this chick named Lorelei at all.

I wonder if writing up some rules/guidelines for RPing would help, though chances are I doubt it.

But here's some easy to go by rules:

1. Order characters don't suddenly become Kaetif, like it, and stay that way. If they made it through the Order to get an Artstream, they've been propaganda-ed into believing that being Kaetif is a hideous insult.

2. Kaetif don't know the art. Kaetif don't know the art. Kaetif don't know the art.

3. No, you can't be a shifter.

4. No, you can't be immortal.

5. Despite popular belief, Kaetif are not better than humans at everything. I made a post about Kaetif Misconceptions Here.

Oh and this started after I found this horrid abomination of the BTverse http://server.stardestroyer.net/viewtopic_raw.php?t=120503 (Way to metagame by the way. I'd like to know how their super awesome computers could tell them all the answers).

I arted

2008-04-22T02:19:19Z

Haven't done a painting in a while.

And yet, it's the same guy! Argh. Damn Endymion, hindering me from working on BT.

Endymion and Niixa .. Again by ~Drakkolupen on deviant ART

The Age Old Artist Scam

2008-04-21T02:47:07Z

I think it's safe to say that most artists have heard this basic pitch from someone they've never heard of:

"Hi, I'm from (Enter organization/site/group/etc here). We need (Enter Type of work needed here) for our (Enter Organization/Site/etc here). We don't have any way to pay you for this, but you'll get free exposure from our (Enter Organization/Site/etc here)'s (Enter Website/Game/Service/Etc here)."

In other words the standard "We need work, we don't know any artists, we can't afford to pay for custom work, we'll trade you your hard work for the "exposure" you'd get for putting it on their site."

Right? Right.

I've been getting this in SL lately. People want to use my avs in magazines, and ballets, and machinima, and other stuff. Do they want to pay for it? Hell no. They want me to give it to them for the "exposure".

Let's try this logic in a real world scenario, shall we?

"Hi, UPS? I need some packages delivered, but I can't pay for them. But, just consider this for a moment. If you deliver /my/ packages /for free/, you'll get exposure from people seeing your vans running around town!"

You know what UPS would tell you?

"Fuck you." (Likely in much politer terms).

Consider this when an artist tells you the same, in similiar terms.

A really cool commercial...

2008-04-15T07:38:47Z

And a PSA t'boot!

Taxes...

2008-04-15T01:24:53Z

*dies*