Marcian Tobay

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This article describing the class devisions between MySpace and FaceBook has been making the blog rounds right now, but I find it amusingly accurate given the attitudes that have reared their head about MySpace so far in this thread:

http://www.danah.org/papers/essays/ClassDivisions.html

" The goodie two shoes, jocks, athletes, or other "good" kids are now going to Facebook. These kids tend to come from families who emphasize education and going to college. They are part of what we'd call hegemonic society. They are primarily white, but not exclusively. They are in honors classes, looking forward to the prom, and live in a world dictated by after school activities.

MySpace is still home for Latino/Hispanic teens, immigrant teens, "burnouts," "alternative kids," "art ****," punks, emos, goths, gangstas, queer kids, and other kids who didn't play into the dominant high school popularity paradigm. These are kids whose parents didn't go to college, who are expected to get a job when they finish high school. Teens who are really into music or in a band are on MySpace. MySpace has most of the kids who are socially ostracized at school because they are geeks, freaks, or queers. "

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Well, I now feel it is my moral obligation to write a long and scrawling Myspace entry!

Very nice. I am loving the parallel stories. You seem intent on taking it through to the end. Also, you are integrating more and more references to the mythology of City of Heroes, if I am not mistaken. A sign as you become more accommodated to the world of Paragon City, perhaps?

I like it very much. ^_^ Given the space in between the spaces, I suppose we can reach a finale in a few years? Work at your own pace. What we've seen so far does rule.

Ironik, we do need Proofreaders. As was noted by my wonderful colleagues, we have started a proofreading process. We believe that will cut down on various errors in our writing. We do continue, however, to acknowledge the wisdom in a Proofreader Role.

Ergo...

Looking for Proofreader!

If you want to join the City Scoop, and you believe that you possess the proper mastery of language, grammar, and spelling, please apply to me right away.

Your job would be difficult, though. Essentially, you would be allocating a large amount of free time on both Wednesdays and Thursdays to reading and rereading the City Scoop, notifying us of all the errors. If you are capable of that, and willing to assist, I'd love to hear from you! Apply today!

Also, in response to the "It's getting stale" comments: Fair enough. Lemur hit it on the head when he said we desperately want constructive criticism. As a matter of fact, I have a few more ideaas sent to me in PM form, and I'm about to sift through them and see if we can bring them into the mix.

Thank you all very much! Keep sending the ideas!

~Marcian

P.S. Just backing up LadyK. Libris and I discussed her quite a bit. I was hesitant at first, because her extremely low post count meant that I was unable to check her posts for a fair analysis of her potential and such, but the application she submitted was the most incredible thing, we couldn't help but see if she could deliver. (Incidentally, she did. In spades. )

I personally do not feel that we are being gripped by favoritism, but, I'd imagine that a cynic would immediately feel me biased.

The issue is this: We work with who wants to help. Very frequently we have brought people into this project of whom we have never heard (I'd list examples, but that's their personal business.). We judge based on content, pure and simple. People send me things all the time, and I look them over. If the person has a genuine contribution to bring to the City Scoop, I approach the rest of the group and tell them, for example, "Certain person wants in. They say that they will watch the Market for us. They gave me a link to said watching." At which point we get a yay or nay. In my position, one of my main responsibilities is bringing people into this project and communicating with the public. I can honestly tell you that I hadn't heard of a very large number of these people before bringing them into the fold.

Take LiquidX, for example. He's a good guy, possibly made of goo, so I don't know how he has a goatee, but I don't judge. When this project started, Ex Libris made an announcement, stating that people could contact Teldon or me if they wanted to contribute. X took that opportunity, and began writing to me, telling me that he could contribute an advice column of sorts. We began talking, and, eventually, he convinced me of how much he truly does rule. I talk with the group, he gets brought into it.

Until then, my idea of LiquidX was "that one guy who may or may not have been around before me." Honestly, that was all I knew.

Hertz and I are constantly evaluating the City Scoop and what needs to be done with it. For example, we noticed that we have a severe lack of PvP coverage. Though not a lot of people have posted that complain in this Discussion thread, we felt within ourselves that it was our responsibility to represent that group. Neither of us play PvP. We know so little about it, that we didn't even know who the "Big Names" were. So, bravely, Hertz headed off to the PvP Forums and began asking around the place. I, meanwhile, contacted a very active member of the PvPEC, telling that person our ideas. After much effort, we have found two members of the PvP community in whom we have a lot of confidence. Therefore, starting soon, you can expect to start seeing PvP get the coverage it so richly deserves.

Why am I going into all of this? I want you, and anyone who reads, to understand how things are done in City Scoop. It isn't about favoritism. It's about finding the people truly dedicated to doing a good job, and asking for their help.

If you or anyone is interested in helping, contact me right away. If you feel that there are specific examples of favoritism in the Scoop, let me know. We WANT to be called out, if their are legitimate examples.

There's more, but I feel that I started rambling somewhere in there. Thanks for your time, though. I really appreciate the criticism, as we take every bit of it seriously.

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I knew I should have edited that post.. let me try to explain: I know how to, but there may be those that don't know how to do a sudoku. All that's in the article is the puzzle and the 9 pics representing a number. My suggestion was that if/when it's done again, put the rules (or a link to it) next to/above/below/whatever to the actual puzzle, instead of on a completely different post that people may or may not see.

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Noted. Thank you very much for the feedback.

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Yea; background caught me off guard at first, but I realized it kind of looks more like an actual paper.

One mild concern: the puzzle at the end. While i'm sure there is a majority that know how to do the puzzle, perhaps a small blurb of instructions if/when this type of puzzle is done again?

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The basics of Sudoku can be found here.

Please note that the numbers 1-9 are merely symbolic of 9 different variations on symbols. No mathematical skill is required, and the pictures do not provide too much of an additonal challenge.

Sudoku is less like crosswords or mathematically based riddles. They follow similar logic employed in the classic "Block Moving" puzzles of certain video games.

Hope that helps! Post any requests for help here, and I'll see what I can do.

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Yes, Ironik, I do all the voices myself (except for the Circle of Thorns captive in Issue 10, that was Debt-Girl). You say you've heard most of the shows ... have you been listening to them in sequence and haven't caught up, or what?

As an irrelevant aside... you know, if somebody wanted to use the COH engine to do video for Stan and Lou, that'd be awesome. I don't know enough about /demorecord editing to do it myself.

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What would you say to people dooing live performances of them?

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Glad you liked it! But you know, Sesame Street wasn't the only reference.

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Oh, I know. If I tried to list them all, though, there would have been a MUCH longer post, the likes of which wouldn't be "helpful" feedback.

FYI, I went back and relistened to all of your recordings the other day. I have some things I will need to discuss with you at a later time.

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Here we go:

Stan and Lou on Striga Isle

Next up: Croatoa.

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More dedicated to clever word play and allusion than most of your recent work, I'm very much in love with it. I thought the entire thing was going to be an homage to Monty Python, but Lou caught on too quickly.

Also, the Sesame Street reference was fantastic.

This episode did two things that I really liked: 1) Gave Lou MUCH more air time than Stan, which I've been wanting for a while. 2) Really strove (is that a word?) to illustrate the dominate/ submissive relationship between Stan and Lou.

You stated a while ago that this project was based off of Vaudeville acts of old. That's illustrated well in this sketch that could, conceivably, be done with three people on a prop-less set with no blocking.

Short version: Nicely done.

Your concern is well noted. First of all, I'm very glad you enjoy our work! It's always nice to hear that.

Secondly, I can assure you very heavily that equal attention is, quite possibly, I highest concern right now. We are currently trying to recruit staff members to cover the aspects of the game we've been neglecting, and those that are working on the project already have been compiling lists and making game plans as to who to interview and win. There's a method to our madness that will present itself gradually as we continue. Just be sure that we won't neglect you for too long.

Tertiary order of business: Thanks for the feedback on the puzzle section! This section seems to be gathering a bit of a cult following, and we'll be experimenting with different ways to present it in the coming issues. Be sure to post again on the next issue, as I'd very much like to know what you think of that variation.

~Marcian

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Yay for probably the first issue that will DEFINITELY be 200% useless to me..

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*reads name*

Run.

Congrats, everyone! I don't know the others, and I wish them well, but I extend a personal congrats to Chase! ^_^

I'm going to go ahead and state this before someone else has to:

Yes, we are aware that we haven't properly covered PvP. We are currently accepting applications for those that want to join City Scoop for the purpose of making sure that PvP is appropriately represented.

Ideally, we would have at least two people on staff for this purpose. Please PM me if you are interested in this role.

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Great - another issue with none of the content we asked for! Vehicles, no. Interplanetary travel, no. increased cap., no.

yeah... I'm sooo excited.

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Welcome to the forums, though! I hope you find something in there that pleases you.

I'm noticing a VERY irregular amount of people whose posts are credited as replies to mine.

I'm not that compelling, really.

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Looks awsome, it doesn't specify but does this mean the Crash site is a villian zone as well now?

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No - what happens is the hero who starts the TF picks how many of the empty spaces he wants to be villains, and they are forced into the TF team, and auto-ported to missions.

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You enjoyed that, didn't you?

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Congratulations on being extraordinarily, exceedingly anal about something that really did not need it.

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I don't think it's so unnecessary that this deserved your comment.

Proofreading is important. Trust me on this. It helps an establishment to look more professional and "real".

You two have a difference of opinion. I sense a pointless flame war going. If this is going to be a discussion of "Yes, you are." "No, I'm not.", please take it to PMs.

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Hah! What's with all the whining about villians not having strike forces spread out through the levels? I've been playing for 6 months and have yet to complete a strike force. EVER! When I first started playing on heroes I got in on a few but they always went HORRIBLY. Chaotic, no direction in the group and the group always team collapsed half way through the first freakin mission! After the third time of this I decided I was NEVER touching that crap again.

No strike forces for villains? Awww Awwww gonna cry... here it comes.... almost there! .... Nope can't do it.

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I love you. So much.

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I had no problem completing TFs or SFs finished RSF like 30 times. Just finished Katie Hannon Task Force last nite without single death if you are see one of my toons i more than welcome will u with a TF/SF...

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I adore task forces and strike forces. They rule utterly and completely. I just loved how eloquently this point of view was put forth.

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Hah! What's with all the whining about villians not having strike forces spread out through the levels? I've been playing for 6 months and have yet to complete a strike force. EVER! When I first started playing on heroes I got in on a few but they always went HORRIBLY. Chaotic, no direction in the group and the group always team collapsed half way through the first freakin mission! After the third time of this I decided I was NEVER touching that crap again.

No strike forces for villains? Awww Awwww gonna cry... here it comes.... almost there! .... Nope can't do it.

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I love you. So much.

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*sings* War! Huh, what is it good for?!

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Absolutely awesome
Say it again

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I have to say it... the Co-Op TF pictures in the preview are very lame... for all I can tell its just a couple screen shots of two heroes!

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My reaction, as well.

You just know that they are going to be main characters, and the light blue one is going to be utterly despicable.

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Please tell me villains are going to get more Strike forces in the level ranges they are missing in issue 10? If not this is more towards giving heroes more content than filling in any gaps villains have. I just hope this is just the first part of the issue 10 goodies.

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Since everything being added can be enjoyed equal by both groups (if I read that correctly), this is as split down the middle as things can get.

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Yep. Looks like the Dev finally gave up on making unique content for each side and are just smearing the games together now.

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I can see that, and it's a completely legitimate way to cry "Dooooooom!" I'm just personally going to strangle those that feel that this issue is proof of Hero favoritism.

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Please tell me villains are going to get more Strike forces in the level ranges they are missing in issue 10? If not this is more towards giving heroes more content than filling in any gaps villains have. I just hope this is just the first part of the issue 10 goodies.

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Since everything being added can be enjoyed equal by both groups (if I read that correctly), this is as split down the middle as things can get.

Okay, now that you can technically play with both heroes and villains from levels 35 +, I think that everyone that wants to "combine the archetypes" can find a way to be happy, while purists (like myself) can get over themselves.