I will be at RF this year, and I am going to be working this convention.

I will be around as Security, and I will be on a couple of panels (as a panelist).

Panels:
Self-Publishing: The Perils and Pitfalls (Friday 4-5 p.m., Elliot B)
Writer’s Blocks: Tools and Tricks (Sunday Noon-1 p.m., Elliot B)

If you want to contact me to hang out, please, send me a comment or a note.

I'm sure a few of you are wondering why I have books by Joyce Reynolds-Ward listed on my profile. That is because I am Ms. R-W's layout artist/designer for the Netwalk Sequence, a neuropunk romantic adventure family saga, where the protagonist is a female, and yes, there's even skiing involved.

Netwalk: Expanded Edition
For seven years, Melanie Landreth has maintained a lonely outpost in the Pacific Northwest while fighting a shadow war against the oppressive government controlled by her grandmother, Sarah Stephens. Then her grandmother's death launches a cascade of events, including the discovery of a new virtual technology, NETWALK, which allows personalities to fully upload to digital life when their bodies die. As her mother Diana steps forward to wrest political power during the government collapse, Melanie must help her gain control of NETWALK--and discovers the existance of the mysterious device that NETWALK was created to control. With the help of Marty Fielding, Melanie strives to wrench control of Netwalk from opponents within her own family--and finds that she's not alone as she once feared. But what alliances can she trust in a swiftly changing world? What is Gizmo? How can she best protect her family, her business, and her loved ones in the face of an uncertain future?
This expanded edition of the first book, Netwalk, includes some additional short stories that weren't in the first edition, two short stories that have never been published before, and a reprint of two stories that were previously published. You can find this book on sale in your local bookstore or at the following sites:
Amazon -- Barnes and Noble (Nook) -- Smashwords -- Google Play (coming soon)

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Netwalker Uprising
In a post-apocalypse recovery future, Melanie Fielding fights to protect her family and her business. As an Enforcer--someone who regulates the virtual behavior of personalities uploaded to the Net after their death--she’s both a protector….and a target. To guard what she prizes most, she has to ally with her treacherous grandmother, the Netwalker Sarah Stephens--but can she trust Sarah?
You can find this book on sale at the folllowing sites:
Amazon -- Barnes and Noble (Nook) -- Smashwords -- Google Play

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Front Cover for both books were done by David M Rivet
Interior design, spine, and back cover design were done by myself

 Bourbon just had a hotel roommate drop extremely late (as in within the last 24 hours) for Mephit Furmeet, which is happening this weekend.

Details here: http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/5004751/

 DragonflyBunny needs some assistance with money to pay for her power bill, before Wednesday, 8/28/2013. Please check her journal here: http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/4998954/

Well, for those that haven't heard, OUYA has apologized for not getting their console out to backers in time, and for Customer Service not being stellar (although, I was being very patient). So, for their apology and our trouble, they're offering $13.37 for purchases in their app store "Discover."

...I wasn't expecting them to offer -that- much in compensation. That is about 2-5 games, free. Yes, I'm going to take them up on it (and have. Got two games out of it, including You Don't Know Jack).

When it comes to Fat Bunny Week at FA, I honestly don't mind it, as long as it's not always sexual in nature (to stoke the flames coming from those that hate it). Other than that, I'm just enjoying some of the artwork that comes out from this week.

Also, the banner. One word: Cute. Bunny Fender doing a bunny yawn, and looking like a lionhead...I would love to have this picture myself. :3

Seriously, it's been updated to have all that information there, as well as show how many slots are available.

Is it because of no awareness this feature is back? Or is it because of something else?

Yes, I updated my userpage info. Some of the information was out of date (no longer learning C/C++, but I still know it). I am also going to be updating it over the next few days, testing out layouts and putting people on there. Give me feedback on it, please.

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For those that have just added me to their watch list, I don't post a whole lot of pictures, more journal entries, and that's dependent on if I have the time, with classes and gaming and everything. I do strive to give some sort of content on a semi-regular basis, though.

I may also start posting some text submissions that I write myself, when I find the time. Would include a comprehensive backstory, influenced by previous roleplays or events that have happened either on various chat sites or on SL. I will also try to get all the copyrights cleared by the owners of the characters before I start such.

Yes, I'm reviewing three things in this journal. Why? 'cause I really want to.

Contents:
* OUYA review
* Saturday Morning RPG (OUYA edition) review
* No Brakes Valet review

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OUYA review

Ok, let's get started on the review of the OUYA, the console that I received about a couple of weeks ago.

You may have read some reviews about how shitty the console may be, that it is crap, etc. I am going to set the record straight.

I am walking into this as if I was reviewing any piece of technology, not reviewing a game console.

The problem is with a bunch of these reviews is they were reviewing it and putting it up against other game consoles. It's like comparing an apple to an Asian Pear. They may be similar (in the fact they're both a fruit and share a similar shape), but that is not how you compare the OUYA.

Anyway, on to the review.

As soon as you boot up the console, you are immediately prompted to update your system to the latest version of the firmware. Once that is complete, you are able to choose what you want to do (Play, Discover, Make, Settings). First, you need to choose which game you want to look at and download. Now the store is not 100% clear where it is, but it is the "Discover" choice. Let's say you want to get an OUYA exclusive, they have a section dedicated to just that. Let's say you want to look at all the "Action" titles in the store. Where are the categories? Buried in the store.

The store could use some improvements by moving the categories to either the top or to where you can see it on the first screen, not towards the last "Major category" where you can see other suggestions and what other people are playing (But it is good to see it on the first page). However, the fact that you can try everything in the store before you decide to go and purchase it is good.

XBMC, while it was implied that it was a launch title, has yet to be put in the store. Not OUYA's fault, though. However, it was made up by Flixster having their own app on the OUYA (Yes, you can now watch your Ultraviolet movie on the OUYA).

Moving onto the hardware, it feels rather fast, not like a phone or a tablet, but definitely has that oomph in the processing power. It is also very small (as I sad, about the size of a softball), light, but it actually has weight in it (in fact, they added weights to keep it from tipping over).

The controller, while similar to the XBox 360 controller, has their own take on it. The battery compartments are under the metal plates, held on by magnets. Many small magnets. On top of this, you also have a touchpad, which if you aren't paying attention to the design specs, you will probably never become aware that your controller has such (they had this option put in before the PS4 was even announced).

All in all, the OUYA, while isn't a big contender against the PS4 or the XBox One, certainly holds its own weight. With any console able to become a dev console, this really works for both an educational tool on how to make your own console games, and an entertainment tool for those that are wanting to have a good, yet cheap console.

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Saturday Morning RPG (OUYA) review

This game, first released on the iOS, makes its debut on the OUYA as a launch title. If you are unfamiliar as to what it is, it's a JRPG-style game that is semi-3D and has a lot of '80's references. Remember the trapper keeper? Remember those Scratch 'n Sniff stickers? Yeah, those are in there. Remember Transformers? No, the original transformers in the '80s. Yeah, references to them there. References to Laserdiscs, Michael Jackson, Baseball cards, Nuns with rulers (yeah...discipline those enemies), and many others, including several movies from that era. Vince DiCola, whom did music work on "The Transformers: The Movie" and several other projects, also composed music for SMRPG.

Now, this game utilizes the touchpad in a way that enhances the gameplay. Remember when I asked about the Scratch 'n Sniff stickers? You use the touchpad to scratch those and gain stat boosts. The battle system is one that would remind you of the traditional JRPG, one without an Active Time Battle (ATB) system, and not one that is "turn-based" but more "speed/stat based." The battle system makes up for a lack of an ATB by allowing the player to actively defend against attackers by timing their "defense." The closer you hit the button to damage, the better your defense score is, the less damage you take (which, in some battles, is essential). After the battle, you are graded and you get experience and cash based on how well you did the battle in three areas: Damage (how much you dealt, any crits, etc.), Defense (Did you get any "Good Defense" to "Righteous Defense"), and Speed (how fast you were at finishing). The grades go from SSS to D (From worst to best: D, C, B, A, S, SS, and SSS).

The story is your tried-and-true formula of your nemesis or antagonist doing something that would be a monumental problem for your town or world (Save for Episode 1, which is your damsel in distress formula). You usually have a warm-up battle against some low-level enemy (save for Episode 4), and it builds up to the end boss, with one-to-four mid-level bosses you have to defeat (Episode 4 being the exception, where there are quite a few "bosses").

The music, really makes the immersion into the game complete and it makes you feel like you're traveling back into the '80s.

Saying this, the game, while the graphics are not pushing the limits of this console, for an indie game raised on Kickstarter, it's rather well done. I really look forward to having more content, though.

Graphics: 8/10 (Good use of cutscenes and camera controls during cutscenes)
Music: 9/10 (Full-immerse experience during episodes)
Programming (any bugs present): 7/10 (A sound bug in episode 4, no 'looping sounds' on the main menu, no music on endless or arena battles).
Story: 7/10 (Good use of connecting the story from each previous episode)
Controls: 9/10 (GREAT and inventive use of the touchpad)
Overall: 8/10

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No Brakes Valet review

This OUYA-exclusive game seems to be a little bit lackluster, but for a 2-player quick game, if you want to settle bets or figure out whom would get what, then this game would be much more interesting than just flipping a coin.

The goal of "No Brakes Valet" is to park as many cars in the parking lot perfectly, to grab as much money in tips, and to get a good amount in tips.

The graphics on this are really basic, reminiscent of the days of DOS and NES days, with very simple controls and no story line. But then again, I can not stress this enough, this is a QUICK, TIME-FRIENDLY GAME. It is not meant to be a long game, but a quick game.

For this one, I am not going to use the same rubric as I did with SMRPG, because of the different intent. This is going to be forgoing the story, and bring in a new category, intuitiveness (Can you easily pick this up and understand the controls?).

Graphics: 4/10
Music: 0/10 (sound effects only).
Programming (any bugs present): 6/10 (Two-player seems to be semi-bugged on points).
Intuitiveness: 4/10 (Expects the user to know everything right off the bat, no explanation of the controls for new users, no "tutorial" or explanation of how the game is played)
Controls: 4/10 (Under-utilization of the controls, no explanation given)
Overall: 3.6/10

DOMA has been declared Unconstitutional (Vote: 5-4). Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/.....n_3454811.html

The people whom want Prop 8 were told they had no constitutional ground to defend the law in courts (Vote: 5-4). Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/.....n_3434854.html

Well, mine just arrived, 5 days before it comes out in stores (Kicksterter LE Brown version), and I already have a couple of things to say about it.

1.) OH MY GOD IT'S TINY! Seriously. Take a softball in your hand. Yeah. That small. Weighs about the same too.

2.) Not 100% Bug-free. I have two controllers that refuse to turn off now, at least. I haven't tested it out fully, but I'll find out. Also Controller number 4 doesn't seem to always work. :\

I'm still going to be messing around with all of these, so I'll tell you about all of these when I can.

As far as the boxing is concerned, the box seemed a bit beat up, but the inside was all good.

Also...batteries under the metallic parts = win.

And bluetooth-based controllers = win.

Remember VLC? Well, they're creating a video editing tool, called VLMC. Nothing stable as of yet, but they are looking for contributors.

Details here: http://www.videolan.org/vlmc/

NOTE: Keep in mind, this is not a complete review. I have only played a portion of what is available to you.

Episode 4 of Penny Arcade's On The Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness series continues you off where we left off from the previous game, immediately after the major battle with the endgame boss and the destruction of the world (Seriously. The world is destroyed. Spoiler if you haven't played Episode 3. If you haven't, play it).

From what I have played so far, the storyline continues to have the same tone of sarcastic wit and general humor about the RPGs that not only the developer the latter two games (Zeboyd Games) is known for, but has the same humor as the rest of the series is known for, over two developers.

The battle style is still the same as before with this developer, and with Episode 3 of the series (set-point battles without worrying being at full health, no "game over" due to dying, no limitations to lives (PA-series Zeboyd Games exclusive), in-battle inventory not limited (except quantity of in-battle uses), MP regen/turn). The graphics are the same style, known to be used by this developer.

What is different is how these battles are conducted. Instead of utilizing "standard" RPG battle ideas, where the characters you control outside of battle are the same characters you control inside the battle, they take the Pokemon approach, utilizing selected enemies that you either initially fight or find in the process, and add them to your party, with the characters you control outside the battle, be the "trainers" inside the battle, where your minions utilize their own powers alongside using their trainer's powers. Everyone whom is in your party still levels up, and some of the powers are the same, some are different.

Continuing on this, they also add a new antagonist group, called the "Fish Force." Yes...again, from Pokemon, they brought in Team Rocket.

There is also a character that was in the last episode that is now your ally in this episode, and you both team up and complete this quest.

As far as the learning curve, for those that are new to the game, the storyline will confuse you, but the controls are still the same as before. There is also a tutorial at the beginning that you follow, all the way to the end of the first boss.

This also has two separate storylines, so prepare yourself for time playing in X party, switch to Y party, then switch back to X party for a while. If you have seen the new Arrested Development season on Netflix, you will know what I am talking about.

While Steam doesn't say anything about controller support, this game is able to be played with an Xbox-like controller, no problem, and is 100% accessible as such. I do not know about other controllers, though.

If you like the early Final Fantasy games, and want some humor and a slightly easier, peace of mind approach to the genre, with a Pokemon twist and a well-written storyline, I would recommend this game.

Well...in case you all are wondering what's been happening with the kickstarter OUYAs, here's the skinny.

They finished "shipping" (their term, not mine) all of the kickstarter OUYAs around May 24.

I recieved my #myouyaiscoming e-mail (meaning it's in the process of being delivered) on May 29.

I received my tracking number (from DHL) on Monday (June 3).

Checked tracking number...

..Tracking number is not found.

...wat?

The tracking number was supposed to be able to track within 24/48 hours, and here it is, around 72 hours later (at least), and no info.

I also looked around. Apparently, there's more problems than just this. Packages will not be able to be tracked until one week after getting this e-mail.

Not to mention high tariffs for those that live outside the US, in some cases, twice the price of the console (because of the DHL tacking on an outrageous fee, which accounts for 90% of the tariff charge).

I was also expecting to have my console -by- March or April. I got the Limited Edition Kickstarter OUYA and I'm being told, worst-case, that I will not receive it until launch day?! (The e-mail said June 5 to June 25)

...at this point, I'm planning on talking with the makers of OUYA for some sort of compensation. The reason FOR the Kickstarter, was to get the product 1-3 months before launch. I'll be lucky that I would even get it 1 week before launch (which, launch is, guess when? *GASP* June 25). I do want my console, but I also want compensation. Not asking for much, just some monetary compensation, up to $30ish (about the price of one controller before the price increase).

I'm going to contact OUYA support about this.

In other news on ridiculous patents, Microsoft, the makers of Windows and the Xbox systems, have applied for a patent to create achievements for watching TV and advertisements, which also include making you react a certain way to unlock either digital or physical awards.

Details here: http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articl.....v-achievements

This...really is very stupid. It's along the lines of patenting achievements, when it's already made generic by most everyone (Playstation Trophies, Steam Achievements, etc.). All it is, a dick-measuring contest.

Dear Monsanto corporation,
Stop patenting DNA and genes. You're slowly making progress towards owning everyone in the human race, against their will. You're also making us pay more in food, because you're charging farmers to grow every year, not letting them reuse some of their crop for personal use. It's like a computer software company doing this for every computer that someone owns.
You also are patenting genes, and patenting the human genome is immoral and unethical. You do not own the human race, nor do you own diseases. That's like patenting something that is in public domain.
You do not own me. I own myself, thank-you.

Salem

Well...that con really could had been done a bit better, but still, not bad for a "0" con.

I ended up volunteering for them, being in convention ops for a good part of the con (which ended up needing to be changed around).

Even then, I hung out with  ChemicalDrgn and met  drayk there, and had an awesome time with them, as well as hanging out with Aloha and one or two other people that I can't remember off the top of my head.

As to me coming back next year, yes, I am. I'll probably end up being on staff so they can do things that would work much better, instead of the way it was.

OH! And I still need to contact  tojo-the-thief. >.<

Honestly people, read what it says.

First of all, have you heard of FA banning ANYONE for just blocking users?

Second, if there was any hackers going around and doing this, there would had been a bit more transparent post coming from Dragoneer or the administration in general, and we would be FORCED TO CHANGE OUR PASSWORDS.

Third, posting a journal that "protects" you in any shape or form by just reposting it, is not how it works. If a hacker takes over your account, they would probably do some more malicious stuff than just what is described.

Fourth, the administration would give us a WARNING about hackers coming in and doing this.

Fifth, if you are so worried, change your password into a passphrase. No, not your birthdate/city/name. A stronger password. Such as this example from XKCD. Or, if you don't want to click on that link and have a laugh while learning and go tl;dr, use a password with four random words that you will remember (such as "CorrectHorseBatteryStaple").

Sixth, have a "filter" when you read. Meaning, if it doesn't sound right, question it. It's alright to question the source of something.

Yeah, I know I was thinking about going, and I did say on another fur's journal that I am going, so...I am going to Furlandia.

For those that are going, I actually know the area rather well. It is near Portland State University, and it has A LOT of food carts and A LOT of food options. You name it, they probably have it.

In fact, I'll list 'em here.

4 Pizza places (all chains, only one national)
~3 bars (unconfirmed), 2 are restaurants.
20+ food carts with different types of cuisine, mostly Central and South American and Thai (Seriously. At least 4 of those carts are thai).
4 Mexican restaurants, minimum
1 fast-food Chinese takeout
1 Sushi restaurant
At least 2 coffee shops
...and that's not even all of them within walking distance, nor counting the PSU cafeteria at Smith Memorial Student Union.

Again...I do not think ANYONE will go hungry.

This day flew by fast. I actually helped a friend of mine move from about 9 a.m. to about 11:30 p.m.

I managed to get my ISP (whom shall remain nameless) to lower my bill (by $25/month) again, without changing my services. Keep in mind, though, I have been their customer for about 2-3 years, so I am able to get a bit of leeway when it comes to these negotiations. Next up, contacting my mobile phone service, see if I can get a good deal with them for the next bill (Loyal customer to them for 10+ years).

As some of you know, I have started my own SL military*, Koveli Worldwide. I've had encouragement by others, and by some of the same people (not the ones that are already with other militaries, but "free agents" at the time), joined 2142nd or other militaries, making me feel abandoned.

It really hurts me when someone encourages such, and then, goes off and does such, especially when I've had as many setbacks (No guns, nothing arriving on-time, except for weapons by a different company). It feels like "Oh, yeah, go for it" and then get stabbed in the back.

* = For those that don't know what an SL military is, it's a group of people that take SL and turn it into a "bastardized" first-person shooter. It does work, but it is also self-regulated, meaning the group that owns the sim, controls the rules, and you have to follow the rules.

I may not be an artist, but I am definitely a "publisher" that is very savvy on publishing for Nook, Amazon Kindle, Createspace, Smashwords, and other formats.

Publishing: $20 to $30/hour, depending on complexity

To give you an idea on pricing, take a look at the prices below:
Publishing to only Print on Demand Services (i.e. CreateSpace): 2 hours, including cover layout and edits. - $40-60
Publishing to Amazon Kindle, Nook, and Google Play (AND get the layout you WANT, not the layout you're FORCED to use): 3-4 hours - $60-120
Publishing to all of the above: 5+ hours - Starting at $100

Other formats would require some research (unless you already have the information).

Here is what I do need:
1.) Cover
2.) Internal pages in a Microsoft Word format (NOT PDF. PDF is just images).
3.) Dedication text
4.) "Back cover" text
5.) ISBN number
6.) (CreateSpace only) Page size and page type (white or creme).
7.) Additional text you want placed inside.

I can also create any promotional materials, for $15-20 per material.

A few days ago, I was talking about publishing a handbook on multiple formats with a couple of friends, and I said that I would be publishing for devices. They said they already have and said that PDF works wonders.

...they are truly mistaken.

Portable Document Format (PDF), for all intents and purposes, is a series of images of pages, derived from postscript. If you create a page in word, letter size (8.5 inches by 11 inches), then the PDF would be formatted for such. There is no word wrap, and you can only zoom.

Granted, this is ONE of the options I am planning on publishing (because, PDF is one of the electronic publishing files), but there are better ones out there. ePUB and AZW/KF8 (a.k.a. Amazon Kindle Format 8) support word wrap, and makes things readable on smaller screens, without having to scroll too much (Try reading a PDF on a phone. It is much more difficult there).

Transferring PDFs to the same devices that support these other formats may seem like a good idea, but in reality, if it has to convert, it's using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to translate it into a format, and why bother adding additional cycles to that, having others convert it, and make it unreadable, when you can just use ePUB and KF8 natively, not have global problems, and support almost every single device out there? Not to mention most professional digital distribution (a.k.a. Smashwords, Kindle shop, and Barnes and Noble) prefer ePUB (or in the case of Amazon, KF8) over PDF and Microsoft formats, because of how ePUB is built.

ePUB is a compressed file (literally a .zip file) with images and XML for the chapters. KF8 uses parts of HTML5/CSS3 and XML, and is comprised similarly as ePUB. The difference is ePUB is Free/Libre Open Source Software and KF8 is proprietary software, based off of standards. PDF is also proprietary, but a collection of images, instead of XML, which XML can be edited in a text editor, PDFs need to be re-created.

*sighs* Never, never, never say that PDF is a good format for reading electronic books. It is good for publishing to paper (i.e. Print on Demand services, such as Createspace, ask for PDF/X-1a standards), but not good for reading on a large assortment of devices.

I hate doing this, but I am really upset.

The year that I don't go to AC, everyone whom I wanted to meet in RL is going and this is after this decision. I can't go to AC any longer, and people keep saying "Oh, next year," when they don't know my situation. This year is possibly going to be the LAST YEAR I am able to go to any con outside of the Northwest, and I can only go to one con, which is Midwest Furfest. Next year, I am only going to be able to go to Rainfurrest or Furlandia, cons that I can drive to.