Wizards Speak Out! (But Not Obnoxiously, Please)

Hello Wizards of the universe (spiral to be more specific).  As many of you know, I have my hand in quite a few community related locations throughout the spiral (and beyond).  Well, I did up until college...and over Thanksgiving Break I kinda started to get a bit more involved again.  Piggle Rallying, completing CL for the first time, etc.  Yes, yes, I'm all legendary and stuff now. [INSERT EVIL GRIN HERE]  Really though, I'm seeing some issues in the community I was once so active in.

The issue I'm talking about is one of language.  Yes, language.  No, I do not mean the language barrier between English speaking players and Foreign language speaking players.  The language in-game (in the spiral [ITS]) and also outside of the game (in the greater Wizard City area where the vast majority of wizards' islands spend their time floating around so that we all have places to stay when we're not off combating evil and where we can continue to keep in touch with friends from the game [AKA Twitter, Wizard101 ConnectX, Facebook *though I don't have one for wizards...*, blogs, Wizard101 Central, etc.] has been rapidly declining.  ITS at least, KingsIsle has language filters in place (that some naughty wizards circumvent for their own purposes...) but Twitter has nothing of this nature to protect its younger users from the foul mouths of some older players.  This needs to stop; and it will stop if wizards will just start using their heads.  It is well understood that the Wizard101 Twitter Feeds are meant to be safe for players of all ages to view.

Would you ever run into battle without a deck equipped?  What about a wand?  These are vital pieces of a wizard's battle kit and completely necessary for survival.  All of that is nothing without thinking about which cards to play.  Yes, I said THINKING.  I am aware that many of you enter the spiral to decompress after a long day (I know I do quite often) but the thinking is still there.  It might be semi-automatic now, but you still carefully consider which cards to play when and in what order.  Trap stacking specifically requires much thought.  Why isn't this much thought being put into things that small children read? 

Basically, we need to think before we tweet (yes mom, I know it's supposed to be think before you speak but I'm modifying here...)  Older twizards (wizards that use twitter) should not have to be consciously monitoring what is being said to ding people on saying inappropriate things.  Even phonetic spellings of words not meant for young ears should ever be sent out. 

So, I'm being a bit rambly today but it's something that just really irks me.  We should be protecting the the minds of the future generations so that they don't end up as twisted as they might if we keep up the language.  Please everyone, let's put on our filters before we speak, or there will be people there to call you on it. 

Your [Overly Protective] Friend Always,
John Lifeglen

Psstt...*Whisper Whisper*:The Rumor Mill

John Lifeglen here to talk today about rumors.  I'm taking a few minutes between lunch and next class (because my time is incredibly limited these days :/) to say hi and discuss an issue that I see growing in our fare game.  I'm sure we've all heard things similar to this:

(Note, this is a hypothetical conversation, not one that actually took place)

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Person A: Pssttt......Hey did you hear about the [insert epic items here]??

Person B: Um, no...what does [item] do?

Person A: Well, it looks REALLY COOL and it happens to do [insert string of stats].

Person B: COOL, where can I get one, and can I see it?

Person A: Well...I think it's rare, I may be the only person that has one.

Person B: Please tell me, but let me see!

Person A: You get it as a drop from [insert obnoxiously tedious boss].
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What you have just witnessed is a very meanspirited prank pulled by players all over the internet.  Usually, the item doesn't exist and is only advertised to make players waste their time hunting for something fake.  Recently, the Triton pet rumor began.  A lot of players were really excited at this prospect.  This rumor has been shut down by the lovely Professor Greyrose.  In the past, rumors of a Kraken, Ice Kraken, and Fire Kraken were all started by an unknown entity on Wizard101 Central.  These rumors have never been confirmed, and follow a similar format: "My friend told me in whisper he got [pet] on a drop, but he isnt online and it hasn't hatched yet.  He said he got it [boss]."  The player who posted this was told a dirty rotten lie and was the victim in this scenario, and his reputation could have been hurt because of what his friend told him.  His so-called friend wasn't playing very nice.

The rumor mill in games isn't quite as big of an issue with people getting hurt in games, at least not on the pets/loot topic.  However, starting rumors can hurt credibility and cause mistrust.  Also, rumors about other people can hurt friendships, feelings, and have extreme consequences. 

Long story short, rumors are bad.  Let's try to confirm our facts before telling even one person about them.  Asking a person to confirm the truth in it and telling someone that something is true are not the same thing, and asking questions is always a plus.  Ask questions about rumors, don't just pass them off as fact until it is known for certain.

Your Friend Always,
John Lifeglen

Student Teacher?!?

So, uh...most of you probably knew this before I did, as I wasn't aware that I was on the ballot.  Apparently, I was nominated (and elected) Balance Student Teacher.  I guess this means that I now need to try and magically expand the day into 30 hours.  I'll do my best to get a guide up and mod and this and that and everything else that comes with it, but it'll take some time.  Thank you to all who voted for me and who have stuck with this weary sorcerer through it all.  I'll try and meet with the other student teachers to see if we can't throw something together in the ways of a party soon.  No promises, as I'm sure everyone has busy schedules.  I guess this also means I should be working to legendary a bit faster...oh my what a work load I have just accumulated.  It'll be a fun ride, and I can't wait to work with you all!

Your [Stunned] Friend Always,
John Lifeglen

Stayin' Alive

Hey gang! John here again with a few more updates.

First off, sorry about the extended absence; homework, work, and free time (+SLEEP) don't come easily in college.  This being said, I haven't yet worked on Celestia. 

Main purpose of this post: I have added a Ravenwood Radio countdown as a minor contribution to the community since I cannot be around to give tips or help people myself.  It is located in the right column at the top, along with the Bloggers' Club party one. (We have something in the works right now coming soon...sort of. Give it some time!!)

So, that being said, the black countdown leads to Ravenwood Radio.  Feel free to use the "Get Widget" button and repost it, I will be keeping it updated as best I can and much like Hermione's Magic Galleons or He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's tattoos, my master countdown will update everyone else's! (In theory...still working out the kinks.)

And now I'm off to math.

Your [Incredibly Overworked] Friend Always,
John Lifeglen

Time Management

Hello Wizards!  John Lifeglen here (at last) with some news.  Not good or bad, just news.  I am still trying to be active, but my class schedule is awful and doesnt allow me much play time.  It doesn't allow for much time for anything, really.  Even this post comes speedily written as I need to get back to reading Descartes Meditations.  It's old, and a bit dull...but I have to read it. 

On another note, don't expect any Test Realm spoilers from me, I haven't bought any crowns lately enough to play there, and I don't plan to get more until CL hits the live game.  Especially not on a college student's budget. 

I'm still playing active chairperson for the Bloggers' Club of course, and if any of you enterprising members want to get out and have a party, let me know so I can hook you up with the proper endorsements, etc.  I'll change the timer for you, write something up, maybe even put it on ConnectX for you.  Just e-mail me through the link above /\ LOOK UP /\ with your Wizard's name, proposed date/time, and theme, and then I'll take care of port bus locations.  We have hit a dry spot recently and we should really be working to do something as a community!

And with that, Descartes calls.  And math, and public speaking *drowns in piles of paperwork*.

Your [Floundering] Friend Always,
John Lifeglen