| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| EltonJ |
Posted - 08 Sep 2010 : 13:11:45
Yep, my post on WotC being ignored. I wonder if everyone who posted there on their Realms threads is posting here.
|
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Markustay |
Posted - 15 Sep 2010 : 20:12:39
You can always tell if a bookstore has a 'resident geek' by how well-stocked their SciFi and Fantasy section is.
I used to go to a Walden's Books in the mall near me, just because the girl that worked there was a D&D nerd (and not too shabby looking either!) Even though the store was rather small, especially compared to the new 'super book stores' (Borders, Barnes & Noble), she always kept the game section and the Fantasy section WELL stocked, and was the only store around I could find just about any D&D novel, no matter how obscure.
That was awhile back - Borders has since 'eaten' the Waldens chain. 
The girl - now a woman - is manager their now, but since they are pretty much told what to carry by 'corporate' (they are considered a 'Borders express'), she can't keep her game and SciFi section nearly as complete as she did years ago.
{sigh}... not only did I find a great bookstore, but I found a pretty girl that played D&D! A rare treasure indeed... |
| Erik Scott de Bie |
Posted - 15 Sep 2010 : 16:33:39
Off-topic, but . . .
quote:
Originally posted by Diffan
And, BTW, I went to Borders and I did not see your book on the shelves Erik and I was rather pissed. I don't know if it cuz they sold out or what but finding a copy is rather difficult. Still looking though.
I find it's usually a good idea to check online before you go to see if they have copies in stock, and ask at customer service if you're already in the store. Sometimes they have them in the back and just haven't put them out on the shelf.
And there's always Amazon.
Cheers |
| Kno |
Posted - 15 Sep 2010 : 13:20:58
I asked an Eberron question about a week ago, only two people responded. |
| Diffan |
Posted - 13 Sep 2010 : 15:01:40
quote:
Originally posted by Erik Scott de Bie
*P.S. There was one rather funny thread which was called the Book Bashing Thread: Downshadow (or something like that), which was all about brainless attacks on my book and me as an author, but I think that was mostly entertainment rather than actual reviews. Not that I'm encouraging that sort of thing, but we managed to take it in stride. 
I remember that thread. I think it was the Original Poster's idea of commenting on the book and being funny about it at the same time. For the most part, the reviews on that thread were rather positive. And, BTW, I went to Borders and I did not see your book on the shelves Erik and I was rather pissed. I don't know if it cuz they sold out or what but finding a copy is rather difficult. Still looking though. |
| Erik Scott de Bie |
Posted - 13 Sep 2010 : 14:51:39
quote:
Originally posted by Wenin
Threads on novels get insulting to the writers perhaps?
This hits the nail on the head, as I understand it. It predates my time writing for WotC, but I think the decision was made because people were launching personal attacks at the author of a book they didn't like, and the company didn't need that grief.
Since, novel discussion has come back as a valid topic, and that is one of the main purposes of the bookclub (see my post above).
Anyone and everyone is very welcome there, and we try hard to maintain a civil tone--so far, no problems.*
Cheers
*P.S. There was one rather funny thread which was called the Book Bashing Thread: Downshadow (or something like that), which was all about brainless attacks on my book and me as an author, but I think that was mostly entertainment rather than actual reviews. Not that I'm encouraging that sort of thing, but we managed to take it in stride. |
| Zireael |
Posted - 13 Sep 2010 : 09:27:15
A few years back I was a frequent poster at Wizards forum. Now I rarely visit... After the change many people left and no one is interested in FR/D&D. No replies, no comments - no reason to post... and the circle is finished. |
| Wenin |
Posted - 12 Sep 2010 : 21:52:12
Threads on novels get insulting to the writers perhaps? |
| Jakk |
Posted - 12 Sep 2010 : 21:24:13
I never really understood the ban on discussing novels... was it just to prevent people from getting a "CliffNotes" version and thereby not having to buy the novel? That makes about as much sense as the move they made to pull PDF sales because they didn't want people pirating them. Well, the PDF sales revenue stream has well and truly dried up for them by their own actions, and I'm sure that the piracy continues as undeterred as ever. In fact, it's probably worse, because the people who want PDF sources now have no choice but to (a) make the PDFs themselves, either from their own purchased hardcopy or illegally from someone else's, or (b) download them illegally. 
Edit: I bought a bunch of PDFs before they were pulled, and I've been living without the ones I don't have; I have all my 3.x stuff in dead tree editions with me, but all of my pre-3E hardcopy material is still in storage far too far away... hopefully I'll get a chance to collect it all this fall finally... 
Just a thought... hopefully someone in WotC marketing finds this, but then, WotC didn't listen to me when I posted there, so why would they listen to me now? |
| Lord of Bones |
Posted - 12 Sep 2010 : 10:38:14
I was a member there (and still am, I believe!) under this username way back when, and I used to be a pretty frequent poster. After the ban came in regarding discussing novels, my interest began to wane. I find the community on candlekeep, not to mention the lore that is thrown around with gay abandon, a much more enjoyable place to lurk. |
| Jakk |
Posted - 12 Sep 2010 : 07:10:44
I signed up on the WotC forums shortly after the release of 4E, before the release of 4E Realms, and every one of my (really quite civil) posts was ignored until I requested, with palpable exasperation, to have my account deactivated. This request was responded to almost immediately; I did have time to log off, but only just... I tried to log back on five minutes later, and I couldn't.
So... they do listen to you; you just have to ask the right questions. 
It was all for the best, really... I play and run two game systems these days: Pathfinder and Tunnels & Trolls, 5th Edition; the latter was the game that got me into role-playing in the first place. If I could afford to buy Ed's new Elminster novels in hardcover, it would be the only money WotC would see from me... unless, of course, they decide to release the Cormyr Lineage on a "pay per download" model separate from DDI. As I've said before, I'd happily pay for that document, whether in PDF, PTF (Plain Text Format), or DTF (Dead Tree Format). Apart from that, I can't think of anything they're now capable of offering that I'm interested in.
Edit: Well, there's also the un-cancelled Cycle of Night trilogy, when it comes along... and I'll be keeping an eye on the novels generally.
Happy rant over.  |
| Pazuzu |
Posted - 10 Sep 2010 : 08:29:50
Yes, I know the reason why they did it, but I cannot support that decision, both as an programmer and a economist. The website launched with a lot of bugs, and it took also a long time to fix them. Furthermore, the just reinvented the wheel, without any really new features. And I guess it was really expensive :-D
They could saved money, time, and bugs by using just existing software, though they may drop some of their ideas.
Just my 2 cents, and the reason why I don't like the forum, and even the whole community. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 10 Sep 2010 : 08:13:56
quote:
Originally posted by Pazuzu
One more thing not mentioned before why I don't go there anymore, is that the layout is so bad. Why did they created their own forum software?!?
Speaking as both a programmer and someone who has his hands in some pretty significant web-developments here in Australia, I can tell you that it's probably due to the fact that it's often easier to both implement your ideas and work with something you've created, than try to make existing software work for you. Especially if we're talking about such an expansive virtual community like Wizards.com.
Much of the generalised examples of existing forum software are easily adaptable, and offer a great deal of flexibility and creativity. But, sometimes, either as a programmer or web-developer, you'll ultimately find the "best" option is simply to design it yourself. That way, at least, you can ensure that you'll get exactly what you're looking for in terms of offering prime web-interactivity.
Does it always work out for the best? No. Will you succeed in pleasing everybody who uses your system? Certainly not. However, working with your own software only makes it that much easier to tinker and toy around with your work, and try to tailor it in such a way as to be as user-friendly to as many people as possible. |
| Pazuzu |
Posted - 10 Sep 2010 : 07:56:55
One more thing not mentioned before why I don't go there anymore, is that the layout is so bad. Why did they created their own forum software?!? |
| Dennis |
Posted - 10 Sep 2010 : 01:42:21
quote:
Originally posted by Erik Scott de Bie
Yeah, the WotC bookclub (http://community.wizards.com/bookclub) is much more interesting--and will be much MORE interesting in the near future.
And I'm not JUST saying that because I'm (at least soon to be) one of the mods there.
Cheers
Hmmm....A nice place to visit---perhaps.
|
| The Sage |
Posted - 10 Sep 2010 : 01:29:48
quote:
Originally posted by Erik Scott de Bie
Yeah, the WotC bookclub (http://community.wizards.com/bookclub) is much more interesting--and will be much MORE interesting in the near future.
And I'm not JUST saying that because I'm (at least soon to be) one of the mods there.
Cheers
Very interesting. Looks like I'll have to make this a somewhat more frequent stop during my daily web-wandering. |
| Markustay |
Posted - 10 Sep 2010 : 01:11:40
I only caught the tail-end of the WotC boards 'hey day', unfortunately. That first year I became a regular over there was awesome, though.
The war at the end was ugly... better off dead, I suppose.  |
| Kuje |
Posted - 09 Sep 2010 : 20:42:37
There's days when I remember all of the drama on the WOTC boards. Ah, those were the days. Smirk. |
| Brix |
Posted - 09 Sep 2010 : 20:30:03
Hey Matt. Nice video. You really rocked the session at gen con. Only seconded by Ed and his gleaming staff.
|
| Erik Scott de Bie |
Posted - 09 Sep 2010 : 20:13:43
Yeah, the WotC bookclub (http://community.wizards.com/bookclub) is much more interesting--and will be much MORE interesting in the near future.
And I'm not JUST saying that because I'm (at least soon to be) one of the mods there.
Cheers |
| Matt James |
Posted - 09 Sep 2010 : 20:08:50
Choose your flavor...
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.wizards.com/community |
| Diffan |
Posted - 09 Sep 2010 : 19:59:28
quote:
Originally posted by althen artren
so do the archives have a search feature. Ive tried looking for myth drannor
tidbits in Rich's discussion forum and can't narrow stuff down.
They do but I don't know how far it goes back honestly. When they re-vamped the forums, it wiped out alot of stuff.
I still try to post over there as much as possible but the discussions often fade and there are a lot of dead threads. I dunno if it's just the more vocal posters have left or if the discussions have just been re-hashed to death. I remember my early days a few years back when I'd have heated arguments and discussions with GothicDan, Rin, and Lord_Karsus. Good times... |
| Brix |
Posted - 09 Sep 2010 : 19:58:54
Many interessting threads are simply gone (old wizard boards, Gleemax). That's frustrating.
and.........
[starting flame war]
I don't like the 4E Realms
[/starting flame war] |
| althen artren |
Posted - 09 Sep 2010 : 19:40:15
so do the archives have a search feature. Ive tried looking for myth drannor
tidbits in Rich's discussion forum and can't narrow stuff down. |
| The Red Walker |
Posted - 09 Sep 2010 : 13:35:39
I did not know they still had a forum.
I thought it was destroyed in a "blue" fire or somesuch disaster? |
| The Sage |
Posted - 09 Sep 2010 : 08:18:51
quote:
Originally posted by Gray Richardson
It was a great place to hang out once upon a time.
Indeed. The long-gone heady days of you, Kuje, myself, GothicDan, and the rest of the "old gang." I'm glad I saved most of those now-ancient discussion threads. They still make for interesting reading.  |
| Quale |
Posted - 09 Sep 2010 : 07:59:14
Personally I can't stand the new boards, even Gleemax was tolerable comparing to it. Ironically that's why I did not post at Candlekeep during the old days. |
| Dark Wizard |
Posted - 09 Sep 2010 : 05:24:00
Double Post, apologies |
| Dark Wizard |
Posted - 09 Sep 2010 : 05:22:28
The 4E transition happened years ago. Much of the noise over that died down months if not years in the past. There was some decent discussion after the transition hoopla, much of it discussion on the new 4E setting and the Insider articles. There was even an upshot of activity when the new forums debuted, but its buggy start turned many away. For a while after, old and new posters tried to create an active community, but gradually many drifted away. After that it just didn't sustain the same activity as before.
Now that the activity has died down, the multiple FR sub-forums become a bit of a hindrance to driving activity because some sub-forums are inactive for days. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 09 Sep 2010 : 05:18:53
quote:
Originally posted by Gray Richardson
I feel strongly that the WotC boards could have used more active moderation and trimming of posts to keep the place civil and more upbeat. It's a shame really. It was a great place to hang out once upon a time.
Really? Did the moderation change, over the years? I ask because of my own negative experience with the moderation over there... One of my warnings was a global warning issued to everyone who'd participated in a particular thread, regardless of what they actually said (my own post in that thread was neutrally pointing out that the intent of the original poster was unclear, because of their grammar). Another warning was because I discussed the possibility of a novel -- not an actual novel, not plot or setting, but that a particular designer hadn't written a novel (in response to a question about whether or not he had), and noting that I'd be interested if he did write a novel.
And to this day I don't know what my final warning was about, because the thread was deleted within hours of whatever the offense was. I've followed up on that one twice, in the interest of clearing my name, and never got anywhere.
So my experience with the moderation there was that they were overly quick to jump on any issues, and rather indiscriminate with their response to those issues.
I must note that my stay there started just after novel discussions were banned, and only lasted 6 months or so. |
| Gray Richardson |
Posted - 09 Sep 2010 : 04:44:46
The WOTC forums are indeed pretty dead. Most of the interesting people who posted there have stopped posting. I assume that the lack of new products has created a sparsity of information to discuss. And the negative posters have made it an unpleasant place to hang out, driving away the designers and the fun people who had interesting things to say.
I feel strongly that the WotC boards could have used more active moderation and trimming of posts to keep the place civil and more upbeat. It's a shame really. It was a great place to hang out once upon a time. |
