Nonek

I was going to say that it only came out a bit back, then I totted it up and estimated that was about thirty years ago, Tempus Fugit indeed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0gryfllhhI

Fantastic update. Memorable characters for me have mostly been the Obsidian ones, they have a nice realism to them while restraining the overt ego stroking of other companies. Boone is very much a favourite, a tragic and broken man whom will never forgive himself and whom you cannot mend, only help deal with the pain a little. Arcade is another I like, a quintessentially good man in a bad place, who's looking for a better way and whose hope has not yet been extinguished. Kreia is obvious, a flawed and prejudiced woman who is terrifyingly strong, perhaps too strong, and is fighting the only morale battle in the Star Wars universe. Jeyne Kassynder is I know an unpopular choice but I felt that she was very well presented, a woman who was pushed too far by a cunning opponent and let her revenge consume who she was, and damn all that she cared for, a truly tragic character. Personally i'm not in favour of the characters who are a constant stream of "witticisms" as they get old very fast, and they seem far too needy in their unceasing attempts to make you like them. Then again Cass usually succeeded in raising a smile, with her bitter black humour and Morte was an invaluable addition to the party, whom despite our sparring I strangely enough missed when he was abducted. There seemed a lot more to these characters than just their one liners, and their humour was a little more of my style rather than the squeeing sort.

Ah well never mind then, thank you Indira.

Are they allowing a single player mode yet or is it still only multiplayer?

Emerged from my study to see Mrs Nonek watching a show called "Most Haunted," I pointed out that you can't quantify the non existent and she threw a scone at me. It was quite tasty.

Quality stationery.

I always knew there was something off about you. One thing i've got to admit, the Kraken is a shellfish lover.

I see nothing wrong with setting up such a trap using others words Bruce it's a nice tactic in any good argument if successful, however it's not that I dismiss the importance of words but that I see them as too important to constrain in any way, that is why I hold free speech and dialogue to be so important. They should not be held back by such things as offensiveness or hurtfulness, which are entirely subjective and often extremely wrong.

I wanna romance the Kraken! Edit: The mother of all tentacle porn.

Well the way I see it is a group of people take offence at a private matter, in this case the politicians and conservative elements of Uganda judging homosexuals, and then proceed to enforce what they see as the "correct" way of living on others. It's a basic limiting of freedom and should not be allowed in any way, shape or form, hopefully it will be defeated at some point.

Thank you great video, nicely positive and reassuring as well.

Nonek thanks for responding to all my questions, I can appreciate the fact that it must have been a little annoying but I sometimes think its a better way to get to a final point so you understand the context of where someone is coming from. In South Africa there is a racist word to describe black people that begins with the letter "K" ( I don't need to say the word). This word is completely unacceptable to use and people in the public limelight who have used the word have been fired, that's how serious it is. This word is derogatory and very offensive and hurtful to black people and others as it represents the days of Apartheid where black people were marginalised and discriminated against. But its just a word and yet that single word symbolizes something much more. Do you think the millions of black people in South Africa need to have thicker skin around what this word represents for them? So the usage of that word is never acceptable under any circumstances because of our history. Now you have admitted that there are certain words on certain forums that should not be used and I have given you an example of another word that should never be used. Its that same logic that highlights the point that just because its the Internet and a forum discussion it doesn't mean that there should be no responsibility on people to not use those words or say certain things. Its starts with you and how you say things and it starts with you and what you are prepared to accept when you engage in discussion On RPGCodex around the post that "PoE wouldn' have Romance " I read some of the comments. Some people made comments like " well if they have Romance then I want the option to be able to rape someone". Of course they were being sarcastic but the fact that they are so indifferent about a serious problem that faces society tells me that some of the members really think that this type of humour is acceptable and the worst part of it is that the website and the moderators seem fine with this type of debate All I ask is that people have some empathy around bigotry and discrimination. Its real and does upset and impact thousand of people on a daily basis. And we also need to realize that there are certain boundaries that on public forum that we should never cross. Even if you feel if doesn't effect you personally that doesn't mean it isn't a serious issue for others Yes Bruce i'm quite aware of what you were doing and that is why I avoided your little trap with ease, and as I said I don't believe in censoring words whether they cause offence or not for adults, and I would say that studying the insult you refer to and its original use by Islamic slave traders is worthy of discussion and further education. Whether the tribes who have come to now inhabit the South African region are insulted by this appelation or not is hardly a matter worthy of bringing up in the etymology of the word, it exists, it was used and trying to lie and erase something from history is shameful and wrong headed, those who forget the mistakes of the past are doomed to repeat them. As I have said discussion for adults should not be blinkered by political correct and fashionable lies, enforced by those who see it as a professional duty to take offence on the net, have a self righteous attitude that their feelings are important and they know what is right and wrong and wish to enforce that on others. These people who actively search for topics to take offence on, yet do not like to examine their own work and actions, should grow thicker skins and not place such importance on the words of strangers from half a world away. If the matter is that important and they are so touchy on it simply do not place it in the public sphere, avoid places where it is openly discussed and seek professional counselling rather than browsing the net. To try and wallow in offence and self rigtheous posturing is the action of a needy child seeking attention and not worthy of a grown up, and keeping private matters private is not wrong or censorious. Rough jokes and inconsiderate humour are just that, abuse and threats are what they are and the two things are different, should the Life of Brian not have been made because the Church of England were offended? Should Lady Chatterley's Lover never have been written or read because of offence taken by those who disliked and hated this modern medium and this supposed filth? Should the Bible never have been translated into English because that is not a holy language? The answer is no to all of the above and many more, and those who try and stifle free speech... well let's just say that I wouldn't like to live in the backwards, humourless and ever so dull world they live in. I take offence at their wish to censor everything, even a few gentlemen sharing some rough politically incorrect jokes and ribbing when under the influence of a few pints. However I would not say that they should be censored, or that everybody should listen to my oh so important feelings on this, because i'm not special, i'm not right and my offence means nothing and certainly should not be enforced on other people. Addendum: I do not partake in abuse or even swear so the implication that i'm trying to make myself feel good about my words and actions is false. I simply do not believe in constraining free speech for adults, whether it is for self pity, self righteousness or somebody somewhere drawing offence from any word that is spoken. If you do constrain them and have a prefect method of policing this for all seven billion people at all times then they are not adults, they are children and slaves who cannot speak their minds. We have little enough freedom as it is, I cannot understand this ill thought out desire to further decrease it.

Not for adults dealing with other adults, so long as house rules are obeyed. Edit: I'm a little bored of my own avatar now however so i will retire from the discussion, adieu.

Inappropriate behaviour and language on a site designed for minors.

I would report him and ask her to use another site for awhile, however if she'd been perusing the RPG Codex which is certainly not for children I would take away her computer rights for a week and make it clear that I expect better of her, and that if she's offended then it's her own fault for venturing onto an inappropriate site. Adult sites are not for children and vice versa.

The people who are offended by that if it is bluster or humour need to get out more and stop being offended by loudmouthed idiots on the internet, just because somebody is whining about being offended gives them no rights and means nothing, if they wish to challenge the individual then do so with a good argument or a rebuttal. If they feel that the threat is real and carries weight then it is their responsibility to inform the authorities of it, and thereby do a good deed if they are positive of the danger to Ms Saarkesian, and be charged for wasting police time if they do so merely because they are "offended." I personally do not see idle threats as a big deal, I see real danger as a big deal.

That is up to the moderator's of the site and the authorities if they believe the threat is anything but idle bluster, as i've said I believe that there's no need to resort to such crudities as her content is farcical, but then again as a man who does not often swear let alone threaten I do not think I am able to judge. A visit from a local Bobby and a quiet word is what i'd use to dissuade this kind of behaviour in the old days, but policing every threat on the net would be unmanageable, especially when the threat is in no way shape or form going to be acted upon. I would call that frivolous prosecution and a waste of taxpayers money. Similarly I would not prosecute the women on feminist sites who advocate that all men are rapists, that they serve no use other than procreation, should be culled and that Valerie Solanas had the right idea and should be viewed as a heroine. These are silly people and everyone knows it, they are not Trolls but abusive idiots and could do with some good trolling to bring this to light.

With regards to Mr Schu's last post (I won't quote as it's a little long) i'd like to respond as such: For clarification I think the article presented in the OP is bogus, factually suspect and an example of the poor sensationalist journalism we have to endure since that medium began its steady decline. Good trolling is in my view fun, enlightening, and holds up a mirror to those who are too pompous and po-faced to realise they are being ridiculous, and perhaps even reminds them that they should not be so dependent on a virtual medium, that function is I believe reason enough to engage in a little good natured ribaldry. Those who place too much importance on the net could occassionally do with a gentle humorous reminder that it is a virtual construct and not reality, or that their actions and stances are absolutrely ridiculous and silly. The recent case of a poorly educated woman writing an "open letter" to her son about not wanting him to become a rapist springs to mind, not only was it painful to read but obviously she was too invested in the issue and could not approach it with any sense of perspective. To accuse ones own child of being a potential rapist is idiotic and a damning inditement of her parenting to begin with, to then ask him to not do so is even more harebrained, as if the young man had really been looking forward to a career of violent abuse of women. That woman could do with some gentle trolling to point out her idiocy and even better perhaps somebody stopping her before she writes down such verbal diarrhea, and questioning her motives and reasoning. The reaction to the Mass Effect 3 ending also springs to mind, it was a silly fun popamole shooter, why become so upset over it? What is contained in the article and the cases you mention is not trolling but straight forward abuse and bullying, why dress it up as trolling just because it contains an online element, this is just another part of the demonisation of the medium and mandate to censor the internet. With regards to Facebook personally I believe it's a vain site and makes a mockery of the privacy that should come with mourning and grief, however on the subject of a gay man being abused at his funeral I present the following example of satire and humour, which I hope makes my point far more vividly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkxCHybM6Ek Saarkesian's threats of rape are just that and should be dealt with by the authorities, personally I believe there's no point becoming upset by the woman from the one video I watched of hers, her points are weak, her presentation poor and her choice of subject matter devoid of relevance, there are far more modern examples of women being presented in extremely insulting fashions as idiots and slaves who can only be "fixed" by the protagonists sexual favours. Her points are easily invalidated and out argued, there is no need for such outrage and histrionics, a good troll might be able to bring those offended some perspective on this silly debate. Edit: Just as it is too easy to accuse a person of trolling if they do not agree with you so it is too easy for a rude or spiteful individual to hide behind the mask of a Troll, differing terminology is no excuse and far too easy to utilise, trolling is not abuse or bullying and to say it is excuses that behaviour.

Personally I believe as Al Murray would state: Your Gaff, your rules. For instance in my company I insist upon proper decorum and respect, and will not stand for anything less. What I enjoy about good trolling is explained in my previous post, it enlivens discussion, pricks pomposity and those who parrot the usual buzzwords, and makes a valid point usually while reminding us of the ridiculous nature of our topics. Personally I think Mr Parker does this extremely well, I enjoy his humour and hope the gentleman is not offended by my view of him. However I understand if others do not share my view, because I do not see a Troll as disrupting discussion but rather raising the bar on it, and providing an alternate view and argument. Causing anger and frustration is not something I think anyone can predict, certain people have certain responses and no one can predict them all.

I agree Walsingham and try to comport myself with dignity wherever I go, following the general rules of the locale and I do not see others trolling as particularly diminishing that, in fact I see it as quite a nice, lively method of interaction. I usually do not partake of it but think it is a valid form of satire and have observed some masterful uses of it, and as regards the wish to intrude upon the RPG Codex and excessively moderate them, I do not believe it is needed or wanted. They are boisterous and rude but hardly dangerous gentlemen, and occassionally seem to produce some fine content, with editorials and such that you will not see at mainstream sites due to the caustic honesty inherent in them. Mr Kaine Parker on this site for instance is I believe a fine representation of a Troll, and adds a great deal of fun and satire that pricks the pomposity we all occassionally happen to partake in. I like the gentleman, his posts and sometimes being the target of his jests. I try to play along with my much poorer sense of humour and give as good as I get, and really think it enlivens the environs. The image of the laughing fool making a mockery of everything is a constant in every culture, and personally I believe is to be cherished and protected, a society and individual that can laugh at itself is a confident one.

Ultima VII (both parts) with the latest version of Exult, apart from the combat this is probably the most ambitious of games ever created and represents a high watermark that in my opinion has not yet been equalled. It is a living, breathing world of depth and great narrative, all bound up in some really nice thematic struggles. The Ultima Underworld game are also very highly recommended, both Stygian Abyss and Labyrinth of Worlds, they take some getting used to but are remarkably reactive and interactive. You may wish to check out the earlier Ultima's which are very good games in their own right, numbers V & VI have both been recreated in the Dungeon Siege engine and are very, very competently made. All of these can be purchased quite cheaply at GOG.com, however I would add that difficulty is set set slightly higher than in most modern accessible games and you really do need to read the manual, for the Ultima's they are an intrinsic part of the experience.

It may also be a contributing factor that your life experiences lead you to assume all people are as equally capable of dealing with particular stimulus in identical ways? Is this a fair assessment (both of me of you, and you of the rest of humanity)? Is it possible that life has simply left others less equipped to deal with some situations as capably as you are, and as such less able to shrug some stuff off. I'd also challenge the notion that your generation is different. The principle difference between "today's generation" is that we can more easily see what people from all over are saying. It mostly just comes across as the "I'm better than kids these days" which I'm sure the generation before you thought of your delicate, whiny generation. If others are less able to deal with poor behaviour then that is their business, I simply make a case that one has control over ones own behaviour and nobody else's, and that is all that one may realistically accomplish in the wider world. To take away free speech on the web and enforce a certain code of conduct on everybody is as equally foolish and vain as trying to police the streets of all anti-social behaviour, it will always be there in some form and letting it affect one is a sign of ones own vulnerability. Hopefully better education and social reform may rid us of such a problem but in England that is a far off goal at the moment, especially under a government that wishes to downsize the state. Added to this society is often wrong and what is acceptable now is revealed as unacceptable in twenty years, and those who favour self righteous preaching are often guilty of the most flagrant abuses, distasteful attitudes and shocking actions. We need subversive elements to speak out against them when the established methods do not, especially when political correctness often means telling lies and massaging statistics to favour a political bias, or when journalists have established a symbiotic partnership with those they are supposed to criticise. Especially when a certain section of society has in effect retained and strengthened its old position of dominance and rulership over the majority. As for my generation, in England I certainly do believe there has been a certain societal change, my generation are somewhat repressed, private and conservative. The modern one is in general far more demonstrative, fame hungry and ambitious. Whether one of these is better I neither know nor particularly care, it all comes down to the individual in the end.

Racist abuse is racist abuse, the fact that I was on the streets and not being trolled on a computer would surely make my level of danger in that situation far more apparent than somebody abused on a computer? This seems blatantly obvious and shouldn't need explaining. Edit: Whether people percieve themselves as victims or not is their own business and self pity should not affect free speech.

In point of fact I have been on the end of racist abuse, just the other day I was verbally abused by a rather large gang of Indian or Pakistani youths near work, and referred to as a "White Bastard," which I promptly laughed at and shook my head while walking on. My nicknames arrives from a similar incident with a group of coloured youths using West Indian patois calling me a "No-necked Blood Clot." The amount of abuse i've recieved from Irish gentlemen has been even more virulent, but none of these have made me wish to restrict free speech or judge the majority by the actions of individuals. Edit: I assume I attract this attention due to my large size and rough appearance, due to many years of Rugby training, but for all I know this could be a common occurence for any white gentlemen who walks through rough areas, when commuting to and from work. I will aslo admit that I come from a different generation who are not so delicate or whiny, so that may be a contributing factor.