Dungeon Master's Guide

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 21:49:09 GMT

So after coming across the greatest syntactical frustration to date today, I decided to do a bit of research as to why I dislike Java, and why I do like PHP. I'm sure you don't care,b ut I like writing stuff down, and I figure you're a great sounding board because you'll read it and then tell me you don't care! :D The syntax issue regards the method by which Java handles Arrays. Compare the following snippets of code, which do the same thing:

PHP Simple Nested Array
$sample_array = array( array( "Value1.1", "Value1.2" ), "Value2", array( "Value3.1", "Value3.2" ) );
echo $sample_array[1][1]; // Will output: Value1.1

Java Simple Nested Array
String[] sample_array = { { "Value1.1", "Value1.2" }, "Value2", { "Value3.1", "Value3.2" } };
System.out.println( sample_array[1][1] ); // Will output: Value1.1

Thus far, PHP and Java largely resemble one another. There are minor syntactical differences, but on the whole they seem to match one another fairly well. Let's move into some more complicated issues!

PHP Nested Array with Additions
$sample_array = array( "Value1", "Value2", array( "Value3.1", "Value3.2" ) );
$sample_array[] = "Value4";
echo $sample_array[4]; // Will output: Value4

Java Nested Array with Additions
String[] sample_array = { { "Value1.1", "Value1.2" }, "Value2", { "Value3.1", "Value3.2" } };
String[] temp_array = new Array( sample_array, 4 );
temp_array[4] = "Value4";
sample_array = temp_array;
System.out.println( sample_array[4] ); // Will output: Value4

Two additional lines of code to do this, and we had to create a wholly new variable. Why? Because Java cannot handle this type of memory handling on the fly. Why? I have no clue. A flaw in the implementation as far as I can see. But let's go one step further! There are more things you can do with PHP Arrays that Java can't even pretend to mimic!

PHP Array with String Keys
$sample_array = array( "Key1" => "Value1", "Key2" => "Value2" );
echo $sample_array["Key1"]; // Will output: Value1

And this is my current problem. I need to be able to do the array with string keys in Java. Supposedly HashMaps are the equivalent, but I'm struggling to get those to work in a simple, kindly method. Were Java actually useful, it would allow me to do it like this:

Hypothetical Java Array with String Keys
String[] sample_array = new Array( String, 4 );
sample_array["Key1"] = "Value1";
sample_array["Key2"] = "Value2";
System.out.println( sample_array["Key1"] ); // Would output: Value1

Unfortunately, Java throws an error when I try to do that. String is invalid type for array key. Something like that. :) Even with the extra coding to account for Java's inability to define Arrays properly on the fly, having String Keys is almost a necessity if you want your language to actually be legible to anyone other than yourself. I suppose I can do it with some declared constants equating to a value. Kinda sucky, but it is what it is.

Update: I have since discovered HashMaps and the ArrayList libraries. They do sorta get around this. it's still a lot more code than is required in PHP, and the worst part is that it requires you to know HashMaps and ArrayList exist. Thus the fundamental flaw: Java relies on a lot of libraries.

I ARE TWINK

Wed, 13 Dec 2006 16:56:49 GMT

Mystic Theurge
44% Combativeness, 33% Sneakiness, 85% Intellect, 69% Spirituality

Brilliant and spiritual! You are a Mystic Theurge!
Score! You have a prestige class. A prestige class can only be taken after you’ve fulfilled certain requirements. This may mean that you’re an exceptionally talented person, but it probably doesn't.
The Mystic Theurge is a combination of a cleric and a mage. They can cast both arcane and divine spells, and are good at both, making them pretty terrifying on the battlefield. They have more raw spellpower than just about any other class.
You're both intelligent and faithful, but not violent or deceitful. I guess that makes you a pretty good person.

My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:

You scored higher than 26% on Combativeness
You scored higher than 34% on Sneakiness
You scored higher than 91% on Intellect
You scored higher than 92% on Spirituality

Link: The RPG Class Test written by MFlowers on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test

Cause Rob Told Me To

Tue, 05 Dec 2006 14:49:25 GMT

... that's a really dangerous title, huh? Anyhow.

I want everyone that reads this to ask me three questions. No more, no less. Ask me anything you want. Then I want you to go to your journal, copy & paste this, and allow your friends, including me, to ask you anything.

Chicken/Tomato Soup Meddley, recipe by me

Tue, 05 Dec 2006 05:11:29 GMT

Ingredients
* 1 can tomato soup
* 1 roasted chicken breast, diced
* 1/4 cup grated cheddar cheese
* 1 can of corn nibblets
* 1 handful of snow peas
* 1 small head of cauliflower

Instructions
Cook it all separate, then combine and season to taste. I think it sounds good. Gonna try it this week.

... more Steven Schend did it. This cracks me up ...

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 13:16:14 GMT

I HAVE THE POWER OF CUDDLES

ARGH

Mon, 27 Nov 2006 15:25:57 GMT

Me: "What would I have to do to get my rented server regenned with Gentoo instead of Debian?"
CS: "It costs $69. Please confirm authorization for this charge if you would like to go ahead."
Me: "... no. That's a bit pricey. I'll just stay with what I've got for now."

... 24 hours later ...

Me: "... why can I not log into my server?"
CS: "I log in fine with <new root password>. It has been regenned per your request."
Me: "!!!!!!! I WAS NOT DONE BACKING UP MY DATA AND I TOLD YOU IDIOTS NOT TO GO AHEAD ANYWAYS BECAUSE OF THE CHARGE THAT I WAS UNWILLING TO PAY!"

Moral: Do not use ServerPronto. EVER.

Because Stephen Schend did it ...

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 21:53:05 GMT

You scored as Storyteller. The Storyteller is in it for the plot: the sense of mystery and the fun of participating in a narrative that has the satisfying arc of a good book or movie. He enjoys interacting with well-defined NPCs, even preferring antagonists who have genuine motivations and personality to mere monsters. To the Storyteller, the greatest reward of the game is participating in a compelling story with interesting and unpredictable plot threads, in which his actions and those of his fellow characters determine the resolution. With apologies to Robin Laws.

</td>

Storyteller

85%

Character Player

70%

Tactician

60%

Weekend Warrior

35%

Casual Gamer

30%

Power Gamer

30%

Specialist

25%

What RPG Player (Not Character) Type Are You?
created with QuizFarm.com

update: SoapBox!

Tue, 07 Nov 2006 14:32:21 GMT

Thanks, all of you, who gave input on the Blog I intend to work on. Planned Improvisation is now open, and I've written a few starter articles on world building since I needed to get them out of my head. I'll start writing about game-mastering soon, as well. Please feel welcome to comment or provide input on my articles, so long as it is pertinent to the topic.

Thanks again for the help!

upcoming: The DamnedMage's Soapbox

Thu, 02 Nov 2006 09:09:42 GMT

I've been thinking for a few weeks now that I ought to really get serious about writing some kind of a regular blog. Something more than just a journal or insight into my mind, but rather a focused, topic-driven 'soapbox' for the damnedmage. The first major hurdle for me was coming up with a topic; I knew it would have to do with gaming, as that's what I'm most passionate about, but I didn't know what specifically. Tonight, though, I had something of a revolution when ahumblepen suggested that I write about what it means to be a good Dungeon Master. Of course, that's a little too narrow, but it was a good spark for an idea. She's been a player in my D&D games for nearly four years, now, and she was able to identify that in these four years she has learned that most times I'm a good DM, sometimes I'm a scary DM, and when I'm really on my game, I am both.

I believe I am able to identify those times, myself, through sheer observance of my players, and I believe I know why those things occur. As a player in other peoples games, I am further able to identify what is lacking, and I believe I have a lot to say on what it takes to be a great Game Master. Granted, it's a soapbox, but it's my soapbox, so when I stand up on it I can pretty much say whatever I want. I also plan to give advice on how to develop new settings and worlds; I have been at it for almost fifteen years, now, and I've developed four settings to near completion (in my head, at worst; on paper at best) across three genres, and I have another that I've only recently begun. I'll also be doing reviews of game-related products (mostly Wizards of the Coast, but I may also start branching out into White Wolf or WizKids when I feel a bit more confident that I understand their systems.

All this to say, I think I've finally settled on a focused enough topic to write about, and I think I have a lot to say.

The only problem remaining is: What should I call this blog?

Presently, I've got a few ideas in mind, but I'm looking for more; something that will just be the right answer.

The current list is as follows (listed in order of my preference from best to worst)
* Zen and the Art of Game Mastering
* Planned Improvisation
* Death of the Dice
* Campaign Notes
* Dungeons Unearthed
* House Rule 74
* By the Dice

And the gag list (which I may randomly use on April 1st or something)
* Daritharran's Guide to the Planes
* Bradley Nite, Gazebo Hunter

I am more than open to suggestions or further ideas that might better work for my aim, or commentary on any of the names. My biggest goal is not to tie myself to any one system, as most of the things I intend to say should be universal across all games that involve players and a game master, be they Dungeons & Dragons or entirely diceless.

I'll keep the above list updated with the suggestions I like as they come in. Thanks for your help!

whine: Life Sucks

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 23:09:13 GMT

It began with my laptop's power source failing. Like utterly and completely failing. Like I couldn't even get it to flicker on the power button pushing. $100 later, I learn it's definitely not the power cord. Or rather, it is, but that's not the ONLY thing it is. It also happens to be the power connector to the motherboard. ANOTHER $150 later, I finally have it fixed, and can regen it. Five days of bleh that caused, as I fell behind on every project I had.

Then the electric company decided to cut power to my house for non-payment. I'd asked for (and been approved for) an extension to this Friday for half of the amount, and two weeks from this Friday for the rest. Apparently they forgot they'd said okay to that; I had to borrow a lot of money from my dad. That makes my life even more difficult, as my father does not like giving out money to me for any reason. I don't blame him; I hate even asking for it, but it doesn't help the process along here. Took em almost 24 full hours to turn me back on. :(

Now this morning, I wake up to find my laptop speaker clicking incessantly. I mean violently and disturbingly. In we go diving to figure out why. I still haven't figured it out; I just unplugged the damned speaker wholesale.

Only I've discovered that in the process, I bumped the keyboard connector or something, because now five very vital keys on the left side of my keyboard are utterly dead. I have lots of USB keyboards, and I use one with the laptop 90% of the time anyways, but there's that 10% I can no longer do, now. I'll try opening it back up and re-seating the keyboard again in day or two. I'm not touching it right now. I'm too upset.

God, please see fit to have Cox: Atlanta, or Cognizant in San Jose call me back. I really need one of those jobs; and quickly. I'm very nervous and worried about money, and my sources of income are dying on me with each day.

:(

Grr.

Sat, 07 Oct 2006 16:35:51 GMT

Insert noises of frustration, determination, and irritation here.

That is all.

(P.S. Yes, Max, I'm frustrating when I make posts like this. I know.)

Grr

Sun, 01 Oct 2006 02:51:37 GMT

Grr.

update: workage

Tue, 26 Sep 2006 09:42:33 GMT

Well, the bills are still piled high, but I have to say last week was a relief. I worked like a madman and put in way too many hours (a third of which will be unpaid >:|), but as a result I'm going to see over $1,200, which will help a lot. More, I should be getting about $750 at the end of this week or next, plus another $250 at least for other projects. So while I completely botched the week before last, I'm definitely making up for it in spades. If I can keep this level of work, I'll be very ... very content.

Sun, 24 Sep 2006 18:13:59 GMT

Half the city (just 'the city'; I don't know which) was either zombified or angelfied or vampified or mummified or any other kind of weird WhiteWolf-style monsterified and chaosrunner and I were fighting them along with the other half of the city, and there was this hot blind chick who I was into that totally made me a pair of swords, and chaosrunner was cooking dinner and his mom (I have no idea where she came from, since I've never met her) was telling him to stop worrying and just cook. And then the zombies or whatever got in and we whupped their asses and chaosrunner fought with his hands and bull rushes and such ... and I fought with the swords the blind girl made me (a pair of matched katana; one blade reversed like Kenshin's, the other normal).

At some point this cop car pulled up and out hopped like 15 ghouls. And we totally turned them into dust with our awesome.

This was such a weird dream.

character missage

Sun, 24 Sep 2006 04:33:10 GMT

I know it's stupid of me to miss a total Mary Sue, but I was really enjoying playing Saia, and right now I'm really missing playing her.

I really should have known better than to get excited about that game.

I knew Amanda and Rob were right when they continued to express skepticism about its longevity.

But I really enjoyed my character, and I was really hoping that Matthew would—for once—come through for us and actually let us enjoy the game for at least a few months.

I really miss Saia.

Fri, 15 Sep 2006 23:35:04 GMT

My Personality


Neuroticism	37
Extraversion	54
Openness To Experience	54
Agreeableness	33
Conscientiousness	65

Test Yourself Compare Yourself View Full Report
Find your soulmate / pysch twin

MySpace Codes, MySpace Surveys and MySpace Layouts by Pulseware Survey Software

Personality Test: I winz!

Fri, 15 Sep 2006 23:18:28 GMT

You Have A Type A- Personality

You are one of the most balanced people around Motivated and focused, you are good at getting what you want You rule at success, but success doesn't rule you. When it's playtime, you really know how to kick back Whether it's hanging out with friends or doing something you love! You live life to the fullest - encorporating the best of both worlds

Do You Have a Type A Personality?

Power

Mon, 11 Sep 2006 22:30:29 GMT

Dear Nevada Power Company

I realise this is an apartment complex, and that you think poorly of people who live in them. I realise that sometimes a transformer needs to be replaced. I realise that you have full right to replace them. I realise that at 3 PM it may seem like no one is here.

Now that we've gotten through what I realise, let's go through what you seem to have missed. This is a place of business; in the year 2006, there are NUMEROUS home-based businesses. This place of business has two production servers running all the time. This place of business has a self-employed application consultant who's time is worth $50/hour.

Expect an invoice for $150, you assholes. Next time you want to replace a transformer, you will give me at least 24 hour's notice. I know this, because tomorrow I will be coming to your office and telling you where you can shove that transformer you pulled out of my house without even warning the apartment complex.

Sincerely

Your very not happy customer.

code: iMage

Sun, 10 Sep 2006 11:15:59 GMT

In keeping with the MAGE Software Studios name, I'm gearing up to work on the iMage core package. iMage is going to be a nice little installable piece of PHP code that will run on PHP5 and MySQL. Its primary purpose is to provide a fully AJAX-enabled web experience to the user. Boiled down, iMage is a template engine that uses AJAX to interact with a database. Of course, because I refuse to ever be anything but cross browser compliant, iMage will have a fallback option determined by the browser. Normally, any link within an iMage engine site would call the AJAX functions and thus you'd never see a page refresh; however, if AJAX fails (for example, if the use doesn't have Javascript enabled), the link will actually function like an old fashioned link.

This is going to be the core system for three sites I'm currently working on: redkoi.net, tablemush.org, and--of course--magesoft.net itself! I hope to have it finished by the end of the month, though that depends a lot on how the paid projects are going. Really, though, it shouldn't be too hard. Most of iMage is just a nice little template engine and a content management system--nothing special. I've actually already started laying down the framework, though it doesn't do much, yet. Soon, my precious, soon.

Cheers!

employment: Startups Suck

Sun, 10 Sep 2006 03:44:15 GMT

Okay, so while it's really cool that I'm actually doing a great job as a startup self-employed consultant in PHP, it also has its downsides. Because it took me so long to get to this point, and because Unemployment sucks, I'm now $325 in the hole. I'll get a check for $311 next Thursday, and that plus pulling from the $150 in my savings account will put me back in the black. However, that $150 is supposed to pay taxes. I need to make absolutely certain I remember to put it back into there so I can keep sure I don't have tax problems when it comes time to pay at the end of october.

I've got somewehere between $1500 and $1750 coming around the 22nd, and that will help a lot. In fact, it should cover everything I"ll need to pay rent, cable, power, and car. But man is it uncomfortable right now.

Oh well, this is what happens when you start your own business. Wish me luck.

update: Self employment

Thu, 07 Sep 2006 05:51:26 GMT

So last week I did 25 hours for a construction company here in Vegas evaluating a piece of their software. I wrote a 2 page analysis and sent it in and called it done.

This week, I got asked to come back in to do some more work. I was told, and I quote, "I have never seen that level of professionalism in a consultant. The analysis was thorough without being boring, and covered the technical aspects in a way that any businessman could understand. Thank you."

This from a guy who never gives more than a "Hey, good job" of praise to people, according to some others who know him.

They've now asked me to do at least another 40 hours of work for them making their application work for a few more months. They're going with my advice--all of it--and removing that application in favour of their other one, but they need to make this one work until they are ready to convert.

Boy do I feel good, and hey! Next week, I've still got contracts! Woot!

That makes 3! I'm excited!

soc: Self Employment

Tue, 05 Sep 2006 07:39:53 GMT

Don't mind me, I just felt like talking about what's going on in my life for once. For those of you who don't know, I've been sorta job hopping for a little while now. It started when I was asked to do a 30-day job in 5 days. "Convert this Linux, Analog-phone-line 30 seat call center into a Windows, VoIP 250 seat call center." I told them up front "I'll need to see the VoIP software for about a month before I'll be ready to deploy. They got it to me--as I said--one week before deployment date.

One month (and 3 36-hour days) later and their call center worked. Hm. One month. Where'd I get that number from?

Oh right, I always know my limitations, and give accurate estimates of how long it will take me to do a job. Well, anyways. They didnt' like those 36-hour days. They wanted me to take a month and a half and actually work 8 hour days. Nevermind that I was salary so they were getting 20 free hours on those weeks. Also nevermind that they never told me they would have rather had me take that approach. I was let go three months later (they didn't want to fire me right before the holidays. sweet of them wasn't it to wait until after I'd supposedly spent my money on presents? Good thing I knew it was coming).

Then I was unemployed for three weeks until I got a job working for a company called Anexeon. They wanted me to be a Windows Systems Administrator. Or rather, a Windows Systems Monitor. I dunno; somehow my personality didn't fit in, so after my 90 days they didn't keep me.

Been unemployed since. Had a brief snaffu with the unemployment agency, but now they're paying me

Most weeks. :)

And yes, that's good, cause the weeks they're not paying me I'm making a lot of money! See, I've decided I'm tired of this bouncing around relying on other people bullshit. Last week I made $1,375 working freelance. This week I'll see $750 for the finish of a job I started last week. Now if that ain't good money, nothin is. That's $1000/week ... if I can keep it up, $52,000/year. And yes, I'm keeping good track of my taxes; I happen to be lucky enough to have a father who has been teaching classes on small businesses (and especially small business finance) for the past 10 years. It's good.

By the way, this week I'm negotiating a contract with IGN (you know, www.ign.com) to do 15-20 hours a week for them for the foreseeable future; fixing bugs or the like. If I can land that, I'll be set for a few weeks.

And yes, it's very scary. The first few weeks of this are really hard because I'm a bit behind on bills and I have to
make up of rthat, but if I can keep getting this level of business I may be able to actually succeed at this! Who knows, maybe I'll start getting so much business I'll have to hire help. That'd be great.

But let's not push it. For now I'll be happy to draw a salary of $8,000 in 10 weeks--less taxes, of course. That's end of october, which is 3rd-quarter billing. If I've done $8,000 by then, I'll keep at this. If not, then I'll focus on finding a job again. For now, I'm very optimistic. That shouldn't be too hard to do!

Wish me luck, and pray for me. This is stressful, and scary. But I'm enjoying it more than working for a pencil pusher.

sue!!

Mon, 04 Sep 2006 07:15:15 GMT

This ... is simply awesome.

Adelyn: 49
Saia: 57
Trais: 64

Wee! I'm totally Sueish. It doesn't help that EVERYONE on Forgotten REalms speaks like 500 languages. Acheron's in the 80s though. Hah!

Sun, 03 Sep 2006 12:51:22 GMT

Some days it's harder than others.
Today is one of those days.
3000 is a terrible number.
Please let it pass swiftly.

I hate today.

Blackstaff

Tue, 22 Aug 2006 14:11:34 GMT

You will be missed.