Robin Torres
Los Angeles - http://profile.wow.com/user/robin
Authentication issues tonight [Updated]
According to Reythur, Blizzard technicians are investigating. From the looks of the forum posters, several internet providers across many different states are affected.
We'll let you know when we learn anything more.
Update #1: And just like that I'm in. And Blizzard states that the issues have been resolved.
Update #2: Many people are reporting that the connectivity issues have returned.
Filed under: Realm Status, News items
Preparing for BlizzCon: There will be funk
In almost every one of this series, someone has requested in the comments that we all practice good grooming before attending BlizzCon this year. But it doesn't matter if we post odor preventing techniques here, broadcast them on The WoW Insider Show and it gets picked up by international news -- there is still going to be funk at the con. Not even Anna Torv being photographed wearing a "Well-groomed Geeks are HOT" t-shirt is going to prevent the offending smells coming from some of the attendees. In the interest of promoting tolerance, I'm going to give explanations for some of the odors you will be smelling.
Preparing for BlizzCon: Expect geeks behaving badly
After BlizzCon 2007, I had to apologize for assuming that forum trolls and all around funsuckers were mostly teenage boys. But the ill-mannered clods I encountered at BlizzCon looked to be in their 20s. Regardless of their age and gender, there unfortunately will be plenty of inconsiderates harshing your Blizzard buzz while you are trying to enjoy the con. Here are some things to expect and some tips on how to handle them.
- Talking during the panels: Just like at the movies, people will talk loudly during the panels -- either to each other or on cellphones. You travel across country or around the world and pay all this money to hear the latest about expansions or your class and some jerk won't shut up. Advice: eHow suggests starting with a glare and moving onto a polite request to be quiet, should the glare fail.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Events, BlizzCon
Preparing for BlizzCon: You need good shoes
Even if you are taking my advice and training your feet and legs for BlizzCon, you are still going to need good shoes for all of those lines. The Anaheim Convention Center floor is hard and unforgiving, so your shoes will need to provide the appropriate cushion and support to make up for it. In many conventions, companies will put carpet with extra padding in their booths so that people will stand there longer for demos of their products and services. Unless something has changed this year, there is no padding -- no respite for the feet unless you go outside and find a patch of grass.
WoW, Casually: Making the most of holidays
Holidays are for all players, of course, but I think they are particularly appropriate for players with limited playtime. Sure, there are often raiding quests or achievements that we can't complete, but overall, the activities seem to be designed for casual gameplay. For the most part, I think I'm preaching to the choir, here. But every once in a while, I read comments from people who just don't get holidays and avoid them completely. So here is my sales pitch about why every casual player should give each holiday a try.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Events, (Casual) WoW, Casually
Preparing for BlizzCon: Protect yourself against Con Crud
Every con I have ever been to, gaming-related or otherwise, has resulted in a bunch of people getting sick afterward -- usually including me. I've heard it called Con Crud, confluenza and the grunge. Whatever the name, it's pretty much the same: cold and flu symptoms that lay you low after attending a convention. As we've discussed before, I'm no doctor, but there are some experts out there with tips on building your immune system in the weeks before BlizzCon.
- Sleep: Get 7 to 8 hours a night. Sufficient sleep helps us reduce stress on our bodies, which makes them stronger for fighting illnesses. It also helps us maintain a healthy weight. Late night raiding sessions and/or small children make this more difficult, of course, but it's a worthy goal.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Events, Fan stuff, BlizzCon
It came from the Blog: We flamed the Eastern Kingdoms
The lowbie event honored all of the flames from Falconwing Square to Hammerfall, with a couple of desecrations on the side. The mounted event took to the flightpaths and completed the Flame Keeper of Eastern Kingdoms achievement. I also got the unofficial achievement for running into every fence along the way. Running + typing = hard.
A pictorial journal of our fun is in the gallery below. And I used the wow.com addon to upload my activity for the event. I wish I had used the in-game blog feature to annotate it, but I will next time. If you use the addon to upload your It came from the Blog activity, it will show up in the guild log as well.
I'm thinking of trying video for future events. Maybe Turpster can give me some pointers. Allison does a good job with her videos, too. Would you watch It came from the Blog videos?
Filed under: Events, Fan stuff, WoW Insider Business, Galleries, It Came from the Blog
Preparing for BlizzCon: Minicards -- social networking in person
The last time I went to BlizzCon was two years ago and I was woefully unprepared. I regretted multiple times that I didn't have some form of business card with me. But this year I am ready if Tommy Tallarico approaches the WoW.com writers again asking for cards. Squeeeeeeee!
It was particularly silly of me to not bring any sort of card, considering I went there to work. But even if you are only going to play, a minicard or the like is a very good idea. I used moo.com because they have a good reputation and a nice interface with flickr.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Events, Fan stuff, BlizzCon
Reminder: IcftB Midsummer Fire event today
- When: Saturday, June 27th, 5PM Eastern (2PM Pacific, 3PM Server time)
- Where: The Midsummer Fire Festival site in the Court of the Sun, Silvermoon City on Zangarmarsh, U.S.
- Who: Any Horde character who is not in the service of the Lich King. (Death Knights are recommended as long as they have finished their initial quests and have been accepted by Thrall.)
- How: Just send a tell to Robinella or any It Came from the Blog member to get an invite to the raid and the guild.
We hope to see you there!
Filed under: Events, Fan stuff, WoW Insider Business, It Came from the Blog
Preparing for BlizzCon: Money -- you're going to need it
If you have the resources to pick up some extra cash or the space in your budget to save some more over the next couple months, I recommend that you do. The ticket is paid for, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. You already know you need money for lodging and getting there, but here are a few more things for which you are probably going to want to have extra cash in the bank:
- Food: It really isn't practical to bring your own and in some cases, not allowed by Blizzard. For example, anything in glass, large containers or cans are a no go for the convention. Many hotels consider a tiny box of cereal or a couple slices of toast a "free breakfast", so don't count on them either. The food in the Anaheim Convention Center is convenient but overpriced, as is normal for conventions. In the evenings, most people will be dining at one of the many delicious Downtown Disney eateries, which are great fun and usually pretty expensive. All in all, your food bills will likely be far greater than your normal food budget.
