Jinji's Staff Journal

Jinji

PWO's Resident Gengar
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Staff Journals and Development Diaries are a kind of diary written by individual workers for a project, which details all their recent work for the project in as much detail as they desire, but in a more personal tone and away from the main announcements. This allows for the thoughts of that Staff member to be put forward and read by the player without them being considered shared by the staff as a whole; and thereby introduce a more personal touch to the playerbase. It also allows each staff member to get the credit they deserve for their own handiwork; and allows them to draw attention to smaller updates as well - things that don't really deserve being an announcement on their own. Of course, big work can be talked about too!

I realised recently that I never once ever created a public Staff Journal for the things I do for this project, preferring to group such acts together into official Announcements; and since many of these Announcements also talk about work done by other Staff, my own individual work sometimes goes unnoticed. I always considered keeping diaries a very human endeavour and a boring one; but without a record of the past, how could the people of Today learnt from their wise ancestors of Yesterday and thus possibly become even more intelligent now than they? Therefore, I consider it as much a gift to everyone else as to myself to create one.

So, welcome to my Staff Journal, formerly known as my Developer log until I decided to ditch that old name because a) I am not a Developer (I once was, but I've been an Admin for much longer and this remains my current role); and b) that name was boring. Whenever I decide to do something for PWO, be it an improvement to the Forums, website, an update to the Server or a Database edit - if I feel the public should know, it will be in here. You are welcome to share your opinions on my work, too. This will be a much more serious topic than my usual style, so I ask people be respectful here - if I think you are causing me grief, you will be warned without hesitation; and any posts I judge to not be relevant to this topic may be deleted without question. I also do NOT want any Staff members screwing around in this thread - let's keep things a little mature, huh? This said, I never stop being a Gengar, so if I find opportunity to make a joke or just generally be light-hearted, I will - and you're welcome to join in at those moments. But if you come here expecting such, I would suggest you look elsewhere.

I'll also use this thread to get feedback on personal projects I am currently contemplating and to make general observations. So this thread will be a showcase of what I've been doing AND what I'm currently thinking, should I wish to make those things known. Of course, I won't reveal everything here... some secrets are better figured out by yourself.
- Jinji
 

Puar

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thumbs up! this should turn out interesting
 

Rafster

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Should be interesting following the daily things in the life of Jinji

I see the smilies are back also <img src="http://www.pokemon-world-online.net/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/BulbasaurSilly.png" class="bbc_emoticon" alt=":p" />
 

Stank

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[font='Comic Sans MS]I like this idea, It's good to see what you are up to <img src="http://www.pokemon-world-online.net/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/BulbasaurSilly.png" class="bbc_emoticon" alt=":p" />[/font]
 

Rafster

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Pretty interesting last paragraph <img src="http://www.pokemon-world-online.net/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/BulbasaurSilly.png" class="bbc_emoticon" alt=":p" />

I see we share the same interest in fonts <img src="http://www.pokemon-world-online.net/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/MisdreavusWink.png" class="bbc_emoticon" alt=";)" />
 

Jinji

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Though I did little of note today myself, Bluerise had employed me temporarily as a tester for the Playerdex Updates he'd been working on throughout today. You could therefore say we had worked together to fix bugs in the new system, though in reality he did all the work - which is why I decided he should announce the topic rather than myself. I don't like to steal credit. But sometimes small contributions lead to big things, so maybe I am deserving of something - who knows?
 

Jinji

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[quote name='SoooSneaky' timestamp='1313629192' post='126']i keep on getting unknown packets every hourish[/quote]
This would have been better in the Tracker. Still, could you provide a screenshot when this happens next time, and note down what you were doing before it happened?

[quote name='Rafster' timestamp='1313702364' post='158']Pretty interesting last paragraph :p

I see we share the same interest in fonts ;)
[/quote]
Kekeh! I noticed this a little while ago myself, and thought it rather humorous.

[quote name='iAvid' timestamp='1313755412' post='180']I can make you both some cookies if you like :)[/quote]

I would enjoy that :)
 

SoooSneaky

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sry jinji been working alot but yes of course i can do that for you <img src="http://www.pokemon-world-online.net/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ChikoritaSmile.png" class="bbc_emoticon" alt=":)" />

this 1 is diff



8/18/2011 : 9:13:50 PM : File name or class name not found during Automation operation : Create Sound Buffer

8/18/2011 : 9:33:24 PM : File name or class name not found during Automation operation : Create Sound Buffer

8/19/2011 : 8:26:54 AM : File name or class name not found during Automation operation : Create Sound Buffer

ive jsut been hunting for scyther in viridian forest
 

darkrown

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[quote name='Rafster' timestamp='1313702364' post='158']

Pretty interesting last paragraph <img src="http://www.pokemon-world-online.net/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/BulbasaurSilly.png" class="bbc_emoticon" alt=":p" />

I see we share the same interest in fonts <img src="http://www.pokemon-world-online.net/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/MisdreavusWink.png" class="bbc_emoticon" alt=";)" />


[/quote]

agreed. and yes, your font looks nice, it's sleek and modern <img src="http://www.pokemon-world-online.net/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/BulbasaurSilly.png" class="bbc_emoticon" alt=":p" />
 

Jinji

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To anyone who's been wondering, the request thread I had on the Temp Forums for people to make me a new signature with the idea I had, is fully backed up on my computer. So I still have all your submissions - and if anyone didn't finish one and wants to show it to me, send it via PM sometime soon and I'll take a look at it too.

While I was messing with my Sig Rotator last night trying to decide what signature images I actually want to use on our new Forum and which to get rid of (still haven't decided yet), I realised that I also lost my old avatar and don't have one set for this new Forum either. At this point, I'm still trying to decide whether to make a request for a new one, use one I use on another Forum, or just use a pre-made one from somewhere. I need to think about what I'd actually want to appear there.

I've also been thinking about the Trainer Card backgrounds - and, despite having zero ability to draw (digitally or traditionally), something's been urging me to try making one of my own for myself. I'm thinking a dark, misty background effect with an old-timey but not overly Gothic font for the labels, and maybe some sort of eye-catch. Maybe when I find time I'll give it a shot, if only for no real reason other than to say I did.

Last night, me and Bluerise got into a long discussion of how things work in PWO, while Bluerise worked on server improvements. After we discussed storage of Pokémon within the game, I told him about an idea I've had in my head for a few months now which I believe could lead to more individualised storage solutions and a reduction in frequency of Pokémon getting moved around in an account after trades. The idea was well received, but we both agreed that the amount of work involved to implement it makes it impractical at this point in time - however, it does add an idea to the list of things we may want to discuss in the future. As it seems to be right now, however, the general opinion of the Staff is that our main priority should be to get both the Kanto and Johto regions properly completed and adaptable to how you start the game - which, let's face it, has taken longer than it needs to already really, though in all honesty we did have a number of setbacks up until now.
 

Stank

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[quote name='Jinji' timestamp='1314027191' post='314']

I've also been thinking about the Trainer Card backgrounds - and, despite having zero ability to draw (digitally or traditionally), something's been urging me to try making one of my own for myself. I'm thinking a dark, misty background effect with an old-timey but not overly Gothic font for the labels, and maybe some sort of eye-catch. Maybe when I find time I'll give it a shot, if only for no real reason other than to say I did.

[font=arial, verdana, tahoma, sans-serif][/quote][/font]

thats the whole reason I got in to making sigs, just to say I gave it a shot, and I actually really enjoyed making them.



[font=arial, verdana, tahoma, sans-serif][/font]

[font=arial, verdana, tahoma, sans-serif][quote name='Jinji' timestamp='1314027191' post='314']

[/font]


Last night, me and Bluerise got into a long discussion of how things work in PWO, while Bluerise worked on server improvements. After we discussed storage of Pokémon within the game, I told him about an idea I've had in my head for a few months now which I believe could lead to more individualised storage solutions and a reduction in frequency of Pokémon getting moved around in an account after trades. The idea was well received, but we both agreed that the amount of work involved to implement it makes it impractical at this point in time - however, it does add an idea to the list of things we may want to discuss in the future. As it seems to be right now, however, the general opinion of the Staff is that our main priority should be to get both the Kanto and Johto regions properly completed and adaptable to how you start the game - which, let's face it, has taken longer than it needs to already really, though in all honesty we did have a number of setbacks up until now.



[/quote]





I would love to see that idea in game sometime, I hate when i take something out, or put something in the PC how everything moves around...I try to keep my PC organised but it never stays that way
 

Dovee

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Hopefully your last post clears things up for some people. JJ your doing good stuff and i believe the game will return to a fine form + better condition
 

Chocobo7

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Quick question, I know you and Crenel were working on updating the movesets of pokemon before the game went down, is that stil going on or is it on hold/stopped?
 

Jinji

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Jinji's Developer Log

We Gengars like to make the tired point to anyone who comes to look at us too closely that our red eyes aren't from lack of sleep; but I can certainly say that were I suffering from insomnia right now, then I certainly have good reason for it. This is because, over the last 48 hours, I have probably accomplished more work and personal goals then I have ever done in recent history. As soon as I'm finished with this write-up, I'm returning to the dark corners of my abandoned abode and not coming back out for a while.

I've said more times than I'd like to admit, that I seriously lack art skill both digitally and traditionally; which is why I rarely create anything; but this is being a bit harsh on myself. The truth is my main weakness is in drawing - I do not have the steady hands to keep a pencil straight on paper; nor the fine motor co-ordination to translate movements of a mouse or stylus to pixels on the screen. But I've known for the longest of times that artwork isn't just about drawing - if you know how to use resources correctly and have a creative mind, you can create art without even making a single marking. So, I set myself a personal challenge recently to prove to myself I'm NOT hopeless; and create a piece of digital art that suggests to others as well as myself a level of originality.

Spending the last few days thinking what to draw, I originally was tempted to do a Trainer Card design; but decided I would prefer a canvas I could fully personalize. This is when I realized I didn't have an avatar yet. My recent speed poll about what Poké Balls people like the most got me thinking what it would actually be like to be held inside a Dusk Ball; and suddenly I had a brainwave. So I collected together some renders, opened up GIMP and got to work.

Three hours passed; and finally, you can see the results of my effort on your screen to the left. For the very first time ever, I managed to create an avatar from scratch, on my own, simply through effective use of renders and the tools provided by GIMP. What does everyone think?

Following this, I refocused my energies to working on PWO, performing quite a few activities here too. I changed settings on the Forums to increase the size of Admin and DEV PM inboxes; and also allow us to make larger group conversations on the Forums; to let us work more effectively with each other and with Players. While I hope players don't see this as a reason to start spamming staff accounts with more PMs all of a sudden, it should mean we can deal with the sheer amounts many of us get more easily and have less need to delete messages on a frequent basis. Not that I've ever hit an inbox limit myself, but you never know. In addition to this, I single-handedly disabled the /password command; helped Bluerise work out how to perform the "make everyone have a verified email" thing; and post an over-long announcement explaining it all. And this is after already making database changes earlier this week to fix some other commands...
Jinji has fainted!

PWO Uses Revive on Jinji...

...Geh? I'm okay! That's only two-thirds of the story too - for the remaining third, check out Technically Motivated. I was working on that site all through the late hours tonight. And I'm FINALLY glad to have resolved an annoying issue with its Home Page once and for all. There, I'm done. I'll stick around the Forums for a while, but I need to take a break from PWO for the next day or so; so please don't try to find me if I'm not around or disturb me - otherwise I will come and get you later. Gah...
 

Rafster

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Lol don't worry Jinji, I myself fail miserably every time I try to draw or do anything art related. No matter how much time I spend on something it always turns out bad <img src="http://www.pokemon-world-online.net/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/TeddySad.png" class="bbc_emoticon" alt=":(" />

The Ava you created doesn't look bad though, for a gengar who is bad at art it's actually quite good <img src="http://www.pokemon-world-online.net/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/BulbasaurSilly.png" class="bbc_emoticon" alt=":p" />

 

darkrown

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art is all about exercising. practice makes perfect <img src="http://www.pokemon-world-online.net/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/PikachuExcited.png" class="bbc_emoticon" alt=":D" /> so keep making gfx even if you don't plan to use them, and you'll grow in no time <img src="http://www.pokemon-world-online.net/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/PikachuExcited.png" class="bbc_emoticon" alt=":D" />



i personally like the way your icon came out. it has a unique concept; i remember you mentioning that the dusk ball is your favorite.i don't recognize the sprite, however, which game does it come from?
 

Jinji

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[quote name='Chocobo7' timestamp='1314492605' post='619']Quick question, I know you and Crenel were working on updating the movesets of pokemon before the game went down, is that stil going on or is it on hold/stopped?[/quote]

It was put on hold while we worked on damage minimisation and getting the game back up to a fully working state; and we just haven't got around to continuing yet.



[quote name='darkrown' timestamp='1314622013' post='815']art is all about exercising. practice makes perfect <img src="http://www.pokemon-world-online.net/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/PikachuExcited.png" class="bbc_emoticon" alt=":D" /> so keep making gfx even if you don't plan to use them, and you'll grow in no time <img src="http://www.pokemon-world-online.net/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/PikachuExcited.png" class="bbc_emoticon" alt=":D" />



i personally like the way your icon came out. it has a unique concept; i remember you mentioning that the dusk ball is your favorite.i don't recognize the sprite, however, which game does it come from?[/quote]

Thanks! I like that people keep saying how "different" it is from a typical avatar.



The Gengar sprite doesn't come from an official game; but was a custom-drawn sprite I found on one of those sites that has loads of sprites for things. I'd credit the designer but I'm not sure who it was. I had considered making the sprite an animation, but after spending several hours just making the base, I could not be bothered.
 

KikacoSimplex

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[quote name='Jinji' timestamp='1314591577' post='770']

We Gengar's like to make the tired point to anyone who comes to look at us too closely that our red eyes aren't from lack of sleep; but I can certainly say that were I suffering from insomnia right now, then I certainly have good reason for it. This is because, over the last 48 hours, I have probably accomplished more work and personal goals then I have ever done in recent history. As soon as I'm finished with this write-up, I'm returning to the dark corners of my abandoned abode and not coming back out for a while.



I've said more times than I'd like to admit, that I seriously lack art skill both digitally and traditionally; which is why I rarely create anything; but this is being a bit harsh on myself. The truth is my main weakness is in drawing - I do not have the steady hands to keep a pencil straight on paper; nor the fine motor co-ordination to translate movements of a mouse or stylus to pixels on the screen. But I've known for the longest of times that artwork isn't just about drawing - if you know how to use resources correctly and have a creative mind, you can create art without even making a single marking. So, I set myself a personal challenge recently to prove to myself I'm NOT hopeless; and create a piece of digital art that suggests to others as well as myself a level of originality.



Spending the last few days thinking what to draw, I originally was tempted to do a Trainer Card design; but decided I would prefer a canvas I could fully personalize. This is when I realized I didn't have an avatar yet. My recent speed poll about what Poké Balls people like the most got me thinking what it would actually be like to be held inside a Dusk Ball; and suddenly I had a brainwave. So I collected together some renders, opened up GIMP and got to work.



Three hours passed; and finally, you can see the results of my effort on your screen to the left. For the very first time ever, I managed to create an avatar from scratch, on my own, simply through effective use of renders and the tools provided by GIMP. What does everyone think?



Following this, I refocused my energies to working on PWO, performing quite a few activities here too. I changed settings on the Forums to increase the size of Admin and DEV PM inboxes; and also allow us to make larger group conversations on the Forums; to let us work more effectively with each other and with Players. While I hope players don't see this as a reason to start spamming staff accounts with more PMs all of a sudden, it should mean we can deal with the sheer amounts many of us get more easily and have less need to delete messages on a frequent basis. Not that I've ever hit an inbox limit myself, but you never know. In addition to this, I single-handedly disabled the /password command; helped Bluerise work out how to perform the "make everyone have a verified email" thing; and post an over-long announcement explaining it all. And this is after already making database changes earlier this week to fix some other commands...
Jinji has fainted!



PWO Uses Revive on Jinji...



...Geh? I'm okay! That's only two-thirds of the story too - for the remaining third, check out Technically Motivated. I was working on that site all through the late hours tonight. And I'm FINALLY glad to have resolved an annoying issue with its Home Page once and for all. There, I'm done. I'll stick around the Forums for a while, but I need to take a break from PWO for the next day or so; so please don't try to find me if I'm not around or disturb me - otherwise I will come and get you later. Gah...

[/quote]

can I change to a gengar now <img src="http://www.pokemon-world-online.net/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/BulbasaurSilly.png" class="bbc_emoticon" alt=":p" />
 
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