Okay, I promise to keep this update shortish and to the point.  Essentially, this is mostly centred around my 50 Things page and also around the future of this site.  Firstly, I’ve decided that for the likes of the books and movies entries, I’m just going to round up/down to the nearest full unit of 5, for simplicity, though the individual numbers will still be accurate.  Secondly, I’m starting to make plans for a London to New Zealand (via Hong Kong, Japan and Australia) trip using only trains and ships/ferries.  I shall also be doing this with at least 2 friends and although it’s a Xeno Storm project, it will be done in conjunction with Stormhaven Media, where we will have a special blog dedicated to our travels of a team.  Essentially, there shall be episodes that we upload to the show blog (along with other notes), and also as an extra, we shall have our own personal blogs so you can see stuff from our perspective.  There will also be a mirror blog which replicates the content on the show blog, as my plans at present are to have a show blog for use on the Stormhaven Media site, then a blog on the Xeno Storm site, so there’s a bit of crossover between the two sites.

This crossover system will be in place elsewhere too, but this is the most obvious (and perhaps simplest) example of its use.  Additionally, in order to somplify things, Stormkeeper dot Net will be moving to a unified system within the Xeno Storm Blogsite.  Granted, I may have said this before, but it’s worth saying again, for various reasons.  First of all, the reason why I’m doing this is to save myself a bit of space, though less logins to remember is another factor as well.  The other thing about it is that I’ll be linking the blog (and a wiki) to the forums, which will mean a single sign on for everything, which makes things a lot easier in the long run.  Additionally, I’ll also be looking at putting an addon that ties in domains to a WordPress account, which means very little overall will change, though in the early days, I may use my other personal domain to test things out while maintaining this concurrently.

Eventually though, I’ll be moving the blo over, and pointing my other personal domain to Stormkeeper dot Net.  I will also be removing all the games related tags (that I haven’t used) and the projects tags, though the games-related posts will stay put.  The reason for this is that my games blog is now going to be elsewhere, albeit temporarily, but games related posts will mostly be there now, unless there’s crossover.  The projects will be moved to a dedicated projects blog, along with the majority of my portfolio as well, which will free up space on my personal blog to do more personal stuff.  But yeah, there shall be a lot of reshuffling.  Additionally, I will have my own travel blog, which will both detail my mini and personal trips, but also will deal with my side of a team trips.  My projects blog will deal only with my own personal projects and tutorials, with my “travel blog” (which will probably get renamed) also handling my part of team projects, so I need to give a rethink of the blogs being called travel blogs.  Additionally, I think my projects blog may be more of a portfolio than anything else, so I may just rename it to that instead.  Even if it is a single sign in system, I still don’t want blogs all over the place, so will have to give stuff serious thought!

As well as domains though, I hope to use subdomains, but more on that later, once I’ve gotten a handle on things.  The first thing I intend to put up for XS is the forums, just so I can start getting stuff ready to deploy.  The next things I’ll be putting up are the FSIRC forums and also the pilot episode of the DiggerFeast and while not strictly XS related, there is some connection.  Either way though, I have a lot of plans for XS and will hope to carry them out this month, thus makingmy life a bit simpler.  I do feel I should inform people that I need to deploy ads on my blogs now as well, to help pay for server costs.  They were planned for any forums I run, but the blogs until now had remained ad free.  This will change over the next couple of months, though I’ll assure my readers that the ads won’t be intrusive or be the least intrusive out there.  Either way, these ads will help keep my sites active, or at least allow me to expand my operations.  I do have other plans for revenue generation as well, but they might apply more to my other websites more than here, possibly.

I’ll leave it at that for now.  Watch this space for details as to updates with this site, and also when the XS forums will be relaunched!

Between looking at my blog, and also the email asking why I haven’t updated, I’m now very much aware that I kinda disappeared for the past 4 months! Unfortunately my first trip to the USA wasn’t really all that good on the whole, but I did have a few nice moments and while it wasn’t all gloom and doom, I ended up having to write it off. Still, I’m better prepared for when I next go there. Anyway, because of all my hiccups across the pond, I was unable to do any episodes of the DiggerFeast like I planned, especially given the aftermath I was trawling through right up till late last month. However, I have at least managed to make preparations for a pilot episode, though whether I am doing it solo or with others is currently dependent upon whatever happens over the coming weeks. The DiggerCast was subject to a similar fate, but rest assured, now that I’m back home, and in (somewhat) of a right mind, I can continue the DiggerFeast and DiggerCast soon.

However, given that I’m going forward with my Stormhaven Media idea, it is very likely you won’t see a DiggerFeast episode for a few weeks, at least till I get the blog setup there. As for the DiggerCast, expect a new episode in the middle of October. Why then, you say? Well, the idea is to release eps every first and third week(end) and I need to focus on getting the team back together, as well as a couple new additions, plus given I haven’t worked on it for a while, I need to update the site list and also setup a page template! Rest assured though, the final format is nailed, and thus is the most complete show. Coincidentally, the DiggerFeast will likely follow a similar skeleton framework, for the reasons of consistancy at least. I am wondering at present as well if it’s a good idea to put everything in a single blog, although that said, WordPress is powerful enough to be modded for multiple purposes, so I think it would be the best option, in all fairness, especially once I learnt how to sort the domain stuff out. I’ll think of something eventually.

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Which means eventually I’ll be making one of my customary huge posts again soon. I plan to do a report of sorts on the Dublin Paranormal Convention this Friday. Additionally, I should mention that I lost the bid on the Wonderborg, which is unfortunate, but it does happen. I am currently looking for other ones as I really want a second one to play with to further my robotics stuff, which may end up gettings its own blog at the rate I’m going, or rather an A.I. and Robotics blog, in addition to coverage on a future projects blog.

Anyway, the main reason why I’m making this short post is because I stumbled upon this interesting post on someone’s blog (which was linked from a chat site I frequent,  named UKCB): National Novel Writing Month 2010, but given I’m still trying to get things sorted out, it’s unlikely I’ll be able to participate in this year, though I will however be committing myself to it next year, especially as I hope before the end of the year to take up writing again in some form… most likely with a new Forum Sim (Roleplay) I’m working on with a friend. as part of Xeno Storm, so watch out for that, and the addition of a wiki.

And also, I managed to find a full copy of my detective/comedy novel from 2004, although admittedly I’d end up rewriting it from scratch (though would keep a few elements) if I were to look at redoing it these days.  I’ll upload it in its current state soon (and update this post when I do) as a scrap to my DeviantArt, as well as to the XS Wiki, when it’s up and running.  Given it took me years to find the document, I want to have it in a safe place that’s not on my desktop, which is deciding to act up.  Just keep in mind that if you do read it, I know it sucks… it was written by me when I was younger and had certain things on my mind at the time.  I think the premise could still have merit, although I’d rather get myself into the Forum RP before I take that on as a project for NaNoWriMo. Admnittedly, I may just decide to develop it away from it instead and run with another idea; I can’t predict that far ahead though. In the meantime however, I have a lot of stuff to work on with websites, most notably a client’s site, followed by the XS RP forums and the wiki, then I’m going to look at other sites that may need attention, though I think I might spend this month focusing on XS entirely, with the exception of the client website.

I nearly forgot… I’ve now officially cancelled my ST Online subscription for the time being, so I’ll now have more money to invest, though with Lord of The Rings Online now becoming free to play, I’ll be focusing on tht a bit more. I’ve also been busy with Bush Whacker and Backyard Monsters on Facebook and I’m hoping before the end of the year, I’ll have a proper gaming blog to work with! I’m also off to Ireland on Friday for 2 weeks, so I’ll be writing a bit about that, no doubt, in addition to the Dublin Paranormal Convention, and also a security conferance I’m going to be attending towards the end of my trip.

It’s going to be a busy couple of months either way by the looks of it!

As many people have rightly pointed out, I’ve not updated properly in ages.   This is mainly due to the fact that I haven’t come up with anything to write about solidly, especially with regards to my new style of writing that I’m starting to adopt.  Anyway,  I do one day hope to show off my Warhammer 40k models when I have them all properly assembled, but on that front, we’re looking at a few more weeks work.  I also have to upload some photos to Flickr relating to when I went to Holland, and also the first lot of pics in the photo competition I failed to enter months ago now, whoops!  I have earmarked some other locations in Southeast London to take pictures of as well, but I imagine it’ll be a while before I can actually upload those too!  It’s all a case of eventualities really.  I also finally got myself a Wii, so eventually, I’ll be playing about with the experiments that Johnny Chung Lee has put up.  All the more now that I got myself a second controller, and got myself a Bluetooth “nipple”, which is essentially a really tiny Bluetooth dongle that sticks out just a little, much like a nipple.  My laptop has the device installed and set up, so I can eventually play with it.  My laptop will more than likely end up being the main platform for using the motion detection as it’s handier to use with.  The only issue though is that I need to have Vista drivers.

I’ve also managed to get myself a T-Mobile USB Wireless Share Dock and a pretty nifty USB stick which also accepts a Transflash (Micro SD) Card, which impressed me.  Though at the moment, I haven’t tried it out yet properly.  However, I am hoping it’ll mean I can start doing more stuff outside as a result, such as live updates but I imagine realistically that’s a while off yet.  Anyway, I also have got myself a copy of the new version of  Space Hulk.  Those of you who both had the money and listened to those at the Games Workshop likely have 2 or 3 of them now; one to play, one to sell on (they could easily increase in value by 3 times in a couple years, meaning their value would be about 180, going by the standard pricing) and one for… erm, I’m not sure actually.  Anyway, the reason why they’re so valuable is because of the fact that the current run is the only run, and also it’s been 20 years since the anniversary of the last one.  There more than likely won’t be another one for a good 30 years or so now so this one will shoot up in value.  Getting 2-3 copies does hurt the wallet a bit though.  All the same, it is a worthwhile investment… it does way a bit though, but you do get a lot in it.  I’ll post up pics when I’ve finished assembling the figures… keep in minf they won’t be painted just yet though.

Moving into the educational sphere now, and I’ve been looking at returning to education at some point.  Despite the fact that there’s the strong chance of fees increasing next year, I  sill want to get myself a BSc.  Amusingly enough though, I was looking at a games design course somewhat local to me, just outside of London, but unfortunately for me, it doesn’t have anything to do with programming, which was the main area I failed in.  Not only that, it’s also a level 3 certification, whereas right now, I’m at level 4, so I’d be declined based upon the fact I know what is being taught… hell, I could most likely teach the students if I were actually able to focus enough!   Not to sound too cocky about it, but my design skills are pretty much beyond what my certication (Certificate of Higher Education) is, and my graphics skills are sufficient enough as well, as is my hardware knowledge.  My essay-writing skills are alright as well and would pick up when I actually commenced study again.  What prevents me from actually being able to use the CertHE to start at the second year of university is the fact my programming skills are teh suck atm, both in Java and Flash.  Granted, like the essay writing, I’d pick up a lot if I got a chance to refresh myself, but I’m so out of touch with both, I’d really need to go somewhere that allows me to refresh my Java knowledge, and teach me Flash (I never got a good grounding in it – perhaps one day I’ll tell you why I had such an aversion to it), while at the same time, helping me to progress past my CertHE.

Something tells me though that I may just have to teach myself Flash and Java to CertHE standard, if not beyond, which is by no means a bad thing.  It does mean that I’ve got a little extra help to rely on if I’m stuck when getting back into study.  And speaking of that, the one that takes my fancy is the one offered by Qantm; their Games Design & Development diploma course, as it enables me to do a diploma in 1 year,  as opposed to 2.  I could also do a BSc. the year after that meaning I could effectively get my degree in 2 years.  Best thing there is that I wouldn’t have wasted so much time trying to get back to my previous level.  I was going to start it next year, as I’d need tome to build myself up for full-time.  While I’m waiting, I can re-teach myself Java and Flash and anything else I need to do to make sure I’ve got at least my CertHE standard polished up.

Still focusing on games and in particular the industry, I’ve reserved my place for the AdventureX event in London, which looks to be pretty cool, as the main bloke from Revolution Software will be there, along with a few other guests, including the creator of Loom, Brian Moriarty although this depends on the interest in the event.  They also plan to show people how to use Adventure Game Studio (AGS), and DOG 3D, which I’ve never heard of.  There’s also a buffet there, although it costs extra.  The event itself is 20 quid for the 2 days, and honestly, it looks like a worthwhile investment, if even to make some games industry contacts.  On that note, I also plan to bring forward an idea I’ve had at the back of my head for a while now, ever since I was at university in East London.  In some ways, it’s a continuation of a site I used to own called Emulation Storm, and its (very) distant cousin, Game Phreeks.  While GP wasn’t mine, at the time it was owned by a former friend of mine, and ES was essentially the retro version of it.  Along with a couple of other sites – one of which still exists with its original name, the other has a slight change of name – formed Storm Netwerks.   At the height of Storm Netwerks, we managed to score a lot of press material for use in the site while we were at the Game Stars Live event in 2004, although admittedly, at the time I was more interested in the freebies and booth babes!  That event is actually why I’m in London in the first place, but more on that later.

Anyway, things happened, and GP lapsed into obscurity, while I did keep Storm Netwerks and ES running for a bit longer, before I dropped ES entirely and renamed Storm Netwerks to Stormhaven Networks.  Yeah, I know… similar names, but it’s different enough to consider it a new start.  That said though, there are still references to Storm Netwerks out there, especially as I used it in 2005 or 2006 for an event, so any references you do see to Storm Netwerks are more than likely me.  Xeno Storm started out as Storm Rain, before also getting a name change although StormRain Paranormal still used the old name, so I haven’t removed it entirely.  I’m very much connected to my past in some ways, to the extent that I’m still trying to gather up all the sites I was ever involved with, which I’ll eventually list on a site somewhere as I’m wanting to look back on how far I’ve come from the early days.   Anyway, moving on… Gamed Up, as I called it at UEL was initially started as a project for my Introduction to Graphics course when I was studying my BSc. in Computer Games Design(This is its current name, and pretty much exactly what I studied as well – I do hope that the module I failed has been improved!).  It was heavily influenced by vBulletin’s default template design, although instead of becoming a games blog and podcast like I intend it to be now, it was going to be a site aimed at education relatijng to the games industry, including How Tos, hints and tips with programs, interviews with figures in the games industry and a listing of courses, universities and games companies, as well as news relating to careers and education within the games industry.  As I put it at the time, Gamed Up was just a play on the term “clued up”, meaning that a person would be clued up relating to the games industry.

I may consider going down that route someday, but for now, I’m going through with the more recent idea I have; seeing as I have a few willing people to help me with it.  I’m also merging the forum of my games clan, the XSG into the forums as it makes perfect sense.  Seeing as general games were to be talked about on the XSG forums anyway, and Gamed Up is about gaming in all forms, the decision to combine them was done to reduce resources used.  I understand that some of my ideas may be a little abstract right now, but this is because I have a tendancy to write off the cuff at times, a practice that I will be cutting down on as part of my improved style.  I’m going to be using my academic writing skills to help with more coherance on stuff, and also some research.  That’s not to say that I won’t stop writing off the cuff entirely, but I do want to make my factual bits more seriously, so I can be taken a little more seriously when it comes to blogging.  Another reason why I’m being deliberately abstract is to protect my ideas in development, as I share specifics with only a handful of people.  Of course, that said, I usually have the domains for my ideas registered before alluding to them, so there’s already some protection in place for me!

Another couple of my ideas, which I’ll mention for the above reasons are the Techie Guild, which is a website for discussing current technology… or it could be a social networking site for the technical field, not sure yet!  One idea I do want to experiment with (and I am keeping this one secret till it’s up!), is that of a redux of the DiggerCast and although I’ll keep the name, I’m renaming it mainly to the Jammed In Podcast.  You’ll eventually find out why I named it that, but for now, everyone is going to be left in the dark, except for the people I want to talk to about it.  Lastly, I have an idea which is essentially a spinoff of the Techie Guild and also a development site for the Wii, inspired by what Johnny Lee has accomplished.  It would also handle development with the DS and GameCube (they do have a direct connection to the Wii) and also the GameBoy Advance.  The spinoff of the Techie Guild site is something called Passed the Present, where future technology will get talked about.  Why the odd name?  Well, for starters, Past the Present was taken and secondly, the idea still works because in talking about the future of things, we have “passed the present”.

Get it?  No?  Oh well, I tried.

Anyway, I do have other sites that I need to give attention, so don’t expect the above ideas to come to fruition just yet, especially as I need to reshuffle the existing sites a bit.  Such as proceding with the development of the new Therians dot Net site, the redevelopment of Stormhaven Radio’s site and the deployment of my portfolio site.  I’m debating deploying my blog site Altered Awareness now, sans sub-domains as it’s an idea that can be readily deployed, save for that issue and really the lack of providing subdomains is the only reason the site hasn’t been put up sooner!  I’ll eventually find a way to put in subdomains, but I think it’s just as important to get a userbase for the site up!  Perhaps unsurprisingly, Stormhaven Radio, when it comes back up, will be at the centre-side of all the sites that I’m developing, as I’m going to be offering a player for the station with as many sites as I can although that may take a bit for some sites.

Either way, I think for the forseeable future, I’ll be pretty busy with my ideas, although I’ll have the assistance of others too; consolidation of my ideas was also another way to make things simpler.  I do have the plan to make a multi-wiki website, but that’s again a while off, although keeping all my wikis in the one place with a single login will bring in many benefits.  However, I only have plans to do that with 4 wikis atm, as the other wikis that I’d have planned need either site integration, or do not fit into the theme of the “WikiNet”.  I could go on and on about my future plans, but really, I should just do them and then write about them when I have them up, so people can go look.  I do plan on making a mini-site for all my projects, or rather pages of all the  websites I’ve ever done, provided they’re still online as otherwise I’ll just leave a name up.  I also plan on linking together all my image galleries as well.  It’s no small task, sure but it’s worth doing, so I don’t have to keep on Googling all my sites!

Anyway, that’s it for now.  I’ll be back next month with a thought-provoking entry, albeit with some proper research, as opposed to research as I do it!