It just occurred to me - as I was reading through the "favorite posters" thread - that quite a few of my favorite posters (mostly the old-schoolers) have been MIA for quite some time. Just off the top of my head, some of them are:

Extremist Slappy Sir Yerril ArtEChoke (he's pretty sporatic, though) Sorvo Earl GreyThere are more, and I'm sure I'll add some more later.

But anyway - as the milk carton captions read: "Have you seen them?"

Sorvo can be found at FAI. Thought I saw Extremist, ArtEchoke and Earl Grey around but can't remember were. Maybe it was one of my midnight halucinations.

Extremist has been gone for about 2 years now, so it's probably safe to say that he won't be back. I never found out what happened to him to cause his disappearance. A real shame, he was a huge asset to the community.

Slappy pops in a couple of times a year for a post or two.

Yerril I haven't noticed in some time.

ArtEChoke's been missing for a while.

Sorvo's a fixture in the chatroom.

Earl Grey popped in for a post or two a few weeks ago.

Anyway, if you click your way to the directory and to the profile of the people in question, and look for the "View Recent Posts" link, you can see when and where everyone's posted last.

[ September 16, 2005, 22:34: Message edited by: Taluntain ]

Yeah, I knew about the "view recent posts" thing, but I was kind of hoping this would be more of a "rumor has it" or "I PM'd so-and-so a few months ago, and they're on the moon" kind of thread.

Also - I hope maybe its presence will entice some of our long-losters to start posting again. Maybe they'll come by and notice their presence is missed.

I don't see Mathetais and Marnix/Headbanger as often as I would like to. Marnix is a moderator at a Dutch, Christian forum.

Both of them ought to spread the gospel among you heathens at SP. ;) :p

Master!! :wave: Chee! :shake:

Spellovelylady! Where have YOU been?! :p

Around and about! Really busy this semester, so I haven't been posting much (not that anyone could ever call me much of a spammer :lol: ) Good to see you!!

PM time!

Two people who's posts I always enjoy who I haven't seen nor heard from in quite a long time are Darkthrone and Sir Bel. Although Sir Bel has to be around somewhere, because he changed his avatar from a warrior to a sword, so maybe he just has been recently MIA.

Mathetias left because he said that D&D was taking over his life, IIRC. I think he explained it in a brief return six months ago or so. Shura was banned or he left after a bit of drama, and Extremist did return after a year when he was in a car crash and then just dissapeared as quickly as he had returned.

I don't think Shura was banned, because I saw some of his posts in old RBPs and he wasn't "unregistered" or anything.

There is mention of a ban in the profile. As I remember, Shura left by his own decision, though.

I think banned people aren't really banned. I suppose they just have their posting rights removed, so they can still browse but can't post. Or perhaps some people are banned and some have their posting rights removed.

It seems Shura was banned from some forums but not others, and simply left when he realized he wasn't going to be able to sneak any more past Tal.

On a brighter note, Darkthrone has been spotted! (http://www.sorcerers.net/ubb/ultimatebb.php?/topic/20/1368.html#000013)

I kinda miss SleepleSS as well.

But he has sent me an e-mail today, so I'll try to lure him back. Mwuha.

Bel posts now and then in the non-game forums... not much, but still. He's been very busy in RL for a while now.

Shura was never banned. I just made it very clear that if he's not going to respect the rules in AoDA that he'll have to stay out of that forum. Apparently leaving was easier for him than complying...

As for "unregistered" members; that's an old relic status that doesn't apply any more. In the olden days when people changed PDNs here, their old profile was deleted and a new one created, and the status on posts posted by people who weren't actually on the member list any more (because their original profiles have been deleted), became "unregistered". We never delete any member records now, posting/PM privileges for such accounts are simply disabled and that's that.

Depending on the level of the offence, the whole status disabling can be more or less extensive, but I don't want to go into specific details about that for obvious reasons.

i actually saw shura's old avatar in use the other day and thought it was him but it turns out that it just became available once he left.

Yeah, that was I saw too. If only people would keep their avatars, one day, someone is going to use Tal's old.

Mine don't get recycled... not for a long time anyway.

These are the ones that spring to my mind other than those that have allready been mentioned of course.

-Takara (The place just ain't the same without the gnome :p )
-Rednik
-Abomination

EDIT: Ah yes, how could I forget Shalladeth the founder of Copper Coronet.

[ September 20, 2005, 20:55: Message edited by: Morgoroth ]

Don't forget Shalladeth! :D

What about poor old Aldazar, who always seemed to getting into some sort of strife?

yeah, haven't heard from takara and aldazar in a while. as HB once pointed out, Aldazar has got to be the most unfortunate people that i know(ish).

Takara's left over some chatroom triviality, sad as that is.

Haven't seen Beazlebub much lately either.

I do wonder what has happened to my fellow Canadian Faerus Stoneslammer. I kinda miss the old dwarf. :(

My list of people who are missed:

Shalladeth - good guy, starter of the greatest thread of all time

Mathetais - always had something good (or religious) to say.

Sorvo - On the actual BoM. He's at the FAI more often than Mystra...but why can't the lazy bum click his way over to the boards?

And just about every "old school" SP member who was popular when I first joined to make my stay here permenant. :thumb: :rolling:

Alehldean, still an SPS account holder, but not posted since June.

I'm surprised that Rastor isn't on this list yet.

I can't say that I miss anyone since I hate everybody :) .

What about Baronius?

Bah, Rastor's been 'round. Look, there he is! :rolleyes:
So has Baronius, though not quite as often. I imagine it's hard for him to post regularly when he's working on so many mods at Black Wyrm's Lair.

Two people who's posts I always enjoy who I haven't seen nor heard from in quite a long time are Darkthrone and Sir Bel. Although Sir Bel has to be around somewhere, because he changed his avatar from a warrior to a sword, so maybe he just has been recently MIA.I'm still around - I just haven't had much time to post. I read a lot of the threads, but I've been keeping a low profile.

I recently moved to a new city and took on a fairly demanding job. I'm Chief Compliance Officer and part time general counsel for a bank. On top of that, I've bought a new house and I'm trying to get my other house ready to sell...So time for fun, games, and DnD have been put on hold - for the most part.

When I do get time for gaming, I can be found on a few multiplayer NWN sites:

ALFA (server depends on where I am - look for Thorfin Skulsplitter the surly dwarf)

Dalelands Server - a good persistent world in the PW Story category. Again, I play a surly dwarf named Thorfin Skullsplitter - 2 L's this time ;)

A world of Darksun - I thought I'd give this a try...a new twist and kinda fun. Amazingly, I play a dwarf fighter/dwarven defender named Thorfin Thunderhammer.

Gondor vs. Mordor open server - I've been playing this lately and it's pretty fun! It's a cool PvP site where you choose a side, either Gondor or Mordor. Then you go out in teams of players, gather xp, raid the opposite teams screens/lands and try to kill other players...I have to admit, I'm enjoying it!! Lok for Nimbul Alewine, a halfling Rogue/Assassin/Shadowdancer...Oh yeah, I'm evil and fight for Mordor!! :evil:

On top of that, I've been travelling a little, playing with my dog, and dating a bit. No new significant woman yet, but things are looking up. I've also started jogging...uggh, but I am losing weight and starting to look forward to getting up[ every morning and running :eek:

SO that's it - everything you'd want to know about my lack of SP participation. I chat with Mathetais and Kit every now and then, and I've been making sure the server payments get made...So I'm not completely gone.

I've been missing Dranalis DeAealth. I used to see him/her a lot when I first came on, but not so much anymore. :sigh: Another case of RL taking over, I guess. Why aren't more of you jobless homebodies like me? :D

I'm baaaack! I can't believe somebody actually missed me. Been ages since I've posted - busy with work, university, family and my (far more) significant other.

Looks like I've got alot of reading to do. I'm in Thailand - again. But coming back to NZ in 11 days.

It's good to be back.

:confused: Wait, what happened to Abomination's avatar? Didn't he used to have that blue abishai thing?

No, Abomination never had an avatar as far as I can remember. Good to see another Kiwi back on the Boards.

On a bright note...Grey Magistrate's been lured back into the Alley, at least for a few posts.

Strange as it may sound...I find myself missing Ragusa.

Never had an avatar. I never had enough money to donate :(

Seems like alot of people have left or at least gone inactive.

Okay, not that I like bumping threads, but this has been intriguing me... where in the nine hells are Malovae and Olimikrig?

I suspect Oli's still addicted to WoW, but Malovae kinda vanished in thin air.

Anyone knows where those two have gone?

For that matter, where is Jaguar?

Ragusa has been about a bit recently. I'm sure I saw a couple of his posts in the Alleys too.

Sarevok has gone missing.

Nakia - I did a little searching, and I found Jag's last post, which was on Feb. 27, 2006. Here's what the lad had to say:
/me fights his way back into a world with 24/7 internet access

No! I will not go back to checking my email at the library. You cannot make me return to visiting the BoM only when a wealthier friend has pity on me. I need the connection!!! NOOOOO!!!!

My friends, I cannot hold my footing in this plane much longer. I will return again, I hope. Remember me. Remember meeeee...

/me is sucked back into the LAN-less void

Later all. See you again when I get the chance. It seems that his internet is still MIA...but that's not much of an excuse...unless he lives by himself a cave hermit. :skeptic:

I hope that serves as some closure. :p :rolling:

It seems that his internet is still MIA...but that's not much of an excuse...unless he lives by himself a cave hermit.Well, unlike you, some of us like to eat now and then. ;)

I think Olimkrieg has been stuck with school.

Well, unlike you, some of us like to eat now and then. ;) What?!?! I love to eat! But I also like to eat while surfing the net, so I plan for the DSL bill each month. :p
Besides, libraries, friends, parents, schools, and places of business usually have internet access. But what do I know...maybe he *does* live in a cave right now. :p :rolling:

I think Olimkrieg has been stuck with school.School? I'm a plumber :p

Realized I just didn't have an attention-span that suited the academic path.

Well, not really addicted to wow anymore, even with the expansion it's just the same old and gets kinda dull.

I mainly just lurk these days as I don't really have much to say :bad: . And too busy sorting my (as always) way too many projects to get much time to game these days. Though I often consider firing up NwN and have a go on a module :) .

Anyways anyone heard from magpie? He doesn't answer emails :cry: .

Is Felinoid still around?

And what about Arabwel? I kinda miss her typos...

What the...?!? I see ghosts!

Good to see ya again, oli.


Well, not really addicted to wow anymore, even with the expansion it's just the same old and gets kinda dull. Wow, an ex-WoW junkie... that means there's still hope.

And what about Arabwel? I kinda miss her typos... Ara can be found exclusively in the FAI now... she got fed up of the boards after she got the GMoTW plaque, IIRC...

Ara can be found exclusively in the FAI now... she got fed up of the boards after she got the GMoTW plaque, IIRC...Wait, she isn't a native English speaker isn't she? According to Tal's own rules, she is not able to recieve that plaque if she's not.

Otherwise, I'm ****ed. I write far worse than she do. :(

Is Felinoid still around? Yup. Mostly in the FAI now (if you think RBP is random, you haven't seen the FAI :roll: ), with most of my time being absorbed by Morrowind and PS:T. Got me hooked, they have. >_<
Ara can be found exclusively in the FAI now... she got fed up of the boards after she got the GMoTW plaque, IIRC... Wait, she isn't a native English speaker isn't she? According to Tal's own rules, she is not able to recieve that plaque if she's not. Why else do you think she would've left? Tal actually bent his own rules to embarrass her. That he would go that far showed how unwelcome she was here, so she left. Don't get me wrong, though; they're his rules to bend, change, or even break if he wants to. Still, I kinda miss Ara's posts... :bad:

I dont think that Tal really bent his rules. While I miss Ara posting, I think it wasnt the fact that English wasnt her first language (her English was actually pretty good), it was the fact that she never went back to correct something that she spelt incorrectly.

A reason for bending the rules doesn't mean he didn't do it. That only speaks to justification.

I am a born English speaker/writer, well USA style and I use spell check. It's handy and useful. Ara's English is excellent but she has a hard time typing. I have my own spell-check as well as the Board's except in FAI>

So that was it? Phew! It still is a shame, but at least I don't have to be worried that she's gone because something bad would've happened to her. It just happened all of a sudden. I don't think she even left a message in the big goodbye thread...

What is this, a mutiny? Too bad no one's mentioned these issues earlier, because I obviously need to explain a few things here.

Wait, she isn't a native English speaker isn't she? According to Tal's own rules, she is not able to recieve that plaque if she's not.You need to re-read the rules and the FAQ. Most of the rules have been updated many times over the years to take into account unforeseen events, and the GMoTW one is no exception. The rules haven't changed much in the last 2 years because we've reached a point where pretty much everything is covered there, but by no means are they set in stone. Rule #22 always has and always will apply, and it's explained plainly enough there that every single thing can never be covered in a relatively short set of general rules.

Why else do you think she would've left? Tal actually bent his own rules to embarrass her. That he would go that far showed how unwelcome she was here, so she left. Don't get me wrong, though; they're his rules to bend, change, or even break if he wants to. Still, I kinda miss Ara's posts... [bad]Actually, I've explained why Ara was given the plaque when she got it, but apparently some people have missed that. In case this wasn't obvious enough, let me list the reasons again:

1. She was given the GMoTW plaque and not the IoTW plaque simply out of consideration for being a long-time member here, though her actions qualified her for the IoTW plaque fully.

2. She has been warned, repeatedly, to spell-check her posts. To anyone who's ever read one of them, I probably don't need to explain why. I've asked her nicely, angrily, indifferently - it didn't really matter. She's either ignored my warnings, or complied with them for a post or two, and then went back to her old mode of writing. I'm a patient man when it comes to compliance with the rules, but there's a limit to everything. When someone receives 3+ warnings from me over the same thing and keeps on doing it, I stop seeing it as accidental and start seeing it as deliberate. I'm sure that most sensible members will agree with me on that.

3. Spell-checking one's posts has nothing to do with being a native speaker or not. If your spelling is so atrocious (for whatever reason) that the meaning of your posts can't be deciphered most of the time, it's a common courtesy, no - a necessity - to spell-check your posts. There's a link to a spell-checker on top of every page. Firefox has it in-built. IE has a plugin for it. Excuses here are simply not valid. If Arabwel had even the remotest desire to make legible posts, she could have done it easily. So, again, I can't perceive what she was doing as anything other than deliberate.

4. In all the years of this board's existence, I have never, ever, had to warn one person over the same thing as many times as Ara, and still have them ignore the warnings. If it was anyone else, they'd already be banned simply for ignoring repeat moderator warnings.

5. I'm getting the idea here that Felinoid and possibly some other people here think that I have a personal grudge against Ara. That I hate her. That I deliberately wanted to embarrass her. All I can say to that is that I'm sad that anyone here thinks me capable of such pettiness. I run this place as a community, as much for myself as all the other members. I take an active interest in what goes on here, and don't simply consider the boards an extension of the site. I check in every day, and I've grown very attached to this community and its members. I always give more leeway to long-standing members over any issue, though there have been very few that have required my attention in the last few years in comparison with the early years. Some of it is due to the declining traffic on the boards, but most of it is definitely due to the maturity of the community as a whole, and people respecting the rules and those who enforce them.

Besides Ara, I can't remember the last time I had to warn anyone about anything twice, let alone more than three times. People simply respect the fact that someone will enforce the rules, and do their best to comply with them in case a warning is issued. That is the norm, and how most people would expect things to run in a respectable community.

And then there was Ara. Who I've asked repeatedly to show a bit of consideration to those who read her posts and stop making her posts stick out like a sore thumb. I've PMed her, I've talked to her over IRC... all for nothing. After it became completely obvious that she will continue to ignore my warnings, I've resorted to the GMoTW plaque. It's still a bit less threatening than the IoTW plaque, and usually achieves its purpose. But then, Ara decided that rather than finally comply with my requests, she'd just stop posting on the boards altogether. That's certainly her choice to make, if she so wishes. But personally, I've gone way, way out of my way to ensure that she could continue posting, so having these unfounded accusations thrown in my face seems more than a little unfair to me.

[ February 26, 2007, 17:25: Message edited by: Taluntain ]

@Olimikrig: And good to hear domething about you as well after a long time!

About Arabwel I'd like to add that as much as I've understood, her typos themselves are not and never were deliberate, but the choice not to correct them was. And as much as I think I understand why she continued her way, I have no argument against any of the rules or how they are enforced.

I was just worried about her abrupt disappearance...If she's allright, safe and sound, then I'm quite happy to know that and everything's all right with me.

[ February 26, 2007, 15:17: Message edited by: Iku-Turso ]

@Olimikrig; Hey nice to see you, it's been a long long time since I've seen you here! Hope you'll post again soon.

Didn't know that yet another member was shot down. Bummer, really, so hopefully Arabwel will just check her writing and post less spam if she is ever coming back. I have to say, though, that I don't remember her writings been that bad. There were typos in some of her posts, but to me it seemed like she did them on purpose to sound a bit silly. :hmm:

Oh, it was. Nobody is that bad at typing, again and again. She was 'known' for her typo's and played on it all the time. I'm not being funny, everyone makes typo's, but not as many as that, especially after warnings! If she wants to be childish about it and throw her toys out the pram, fair enough that's her prerogative. By the sounds of it, Tal gave her enough warnings she just chose not to pay attention. Completely fair and justified in my book.

1. She was given the GMoTW plaque and not the IoTW plaque simply out of consideration for being a long-time member here, though her actions qualified her for the IoTW plaque fully. Ah, I'd been wondering about that, considering that spellchecking was in the rules. So consideration is the answer for why you decided to do that.
If Arabwel had even the remotest desire to make legible posts, she could have done it easily. You'd think so, wouldn't you? Sadly, it didn't work out that way. Spellcheckers aren't perfect, and half of her attempts ended more mangled than they would have been with the typos.
5. I'm getting the idea here that Felinoid and possibly some other people here think that I have a personal grudge against Ara. That I hate her. That I deliberately wanted to embarrass her. Grudge, no. Hate, no more than a general distaste for rule-breaking. Wanted to embarrass her...what else are the plaques for? It's embarrassment as motivation to change so as to avoid further embarrassment or consequences. Though by the PMs (some of which I've seen), it is clear you wanted to put this off a bit, and give her every chance to change.

Do I blame you for Ara's absence? Of course. Your actions led in/directly (depending how you look at it) to her leaving. I also blame Ara for not sticking it out, or maybe even fighting back by leaving posts in their spellchecker-mangled condition to show what the alternative was. Hell, I even blame myself for not pushing her harder to come back and give it another try. There are more than enough people involved in any one event for blame to be spread pretty lightly.
But personally, I've gone way, way out of my way to ensure that she could continue posting, so having these unfounded accusations thrown in my face seems more than a little unfair to me. No unfounded accusations have been made. The rules, as they were at the time, were bent to give her that plaque (instead of the other). Was it justified? I had some reservations at the time, but I figured you had a reason I couldn't think of. More than justified now that I know the reason for the choice of plaque.
Nobody is that bad at typing, again and again. Again, you'd think so, but you'd also be wrong. Ara has problems with her hands/wrists that causes the typos and makes them hell to correct manually. And spellcheckers...I've covered that above.
She was 'known' for her typo's and played on it all the time. Of course she did; it was part of her persona. Just as Kitrax gets asked about technical computer problems because he's the computer guy, I get asked about 2e & BG because I'm the 2e nut, and most everyone knows you're the Sports Guru, Ara was the Tpyo Queen. Not a great title, but she eventually got used to it over the years; it became part of who she was. It's not easy to deny yourself...
If she wants to be childish about it and throw her toys out the pram, fair enough that's her prerogative. By the sounds of it, Tal gave her enough warnings she just chose not to pay attention. It was certainly her choice, but there was nothing childish about it. If I had some sort of Tourette's that made me type swear words in my posts, I guarantee you'd never see me again, and I don't think you'd call that childish.

To put it plainly, it's simply a tragedy for us that she and the site's rules just don't mesh. The rules can't change for her, and she can't change for the rules. Our loss, but at least we can still find her in the FAI and other places. :)

You'd think so, wouldn't you? Sadly, it didn't work out that way. Spellcheckers aren't perfect, and half of her attempts ended more mangled than they would have been with the typos.Nobody's perfect, but effort (or lack of) can be plainly seen.

Grudge, no. Hate, no more than a general distaste for rule-breaking. Wanted to embarrass her...what else are the plaques for? It's embarrassment as motivation to change so as to avoid further embarrassment or consequences. Though by the PMs (some of which I've seen), it is clear you wanted to put this off a bit, and give her every chance to change.The plaques are a tool for when everything else fails, or when the rule-breakings go beyond requiring mere warnings. The plaques have existed for years, and believe it or not, Ara was not the first member to get one. She was no more embarrassed by it than anyone else who's ever got one. Also, I fail to see how you can not be embarrassed by making practically illegible posts day after day, but once you receive a plaque pointing it out, you're suddenly embarrassed. Like I'd pointed out some horrible secret no one had ever known about. :rolleyes:

I'm happy to hear that my personal correspondence to her has met with your approval. If she comes back I'll consider sending PMs intended for her to you first, and you can forward them on.

Do I blame you for Ara's absence? Of course. Your actions led in/directly (depending how you look at it) to her leaving. I also blame Ara for not sticking it out, or maybe even fighting back by leaving posts in their spellchecker-mangled condition to show what the alternative was. Hell, I even blame myself for not pushing her harder to come back and give it another try. There are more than enough people involved in any one event for blame to be spread pretty lightly.Yea, well, with some people it's always popular to blame the cop for giving them a speeding ticket too. As for your proposed fighting back - a spell-checker is also a tool to assist in achieving a purpose, not a magic wand. If 10.000 people here have managed not to post in a way that Ara has, I think that she, as an aspiring writer to boot, should be able to do it with a bit of effort as well.

The rules, as they were at the time, were bent to give her that plaque (instead of the other).Yea, bent in her favour. Good thing that they're so flexible that they can bend in either direction.

It was certainly her choice, but there was nothing childish about it. If I had some sort of Tourette's that made me type swear words in my posts, I guarantee you'd never see me again, and I don't think you'd call that childish.People with actual physical disabilities that impede their writing are exempt from the spelling, grammar and similar rules. But with the amount of writing that I know Ara does, you'll have an impossible time convincing me that a portion of her time spent to make the posts couldn't also be used to correct the spelling to something at least vaguely resembling legibility.

The rules can't change for her, and she can't change for the rules.I'm firmly convinced that should could change for the rules, if she only wanted to. The doors here certainly remain open.

She was no more embarrassed by them than anyone else who's ever got one. Also, I fail to see how you can not be embarrassed by making practically illegible posts day after day, but once you receive a plaque pointing it out, you're suddenly embarrassed. You know her emotions? Trust me, she was embarrassed. The plaques aren't just links to what people do wrong, they're links to stigma. That's why they're so effective.
I'm happy to hear that my personal correspondence to her has met with your approval. If she comes back I'll consider sending PMs intended for her to you first, and you can forward them on. I'm sorry if you feel I've invaded your privacy. :( That wasn't my intent.
Yea, bent in her favour. Good thing that they're so flexible that they can bend in either direction. Quite agreed.
Yea, well, with some people it's always popular to blame the cop for giving them a speeding ticket too. I think you've got me wrong on this one. I don't blame you primarily. Ara takes the lion's share without a doubt. It was ultimately her choice.
People with actual physical disabilities that impede their writing are exempt from the spelling, grammar and similar rules. But with the amount of writing that I know Ara does, you'll have an impossible time convincing me that a portion of her time spent to make the posts couldn't also be used to correct the spelling to something at least vaguely resembling legibility. Aye. Sadly, Ara didn't feel up to it. Even the compromise would take what she felt to be too much of her time.

2 I haven't seen for a while:

The Magpie?
Bion?

I'm sure Bion will be posting directly after me. :p

Errrr .... kuemper - Bion posted 3 times today. The Magpie last posted on April 7. Hardly milk carton kind of stuff.

;)

Bion is definitely around but likes to hang out in the Copper Coronet for which I am grateful.

Bion posted 3 times today. The Magpie last posted on April 7.Would those posts be in places you need an SPS account to read?

Bion posted in one of the AoDA or AoLS threads. Don't remember which one. You can check their profile for last posts.

http://www.sorcerers.net/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=recent_user_posts;u=00006516

Once in each alley and the third in SPS, so yes and no.

Anyone heard from Cúchulainn lately? He hasn't posted since March 15.

Like a previous poster on page two, I don't like to bump threads, but what ever happened to that guy Elios?

I was wondering what had happened to Cúchulainn as well.