EVE Online Pod Pack: Sept 2011 Update

It’s the end of the month and it’s time for the EVE OnlinePod Pack update.  I plan to do these updates monthly to provide you with this months news surrounding EVE Online podcasts.  Most of the information with in will contain podcasts that have been added or removed from the feed.  The updates will also include cast changes and special announcement from the podcasts.  September has been a very busy month, so let’s get started. 

Introducing...

Angry Monkey Podcast (AMP)

Let’s give a warm welcome to the newest podcast to join the EVE Online Pod Pack.  Angry Monkey Podcast aka AMP is hosted by ChYPh3r and EX River from the SpaceMonkey’s Alliance [SMA].  They are also joined by two little co-hosts known as Slap and Tickle, who’s main job is say all the terrible things that most of us were already thinking.  This show is rude, crude and filled to the brim with pure unadulterated trolling.  Keep in mind that this pod cast is intended for mature audiences only.  You’ve been warned. 

 

Taking Stage Left...

Cap Stable

I’m really not sure what happened to these guys.  Their last podcast was in June and celebrated the anniversary of AIEU, the corporation the podcasters are from.  I’ve looked for a way to contact the hosts, but I haven’t gotten anything in the way of a response.  I’ve even gone as far to contact the corp diplo and nothing came from that either.  Whatever their reasons for going dark; we wish the best and hope to see them around again soon.

ISK

I’ve spoken to Tehg a few time since he’s one of the podcasts helping me with Listen to the Voices 2011 ATX.  He’s not fading all the way in to the black, but he is going on hiatus.  He even went as far to post a blog for his reasons simply saying that he hasn’t been in the mood and when the mood returns, so will he. 

Lost in EVE

This curtain call comes on rather sad terms.  Per a post made on the podcast site, Jade, is going though some real life issues as well as health problems and has decided to close down the podcast for good.  There will be no final episode and this seems to be the finale as Jade has also stated that he will be unsubbing from EVE Online.  I’m an sure that Lost in EVE will be missed by the community at large and we all wish Jade and Jayne the best in their future endeavors. 

In Other News….

Declarations of War

Now you may be wondering why DoW is listed, but there is no website and it’s not included in the feed.  Unfortunately, the person that had control over the website and feed has left Noir.  This has left the podcast in a bit of a lurch as they work to establish a new site and feed while still maintaining Noir. Mercenary Group.  Yes, these updates are slow in coming, but hey.. Noir. is about to celebrate their 200^th contract.  I think it’s okay to give them a break and let it slide for the moment. 

Fly Reckless

A pretty big change have been made over on the FR cast.  Chad has decided to part way with the podcast.  In his desire to see FR continue on, he’s left the cast in the capable hands of Priest Kristoph and Angus McDecoy.  The two are working diligently to get the podcast on a regular schedule as well as develop content.  They off to a great start so far and we’re glad to see FR sticking around and staying strong.

Not A Lot of News

Jason and Erin’s cast has been growing.  FrmfrPukin and EnderHexFyre have become regulars (even though Ender doesn’t log in to EVE much anymore).  They’ve also added in Quazz, who is a mining and industry guru of sorts.  Others have been invited to come hang out on air giving the podcast a great community feel.  These all appear to be great changes for this podcast.

Pod Goo

After a brief one month hiatus due to real life, Ender Black is back and better than ever.  It’s hard to tell if Lorkin Desal will be back due to the scheduling conflicts that the two seem to be having, but his presence is still on the podcast.  The Complete Unknown, a wormhole guide written by Desal, is now featured in the guides section of the podcast.  Along with his, Ender Black is moving The War College to the pod goo podcast and they are still planning to have more of those great roundtables. 

And I Should Mention...

Please go and check out Tech4 News.  This is a collaborative effort by Seismic Stan, Angus McDecoy and myself.  Not only do we want you to listen, but we want you to leave us your feed back as well.  Tech4 News is as much of an experiment as it is a podcast.  We hope to bring the great story lines created by the content team to life in a new way.  We also hope to draw more people not only to the role-playing aspect of EVE Online and to the story lines, but to EVE Online in general.  So please share this podcast with your corp mates, alliance mates and just your general sci-fi nerd friends. If you'd like to read more about Tech4 News, just check out the website or you can visit Seismic Stan's blog, Freebooted or my own blog post for our perspectives on the project.

Now you may be wondering why this podcast isn't in the "Introducing..." section of this blog post.  Well, like I said, this is an experiment.  A podcast like this takes a lot of time and effort even with a lot of people sharing the work load.  We want to make sure that this is a worth while endeavor that is not only fun for us, but adds value to the EVE Online community as well.  Once we figure that part out... we'll let you know what our future plans are.

And that’s is for the Monthly Update for the EVE Online Pod Pack.  If you are a podcast and have information that you would like put in the monthly updates, please contact be in-game or via g-mail.  Podcasts can also contact me to update their podcast image, podcast information and description that are on the Pod Pack site.  Also, if there is a podcast that I have missed out in the EVE Universe please contact me.  While updates to the feed are done only once a month at the end  of the month, we’re always looking for new EVE Online content to add.

Ciao♥

Tech4 News

I'd like to introduce to you all a new type of podcasting venture called Tech4 News.  Tech4 News is the brainchild of Seismic Stan from the Freebooted blog.  Along with Arydanika from Voices from theVoid and Angus Mc Decoy of Fly Reckless, the team of podcasters has come up with a EVE Online podcast unlike any other.  

Tech4 News is a completely in-character EVE Online podcast.   The concept of the podcast is that it is an independent news cast run by non-capsuleers who are investigating the mysteries that the Capsuleers are uncovering.  The podcast will follow the current in-character storylines generated within New Eden starting off with the Arek' Jaalan Project.  

The podcast has also been created to attract a wide audience.  While the main focus is to help generate interaction and conversation within the EVE Online role-playing community; we want anyone to be able to enjoy the storylines and entertainment the podcast has to offer.  We hope to entertain new players, non role-playing players as well as individuals who simply enjoy good Science Fiction.  

The podcast features four main characters all played by podcasters within the EVE Online Community.  There is the Gallente-born, ratings-driving lead anchor Paydas Adavaar voiced by Angus McDecoy.  Arydanika plays the bold and daring Minmatar field reporter Mielikki Valpuri.  Uriah Tedanih is the worldly and educated Amarrian staff science expert played by Seismic Stan.  Then Erin from Not A Lot of News Hour gives life to the cheeky, but very handy Minmatar staff engineering expert Sarkastinen"Sark" Insinoori.

The website for Tech4 has been launched and the first episode of the cast is ready for download.  The hard work and efforts of several different EVE Online players have come together to create this project.  We hope you'll find a few moments to listen and invite you to leave any feedback you may have. 

Introducing: The EVE Pod Pack

So apparently, I don't have enough to do. No. Producing a podcast, writing a blog, planning a meet-up, learning video editing, playing 2 accounts and then all that real life stuff just aren't enough. I had to get my hands into another pie. Just what is this other pie? The EVE Pod Pack.

After several e-mails between Rixx Javix, the proud new daddy of the EVE Blog Pack, I asked if I could have a hand at administrating the podcast version of the EVE Blog Pack. Rixx gave his blessing and off I went. After a few days of information collection and a few hours of web design, the fruits of my labor can be found here:

Click Here to Visit the EVE Pod Pack Site

The site is still in development as far as I am concerned. A brief explain is up as well as expectations for the podcasts included in the pack. There is a section on iterations I would like to see in the future including a combined podcast feed. Also, like the EVE Blog Pack, I will have a special icon stating the site is part of the pod pack for the various websites to display.

Now I do need some help with all of this. Podcasters, please send me your info! I'd like to have update icons from each of you as well as a brief description about your podcast. The information I have up for your podcast current is what I was able to pull up from the deep crevices of the internet where our podcasts lurk. Of course I'm open to feedback. If there is anything you think I should add to the site, please speak up!

My main purpose and goal with all of this is to promote the work of people who are passionate about EVE Online and to connect them to listeners who want this type of material. I want to do right by CCP, my fellow podcasters and the community by taking up this project. Thank you to Rixx Javix letting me take a crack at this. This is a big opportunity as well as a big task. I'm going to do my best to fulfill it.

Ciao for now♥

Voices from the Void: Episode 17

In this edition of Voices from the Void Podcast, Arydanika and Hallan Turrek bring all that EVE Online goodness to you that you love so much.  In Weekly game play they discuss Hallan’s rise to power and Dani’s lulz pretending to be a Pirate in Placid.  The News is filled with the latest in-game happenings including the Southern Conflict, the Northern Clean Up, IEG and Sniggwaffe falling out with their counterparts and of course the Phaser Inc Ponzi Scheme.  The Blog Spotlight is all about EVEOGANDA. Then CCP Manifest & CCP Hekatonkheires jump right in to the middle of the creaming filling for an inside look at EveisReal.net.

Check out the podcast here.
Check out the full length interview here

Also, we've updated The News segment.  It's now being packaged on it's own with some snazzy new video editing.  Enjoy!

Voices from the Void: Episode 16

While Dani is away Hallan Turrek and White Tree will play.  That’s right folks.  CSM Delegate and Internet Spaceship dood White Tree has joined up With Voices from the Void one more time, but this time as co-host.  Join he and Hallan as they discuss their in-game pursuits for the week, report and analyze the latest in Null Sec News and shamelessly plug White Tree’s new blog “One Jump Home” over at mmorpg.com in the blog spotlight.  Of course we can’t let you go a whole week without a little Dani in your ear so join her for a portion of her WGoE Interview with Artemis Septem.*

* The full length interview is available on the Here.

Voices from the Void: Episode 15

Due to people responded well to the video of Section2: The News, we're going to keep that format.

As always you can catch the full podcast on the site.  This week we cover the on going wars in Northern, Southern and Western Null sec along with the latest in CCP and community news. This weeks blog spotlight features none other than the infamous Freebooted blog by Seismic Stan. To top it all off, this weeks Creamy Filling is a WGoE Interview with Noir. Mercenary Group director KAtnos.

The extended interview with KAtnos is also available here.  

Enjoy!

Voices from the Void: Episode 14

This week we're trying something a little different.  Due to the overwhelming amount of people wanting the return of ENN, we are going to package Section 2: The News as a separate You Tube release to be posted on EveNews24.com.  The normal podcast in it's full one hour glory will still be available at the website.

Here is the link to the full Episode 14 podcast.

Here is the video for "The News with Arydanika and Hallan Turrek.




Here is the full 2 hours of EVE Online discussion deliciousness with CSM delegate White Tree.  You can also catch White Tree at his gaming blog White Thorn and his MMORPG.com column One Jump From Home.

Vand V Podcast: Episode 13

This week hosts Arydanika and Hallen Turrek discuss the lasted in in-game and community news including; the disbanding of Mostly Harmless [-42-], CCP Soundwave interviewed by MMORPG.com, the second CSM 6 Fireside chat and the CCP-CSM 6 May 2011 Summit notes.  They also cover Sleepless in Space for the Blog Spotlight, Literia joins Arydanika for another Women Gamers of EVE Interview and A big congratulations to Kusachiho and Carole for winning this weeks gFU Award.

Also check out the extended interview with Literia found here!

Impromptu Hiatus

Over the past month I’ve experienced an impromptu hiatus with my blog.  My original intent with “And Knowing…” was to write at least once a week about something EVE Online related.  The universe apparently had other plans.  It decided that I just didn’t have enough distractions in my life and happily send a barrage of them my way. 

First there’s the podcast. 

It’s going better than I could have ever imagined.  We now have approximately 2000 listeners per week and we have hit Episode 12 of the podcast proper with tons of extra content in the mix including parody songs, extended interviews and even some listener content.  Overall the feedback has been positive from the community as well as CCP.  We are an office fan site listed on EVE Online as if a few days ago.  We’re also hosted on EVENews24 which has been great exposure for us.  Plus we are in talks with EVE Radio about syndicating our episodes on a weekly basis as well as partnering up with content creation.

Then came the meet-up. 

The best way to describe the meet up would be; it’s little idea that could with a speed ball.  What started out as an idea about little get together in Waco is quickly turning into a full blown EVE Online Event.  I can’t give away many details yet, but the fact that the meet up is being held the day before GDC Online and in the same city… well I get trolled by CCP Dashi a lot more frequently these days.  I can say however that two pieces of custom swag are in the production phase with a 3^rd to be entering production in a couple of weeks.  For more information about the ATX Listen to the Voices 2011 Meet Up, check -> Here.

Corp Life.

Even my corp life turned on it’s ear recently.  Just a few short weeks ago; I was part of Wrecking Shots [WSHOT] and they were a member of Wildly Inappropriate. [WI.] which was a NC/CF null sec alliance.  WI. has now officially disbanded with some members heading in to the WI. holding corp to join Goonswarm Federation [GSF] while others sought greener pastures elsewhere.  WSHOT decided to turn their attention to low sec for some pvp which is evident by their delicious looking killboard.  I on the other hand have gone South with my co-host Hallan Turrek who has started a new corporation called The Outlaws [BANDT] part of Split Infinity. [S1.]  All I can say is… growing pains.

The Social Game.

Confession Time:  95% of my social networking is EVE Online related.  I don’t know how, but it has sucked me in and refuses to let me go.  I’ve never been too much texting, facebook and those kinds of social sites.  In EVE… these things are almost life-lines.  Now I find myself keeping updated and connected with Twitter, Google+, facebook and the EVE-O forums.  I’ve toyed around with Reddit/r/EVE a little to promote the podcast and I’ve considered signing up on Failheap Challenge and Kugu, but… I don’t think I’m ready for the big leagues just yet. 

Real Life.

Oh yea.. and then there’s that thing called real life too.  I’ve had two close friends leave the city, my 9-5 for the moment is a 7-7 and I still need my “Me Time” for pedicures, actual game play and of course checking the internet for the latest in glitter farting unicorns.  As real as EVE may be; I still think it’s important to get my head out of the spaceship clouds and exist in the real world from time to time.  Still EVE has managed to come up there too. 

Friday July 8^th I attended my first EVE Online Meet-Up and it was great.  Only five of us showed, but it was still a lot of fun to come together and wax poetic about the interwebs and all the awful things we do there.  One of them, BizZy, was actually from my old alliance SpaceMonkey’s Alliance [SMA] and had “heard of me.”  It always amazes me what a small world it is. 

TL;DR

So yea.  I’ve been a little busy.  Still, I’d like to maintain my comment to write and blog.  Don’t expect to find anything Jane Austen-esque though.  If you do, you’ll just be sorely disappointed.  What I can promise is more personal insights, some bad jokes, a few stories and… ponies.

 By the way... Thanks again Little Dial!  I love it! I love it! I love it! ♥

The Plight of the Newbie

On Saturday night I had the wonderful experience of being a guest host along with Angus McDecoy on the podcast "Eve Commune" hosted by Garheade and Chainer Cygnus.  If any of you have the opportunity to join these three in -any- projects they do... do it.  Don't even thinking about it.  Just say yes and hang on for the ride of your life.

Eve Commune along with Garheade and Chainer Cygnus are associated with Project Halibut.  It's a little project with a crazy name and an awesome mission.  The purpose of Project Halibut it to assist new player's and prepare them for the huge learning curve of EVE Online.  Not only do they assist with skill books, starter ships and mods, but they give new players something they all desperately need... a voice of reason and experience.

If you listened to the podcast, you heard some of my own n00b faux-pas.  I learned the hard way that guns do not go on salvage boats to the tune of -2.something security status.  I also learned that some the best game assistance is not always in-game.  There are also plenty of other amazingly dumb thing I did, but listening them all off would put this post in to the tl;dr category.  Rather then going on and on about stupid mistakes I made; I do want to highlight some things that I believe all new players should know.

Joining a Player Corp is a GOOD Thing
I've noticed that a lot of new players that come in to the game alone are hesitant about joining player owned corporations.  I understand their hesitation as the first rule of EVE Online is; Trust no one.  However, new players being overly paranoid about joining player owned corps is grossly counterproductive to their in-game development.  Don't get me wrong, healthy paranoia is good, but shooting yourself in the foot due to your paranoia is... well... bad.

Player owned corporations boast a huge number of benefits.  They have experienced players who are more inclined to give you "good" advice, they offer boosts and bonuses, they provide inclusion in large scale activities (mining ops, incursions, gang pvp, etc) and there's a nice long laundry list of other great reasons to join player corps.  Give player corps a chance new players.  Just don't give them your isk (joining fees are -always- a scam).

You Tube and Google are Your Friend
The best tutorials for EVE Online are the ones made by players.  You will find these tutorials by searching on You Tube, The EVE-O (EVE Online) forums and just by using Google.  As awesome as CCP is at doing what they do; they're not so great at making road maps that make sense to outsiders.   There have been many times where I felt I had taken a wrong turn at Albuquerque.

Fly What You "CAN" fly and can Afford
Just because you have battleship 3 doesn't mean you're able to fly a battleship.  There's a lot that goes into the training process for ships.  You need to make sure you have the right skills when it comes to capacity, power grid, CPU, armor/shield tanking, gunnery/missile/laser skills, etc, etc, etc.  Simply because you can get in to a ship, doesn't mean you can fly it well.  What's the point of having a Dominix with a 10K tank?

This brings me to my other point of flying what you can afford.  I'll paint you a scene.  Johnny buys a fully fit Dramiel for 100Mil off contract.  However, with ratting, PI and salvaging Johnny's monthly income is only 25Mil.  When (not if) Johnny looses this Dramiel... he's going to be screwed. 

Here's another little tip.  CCP doesn't like it when you muscle in their terf.  It's their job to screw the players, but that's another blog post.

Project Halibut Website
Project Halibut In-Game Channel - Project Halibut