At 6/12/08 09:27 PM, zedd56 wrote: and here is why that argument doesn't work with me:

1- i need my own computer anyways.
2- im only gonna be using one pc for animating
3- it's obviously easier to see what you're drawing on to than it is to look at one monitor and draw on a different tablet

these are also the main reasons i am actually posting this.

If it weren't these reasons (alongside a few more) i would just get the tablet and forget about the tablet pc completely.

Oh, and the tablet pc im looking into is $1k, compared to 100-300 for a good tablet :S

I suppose you get what you pay for, but I have a tablet, and I understand there are issues here and there with trying to master a new tool. I'm still more comfortable using the mouse and tracing over an image I scanned into the computer, or if I scotch-taped a basic sketch onto the surface of the tablet itself. That way, I can trace along the original sketch with visual results on the screen itself.

Thing is, if there's a method that doesn't tax your wallet, so be it. A PC Tablet is probably better because we always hear stories about people's computers crashing, leaving them out of the scene for months on end. One of the chief complaints I readily hear about concerning the "lateness" of any project generally revolves around when computers vomit and die. Now, what happens if you invested a thousand dollars on a PC?

Yeah, thought so.

The PC Tablet, on the other hand, can be switched to any machine that supports the software drivers (on CDs no doubt) and (generally) a USB 2.0 port. That means any computer you own, and as long as you treat all the parts real nice, it might actually outlive a whole string of computers over the years.

Thus, I say "Go for PC Tablet". Just remember: any new piece of technology is going to be daunting at first.

I had my doubts, but when I asked, I told him he could decline politely if he wanted to.

Staying away from any facet in Flash is fatal I hear.

That sounds like a case of interchangeable parts and tweening. Certain animation styles are incompatible unless you take the clips and redraw them with new outfits. I've seen one of these techniques done more often than the other.

I still recommend full support from an action script master to describe components as much as demonstrate how they can be programmed in a Flash. We go from basic buttons all the way up to the functions of the scripted camera. We would need co-authoring, but our intention is to create a butt-slaying tutorial, right? Action Script will invariably become involved.

Since Helbereth is nowhere near being an Action-Script god here, this suggestion requires scouting.

Do you have contact info for Godsondaggers? That would be helpful, if we really wanted to bring in the dimension of Action-Script. If we can't find him, I'm sure BleeBlap is a healthy alternative. I even spoken with him recently about game ideas I had (that is, I can IM him).

Another suggestion involves selection of music. It would be vital for the Audio Portal (which hasn't received much of a facelift in its interface for eons, but is still vibrant of a community) to get some exposure, and therefore extensive research into the clearest-sounding musicians there would be useful. A balance between video game covers and originals would also be good. In terms of instituting a "hints on creativity" section, applying audio portal music inventively to devise plots and cartoons would also be cool.

Suggestions on what to do... ask a stupid question, get stupid answers!

First One:
To reply to one suggestion, standing out through an advanced delivery of techniques might be pretty standoffish for beginners. There should be a good intro to basics and everything that will contribute to making a fully realized flash submission, no matter how paltry. Afterwards, we enter the vast domain of concocting a Flash with all the really cool stuff, like animating, cartooning, etc. Those two parts: Basics, and Intermediate (the "decent" submission).

Second One:
If they don't have Wacom Tablets, they might feel chilly out there. Fortunately, we can introduce a section where we discuss every last little device that would spruce up a Flash project:

Audio (Sound Card, Software, Microphone, Music... even advertise the Audio Portal)
Digital Photography (Web-Cam roto-scoping, Scanners)
Video/Artwork (Effects, the concepts of art, the Wacom, materials for artwork)
Fellowship (Collabs, Groups, outside websites)
Research Techniques

Actually those are devices existing outside of but still crucial to excellent Flash Projects. If we wanted to conceive something unique and still useful, we should explore the avenues beyond mere competency with the program itself. That's what "Basics" are for.

Nice to see this thing get seriously explored, too.

Necessary links:
Metropolis Studios
Neophyte Ronin's e-mail

After the pains of a merger and resurrection of leadership and focus, Newbie Animations, together with Team Orius, concocted a small community called "Metropolis Studios." Like Newbie Animations, this studio hopes to teach aspirants and veterans the skills they need to succeed in Macromedia Flash. It includes Team Orius, the Metro section for indies, and Newbie Animations.

Even while Twilight Venom withdrew for an indeterminate period, NA had already fell into limbo through a difficult merger with the Director of Orius' group, Team Orius. Their merger together--one considered to mutually benefit the other--fell rapidly into stagnation. In other words, nothing got produced, and people started feeling antagonistic towards the leadership, either in their rough manners or their absences.

Upon Twilight's leaving, people requested that I take charge of Newbie Animations and offer it some sort of resurrection (as per the spirit of the holidays, incidentally). Hence, Newbie Animations will become whole once again. We reintegrated our old infrastructure (MSN chats, mostly, with hopes to expand) and devised new projects in search of enthusiastic artisans and technicians. We intend to resurrect the sort of glory that gave us our NA Collab and Helbereth's Big Fat Tutorial--the only tutorial ever to land in the top 300 of Newgrounds.

Our current projects include "Nick the Newbie," NA's flagship cartoon series written by "Force." Nick is the incompetent that never quite realizes it; you know a few like that (admit it--there are a few even here). Well, picture that guy being born under a star that pisses in his cornflakes every morning, and you get Nick; most people win the lottery--Nick co-signed on a loan from a man that bled from three orifices.

The other project is "Jumping Jazz," a comic urban dark fantasy game where you're a lovestruck guy seeking his new lady friend while thugs, pigs, and speeding vehicles try to kill him. And this city goes "Silent Hill" on him constantly, and he fights supernatural foes if only to please all the goth kids out there. It's a bird's-eye action game with crazy twists. Fellow member BleeBlap currently programs the code for this game.

Both of these projects require good people to enter our group and contribute. Many other projects are pitched, but we insist on keeping things simple. We'd like to see what you are made of, so pitch your resumes and links to your work. And if you're a rank amateur, sound the green horns and jump right in. We don't care how skilled you are at present--we just need some fresh blood and insight at our site.

And upon becoming a member, why not pick a team? Metro users are like neutral guys here--very flexible. Orius guys work with The Director and generally have some background in flash. Newbies could mean anybody that has at least one failing, or weakness (or a whole slew of weaknesses).

I hope you reply and suggest or ask anything. The links above will show you the way to the site and my e-mail address. Contact me anytime, and be sure to stop by!

People sometimes ask, "What does BBS mean?" It stands for "Bulletin Board System"--and it's answered in the Q&A of the forum rules. That section was made to keep this from happening. I say that because it is the "Where is/How to" section of the NG BBS.

Here, I failed to find a strategy guide to "Frank's Adventure" though the BBS search engine. There are posts with hints, but have subject names that are either obscure or ridiculous.

I conclude there should be a single good post for Game Strategies. I volunteer this post. First of all, let me lay ground rules:

All NG BBS rules apply (naturally)!

Read all entries before posting a guide. This prevents us from having seventeen separate "Frank's Adventure" guides.

The subject should be: the game's title and the word "guide" (if it can fit). "Frank's Adventure Guide" helps a denizen identify the post reply as an actual guide.

Standards of English spelling and grammar are high. This ensures guides are intelligible. Exceptions are made for foreigners--and not every post is by a foreigner! If you know your way around a word processor, or know how to type properly, it shouldn't be too difficult to follow this rule.

If someone else already posted a guide--and that guide is lost in the BBS somewhere, do not get cross with people posting here. For crying out loud, write a list of links to those guides and post them under a subject like, "Even More Links to Guides." Don't be a shit-head and whine, "I've seen all this before."

This is no place to hold flame wars! NG hates these if they go on forever. If someone comes here with a fight going on, I'll inform the administrators and every last flame will be deleted. You might even get banned for doing stupid shit like that.

If your guide's facts are challenged, edit that post. Don't make corrections with a new post--correct them at the source!

This is not so I can get hints for free. I will contribute my own hints and, besides, I'm a solid game player. Don't feel intimidated, either.

I just want a cohesive post where Flash gamers can receive hints without trudging endlessly through the BBS. It can link to other guides from the BBS--that is as helpful as original guides here. All this post needs is a little participation....

You shouldn't ask for codes. Instead, you should develop your skill. Games are more rewarding if you work at them. That doesn't mean I won't help, though. So I offer a Survival Guide for Dating Sims.

Visualize your character. Is he a Criminal, Charmer, Serious Mind, or Casual? Charisma gets the ladies, but offers low-paying jobs and requires bar-hopping to "train". Strength gleans "high-risk, high-return" jobs and impresses women somewhat. Knowledge gets little respect, but offers solid, well-paying jobs.

Prioritize training and finances first. Shopping and flirting come later. If the Sim has "test your prowess" mini-games, these provide alternatives to normal methods of training.

Once the money flows, become a bar-hopper. Drinks are on you (does he honestly spend twenty dollars worth of booze on himself?). Learn to socialize and flirt there!

With Charisma, she opens up. Ask her name to become a "New Friend." Gifts can be offered--they come in three types, and they're all important (some will work better during some dates as opposed to others). After "New Friend" comes "Good Friend," where you'll get to call her. Note: if you carry your phone with you and she calls you, answer it quickly or lose Relationship Experience!

Being a "Close Friend" lets you date her. Write down everything she says about herself. On a date, you are quizzed about what you know. Answer correctly! Combined with the right gift (if any) with a high Relationship Exp. level, she'll start blushing. NOW hit the Kiss Icon--NOT before.

Once she is your "Girlfriend," she talks about more personal matters. Write these down--devote whole days to flirting with her! You also get to tour her house or Love Hotels--and the dating venues are expanded upon. One game features an expensive date (they all cost money) out in space, and you come across a device that relays all her vital stats to you!

Eventually, you'll become her "Lover." To score, profess your love and your readiness to bear the consequences. A long version of a date quiz commences and, if you come out on top, you're granted the password you seek.

A few last notes: her mood is depicted by her face--if it looks odd, she might need coffee (when tired), or medicine (sick), or a handkerchief (crying). Purchase those items ahead of time. In Sims heavy on mini-games, these items often serve multiple purposes.

That's the best I can do with a 6,500 character limit. I hope you find it useful.

There are at least two guys that are acting like total shit-holes right now and, while I do not endeavor to stop them from beating upon each other, I must say this:

When the towers fell, smoke billowing out and all, it is perfectly possible that people saw things that were not there. However, since I don't believe in coincidences, I conclude that something fishy is going on. Someone might have doctored the images. Yet, the images were taken by a live crew at the scene. One can only assume that actual television networks took it upon themselves to doctor the images (should this theory be true). Since nothing could be gained from that (except perhaps notoriety), I cannot see why the networks would go out of their way to doctor those images. Perhaps it was the devil, after all.

Then again, we may only be seeing things that aren't there.

And if you start screaming that I am in denial, then I'll simply ignore you punks, never to see this post ever again. Also, whoever thought that "Bush Killing Democracy" cloud was funny, ought to be beaten to death with hammers in the moonlight. Thanks to that image, the post now belongs in the politics section--with all the other losers.