So, obviously I finally let the posting here drop to next to zero. I'm still keeping this account, as I do follow a few other LJ accounts (though not many seem to update as much any more).

However, if you want to follow what I'm up to, these sites will provide more info:

my new website: www.sterlinghershey.com

on twitter (protected tweets, but I usually approve those who ask): twitter.com/silverforce77

and/or my facebook fan page

Thanks.
Sterling

So, I'm not getting any better about posting here, for whatever reason. Most of the latest star wars info can be found on my blog over at starwars.com .

blogs.starwars.com/silverforce

The latest there is that the Legacy Era Campaign Guide is out and I'm pleased with the results. We got to create a lot of new universe/story/character info, and personally I saw a lot of my game mechanics see fewer changes in development.

Still busy, as usual.

So, I haven't posted much here lately. I was busy with a project and other stuff. I still checked in, but didn't really take the time to say much, if anything at all. The computer thing eventually was worked out by reinstalling everything. That went well, and Falcon Northwest helped a lot, which is one of the reasons I went with them years ago. Now that the project is done, I've got to catch up on other stuff, like getting the house in order.

I watched the inauguration today, of course, and it has been an amazing thing to watch unfold throughout the day.

I was on the 50th Episode of the Order 66 podcast a couple of weeks ago, along with Rodney Thompson and Sam "Vader's Secret Apprentice" Witwer. It was fun. You can find it at d20radio.com

More later, though how much later, I can't say....

As you might have guessed after my last post, it took awhile to get things back to normal on my main computer. Finally had to reinstall from the rescue disk, after some attempts at cleaning the trojans from my machine using an array of tools. Turns out I did have one of the most active ones around....and no definitive way of getting rid of it.

So, with some help from the support group at Falcon Northwest, I basically reset the machine to the state it was in the day I got it. Nice in some ways - cleaned out a lot of junk - but a big hassle and took a lot of time I needed to be writing. I finally got all of my critical software back online tonight, including my local email client and voice dictation software, complete with all the data.

I also changed from Nortons Internet Security from my ISP to Kaspersky Internet Security....so far so good there. I also took a serious look at Trend Micro (but balked at the 500MB disk hog) and Eset NOD32 Internet Secuirty (it was light had good antivirus, not so good anti-malware).

Now I have to reload Itunes...the music isn't critical, but the podcasting services I use all the time with my nano. I just wish itunes didn't run so many processes in the background when the program isn't actually running. But, I use it every day, so there you go.

Well crap. Somehow, I've gotten a trojan and a couple of viruses on my computer....I suspect some forum websites I don't normally go to are to blame. It could be from a shareware program, though, which is a bit unsettling. Probably some website, though, since the problem didn't get detected until today.

OK, so anyone with experience with the following crap that can relate any info, I probably need it:

Fake.avalert
backdoor.tidserv
spyware.ispynow

Obviously, I'm not using that machine for posting now. At least I can get into the thing, but I'm still working my way through fixing the issues.

Plus one is apperantly a keylogger, so I'm off to change a bunch of passwords. Called the bank, no problems there so far. Better safe than sorry.

I've been looking at netbooks lately for a number of reasons - mostly to replace my ancient laptop (Pentium III, '98) with something very portable. It won't be my main machine, but something I can use when I'm on the road or just out and about to keep up on email and writing. Looking mainly at the Asus Eee PC, with a glance at the Acer and HP models. I think the Dells are good, but just lacking in features for the price. I'll be getting a windows model. It's tempting to go the cheaper linux route, which I've thought about trying for awhile, but ultimately, I'll need windows and word on it due to my freelancing.

Anyone tried these out?

A number of people over the years have asked about how I like the voice dictation software I use. The answer is, Naturally Speaking is a very good product (but not perfect), and I've had a lot of success with version 9. They released version 10 this year, and now I see they've cut the price in half. So, for only $50 you can try this out. If you have typing issues like I do, it could be the best $50 you've spent. And, if you don't like it, at least you didn't spend $100. Oh, and for some reason, it won't work with 64-bit operating systems yet*.

Dragon Naturally Speaking Standard 10
http://www.nuance.com/talk/

Also amazon carries it, but last I saw, it was at a higher price point (but still not $100).


* Time to get with the program nuance....most vista machines on store shelves are coming with 64 bit standard now....

ShaunCon 26 is now over. It was another successful con. Living FR seems to be attracting a following, taking over where Living Greyhawk left off. Pathfinder also did well and our non-living, non-RPGA games expanded significantly in both selection and attendance. We have plans to grow the con next year, but more on that later.

I ran 3 rounds of Star Wars Saga Edition, which all but one filled completely. It was a KOTOR adventure, and I finally had a chance to try some fun combinations of character backgrounds and classes for the pregenerated characters. The adventure, of my own design, was called Unlikely Allies, and featured three mandalorians (a crusader, a neo-crusader and a neo-crusader shock trooper) paired with a couple of Jedi and a bridging character that featured a really effective and unusual combo of the non Jedi Force tradition Jal Shey and the corporate agent character class (with a complex background justifying all that). Each character featured new stuff from the KOTOR campaign guide. It was successful, though it had a tendancy to run over time.

I also ran a round of Savage Worlds Slipstream, their new buck rogers/flash gorden pulp-sci-fi like setting. It more than filled, so there was a lot of interest, even on a Thursday night. I have the setting down, but I'm still getting the hang of the system. I haven't had much time to play it.

I also played in a couple of games.

A Murder of Crows (written by stannex!) was a reasonably typical Cthulu adventure with some very creepy crows. This was recorded by the Roleplaying Public Radio podcast, so it will someday appear online. Do not expect a stellar performance from me.

I also tried out Burning Wheel for the first time, which proved to be an interesting RPG system. This particular adventure didn't result in any combat (though it could have). I had a good time, so I may play again at some point.

We had an Industry Gaming Panel that went well again this year, that included Aaron Williams (nodwick, ps238, etc.), Patrick Stutzman (threats of the galaxy), Dr. Bradely Will (kotor campaign guide editor) and myself.

I fought a cold all weekend, which was not fun, since I had to talk most of the time.

I tired to post this last night, but LJ was having some sort of issue....

Just heard that Robot Chicken is doing another Star Wars special, and it airs Sunday night on Cartoon Network. Should be good, and most likely, very wrong in some respect. They're supposed to have Carrie Fisher, Amad Best and Billy D Williams (who does another scene in their regular series sometime this season).

While I like the Robot Chicken parodies, I didn't like Family Guy's version (except the john williams / danny elfman line). This is probably because I can't stand family guy in general.

With the horrid season the Chiefs are having, I was going to refrain from speaking about them....however, this sums up this year.

In Sunday's loss to the Titans, the Chiefs lost their starting QB for the season AND, it turns out, their veteran backup QB...for the season.

The starting QB got hurt in and removed from both games he played in all season. They're down to a third string QB for a starter, a guy off the practice squad for a backup, and just hired a Jacksonville cast-off to come in, but won't be ready to play for at least a week or two. I'm pretty sure they haven't had the same starting QB in two consecutive games this year. And they replaced their kicker this week.

And that doesn't even touch the downward spiral that is the Larry Johnson saga.

I'm glad I didn't play fantasy football this year.