EVE Blog Banter #26: Beyond nebulas and shiny ships

Welcome to the twenty-sixth installment of the EVE Blog Banter, the monthly EVE Online blogging extravaganza created by CrazyKinux. The EVE Blog Banter involves an enthusiastic group of gaming bloggers, a common topic within the realm of EVE Online, and a week or so to post articles pertaining to the said topic. The resulting articles can either be short or quite extensive, either funny or dead serious, but are always a great fun to read! Any questions about the EVE Blog Banter should be directed to crazykinux@gmail.com. Check for other EVE Blog Banter articles at the bottom of this post!

This month's topic was proposed by @KatiaSae of the much praised "To Boldly Go" blog. Katia asks: "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. As an astrophotographer, I've found it in the stars and planets of New Eden. Where have you found it? Perhaps you've found beauty in the ships we fly? Maybe it's the sight of profits being added to your bottom line? Or maybe it's the pilot portraits you see in the comm channels? Where ever you've found it, write about it and post an image." Don't be afraid go beyond the simple visual aspects of EVE as well. Is the EVE Community in itself a thing of beauty? What makes EVE the game, the world, the Community, so appealing to you?

EVE looks stunning. It always has, and if the last decade hints to what we can expect in the future, it most likely will continue. 

10 things every EVE Online player should know

EVE Online veterans are all aware that it's not the easiest MMORPG to jump into and that it's got a steep learning curve, with a hardcore player following. So I've put together another list to help players understand the nature of EVE, before they set out to make a living in New Eden. A kind of reality check if you will.

1. The only place where you're safe in EVE is either docked or offline, otherwise you're mostly fair game.
2. You will eventually get podded. It's nothing personal.
3. So make sure your clone is up to date
4. At any given time, make sure you're always training a skill.
5. EVE is like a sandbox with landmines. Deal with it.
6. You're flying in a cocoon full of liquid, known as a pod. Not behind the controls of a ship.
7. Flying a ship anywhere in EVE is like gambling, only fly what you're willing to lose.
8. CONCORD exists to punish, not to protect.
9. If you're going to be in a low sec system for a while, create 2 or more safe spots, just in case.
10. Pirates are not griefers, they're as much a part of EVE as you are.

So there you have it. If you're looking for a more extensive list, make sure to visit the "Tips and Advice" page that CCP has put together. They've got more tips and advice and provide additional details.

Fly safe, or die trying!

[Update: March 16th, 2010 - updated "Tips and Advice" link following @dianalynnETC tweet]