EVE Blog Banter #3: Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

Welcome to the third installment of the EVE Blog Banter, the monthly EVE Online blogging extravaganza created by yours truly. The EVE Blog Banter involves an enthusiastic group of gaming bloggers, a common topic within the realm of EVE Online, and a week 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 here. Check out other EVE Blog Banter articles at the bottom of this post!
This month's EVE Blog Banter comes to us from Roc Wieler of Roc's Ramblings. Roc's asks us to "write a story about a fellow EVE Blogger, or an EVE player whom has inspired you or affected you in some tangible way. After your story, describe why you chose them, and any Holiday wish you have specifically for them".

Wow, that's a tough one! One EVE Blogger, eh? One player, just one? That would be impossible in my case, because there's more than one individual who has influenced me in doing what I do for the EVE community.

A New EVE Online Podcast - MicroWarpCast

I've teamed up with fellow blogger YoMma, to put together a new EVE Online podcast. Yeah, I know, I'm nuts!

The idea behind this project is to bring you the weekly Speedlinking News in an audio format. So for those on the road, who don't have the time to go through each weekly posts, YoMma and I come to the rescue with our audio version of your favorite EVE news round-up!

As I write this, the show has been uploaded to VirginWorlds.com's Podcast Collective, the FortNox of MMO podcasts! So I'm anxiously waiting for the show to go live and for you to provide us with your feedback and opinion.

I spent a few hours late last night, as well and a good part of today, editing and polishing it, adding music, and trying to put together a quality show. Hopefully, these efforts won't go to waste.

If it doesn't turn out like we wanted, it's all YoMma's fault for getting me into this mess... ...kidding!!!!

Now, the waiting and nail biting begins...

[EDIT: SeriousSally of ENN was kind enough to create a new logo for us. Thanks! - See the old here]

The Drone Bay: Episode 15 - Now With More Flashers

Virgin Worlds Link
EVE Forum Link (please bump!)

Show notes:

Episode 15 is here, and was recorded in front of a live audience!


Bring on the Drones:

In the weekly update, CK has been keeping up his carebear ways. Al has been trying the market out, and Crovan has been swallowed by his new job, but has started reading The Empyrean Age novel.

In DON'T PANIC, Al and Crovan discuss their adventures in Faction Warfare complexes.

This week's listener feedback section features more mp3s submitted from our viewers, this time it's questions instead of advice.

In out of game news, the guys have a spoiler-free drool-fest over The Dark Knight.

Make sure to check out the in-game channel "The Drone Bay" (no quotes) to talk to other listeners, as well as the hosts! News on the latest show, the plans for the next show, and info on how to listen live is available, there.

Contact Info:

GAX Online Group: The Drone Bay

E-Mail:
dronebay[at]gmail.com (comments/questions for everyone)
crovan[at]eve-mail.net
crazykinux[at]gmail.com
alsedrech[at]gmail.com

Skype: Dronebay

Blogs:
Bitter Old Noob (Crovan)
CrazyKinux's Musing
The Littlest Drone (Alsedrech)

The Drone Bay: Episode 14 - It's live! It's liiiiive!

Virgin Worlds Link
EVE Forum Link (please bump!)

Show notes:

Episode 14 is here, and was recorded in front of a live audience!


Bring on the Drones:

In the weekly update, Al and Crovan have both joined The Dead Parrot Shoppe Inc. [FOOM], and are knee-deep in FW goodness. CK has been hauling his afterburners off.

In DON'T PANIC, the crew discusses how to come back after a hiatus, much in the way that Crovan is doing.

This week's listener feedback section features mp3s submitted from our viewers.

Also, some big news from Al and Crovan...and how they have let their WoW accounts lapse.

Make sure to check out the in-game channel "The Drone Bay" (no quotes) to talk to other listeners, as well as the hosts! News on the latest show, the plans for the next show, and info on how to listen live is available, there.

Contact Info:

GAX Online Group: The Drone Bay

E-Mail:
dronebay[at]gmail.com (comments/questions for everyone)
crovan[at]eve-mail.net
crazykinux[at]gmail.com
alsedrech[at]gmail.com

Skype: Dronebay

Blogs:
Bitter Old Noob (Crovan)
CrazyKinux's Musing
The Littlest Drone (Alsedrech)

The Drone Bay: Episode 13 - Back With a Vengeance

Virgin Worlds Link
EVE Forum Link (please bump!)

Show notes:

Episode 13 is here, and the whole gang is back!


Bring on the Drones:

In the recap and update, Crovan gets into Factional Warfare and the guys share a bit about their in and out of game lives over the gap.

This week's Don't Panic covers tanking. Those who heard Crovan's feature on Warp Drive Active a few months back will probably remember a similar feature on that show. It was chosen this week in the continuing theme of getting new players and converted carebears ready for PvP, as well as refreshing the old-timers.

Lots of mail this week, including quite a few asking if the show still existed. We do, we promise!

In out of game discussion, Age of Conan comes up for what is likely the last time, as none of the gang are playing it any more. Find out why!

We're renewing our call for mp3s. Audacity is a free, open source program that is great for recording and editing. In fact, it's what we use for the show! Also, our Skype voicemail should be working. Please tell us if you try it and it doesn't work, or if you leave a message, period!

Contact Info:

GAX Online Group: The Drone Bay

E-Mail:
dronebay[at]gmail.com (comments/questions for everyone)
crovan[at]eve-mail.net
crazykinux[at]gmail.com
alsedrech[at]gmail.com

Skype: Dronebay

Blogs:
Bitter Old Noob (Crovan)
CrazyKinux's Musing
The Littlest Drone (Alsedrech)

The Drone Bay: Episode 12 - The Drone Menace

Virgin Worlds Link
EVE Forum Link (please bump!)

Show notes:

Episode 12 - The Drone Menace.


Bring on the Drones:

In this episode, the EVE triumvirate becomes a duo as Crovan wanders the Nipponese countryside looking to see if the Joves are hiding in the land of the rising sun. Al vents off some of his frustration with his work and CK enjoys the benefits of Vitamin D – not the Flintstones kind!

This week, the guys decide to take a break from Don’t Panic, as it just isn’t the same without Crovan.

Al and CK discuss their wants, wishes and apprehension about Empyrean Age. This episode being the first of a two-part conversation, with the second part coming up next week, once E/A has been released. Al officially trademarks "The Empyrean Age: Don't fly stuff that you can't afford to lose" and opens talks with CCP for bragging rights and royalties.

CK drools over the Clear Skies video and pimps both Warp Drive Active podcast #38 and WDA:Industry podcast #6. Good jobs guys!

They boyz review some listeners mail and go "googoo gaga" all over again for EVEMon and the Battle Clinic Loadouts.

In Tool Time, CK reviews EVE Strategic Maps and explains how he never leaves home without it. Al promises to get his copy.

This time around AlienHand's The Shield is used as the music bed and Al fights with Audacity to get the editing and sound level just right. You decide who wins!

As always, your comments, emails, praises and insults are more than welcome. Though the later might not get you mentioned on the show, ever!

Fly Safe or die trying!

Contact Info:

GAX Online Group: The Drone Bay

E-Mail:
dronebay[at]gmail.com (comments/questions for everyone)
crovan[at]eve-mail.net
crazykinux[at]gmail.com
alsedrech[at]gmail.com

Skype: Dronebay

Blogs:
Bitter Old Noob (Crovan)
CrazyKinux's Musing
The Littlest Drone (Alsedrech)

The Drone Bay: Episode 11 - Better Late than Never

Virgin Worlds Link
EVE Forum Link (please bump!)

Show notes:

Episode 11 emerges from the tubes! What dark secrets does it proclaim

Bring on the Drones:

In the weekly recap the guys go over all the new and exciting EVE podcasts. A podcast for every day of the week at last! Also, it turns out that Crovan is a care-bear at heart. Who knew?

In DON'T PANIC the experts chime in on PvP. Up for discussion: once you know what you are going to do, when and where do you get to do it? What are the rules of engagement, and when can you blow up someone who looks at you funny?

In the listener feedback section, we find out about how not to get a key logger in one easy step! There is follow up and clarification for the DON'T PANIC on roles in PvP. Our listeners express concern for Crovan's safety in Japan, and CK hears back from EVE Uni about the lockdown during a war dec.

Cry Havoc and let slip the Drakes of war! Our intrepid hosts tackle the Empyrean age. What is in store for the EVE universe, and what do we need to be thinking about as we approach this new era in EVE. Also, we all engage in some author worship in regards to the upcoming book.

This show gets a louder music bed, because the song is just that cool! Also, this was the first editing job done by Alsedrech, which explains a lot about any editing problems. If you are in Tokyo, email Crovan immediately so he can find you as he travels the Japanese countryside.

Contact Info:

GAX Online Group: The Drone Bay

E-Mail:
dronebay[at]gmail.com (comments/questions for everyone)
crovan[at]eve-mail.net
crazykinux[at]gmail.com
alsedrech[at]gmail.com

Skype: Dronebay

Blogs:
Bitter Old Noob (Crovan)
CrazyKinux's Musing
The Littlest Drone (Alsedrech)

Three EVE podcast in three days!

This is the week of the EVE Online podcasts it seems! First WDA: Industry #4 came out on Monday, then Warp Drive Active #36 the next day, and finally The Drone Bay #10 yesterday! I'll have the show notes for the Drone Bay in a next post.

So start up iTunes, or head over to VirginWorlds to download the shows!!

Happy listening!

The Drone Bay: Episode 9 - Astrology V Completed

Virgin Worlds Link
EVE Forum Link (please bump!)

Show notes:

Episode 9 is here, and the cards show us that this will be a bit of a long show.

Bring on the Drones:

In the weekly recap, BoB attacks MC in Querious and Period Basis. Crovan's first article goes up on Massively! Also, CK joins the ranks at Massively. Look forward to more from the Drone Bay crew!

The DON'T PANIC topic for this week is fleet interaction, and how to deal with the confusing new boxes and buttons that show up when you join a gang.

Mail gets answered, as usual, and the guys have an mp3 submission!

Tool time returns with EVE Fitting Tool. Don't undock without it!

Back to bloopers this week, and make sure to listen in before the bloopers, after the show, for our first listener segment!

Also, from last week, the video on logical fallacies. A must-read for EVE-O forum dwellers!


Contact Info:

GAX Online Group: The Drone Bay

E-Mail:
dronebay[at]gmail.com (comments/questions for everyone)
crovan[at]eve-mail.net
crazykinux[at]gmail.com
alsedrech[at]gmail.com

Skype: Dronebay

Blogs:
Bitter Old Noob (Crovan)
CrazyKinux's Musings
The Littlest Drone (Alsedrech)

The Drone Bay: Episode 8 - I smell BACON!

Virgin Worlds Link
EVE Forum Link (please bump!)

Show notes:

Episode 8: I smell BACON! Episode 8 is here, and it's time to fry up some eggs, because BACON's on the plate!

Bring on the Drones:

In the weekly recap, the big news is the Re-Release of BACON.

The DON'T PANIC topic for this week is the interface. Learn to set up your overview, and also don't miss Crovan and CK's number one interface tip for surviving in 0.0/lowsec!

Mail gets answered, as usual. Keep sending us questions/comments! Also, please review us on iTunes. We're in the "New and Notable" section under Games and Hobbies already. Thanks for the support so far! Also, if you have an idea for a mini-segment (2 minutes or under), then record it as an MP3 and send it to one of the e-mail addresses below. We'd love to get some good listener content!

No bloopers, but a fitting out track.


Contact Info:

GAX Online Group: The Drone Bay

E-Mail:
dronebay[at]gmail.com (comments/questions for everyone)
crovan[at]eve-mail.net
crazykinux[at]gmail.com
alsedrech[at]gmail.com

Skype: Dronebay

Blogs:
Bitter Old Noob (Crovan)
CrazyKinux's Musing
The Littlest Drone (Alsedrech)

The Drone Bay: Episode 7

Virgin Worlds Link


Show notes:

Episode 7 is upon thee! Cower in fear! Also, little to no WoW talk this week, we promise.

Bring on the Drones:

In the weekly recap, Crovan edits out a sneeze, but forgets to edit the part where he warns that he's going to sneeze. Also, EVE's source code gets out, and is posted with a chatlog. Drone Bay says Just Say No to source! Also, CCP hires garbage men in Trinity 2.3.

The DON'T PANIC topic for this week is the market. Be a day-trader! Watch out for market bubbles!

In the listener feedback section, the guys discover that their Skype voicemail works! Yay! Please get in touch with us. We want to hear your dulcet tones. Also, discussion ensues about how hard EVE pwns WoW vis-a-vis PvP.

A new segment, titled "Tool Time" debuts this week. The first tool featured is EVEMon. If you aren't using EVEMon, you are wrong!

More mail this week, which was good. This week, though we are now welcoming/inviting you to share your own expertise with mini-segments! If you want to record something that is under 2 minutes long in mp3 format, has good audio quality, and is something you think we would find to be quality work, send it on! I recommend using Audacity to record/encode the mp3, since it's free and rather easy to use. You will need to download a file library to encode mp3s, but all the links are on the Audacity site. In a pinch, you can send us a wav file.

No bloopers this week. Not because they didn't happen, but more because Crovan left them in in order to simulate "live conditions". We are still contemplating taking the show live in the future, at least for the recording process.

This is a taste of the insanity likely to ensue. Enjoy!


Contact Info:

GAX Online Group: The Drone Bay

E-Mail:
dronebay[at]gmail.com (comments/questions for everyone)
crovan[at]eve-mail.net
crazykinux[at]gmail.com
alsedrech[at]gmail.com

Skype: Dronebay

Blogs:
Bitter Old Noob (Crovan)
CrazyKinux's Musing
The Littlest Drone (Alsedrech)

The Drone Bay: Episode 6 - Yes, I Assure You We're an EVE Podcast!

Virgin Worlds Link


Show notes:

Yes, I Assure You We're an EVE Podcast!

Five points for the movie reference in this episode's title! Yes, HordeCast was a cruel, cruel joke. Some of you got the joke, some didn't. If you didn't, we're sorry for scaring you. It's safe to come back now, the nasty Orcs are gone. We're back and talking about EVE again so...

Bring on the Drones:

In the weekly recap, Al and Crovan giggle at their own hilarious with regarding the April Fool's episode, and share the woes of everyone's limited playtime. CK shares a great resource for the upcoming CSM elections.

The DON'T PANIC topic for this week is mining. Crovan is allergic to Veldspar, so CK steps up as the mining sensei.

In the listener feedback section, a question is answered, the guys answer one piece of criticism, and Al and Crovan once again giggle about last week's show. Al is sorry. Crovan is not.

This week's out of game discussion is about...another MMO that Crovan refuses to name in the show notes for fear of mail bombs.

Keep sending us your mail! We love it! We need it! Stroke our egos! Flame us! We don't care, just send us more mail, or I'll put more exclamation points in next week's show notes!!!!

This week's music bed is "Forever Lost" by AlienHand. Go to the link to check out his other great stuff!

The guys had a pretty tight recording this week, so no blooper reel. Instead, please enjoy a really funny machinima version of re: Your Brains by Jonathan Coulton.


Contact Info:

GAX Online Group: The Drone Bay

E-Mail:
dronebay[at]gmail.com (comments/questions for everyone)
crovan[at]eve-mail.net
crazykinux[at]gmail.com
alsedrech[at]gmail.com

Skype: Dronebay

Blogs:
Bitter Old Noob (Crovan)
CrazyKinux's Musing
The Littlest Drone (Alsedrech)

WDA: Industry finds its place with the collective

The Warp Drive Active: Industry podcast has finally nudge itself a spot within the VirginWorlds Podcast collective. Though Benilopax and Lavista Vista have got a few shows under their belts, it took a while before the show got its spot.

Whatever the reason, they're now here and you should definitely add them to your list of regurlar EVE podcast - along with Warp Drive Active (The Original) and of course The Drone Bay. Shows #1, #2 and #3 are now available for download.

And please take the time to let them know what you think of the show.

Good work guys!

The Drone Bay: Episode 5 - The April Fool's episode!

[Though this is being posted way after this episode came out, I still want to be able to keep track of them chronologically. In the future I'll be posting as they get released! Promised.]








Virgin Worlds Link


Show notes:

Episode 5 (Or perhaps the new Episode 1 is more appropriate): Format Changes

We're a bit short on show notes this week. Suffice to say that there are big changes coming for The Drone Bay, and we hope you'll stick it out with us. CK was unable to join us, but Al and I soldiered on without him again. Look to see him back next week as we continue with our new format.

Until next time, lvl 22 war LFG for SFK. As always, you can e-mail us at dronebay[at]gmail.com.

The new format may require a new e-mail address, so be on the lookout for that.

[Wink Wink!!!]

The Drone Bay: Episode 4

[Though this is being posted way after this episode came out, I still want to be able to keep track of them chronologically. In the future I'll be posting as they get released! Promised.]







Virgin Worlds Link


Show notes:

The Drones have gone rogue in Episode 4! This week the team is back together, and Al puts his sobriety in danger by drinking every time Crovan screws up a segment intro. Will his liver survive? Find out in this week's Drone Bay Podcast!

Bring on the Drones:

In the weekly recap, the team discusses the forum threads on the CSM, the fake RA titan deathmail, the state of the Great War, and more.

In DON'T PANIC, Al gets walked through missions and mission rewards by the grizzled old vets. Crovan recommends The Kill Mission Survival Guide (works in game) for all budding (or experienced) mission runners out there.

In the listener feedback section, Crovan answers a couple of ship setup questions, and each of the guys chooses one listener mail to discuss on air. Did yours make it? Listen to find out!

This weekâs out of game discussion is replaced with a community focus, where the guys promote Morphisat's Blog, Shut Up, We're Talking, and Massively.

Please, please keep giving us feedback. We canât get to everything every week, but we do appreciate the input and questions. If youâre interested in voice mailing us, please try the mp3 or wav file in an e-mail method for now while I try to get Skype sorted again.

Contact Info:

GAX Online Group: The Drone Bay

E-Mail:
dronebay[at]gmail.com (comments/questions for everyone)
crovan[at]eve-mail.net
crazykinux[at]gmail.com
alsedrech[at]gmail.com

Skype:Dronebay

Blogs:
Bitter Old Noob (Crovan)
CrazyKinux's Musings
The Littlest Drone (Alsedrech)

The Drone Bay: Episode 3

Virgin Worlds Link


In my travels to the other side of the pond, I missed the recording of this week's Drone Bay episode. Nevertheless, the guys rallyed and dispite my absence pulled together to produce a great show. The intro is particularly good, and I look forward to doing one like it for the next.

I don't have the notes for the show yet; Crovan resting at the moment I write this.

Look for these shortly.

In the mean time, head over to VirginWorlds and start listenning to another great EVE podcast!

Fly safe, or die trying!

The Drone Bay Podcast: Episode 2 - Now with more seismic events!

EVE Official Forums Link
Virgin Worlds Link



The Drone Bay #2 (Click to Download/Play)

Show notes:

The Drone Bay returns for Episode 2! Yes, it’s the third episode, and Crovan had to re-record the intro 2 or 3 times to stop saying “Episode Three”. This week brings you more of the discussion, guides, and listener mail that you’ve been asking for. As always, please contact us with any suggestions or feedback.

Bring on the Drones:

First off is the weekly recap, where the guys discuss the end of the tourney (congrats Ev0ke!), the stalling out of the Delve offensive (for now), and the Council of Stellar Management. Also, the guys got a bit more media attention this week, which is good, because our egos need inflating. Check out Crovan’s CSM blog entry which got a bit of press from Massively and Ten Ton Hammer this week. My economic segment notes also made Massively’s front page, so we are all feeling smugly superior for a bit.

In DON’T PANIC, thanks to popular demand, the crew discusses corporations and how to look for employment in EVE. One site we are plugging this week is EVE-Careers, a very slick looking database and classifieds site for both employers and prospective employees.

In the listener feedback section, the guys tackle a few questions about starting out in PvP, as well as explaining just what on earth skill hardwirings are for.

The discussion this week centers on suicide ganking, particularly the recent all out war on high sec miners on behalf of Goons and their alts. Tune in for their sage and wise suggestions, all in a continuing theme of telling CCP how to run their game.

Please, please keep giving us feedback. We can’t get to everything every week, but we do appreciate the input and questions. Also, please drop us a Skype voicemail or e-mail us an mp3 if you want to hear your own voice on the show (provided you sound decent and don’t talk nonsense).

Contact Info:

GAX Online Group:
The Drone Bay

E-Mail:
dronebayatgmail.com (comments/questions for everyone)
crovanateve-mail.net
crazykinuxatgmail.com
alsedrechatgmail.com

Skype:
Dronebay

Blogs:
Bitter Old Noob (Crovan)
CrazyKinux’s Musing
The Littlest Drone (Alsedrech)

Another Drone Bay podcast under our belt

I've just logged off our Sunday night recording of the Drone Bay podcast. We've got another great show on the way, with lots of great content, good conversations and interesting topics. Crovan will be editing the show in the next few days, and then it should be out over at the VirginWorlds Podcast collective.

Speaking of which, I'd like to thank our podcast sponsors, all for of them. They are: haulboss, RigaMortis, Dathmar and StErroneous. Thank you very much for the sponsorship. All three of us, Crovan, Alsedrech and myself, want to let you know that we appreciate the funding very much - and so does Brent I'm sure. You're helping ensure that we continue working on more great podcasts.

This week we cover finding a corporation and corporation recruitment, suicide ganking, listener mail, tribute to Gary Gygax and much more. So be on the look out for when it comes out in the next few days!

Fly safe, as always!

Drone Bay Episode #1 officially out!

EVE Official Forums Link
Virgin Worlds Link

The "first official" episode of our EVE Online podcast is now out - considering that last week's episode was a pilot. This week, we've covered the Fifth Alliance Tournament, Character Creation, Listeners' Mail, EVE's Economy 101 and then we diverge onto other subjects. As usual we appreciate your feedback, both on content and form.

As for speaking skills, I'm still working on eliminating those darn "verbal pauses". A work in progress, for which I appreciate your patience. Working with Alsedrech and Crovan, has proven both a curse (cause I'll get compared) and a blessing (cause they'll help me improve). These guys are top notch, I'm sure you'll agree.

As with every show past and future, we appreciate a little bump on the EVE forums. Both links to our VirginWorlds and EVE Forums are available above.

Fly safe while listening!

It's official, Drone Bay goes live on VirginWorlds Podcast Collective

EVE Official Forums Link
Virgin Worlds Link

Well, just got word from Brent that the Drone Bay EVE podcast just went live. And what do you know, it did! We're now officially part of the Podcast Collective. Which comes with a lot of responsibilities and expectations. These are a group of very talented people, and to be associated with them means a lot to me. And to my co-host as well.

We plan a weekly schedule, and we should be recording our next podcast this Sunday evening. It should normally go live a few days afterwards.

Feel free to leave you comments either here or on the podcast page. And while you visit VirginWorlds, please take the time to support Brent, and all of us, in our effort to bring you the best MMORPG news and opionions; the players!

Happy listenning!