Warning

[Goldberg-Chessy]

Lucitus, it's not really your place to make that suggestion to a developer who obviously loves what he does (and he doesn't NEED to play the game to love developing, knucklehead). Unfortunately, passion won't keep food on his table or a roof over his head. When I see a comment like yours aimed at a developer who has been not only working for free, but paying out of their own pockets for your benefit, I just want to ask the universe what compelled it to create such an irrational life form.

1) Who cares about what he loves or doesn't love? That has nothing to do with it. But if he truly loved it he wouldn't abandon it for any reason correct? Or do you abandon things you love when times get tough?
You started with the love and passion nonsense btw, not me.

2) I really have no big issues with a solid developer like Pinco getting some cash for his hard work btw, but in this case it just feels a bit like a ransom plus who is to say he doesn't go back to work next month and still keep getting a large amount of donations each month?
That sure would be a kick in the ass to all the simps who are feeling so sorry for him in this thread lol.

 

[Pinco]

2) I really have no big issues with a solid developer like Pinco getting some cash for his hard work btw, but in this case it just feels a bit like a ransom plus who is to say he doesn't go back to work next month and still keep getting a large amount of donations each month?
That sure would be a kick in the ass to all the simps who are feeling so sorry for him in this thread lol.

So you think that (excluding the job factor) I must spend money to make other people enjoy a game I don't play... sounds really lame :|

 

[The Zog historian]

2) I really have no big issues with a solid developer like Pinco getting some cash for his hard work btw, but in this case it just feels a bit like a ransom plus who is to say he doesn't go back to work next month and still keep getting a large amount of donations each month?

I don't doubt Pinco would have the honesty to say, "I found a new job." But that presumes he finds one that pays as much as the last, and I would presume the scale has tipped more toward his own money than toward donations.

 

[G.v.P]

He isn't stopping support for something he no longer plays. However, without an income, he can no longer afford to support a game he no longer (and presumably hasn't in some time now) plays.

Misunderstanding this sentiment is the crux of why some viewed his original post as "blackmail," I believe, or something negative. Probably bias due to the mod not affecting 2D users directly, as well. Either way, I think you ought to be Pinco's publicist.

Since the company I work for is gone out of business, from today I'm unemployed. From now on I'll be unable to spend money in a game I don't play to keep the UI updated.
This means that if the donations account gets empty the UI dies.

The way the above is written, one could connote a threat (if viewed from a certain, snarky lens). I would have rather have read something more fleshed out, such as, "I can no longer afford to keep the UI updated and will not be able to continue work without donations. I apologize to the users of my UI but I hope you will understand. Right now I can afford to keep hosting up for another two months, after which my account will be terminated. Here is a link if you would like to help out with a donation to keep the project alive."

This morning after this thread was originally posted in UHall, there was only 2 months lifespan, it is now up to 8 months .

I must also say that at $20/month donation (total from everyone not from each person) Pinco is still losing money to keep the UI updated. I run forums using the same software as Pinco, and the licensing costs of the software, plus hosting etc etc easily comes out to minimum 20$ a month alone.

Good point. Not to mention the cost of the time spent to code and manage the code.

 

[GalenKnighthawke]

I do sympathize with the loss of employment that anyone goes through. I wish everyone in this situation luck and hope for a recovering economy.

It was never my intention to offend anyone. I am not saying that I have the skills to replicate what Pinco has done. I do play the enhanced client without using any mods at all.

I applaud what Pinco has accomplished. I just find it bloated and cumbersome. That is my opinion and does not reflect the "official" opinion of Stratics or any other member of Stratics staff, I know many folks that use this particular mod and find it very useful. I appreciate all the time and effort Pinco put into his product. If any of you feel the desire to donate to keep the project alive, that is your option.

It is my hope the the UO team will continue to work on the Enhanced Client to make it more enjoyable for everyone.

I will re emphasize one last time and then leave this conversation. I stand by my earlier statement and please know this is merely my opinion.

*tips hat*

Honestly Kelmo your post seemed flame bait or trolling to me.

And this attempt to back-track just makes it worse.

You did not state an opinion in that post. You made a factual claim, that Pinco's achievement was replicable. That claim appears to be true in a technical sense (someone with the same level of technical proficiency and dedication could replicate that, surely) but untrue in a practical sense (that combination is unlikely to exist). You then back-tracked by calling it just an opinion, but then backed it up by referring to Pinco's product as "bloated."

This is a tactic I've seen used fairly often by those who commonly, and understandably, are considered trolls on this board, and it was very depressing to see a moderator use such a tactic, especially against someone who's done a lot to add to many EC players' experiences.

-Galen's player

 

[Winter]

Threads like this reminds me why UHall is known as the sewers or gaming forums.

Pinco made a UI that he spent his own time and money to develop and distribute, unlike UOAssist. I hope he will continue to support it, but he owes no one anything. Got that? He does not owe you or me anything. In fact, if it were me and the choice was between real-life and family or continuing to support a game UI that he doesn't even play, I'd drop the UI... fast.

If you disagree, you are free to stop using it or develop your own UI. Unfortunately, with the current state of UO and dwindling subscribers AND developers, lack of support from EA, I can't see anyone ever taking the time to develop a UI this complex ever again.

Haters will hate. And in this case, the haters are people who don't even use the EC.

 

[Storm]

Hang in there Pinco! Im sure something will come your way!

 

[Kojak]

it's only 120 a year to play UO - I'm sure donations will more than cover that - jeez - pinco deserves money for what he does - programming is hard

but on another note - hehe - if this means the EC will go away faster ... yay - hehe

 

[Dermott of LS]

...

it's only 120 a year to play UO - I'm sure donations will more than cover that - jeez - pinco deserves money for what he does - programming is hard
but on another note - hehe - if this means the EC will go away faster ... yay - hehe

Because THAT'S what UO needs... LESS people playing.

 

[Hannes Erich]

Honestly Kelmo your post seemed flame bait or trolling to me.

And this attempt to back-track just makes it worse.

You did not state an opinion in that post. You made a factual claim, that Pinco's achievement was replicable. That claim appears to be true in a technical sense (someone with the same level of technical proficiency and dedication could replicate that, surely) but untrue in a practical sense (that combination is unlikely to exist). You then back-tracked by calling it just an opinion, but then backed it up by referring to Pinco's product as "bloated."

This is a tactic I've seen used fairly often by those who commonly, and understandably, are considered trolls on this board, and it was very depressing to see a moderator use such a tactic, especially against someone who's done a lot to add to many EC players' experiences.

-Galen's player

This was the point behind my question earlier. I can't tell if he's entertaining himself or just that callous (or both), but this thread isn't an isolated incident.

 

[budman23]

This reminds me of a certain search engine that works with Ultima Online.
Who wants to bet he will also close the doors when he cant make money?

Good Bye Ultima Online vampire, I agree with Goldberg (that's a first) we don't demand money from things we love.

 

[NuSair]

This is a tactic I've seen used fairly often by those who commonly, and understandably, are considered trolls on this board, and it was very depressing to see a moderator use such a tactic, especially against someone who's done a lot to add to many EC players' experiences.

-Galen's player

It's funny how mods can get away with over and again things that other people get warnings and such for.

There is nothing wrong with what Pinco is asking.

If I was EA/BioWare/Mythic/UO/Borg Collective, I'd offer him a free account for his work and continued work on the EC UI.

I don't even play the EC and I'll be donating.

 

[swroberts]

UO assist was created by Tugsoft which was purchased by EA.
EA makes all the money off UO assist now.

This pincos crap no one makes money off of.
The people who feel "everyone" is using it should go shopping in Luna, it is very obvious which client is being used more often.

As a Dev directly said "making the EC was a mistake"
Anyone that feels differently drains resources off a already struggling game.

Someone came to the party Trolling....

 

[Petra Fyde]

I think it's time to end this. Too many people are determined to put the most negative spin on what others post.

For example. Maybe Pinco didn't phrase his appeal in the way that some of us would - but how good is your Italian? I think his English is excellent, but sometimes nuances are lost in translation.
This is an appeal for help. It's not a demand, it's not blackmail, it's simply economics. With no income his priority has to be his family's well being. Hobbies come a long way second, as many of you well know.

Kelmo, I believe, meant to convey the sentiment 'This is an unfortunate happening, but it's not the end of the world, there's no need to panic'. Other people can, and have, made EC user interfaces. Possibly not quite the same as Pinco's, but they are possible.

Pinco, I wish you all the best in your search for new employment.