Tavern of the Blue Hand

Threshold · 01-15-2010, 10:13 AM

In addition to making games, I am the Managing Editor of the gaming channels on Bright Hub - a technology themed web site with about 4 million visitors per month. While we mostly publish articles, guides, and reviews about graphical games (PC, console, online, etc.) I have been trying to devote some articles to text games and MUDs.

I recently published an interview with TMC's founder Andrew Cowan. You might find it an interesting read:

The Mud Connector - A Vital Resource in MUD and MMORPG History

Zeno · 01-15-2010, 12:31 PM

Seems to be down.

Quote:

Sorry, there was a problem with your last request!

Either the site is offline or an unhandled error occurred. We apologize and have logged the error. Please try your request again or if you know who your site administrator is let them know too.

Threshold · 01-15-2010, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeno

Seems to be down.

I was worried I did the link wrong so I double checked, and it worked fine.

Zeno · 01-15-2010, 01:45 PM

Seems to be up now.

I know you probably didn't develop this site, but I have to say when a site splits up an article into multiple pages that ensures I will never again visit that website again. It's completely unnecessary.

Brody · 01-15-2010, 03:05 PM

Thanks for the heads-up on this! I've posted a link to it from the Text Adventures Online blog - http://textadventures.wordpress.com

Threshold · 01-15-2010, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeno

Seems to be up now.

I know you probably didn't develop this site, but I have to say when a site splits up an article into multiple pages that ensures I will never again visit that website again. It's completely unnecessary.

You are right that it is not my decision that the article is split that way. But I will tell you why they do that, as annoying as it may be.

If they didn't split articles up like that, then the site couldn't stay in business basically. They need the traffic to earn enough ad revenue to cover the costs of the site - including paying their writers. So articles being split up like that is a necessary evil if we want web sites to be free.

Threshold · 01-15-2010, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brody

Thanks for the heads-up on this! I've posted a link to it from the Text Adventures Online blog - http://textadventures.wordpress.com

Thanks Brody!

ArchPrime · 01-15-2010, 08:04 PM

Hey, great read there Threshold. Thank you for posting the link.

On a side note, this is just AWESOME:

http://www.brighthub.com/video-games...px?image=61500

-AP
www.avenshar.com

Ide · 01-15-2010, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeno

Seems to be up now.

I know you probably didn't develop this site, but I have to say when a site splits up an article into multiple pages that ensures I will never again visit that website again. It's completely unnecessary.

For the reader, but not for the site's advertisers I'm afraid.

Zeno · 01-16-2010, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ide

For the reader, but not for the site's advertisers I'm afraid.

And as such, the site will lose many readers. :P
http://www.reddit.com/r/reddit.com/c...article_youre/
One of the top upvoted submissions on Reddit, so it's not like few people notice this.

Threshold · 01-19-2010, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeno

And as such, the site will lose many readers. :P
Anyone else go to start reading an article you're mildly interested in, look at the bottom and see (Page 1 of 6) and just give up? : reddit.com
One of the top upvoted submissions on Reddit, so it's not like few people notice this.

And how many readers does a web site have when they go out of business and the site no longer exists?

You are acting like people multi-page an article out of stylistic design. It is a financial necessity in a marketplace where end users have no desire or interest in paying for content.

I'm sure a restaurant that had good, free food would be hugely popular. But how long would it stay in business? Someone has to pay the bills. If it is ad supported content, the only way to even HOPE to pay the bills is to break long articles into pages.

Samson · 01-19-2010, 05:08 PM

Ad blockers exist for a reason people. If you don't want to see ads, install one.

Good article. Don't let the page splitting deprive you of the read, it's worth it even if you have to suffer a few ads in the process.

Threshold · 01-20-2010, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samson

Ad blockers exist for a reason people. If you don't want to see ads, install one.

Indeed. I look at web page ads as a tax on the technologically unsavvy. Their lack of ability to install ad blocking software means they pay for the tech savvy's ability to view web sites ad free.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samson

Good article. Don't let the page splitting deprive you of the read, it's worth it even if you have to suffer a few ads in the process.

Thanks Samson.

Estarra · 01-20-2010, 05:42 PM

Nice article -- hope there will be more MUD articles featured on brighthub.com! One thing that struck me was the comment, "From what I have seen at TMC, those discussion boards remain incredibly active after all of these years." I hope we'll see some more discussion ramp up on TMS! Just a few years ago, there seemed to be a lot more activity on these forums and now it only seems to flare up when someone has a proverbial axe to grind.

(Regarding splitting articles into pages, those sites that have that seem to now have the option to "view on single page" which I prefer but really if I am interested in an article, it's not going to stop me from viewing all pages. Of course clicking "view on single page" triggers a new set of ads!)

Threshold · 01-21-2010, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Estarra

Nice article -- hope there will be more MUD articles featured on brighthub.com!

Well, since I am in charge of the entire gaming section on the site, I definitely intend that there will be.

If anyone has a good idea for a MUD related article, feel free to PM me about it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Estarra

I hope we'll see some more discussion ramp up on TMS! Just a few years ago, there seemed to be a lot more activity on these forums and now it only seems to flare up when someone has a proverbial axe to grind.

I want to do a similar interview with Lasher. I even sent him a bunch of questions. He hasn't had time to respond yet (in his defense, I sent him a LOT of questions... hehe). Hopefully he'll find some time soon and I can get an interview with him up as well.

Threshold · 02-07-2010, 10:50 PM

In the final two weeks of January this article was read by over 1,000 people. That's a good sign for MUDs I hope.

01-15-2010, 10:13 AM	#1
Threshold Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Home MUD: Threshold RPG Posts: 904	The Mud Connector - A Vital Resource in MUD and MMORPG History In addition to making games, I am the Managing Editor of the gaming channels on Bright Hub - a technology themed web site with about 4 million visitors per month. While we mostly publish articles, guides, and reviews about graphical games (PC, console, online, etc.) I have been trying to devote some articles to text games and MUDs. I recently published an interview with TMC's founder Andrew Cowan. You might find it an interesting read: The Mud Connector - A Vital Resource in MUD and MMORPG History

01-15-2010, 01:45 PM	#4
Zeno Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Saratoga, NY Home MUD: Bleached InuYasha Galaxy Posts: 148	Re: The Mud Connector - A Vital Resource in MUD and MMORPG History Seems to be up now. I know you probably didn't develop this site, but I have to say when a site splits up an article into multiple pages that ensures I will never again visit that website again. It's completely unnecessary.

01-15-2010, 03:05 PM	#5
Brody Moderator Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: North Carolina Home MUD: OtherSpace Home MUD: Necromundus Posts: 1,551	Re: The Mud Connector - A Vital Resource in MUD and MMORPG History Thanks for the heads-up on this! I've posted a link to it from the Text Adventures Online blog - http://textadventures.wordpress.com

01-15-2010, 08:04 PM	#8
ArchPrime New Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Home MUD: Archons of Avenshar Posts: 22	Re: The Mud Connector - A Vital Resource in MUD and MMORPG History Hey, great read there Threshold. Thank you for posting the link. On a side note, this is just AWESOME: http://www.brighthub.com/video-games...px?image=61500 -AP www.avenshar.com

01-19-2010, 05:08 PM	#12
Samson Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: United Socialist States of America Home MUD: SmaugMuds.org Home MUD: Arthmoor MUD Hosting Posts: 236	Re: The Mud Connector - A Vital Resource in MUD and MMORPG History Ad blockers exist for a reason people. If you don't want to see ads, install one. Good article. Don't let the page splitting deprive you of the read, it's worth it even if you have to suffer a few ads in the process.

01-20-2010, 05:42 PM	#14
Estarra Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Home MUD: Lusternia Posts: 179	Re: The Mud Connector - A Vital Resource in MUD and MMORPG History Nice article -- hope there will be more MUD articles featured on brighthub.com! One thing that struck me was the comment, "From what I have seen at TMC, those discussion boards remain incredibly active after all of these years." I hope we'll see some more discussion ramp up on TMS! Just a few years ago, there seemed to be a lot more activity on these forums and now it only seems to flare up when someone has a proverbial axe to grind. (Regarding splitting articles into pages, those sites that have that seem to now have the option to "view on single page" which I prefer but really if I am interested in an article, it's not going to stop me from viewing all pages. Of course clicking "view on single page" triggers a new set of ads!)

02-07-2010, 10:50 PM	#16
Threshold Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Home MUD: Threshold RPG Posts: 904	Re: The Mud Connector - A Vital Resource in MUD and MMORPG History In the final two weeks of January this article was read by over 1,000 people. That's a good sign for MUDs I hope.