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Update and Hiatus  XML
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Dragoniade
Ancient Wyrm
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Joined: 02/09/2008 21:03:21
Messages: 131
Location: Longueuil
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Here's the conclusion of the last update with the upload of the clips from Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood. This update also introduce a new format for the site.

From now on, all clips will be uploaded in either 2 formats. The classic AVI with a MPEG-4 Part 2 video Codec / MP3 Audio Codec and the new MP4 with a MPEG-4 Part 10 / Advanced Audio Codec (AAC).
If you're having difficulties playing this new format, I suggest you try installing ffdshow-tryout http://ffdshow-tryout.sourceforge.net/ and Media Player Classic Home Cinema http://mpc-hc.sourceforge.net/

On the other hand, I have some thoughts about work since last week. I can classify works in two categories: handling and service. Handling are jobs that have someone build or construct something, like a miners collect coal, welders crate structure, artists create drawing, fishers bring fish. In the other hand, you have accountants, lawyers, archivists, librarians, etc, which don't produce good but provide services. The site fits more the service type, while artists fit the product one. But over the time, I've felt the handling one has always looked from above the service one. Especially when, after I asked for birthday presents I've been told no one deserve it, but an artist doing the same thing a week after get a total opposite reply.

And sadly it suck. During last weeks updates, I had to struggle to finish them. The last week-end was a rainy one, so my plan to work outside were ruined. I decided I may as well work on the update. But as I was filling the excel forms, the task was getting more and more excruciating. The routine of pick clip, look for character, paste character, look for category, paste category, get description, open file, get picture, make 3 thumbnails, rinse, repeat was getting too much. I barely was able to finish it.

The task of updating the site is getting boring. When someone draw, that person gets something new each time take the pencil. They even improve (well, most artist anyway) each time they draw something, they learn. But it's the same boring routine each week with the site. A routine that give no satisfaction at all, no reward of any kind, personal or from other. At least, when I'm coding, I get a satisfaction of making something, of solving problems, of learning new things. And I've been having a lot more fun working on the Deviantart download utility http://dragoniade.deviantart.com/art/DA-Favorites-Downloader-143106876 and the DragoniadeClipUI helping tools http://www.shadowlordinc.com/Dragoniade/images/DragoniadeClipUi.png than the updates themselves.

I've been told by a few friends "if the site gets more a job than an hobby, you should stop". And I've decided just that. I'm taking a break, an hiatus, for the next 2 months. After that, who knows. Since I've just spend 130$ in Fighting Fantasy books for contents, I may as well roll 2 dices and if I roll over 6, update new info. And if I roll over 9, I'll upload the clips along. Ok. More seriously, I'll probably go for a monthly and not fixed update. It seem sites with 'unscheduled' or monthly updates get more notices and feedback. In the meanwhile, I probably will continue coding: finish the search engine, add browser support to it, refine the book section and probably tweak some sections and probably give velocity a try on the site. This is what I've been enjoying more lately. So, tada until January.
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Googashlak
Hatchling

Joined: 04/09/2008 18:55:24
Messages: 2
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Well I have been enjoying your site for the pass couple of years but if you do indeed stop, it's ok. I understand that these days it's hard to do something that feels like busy work. So I wish you good luck in your future endeavors. Since you won't be back until January Happy Thankgiving and merry Christmas.
Dragoniade
Ancient Wyrm
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Joined: 02/09/2008 21:03:21
Messages: 131
Location: Longueuil
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Mind you, I am not quitting. I'm only taking a break before *I* end up breaking up.

I'll still be working on the site, just concentrating on stuffs that are less alienating.

I would like the site to maybe become the next transformation list, since the old site hasn't been updated in ages, with a search engine allowing anyone to search for transformation information, in book, magazine, media, etc. Not just clips.
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Googashlak
Hatchling

Joined: 04/09/2008 18:55:24
Messages: 2
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Oh ok. Well take all the time you need.
ShadyIMG
Hatchling

Joined: 07/04/2009 16:08:26
Messages: 10
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I understand that you need to take a break from uploading clips. I'm just glad I got a copy of the Ludmilla Dragon TF before you did. Thanks for all your hard work and keep continuing to make the site better. Enjoy your break. =)

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 28/11/2009 02:30:13

daviddarcangelo
Drake

Joined: 06/04/2014 10:16:46
Messages: 113
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I do need you to update Invader Zim with 9 clips after hiatus.
 
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