Druids?

by Xavius

Back to Common Grounds.

Xavius2005-08-24 18:57:06
QUOTE
ANNOUNCE NEWS #376
Date: 8/24/2005 at 18:54
From: Estarra, the Eternal
To  : Everyone
Subj: Major Bug Exploit Uncovered

Today, we have shrubbed literally dozens of characters (though many of
whom were alts of each other) for finding and exploiting a major bug.
The culprit turned out to be an entire clan, one called the Clan of
Petals of the Lotus Pod. This scheme generated millions of gold
sovereigns which were then used to buy out the credit market and thus
credits were transferred among players and their alts. Those clan
members who were recipients of the gold have all been shrubbed, along
with their alts, credits have been either removed from the characters or
subtracted in lessons proportional to what they purchased off the credit
market, and the clan has been destroyed.

Not only was exploiting this bug and destroying the credit market not
enough, during our investigation I found out that many players were
aware of this exploit and decided simply to turn a blind eye. I was so
outraged that I was tempted to shrub everyone who knew of these
shenanigans and were culpable through not reporting it, but realized I
would have ended up shrubbing half of Magnagora.

Let me emphasize the seriousness of not reporting major bugs or
exploits. If this had not been nipped in the bud, gold in the tens of
millions (if not hundreds of millions) could have flowed into the
economy and the select few who were benefitting from it would have
continued to soak up every credit put up for sale. Further, as I'm sure
you can imagine, the economy would have been devastated. Thus, I am
extremely disappointed that this major exploit wasn't immediately
reported.

Finally, if you think this doesn't impact you even if you weren't aware
of it, let me tell you that coding came to a complete hault for quite
some time in order for us to track this down. I really wanted to get
libraries released this weekend as well as release a skillset to a
certain group who may feel neglected before the credit sale ends.
Because of the time we wasted in dealing with this exploit, it looks
rather grim that anything will be released on time.


Penned by my hand on the 9th of Dvarsh, in the year 125 CE.
Corr2005-08-24 18:58:41
I would suggest finishing the druids skill before the libraries.
Unknown2005-08-24 19:02:42
QUOTE(Corr @ Aug 24 2005, 10:58 AM)
I would suggest finishing the druids skill before the libraries.


I second that. They really deserve it after all that... that... STUPIDITY. doh.gif You'd think people would know better. They were going to be caught eventually.
Sylphas2005-08-24 19:04:48
Ok, I was frustrated before, but now I'm seriously pissed. How stupid do you have to freaking be to do something like that, AND you get in the way of our new goddamn skill we've been waiting for forever, and libraries that everyone wants. Thanks, scruffy-looking nerf herders.

Edit: I feel your pain, but keep it clean. -Richter
Richter2005-08-24 19:06:25
Hrm, seems to be on a much grander scale than I had envisioned. Shame on those that knew, and shame on you for not telling me. I'm supposed to know everything...

And w00t.gif about libraries.
Ashteru2005-08-24 19:07:11
QUOTE(Sylphas @ Aug 24 2005, 07:04 PM)
Ok, I was frustrated before, but now I'm seriously pissed.  How stupid do you have to freaking be to do something like that, AND you get in the way of our new goddamn skill we've been waiting for forever, and libraries that everyone wants.  Thanks, scum-sucking maggots.
171922


Quoted for emphasis, bolded for emphasis and seconded! lame.gif

Edit: Quote nice words only please. -Richter
Hajamin2005-08-24 19:46:52
I don't see either being done in time now, it was already going to be a push but we just lost around 30 hours of coding time due to this. sad.gif
Soll2005-08-24 19:47:20
ranting.gif
Unknown2005-08-24 19:50:00
Take your time and wait a week or two, we will be patient.

I'd rather you get some rest and do it well than rush just for us. I really feel bad that you had to be sidetracked by this.
Sylphas2005-08-24 19:52:10
Extend the credit sale for druids at least? -hope-
Unknown2005-08-24 19:52:25
QUOTE(Sylphas @ Aug 24 2005, 03:04 PM)
Ok, I was frustrated before, but now I'm seriously pissed.  How stupid do you have to freaking be to do something like that, AND you get in the way of our new goddamn skill we've been waiting for forever, and libraries that everyone wants.  Thanks, scruffy-looking nerf herders.

Edit: I feel your pain, but keep it clean. -Richter
171922





Richter is a Star wars fan?
Richter2005-08-24 19:54:05
QUOTE(Wesmin @ Aug 24 2005, 11:52 AM)
Richter is a Star wars fan?
171961



A fan I am, young padawan.
Estarra2005-08-24 20:32:02
QUOTE(Corr @ Aug 24 2005, 11:58 AM)
I would suggest finishing the druids skill before the libraries.


Who said anything about druids? ohmy.gif

Anyway, just thought I'd comment a little bit about coding. We currently have four active coders. In theory, it does sound nice to say throw all your coders at a project and it'll get done 4x faster. In practice, however, the more coders there are, the SLOWER it takes to complete the project. One of the reasons libraries is taking so long is that we've had to have 2 coders working on it and its been taking much longer than expected because of communication problems, coordination issues, some coding issues, and generally suffering from the too-many-cooks syndrome. And that's with 2 coders! Imagine adding in another 2.... blink.gif

So my preference is to have one coder working on a project at a time, unless it can be compartmentalized (like one coder takes specialization X and another coder takes specialization Y). Depending on the coder, I've found that projects go much faster and are much cohesively coded when done by same person.

The problem is when there is a huge exploit or a major bug that we need to track down we DO need ALL coders to drop their projects to investigate and plug the exploit or bug before serious consequences arise. In this case, it is better to have more eyes searching the code, logs, etc.

So, there you go. One of the reasons I'm so censor.gif censor.gif is that there was a schedule that I wanted to complete which had already required us to really push our resources to the limit. And this really did set us back. Maybe I wouldn't be so censor.gif if things weren't so tight, but such is not the case.

Well, who knows, we'll continue to push... ermm.gif
Unknown2005-08-24 20:34:22
Only four coders? Damn, now I REALLY need to turn 18 and cobble together an x86 linux box...

(/me has slight issues with an overly inflated sense of his coding skillz)
Unknown2005-08-24 20:43:20
I'm having the same issue. I only just turned 17 so I'm not eligible to help with the coding. Does anyone know why being 18 is required? I assume it's a legal thing, but if it's essentially volunteer...

A thought just occured to me; it's probably security issues for the Rapture engine. One isn't truely legally bound by agreements (signatures and the rest) while a minor. Is it something along these lines?
Richter2005-08-24 20:48:04
Because it is assumed that younger people are generally not able to handle the responsibility and privacy that being a coder takes. Information leaks, etc, are some concerns, I believe (and it's a valid point, that kind of stuff has happened in IRE games before).
Vix2005-08-24 22:22:19
Just how long has this exploit been going on?! ranting.gif

So it wasn't Richter killing the credit market... Everyone give a collective sorry!
Ialie2005-08-24 22:29:17
I am sorry Richter! You know I have much love for you and your pimpin style though!
Lisaera2005-08-24 22:31:28
It's mainly legal as the source code is the product, a minor could do anything with it and only get a slap on the wrist. When you're an adult, the legal danger if you screw something up or give out code is much more serious.

Also, there are three main things which factor into coding ability: training, experience and skill. While a 17 year old may have plenty of the third, they likely don't have much of the first and extremely little of the second. Therefore bringing them on may well cause more harm than good, we have enough bugs!
Lisaera2005-08-24 22:33:18
Oh yes, and the people who were involved with this:- you are both incredibly stupid and incredibly selfish. We are now scrambling to make up for the time we lost trying to get out our two major projects right now. And yes, we try to have one coder per section of a project, and we are still trying to hold to this now.