tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59738503284672184252024-03-05T14:52:42.598-08:00World of Warcraft at the LibraryWorld of Warcraft programs and events hosted by the Central Arkansas Library System.Bob Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10104459670056580780noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973850328467218425.post-71978878047457488422009-09-30T13:31:00.000-07:002009-11-05T13:33:09.251-08:00Teh Meet and Greet<div>Here pretty soon CALS will be holding our WoW Meet and Greet program. In an attempt to boost interest and attendance for our regular programs, we’ve gone all out in promoting and preparing for this one day event. We’ve worked as closely as possible with our programming and PR departments to ensure everything is spot on. Our PR department has granted us the use of several digital billboards in Little Rock’s downtown area (picture to come), and our webmaster has been gracious enough to provide us a noticeable spot on the <a href="http://www.cals.org/">CALS website</a>. Of course, we also have info on public calendars as well as a few pretty snazzy posters up over the library system.<br /><br />I don’t know that we are ready to release specifics yet, both to keep interests piqued and because we are constantly coming up with new/improved ideas, but I will say we’ve got some dandy door prizes lined up, as well as goody bags with some epic WoW and library related loots. We will be providing snacks and beverages and enjoying different party games. A few laptops will be available for attendees to show off their toons.<br /><br />The event itself will be in the Darragh Center at the Main Library on October 10th from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.<br /><br />We will try and continue posting as the more concrete plans unfold, as well as provide plenty of numbers/statistics afterwards for any of you keeping track. As always, feel free to email <a href="mailto:bbeck@cals.org">Bob</a> or <a href="mailto:abeck@cals.org">myself </a>with any questions you might have.<br /><br />For the Horde!</div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF0rGjCUd24y8JzJTsCG8tPj9MqNG0lH6V2jhIxsBMWjQ01KalbGoKed0xIT5zzli7REsvWA8pTR2EgcEBeNfojjHhGCE87fahUJhSZoJ8E5wIUFguokAtQ6I4qz9GBJdUwSU41VllXeM/s1600-h/wowsgn.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400734780284058610" style="WIDTH: 414px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 247px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF0rGjCUd24y8JzJTsCG8tPj9MqNG0lH6V2jhIxsBMWjQ01KalbGoKed0xIT5zzli7REsvWA8pTR2EgcEBeNfojjHhGCE87fahUJhSZoJ8E5wIUFguokAtQ6I4qz9GBJdUwSU41VllXeM/s320/wowsgn.bmp" border="0" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:78%;">One of the digital billboards. Though it's rather hard to tell, it is quite large.</span><br /></div><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqYUa3P0RS-hO534H3qLGlRl99beSPmJIOYmwsAqERMSaAhc1CXFVLpWYrMdQYP6yGivPCAjvwehfgH93-DXkUOPKMt6RbbfQqDyEu1Cw3JZU75WBxE0ZyErJn_D1n61oIsOL2Q5T-uw/s1600-h/wowsgn.bmp"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqYUa3P0RS-hO534H3qLGlRl99beSPmJIOYmwsAqERMSaAhc1CXFVLpWYrMdQYP6yGivPCAjvwehfgH93-DXkUOPKMt6RbbfQqDyEu1Cw3JZU75WBxE0ZyErJn_D1n61oIsOL2Q5T-uw/s1600-h/wowsgn.bmp"></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973850328467218425.post-86487076424699874432009-05-29T13:18:00.000-07:002009-06-19T13:29:38.716-07:00User Interface, Macros and Addons Program Resource Guide<span style="font-weight: bold;">User Interface<br /></span>Customization of User Interface (UI) within the game using only the out-of-the-box options.<br /><ul><li>Streamlining In-Game Activities - Demonstration and explanation of features like Auto Loot, Auto Quest Text, Target of Target, etc.<br /></li><li>Camera Options - Adjusting the point of view through which the game is viewed.<br /></li><li>Action Bars - Activating, locking and hiding of extra action bars.<br /></li><li>Chat Channels - Creating, joining, leaving and hiding private and public chat channels.<br /></li><li>Key binding - Assigning actions to specific keys on the keyboard.<br /></li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Macros</span><br />Customization designed to make in-game action easier through use of scripts and "slash commands" to combine multiple actions into one button. Macros can also be created to enhance game play in ways such as mouse-over targetting. I think I just heard some healers drooling.<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><ul><li>WoWWiki Beginner's Guide<br /><a href="http://www.wowwiki.com/UI_Beginners_Guide#Macros">http://www.wowwiki.com/UI_Beginners_Guide#Macros</a></li><li>WowWiki HOWTO: Make a Macro<br /><a href="http://www.wowwiki.com/HOWTO:_Make_a_Macro">http://www.wowwiki.com/HOWTO:_Make_a_Macro</a></li><li>World of Warcraft UI & Macros forum<br /><a href="http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/board.html?forumId=11114&sid=1">http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/board.html?forumId=11114&sid=1</a></li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Addons</span><br />Third-party software packages designed to alter the appearance of the UI, enhance or gather in-game data, and provide added functionality. Addons are software that require downloading and installation in the proper directory, so use at your own risk.<br /><ul><li>Curse Gaming<br /><a href="http://www.curse.com/">http://www.curse.com/</a><br /></li></ul>Bob Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10104459670056580780noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973850328467218425.post-89822880819667194132009-05-22T12:11:00.000-07:002009-05-28T08:45:44.893-07:00Player vs. Player Program OutlineIn this program, participants will be using their own characters that they regularly play. The goal of the program is to get people talking about different aspects of Player vs. Player combat (PvP), exchanging tactics and info, comparing classes, etc.<br /><br />For those unfamiliar with PvP in WoW, there are four different ways to go about destroying your opponent:<br /><ol><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Duels </span>- One-on-one combat with another player. One player initiates by making a challenge, and the other player accepts. Once the duel starts, nobody can heal or otherwise assist dueling players; dueling players can self-heal. Duels are not to the death, but to submission.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">World PvP </span>- A player activates their PvP "flag", making them vulnerable to attack by players of othe opposing faction. World PvP is not in any way controlled or scripted. There are World PvP events and goals that can grant bonuses to members of your faction if victorious.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Battlegrounds </span>- Controlled "instances" in which a set population of the Horde and Alliance factions are represented. Goals can vary between a king-of-the-hill type of game to a capture-the-flag game.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Arena Matches </span>- Players form a team of up to five members with friends. Teams are paired up, regardless of faction, in an arena "instance" and fight to the death.</li></ol><br />The PvP nature of this program lends itself to being presented as a contest, and there will be a prize offered for the winner of this contest. Items were budgeted and ordered from <a href="http://www.jinx.com/">J!nx</a> and are stylishly adequate while not being too overtly nerdy.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Contest Details</span><br /><ul><li>Participants will compete in PvP in their own WoW realm for a fixed period of time.</li><li>The participant with the most honorable kills or duels/arena matches* won at the end of this time period will be the winner.<br />*Duels and Arena Matches will count as four honorable kills for the purposes of this contest.</li></ul>Bob Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10104459670056580780noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973850328467218425.post-70138863066674506352009-04-03T14:47:00.000-07:002009-05-22T12:50:37.934-07:00Video Capturing/EditingOne of the programs we will attempt as the World of Warcraft series continues will be a basic tutorial on capturing and editing gameplay footage. It won't be as light as some of the other programs, seeing how it requires a little more advanced computer know-how. It does, however, seem a very promising addition to our series.<br /><br />When searching the web for various WoW related topics one will inevitable come across a video or two. Whether it's a how-to for a particular boss, someone showing off their character, or a humorous music video, video capturing is one of the many ways people have managed to take the gameplay to the next level by implementing a little bit of their own creativity.<br /><br />Due to time and complexity of the subect we will only cover some of the basics in video capturing and editing, but we hope to leave patrons with enough to take home and start their own amateur videos.<br /><br />We've not yet begun the testing on this, but will begin in the near future as time permits. I've chosen <a href="http://www.fraps.com/">Fraps</a> as the video capturing program to be used, and Microsoft Movie Maker (<a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/moviemaker2.mspx">XP</a>/<a href="http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/help/EC3FFF68-E53C-4168-AE74-8557325E57E21033.mspx">Vista</a>) will be used to edit the footage. Both programs are free. Anyone with Microsoft Windows should have Movie Maker, and if not, it is available on the Microsoft site for free. The Fraps video capturing software has a free version that lacks the frills of the full version, but will be plenty for a novice user.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973850328467218425.post-69232350455139583012009-03-23T12:07:00.000-07:002009-03-23T12:37:24.105-07:00First Program: A Success StoryI really didn't intend the title of this posting to sound like the title of a made-for-TV Lifetime-Channel-Exclusive movie. Meredith Baxter-Birney will *not* be appearing in this post.<br /><br />The Central Arkansas Library System hosted its first of many planned WoW programs on Saturday, March 21. This was the teen program, and there were five participants, including myself because I couldn't resist. We easily defeated the evil Witchdoctor Zalazane and followed up with clearing Durotar of the hostile Kul Tiras invading forces. The Adult program scheduled for Saturday March 28 will probably try it at level four since there are eight people signed up for that event.<br /><br />The outline used to direct this program is available in the earlier post <a href="http://librarywow.blogspot.com/2009/03/mini-raid-event-details.html">Mini-Raid: Event Details</a>. Feel free to use any information contained in this blog, as that is the purpose of this blog.<br /><br />A great time was had by all. Drinks, pizza, snacks & candy were flowing freely, and there was a healthy amount of discussion between everyone. My co-programmer showed off his collection of rare and discontinued hunter pets, and everyone bragged about certain aspects of their exploits or arcane knowlege of the game's history. Old Man Bob even regaled the youngsters with tales of Ultima Online and EverQuest.Bob Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10104459670056580780noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973850328467218425.post-85471777752925503052009-03-17T11:39:00.000-07:002009-03-17T11:52:52.254-07:00Load Test CompleteLibrary staff showed up in droves (if eight is a drove) to help test out the laptops and WiFi connection... but I suspect they were mostly interested in showing off their own l337 sky11z and knowledge. Such a good time was had that we might need to schedule more, uh, "staff training and development sessions". Of course, we have learned not to publish videos of such sessions thanks to our neighbors in Omaha.<br /><br />For the record, I hadn't downloaded updates to the game in about a month, so the first half hour of the test involved patching. Only one computer crashed all night! Once everyone had settled in, game play moved along at a good pace. It is only a matter of time before our mild-mannered Youth Services Manager will be screaming "FOR THE HORDE!" <br /><br />Pending confirmation from the Blizzard LAN Events and Location Based Entertainment Site License department, we have found that the 10-Day Free Trials might not work as well as we initially thought. The first three staff members to sign up for a trial account had no problems, however any attempt to create a trial account after that resulted in a curious error. Patrons registering for the programs scheduled for March 21 and March 28 have been advised to create a trial account <span style="font-style: italic;">prior </span>to arrival at the library.Bob Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10104459670056580780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973850328467218425.post-13855870224222343452009-03-13T09:32:00.000-07:002009-03-23T12:42:15.365-07:00Mini-Raid: Event Details<span style="font-weight: bold;">Introductions</span><br /><ul><li>Name; Server & Main Character info; How long have you played?</li><li>Use <a href="http://www.wowarmory.com/">World of Warcraft Armory</a> to look up participants' characters; show on the big screen. Get main character info during registration if possible.</li></ul><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mini-Raid Details</span><br /><ol><li>Pick a low population server before starting the program.</li><li>Let patrons pick a starting location and/or race. Use original WoW races & classes to include participants playing on trial accounts. No Draenei, Blood Elves or Death Knights. </li><li>Let patrons pick a target for raid. Prepare PowerPoint with targets' name, location, and description of role in the area.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Lieutenant Benedict, Zalazane, Princess, Hogger, Vagash, Devlin Agamand, Supervisor Fizsprocket, Oakenscowl</span></li><li>All participants now create new characters on pre-selected server. Form a group or raid, and spend time working together to get to level four. Emphasis is socialization and group dynamics.</li><li>Upon reaching level four, all participants will meet back at starting location for socializing or a snack break as we wait for everyone else to catch up.</li><li>Everyone ready, go out and attack the selected target(s) as a group.</li></ol>Bob Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10104459670056580780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973850328467218425.post-49728000425178969872009-02-06T14:42:00.000-08:002009-02-12T15:36:20.338-08:00Installation Complete10 Laptops, 30 dvds, and about 3 hours of installation/patching. What a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon... and the next few nights reinstalling on the five that locked up.<br /><br />The <a href="http://librarywow.blogspot.com/2009/01/where-and-how-i-found-money.html">previously mentioned</a> "Mobile Training Lab" is made up of ten Dell Vostro 1510 laptops intended to be used for training our staff at the branches. Since our staff doesn't require daily training, these laptops were ideal for use in the program. The added benefit is that I don't have to limit myself to one location and I can take this program out to the branches. These are adequate for meeting the <a href="http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/faq/technology.html">System Requirements</a> for the game, but I did still dial down some of the effects settings to keep things running smoothly.<br /><br />For those unfamiliar with the game, Blizzard releases new patches (a.k.a. upgrades and fixes) on Tuesdays. Be prepared to schedule some patching time prior to your programs so that you don't get stuck for 30 minutes at the beginning of your program.<br /><br />Don't forget to have your IT crowd <a href="http://us.blizzard.com/support/article.xml?articleId=21077&categoryId=2316&parentCategoryId=&pageNumber=1">open the correct ports for the patch downloads</a> if you are experiencing slow download speeds. I didn't run into the closed port issue, even though the ports are not open at my library, however it might be helpful to have this port knowledge handy in case others do have this problem.Bob Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10104459670056580780noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973850328467218425.post-91744630586472457842009-01-29T06:17:00.001-08:002009-01-29T07:18:06.478-08:00Where and How I Found the MoneyTo cut to the chase, my funding was derived from the Electronic Resources budget for my Library System. This budget pays for things like our database subscriptions, accessibility software and equipment, etc. The original thought was to split the money between adult and juvenile programming budgets (which are kind of skimpy to begin with), but the wonderful Electronic Resources Librarian swooped in and offered the use of that sizable budget.<br /><br />We are also going to be cataloging the software when it arrives, which means it will be treated more like a resource than a prop for a program series.<br /><br />Convincing the programmers and administration wasn't as difficult as I initially expected. Aside from the budget, the key hurdles I had to overcome were:<br /><ol><li>Complete Lack of Knowledge - The game had to be shown to them to fully understand its scope. I brought in my own laptop from home, but I know most people don't play on laptops. The game has a <a href="https://www.worldofwarcraft.com/account/download_wow.html">Downloadable Version</a> for current account holders which would work great for presentations. It's also a good idea to test game-play on your computers and to work with your IT department to <a href="http://us.blizzard.com/support/article.xml?articleId=21077&categoryId=2316&parentCategoryId=&pageNumber=1">make sure the proper ports are open</a> for patching.</li><li>Free Access - Librarians don't like to exclude anyone. Since many programs would involve new character creation for cooperative play, patrons could use the <a href="https://signup.worldofwarcraft.com/trial/freetrial.html">10-day Free Trial Account</a> without downloading. I have tested trial accounts on a full install of the game, and it does work.</li><li>Location and Equipment - Libraries don't typically purchase equipment for gaming, and that is true for my Library. Total immersion in the WoW universe wasn't the goal of this program, so optimal performance wasn't key. We ended up using the laptops intended for use as a mobile staff training lab. The other option considered was using the computer lab at our Main Library.<br /></li></ol>Bob Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10104459670056580780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973850328467218425.post-49162108205235196582009-01-26T07:00:00.000-08:002009-01-27T10:00:28.987-08:00Licensing and PurchasingBlizzard is about the easiest gaming company to work with in terms of library services. All Blizzard asks is that one copy of their software be purchased for each computer used in the program. All of their relevant licensing information is available at the <a href="http://www.blizzard.com/us/inblizz/lanevent.html">Blizzard LAN Events</a> page. Essentially, as long as you don't make money off of your program, you only have to pay for the software and at least one subscription to download patches. Feel free to confirm any of this with the email address provided at the above link. In fact, if more libraries ask for help Blizzard may see the free advertising and subscription recruitment potential we can offer.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">World of Warcraft </span>(WoW)is currently made up of the original game and two expansions: <span style="font-style: italic;">The Burning Crusade</span> (BC) and <span style="font-style: italic;">Wrath of the Lich King</span> (WotLK). WoW can operate on its own, but there is no access to material, areas and certain races/classes available through the expansions. BC will not work without WoW, and WotLK will not work without BC; incidentally, patrons who own the game and all expansions will not be able to participate in a program if all three sets of software are not installed.<br /><br />Current pricing will run about $79 for all three sets of software if purchased from a store. Amazon, for instance sells the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/World-Warcraft-Battlechest-Mac/dp/B000H96C9M/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1233074859&sr=8-1">World of Warcraft Battlechest</a> (WoW and BC bundle with game guides) for $36.99, and similar deals can be found elsewhere. The WotLK expansion stil must be purchased separately. Subscription pricing choices are monthly at $14.99, every three months at $41.97, or every six months at $77.94.<br /><br />Another purchase option would be to download the <a href="http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/trial/index.html?referrer=WORLDOFWARCRAFT&source=wowhome&">10-day Free Trial </a>of the original game and upgrade to the full-paid subscription. You would then need to purchase the online upgrades to BC and WotLK. A slightly more detailed explanation of this method can be found at the <a href="http://us.blizzard.com/support/article.xml?articleId=20499">Blizzard Support Authentication Key FAQ</a>.Bob Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10104459670056580780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973850328467218425.post-24772972932593461182009-01-16T12:32:00.000-08:002009-01-22T18:57:52.799-08:00Hello World (of Warcraft)!It's official, the Director of the Central Arkansas Library System has approved funding for a World of Warcraft (WoW) gaming program. I'll be using this blog to outline the steps and hurdles that must be taken or jumped that led to the approval of this program. I will also be explaining some of the technical issues required to get this done, as well as some of the philosophy behind the design of our programs.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> About me.</span></span><br />My name is Bob, and I'm the assistant manager of Computer & Network Services at the Central Arkansas Library System. I've played WoW for six years, since a few friends in the gaming industry invited me to the Alpha Test. I'm not sure if it violates my non-disclosure agreement, but I'll say it anyway... I got to see Dwarven Mages. Before WoW I played EverQuest; before EQ I played Ultima Online; in between various cancellations of EQ I played Asheron's Call, Dark Age of Camelot, and Anarchy Online. Before that I played Dungeons & Dragons and other various pen & paper games. For the record, I am also a fan of the original Star Trek series.<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">The "Why" of the program. </span> </span><br />The social nature of WoW is comparable to a book club or knitting circle, and that communal experience is what I will attempt to harness in the program. I have met other WoW players in public or at work, and most all of these meetings are started with a sense of surprise from both myself and the other player. One of the first things asked when I meet another WoW player is, "What Realm," which is always answered by, "Oh, <span style="font-family:arial;">/sigh</span> I'm on Feathermoon." Through these programs, I hope to foster a sense of community among the area WoW players and provide a medium through which we can all play together, if only for a couple of days per month, without sacrificing our other in-game relationships.Bob Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10104459670056580780noreply@blogger.com0