Doctor Vivian

Hi Pixel --

This issue has been a bone of contention for many years now.

Some items clearly function and display their effect when they are placed (Stealth Strippers, Force Field Generators, etc., etc) but after everyone leaves the base and it is unloaded from the Base Server's memory, they all appear "off" upon subsequent entry / re-loading of the Base.

Real Raids were taken offline early on (along with the Cathedral of Pain), and then even Instant Base Raids were disabled in Issue 13. That's when I stopped asking the question of support, "Even though we don't see the animation to indicate these items are functioning, are they indeed providing their effect?" I.e., were they actually OFF and not providing the effect they were supposed to in a real Base Raid?

Although I asked many times (pre-Issue-13), I never once got an actual answer. I don't think anyone in the Customer Support Group actually knows... it's really something that only a programmer who has worked in the engine / still works in the engine could tell us, and even then probably only after actually sitting down and checking it out.

Personally (and this is just my own unverifiable two cents), I suspect they are "off" and provide no protection or benefit during an actual Raid, as I have noticed absolutely no difference in how rapidly items or weapons with a Force Field Generator beside them get taken down versus not having one. Nor did I ever see anyone who was using Stealth (including Invisibility, Grant Invisibility, Cloaking Device, etc) inconvenienced in any way from passing beneath a Stealth Stripper.

-- Vivian

Hi Mortimer --

Don't get disheartened at the idea not necessarily being as good as you'd thought on first glance -- you'll find lots of ideas are like that in life -- but just look at the title of your post, "See a Need". In this instance, bear in mind that it is not the idea itself that is necessarily flawed, for it would certainly be feasible if there was enough demand for that as a service. Rather, it is unlikely to succeed because there is insufficient need in the current market to make it successful as a venture. Every service, whether offered online or in the real world, must necessarily follow the needs of its particular market. Without demand, no service will prosper.

Shadow --

I'd just like to say that was a good job you did in breaking down the numbers for Mort, that was a very helpful follow-up.

-- Vivian

Hi Mortimer --

I'll happily chime in my thoughts.

I do foresee some problems, as anyone who has Base Editing privileges can, if they choose, destroy the whole place -- including everyone else's hard work on their personal spaces. Not to mention such a person could empty out base storage. Aside from those dangers, what happens when someone is offline for a few months, and doesn't pay? What happens to their items in base storage? What happens to the personal space they created? If it was their own SG Base, nothing -- but how would that differ under this "paying rent" system?

Aside from the concerns above, I'm not sure there is a need the way the game is currently structured. With the base repricing that took place in Issue 13, almost anyone can afford the most massive base in the game, and the most possible storage for each base (18 storage units per base, I think it is).

What's more, they can have a separate SG base for each of their toons -- and thus have access to really massive amounts of storage. Add that to the fact that Players now have the ability to e-mail themselves globally means they can pass items from any storage location -- and any toon -- to whatever other toon they like.

So, my opinion on it is that while it certainly is creative, there's probably not enough of a need to make it a successful and widely-utilized.

-- Vivian

Welcome back, Azure!

What a great name you have!

Wendy's massive "BACONATOR" sandwich, if prepared like this, would be pretty epic.

But wait! Early Girl's birthday is next... oh, she's early.

Happy Early Birthday!

Oh, my.

That looks really good!

GULP GULP GULP... Oh, yeah!



Wait... wait... look at his thumb... he's FAKING drinking it! FAKE! FAKE! FAKE!!!!!

Chocolate-dipped Crispy Bacon Strips

"Snake and Bacon"... Coming in 2012!

Very belated. But very happy!

From J&D's (whose tagline is "Everything Should Taste Like Bacon") comes BACON AIR.

-------------------------------------------------------

Three years ago, we made a much healthier bacon delivery mechanism called Bacon Salt. It’s a zero calorie, zero fat, vegetarian, kosher and low sodium seasoning that makes everything taste like bacon –to many, it was Bacon 2.0.

Since then, our team of research scientists has been working hard on making the next leap to Bacon 3.0. We started with an intense brainstorming and ideation session with some of the foremost minds in science, technology, nutrition, sports, marketing and the arts. The questions during this all-day session were open-ended and thought-provoking, such as:

• How can we use bacon to help people lead healthier lives?
• Why is bacon so delicious?
• How can bacon be used to promote world peace?
• Can bacon be used as an alternative fuel source?
• What if bacon was lighter than air?

It was that last question that got the dialogue really going and led to another seemingly ridiculous question – what if bacon was air? After all, oxygen is the most important nutrient to the cells in your body, and plays an integral role in almost every bodily function. And bacon is the most delicious of meats.

Was combining these two elements possible or even advisable? Fortunately, the answer was yes on both counts. Studies have shown that inhaling pure oxygen can boost energy, fight disease, increase mental focus, enhance sexual and/or sports performance, and increase mental alertness as well as save lives. After all, you can live for weeks without food or days without water, but only a few minutes without oxygen.

After 2 grueling years of research, we are proud to announce the next quantum leap in bacon technology. We call it BaconAir™, and it’s a revolutionary new product that combines the deliciousness of bacon with the unrivaled health benefits of 95% pure Himalayan oxygen. Some of the benefits include:

• Convenient and Easy to Use
• Bacon Enters Bloodstream in Seconds
• No Negative Pork Side Effects
• No Calories, Fat or Stimulants
• Non-Prescription ~ Recreational Use Only
• Maximum Deliciousness

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We are still waiting for our first shipment of bacon-flavored Himalayan oxygen, but for now you can put your name on the waiting list above. We have very limited quantities and a big demand already, so you should act fast. In addition, we're giving away a lifetime supply of BaconAir once it's ready to ship - just send us an email to baconair@jdfoods.net with why you think you should be the first person to use BaconAir and we'll select a winner!

Waiver: Recreational bacon-flavored oxygen is not for medical use and is not intended to treat, cure or prevent any diseases. It should not be used if you have asthma, lung or heart ailments or allergies to intensely delicious bacon flavorings. Always consult your physician before taking any supplement products. The statements and representations on this website have not been evaluated or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the National Pork Board.

I like the narrator... "And Bacon! And Bacon! And Bacon! And Bacon!"

BUT... it was kind of selfish of him to only make one.

He had all those friends there -- not a single piece of bacon for them!

Each of them should have had a Giant Bacon Sandwich, too.

Bacon-related clothing has been around since the 1800's.

The Bacon Wave rack can be purchased online, from Amazon.com.

I am pretty sure they will ship to the UK.

However, this PRESTO Microwave Bacon Rack might be even BETTER:

http://www.amazon.com/Presto-05100-M.../dp/B00006IUWC

Applewood Bacon Wrapped Chilean Seabass over Lentils



Note: This recipe serves four.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces onion, finely chopped
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 ounces celery, finely chopped
• 2 ounces carrot, finely chopped
• 20 ounces French lentils (ideally Puy lentils)
• 4 to taste vegetable broth, to cover
• 4 bouquet garni (recipe follows)
• 28 ounces sea bass fillets
• 12 ounces smoked bacon, preferably Applewood
• 8 sprigs sage, leaves removed
• 4 ounces butter
• 4 ounces thyme
• 4 ounces parsley
• 1 ounce black peppercorns
• 8 bay leaves
• 16 sprigs parsley, leaves removed, cleaned and chopped
• 4 ounces tomato, concasse
• 8 ounces heavy cream, stiffly beaten whipped
• 16 -20 leaves sage, for garnish
• cheesecloth
• butcher's twine

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. In a medium saucepan, sweat the onions in the olive oil, and when they are translucent, add the celery and carrots.
3. Add the lentils and toss with the vegetables.
4. Prepare the bouquet garni: Place the thyme, parsley, black peppercorns, and bay leaves inside the cheesecloth. Secure the herbs and spices within the cheesecloth by tying it into a satchel with the butcher's twine.
5. Add the vegetable broth to cover and the bouquet garni. Bring to a boil and then lower the heat to simmer the lentils until they are soft.
6. Preheat an ovenproof pan large enough to hold the 7-ounce fillets, comfortably.
7. On a cutting board, shingle 4 to 5 slices of bacon. Take each fillet and place it at the corner of the bacon. Place the sage leaves on top of the fillet. Wrap the fillet in the bacon.
8. When the ovenproof pan is hot, place the bacon wrapped fish into the pan, searing the bacon. After 2 minutes, turn the fish over and place the entire pan into the oven to finish cooking, about 10 minutes.
9. When the lentils are soft, drain off extra liquid and remove the bouquet garni.
10. Remove the fish from the oven and plate.
11. Fold the butter, chopped parsley, tomato concasse, and whipped cream into the lentils and spoon on top of the Chilean sea bass. Garnish with the sage leaves. Serve hot.

Back to Bacon! In the microwave, no less.

At times I am powerfully reminded of DISTRICT 9. If only the crashed Rikti Mothership didn't have that Force Field and Teleportation Tech... and this wasn't a City of Heroes.

The Rikti love that stuff, even though it stinks like rotten cat food.