 |
| |
|
|
OldCodger
|
|
Columbus, OH, USA
Oct 1999
time: 05:13
|
|
Just a quick note to let everyone know that, beginning with the next chapter, I will be starting a "Forgotten Faction, Part 2" thread because wading through all of the earlier chapters to get to the new one is getting annoying for me, so I assume it is getting annoying for my readers--both of you!--as well.
NOTE TO JASONIAN: Those "mountain oysters" weren't so bad now, were they :-)?
------------------
Old age and treachery: the perfect cure for youth and ambition...
|
|
| |
|
|
|
OldCodger
|
|
Columbus, OH, USA
Oct 1999
time: 05:13
|
|
The Forgotten Faction storyline now has an opportunity to deal with more philosophical issues. The first such issue has now been examined, specifically: What kind of a sick wacko beats up a Barbie doll?
VulturesRow: I truly wish you had joined this forum a little earlier. We could have had some serious fun with your handle and occupation back in the big battle between the Hillbillies and the Usurpers. Unfortunately, the story outline is pretty much set, so all I could really do at this point is work in a token reference. However, things do seem to change, so you are on the list if I need another reasonably major character.
------------------
Old age and treachery: the perfect cure for youth and ambition...
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Wambaugh
|
|
Having registered a few days ago, most of my online time has been taken up reading The Spartan Chronicles and The Forgotten Faction. This is a great story and I can't wait for the next installment. I love the idea of the Progenitors being incapacitated by fiddle music.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
OldCodger
|
|
Columbus, OH, USA
Oct 1999
time: 05:13
|
|
It's been a while since I posted something new to the Forgotten Faction. I apologize to both of my "loyal readers" for this, but I was on vacation, a most necessary and wonderful experience.
We spent some time on the Gulf coast of Florida where, in addition to marinating ourselves in sun and sea water, I also managed to keep an eye on a Canadian probe team that appeared to be trying to insert itself into US territory. Their disguise was quite good; appearing as four middle-aged geezers in a rubber raft with several fishing poles. However, the small Canadian flag on the stern was a dead giveaway about their nefarious scheme.
However, I digress...
A couple of quick comments about the latest chapter: First, Bugtussle is a "nod" to the old "Beverly Hillbillies" TV show. They always referred to "Bugtussle" as an allegedly large town back in the hill country they came from. It seemed like a story about Hillbillies ought to include something from that old TV show.
Second, as a matter of style, I actually feel kind of bad about the abruptness that the story line has come to. I wish I could have spent more time with some of the factions, such as the Cult of Planet and maybe the Cyborgs. The problem is that if I spend the kind of time I would like to spend on each chapter, the story would be *significantly* longer and I'm afraid I would never get it done. I just don't have the time to do that, so it is what it is. Even though I have an outline and know exactly how this story will end, it still takes a long time to write and still throws a surprise or two at me.
Still, it's too bad because there may be a rather good story lurking around in there somewhere...
Enjoy, and I will make an effort to be more timely with the remainder of the tale.
------------------
Old age and treachery: the perfect cure for youth and ambition...
|
|
| |
|
|
|
OldCodger
|
|
Columbus, OH, USA
Oct 1999
time: 05:13
|
|
A few comments on the background for the current storyline in The Forgotten Faction.
First, the relationship between the Morganite mines and the J-Mart stores is modelled from an actual event in U.S. history. The Appalachian region has large deposits of coal. As mining operations were opened to mine this coal, the mining companies basically built towns and opened "company stores" that would allow the miners to purchase goods on credit. No retail competition was allowed in mining towns, so the company store could charge what it wanted and keep the miners in perpetual debt. This contributed to the formation of the United Mine Workers union, one of the largest trade unions in the United States. Many of the mines have since closed and the "company store" was eventually closed by legislation and negotiation. But the Appalachian region is still one of the most impoverished regions in the United States as a result of its historical domination by the mining companies.
Second, the legal assault tactic attempted by CEO Morgan was actually used to drive the company that made the Stanley Steamer, a steam-powered automobile, out of business. Every time they made a technical improvement to their vehicles or production methods, one of the other automakers (I won't mention the name since I don't know for sure which one it was) filed a patent infringement suit that forced the makers of the Stanley Steamer to stop using that improvement and pay massive legal fees to defend themselves. They were eventually forced into bankruptcy. Unfortunately, the Hillbillies' solution to this legal assault would not work in the American judicial system... However, one could always wish... 
Third, the "Dreadnought 3000 AD" flamewar is based on what I think is surely the longest running flame war in internet history, the "Battlecruiser 3000 AD" flame war. This game was originally developed by Derek Smart and published in the 1995-96 time frame. It was literally "dead out of the box". It also sparked a flame war that is continuing even to this day. If you want to see what this is like, read the following newsgroup:
comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.strategic
This flame war has spilled over into several other newsgroups as well. There are days when at least half the messages in this newsgroup are contributions to this flame war. This flame war has had a sustained negative impact on that particular newsgroup. It is without a doubt the nastiest newsgroup I read on a regular basis. Incidently, a newer version of this game has been released and may be found in bargain software bins at a variety of outlets. This new version is rumored to be at least playable.
It still floors me to think that a flame war has continued basically unabated for about five years now all because of a 40 dollar piece of software...
------------------
Old age and treachery: the perfect cure for youth and ambition...
|
|
| |
|
| |
All times are GMT. The time now is 05:13.
Apolyton Time is 00:13. |
top of page
|
|
|
Forum Rules:
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
|
HTML code is ON
vB code is ON
Smilies are ON
[IMG] code is ON
|
|
|
|
|
|
06-06-2000 09:27
).
|