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Post by RielCZ on Aug 9, 2024 15:57:55 GMT -5
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Post by Duke Pikachu on Aug 9, 2024 16:04:00 GMT -5
Okay, does anyone know what the rule is for including images & links in your article? Because my article is missing all the images and links I included, though other articles have their images. The way I include my images are as so with the triangle brackets, which as far as I know have been the way to do it: <img src="https://images.neopets.com/items/ros_zappermajig.gif"/> |
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Post by Christos on Aug 9, 2024 16:20:19 GMT -5
Okay, does anyone know what the rule is for including images & links in your article? Because my article is missing all the images and links I included, though other articles have their images. The way I include my images are as so with the triangle brackets, which as far as I know have been the way to do it: <img src="https://images.neopets.com/items/ros_zappermajig.gif"/> The way I did it was to write [image] image link I've heard triangle brackets get lost in the submission form |
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Post by Carolyn on Aug 9, 2024 16:43:25 GMT -5
Thanks for all of your hard work, y'all! Looking forward to checking these entries out!  |
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Post by Tam on Aug 9, 2024 17:19:18 GMT -5
Neat, happy to get QotW! No idea why its that line though - just a blip of narration describing a side character whos only in the story for a couple of paragraphs. Still, it's a fun welcome back.
Congrats to everyone in this issue! I'll try to read and comment on some of y'all's stuff when I get the chance. :3
Edit: Also yeah, I used angle brackets for my italic tags, as was the convention back in the day (only heard about the change after I'd already submitted), and I can confirm that my tags seem to have gotten eaten too. I guess it's probably not worth hassling Adler for the corrections though.
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Post by Duke Pikachu on Aug 9, 2024 23:24:18 GMT -5
Yes, of course congrats to everyone who got in (and I'm assuming everyone was awarded a Steampunk Paint Brush too)!  Sorry if I didn't include that, I actually posted my message before this thread was made in the old planning thread and just as I posted it I was tagged for his one so hastily copy & pasted it here. The way I did it was to write [image] image link I've heard triangle brackets get lost in the submission form Alright, so for next time I'm going to use these tag "codes" to mark where I want certain fonts and images (I'm including them here just incase anyone else wants to include at least an image in their submission: [bold_a]TEXT[b_z][italic_a]TEXT[i_z][Image_a]  [i_z] [strike_a]TEXT[s_z][center_a] TEXT [c_z] [Link-URL_a="HERE"a]TEXT[l_z] "What's with the starting brackets having "_a" and the ending brackets with the "_z""? For the font effects I feel like there should be something to indicate where you want the font effect to end (though oddly it seems like the triangle brackets I used for fonts were kept as it bolded stuff correctly, huh). For the image, sometimes I post multiple images that I want to be next to each other, so I feel having something which completely surrounds the image url indicates for such occasions where one image starts and another begins. As for why I used "_a" and "_z", just easy indicators where things start and end, plus this prevents it from confusing html code. Edit: Also yeah, I used angle brackets for my italic tags, as was the convention back in the day (only heard about the change after I'd already submitted), and I can confirm that my tags seem to have gotten eaten too. I guess it's probably not worth hassling Adler for the corrections though. Yeah, I was thinking about maybe posting the article with the image codes on my petpage and neomailing nt_editor, but I think my article just reads fine without it despite promising the inclusion of images. If I get some neomails from confused readers I'll link them the images and maybe then contact nt_editor, but it's no big deal. |
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Post by Angeló on Aug 10, 2024 0:00:35 GMT -5
glad to be a part of another wonderful collab ^^
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Post by Twillie on Aug 23, 2024 12:04:21 GMT -5
The Meepit Machine! by Angeló and jenna_lyn_russell It's always the meepits!!! Honestly would be a funny way to bypass the "no technology" rule if they didn't officially relax that in recent years haha; it's not modern tech, it's just essentially a giant meepit cage that serves some other function as well!
Life Improvised : Afloat, Part 1/2 by Kengplant Hey, if the house is still floating, then it's gotta be fine, right? >w>;;; I really feel SK here, it seems like I'm always discovering some daily routine or concern other people have that I've never considered before, and I'm suddenly like "Wait should I have been doing that this whole time, am I gonna die otherwise???" I love the little bits of worldbuilding for your Darigan Citadel, both from the tour guide and just by seeing so many different locations in each panel! Very neat idea for the Citadel to have its own university, and I like how architecture is the prized point of study considering how much of an architectural miracle the whole place is. Also funny how the "haunting" of the vaults is really just some guy paid to clean the place lol, ghosts must be a harder sell in Neopia.
The Floating Islanders - Machine's Emotion by Themeguy Beautiful contrast of the two different stories, I love how she didn't even go any further than a simple "no" to cap it all off lol. Small detail, but I love how you colored the fire on those jetpack feet, it's so intricate! And I'm sure you do this for all your comics, but in this I especially noticed the nice variety of panel compositions there is. My favorites are the first panel with its extreme perspective, and the fourth panel with the two of them in the foreground framing the mother and baby buzz. Just wanted to show out the dynamic art alongside the great punchline, great work all around!
Moving Parts: Part One by Tam I had to check your older works after reading this because, while I'm not familiar with them, I had a feeling Kiyoshi and his Ghostchaser adventures might be references to older stories of yours! I was excited to see I was right, so that may be some more reading material for another day haha! As such, there may be questions I have about this current series that are already answered from previous works, but we can see as we go lol.
To start, I'm intrigued by Tyra's character and her relation to not just Kiyoshi, but Tanya as mentioned in the introductory paragraph. My leading theory right now is that Tanya and Tyra are the same person, and she's taking on a new identity for a better chance at opportunity in a changing world, considering she and Kiyoshi are roommates and she references ghostchasing as a previous job for the both of them. She also seems to have some distaste for the Neopian Times, perhaps due to a fall from grace with journalism?
I'm also curious Tyra's disdain for the Guild of Explorers, considering how she fed off of their frustration and anger at her presentation. Considering her conversation with Kiyoshi on his previous job with the guild, I'm guessing that they did him dirty and she's held a grudge for that. Because of that, makes me wonder if she has any ulterior motives with the tech she's trying to sell them, or if she really is just trying to make a living and get a foot in the door with the guild. There's certainly more of them, but I also enjoyed the little in jokes and references sprinkled throughout and made a small list of some: "barely out of high school and with all the charisma of an Almost Gummy Rat (Grape)"
"The current generation is more likely to know Jake the Explorer from a cereal box" "'If I fall into a pit trap and can’t get up again'" |
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Post by Twillie on Aug 27, 2024 15:01:15 GMT -5
A View Long Lost by Pixie Giving Baelia a prosthetic set of wings makes for such a sweet and cathartic story, I love all the little steps in this journey of affirming her friendship with Tavi, Tavi pivoting in her mission to help Baelia by taking her the fair for new wings, and the process of the empathetic inventors fitting Baelia with a set of perfectly fitting wings. I like how you portray Baelia and her internal dialogue, as it gives an in depth picture of her inner world and past traumas in a short period of time. She feels like a real and complex person with shifting thoughts and feelings as she continues working through her struggles while also trying new things and taking chances with the encouragement of others. The final paragraph where she's flying again and reliving a part of her once thought lost was very touching, genuinely got a little choked up reading it, such a nice way to conclude the story and reveal the meaning behind the title.
Cavall's Guide to Making Friends by Kat This feels like a creative way of using the issue's theme, by using a the machine in question to sort of symbolize Cavall's internal struggles and fears, as well as be the jumping off point for the bigger story at large of him learning to connect with others. It's also interesting the contrast of how the toy is portrayed throughout the story, with it being a memory of oppression and fear for Cavall while in contrast it's a fond childhood memory for Mulligan. I feel like that can also represent re-contextualizing the toy for Cavall as he slowly learns to move on from the past towards a better future.
I like how the story is used as a jumping off or starting point for him beginning to connect with others; he doesn't immediately have friends by the end, but he's at the start of getting some.
What a sweet story, I like the simplicity of the setup to allow room for all the emotion of it! It's also nice to see Kreludor get some representation, not to mention some very positive rep. I feel like it can often be a forgotten or overlooked land, and with it being so open and empty it may not have the most inviting atmosphere for everyone. I like looking to find the warmth and kindness in lands where that may not be considered as much.
Pollux feels like he always secretly wanted a connection with others, but je just didn't know how to ask for it at the start. It's a nice little reveal when we find out he chose his name the same as Bolt, instantly explains his reasons for letting Bolt work in his shop and establishes a deeper connection between the two. Bolt and Dew have a very loving relationship, and it was cute getting to see Pollux as well sharing in that at the end~
Neat to see some follow up on the McTaggart character from earlier this year! More specifically, I like peeking into other Moltarans' reactions to his crimes, as there's that extra layer of emotion and tragedy to it. I also like the the implementation of Thunder Sticks to create their cooling system in the end; it seems like a clever idea of thinking outside the box and using what they already have. It does make me curious the need to have non-Moltaran petpets kept in Moltara for a sanctuary, and during Jacob's speech maybe there could have been a more clear connection between McTaggart's actions and the need for helping petpets. His pollution impacts are kept rather vague, so having something that specifies why the petpets around the world are most vulnerable could've helped us understand why a sanctuary was the best course of action for them to take. (also is their sanctuary for-profit, or is the money they're making coming from donations and grants?)
But it's nice not only to get some justice from McTaggart being run out in the original mini-plot, but also follow through on replacing him with a more worthy endeavor that works to protect the planet. Like with Carolyn's story, it's nice seeing some softness added to a land that may not always be associated with that, and you want to see the Moltarans come out on top in the end.
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Post by Twillie on Aug 28, 2024 14:09:36 GMT -5
Cryptic: Machine in Motion by Christos I love a good puzzle, so I was very excited to see that was the premise for your article! It helped pass some time at work for me solving it lol, and I'm happy to say that I got it figured out without looking at any of the solutions below it!
I picked up on all the unspoken hints with the utility fish and that your various chores referenced specific kinds of fish, although I don't think they were so subtle that nobody would get them (so long as they have some knowledge on old site features). There were some clues that I was a little torn on which utility fish they were referencing, so I found the final solution kind of in reverse. Once I was able to match a fish to each letter of the alphabet, I was then able to confirm if all my answers to previous clues were correct or not. I originally thought "Observe in the past your practical companion (3)" was supposed to be "toy" (like maybe in the past during childhood, a toy is a practical thing to have lol), but then I replaced that when I saw what fish in the alphabet I was working with. I also wasn't too certain what may work for Fix the Ventilation or Take a Nap (is it pillow or jelly bed), but then I confirmed those with the same method.
I guess I'll see you at Lampwyck's for the next one!
Robot VS Steampunk! Machine Colour Comparison by Duke Pikachu Sorry that the submission form decided to be difficult with your images, I went ahead and read your article with a couple Rainbow Pool tabs open to still get the full effect! I also figure the best way to react to your opinions is some of my own on whether I agree or not haha Acara
I'll have to agree here as well, the Steampunk Acara suffers from too many details that are hard to decipher and blend together imo. The robot has a very classic feel to it with some good personality.
Aisha
Oh nooo, Robot Aisha my beloved xD For me, robo Aisha has a similar feel to the robo Acara, plus I just love its blank expression, it's very cute to me xD I do think Aisha has one of the better Steampunk paint jobs out there, though.
Blumaroo
I don't think I have strong feelings towards one or the other, so I can see your decision here. That is an interesting detail about the unclothed Steampunk Blumaroo, I didn't realize they had that extra microship.
Bori
I'll agree here too, the Steampunk Bori just looks a bit too off putting with its mask, and the colors feel muddy with not enough contrast for me. Robot Bori also just has a classic design, so it's hard to compete lol
Chomby
I think the Robot Chomby has more points in recognizability (especially for anybody who tried searching for Cheat! as a kid and were greeted with an army of them), but purely for design I do think Steampunk is more interesting. It suffers a bit of the color sameness the Steampunk Bori does as well, but the overall outfit still feels unique to the Chomby, and you can still identify each detail easily enough.
Cybunny
Yeah I'll probably go with Robot Cybunny too, although Steampunk has its merits I feel. The wings are what really throw off the silhouette for me, but I do really like the color palette they went with for this, and I'm a sucker for top hats and futuristic face masks haha.
Draik
Not sure I gave the Robot Draik a good look before this actually! It's an odd one, as its design and texture almost makes it feel like a toy, but I do think it's got a cute charm to it. I also love how it looks without the casing honestly, the colors and design are so unique! I may have to disagree with you on this one then haha, because while the Steampunk Draik has some interesting design elements and an overall you can overall parse, I do think its color palette is a bit ugly and muddied, and overall I think Robot has more that appeals to me.
Elephante
Why do these both look kind of creepy xD The designs for both are bit off putting for me, but Steampunk feels more streamlined overall, so I'd go with that one too.
Gelert
Robot Gelert for me too, it's just more charming and welcoming in design for me. Steampunk Gelert feels like a cross with Stealthy honestly, it's so dark shadowed and the eye piece kind of reminds me of a sniper xD
Grundo
The Robot Grundo is kind of cute, but honestly for me it feels a bit incomplete. Without casings it's cool, it looks like the same design as the uncased robot Draik, but I don't think it makes up for the casings for me this time. Steampunk feels more interesting and intentional in design, so I'd go with that one.
Hissi
Robot Hissi is a classic! I'd go with that one too, its design is just a cool one. I don't dislike Steampunk Hissi, but I do wish the colors weren't all so dark and blended in together. Also the face mask only covers the upper part of it's mouth? It's like a nose mask??
Jetsam
Ooh, this is a close one for me. I might actually go with Steampunk for this one, the colors of that appeal to me more, and I feel like it tells me more of a story.
Koi
Oh Robot Koi is weird, it almost feels like a robot without its casing. Steampunk Koi feels a little cramped in design for me, but I do like it more overall.
Kougra
Yeah, Steampunk is my choice is as well I think. Agreed that Robot Kougra looks incomplete, and while without casings it does look pretty cool (I especially like the open chest and holes in the tail, it just looks really kooky and like it was invented by some mad genius with an indecipherable method), it doesn't make up for the casings look.
Kyrii
I'd probably go with Steampunk myself actually; I don't dislike robot, but I think its face comes out a bit goofy lol. Like Steampunk Cybunny, I love the color scheme steampunk has here with the brighter colors. The smaller details blend in a bit with each other, but I think the colors have enough contrast overall that it doesn't overwhelm you.
Lenny
Robot Lenny is a weird one for having that amount of detail, it has an issue most steampunks usually do lol. That said, between the two robot is definitely still better, they're like two different flavors of overdrawn.
Nimmo
Omg Robot Nimmo is adorable, I love that blank face and the emote panel on its chest to compensate. I do really like Steampunk with its spooky helmet, but I think Robot still wins out. It's a tough contest with these two though.
Scorchio
Woahhh Robot Scorchio has a very strange, albeit unique, design. Makes me wonder if it's influenced by or referencing anything specific. The Steampunk Scorchio doesn't look too bad, with a color palette that pops and clothing pieces you can overall distinguish. It does feel a bit bland in comparison to robot, though, so I'd go with robot too.
Shoyru
The robot's face looks like it's sucking on a lemon a bit lol, I love the goofy expressions some of these have. Without the casings, I especially love how it has a :3 face. With steampunk, my HTTYD-infested brain can't help but fleetingly think "....is this a reference..." every time I look at it, although I doubt it is. I do like the unique flavor of the Steampunk Shoyru's outfit, although robot may still win out for me.
Techo
I like both these designs, this is another close one! Steampunk Techo is super cute with that outfit, I love the hat and the shiny goggles, and it's got some nice colors to help it pop. I feel like the gold rendering for it had some extra care or something, it came out really well on the Techo. The Robot Techo also looks really cool and sleek; I think the deciding factor for me comes down to the robot feeling less cluttered in design, so I'd go with that one.
Uni
Oh wow, I forgot about the Steampunk Uni. To me, this is like the poster child for cluttered steampunk design lol, there's so much. I do appreciate the pink and purple color scheme they gave it, but to me this kind of design just isn't appealing. The Robot Uni has a bold and simple color palette with the blue and yellow, and it's got some really cool shapes to it.
Usul
Agreed on the Robot Usul not feeling finished, I'm not entirely sure what's going on with its design. Steampunk Usul overall works, especially with the black Victorian dress and top hat that distinguishes it from the other steampunks. The metal tail covering feels silly to me, but I can forgive it lol.
Zafara
Ooh Robot Zafara has a ton of character! I like how evil it looks, that's funny to me considering how friendly regular Zafara are usually depicted lol. Steampunk Zafara is in the same league as Uni for me with how busy it is, not a fan.
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Post by Tam on Aug 29, 2024 16:29:25 GMT -5
Moving Parts: Part One by Tam I had to check your older works after reading this because, while I'm not familiar with them, I had a feeling Kiyoshi and his Ghostchaser adventures might be references to older stories of yours! I was excited to see I was right, so that may be some more reading material for another day haha! As such, there may be questions I have about this current series that are already answered from previous works, but we can see as we go lol.
To start, I'm intrigued by Tyra's character and her relation to not just Kiyoshi, but Tanya as mentioned in the introductory paragraph. My leading theory right now is that Tanya and Tyra are the same person, and she's taking on a new identity for a better chance at opportunity in a changing world, considering she and Kiyoshi are roommates and she references ghostchasing as a previous job for the both of them. She also seems to have some distaste for the Neopian Times, perhaps due to a fall from grace with journalism?
I'm also curious Tyra's disdain for the Guild of Explorers, considering how she fed off of their frustration and anger at her presentation. Considering her conversation with Kiyoshi on his previous job with the guild, I'm guessing that they did him dirty and she's held a grudge for that. Because of that, makes me wonder if she has any ulterior motives with the tech she's trying to sell them, or if she really is just trying to make a living and get a foot in the door with the guild. There's certainly more of them, but I also enjoyed the little in jokes and references sprinkled throughout and made a small list of some: "barely out of high school and with all the charisma of an Almost Gummy Rat (Grape)"
"The current generation is more likely to know Jake the Explorer from a cereal box" "'If I fall into a pit trap and can’t get up again'" Aaa thank you so much Twillie, both for reading my story and for writing such a thoughtful review! This is indeed just an extremely delayed continuation (revival?) of the Whole Ghostchasers Thing that I was working on way back around the Issue 200-300 era, but it was very much my hope that this story would make sense to someone who’s never read any of my older stories, because I’m positive that almost no current NT readers would have. It’s incredibly useful to me to hear how it reads to someone who’s not super familiar with my OCs (unlike my partner and my sister uh, beta readers), so extra thanks for that. As for the characters’ history with the Guild of Explorers, none of it is explored in my old stuff and this isn’t necessarily super important to know — but in case you’re curious, Kiyoshi got fired from his clerk job because he was just objectively kind of bad at it (interpersonal communication is not his strong suit, so employment as a go-between for busy academics was never going to work out). Tyra is absolutely the kind of person who would hold a grudge on his behalf anyway, but in this case most of her antagonistic attitude towards the Guild just comes from the fact that she loves drama. Or more specifically, she loves being the source of drama. But she does also depend on the Guild in order to make her living, and that conflict is a huge source of frustration for her. Oh and! I’m so glad you enjoyed the little Neopian in-jokes! They’ve always been my favourite part of writing for the NT, so thank you so much for mentioning them. <3 |
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