Fed Meet and Greet with Sholevi

April 16, 2000

Chiefsgirl says, "Welcome everyone"

Chiefsgirl shufles lots of papers around and looks harried

Chiefsgirl smiles, "you all are here early, you even beat our guest"

"I think Sho's is slow", says Chiefsgirl.

"yes, but we all love him anyway", says Lark with a wink.

"oh, his CLOCK is slow...I thought you said HE was....nevermind", says Lark.

Sashaqt asks, "Where's Sho?"

Chiefsgirl says, "Well, not here yet"

Breyer says, "Sleeping in.."

"I'm sorry everyone", says Chiefsgirl.

Chiefsgirl knows she told Sho 9

"Not your Fault", smiles Breyer.

Lark smiles, "it isn't your fault"

Naiad smiles, "We'll wait."

Naiad exclaims, "There he is!"

Chiefsgirl says, "Ah ha...."

Sholevi has just arrived.

"hey", smiles Sholevi.

"Fashionably late.", says Charade with a wink.

Sholevi pants

Naiad winks and says, "He wante dto make sure his audience was ready for him."

Breyer winks and says, "5 minutes 5o seconds late... the white rabbit would be ashamed."

Sholevi falls over slightly out of breath.. "better late than never ;)"

Chiefsgirl stands up and clears her throat

Chiefsgirl says, "Good evening and welcome to the Meet & Greet"

"Tonight our guest is Sholevi", says Chiefsgirl.

"he'll tell us a bit about himself and his past", says Chiefsgirl.

Sholevi sits beside CG and intertwines his fingers with hers

Chiefsgirl says, "Feel free to ask questions, but please allow Sho a chance to answer"

Sholevi looks..."Is that my cue? ;)"

Chiefsgirl looks at Sho and smiles, "It is"

Chiefsgirl applauds wildly as she takes her seat

Sholevi says, "Alright, well, hmm. I found out about Fed in a computer gaming magazine around the end of 95 I think, when AOL 2.5 was really new and cool. My first char was TheServ530"

"What were your first impressions of Fed, Sho?", asks Chiefsgirl.

Sholevi continues with the boring factual past, "I wasn't "hooked" on my first day like everybody else, it took me about a year to actually grow into Fed, believe it or not, and I went through several DDs and personas during the while"

Sholevi exclaims, "I thought it was amazing... but then I thought anything on the net was amazing, because it was so new to me. hundreds of people interacting at once, what a marvel!"

Chiefsgirl smiles and listens closely

Sholevi winks and says, "I loved to explore and be competetive, I spent a lot of time on channel 1 helping the newbies... well one day, I had got a message on channel 1 from THE most abnoxious, snerty newbie there could ever be"

Chiefsgirl wonders who that was

Sholevi says, "Your comm unit relays a message from RooRatt, someone come visit me and GET me the Hell outta here.;"

Chiefsgirl laughs

Sholevi laughs really hard

Sholevi winks and says, "That's my best bud"

Sholevi says, "He had flew into the sun and got stuck in the hospitol. That was the start of a beautiful relationship you could say ;P"

Sholevi says, "anyway, Roo promoted like, extremely fast, and found his way into Onyx. An I sorta followed him"

Sholevi winks and says, "This is so boring. I barely remember half this crap"

"It's not boring", smiles Sashaqt.

Annavia giggles.

Chiefsgirl says, "I think you remember it quite well"

Sashaqt nudges Sho.. "go on"

"Well, OG DD'd and that sorta scattered al the Onyxians. I found my home in Assyria.. :::thinks:::", says Sholevi.

Roman is prepared to help Sho remember the stuff he leaves out

Annavia writes down notes.

"I had a million alts. ;P Part of my role play as the richest merchant in Fed.", says Sholevi.

Sholevi encourages Roman

"Do you still have a lot of alts?", asks Chiefsgirl.

Sholevi says, "In assyria, just before fed moved moved to the web, I happened upon Munchkin. She turned out to be my first and only Fedwife"

Annavia smiles, "You been married Sho? nice!"

"I don't have any alts now, probably wont.", says Sholevi.

Annavia wants more details about meeting Munchkin and stuff :)

Sholevi nods, "It was nice. But then Fed moved, and everything changed. I lost my wife, and Roo had disappeared for a really long time"

Chiefsgirl remembers Roo disappearing

"I found little to entice me so, still the richest merchant in fed with over 6 gigs to my name, I deleted all my chars excluding Sholevi and went into hibernation", says Sholevi.

"And what brought you back Sho?", asks Chiefsgirl.

Southgnte winks and says, "Um.. let me step in there.. Roo didnt leave. We made sure of that"

"I made sparse appearances as Fed morphed over the years... had some fun too.", says Sholevi.

Annavia didnt know you left fed for a lil while.

Sholevi nods and winks

Chiefsgirl smiles

"I did, had to bug the crap outta him for help", says Southgnte with a wink.

"Well, my real return was this past fall.", says Sholevi.

Annavia exclaims, "Like me!"

Annavia smiles, "Isnt it good to be back?"

"I saw that Onyx was a duchy again and full and active and so much different. I definitely wanted to be apart of that and the new Fed.", says Sholevi.

Sholevi nods to Anna, "It's the good people like yourself that keep me here. I think Fed's a lot better off now than it was a few years ago when everybody sent letters of mourning for Fed in the UG ;P"

"Predicting doom and the death of IB", says Sholevi.

"What makes Onyx the place you want to be?", asks Chiefsgirl.

Sholevi sticks his tongue out at them

"That is very true", smiles Annavia.

Breyer seems to remember the letters of morning in the broadsider.

Naiad agrees..she hates those doomsayers

Sholevi smiles, "Because Onyx is everything that is me."

Annavia didnt know about the mourning letters though.

"And what is that Sho?", asks Chiefsgirl.

"People sent letters to UG everyday "Goodbye cruel world, Fed is dead, I am gone"", says Sholevi.

Chiefsgirl says, "Some folks might see Onyx a bit differently than you do"

Annavia uses her tissue when thinking about fed dying.

Sholevi says, "Onyx is everything that normal people are not. ;P"

Sashaqt winks and says, "Yes, in Onyx...you have to understand the meaning of "no limits""

"Whatever a REAL player could be considered, you can assume that's an Onyxian. I am a person who really plays this game and stretches it to it's limits and beyond", says Sholevi.

"Alright, please probe my brain with question.", says Sholevi.

Annavia smiles, "HOw did you come up with your name Sho?"

Phiddie raises her hand.

"Oh good one!", says Sholevi with a wink.

"Oops!", exclaims Annavia.

Annavia forgot to raise her hand!

Chiefsgirl says, "we'll have plenty of time for everyone's questions"

"Well, on AOL 2.5, we really didn't know how to pick additional screenames. So, my mother picked one, part of her name being Shoshana B. Levi, she picked Sholevi, and we all shared it, that's what I used to play Fed.", says Sholevi.

Sashaqt smiles, "That's neat"

"How cute!", exclaims Annavia.

Phiddie asks, "Could you please define what you mean by "REAL" player?"

"A REAL player is not one who's name could be mentioned in a bar and people go "Who's that?".A real player is one who finds his talents and draws all the energy out of them and exploits them for maximum enjoyment", says Sholevi.

"Who's enjoyment?", asks Phiddie.

"Your own of course, foremost. ;) Then the people around you, your friends and loved ones.", says Sholevi.

"Thank you for clarifying.", says Phiddie.

Annavia smiles, "Nice answer sho"

Sholevi sits obediently, and squeezes CG's hand

Chiefsgirl asks, "What do you get the most enjoyment from Sho? What type of activities?"

Sholevi says, "I like to Fight! ;P"

Sashaqt knew he'd say that.

Chiefsgirl laughs

"Back on AOL, in my early days, when we could shoot in SOL...", says Sholevi.

Southgnte asks, "I got one sho, So you are sayin if you find it fun, Do it and do it right?"

Sholevi says, "I was blowed up by Begarstomb I think it was. I was so heated... I came back to earth and put a laser on my Mammoth ship and went looking for him in the arena, and all I saw was a flash of light and like, 6 PO"

"'POs, shooting at me", says Sholevi.

Phiddie winks and says, "That was a fun place."

Sholevi says, "Satin was one of them. I hated their guts, and vowed revenge. And have never given up to this day ;P"

"Did you get it?", says Annavia with a wink.

Sholevi smiles, "So, I strive to be the best fighter is all."

Naiad winks and says, "Well..if you want to shoot at people, you have to accept the fact that people might shoot at you."

Sholevi smiles, "I think I have yet to beat Bart, but I think he's retired, so I don't know if I'll get the chance"

"Bart played in events this weekend.", says Phiddie.

"I was so naive, tho. I realize now, that "Anything goes in the arena!"", says Sholevi with a wink.

Naiad winks and says, "Sho...why is your description just a website address? Too shy to wear clothes?"

Sholevi smirks

Freebird wondered that too

"Today, I'm a walking talking billboard.. advertising the release of my newest application for zMUD, and it's website.", says Sholevi.

Southgnte laughs a bit.

"Macro you mean?", asks Phiddie.

"Yes, it's a macro ;0", says Sholevi.

"It doesn't allow players to exclude duchies though.", says Phiddie.

Sholevi chuckles

"What do you mean?", asks Sholevi.

Phiddie says, "So I've been told."

Sholevi ponders... "Not my script ;)"

"Do you think that macros should be able to target so widely?", asks Phiddie.

Phiddie asks, "And why?"

"A user enters the duchy he/she wants to trade with.", says Sholevi.

Phiddie ponders

"Target widely. :::ponders the definition::", says Sholevi.

Phiddie asks, "May I expound?"

Sashaqt never considered macros a "targeting" tool, but rather a business asset.

"Please do.", says Sholevi.

Chiefsgirl says, "Please do Phid"

Sholevi rests his chin in his hand

Southgnte listens intently to the Duchess of Maine.

Phiddie says, "You folks now what your macros do by shipping 1000 tons to the highest price. That's all fine and good I suppose if you were working in a duchy. It would even out. But your macro checks MANY duchies...not just one or too to sprea the damage more widely"

Southgnte coughs "Former Onyxian who turned her back once she got what she wanted."

Sholevi laughs at South

"I've never run a macro Southgnte and you know that hon.", says Phiddie.

"South, that's enough of that", says Chiefsgirl.

"This may be true, but you loved the Onyxian name when you were one of us.", says Southgnte.

"The values have changed. I'd like to hear from Sholevi please.", says Phiddie.

Chiefsgirl would like to remind South that Phiddie is not the Meet & Greet guest tonight

Sholevi winks and says, "Alright, well there's a lof of planets. I believe that if a planet shows a bid for my product in a price check, they must want it. If if assumes the HIGHest bid out of several price checks, then they must want it really bad"

Sholevi winks

"I rest my case.", says Phiddie.

"The program doesn't specifically haul only 1000, it's a user variable, a max of 10,000. But, that's moot", says Sholevi.

"so Sho, you are sayin it is a more effective macro that ships to the planets that wnats/needs the goods the most?", asks Southgnte.

Sholevi says, "That's right. A planet that bids for a product needs it, it's the simple concept Fed is bound by and founded by. Buy low, sell high."

"so then what is the wrong doing in checking up to 30 differnt duchies at once?", asks Southgnte.

Sholevi winks and says, "Though, I should note that I'm no economical expert. I just follow the rules"

"Who's rules?", asks Phiddie.

"I think Sho is referring to the game rules of buying low and selling high.", says Southgnte.

"Sho, I'd like to say.... your programs have been quite impressive. It shows your dedication to Fed and to making Fed a more entertaining place", smiles Sashaqt.

Sashaqt nods at SG.

Sholevi says, "I don't see anything wrong with it. In fact, it's my interpretation that noone has a problem with it until they see you using a macro. A CEO does this to make money, nobody has a problem with that. A planet owner does it with a macro, and a lot of peop"

"People disagree with that.", says Sholevi.

Lark raises her hand shyly...

"Yes Lark?", asks Chiefsgirl.

Sholevi smiles, "The rule, Phids... the almighty rule. Buy low, sell high."

Lark says, "so would you say that those who proudly state that they have "never used a macro" and who object to others using them..."

Sholevi laughs

"are in effect trying to stunt the natural evolution and progression of the game?", asks Lark.

"And that we are not 'REAL' players?", asks Naiad.

Chiefsgirl blinks at Lark

Chiefsgirl wonders where those that don't haul at all fit in

Chiefsgirl pokes herself and thinks she's real

Sholevi says, "They can't do much themselves, Lark, if they are not a power player. A REAL player."

Sashaqt doesn't recall him saying anything about them not being "REAL" players.

Sholevi tries to catch up..

"you're nothing but a myth, a farce CG", says Fine with a wink.

Chiefsgirl laughs

"Oh, so it's power that determines who's a REAL player?", asks Phiddie.

"CG, hauling doesn't make the game entirely at all", says Sholevi with a wink.

Fine raises his hand ;)

Chiefsgirl sobs since she's a powerless non-hauler that felt so real

Sholevi winks and says, "too many questions!"

Chiefsgirl says, "I think Phiddie asked you one"

Chiefsgirl fields questions for Sho

"CG, you have your own influence in your own fashion, and you know it, dammit.", says Sholevi with a wink.

Lovelylady quiets and listens :)

"Phiddie asked if power separated the real players from the fake ones?", asks Chiefsgirl.

Sholevi says, "Who's question is pending please"

Sholevi says, "okay...."

Fine starts typing questions into his question asking machine...

"Power. No, it's not power that separates the players. I believe there's a scale of socialism here. Those at that eccentric end of the scale are the ones with influence", says Sholevi.

Phiddie laughs

"Sorry, that struck me funny.", says Phiddie.

Naiad winks and says, "Typical.."

Sholevi winks and says, "Those conservatives, the ones that falsely believe thay can live a complete life in their own little corner, without ever being influenec by someone from the eccentric end of the scale... well, are on the other end"

Chiefsgirl wonders if she's now a powerless eccentric who refuses to haul

Sholevi smirks

"Why do the eccentrics feel they must touch everyone?", asks Phiddie.

"They don't feel that. It's the game of life.", says Sholevi.

"maybe that's what makes them eccentric, Phid", says Chiefsgirl with a wink.

Phiddie chuckles and nods to CG.

"Do you consider yourself eccentric, Sho?", says Naiad with a wink.

Sholevi says, "I would say that, yes. though, it's strictly matter of opinion. ;0"

Chiefsgirl laughs

Sholevi chuckles

"ok, who had a question?", asks Chiefsgirl.

Sashaqt does.

Naiad nods, envisioning Sho living with 100 cats in a tiny hole somewhere..

Phiddie points to Fine

Fine exclaims, "ME!"

Chiefsgirl asks, "Yes Sasha?"

Sholevi gags Fine

Chiefsgirl says, "You'll be next Fine"

Fine waves his hand in the air like a frantic 2 year old

"Fine, you go ahead", smiles Sashaqt.

Sashaqt kinda forgot what she was gonna say

"oh, don't give in to him!", exclaims Chiefsgirl.

Sholevi laughs

Fine grins and stands up on his own podium

Sholevi rolls his eyes

Chiefsgirl hates reinforcing that behavior

Sholevi looks at his watch, "Times up!"

"Ok, Fine... go right ahead", says Chiefsgirl.

Fine asks, "Sho, is it true, that you can devise such powerful machines of trade, that it may indeed, one day, bring down the entire structure of Fed's economy?"

Chiefsgirl reminds Fine that this is a question for Sho

Sholevi rolls on da floor laughing

Sashaqt laughs and laughs.

Lovelylady stifles a giggle.

"Well, I could try ;P", says Sholevi.

Fine rolls laughing

"such modesty!", exclaims Fine.

Sholevi laughs

Sholevi smiles, "I don't think that's possible tho"

Sholevi smiles, "Next question?"

Annavia wonders if Sho's head is going to fit through the door later on ;)

Chiefsgirl laughs

Southgnte says, "I have one."

"heh", says Fine.

Sholevi shakes his head, hells no

Annavia winks at Sho.

Southgnte asks, "Sho, you told me at one time, that you were always up for a challenge. I challenge you to make the macro Fine described. You up for it? Oh yeah and at the same time, I want it to yell at dukes/duchess that close duchies. Can ya do it?"

"I have a question", says Phiddie.

Sholevi chuckles again..."What SG described is different from what Fine described, and very capable."

Phiddie asks, "Why in the world would you want to destroy the economy of a game that you supposedly enjoy playing?"

"I say again, I don't think destroying the economy is possible at all! :P", says Sholevi.

"Do you believe that you are hurting exchanges and taking the enjoyment out of Fed for others by your practices?", asks Phiddie.

Annavia wonders if the recent drop in the market is Sho's fault.. ;)

Sholevi nods, indeed Anna, I take the blame

Sholevi sighs and tries to formulate a coherent answer so he doesn't have to keep answering this...

Phiddie says, "I'd like a straight answer please, not a formulated one."

"You cannot please all the people all the time. Nowdays, if you make a bay and sell it to a planet, you can be called a "dumper". I don't concern myself with those people, as an individual, I think I work just as hard as anyone else. For someone to blam", says Sholevi.

Sholevi winks and says, "Blame me for their unenjoyment of the game because I have the same job, only do it better, is insulting"

Sashaqt agrees with Sho.

Southgnte stands and applauds Sholevi and hopes that clears that lil thread up.

Phiddie says, "Just one more question please."

Sholevi sighs and swoons a little

"How often do you set your macro to run and go afk?", asks Phiddie.

"Phid, you're making this meet and greet rather boring", says Sashaqt with a wink.

Southgnte says, "Amen Sister"

Sholevi winks and says, "I don't understand the relativity of that question, but I'd say averagely twice a week."

Sholevi says, "Now, that I'm an industrialist, of course."

Phiddie says, "Well, sorry but we're here to ask questions and I believe I'm entitled."

Naiad winks and says, "If he has anything else to say besides this macro stuff, we would love to hear it."

Chiefsgirl says, "I want to ask something"

Southgnte asks, "I got one sho.. Who are you interested in dating in fed now?"

"Sho, what are your plans for the future?", asks Fine.

"Slow down! ;P", says Sholevi.

Lovelylady asks, "Sho, you got a girl??"

Fine winks and says, "Sho, I got a sister"

Fine winks and says, "Finetta"

Sholevi laughs... starting with SG's question

Lark smiles, "poor Sho...we're wearing him out"

Sholevi makes sure everybody is looking, stands in front of CG and puts her face in both of his hands, brushing her lips with is, finally taking her bottom lip full into his mouth, warmly.

"Oooooooooooh!", exclaims Lovelylady.

Sholevi sits and smiles obedientely

Chiefsgirl blushes and squirms

Chiefsgirl clears her throat and looks at Sho

"err, hope that answered the question", says Sholevi with a wink.

Chiefsgirl is sure everyone got the picture

Chiefsgirl says, "i wanted to ask something Sho"

"k", smiles Sholevi.

Chiefsgirl asks, "So, when you're hauling your fingers to the bone and it just happens to hurt the economy of someone's planet, are you giving any thought to how that person is going to feel?"

"especially if they don't understand the economics as you do?", asks Chiefsgirl.

Chiefsgirl is hoping to understand the pleasure part of this

Sholevi hums

"It's a valid question and one that would interest all of Fed.", says Phiddie.

Naiad winks and says, "I am sure the righteousness of the whole thing will give him a proper reply."

Chiefsgirl thinks it's perfectly valid question considering what's been said here tonight

"No I don't. when you sell something to anyone's planet, they have to pay the pprice for it. Would you rather me sell it for free?", asks Sholevi.

Phiddie nods to CG.

"I have one more question.", says Phiddie.

"yes Phiddie?", asks Chiefsgirl.

"And i'll say again, the game is not totally dependent on economics. you can promote just as fast, having great friends and connections", says Sholevi.

Phiddie asks, "Sho...have you ever considered the "social" structure of this game and why duchies may have been formed in the first place and what those were intended to do?"

Sholevi sighs, and wipes his brow

Sholevi leans on Sg

Southgnte whispers to sho. "Member you da one on the spotlight."

Annavia frowns and says, "I missed the kiss!"

Annavia thinks Sho should repeat it for her camera!

"I do believe dukes and duchies have an importantly role, yes, if that's your question......", says Sholevi.

"No it wasn't.", says Phiddie.

"The role a duchy plays is purely political.", says Sholevi.

Sholevi says, "A duke is given the power, by IB, to run his duchy as he sees fit"

"And social", smiles Annavia.

"You don't believe there is a social importance to duchies?", asks Phiddie.

Sholevi nods and nods, "and if the duke declares that noone in his duchy is allowed to trade, but have skinny dipping parties on a different planet every day of the week, so be it! ;P"

"I believe a dukes role is purely political.", says Sholevi.

"And if the duke says go out there and sell at high price and crash all economies in Fed, that's okay too?", asks Phiddie.

"Yes, it is", smiles Sashaqt.

Sashaqt thinks the questions are getting repetitive.

Phiddie is still looking for a straight answer.

Fine asks, "I have a question for you Sho... what is it that your Duke asks of you to do as an active member of Fed?"

"I gave ya one, Phid.... I'm sure Sho feels the same way", says Sashaqt with a wink.

"If the duke has political motives, intending to make a political statement, Phids, by declaring a war on someone, it's perfectly valid", smiles Sholevi.

"Your macros don't do that.", says Phiddie.

Phiddie says, "It was way fun when there were REAL wars."

"Fine, he says, "Have fun, wreak havoc!"", says Sholevi with a wink.

Phiddie says, "Now you target all of Fed."

Southgnte asks, "SO in essence you say all of fed is at war with Onyx?"

Southgnte says, "which is true."

Phiddie says, "No, I'm saying that Onyx has no respect for Fed itself."

"Tha'ts not true, SG", says Sholevi with a wink.

"And, Phids, that's not true either.", says Sholevi.

Phiddie says, "Show me."

Sholevi says, "Well, depending the context of "target""

Sashaqt asks, "Is this "Meet and Greet" or "Bash Sho's Macros"?"

"Hey, i'm just a lowly trader", says Sholevi.

Sholevi emotes a halo

Fine asks, "or just bash Sho and his duchymates?"

Sholevi refuses to comment

Southgnte winks and says, "Bash Onyx, its ways, and forget that I used to be one. I think."

Sashaqt smiles, "Sho, on another note... tell me the most interesting thing you've done in Fed since your return"

Chiefsgirl is living in Onyx and found none of the questions out of line tonight

Phiddie says, "I'm asking valid questions that I'm sure many in Fed want answers to."

Southgnte asks, "So sho, what are your future plans, You gonna be a Duke one day?"

Sholevi likes Sash's question, "Well, I've had my first orgies since I've been back"

Chiefsgirl raises an eyebrow and looks at Sho

"OH! And there was one killer bachelor party the other night", says Sholevi with a wink.

Chiefsgirl asks, "Any plans to go duke Sho?"

"My future plans...", says Sholevi.

"Well, I wanna be a duke, indeed. Though my plans for a duchy are unrefined, I do believe I don't have the experience a duke should have to play the role properly. That will change as I promote, slowly", says Sholevi.

Southgnte asks, "What will your rules be in your duchy sho?"

"My duchy will be a lot like Onyx, I think", smiles Sholevi.

"And how is that Sho?", asks Southgnte.

Sholevi says, "I'll only want active players in my duchy, the top guns, the people that exell at what they do best."

Phiddie asks, "What is it they do best?"

Southgnte asks, "So people like yourself?"

Sholevi says, "That depends on the individual of course."

"smart, cutting edge, determined, masterminds of the game?", asks Southgnte.

"the best of the best so to say?", asks Southgnte.

Chiefsgirl chuckles

"the people that realize their talents and take them to the limits. Or, the people that have the potential, just haven't been discovered. I'll be porting to their office", says Sholevi with a wink.

Annavia smiles, "Who do you admire in Fed?"

"I admire two people greatest in all of my fed life. The two greatest dukes that ever lived. Onyxgod and Badassonyxian", says Sholevi.

Chiefsgirl thinks Roo is gonna be upset to hear that one

Sholevi winks and says, "No he won't the whippersnapper"

Southgnte smiles and sighs a bit. "YOu the best bud. I am sure Badass would say the same about you one day."

Fine looks at Sho's nose and says, "Yup, it's brown alright."

"Sho, you've been awesome tonight", smiles Sashaqt.

Sholevi thinks of a powerful closing statement

"Well, for the people spying and reading the transcript of this, I'd like to think that you would take what I said about being a real player seriously. If everyone strived to get the most out of the game for themselves and the people around them, we would", says Sholevi.

Sholevi says, "See some dynamic interaction here. Make fed the absolute role playing environment it is meant to be."

Chiefsgirl says, "I want to thank you all for coming tonight"

Sholevi says, "Roleplyaying is fun. Wreak havoc, have fun."

"Please join me in two weeks on April 30 when my guest will be Ferreri", says Chiefsgirl.

"Was fun", smiles Phiddie.