More Evidence of the Great Community Here

[Johnny Chimpo]

So whose toes did I step on enough that they took the time to register Master Shake, Master_Shake, Johnny Chimpo and Johnny_Chimpo on GL?

While we're on the subject, would it be that hard to delete player's drops and stats without actually deleting their user status? Seems like a simple task to me.

[DUI Warrior]

It was I who did it! I am the one to blame...not really, but I'd like to take the credit :(

The reason they delete free accounts is NOT (as they say, so it's probably bullshit) to screw free accoutns over, but rather to free up their database from overflowing and not operating properly. Therefore, merely deleting their stats and drops wouldn't solve the problem. They're trying to find a workaround (again...so they say, so it's probably bullshit) and not have to delete free accounts.

Look on the bright side, their new server (the gold server) will not have monthly resets ;) (again...so they say, and you know what I'm gonna say)

[Johnny Chimpo]

A workaround? Simple, flag Grey accounts with an activity status (Active/Inactive). Accounts which are unused or log in very infrequently would receive "Inactive" status. This could be flexible, but might be based on average logins per day or week, or total logins per month.

In any case, the "Reset" script could then simply roll over the Database, deleting accounts which are flagged Inactive and clearing the drops and stats of Active players.

Both problems solved with minimal investment, as a status flag occupies at least one bit and at most one byte.

[Snarr]

Ouch Johnny someone is out to get you. The easier question would be who's toes you didn't step on. You do tend to get rather argumantative don't know if you noticed.

Also blaming it on the community as a whole is stepping on further toes...

[ArcPaladinZero]

"More Evidence of the Great Community Here"

Well now, no need for the sarcasm. Well, I'm not to worried about my monthly reset, I usually sign up on all three servers with my name soon as the reset happens. I hardly play that much anymore anyways. Maybe 100 games at the most in a month.

[Johnny Chimpo]

Well, I'm not to worried about my monthly reset, I usually sign up on all three servers with my name soon as the reset happens.

I would have, except I was on vacation.

In the end, for me, it's simply a matter of customer satisfaction.

Grey accounts are not paying customers, granted, but they are shoppers in the store, i.e. potential customers, and a wise company which hopes to be successful in the long-term ought to treat their "shoppers" with at least as much respect as they do their current clients. Greys represent opportunities for growth and additional profit, and as such I feel TAO would do well to provide them with a more satisfying experience. Especially those who are very active in the community. I've directed at least 10 people to TAO myself; whether or not I feel the $5/mo. fee is fair, I have still done a part in supporting the game (probably moreso than the majority of Greys).

I may be argumentative, but at least I take the time to come here and voice my concerns. All of my opinions, caustic or not, are ones that, IMHO would increase TAO's chances for success as a game and a business. Consider what I've come out in support of: better draw conditions, stricter turn-time rules, greater support for Grey accounts, additional payment options which would attract a larger market, reduction in cheat/exploit potential (e.g., F5 and profanity tricks).

Incidents like this (theft of my identity simply for the sake of pissing me off) are the kinds of things that drive customers away. When an incident is capable of doing that and at the same time so easily prevented, it simply seems like common sense that you would want to correct the problem.

[I LOVE YOU]

I got up at 7am the day after the reset. Sadly, Master Shake was already registered(But it's OK now:D). I should have tried my luck on Baniff!

[Cuathon]

johnny if they dont delete your account then they wont delete others with 300000 accounts right befroe the reset if the system flags half then they will have to reset more often as only half the accountsd will be deleted
and i assume whn you say 1 byte you 1 for each flag thatt can add up

[Snarr]

I never doubted that you bring ideas bt I do critisise somewhat the way in which you present them. If you ask meits better then someone who doesn't bring new ideas but thats only my opinon, many don't share it.

[Rescorlian]

Johnny, here's what you need to do. Go to the announcments forum at the top of the page, and read the 13 page long thread on the monthly reset of greys. This has already been discussed.