"Can you hear me?"

The live voice is the most efficient medium by which we pass on vital information in New Eden. Although communications must be fundamental to any universe it is odd that only in the last few years have we seen an integrated voice system.

Because of this delay, other systems grew into place to enable voice. Teamspeak and Ventrillo have both been widely used to bridge the gap left by the lack of voice communications. Although these systems are accepted and work with varying degrees of success, EvE Voice is the medium by which I prefer to use.

All three systems have their flaws but none, save for EvE Voice can claim to be integrated into our HUD. This makes identifying and managing voice communications much more efficient and requires virtually no administration when compared to Teamspeak or Ventrillo. Voice and identity management can be achieved with Teamspeak and Ventrillo through the use of sophisticated upgrades to ones neural interface, but not every pilot has the resources or inclination to access such systems.

Agreeably our corporation has embraced EvE Voice, eliminating the need for constant updates and amendments to our server accesses. It also reduces fraud and espionage as the only pilots able to connect are already within the corporation, ie: not using an exterior server which can be open to manipulation.

The decision to use of any live voice communications system, whether within the cluster or not, is subject to the individuals and/or collective preferences and that this is subject to change on a regular basis, but for my own and my corporations use; EvE Voice is our best solution.

Happy chatting…

Related Links
Ventrillo (download)
Teamspeak (download)

Battle of the Planets

From the archives of my youth comes Battle of the Planets. Perhaps I am showing my age, but this series was followed by my brother and I religiously. The original series; Gatchaman, was a Japanese cartoon edited by the west and repackaged for a younger audience as the original series was too violent and explicit for its target audience.



This diluting of the show didn't detract from the awesome visuals (at the time) when most children were used to awful cycle animated series such as Scooby Doo and the like. I have very fond memories of watching this on a Saturday morning and being completely enthralled by the show. Truly an iconic show which to this day has never been matched.

Related Links
Battle of the Planets (DVD Box-Set)
Gatchaman (DVD Box-Set)

Related Soundtrack

Warped Vision

The Jovian simulation of our planetary relationship during warp is invalid. The visual representation is out dated as we see vessels pass through local stars, planets, moons or structures. A warp-drive bends time and space to create a temporary corridor in space/time by which the vessel passes, skipping millions of kilometres per second. The ship barley moves relative to the distance it traverses.


During interstellar warp one would see only the warp tunnel during the journey as light from the planets or stars would not be able to match the speed of the ship, making everything else invisible. The only light one would see would be any photons trapped within the warp tunnel at the point of creation. The image of the starting point would eventually fade, it would not be possible to see the systems objects travelling past while in warp. In addition there would be no light inside the tunnel, save for the ships, making the hulls dark, speckled with the many points of light which adorn them.

Originally there were few reasons to visit planets before Tyrannis. The powers that be may have decided to provide a frame of reference during warp, giving the impression of speed and distance. Post Tyrannis things are different; we have very good reasons to visit our celestial globes therefore there is no requirement for the fake light show to continue.

Address our warp with a tunnel and experience the wonder of warp travel as it should be, and let us choose to wander into the realm of the many beautiful giants of gas and rock typical of any system in New Eden. This would avoid the ghostly goings on when we pass through rock and steel unharmed.

Related Soundtrack

An Astronomical Oversight Addressed

A few months past I posted an article about the ignorance of astrophysics within New Eden, especially regarding planetary formation. I attempted to point out that, although very beautiful, many of the planets were in an unrealistic orbital plane, the wrong diameter or of the incorrect composition for their size and/or position relative to the central star.

The resulting comments were mixed as some felt that planetary mechanics only serve as a back drop to New Edens’ Demi Gods of War. There were others though, who felt that astronomy has an important role to play when inspiring the powers that be to form New Eden’s universe, particularly as nature designs wilder than dreams.

I am pleased to note that this has been addressed. The reasons for the amendments differ from my own desires, but the results are very similar. If the issue had been ignored it would've made identifying potential sites for planetary exploitation much harder, even random.

The type of 38,213 planets has been changed, in an attempt to create a more realistic universe as well as a balanced distribution of resources for Planetary Interaction.

The attributes of all but 23 planets have been changed in an attempt to create a more realistic universe.

The radius of around 140 planets has been changed; this in turn affects the warp-in point.

I love it when I'm vindicated, this only leaves 999 things wrong with New Eden, but that number is coming down...

Related Posts
An Astronomical Oversight

A Love/Hate Relationship

He un-docked his shiny new ship, the love affair which had taken him an age to carefully collate. After 5 minutes in low sec his ship was obliterated by a sneaky scumbag. All that work, all that time wasted.

We've all been there, cruel fate taking from us by force our very identity. Many of us choose to accept the punishment and carry on as best we can. Some of us get even. But some of us even complain, constantly. We complain about the physics, we complain about the rigidly-regular software patches, we complain that Faction Warfare is broken, that low sec is ignored, that ships are unbalanced, node crashes, PvP, missions, mining, manufacture, local, lag...etc.

The list is endless and one would assume, that with all this contempt toward New Eden, the galaxy would eventually implode into a ghost of it's former self, with scores rage quitting never to return.

But there is one simple reason why we complain with daffy passion about our realm of robbery and reward. It's also the reason why we never leave, and why New Eden is as vast as never before. My fellow troopers, the simple truth is that we all love EvE Online, and despite the flaws or hard nature we cannot satisfy our thirst for it. We are on some level; sado-masochists.

Oww, Oww, Ooh.

Related Links
EvE Online (forum)

Related Soundtrack

Vorsprung Durch Technik

The EvE fitting Tool is the standard by which the majority design prospective ships. In conjunction with Singularity EFT is a very powerful tool. B13 is an EFT warrior, his past something of an engineer. His fits usually look very promising on paper but sometimes fail to deliver in practice. I fear this is quite common and derives from the misconception that EFT can, in theory provide a sound and fool proof set of stats that will translate accurately into New Eden’s’ fray of fighting fools.

EFT is an excellent way of formatting a vessel to do a particular job. Whether it’s scanning, piracy or mission-running, EFT can provide you with the relevant stats to enable such designs. But one must be careful not to put too much emphasis on this tool to provide one with an effective ship. EFT does not take into consideration the practicalities of some designs such as dual-tanking (simultaneous shield & armour tanks). Statistically a dual-tanked vessel can take much more punishment than a specific tank, or an omni-tank(universal damage resistance), but at an immense cost to other abilities and manageable capacitor levels.

Testing is the only way to be sure of your designs performance. Without testing, any design is only speculation, and EFT cannot provide the necessary experience. So put away your blueprints and setsquares and delve into the realm of death and destruction and test that fit to obliteration on Singularity.

Happy testing…

Related Posts
Singularity (installation guide)

Related Links
Singularity (patches)
EFT (download)

Related Soundtrack

The Treasure Hunt

I listen to EvE-Radio. I like the way it mumbles on in the distance as I go about my mundane mandate for murder and mockery. At around midday the DJ announced a treasure hunt which would begin within the hour. With not much immediately pressing I thought it would be a unique way of spending my afternoon in New Eden.

With my beloved Malediction upgraded for pure speed I rendezvoused at the starting point. I was presented with a collection of around 50 vessels of all different configurations and types. Frigates seemed quite popular, as well as some covert ops ships and the odd cruiser. Observing the competition I counted one other interceptor. I assumed at that point that the treasure was mine for the taking.

As the DJ announced the rules I prepared my overview and listened carefully to determine the nature of the hunt. We had to locate secure containers, containing a code which gave the location of the next, anchored within random systems in the local constellation. The hunt began on time and, as the mob descended on the first system I quickly scanned local space and found a container anchored around one of the inner planets. Warping to the location I was joined by a handful of other hunters all frantically orbiting the secure container, trying to crack the code.

With the code deciphered and the location for the next locked-in I rushed off to the next system. As I passed the second system I noticed the gabble dispersing. At can number six I was almost alone save for myself and another plucky pilot, whom raced me around the latest system in a frigate, looking for the clue. This latest secure container indicated that the last clue was to be found within the first system. I was a little unsure at this and had to check the code again but it was confirmed. I figured that this last container must be further out from the centre of the system than the original, or it was anchored after the group had left.

Arriving at the penultimate destination, the scanner was set for a deep scan of the huge system. At around 150 AU it was a lot of space to cover. A sense of panic set in as the can refused to give up its location. Weirdly I received a communications request from the plucky pilot who was also looking for the elusive clue. I decided to throw him off the scent; I said I’d found it and advised him to warp the tenth planet and scan. Of course the container was not there and I chuckled having found the container near the eleventh planet which was over 15 AU away. I hit the last jump-gate en-route to my destination easily the leader of the pack.

I slowed at the finishing point and was greeted by a lovely sight; only the DJ’s ship was present. I formed up next to his shuttle and submitted the password granted by the last clue. I had to wait a further twenty minutes for the rest of the field to eventually complete the hunt.

Announced as the winner it was my first choice to choose a number between one and twenty to determine my prize. I chose lucky number seven. And the prize? Five million isk; exactly the same price I’d paid to enter the hunt. I guess fortune favours the foolish.

Happy (treasure) hunting…

Related Links
EvE Radio

Related Soundtrack

The Importance of Being Ruthless

New Eden does not love you. New Eden is a psychopathic, amoral menace which constantly gnaws at your integrity and resolve. I particularly relish upholding an evil persona throughout my lives in line with mother natures’ intent.

However, feelings of remorse tend to creep in whenever deciding the fate of prey. This is more acute where the trapped pilot is clearly out of their depth. I remember hitting a target with a snipe, only to see the ship explode from the second square volley. This surprised me as much as them, but this ‘accident’ reinforced the ruthless nature of the void leaving me with no time to discuss terms.

With fear as an ally there is much that can be accomplished but, while using fear it’s critical not to become seduced by the darkness completely. Respect is difficult to earn and honour is for militant morons. Criminal life is much more colourful and brings its own unique traits. There is honour amongst thieves, or kindness from killers, but this is rare as the basic nature of piracy is to be feared, loathed and avoided.

There is no room for mercy in this profession. Without a strong resolve our victims would not experience the terror necessary to persuade them from their possessions, and they’d refuse to grant ransom demands which would be damned naughty. Become ruthless and you may become rich, your reputation will be just and your victims will forever tremble in your presence.

Happy hunting…

Related Soundtrack

Starbase/POS Defensive Configuration

The Control Tower's defense setting tab will determine the criteria by which the tower will attack people nearby.


Attack if standing is lower than: 0.00 ENABLED

If any pilot with a standing (applies only to the pilot's player corporation standings towards the POS's owner corporation) lower than the value you type into the box gets in range of the starbase then the tower will attack.

Means: Enemies of the Corp (negative corp standing) will be attacked.

Attack if security status below: DISABLED

If any pilot with a security status lower than the value you type into the box gets in range of the starbase then the tower will attack that player - prevent POS attacking your members with bad sec ratings.

Attack if our standing is dropping: ENABLED

If any pilot with a standing (applies only to the pilot's player corporation standings towards the POS's owner corporation) that is decreasing while the player is in range of the starbase then the tower will attack.

Means: Any Corp setting us as an enemy (giving us a negative corp standing) will be attacked.

Attack if other security status is dropping: DISABLED

If any pilot commits an act that causes their security status to drop while they are near the starbase, it will attack them (does not have to be a negative sec rating just a drop) - stops POS attacking non-corp fleet members that attacking an enemy.

Attack if aggression: ENABLED

If any player makes an aggressive action while near the starbase (firing on someone, using ECM, attacking with drones etc.) INCLUDING members of the corporation or alliance that anchored the starbase, the starbase will attack them.

Attack if at war: ENABLED

If any pilot, who is at war with your corporation or alliance, warps to the moon where the starbase is located, the tower will attack that player.

Control Tower Defensive State

• Shields = 50%-100% - can do anything with the POS.
• Shields = below 50% - can no longer add strontium clathrates or online/use CPU-requiring structures.
• Shields = 25% - POS goes into reinforced mode.

Control Tower Reinforced Mode

• The tower remains in stasis (invulnerable) for a time equal to the amount of strontium clathrates it contains in it's Strontium Fuel Store.
• No CPU is produced, so all CPU-requiring structures are offline.
• The tower cannot accept fuel, and uses twice as much of the non-strontium fuels per hour as normal.

As attacks normally occur at the enemy's peak online time, you should have enough strontium clathrates to run in reinforced mode for a long enough time that ends nowhere near the enemy's peak time, ie. 12 or 36 hours of strontium clathrates are ideal.

Procedure for POS Defense After Reinforced Mode

• Refuel with more strontium clathrates
• Get as many pilots in remote shield repping ospreys as possible to rep the shields back to 50%.
• Remote rep armor and hull any of your POS structures that were offlined by the attack, and online them again.
• Finish repping the shield to 100%