Back from the edge ...

Summary: The Samods FAQ and Hosting FAQ have been updated. I'm now going to attempt to put up more of my work as time allows.

"Give me a place to stand, and I will move the Earth." - Archimedes

There's no denying that activity at Samods has been low for a long time. In addition to past politics and real life business, the immediate modding community has waxed and waned in its own activity. This has been for whatever reasons, whether due to the popularity of MMOs or the lack of convenient and decent games to mod, so I'll avoid speculating and instead focus on the present.

In truth, as I see it, I believe getting the site active and operating is like keeping a kite flying in the air - it takes a decent level of effort to get going and additional effort to keep it afloat (Not that kites float ... unless they land in the water. Then they're not even flying. Bah, sometimes I hate metaphors...).

In the last few years, I must admit that I've been dismayed by people leaving - departures both quiet and loud, though with more of the former than the latter - and my motivation has suffered as a result. It's hardly promising to stick to something and notice friends silently disappearing. After I had finished university I focussed on finding a job and, it likely seems a poor excuse, I didn't want to gear up the site in case I found employment and did not have the time to dedicate. It's likely a case of both of all of the above.

So, that said, I have a job that I'm thoroughly enjoying, in the games industry no less, and I'm finally making an effort with the site now. I've got a stash of articles that need polishing, then I can add them and at least provide something new and refreshing. My main project is a series of articles to help any newcomers with modding in every aspect imaginable.

I'm not going to promise anything - I'm simply going to do the best I can, as I can, when I can. I sincerely hope and trust you viewers stick around as a result.

- Magic

Update: The article section is now up with the first new entry, "Tips for New Modders" by yours truly.

Update 2: The 'Interview Archive' is up, containing classic interviews of old from the StarCraft community.

Update 3: I've now added a large assortment of stuff to the frontpage, including:

• "How to Mod", the project I'm producing that aims at helping any newcomer to learn how to contribute or create a mod however they would like.
• New and old articles have been added to its respective page , including The Intricacies of WarCraft, World of WarCraft: Life at 60, Wiz - A WarCraft Satire Magazine
• Old Design Archive, with details of campaigns of my "Forsaken" adventurers, the Restless Hive and WarCraft 1 conversions and my Starcraft campaign Trinity.
• Mods page, as one would expect from a mod site, duh. At the moment there is my old Duke Nukem 3D map pack, Aliens Revenge, and the voice packs that have suitable unit responses for WarCraft 3 and StarCraft.
• Games, beginning with my IT support simulation, Techs.

And more - go look!