As many of you might know, I created the CLOUD database for using emoticons on dAmn (based on the older list made by `Zikes). The point of me remaking it all from scratch was because I was an active deviant and I'd seen how Zikes had neglected his list for too long already.

I'm sorry to say you've seen me neglect the new database just like he did with his..

To make up for this, I want you all to know that despite me not being an active deviant anymore, I still feel like I owe you. All ideas and complaints you might have about the CLOUD database, feel free to email me at the address at the bottom of this journal, and I'll get back to you within a couple of days with my thoughts on the subject. The longer it takes for me to reply, the more thought I'm giving your words, so don't be upset if it takes long. I can still work with the database without logging in to dA, as all of it is being run off-site.

Currently we seem to be having an issue with immoral deviants "cheating" the system by using more negative votes than they're supposed to be able to use. I've tried working around this, but the only way to have complete control over what people do with the database is to implement an account system and require every user to have a unique CLOUD account. This means using emoticons on dAmn would go from being easy (if by "easy" you mean you have to download a specific browser, install a specific add-on, restart the browser, find the goddamn links you need, install a specific script, and then read the manual to figure out how to use it), to being complicated (once you've got the friggin scripts installed and everything's running, you'll have to go off-site to create an account with a password different from your dA password, go back to your dA account to verify your identity, and then be pestered with a login screen everytime you open up dAmn), and I'm afraid you kids just don't want that. It would be a fool-proof way to get rid of jerks cheating the system, but it would also lose a lot of people's interest in the database.

Until then, fight the rotten eggs by rallying up the good guys and counter-vote. If they vote something down, vote it back up. It's a democratic process, and the most popular decision will win in the end, based on the amount of people using dAmn and the CLOUD. Make it happen. If the other CLOUD users don't agree with you, resubmit the same emoticon under a different code and suck it up. You're all big boys and girls here, I'm sure you can deal with sharing the best codes the way the majority of the CLOUD users decide. A good place to rally up the forces would be the #EmoteCLOUD chatroom. The current Scripters and Fans have the ability to promote people, and if a promote/demote war breaks out make sure to email me and let me know.

If you're interested in the account system, send me an email. If you're curious how the logging in process would work, I'm sorry to say I'm not quite sure of the details, because it's something I'd have to discuss with `electricnet. He's cleverer than me when it comes to that side of it all, as the database would only be the storage room for people's accounts, whereas the scripts used to contact the storage room would be where the actual logging in happens.

Please don't comment on this journal unless you want to discuss these points with other deviants, as I will log back out in a few minutes and expect all communication with you to go through my email.



PS. Both me and `Zikes pay actual real-life money to keep the CLOUD available to you, both through permanent hosting and the monthly bandwidth it requires. Any donations to this would of course be appreciated, but that's not likely to happen anytime soon, is it?


If you need to reach me, try emailing me at deviantnilli at google's email.