Reference:2007-06-26 Marie Sutherland in the GOG hood

(06/26 08:40:20) Joshi: Gotta be wary of unconsciously fiddling with your Relto book.
(06/26 08:40:35) Marie Sutherland: Guess I'm not used to having a Relto book at my hip all the time just yet.
(06/26 08:40:40) Marie Sutherland smiles.
(06/26 08:40:52) TiareSim: hey Marie, how's your mom?
(06/26 08:40:52) Grieyls: lol Fair enough
(06/26 08:41:12) Marie Sutherland: My mother is doing well, thank you for asking.
(06/26 08:41:24) TiareSim: that's good
(06/26 08:41:38) Dalken Starbyne: Shorah everyone
(06/26 08:41:46) Grieyls: Seems the crowds are following you around Ms Sutherland
(06/26 08:41:55) Dalken Starbyne: Shorah, Ms. Sutherland
(06/26 08:42:17) Gondar: Anyone have coffee?
(06/26 08:42:21) weaselboy: I suppose as long as people don't start yelling "Harumph," a crowd isn't necessarily bad.
(06/26 08:42:30) Herohtar: Wow you're on late... or early, lol
(06/26 08:42:36) TiareSim: lol
(06/26 08:42:41) Dalken Starbyne: Gondar, all I have is a couple Dr. Peppers.
(06/26 08:42:43) Joshi: So Dr. Sutherland, can you share anything interesting you've been working on lately?
(06/26 08:42:44) Marie Sutherland: That does does seem to happen.
(06/26 08:42:48) Dison: Ms. Sutherland, Mr. Laxman made some cryptic remarks regarding the DRC visiting and possibly releasing Myst Island to explorers. Can you comment on that?
(06/26 08:43:24) Marie Sutherland: First, would the greeters rather I go to another hood?
(06/26 08:43:25) Gondar: Not for me, for the rest of us. I'm a night type.
(06/26 08:43:44) TiareSim: lmao
(06/26 08:43:48) Grieyls: Not at all Ms Sutherland, you're more than welcome here
(06/26 08:44:25) Grieyls: You'll have to excuse me but I'm in disguise tonight
(06/26 08:44:27) Marie Sutherland: ok.
(06/26 08:44:54) dthurner1: shorah all
(06/26 08:45:15) T'andra: No Marie that will not be necessary
(06/26 08:45:18) Marie Sutherland: Second, if I do happen to brush my relto book again, with the amount of time it takes me to get back, I'm going to go to bed rather than try again. Apologies in advance in that case.
(06/26 08:45:24) T'andra: You are welcome in this hood
(06/26 08:45:39) Grieyls: No problem, we understand
(06/26 08:45:43) Dalken Starbyne nods his head
(06/26 08:45:57) Herohtar: Duct tape your Relto book shut
(06/26 08:46:01) Serephina: thanks for letting us know that
(06/26 08:46:01) Gondar: It's a late night, we'll understand if you drift off too :-)
(06/26 08:46:02) [Relayer] IBnetweasel: quite understandable Marie...happens to the best of us
(06/26 08:46:03) dthurner1: Lol
(06/26 08:46:21) Marie Sutherland smiles at Herohtar.
(06/26 08:47:07) Herohtar: awkward silence...
(06/26 08:47:19) Gondar laughs
(06/26 08:47:27) dthurner1: lol...and with so many people!
(06/26 08:47:31) Marie Sutherland: So... before I disappeared a while ago, I was answering a hypothetical question about the explorers being given the chance to light the lake, and the concerns that some have about that.
(06/26 08:47:36) Joshi: Marie just thinks before she talks, is all.
(06/26 08:47:46) Gondar: Yeah.. lotsa time to think about it now.
(06/26 08:47:53) dthurner1: Lol
(06/26 08:47:57) Grieyls: Yes they were concerend that any wildlife in the lake might suffer
(06/26 08:48:13) Gondar: And algae itself, if I recall the threads.
(06/26 08:48:21) T'andra: Marie, could you please tell us if there has been any new releases today, such as clothing or relto pages or the like please
(06/26 08:48:42) Marie Sutherland: What I was attempting to say was that we've been studying this for many years.
(06/26 08:48:42) Rih'ki: Well, ARE there any wildlife in the lake?
(06/26 08:49:15) Marie Sutherland: Yes, there is life in the lake.
(06/26 08:49:21) Grieyls: And the conclusion thus far?
(06/26 08:49:29) Rih'ki: other than algae?
(06/26 08:49:50) Marie Sutherland: other than the algae, yes.
(06/26 08:50:09) Grieyls: Can't get more definative than that
(06/26 08:50:09) dthurner1: Can anyone talk for me so I can test my new settings?
(06/26 08:50:15) Rih'ki: Interesting ...
(06/26 08:50:52) Marie Sutherland: I don't recall what the other questions were, sorry.
(06/26 08:51:09) dthurner1: Ok ty
(06/26 08:51:11) Grieyls: Not to worry I am sure we can think of new ones for ya
(06/26 08:51:13) Dison: I was asking for clarification on Mr. Laxman's cryptic comments about DRC activity on Myst Island and the possibility of releasing it to explorers
(06/26 08:51:18) Marie Sutherland smiles.
(06/26 08:51:18) Dison: If you don't mind commenting, of course.
(06/26 08:51:30) Gondar: So, you, or more speficially the DRC, are satisfied there won't be an impact on the lake, short or long-term?
(06/26 08:51:37) Joshi: And I asked if you could share any interesting work you'd been doing lately.
(06/26 08:51:44) Rih'ki: Can you tell us more about the "Creatures of the Lake"?
(06/26 08:52:35) Gondar: Makes it sound like a horror movie. "It Came from D'NI!"
(06/26 08:52:45) Marie Sutherland: Dison, there are many things that may happen at some point. That is always a possibility, but not in the immediate future.
(06/26 08:52:56) Dison: Thank you.
(06/26 08:53:06) dthurner1: i believe I was left off the PM list! lol
(06/26 08:53:28) Marie Sutherland: Sorry, I should shout.
(06/26 08:53:38) TiareSim: yes!
(06/26 08:53:40) From [Relayer] IBnetweasel: I need food...brb
(06/26 08:53:55) dthurner1 bows his head to pout!
(06/26 08:54:03) Gondar: I think everyone is actually in range.
(06/26 08:54:13) dthurner1 thinks poor little me! lol
(06/26 08:54:25) Grieyls: Those in the city are not
(06/26 08:54:35) Gondar laughs
(06/26 08:54:37) Marie Sutherland: Can you hear me now?
(06/26 08:54:37) Dalken Starbyne: Can't beat that logic.
(06/26 08:54:42) Marie Sutherland smiles
(06/26 08:54:44) Joshi nods his head
(06/26 08:54:48) Dison laughs.
(06/26 08:54:50) dthurner1: Yes ty vm
(06/26 08:54:50) Mystified laughs
(06/26 08:54:50) Serephina starts to laugh
(06/26 08:54:54) Gondar: Aha! Advertising! Next, Verizon!
(06/26 08:54:54) Herohtar: Yes
(06/26 08:55:16) Marie Sutherland: another question?
(06/26 08:55:17) dthurner1 feels they are laughing at me
(06/26 08:55:25) Rih'ki: Yes, with all that network behind you, we hear you quite well!
(06/26 08:55:27) Dison: Many explorers are very concerned about the funding issues mentioned by Cate. How serious are they?
(06/26 08:55:34) Marie Sutherland: I'm going to sit, if you don't mind.
(06/26 08:55:38) Dison: Please.
(06/26 08:55:40) Gondar: Feel free.
(06/26 08:55:42) Serephina: please do
(06/26 08:55:46) Dison: [i.e., please sit...]
(06/26 08:55:47) Joshi: Anything interesting happening in the world of D'ni anthropology?
(06/26 08:56:29) Marie Sutherland: That's a difficult question, Dison without an easy answer.
(06/26 08:56:54) Dison: Can we feel confident that the cavern will not be closed in the immediate future (say, 3 months)?
(06/26 08:57:19) TiareSim: Marie, was there something in particular you came to the cavern to share with us?
(06/26 08:58:19) dthurner1: if funding was an issue...can explorers seek funding to keep the project going...?
(06/26 08:59:11) Grieyls: Perhaps we can donate funds towards the restoration directly?
(06/26 08:59:45) LIRA offers all her d'ni money for the restoration
(06/26 08:59:58) Marie Sutherland: We're in a fairly classic catch-22 situation. We need more explorers, but explorers don't seem to want to come with the restoration in its current state, but the state of the restoration is not likely to improve without more explorers.
(06/26 09:00:29) Joshi: No using Kadish gold, either!
(06/26 09:00:31) Grieyls: Yes, that is quite a delima
(06/26 09:00:48) Marie Sutherland: We're burning through Cate's money pretty quickly even at about 1/4 of the staff that the full-blown restoration deserves.
(06/26 09:00:58) Rih'ki: Hmm ... that's a tough one.
(06/26 09:01:16) Dison: I understand. Is there anything the explorers can do to help?
(06/26 09:01:20) Joshi: So essentially, we all need to convince more people to become explorers.
(06/26 09:01:25) Grieyls: In other words, spread the word. Get people down here!
(06/26 09:01:38) Marie Sutherland: So we're trying to figure out ways to bring in money in the mean time.
(06/26 09:02:04) Marie Sutherland: Advertising was one of the suggestions, thoug I don't think it's realistic.
(06/26 09:02:12) dthurner1: i have access to many agencies which can provide both funding for restorations and explorers....
(06/26 09:02:17) Chere: Sell items to us
(06/26 09:02:17) Joshi: I, for one, would be happy to send more money to the DRC directly. Is that a possibility?
(06/26 09:02:24) Grieyls: Were there any other suggestions made?
(06/26 09:02:35) Chere: like tees and mugs and...
(06/26 09:02:38) Gondar: Too bad merchandising turned out so badly last time.
(06/26 09:03:01) dthurner1: Yes it makes the venture sound like a promo!
(06/26 09:03:08) Grieyls: Don't know about you guys but I would buy merchandise of any kind
(06/26 09:03:08) Ray Figueroa: I will buy t-shirts with the logo
(06/26 09:03:17) dthurner1: But... this is serious!
(06/26 09:03:24) weaselboy: In the words of the great Mel Brooks. "Merchandising, where the real money from the movie (or restoration) is made."
(06/26 09:03:27) Marie Sutherland: Indeed. Merchandising has been tried in the past.
(06/26 09:03:51) Marie Sutherland: One would think, weaselboy.
(06/26 09:03:53) Marie Sutherland smiles
(06/26 09:04:09) Marie Sutherland: Unfortunately, that has not turned out to be the case.
(06/26 09:04:19) Grieyls: So what other suggestions were made?
(06/26 09:04:46) Dison: I feel as though many potential explorers simply have not heard of the cavern. Perhaps explorers could help with some viral marketing of some sort.
(06/26 09:05:18) Grieyls: Word of mouth is the most powerful of advertising after all
(06/26 09:05:19) [Relayer] IBnetweasel: vital?
(06/26 09:05:20) dthurner1: what are the rules of listing a link on a suface companies intranet...encouraging employees to join us in the caverns?
(06/26 09:05:42) Dison: no, viral, netweasel. As in youtube videos that spread by e-mail like a virus.
(06/26 09:05:56) Marie Sutherland sneezes.
(06/26 09:06:02) Grieyls: Bless you
(06/26 09:06:04) Dison: Gezundtheit
(06/26 09:06:07) Gondar: Heh.
(06/26 09:06:07) Dalken Starbyne: Bless you
(06/26 09:06:07) Chere: hahaah
(06/26 09:06:12) Joshi: dthurner1, I imagine that the only restriction on that would be those set by the company that owns the site
(06/26 09:06:12) TiareSim handsher a tissue
(06/26 09:06:22) [Relayer] IBnetweasel: salud
(06/26 09:06:33) RuudKooiman: gezondheid
(06/26 09:06:55) To [Relayer]Dichromus: shorah?
(06/26 09:07:12) Joshi: So, sending money to the DRC directly? Yes/no?
(06/26 09:07:18) From [Relayer]Dichromus in Guild Of Greeters's Bevin: lol
(06/26 09:07:35) Mystified: what about using explorers as a free resource for restoration of ages?
(06/26 09:07:35) Gondar: Ironic. We've got a living breathing city down here.. and everyone goes to play WoW instead.
(06/26 09:07:41) Marie Sutherland: I don't know the ramifications, of that, Joshi. I will pass along the suggestion.
(06/26 09:07:48) Gondar: Funny, think the whole idea of bahro wars would draw people in to see.
(06/26 09:07:49) Joshi: OK, thanks.
(06/26 09:08:05) Dison: Gondar, no one knows about the city.
(06/26 09:08:14) Grieyls: How about a chocolate drive
(06/26 09:08:42) Joshi: Or, as we do in Australia, a Lamington drive. :-D
(06/26 09:08:49) Gondar: We need good footage of bahro or something.
(06/26 09:08:57) Marie Sutherland: Many know. They come. They visit. They leave.
(06/26 09:09:05) Gondar: Yeah.
(06/26 09:09:10) Gondar sighs.
(06/26 09:09:21) Grieyls: Yes, indeed
(06/26 09:09:22) Dison: Really? I didn't know, and I should have I only learned two weeks ago. hahaha.
(06/26 09:09:28) dthurner1: I was talking about a letter from me to my employees, encouraging them to spend some free time to relax, calm down, spend some time enjoying what they love.....and then a suggestive line about URU?
(06/26 09:09:32) Joshi: Sadly, they see only what is here now, not what it will become in a relatively short time.
(06/26 09:09:33) Marie Sutherland: We continue to do the best we can with what we have. It seems it is not enough.
(06/26 09:09:49) Gondar: Never is.
(06/26 09:10:02) dthurner1: Nope
(06/26 09:10:11) Rih'ki: That sounds dire.
(06/26 09:10:12) Gondar: At this rate Marie.. how long until all the money is gone?
(06/26 09:10:22) Grieyls: Rough estimate
(06/26 09:10:31) Gondar: Of course.
(06/26 09:10:40) Marie Sutherland: I do not have the answer to that, unfortunately.
(06/26 09:10:42) Dison: Perhaps there is a way to ask those who visit and decide to leave what might convince them to stay...
(06/26 09:10:47) Gondar: That's ok..
(06/26 09:11:05) Gondar: Just worried we're on life support here and not realizing how critical it is.
(06/26 09:11:30) Dison: You have been exceedingly helpful, Ms. Sutherland, and for that we are all grateful.
(06/26 09:11:32) Joshi: Opening the Cavern to people from more countries couldn't hurt, certainly.
(06/26 09:11:58) Grieyls: Absolutley, that is a good idea
(06/26 09:12:28) Dison: Joshi, I am not sure that's in the hands of the DRC, but I could certainly be wrong.
(06/26 09:12:29) Joshi: I believe there is considerable red tape in the way of that, though?
(06/26 09:12:52) To [Relayer]Dichromus: poofed again.
(06/26 09:12:57) Grieyls: She poofed again
(06/26 09:12:59) Gondar: Drat.

Marie Sutherland briefly left the hood.

(06/26 02:26:03) Gondar: We figured you went to bed!
(06/26 02:26:03) Grieyls: Ms Sutherland you came back
(06/26 02:26:08) From T'andra: Ib could I have your other avi's KI number please
(06/26 02:26:10) Rih'ki: Welcome back, indeed!
(06/26 02:26:24) Grieyls: Welcome back
(06/26 02:26:25) Serephina: thanks for returning , what a nice surprise
(06/26 02:26:27) Joshi: We were just talking about how the Cavern can be a confusing and intimidating place for newcomers, and what we might be able to do about that.
(06/26 02:26:27) Marie Sutherland: I should have. Early meeting in the morning.
(06/26 02:26:28) Dison: We have all been thinking up ways to help the DRC.
(06/26 02:26:36) drolang: shorah ms. sutherland
-(06/26 02:26:46) Grieyls: So what brought you back then?
(06/26 02:27:08) Marie Sutherland: I was in the middle of saying something again.
(06/26 02:27:22) Gondar: Ways to get funding, and yes, that it's new and surprising. Lots of newcomers have no clue what's around, and don't even know how to hit a hood. So they just head to the surface and never return.
(06/26 02:27:22) From T'andra: you have 2 avis
(06/26 02:27:25) Grieyls: Ah fair enough
(06/26 02:27:28) Gondar: Oh, yes, questions.
(06/26 02:27:44) Marie Sutherland: not that I remember what it was, exactly
(06/26 02:27:58) Gondar: Neither do we, so don't worry. It's late.
(06/26 02:28:01) Gondar laughs
(06/26 02:28:08) Serephina nods her head
(06/26 02:28:16) Grieyls: We shall forgive you, completely understandable
(06/26 02:28:39) Joshi: Hard to understand someone just leaving after finding out about Books that can teleport you and a fantastic alien civilisation in a huge cave, but there's no accounting for taste.
(06/26 02:28:56) Marie Sutherland: In any case, I don't want the picture to be painted worse than it is. I don't want to exaggerate the problem, but I don't want to diminish it either.
(06/26 02:29:05) T'andra: Marie, what kind of amounts are we talking here, for funding purposes
(06/26 02:29:13) Dison: I think I speak for everyone here when I say that there is a community here willing to do quite a bit to assist the DRC in any way we can.
(06/26 02:29:21) Gondar: Serious enough to worry about, not serious enough to panic over yet?
(06/26 02:29:31) Grieyls: Here, here Dison
(06/26 02:29:38) Dison: Joshi, I'm afraid many people don't even realize what the books are or how they work
(06/26 02:29:40) Rih'ki: Thank you for your forthrightness
(06/26 02:30:01) Marie Sutherland: We definitely appreciate that, Dison.
(06/26 02:30:22) T'andra: Is it possible to get sponsership funding
(06/26 02:30:23) Dison smiles. "If you would like to change the subject, I do have a question about the bahro. Or perhaps someone else would like to ask something."
(06/26 02:31:25) [Relayer] Nev9 would like to give Marie a big hug for being so cool. =)
(06/26 02:31:26) Marie Sutherland: We are still in the process of seeing what the impact of the recent changes in content release will do.
(06/26 02:31:48) T'andra: Before we change the subject is it possible to have my question answered please
(06/26 02:32:17) Gondar: Yeah... it is a bit soon. This is the 2nd month only.
(06/26 02:32:20) T'andra: What amounts are we talking about, and is it possible to get sponshio funding
(06/26 02:32:25) Gondar: But geez, what a month the first was.
(06/26 02:32:28) Joshi: I believe Marie siad she didn't know exactly.
(06/26 02:32:43) Marie Sutherland: As long as we continue to make progress, Cate, and those she represents, will continue the funding.
(06/26 02:32:56) Grieyls: Well that's good to hear
(06/26 02:32:58) Dison: Very good to know!
(06/26 02:33:04) Ansel: Phew.
(06/26 02:33:14) Marie Sutherland: Yes, T'andra, I don't have those details. Sorry.
(06/26 02:33:25) Gondar: Progress defined by people who stay down in the caverns?
(06/26 02:33:53) Ansel: One thing about new content releases: maybe it would be more impactful if it were made clear what the ramifications were.
(06/26 02:34:05) T'andra: Would Cate be interesting in having company sponsorship for the restoration
(06/26 02:34:13) Marie Sutherland: Progress defined in the nebulous way it is usually defined, or not defined as the case may be.
(06/26 02:34:18) Ansel: I still don't have a good idea of what the GZ being active should mean to me.
(06/26 02:34:28) Dison: Ansel, according to Laxman, nothing.
(06/26 02:34:44) Ansel: It sure looks cool, though.
(06/26 02:34:47) Gondar: But that's hardly interesting. Everyone held our breath last month.. we didn';t know what was next. And in the end, tragedy.. and we still came together over it.
(06/26 02:34:54) Gondar: This time, well, we'll see as it happens.
(06/26 02:34:57) Joshi: "snazzy cool blue light" were his exact words
(06/26 02:34:59) Herohtar: "Accurate coordinates and a snazzy cool blue beam"
(06/26 02:35:09) Gondar: Yes, the laser is cool to watch.
(06/26 02:35:12) Gondar grins.
(06/26 02:35:21) Marie Sutherland: I think Laxman was attempting to be funny.
(06/26 02:35:43) Ansel: And bumping into you tonight is the first exposure I've had to anyone from the DRC.
(06/26 02:35:46) Joshi: It's true nonetheless!
(06/26 02:35:55) Dison: I'm sure he was.
(06/26 02:35:57) Gondar: Good, we need some levity at times.
(06/26 02:36:08) Gondar: Makes the DRC seem more human in a way.
(06/26 02:36:14) Dison: My friend thought it was the first time she had heard Mr. Laxman use an adjective
(06/26 02:36:38) Gondar laughs
(06/26 02:36:39) Rih'ki: Before you returned, we were talking about the need to make the new explorer experience more hospitable and engaging.
(06/26 02:36:57) Marie Sutherland: Ansel, unfortunately, we DRC members will continue to be scarce in the cavern so we can focus on the restoration.
(06/26 02:37:13) Dison: We thought perhaps we could put together some background material for new explorers, subject to DRC approval, of course.
(06/26 02:37:22) Dison: Something to help them get oriented to the vast history of this place.
(06/26 02:37:30) Ansel: It's just been frustrating that even when I know there's an event coming up, I can't get into the cavern.
(06/26 02:37:35) Dison: Those who have never played Cyan's games, I mean.
(06/26 02:37:39) Joshi: Someone needs to tell Zandi that being enigmatic is all well and good, but he needs to just give people a break and explain what the heck is going on.
(06/26 02:37:50) Marie Sutherland smiles.
(06/26 02:37:55) Gondar: What I think we need is to find some way to get say a newcomer tutorial into Relto. We need to talk to Yeesha about a small portable imager there or something.
(06/26 02:38:02) Ansel: Bravo, Joshi!
(06/26 02:38:14) Gondar: Saying "This book is this, this book is this. Use these pillars for this. Your KI is here" and so on.
(06/26 02:38:25) Serephina nods her head
(06/26 02:38:28) Grieyls: Or perhaps a journal for that other shelf, it is awfully empty
(06/26 02:38:29) Dison: I think it would be better to make it possible to /ask/ him for that
(06/26 02:38:38) Dison: Many people prefer the enigma. Some do not.
(06/26 02:38:40) Gondar: A journal might work... that's an idea.
(06/26 02:38:55) Gondar: Make it a journal. Bright colours.
(06/26 02:39:06) Marie Sutherland: With that, I'm afraid I really need to be going.
(06/26 02:39:08) Gondar: But video might be easier to follow.
(06/26 02:39:16) Marie Sutherland: Thanks for listening.
(06/26 02:39:18) Gondar: We understand Marie. Good luck with the meeting later.
(06/26 02:39:18) Joshi: Okay. Thanks for the chat!
(06/26 02:39:25) Dison: Thank you for sharing!
(06/26 02:39:26) Grieyls: Well thank you indeed for taking the time to see us Ms Sutherland
(06/26 02:39:30) T'andra: Goodnight Marie thank you for coming and talking with us
(06/26 02:39:33) Serephina: Goodnight and thanks again Marie
(06/26 02:39:44) [Relayer] IBnetweasel: Whenever you gain access to something new...a new chapeter inthe journal can be added that discusses the new item/book
(06/26 02:39:46) Rih'ki: Indeed, thanks a bunch.
(06/26 02:39:46) drolang: good night and thank you
(06/26 02:39:49) Marie Sutherland: Shorah, and goodnight