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A lot of architects refuse to put a thirteenth floor in their buildings. Thirteen's an unlucky number, remember? Forget that. CoN's had bad luck already in its days, and the fact that we are now celebrating our thirteenth birthday doesn't scare us one bit. Of course, we wouldn't mind doing what those architects do and skipping straight to fourteen, either, but we're full of integrity and can't pull that kind of shenanigan. So, here's a message to commemorate thirteen years, without a black cat or broken mirror to be found.

Normally I write these new-year messages a long way out and edit them for weeks. This year, on the event of CoN's thirteenth birthday, I didn't really have much time, due to the rest of my life making conspiracies against me. Isn't that the way it goes, though? I can see it in all of us, everyone that comes to the site. Things aren't quite the same as they used to be, as more of us have less time to spend around CoN. It makes our fixes slower, it makes our new work slower, and heck, it even makes the forums slower.

You know what's neat, though? We're still here, and we're still having a go of it. The site still brings in a lot of traffic. That means that even if the forums and chat seem a bit slower than they used to, it's not because people have given up on our version of the Final Fantasy universe - it's just that the game has changed and we all have to change with it.

Change is hard, man. I'm a guy who has lived in four different states in the last seven years, and worked in five. That said, we're all here reading this on a site that has looked the same for even longer, and even though we added a new game to our coverage just last year, along with the return of quizzes, you'd be forgiven for thinking that maybe CoN is afraid of change because it's too hard. The wild thing is that we don't. We lust for change, because we've got some ideas that we really love. Life's just a conspiracy, right? Our lives conspire against us bringing these ideas to fruition.

Here's my plan for next year. I've got coverage for two, maybe even three, games that I want to see revamped. We're working slowly on them now, and we want to work faster. We'll do our best. We've got some changes to the CoN backend that we think will give us more flexibility to continue improving the site in a more efficient manner. The current backend is as old as the Persona layout, and with that extra eight years of knowledge, we now know a lot of things we could do differently and better. We'd love to also make some improvements to such features as our fanart and news systems.

It probably sounds like a lot. It definitely sounds like a lot to a guy who not only makes websites all day, but also does freelance work and CoN both. I feel, though, that if I keep putting effort into the site, you folks will continue to visit. That's the pact between us, and it's held up quite well for the last thirteen years; there's no reason to think that it can't keep going a few more. As always, though, we're going to need your help, as CoN is a volunteer job for all of us - not one of us draws their living from working here. There's always little stuff that we can use, be it testing, or proofreading, or writing, or data entry. Additionally, I'd like to bring on some new staff to help spread the workload a bit, a tack that, if the right people are involved, will speed our progress. Here's what I'm looking at:

News Writer

A new News Writer would be beneficial to CoN in order to keep us up to date on RPG-related news that I too often miss in my reading, and to also help out by writing the Friday Square Enix Tidbits that regularly roll up recent small Square Enix news items. This person should be capable of producing with minimal supervision or nagging, and must be an excellent writer. Application would require some writing samples. Additionally, this user should be familiar with the most basic HTML, until such time as I make the submission tool a bit more user-friendly. Note that CoN also has tools to help you find news, meaning you don't necessarily have to read thirty gaming blogs to do well in this role.

Quiz Master

The Quiz Master would assist me in keeping the CoN quizzes stocked up every month. I know that every month, we release only 24 questions, but you'd be surprised with the preparation it takes. This new staff member would help build up our backlog of questions so that we don't ever run out; therefore, someone who is good with research and plays a lot of video games would be helpful here. Additionally, this person would use the tools that I built over a year ago to add new quizzes to the system; because of the toolkit, no database or coding experience is required.

Social Marketing Assistant

Eventually, important information from CoN, such as news, will be automatically posted to our Twitter and Facebook pages. However, to assist this automated process, or even serve in its stead, I'd like someone to help draw people in to CoN via other social media. It will involve posting tweets and statuses, as well as responding to tweets and comments that we get. It will also involve soliciting new traffic by tracking down new fanartists and fanfic authors to add to our libraries. Applicants must be familiar with various sites that can connect with CoN and how to use their basic features; these applicants must also be capable of writing professionally, as most of the output from this job will be read by users who might not already know CoN. It would be beneficial for this person to also participate in chat somewhat regularly to keep up to date with current work and that social aspect of CoN.

All of these jobs are important to the future of CoN, as we work to keep the site relevant as the games we cover become older and older. What's even better is that working for CoN does help your CV or resume - a good number of staff and former staff list their experience on CoN and have even used me as a professional reference down the road. With the job market still terrible right now, worldwide, perhaps you can spare a few hours a week to build up your own credentials with CoN too?

Whether you feel like applying or not (and there are probably a few of you that I will attempt to coerce into applying), there's something you can take away from this. I and my staff still feel a great deal of gratitude to you folks who keep coming to the site and chatting, posting to the forums, submitting creations, or even just using our guides. That gratitude keeps us here, keeps (some of) us working hard, and keeps me paying the bills. We still have no intention of stepping back, standing still, or going any direction but forward, regardless of speed. It might seem like the most boring amusement park attraction in the world right now, but stay on the ride. We guarantee good times if you want them.

Happy 13th birthday, CoN! While the site must take a backseat to paying work, you guys do a great job in making this site unique and keeping it operating smoothly. My posting in the forums may not be anywhere near what it used to be, but CoN is definitely the place I consider to be my home on the internet, and it has been nearly 7 years. Good luck to all that apply and wish to join a staff of truly fantastic people. It'll be a great experience.

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"My impersonation of an ordinary person was flawless." - Neal

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." - Dr. Seuss

Happy Thirteenth Birthday, CoN! In celebration I found this did this:

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*** Farseer_Del has changed the topic on channel #tauonline to Welcome to Second Sphere Chat.  http://secondsphere.org We wish Caves of Narshe  http://www.cavesofnarshe.com/ a happy 13th Birthday!

I think it should win

I'll try to help out a bit more than I have been doing. I know I've been pretty useless lately but I'll do what I can since the other drama on another site I go to is dying down.

This post has been edited by Del S on 31st July 2010 19:03

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"Only the dead have seen the end of their quotes being misattributed to Plato."
-George Santayana

"The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here..."
-Abraham Lincoln, prior to the discovery of Irony.

Thanks for keeping the site around. It's one of the best sites on the internet, definitely.

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Praise Be To Helix!

I'm really happy I found this site several years ago and keep checking it daily. I don't always comment, but I always find in joy in what I can comment on.

Happy 13th birthday, and congrats for seeing 13 years of hard, great work continue to pay off - maybe not financially, but in that feeling-damn-good-about-yourself kinda' way.

Lastly, where would you like us to reply to for applying to help? I may be able to find some time to help with data entry, or at the very least, proof reading.

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Games on the Go
Final Fantasy VII
Final Fantasy: Four Warriors of Light
Baldur's Gate

Too much to play, so little time!

Greg

Happy birthday CoN!

I don't post much anymore...nor do I participate in chat much...but I'm always around! I remember CoN when it was a little site of eleven *nostalgia*

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Squenix games completed:

FFIII
FFIV
FFVI
FFVII
FFIX
FFX
FF Tactics: Advance 2
Chrono Trigger
Dragon Quest 8
Dragon Quest 11
Super Mario RPG

Happy Birthday CoN! 13 years!? That's crazy talk! xD

I do get where you're coming from; I don't really have time forums these days either. Come to think of it, this is the only forum l'm still active on, so I guess this place is kind of special. Does this mean we'll be superstitious about covering FFXIII?


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"You know that feeling you get when you're on a merry go 'round, and you want to jump off to make the spinning stop, but you know it'll suck when you land? I feel like that all the time"- Keno

"I stab my girl until I fall down"
-Yukari
Do you like Horny Bunnies?

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Does this mean we'll be superstitious about covering FFXIII?

YES. I will never forgive FFXIII!

...But I do love the Caves! Happy CoNiversary!

I'll let that suffice for my annual splatter of praises on this site / its staff. I did want to add, however, that I only recently discovered chat. It's a fun time, for whoever is interested or hasn't been on before.

You know where I am (somewhere around here) if you need me for anything, Josh.

Yay CoN!

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Currently Playing : Final Fantasy V
Most Recently Beat : Elder Scrolls: Skyrim
Favorite Game : Final Fantasy X

The newest CoNcast is up! Have a listen!

I swear today comes around faster every year.

Happy birthday, CoN, you mischievous little corner of the internet that keeps me coming back again and again. Although maybe you don't want me to anymore.

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I find your lack of faith disturbing...

Though I may not post much, for almost five years, I've found it hard to stay away from this site. Kudos!

Also, while I am neither smart nor dedicated enough to satisfy your lofty (yet reasonable, I'm sure ) standards to join your staff, at the very least, I'll likely still stick around to pitch in the occasional fanart for quite some time, yet.

Keep up the good work .

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Console RPG Cliches

Congratulations! altough I'm new member, this site has been present on the best years of my life! keep up the good work !

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Live Long and Prosper!

Quote (Kirchewasser @ 1st August 2010 17:24)

Congratulations! altough I'm new member, this site has been present on the best years of my life! keep up the good work !

I hope you enjoy itself here. I have tried hard to find a better forum, and have been unsuccessful. Thanks Ranger for using your time to make this website great.

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Praise Be To Helix!

Happy Birthday, and congratulations!

Happy Birthday CON ! Thirteen is only a unlucky number if you believe in it. It's all a matter of thought.

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Currently playing Chrono Trigger !!
Currently looking forward to Don't Know.

Quote (ZidaneTribal @ 2nd August 2010 04:11)

Happy Birthday CON ! Thirteen is only a unlucky number if you believe in it. It's all a matter of thought.

Well, it's just interesting how this is occuring near 2012... just saying.

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Praise Be To Helix!

Quote (BlitzSage @ 2nd August 2010 16:39)

Well, it's just interesting how this is occuring near 2012... just saying.

Let me tell you something. My tenth wedding anniversary is on the day the Mayans say the world is ending in 2012. Now THAT is much more messed up than however the site might end!

Thanks to all who have posted with thanks and congratulations, and I hope you all keep coming around and posting - we all have something to say, and we can all say it at CoN.

For folks interested in any of the positions available, just grab me directly, I'm easy to find. If you want anything to do with writing, I'd suggest including some samples of your writing work.

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"To create something great, you need the means to make a lot of really bad crap." - Kevin Kelly

Why aren't you shopping AmaCoN?

Quote (Rangers51 @ 2nd August 2010 20:49)

Quote (BlitzSage @ 2nd August 2010 16:39)

Well, it's just interesting how this is occuring near 2012... just saying.

Let me tell you something. My tenth wedding anniversary is on the day the Mayans say the world is ending in 2012. Now THAT is much more messed up than however the site might end!

Wow, are you kidding? You mean Dec. 21? That will be my 23rd birthday too! Well, at least we'll go out with a celebration!

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Praise Be To Helix!

Quote (BlitzSage @ 2nd August 2010 21:20)

Quote (Rangers51 @ 2nd August 2010 20:49)

Quote (BlitzSage @ 2nd August 2010 16:39)

Well, it's just interesting how this is occuring near 2012... just saying.

Let me tell you something. My tenth wedding anniversary is on the day the Mayans say the world is ending in 2012. Now THAT is much more messed up than however the site might end!

Wow, are you kidding? You mean Dec. 21? That will be my 23rd birthday too! Well, at least we'll go out with a celebration!

It was also my best man's birthday, heh. He's ten years older than you though.

Anyway, more praise for CoN please, all of you.

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"To create something great, you need the means to make a lot of really bad crap." - Kevin Kelly

Why aren't you shopping AmaCoN?

Happy birthday CoN! Thanks for all your hard work over the years, Josh! That goes for the rest of the staff, too.

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Is PJ

What they said.

That is, CoN is awesome and its awesomeness grows.


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"I fell off the mountain of words at around the 10,000ft mark. Tell my family...they owe me money." -Narratorway

"If you retort against this, so help me God I'll shove any part of your anatomy I can find into some other part. Figuratively, of course." - Josh

"We have more, can deliver tuesday." - Del S

Good old CoN

All glory to the CoN. Never ever leave me.

I've come back to this site time and time again because I continue to love this place.

For what it's worth, I've been mentioning this site occasoinally on TV Tropes, and referencing it when I need Final Fantasy related information. Perhaps a bit unexpectedly, I sometimes mention these fora to praise the moderation--while there are a lot of dummied out turned off features that people usually like, it does make for a very smoothly running and easily readable forum, with conversations that are always interesting to read.

Happy thirteenth birthday, CoN, and the hell with numerological superstitions.

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Check the "What games are you playing at the moment?" thread for updates on what I've been playing.

You can find me on the Fediverse! I use Mastodon, where I am @[email protected] ( https://sakurajima.moe/@glennmagusharvey )

Quote (Rangers51 @ 3rd August 2010 04:59)

Anyway, more praise for CoN please, all of you.

I love CON birthday because I feel like it's the only legitimate occasion to break out the CON emoticon.



I have been coming to this forum for many years and hope that it will continue to stick around so I can come back for years to come. You run a great forum, Josh. Happy belated b-day, CON!

You mean the emoti-CoN?

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Check the "What games are you playing at the moment?" thread for updates on what I've been playing.

You can find me on the Fediverse! I use Mastodon, where I am @[email protected] ( https://sakurajima.moe/@glennmagusharvey )

I can genuinely say that I am so very happy that I happened on to this site so many years ago when I was a new hire in a software company. CoN, and the people I've met as a result of CoN, have honestly enriched my life.

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Join the Army, see the world, meet interesting people - and kill them.

~Pacifist Badge, 1978

Great place congratulations for keeping it up for so long.

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Scepticism, that dry rot of the intellect, had not left one entire idea in his mind.

Me on the Starcraft.