Guess who's come back?

My, what a busy time it's been with OUCH. The interest in membership has outpaced my ability to accommodate the members that want to join. So I suspended membership for 9 days to allow my skills to catch up...

Except that I'm getting about 5 new members a day joining OUCH, and the applications sitting there on hold were starting to pile up.

I had to do something, as I didn't want to break the momentum. I considered my options, and made a decision.

Black Claw is back.

Yep, that's right. Black Claw, who some of you may remember, and others of you have probably never heard of. He was my first character from early 2006 before I started Alexia Morgan early 2008.

He also has all the needed corp management skills that would allow for him to continue accepting membership applications to carry on the recruitment momentum. And he was a reasonable combat pilot too. (Could do with a bit more training today though... Good thing he's in a training corp!)

So I reactivated him yesterday, waited 24 hours for his roles in his previous corp to disappear, and then recruited him into OUCH today. I immediately made him CEO of OUCH.

Black Claw is back. Woohoo!

Black Claw is going to be the most active, due to his new commitments with leading OUCH. So Alexia is going to take a bit of a back step and be a 'secondary character' for a while. Maybe forever. Or at least until her own brand of skills are no longer needed.

It's been fun. But I think it's going to be even more fun back in Black Claw's saddle....

If you want to join OUCH, or you're interested in becoming a trainer, please hop into the OUCH-UNI channel, or send Black Claw an evemail.

Thank you everyone, it's been great. You can follow Black Claw's blog again now. :)

Eve Online on Reddit

A short while ago I created a 'subreddit' on Reddit called 'Evebloggers'. As of today there's about 35 readers of that subreddit. It was pointed out to me today by someone whom I'm unable to remember right now (please congratulate yourself in the Comments below!) that there is an Eve subreddit that has 650 readers.

35 readers compared to 650.... Hmmm....

So I've updated the share button at the bottom of my posts to point to the main Eve subreddit. If anyone else is sharing Eve blogs or websites on Reddit, please do the same.

Desperately Seeking Experienced PVP Specialists To Provide Nullsec Training

As the title says, I'm looking for people who are highly experienced in nullsec PVP, who can help provide specialised training to OUCH students.

I need people who can provide training in any of the following areas:

Nullsec survival

• Ratting / salvaging, scouting, evasion, map tools, etc
  

Small ship PVP

• Fitting, overheating, tactics, etc
  

Large ship PVP

Support / Logistics Training

Obviously, if you're skilled in something to do with surviving in nullsec, then you're the kind of person I'm looking for.

Some of your experience needs to be in being a fleet commander, so that you can comfortably and confidently lead a group of people in doing what they need to do.

I know there are lot of bloggers reading this who are skilled in teaching PVP skills. I know there are a lot more players reading this who are also skilled in these areas.

Some of you are looking for something interesting to do, that's rewarding and challenging. Some of you have even contacted me and told me how you think OUCH is a great idea, and you think it'll do well.

Well, I need you to help it do well. I need people to help train others in nullsec survival.

If that sounds like you, please contact me to discuss your interest.

Updates to evebloggers.com

Firstly, I've made a big change to evebloggers.com

I used to have outputs from both the Eve Blog Pack and Eve Player Blogs. The only thing is, the Eve Blog Pack are still 'Eve Player Blogs'.

So I've decided to get rid of the Eve Blog Pack output, especially considering that they're doubled up in the Eve Player Blogs anyway...

Now there are just Eve Player Blogs. And really, when you think about it, we're all part of the same community. It's not like there's a bunch of 'elitists' or anything that think they're better than others, so there won't be any issues with bringing everyone together into one group. Right?

Understand that this does not invalidate the Eve Blog Pack that Crazy Kinux started. Thanks to him, the Eve Online Blogging Community had a rally point, somewhere to focus their efforts on, and to expand upon. But I think everything evolves, and instead of having a small group of players calling themselves the 'blog pack' and holding themselves separate to everyone else, now we have a much larger community of Eve bloggers. I think we should recognise that we're all part of the same community, and we all support each other and enjoy each other's blogs and this awesome game that we're all part of.

Secondly, I've caused a big problem to evebloggers.com. I don't know how, seeing as how all I did was change around some of the RSS outputs in the widgets, but all the evebloggers.com Posts and Pages can no longer be accessed.

I've sent a support email to the host provider to get the site restored from backup, and I'm hoping that will fix it. If there are any Wordpress experts out there who know why the posts and pages have disappeared (but links to them are still there in the site's footer), please let me know.

Flying the Dramiel

A few days ago I was reading Andrea Skye's post about the Dramiel, and I was so inspired by their results with the ship, I went out and bought one of my own. However, I couldn't afford faction or officer fittings, so I went with the best I could. I figured that I'd do pretty well against other frigates and cruisers, so that's what I went looking for.

Unfortunately, it didn't work out that way. I eventually found a Thorax to play with, and engaged him outside a station. He was happy to play. I had small T2 artillery, allowing me to keep range at 22km and spit out some decent damage while still being within warp disruptor range.

However, I quickly discovered that the speed of the Dramiel meant that my 22km orbit quickly ellipsed out to 30+km, which meant I not only lost my target lock, but couldn't keep the target warp disrupted. So I went to try pulsing the MWD, but when I came back in to re-engage, the Thorax's own MWD allowed him to quickly close the distance between us. He had a scrambler, and I didn't, so his MWD was active while mine was shut down. Along with his web, blasters, and drones, it was quickly all over. I couldn't escape his 1,200m range, and I lost the Dramiel.

Quite annoying, really, considering that everyone else that seems to fly it has so much success with it, but that's what happens when you get into a fight - you don't always win.

So, if anyone with extensive experience with the Dramiel has any tips for me on how I can do things better, please add them to the Comments. :)

Nullsec Survival Training for PVP and riches

The below is from OUCH's new recruitment thread that I thought I'd reprint here to increase exposure. Please read, and contact me in-game if you're interested in joining:



DOMINION has arrived and you want to venture into 0.0 space (nullspace) to join in on the excitement, but you don't have any training... You know you'll die.

Most of the other nullsec corps and alliances will offer you training only if you join their 'cause', whether that's PVP or industry, but you usually have to fund your own way. That can be daunting for someone that doesn't want to be part of some 'cause', and who expects to lose a lot of ships before they start getting somewhere.

We understand your dilemma.


What's the answer?

OUCH is the answer. It's the Open University of Celestial Hardship. We're brand new, but we have very experienced trainers to teach you how to survive and prosper in nullspace. We have no 'cause' other than to teach you Nullsec Survival Training.

We have a T1 ship program that provides ships and fittings to all members - FREE. These include frigates, cruisers, battlecruisers and battleships. All ships can be used for training or individual use while in OUCH, and their fittings will also be included.


What does that mean for me?

If you lose a corp-provided ship, we will give you another one - free of charge. While you learn how to cope with the hardships of nullspace, losing ships will not be something you'll need to worry about.

And you will lose ships. You'll get podded quite a few times along the way too. We don't guarantee your survival in nullsec, but we guarantee to teach you how to minimise your losses along the way.

It's brutal out there, but when you're a member of OUCH, you're with a group of friendly, relaxed people who understand your fears. We're here to help you take advantage of DOMINION and get involved in nullspace. We will teach you everything you need to know.


What kind of training will I get?

Initially, as we start our operations, training will focus on frigates and cruisers as well as the following:

• Nullsec survival - includes ratting / salvaging, scouting, evasion, and map tools
• Small ship PVP - includes fitting ships, overheating, and combat tactics in fleets or solo

As we get more members (and more advanced skillsets amongst them) we'll move to battlecruisers and battleships, along with more advanced PVP training. Again, all ships will be provided by OUCH. (We also intend offering T2 ship training, including interceptors, covert ops, and support ships, but the ships will need to be provided by the students themselves.)

We're also part of an alliance that is dedicated to providing support for members of OUCH, including security, intelligence-gathering, and manufacturing ships and items. If you want to stay on and help support OUCH after you've finished with your training, there would definitely be a place for you.

We want to help you learn how to survive in nullspace, whether that's in PVP, ratting, or complex's. We will help you be the best that you can be, and teach you how to earn as much as you can along the way.

That's right, we'll also be teaching you how to make money in nullspace. There's no point giving you combat training if we don't include teaching you how to replace lost ships, right? We don't expect you to be with OUCH forever, so we understand you need to learn how to sustain yourself.


Ok, I'm interested - what do I do now?

If you're interested in learning more about how OUCH can help you, then join the OUCH-UNI channel in-game and talk to Alexia Morgan, or send her an evemail to discuss your interest and ask any questions.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you to OUCH's sponsors

This page is my big thank you page to all those who have helped OUCH. Whether it's through donations of ships, items or money, or providing loads of helpful advice or even some amazing emotional support, they're all going to be listed here (with their permission, that is... some might want to remain anonymous).

Thank you so much for helping OUCH get off the ground. Without your generosity, it would be that much harder.

• Noir Avlaa
• Iroxorsju
• Kalisis
• Seondar Moleck
• Jarob Talloway
• Shadows Lord new!
  
• Alex Carmel new!
  

As more people offer their support in whatever way works for them, I will add their name to this list.

Edit: updated 26/12

OUCH is open for recruitment

What is OUCH?

OUCH is the Open University of Celestial Hardship. Its purpose is to provide nullsec survival training for all those who are interested in learning how to survive and prosper in 0.0 space.

Where is OUCH?

We're based in Curse, an area of 0.0 space that still has a whole bunch of NPC stations for members to hang out in. And there will be plenty of targets that will offer plenty of training opportunities!

OUCH is looking for:

Trainers who can train newbies and veterans alike in any of the following:

Nullsec survival

• Ratting / salvaging / 'plexing
  
• Scouting
• Evasion
• Map tools

Small ship PVP

• Fitting
• Tactics
• Support
  

Trainers must have at least 3 years worth of experience, with most of it in 0.0 space, and be willing to offer their services to help others learn.

I'm also looking for trainees interested in joining OUCH to learn all of the above, and more. We have room for anyone and everyone. There is no minimum requirement for trainees, other than a desire to jump into nullspace and learn. Therefore, all trainees must be willing to go on training operations whenever they can.

Ship Program

OUCH will have a T1 ship program, so all ships (from frigates to battleships) will be provided to its members by the corp. In the early stages, however, it will just be 'small ships' including frigates and cruisers. As we get more members, and more resources, we will expand to battlecruisers and battleships.

We will soon offer T2 training, but members will need to provide their own T2 ships for such training.

Are you interested in supporting OUCH?

We require ships, items and money. If you would like to support us with donations of any sort, we would be most grateful for your assistance, and your name will be put on a special web page that will publicly thank you for your assistance.

If you support the concept of helping people survive in nullsec so they can play a more prominent role in helping others or fighting others, then we need your support in material or monetary donations.

Are you interested in joining OUCH?

I have a few people already either joined or preparing to join. Are you interested? Then contact me (or send an evemail ingame to Alexia Morgan) to discuss your options.

Thank you.

OUCH begins

Over the weekend I created an alt and then sent him into 0.0 space to seek out a good location to start an office. It only died twice before reaching its destination. Not bad for a 1-day old character. :)

The office was created next to a system with clone facilities. I don't think the area will be too busy, so it will make for a good location to start training.

One thing I discovered, however, is that it's just going to be too difficult to run a nullsec survival corp with a character that's brand new. So I've decided to use Alexia as the CEO of OUCH. Over the next week I'll be moving my ships from where I am, to where I want to go. (Can't give locations just yet, as that could inspire someone to try and stop me.)

Thank you

OUCH is a proud new member of the New Bastion alliance, and I would like to thank Cal for coming forward and offering some very valuable and much-needed support. His input into the development of OUCH, and his support to help it move forward, has been nothing short of amazing. Thank you!

While I'm thanking people, I need to include Noir Avlaa. She is another example of someone committed to the ideals of OUCH. Over the weekend she donated some resources to OUCH. This included dozens of frigates, hundreds of items, and tens of thousands of units of ammunition. More than could be fit in a single contract (so there were 2 contracts!). For this I am extremely grateful.

More coming soon.

Nullsec Survival Training is coming!

Most of you have seen me discussing OUCH (Open University of Celestial Hardship). I just wanted to give a small update on it:

• I've had some interested people approach me to become both trainers and trainees
• I've been successful in negotiating blue status with a major nullsec empire
• I've been offered membership in a nullsec alliance for the purpose of moving forward in a 'nullsec training alliance'
• discussions are underway with interested 'stakeholders' on location, corp funding, and training modules

I will be creating a new character over the next couple of days, and this character will become the CEO of OUCH, the 'nullsec survival training' corp. Once I do, I will create a blog for the character and the corp.

If you're interested in being a part of OUCH, please contact me to discuss how you can be involved. Ideally, I'm seeking sponsors, trainers, and trainees. You can also join the public discussion on Google Wave if you have a Wave account: Open University of Celestial Hardship (OUCH).

If you would also like to join OUCH simply to help provide security for the training missions (in some kind of Security Division), I'd love to hear from you as well!

The Open University of Celestial Hardships

I created a Google Wave for discussing this, and the Wave link is here:

The Open University of Celestial Hardship

I thought it would be a good idea to have it here as well, to allow non-Wavers the opportunity to discuss this too.

I'm seeking expressions of interest in starting up a 0.0 corp that caters to education and training of nullspace activity, including PVP, ratting and industry. A bit like Eve University, but in nullspace instead of Empire space.

I'm imagining the corp needs to be part of a 0.0 alliance, so if any alliance directors would be interested in providing support, please make yourselves known as well.

I look forward to comments and discussion, so please don't be shy. If you want to help, or you want to be involved, become a participant in this Wave.

OUCH

I've been seeing some chatter lately about various tales of woe with Eve University, and how it can be difficult for new players to get to learn the game because of the attitudes of those already entrenched in University operations.

If there's one thing I dislike more than Crying Carebears, it's Elitist Scumbags. You know the ones... They think they're better than you because of their position, status or skills, and they'll go out of their way to remind you of it.

It's not just limited to the University though. They're all around us. They're just... everywhere! Those people who think they're the Gods' gift to the races.

If you fly with a Scumbag, you're supporting them. You're encouraging them. If you give them positions of responsibility, you're doing the same thing. But you're also lowering morale amongst the non-Scumbag members of your corp or alliance.

No one wants to fly with a Scumbag (unless they're a Scumbag too... we all know those Scumbags need to stick together), but if you force or encourage people to fly with Scumbags, you're slowly driving your pilots away.

And if you're one of those who just doesn't like the Scumbag you have to fly with, then just stop flying with them. If the corp or alliance or University has too many Scumbags, then go somewhere else.

Here's a tip for the new players:

The best University is in 0.0 space. Suck it up, gather your belongings, and head out to the Open University of Celestial Hardship (O.U.C.H.)* and you'll learn more there than you could ever possibly imagine.

I've already helped a few people out to 0.0 and they've joined O.U.C.H. and haven't looked back. You could too.

Contact me if you're interested.

* Just in case you're wondering, O.U.C.H. is not a real university. It's more like the 'School of Hard Knocks', but O.U.C.H. sounds better than S.H.K....

Sorry I haven't posted in ages!

I'm so sorry that it's been such a long time since I last posted. I think it's been maybe 3 or 4 hours. I hope you guys can forgive me.

I promise to post more frequently in the future.

Eve Player Profiles - Ga'len

Please tell us about the person behind the character, we'd really love to know a bit more about you - What do you do outside of Eve?

In the meantime, here's Ga'len!

---

Your character name:
Ga'len

Your real name:
J. Riley Dagastine

The country you're living in:
USA

How old are you:
36

What kind of work do you do:
IT Support Specialist. I work tech support for a surgical instruments manufacturing facility. I maintain the production systems for the CAD/CAM systems as well as support other manufacturing facilities across the East Coast.

What other hobbies or interests do you have:
I like to cooking, watch movies with the missus and read engaging books. That whole pinacolada's drinking and the rain stuff, well, hangovers and being soaking wet are just not my thing anymore.

Do you have a personal blog or non-Eve website you want to share:
I have another domain on the net, however, it's not very active as I am focusing my efforts here, however you can visit it at http://www.dagastine.net.