Hello

[IBeCallum1]

My name is Callum, and thanks to the Humble Weekly Bundle, I was able to get hold of RPG Maker VX Ace and RPG Maker XP. I decided to get hold of the full bundle, and am looking forward to making some games for everyone to enjoy.

I am 17 years old, and am going to study a Level 3 BTEC in IT next year. My plan is then to pursue a degree in Computer Science, before becoming a programmer/computer security specialist. At the moment, most of my time is spent writing for my website, as well as playing a variety of different games.

If you have any questions about anything, feel free to shoot.

 

[Cadh20000]

Welcome to the group! ^_^

I'm unfamiliar with "BTEC", what does it stand for?

Also, when you say "writing for my website" what kind of writing are you referring to? I write fantasy fiction personally! ^_^

 

[Narcissus]

Hello, and welcome to the forums!

 

[IBeCallum1]

Welcome to the group! ^_^

I'm unfamiliar with "BTEC", what does it stand for?

Also, when you say "writing for my website" what kind of writing are you referring to? I write fantasy fiction personally! ^_^

Thanks!

BTEC stands for the British and Technology Education Council who award the BTEC qualifications. BTECs are usually practical-based courses, where you apply what you learn to real-life situations. For example, there is a BTEC in construction, where you actually build things. There is usually less exams, and more coursework.

I am referring to video game journalism. Awesome, what is your favorite fantasy series? I like LoTRs, but am currently reading/watching Game of Thrones.

Hello, and welcome to the forums!

Thanks Narcissus!

 

[Cadh20000]

BTEC stands for the British and Technology Education Council who award the BTEC qualifications. BTECs are usually practical-based courses, where you apply what you learn to real-life situations. For example, there is a BTEC in construction, where you actually build things. There is usually less exams, and more coursework.

That explains why I never heard of it, I'm from the USA!

I am referring to video game journalism. Awesome, what is your favorite fantasy series? I like LoTRs, but am currently reading/watching Game of Thrones.

I can't really say that I have a single "favorite", but LOTR is pretty high up there!

Have you ever read "The Wheel of Time" by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson? (Robert Jordan started the series, but died before finishing it, his wife gave the notes to Brandon Sanderson to finish writing the series.)

A good scifi series that reads more like a fantasy series is McCaffery's "Dragonriders of Pern"(Anne started the series, then retired and her son took over writing them) It is an alien world, colonized by humans, were technological levels have devolved and society has reverted to almost a feudal setting thanks to a disaster. The Dragons are bioengineered creatures made by the colonists to combat that disaster.

 

[IBeCallum1]

That explains why I never heard of it, I'm from the USA!

I can't really say that I have a single "favorite", but LOTR is pretty high up there!

Have you ever read "The Wheel of Time" by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson? (Robert Jordan started the series, but died before finishing it, his wife gave the notes to Brandon Sanderson to finish writing the series.)

A good scifi series that reads more like a fantasy series is McCaffery's "Dragonriders of Pern"(Anne started the series, then retired and her son took over writing them) It is an alien world, colonized by humans, were technological levels have devolved and society has reverted to almost a feudal setting thanks to a disaster. The Dragons are bioengineered creatures made by the colonists to combat that disaster.

What do you have over there in the USA?

No, I haven't read either of those. I have heard of Dragonriders of Pern, but have never actually read them. Will keep them in mind for once I finish GoT, which may be a while as I don't read too often.

Have you read Eragon, and the series that follows on from that by Christopher Paolini? They did make a film, which was alright, but didn't too well. Therefore, likely never gonna see any of the other books turned to films for a while.

 

[Cadh20000]

What do you have over there in the USA?

 Classwork and internships. LOTS of classwork and internships. It doesn't matter what you know or how well you do it, if you don't have the required class credits by attending enough class hours and doing enough work that may or may not be related to the degree you can't take the exams, and even with the degree you need "official" experience acquired after getting the degree before you can get actual paid work, which generally means unpaid internships lasting months(or longer) during which you better hope you have other income to support yourself. (I have an Associates Degree(2-years at a technical school) and that isn't sufficient for an "Entry level" position...ANYWHERE...)

Have you read Eragon, and the series that follows on from that by Christopher Paolini? They did make a film, which was alright, but didn't too well. Therefore, likely never gonna see any of the other books turned to films for a while.

Read Eragon and it's sequel, but not the 3rd in the series. Saw the movie and thought it stunk. As a standalone movie it might have been good, but it had so little to do with the book it was an insult to claim it was the same story. A movie based on a book should tell the story the book tells, if they aren't going to do that then they shouldn't claim it is the same story.

 

[IBeCallum1]

 Classwork and internships. LOTS of classwork and internships. It doesn't matter what you know or how well you do it, if you don't have the required class credits by attending enough class hours and doing enough work that may or may not be related to the degree you can't take the exams, and even with the degree you need "official" experience acquired after getting the degree before you can get actual paid work, which generally means unpaid internships lasting months(or longer) during which you better hope you have other income to support yourself. (I have an Associates Degree(2-years at a technical school) and that isn't sufficient for an "Entry level" position...ANYWHERE...)

Read Eragon and it's sequel, but not the 3rd in the series. Saw the movie and thought it stunk. As a standalone movie it might have been good, but it had so little to do with the book it was an insult to claim it was the same story. A movie based on a book should tell the story the book tells, if they aren't going to do that then they shouldn't claim it is the same story.

Really? That is a bit stupid, in my opinion. And they wonder why a load of people have financial troubles. In UK, you can take a year during your degree to work in industry, but it is paid I believe. Once you have done that, you are likely going to get offered a permanent job there once you have finished, as far as I've heard.

I have read two of them, but can't find the motivation to read the others. I kept on getting disturbed during the first chapter of third book, that is it now boring to read it over again. xD Yeah, I thought the action was good, but there was definitely a few flaws.

 

[Cadh20000]

I just reread what I had written last time. I REALLY should have thought that through better. Repeating the same word or phrase that often in that short a piece would have gotten me majorly chewed out by my writing buddies!
 

Really? That is a bit stupid, in my opinion. And they wonder why a load of people have financial troubles. In UK, you can take a year during your degree to work in industry, but it is paid I believe. Once you have done that, you are likely going to get offered a permanent job there once you have finished, as far as I've heard.

 I completely agree that it is stupid. Absolutely moronic as a matter of fact. Unfortunately opinions don't change facts.
 
 

I have read two of them, but can't find the motivation to read the others. I kept on getting disturbed during the first chapter of third book, that is it now boring to read it over again. xD Yeah, I thought the action was good, but there was definitely a few flaws.

I fully intend to read it when I can get my hands on it. It isn't the best story I ever read(or even close), but it is a good story.

 

[IBeCallum1]

I just reread what I had written last time. I REALLY should have thought that through better. Repeating the same word or phrase that often in that short a piece would have gotten me majorly chewed out by my writing buddies!

 I completely agree that it is stupid. Absolutely moronic as a matter of fact. Unfortunately opinions don't change facts.

I fully intend to read it when I can get my hands on it. It isn't the best story I ever read(or even close), but it is a good story.

Haha!

And talking about facts, how much coverage is there on the Net Neutrality issue over there in America? I have seen a lot of stuff on YouTube, and Twitter, but was wondering if it is a big thing that new companies are covering, or whether it is being kept quiet.

Maybe over the Summer Holidays, I may pick it up again just to find out what happens at the end. Well, I sorta of know what happens because I stumbled upon it myself, but I want to know the lead-up. Looks like my holiday is gonna be Game of Thrones and Eragon. Sounds good! What other types of books do you like? I read this sort of detective/criminal book called Tango One, which was pretty awesome.

 

[Cadh20000]

And talking about facts, how much coverage is there on the Net Neutrality issue over there in America? I have seen a lot of stuff on YouTube, and Twitter, but was wondering if it is a big thing that new companies are covering, or whether it is being kept quiet.

Sort of a mix I guess. You see it all over the net, but the few news reports I've seen lately have failed to even mention it.

What other types of books do you like? I read this sort of detective/criminal book called Tango One, which was pretty awesome.

Basically I read anything except erotica. From encyclopedias and dictionaries, through medical journals, archeology journals, science textbooks, chemistry textbooks, technology journals, on through fiction such as mysteries, fantasy, science fiction, and comics such as manga, manhwa, and manhua. I tend to gravitate towards romantic comedies and dark fantasy the most though.

I even have a college physics textbook right beside my fantasy novels and video games.

 

[IBeCallum1]

Sort of a mix I guess. You see it all over the net, but the few news reports I've seen lately have failed to even mention it.

Basically I read anything except erotica. From encyclopedias and dictionaries, through medical journals, archeology journals, science textbooks, chemistry textbooks, technology journals, on through fiction such as mysteries, fantasy, science fiction, and comics such as manga, manhwa, and manhua. I tend to gravitate towards romantic comedies and dark fantasy the most though.

I even have a college physics textbook right beside my fantasy novels and video games.

Well, bets on them being to shut up. xD

Wow, that is a nice range of material there. Guessing you have had some pretty intellectual conversations in your time? And if I read more, I would definitely count myself as a horror guy. Darren Shan does some pretty good books. This may sound noobish, but what is the difference between fantasy and dark fantasy? Is there also a light fantasy genre?

 

[Cadh20000]

• "Light Fantasy" would be like the Disney's animated renditions of classic fairytales where good guys always win, rarely get injured at all and never get seriously hurt.

"Fantasy" would be like your average fantasy stories, not real light-hearted with the good guys basically being immune to harm and everything going their way, nor grim where they struggle against overwhelming odds and lose (nearly)everything they care for.
"Dark Fantasy" would be where they struggle against overwhelming odds and lose (nearly)everything they care for, including loved ones and companions that have fought/traveled alongside them allowing the reader to get to know them and care for them. Going by what I have heard of it "Game of Thrones" would fit in this category or even cross the line into "Tragic/Horror Fantasy".
"Tragic/Horror Fantasy" would be where good guys often lose and evil often wins.

 

[IBeCallum1]

• "Light Fantasy" would be like the Disney's animated renditions of classic fairytales where good guys always win, rarely get injured at all and never get seriously hurt.
• "Fantasy" would be like your average fantasy stories, not real light-hearted with the good guys basically being immune to harm and everything going their way, nor grim where they struggle against overwhelming odds and lose (nearly)everything they care for.
• "Dark Fantasy" would be where they struggle against overwhelming odds and lose (nearly)everything they care for, including loved ones and companions that have fought/traveled alongside them allowing the reader to get to know them and care for them. Going by what I have heard of it "Game of Thrones" would fit in this category or even cross the line into "Tragic/Horror Fantasy".
• "Tragic/Horror Fantasy" would be where good guys often lose and evil often wins.

Yeah, Dark Fantasy and Tragic/Horror Fantasy seems more stuff I would be interested in. Saying that, Frozen. Enough said. Haha!