The end of an era? No.

Well, I'm still having trouble with a new computer, and it might be some time before regular access is returned to me. In the mean time, I've honestly- now, this is no developer's stance- gotten sick of minecraft. The game is still fun as hell, but it's just gotten boring in general, and the nerd culture that's moved in around it pisses me off. It was way more fun back in alpha when it was a cowboy world of modification and no forum moderation* (people bitch about the game getting bad a lot, and I think there's a grain of truth to the idea that it was more fun back then, but I honestly believe it's just all the people playing it now that have ruined it. It's completely pervaded my school.) The idea is that, even if I wanted to, I couldn't keep developing, and at this point I would need to rebuild a fan base even if I could.

But as of now, October 1st, I am granting permission for use of all the components of the pack. It would be very nice if you would give credit for anything you use, but I won't be a bitch. The bottom line is this:

You can use anything from any of my downloads in any way you like, no questions asked. Even if you're just being some cheap bastard and sticking it in your pack, I don't even care.

At this point, I just want my stuff to be spread around, because I can't use ad tactics anymore. I no longer have any feelings of jealous ownership either. This is not an invitation to prod me, just an admission that prodding isn't so bad anymore. If that made sense.

So, goodbye for a spell. I'll still check my email as much as I can, so if any comments are made, I'll know about them, and reply. If you want to say anything, do so. Now, I'm gonna go be social and active (shudder) since I don't have a computer anymore.

*Anyone remember the sex mod? Come 'ere, piggy piggy... 

Worthless update.

You are all aware by now of the awful state of my laptop (dead.) Just wanted to remind you, though, that with the school year starting (this sounds like a lunch announcement, huh) I'll be able to at least check in more then before.

If you're interested in what I'm doing, I just found a like-new SNES at a garage sale complete with controller and Super Mario World for only 15 bucks! Sweet! I got to the valley of Bowser in only a few hours, but castle #7 is killing me. I really need to get MarioKart. Discuss.

My computer is through!

From the public library computer:

My craptop finally met its untimely demise. I will have no computer for probably several months. What does this mean? It means we have dropped out of the competition for the time, of course! It sucks, I know. With all my newfound time I'll be building more model airplanes and trying to get a girlfriend. ;-)
For this long period in which development by me is no longer possible, rights of the name "Billy' plane pack" and use of the downloads for development is fully granted to Scout37 and Misticblade7 (even though I know that they're not that active here as of late) in case they feel motivated. If anyone else feels motivated, talk to them. The condition for this is that my contribution in the form of creation, curation and development is never ignored, and that direct descendants carry the "Billy's plane pack" name. That is all. See you in a couple months! I might drop by on a friend's PC or this '98 computer down at the booky to check up on comments every once in a blue moon, so don't stop talking. Adios chimichangas!

I'm 'a back

I have to extend an apology. I planned to inform you all about my impending family reunion, but my crappy computer (still don't have a new one!) blew up at just the right time, creating a perfect storm of resentment and pissed-off-ness from people who thought I was ignoring and slighting them. No, I mean seriously. People have started to get really pissed off. Sorry! Don't know whether I should feel meanly happy about this, because it means that a lot of people evidently care very much about our crap! Heh. Anyway, I'll be back to my usual daily basis of question answering and development updates. Immensely sorry! Now it's time we picked through all the comments, eh?

Also, I'm saddened, a little humiliated, and kind of bewildered by how members of the minecraft smp site community (home of manus and stan) seems to be picking suggestions from our own polls and posts and summarily using them, even ones already in development (such as the MiG-15.) I have stated that I greatly respect their work, and gone out of my way to be least competitive as possible, but it appears that they are trying to smash us. Damn! We already have to accept their far superior skill in modeling and obvious time advantage (as in, I am not at all willing to sit in front of this screen for more than maybe 2 hours a day, whereas they are obviously devoting very much time to this.) I do believe, though, that it is not at all the fault of Stan and Manus, the head developers. They've been cordial and cooperative with other pack creators (such that I've seen) and I do not think that they would try to deliberately tread on the competition. The community there is suggestion-driven like us, and with all our views, a lot of cross-pollinating is going on, if you know what I mean- viewers are seeing damn cool ideas here and taking them to where they know they can see models done extremely well and quickly. We may have to live with this, I am afraid.

The MiG dev has not changed since I left last week. I would try and devote more time to becoming better and more efficient at this, and I will to some extent, but I hope you understand that the kind of things Manus and Stan are cranking out would destroy my social life, not to mention my physical fitness. ;-)
Just don't quote know if Minecraft is worth that much time, but hey, this stuff is pretty damn cool, and I like it. So I am still very much in it. I do believe that if we rally together and make a decent effort as we have done in the past, we will be a very, very good competitor.

Fixed MiG, almost

Just wanted to fill you in. The wings and most of the tail are fixed- just gotta figure out WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO THE VERTICAL STABILIZER.