Thursday, December 11, 2014

The Modern Miner

The New Order's countless victories in enforcing the Code have resulted in the radical transformation of the highsec landscape. When I first proclaimed the Code nearly two and a half years ago, I estimated that it would take approximately eight years to bring everyone in highsec into full compliance. We're right on target. Even the most stubbornly bot-aspirant rebels have begun to grudgingly admit the success of the New Order. Highsec will never be the same again.

The future of life in highsec is clear: Everyone must comply with the Code. Resigned to their fate, the carebears are increasingly concerned with the interpretation of the Code, rather than its legitimacy. How does one become a Code-compliant citizen of highsec? If one must mine in highsec, how does one do so in a way that glorifies the Code instead of violating it? Today's post is about the Gallant highsec miner--the modern miner.

Anyone who's been at his keyboard within the last two and a half years should know that a mining permit is an absolute necessity for PvE in highsec. The price of a permit has always been just 10 million isk, easily affordable by even the newest of EVE players. As the number of Agents and permit-holders has skyrocketed, the concept of the permit has evolved somewhat. To avoid being ganked by mistake, permit-carrying miners are instructed to update their bio with some identifying information and a pledge of support to the Code. Despite the complaints of the rebels, this is all very basic stuff. Compliance with the Code goes well beyond merely buying and carrying a permit.

We all know that AFK mining is forbidden in highsec. How does a miner prove he's not AFK, though? Sadly, the game mechanics of mining do not require a miner to remain at his keyboard most of the time. The AFK miner might appear identical to the ATK miner, if not for local chat.

A miner's participation in local chat is actually quite a big part of the Code. Did you know that among the enumerated provisions with "-" bullet points, at least half a dozen expressly or impliedly refer to a miner's activity in local? When we study the Code daily, we learn something new every day. Given the frequency of the Code's references to local, it's worth a carebear's time and effort to really give this matter some thought.

To begin with, miners prove that they're ATK by responding in local when our Agents request it. How quickly should a miner respond? Agents vary in their preferences, but most agree that a miner is generally considered responsive if he replies within five seconds. If a miner is at his keyboard and attentive to local, that's plenty of time to say "hi" or "o/" (or even "all hail James 315" for a skilled typist).

Some miners attempt to fudge the ATK requirement by being technically within reach of their keyboard but functionally absent. For example, a miner might alt+tab to something else, or have another chat window obscuring local, or cast his gaze to a nearby television screen. All these things impair a miner's ability to promptly respond in local when requested. Thus, the miner is considered AFK despite his physical position next to his keyboard.

For these reasons, a miner should take great care when consuming food or beverages. This is especially true if a miner decides to eat a full meal at his keyboard. A TV tray might seem wonderfully convenient at first, but are you able to eat your dinner and still keep your hands free for typing? Be cautious. An empty stomach is better than a Code violation.

The botters of highsec have suffered greatly at the hands of our Agents. But those who design mining macros are inventive. Over the years, suicide ganks have forced them to incorporate anti-ganking protocols. For instance, some bot programs will cause a miner to automatically warp back to a station if a certain ship type (such as a destroyer) appears in the asteroid belt. It's not inconceivable that a future miner macro could automatically type a message in local--if they're not doing it already. Therefore, it's not enough for a miner to simply say "hello" in local. He must be able to carry on a conversation.

Miners should refrain from profanity, and should always respect--and show deference to--New Order Agents and the Saviour of Highsec. We know this from reading the Code. The modern miner strives to go beyond the words of the Code and fully embrace its spirit. How should he comport himself in local?

Whenever a miner goes out to mine some ice or some ore, he should imagine that he's headed off to an important job interview. Perhaps an Agent won't visit him that day. If an Agent does appear in local, the miner should be prepared. Being able to greet the Agent isn't enough. A bot can do that. The modern miner should be interesting to talk to. He should be impressive, even charming. It's not a terrible idea for a miner to keep at his disposal a few jokes or anecdotes to share, when appropriate. Our Agents should walk away from the encounter thinking, "You know, I really like that miner!"

Striking the right balance is key. A miner should demonstrate awareness of, and respect for, an Agent's superior position. Yet the miner shouldn't be cloying or oleaginous. A sycophantic miner can come across as a sarcastic one. Our Agents have finely honed senses; they know when a miner is being sincere or not.

One could write volumes on this subject. Today's post is merely an introduction to a conversation that highsec dwellers will be having for many years to come. The Code packs so much into so few words. For example:
Miners should strive not only to avoid botting, but to avoid even the appearance of botting.
A miner should consider this provision when he's designing his character portraits. If a miner uses multiple accounts, is there sufficient variation in the portraits to make clear that each character has its own identity, and is not merely a cog in a mining machine? Or this:
No excessive mining. Miners should not fall into a routine of mining all day. I want well-rounded people in my system, not ice-mining machines.
Miner, have you considered the appearance of your skill queue? Do you have characters that only train industrial or PvE skills, or is each character given ample time to develop PvP skills, keeping in mind that EVE is at heart a PvP game?

Think about it. My Agents and I look forward to continuing this conversation with you.

37 comments:

  1. "An empty stomach is better than a Code violation." - so very true.

    The Code always wins!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. unless you are a diabetic with a low blood sugar in which case a empty stomach could be a potential death sentence (speaking as someone with diabetes and a eve online player) and no...you cannot plan ahead and dock up.

      With a low blood sugar, sometimes, given sometimes low blood sugars don't manifest symptoms till you are minutes away from going into a diabetic coma, the few seconds it takes to locate your station for dock up could be all the time it takes to pass out and if someone isn't nearby, it CAN kill you.

      Delete
    2. If anyone has ever been:

      a) A compliant, permit-holding miner
      b) In space, mining, at their keboard
      c) Struck by the symptoms of hpoglcemia
      d) Ganked while going to quickly eat some sugars

      I would be profoundly amazed. This sounds like a nonsensical issue that will probably never come up.

      Delete
    3. GOOFUS forgets to monitor his blood sugar levels and falls into a diabetic shock while mining. When he failed to plan ahead, he was planning to fail.

      GALLANT maintains his body and mind by adhering to The Code, which was written by James 315, and the Food Pyramid, which he inspired. As always, proper planning prevents piss-poor performance.

      Delete
    4. anon 11:27: Unless you're a diabetic yourself, refrain from presuming you know how to monitor the condition as you sound like a Miner...an idiot. Its a serious medical condition that kills plenty of people each year. Its like joking about cancer.

      anon 11:04: As I diabetic, I can safely say all of that has happened. *not d as it happened several years before the new order began* I was lucky, my sister was home (I passed out preparing some food to fix my hypo and she was able to call the paramedics. There is nothing more...chilling then coming too ona sofa to see a paramedic kneeling in front of you and checking your vitals.

      Delete
    5. If an empty stomach becomes burdensome, I am certain the New Order will be happy to remedy the situation via rectal feeding.

      Delete
    6. Mr X,

      Are you really saying that there should be no ganking of AFK players in EVE Online? It is the logical conclusion to asserting that someone who is at risk of death if he doesn't immediately stop what he's doing - should be spared.

      All PVP games are the same in this regard. If, for instance, you absent yourself in the middle of a fire fight in COD, you are likely to suffer predictable consequences.

      Your condition is serious, potentially life-threatening. We all hope that the incident you describe is an isolated one. Balance this though against the possible loss (in the case of EVE) of your spaceship.

      If only all our RL conditions were as easy to fix as the loss of a spaceship in a video game!

      May you be well!

      Delete
    7. If someone has to go AFK to save their life, I doubt they're going to give a shit about their space pixels....but who knows, miners are a strange folk.

      Delete
    8. I shall load my light neutron II's with t2 insulin and keep a close eye on mr x.

      Delete
    9. Or they could just press the dock button. Its simple but effective.

      Also for all you diabetics out there a high fat, medium protein and low carb diet can keep you at your keyboards a lot longer.

      Delete
    10. sorry mr x., that ball is totally in your court. sorry for your troubles but you can't expect anyone online to take that into consideration, that's your job.

      Delete
    11. You know what? If one of my gank victims provided me with a legitimate doctors' note explaining that they were AFK because they had slipped into a hypoglycemic coma, went into labour, had an epileptic seizure or the like, I would probably seriously consider a reimbursement (if they had a valid permit of course).

      We aren't heartless monsters after all.

      Delete
  2. Code miners, should be willing to show they support the code ethics, by learning and willing to fly a catalyst to gank botters when its needed.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have the rest of your conversation loaded into my blasters, and I am looking forwards to letting you arrogant fools have it...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Remember, if it's a Catalyst that you're flying, and it's a Non-Code-Compliant Miner that you're targeting, then, please, by all means, feel free to let us have it.

      If you ever find a CODE. member mining without a permit, then it is not only your right, but your DUTY to decommission his illegal mining equiment!

      Delete
    2. I did giggle, enjoy whoring on Concord killmaiks and sitting in station. Whilst we win eve

      Delete
  4. WE ARE CODE. FROM EVE ONLINE AND WE SUPPORT ISIS MILITANT GROUP AND DEAD JOURNALISTS!

    ReplyDelete
  5. WE ARE CODE. FROM EVE ONLINE AND WE SUPPORT ISIS MILITANT GROUP AND DEAD JOURNALISTS!

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is a great explanation of what Code does and why they do it.

    ReplyDelete
  7. A friend directed me to this website for a few laughs, and I have to say, it's full of them. So here I sit, alt tabbed while mining, scrolling through and having a giggle.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cool story bro.

      Delete
    2. Remember, even CODE.-compliant miners CAN become shareholders in the New Order at the price of 1m isk per share! Support the New Order and it's mission of 100% Code Compliance today!

      Delete
  8. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  9. ppl pay bcoz they don't want to get ganked and want to be left in peace??? Take away the reason they pay and miners would be much happier. These holidays put on your wuss boots and kill some permitted miners :) They think they are paying for protection? No, there is no such thing. Get your ganking ship ready and take back hisec these Holidays.

    _Blueberry_

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You sure you wouldn't rather actively wait for someone else to do it? Or was your endorsement of ganking here intended so other people would do it, while you continue to grind isk?

      Delete
    2. Oh noez. Is this the start of a holiday hisec drive? Will the bears and bots finally get in the holiday spirit and interact with other players? Is this the event that will unite all of hisec in an effort to under'mine' the CODE?
      Seems unlikely, what with all of the ailments and near death experiences that permeate the miner camp, that such a frail and rabid group could ever field an army capable of surviving the power of the CODE.

      The code always wins!

      Delete
  10. a tl;dr speech is no conversation.
    :P

    As usual codies and their leaders.
    codies win: the stupidity award!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am veers! And i refuse to let CODE compete for my most coveted award!
      Veers always wins: the stupidity award!

      Delete
  11. A sermon is no speech. I don't know about you, but I read through it all with excitement and not noticing time. Such is the power of the Word from our Savior!

    ReplyDelete
  12. James, james, james.
    Such a silly conceited Twat, you own nothing. I will, and Continue to Mine in Hisec, You will Never find me, I shit on your CODE, I laugh about it, It has no more power than Me declaring that all of Hisec's Belts are mine.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. this one looks like he's afk jerking it to little anime girls, lol

      Delete
  13. Hi. I am also a new member of the forum. I am looking forward to exchange and learn more. Looking forward to sharing more with the same people!
    wings io

    ReplyDelete
  14. Many thanks for sharing this very diverse opinion post where each expert has no doubt shared his best knowledge on the topic. Have more success in your journey.

    ReplyDelete

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