Show Notes:

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How a Network Snafu in Indonesia Blocked Google in California

• At around 02:24 UTC on November 6th, about 3–5% of the internet lost the ability to reach Google
• Apparently due to a hardware failure, routers at the Indonesian ISP Moratel started broadcasting BGP routes for Google’s IP ranges
• This caused traffic to be routed to Indonesia for anyone who was fewer hops away from Moratel than from Google
• This had the largest impact in Hong Kong and on the US West Coast, because Moratel’s largest upstream providers is PCCW, a large Hong Kong based transit provider with a lot of peering in California
• The problem was fixed around 02:50 UTC when Moratel shutdown the failed router and disabled peering with Google
• Detailed Analysis

---

Researchers use side channel attack to steal the crypto keys from a virtual machine

• The researchers demonstrated the ability to steal the private encryption keys from a victim VM from an attacker VM on the same physical machine
• This means that an attacker than rents an Amazon EC2 instance on the same physical node as you, may be able to steal your private encryption keys
• There are obvious security implications of this for both Public and Private cloud hosting
• The researchers used an access-driven side channel attack, along with some novel methods of avoiding noise and detecting when their VM was running on a different processor than the victim VM, and they were no longer sharing a cache
• The researchers were able to reconstruct the 457-bit private exponent of a 4096 bit modulus with high accuracy, leaving the attacker to brute force on 10,000 possible exponents to find the correct one
• The attack uses Instruction Cache Spying, and Inter Process Interrupts to preempt the CPU of the victim VM on a regular basis in order to get consistent readings
• Full Paper

*
+ More images of @Netflix CDN hardware from #MeetBSD

Google researcher warns against using Sophos anti-virus

• A google security engineer, Tavis Ormandy, working on his own time has discovered a number of flaws in the Sophos antivirus
• He recommends against using Sophos unless the company can adapt to avoid making numerous newbie mistakes, and to issue patches much more quickly
• Ormandy has released a paper titled Sophail: Applied attacks against Sophos Antivirus
• “Active Sophos users should refrain from testing the examples described in this paper on production systems. Disk I/O on Sophos installations is intercepted by a minifilter that requires a userspace process to permit the operation. Interfering with the userspace process will cause I/O to fail systemwide, panic your machine and cause irretrievable data loss.”
• Specifically, a number of the flaws are the result of “poor development practices and coding standards”
• Ormandy also found that Sophos BOPS (Buffer Overflow Protection System), designed to provide “faux-ASLR” on XP systems, disabled real ASLR on Vista and 7, “allowing attackers to develop reliable exploits for what might otherwise have been safe systems.”
• Ormandy was also critical of Sophos for a lack of response when he reported numerous working exploits against their product
• Sophos Response (with timeline)
• Sophos plans to fix another vulnerability, where a malformed file can cause Sophos to halt entirely, on November 28th
• Sophos initially estimated it would take six months to produce a patch that involved fixing a “single line of code”. According to Ormandy, Sophos subsequently agreed to two months.
• Two years ago, Ormandy was the center of a controversy after he released a proof of concept exploit for a Windows XP flaw just five days after reporting it to Microsoft

---

Feedback:

• Secure logging : techsnap
• auditdistd
• NetBSD syslog w/ TCP and TLS
• syslog-ng
• Retiree who loves TechSNAP!
• Unfair load balancing?
• What’s with the URLs?
• Spying on the Scammers

Round Up:

• MegaUpload redo is shut down even before debut
• Firefox gets strict about enforcement of HTTPS protection
• Microsoft to drop Messenger, switch to Skype
• Skype gave personal information on a 16 year old user to a private security firm
• Apple considering using iPad processors in future Macs
• VUPEN claims to have 0-day exploits for Windows 8 and IE 10 even before its release
• Hacker leaks VMware ESX kernel source code online
• Some smart meters broadcast your usage data over unencrypted wifi for everyone to read
• During EFF case, government claims you don’t own your data stored in the cloud, and they can access it at any time
• IEEE develops standards for voting machines

The post Security by the Horns | TechSNAP 83 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.

]]> https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/19802/perfect-world-disappoints-stoked-124/ Mon, 21 May 2012 19:04:27 +0000 https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/?p=19802 Recent events have us concerned with what appears to be Perfect World’s lack of respect for the Star Trek IP, plus why we fear changes are hurting the community

The post Perfect World Disappoints | STOked 124 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.

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Recent events have us concerned with what appears to be Perfect World’s lack of respect for the Star Trek IP, plus why we fear changes are taking place at Cryptic that will hurt the community.

Plus: We lighten things up with a great Foundry mission, and in Talk Trek we share some of our favorite Jem’Hadar episodes in Star Trek.

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Show Notes:

NEWS:

• Ferasans
• No new DEV posts?
• Star Trek Online dev unconcerned with losing global playability for the sake of lock boxes

Foundry Files:

Temple of Pah-Wraiths

• Average Star Rating: 4.19
• Plays: 2164

New Segment: Talk Trek

Hippocratic Oath
– Early worf episode
– 4:30 the shuttle is hit with an energy surge and down they go
– 38:00 mark O’brian: “Your coming with me” and shoots Julians equipment

Call to Arms 5×26
– There is an awesome Sisko moment 19:00 he explained that his entire chat with Weyoun was just establish a false sense of security.
– don’t ever ever ever run program Sisko 197

Sacrifice of Angels 6×06
– The visuals are really kicked up this episode. New CGI use for the battles, requires splitting the CGI work out between two production houses.

The post Perfect World Disappoints | STOked 124 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.

]]> https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/19162/check-your-password-stoked-121/ Mon, 30 Apr 2012 20:26:30 +0000 https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/?p=19162 Chris stops by with a quick note about a recent security warning released by Cryptic studios, and teases an up coming segment on STOked!

The post Check Your Password | STOked 121 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.

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Chris stops by with a quick note about a recent security warning released by Cryptic studios, and teases an up coming segment on STOked!

Direct Download Links HD Video | Mobile Video | MP3 Audio | OGG Audio | YouTube

Subscribe via RSS and iTunes:
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The post Check Your Password | STOked 121 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.

]]> https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/19027/obscurity-is-not-security-techsnap-55/ Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:59:25 +0000 https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/?p=19027 Cryptic Studios suffered a database breach, but we’ve got more questions, and more vulnerabilities have been found in critical infrastructure hardware.

The post Obscurity is not Security | TechSNAP 55 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.

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Cryptic Studios suffered a database breach, but we’ve got more questions than answers, more vulnerabilities have been found in critical infrastructure hardware, and a WiFi hack you can so easy its fun!

Plus why you might have had trouble downloading Jupiter Broadcasting shows, and so much more!

All that and more on this week’s TechSNAP!

Thanks to:

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Limited time offer: $5.99 .coms, up to 5 domains! just use our code 599com7
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Show Notes:
Rugged OS contains backdoor maintenance account with insufficent security
• Rugged OS makes devices for controlling SCADA systems, including enabling management of non-networked SCADA devices via an IP-to-Serial interface
• Rugged OS devices are used to manage traffic control systems, railroad communications systems, power plants, electrical substations, and even US military sites
• The issue is that all Rugged OS devices contain an account with the username ‘factory’, that cannot be disabled
• This account is obviously meant to allow the manufacturer to service the device, however it is insufficiently secured
• Instead of using strong cryptography or SSL/SSH keys or something like that, the Factory Account uses a password derived from the MAC address of the device (so, the password is unique per device)
• However, this password is simple the MAC address run through a short perl script that reverses the octets and takes the modulus of a static constant
• This means that all of the factory user passwords are at most 9 digits in length and always contain only numeric values
• The RuggedCom devices appear to use plain Telnet, rather than SSH, so all communications to and from the device are in the clear, meaning the password to the device could be sniffed by another with access to the network segment
• The MAC address of the device is presented automatically as part of the login banner, making the compromise of these devices extremely trivial
• Researchers notified the manufacturer more than a year ago, but rarely got a response
• The researchers forced the issue via US-CERT in February of this year, and in the beginning of April CERT set a disclosure date due to a lack of response
• This vulnerability was discovered by analyzing the firmware of a used Rugged OS device bought on eBay by the researchers
• RuggedCom was acquired by the Canadian subsidiary of Siemens last month
• Full Disclosure Mailing List Post
---
Cryptic Studios Customer Database Stolen, in Dec 2010
• The database that was compromised contained user login names, game handles, and ‘encrypted’ passwords
• The official notice is sparse on details and does not explain what type of ‘encryption’ was used for the passwords
• “Even though the passwords were encrypted, it is apparent that the intruder has been able to crack some portion of the passwords in this database”
• Given the fact that it has been more than a year since the database was compromised before a string of accounts started being compromised suggests that the passwords may have been properly hashed
• The delay suggests that the attackers had to brute force the password database, and that this took significant time, however the time factor is relative, if the attacker only used a single machine to crack the passwords, or was unaware of Rainbow Tables, plain MD5 sums could easily take this long
• Cryptographically hashed MD5 (meaning, with a salt) or better yet SHA256 would take significantly longer to crack and would be immune to rainbow tables
• Salted passwords mean that even if two users have the same password, you have to brute force each hash separately (if you use plain MD5 sums, then all users with the same password can be cracked in one attempt)
• It is also very likely that the attacker saved up the passwords they were able to crack in order to compromise all of the accounts at once, to avoid Cryptic taking the step they have taken now, and forcing a password reset on all affected accounts
• The risk in waiting is that users will change their passwords over time, and the cracked passwords will then be rendered useless
• Even cryptographic hashes can be cracked eventually, that is why it is important to change your passwords periodically
---
Arcadyan Wifi Routers have accidental backdoor in WPS
• The flaw, which was likely originally in place as a debugging tool, allows any user to authenticate to your network using the WPS pin 12345670
• This attack is worse than the previous WPS attach that reduced the keyspace, because it does not require someone to press the WPS button on the device
• Worse, this override pin still works even if the WPS feature is disabled in the settings on the router
• Arcadyan makes routers specifically for ISPs, and there are more than 100,000 of these $275 routers deployed in Germany alone, all of which are vulnerable
• Both the stock shipped 1.08 and the latest downloadable version 1.16 of the firmware are vulnerable
• The only available workaround is to disable wireless entirely
• Since the routers are often white labeled to the name of your ISP, Arcadyan devices will have MAC addresses that start with one of the following:
• 00–12-BF
• 00–1A–2A
• 00–1D–19
• 00–23–08
• 00–26–4D
• 1C-C6–3C
• 74–31–70
• 7C–4F-B5
• 88–25–2C
---
Feedback:
Q: The entire Internet writes….
Why can’t I download JB shows? My world is ending!
A: Blip.tv (our video CDN) has made changes, that are stupid. We are moving off blip.tv and will keep you updated. If you want to grab something that is still hosted on blip.tv and are having issues downloading the files, here are some example work arounds:
• BeyondPond Blip.tv workaround
• DoggCatcher blip.tv Workaround
Round-Up:
• Cispa cybersecurity bill opposed by Obama administration
  • Obama Authorizes Sanctions Against Surveillance Tech in Syria, Iran
• Company accidently fires all employees instead of just one
• Iran: Oil Industry Hit By Malware Attack
• Security researcher discovered flaw in Samsung SmartTVs while trying to play a trick on his brother
• Microsoft research shows that all conficker infections were the result of weak passwords or vulnerabilities for which Microsoft had already released patches
• Microsoft asks bloggers to try hotmail again after years of gmail, hotmail account promptly hacked. Compromises Bloggers Xbox and other MS Live identities
• FBI DNS Shutdown debunking – Allan’s long explaination
• Check your IP against the FBI DNS database
• HALL OF SHAME: Cryptic Studios Hacked Dec 2010. Figure out Apirl 25, 2012
  • FYI – Your Cryptic Account was hacked in 2010
The post Obscurity is not Security | TechSNAP 55 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.
]]> https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/18661/reporting-for-duty-stoked-118/ Mon, 09 Apr 2012 22:49:52 +0000 https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/?p=18661 We chat with Thomas the Cryptic Cat Marrone, then it’s part one of our comprehensive guide to the Duty Officer System. We’ll start you with the basics, and ramp it up to advanced!
The post Reporting for Duty | STOked 118 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.
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We chat with Thomas “the Cryptic Cat” Marrone, then it’s part one of our comprehensive guide to the Duty Officer System. We’ll start you with the basics, and ramp it up to advanced!
Plus our review of the First Contact Day event and the new KDF mission Alpha!

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Show Notes:
Intro
• Happy First Contact day to all STO players
• Dan Stahl & Brandon hosted a Q&A in the RedAlert chat channel on First Contact Day
• Utopia Planetia social zone introduced
• Replica of the Phoenix Warp 1 craft made available as a space pet
• New KDF mission released which is an homage to “Predator” in many ways
News
• First Contact Day Q&A – Highlights:]
• Gates Of Stovokor Interview with Daniel Stahl
• They (KDF players) see the KDF as the Horde in WoW and wonder why it is doesn’t have its own zones with an entirely separate content track unto itself. The game was just not made to be that at launch. The only way we’ll ever get there is if we spin up an entirely separate team of content designers to go back and make a few years’ worth of content and release it as an expansion.
• CBS believe that only around 20% of Star Trek fans would be interested in playing a Klingon character and Daniel Stahl has previously stated that 18% of STO players actively gaming with the KDF faction. That was believed to be too low a number to warrant a lot of development time on the faction due to a low return on investment. It is unlikely that the Romulans / Cardassians have a higher percentage of fandom and as such, does that mean that we will only get to see a third faction in STO if they add a separate development team with the goal of producing a paid expansion for a F2P title. Lord of the Rings Online is likely a good example of this sort of effort as they recently released a paid expansion called War In The North.
• Link to the study Perpetual Entertainment Study
• Would you be willing to pay for an expansion which would add KDF / Romulan / Cardassian faction content?
Interview with Thomas “The Cryptic Cat” Marrone
• What does the Cryptic Cat do?
• The original minigame concept graphics he created
• The “patches” he has introduced to the game
• Multiple areas of the UI that he has worked on
• Trek design inspiration
Support the show: Grab the book that inspired Thomas!
[asa]0671704273[/asa]
Tactical View – First Contact Anniversary Mission
• “First Contact Day” mission available from mission contact list
• Transwarp directly from the active mission list or zone into Utopia Planetia from SOL
• Interact with the Enterprise F crew while exploring a new social zone
• Pick up a space pet replica of the Zefram Cochrane warp 1 ship – The Phoenix
Tactical View – “Alpha” KDF Mission
• Chancellor J’mpok offers the mission from your contact list
• Investigate a system which contains a MASSIVE gas giant
• Explore the jungle looking for survivors while being hunted yourself
Duty Officer Guide Part 1
• What is a Doff? Junior officers and crew on your starship.

• When do we get Doffs? FED at lvl 8 and KDF at lvl 23

• Doffs are essentially “trading cards” that you constantly swap for better ones

• Doff Characteristics: Faction / Species / Quality / Rank / Department / Specialisation

• Doff Traits: Each duty officer can have between 1 and 5 traits which each possibly affecting the outcome of any mission that Doff is assigned to e.g. Unruly send on a diplomacy mission

• How many Doffs can you have? 100 default, 400 max using c-store purchases

• 25 Duty Officer slots for 180 C-Store points (per character)

• 100 Duty Officer slots for 580 C-Store points (per character)

• Duty Officer assignments give item rewards and commendation XP

• Commendation XP (CXP) has categories: Diplomacy (FED) / Marauding (KDF) / Science / Engineering / Military / Exploration / Espionage / Medical / Colonial / Trade / Development / Recruitment

• Commendation XP allows you to achieve Commendation Ranks

• Everyone starts off as Rank 0 in each CXP category

• Rank 1 – 2.5K CXP

• Rank 2 – 15K CXP

• Rank 3 – 50K CXP

• Rank 4 – 100K CXP

• Rank 5 – not currently implemented but CXP can be gained up to 150K CXP currently.

• Ranking up gives a character title, access to more missions in that specific category, a token to purchase a new duty officer for that rank (increases in quality as rank increases) and in special cases a new ability. Diplomacy / Marauding rank 4 allows each faction to enter the home sector of the other which provides access to Duty Officer missions in those sectors. Transwarps can also be gained from

• How can you get additional Duty Officers? character ranks / recruitment missions / CXP ranking up / trade in missions / dilithium purchases / Doff assignment rewards / STF token vendor / c-store / EC exchange / FE – Facility 4028 /

• Where can you find Doff Assignments? Sector tab / personal tab / social zones / inside your ship

• Basics of the Duty Officer Assignment user interface

• The button to activate the Doff interface is located under the mini-map

• Overview tab
  + Assignments Summary gives you details on how many mission you are currently running
  + Duty Officer Summary show how many Doffs you have and where they are currently
  + Commendation Advancement is your master view of your CXP rank progress and rewards

• Assignments tab includes red icons to indicate why you currently cannot take certain missions. This allows you an opportunity to correct those issues and pick up the assignment e.g. you need a duty officer not currently in your roster, you need some commodities
  + Current Sector
  + Personal
  + In Progress
  + Completed
  + Assignment Log
  + Assignment Chains

• Duty Officers tab
  + Full details of every duty officer in your roster including bonuses for putting them on active assignment
  + Filter provided to allow you to focus on the specific Doffs you want to examine
  + Option provided to dismiss a Doff and be compensated in dilithium
  + Sections: Roster / Active Space / Active Ground / Sickbay / Brig / Passengers / Cargo Bay

• Request Duty Officers tab
  + Purchase additional roster slots from the c-store
  + Purchase Doff packs from the c-store
  + Open any cadres you have and have them added to your roster
  + See your most recently added Doffs and filter through them as needed

• Department Heads
  + Assign a first offcer and obtain missions for that Bridge Officer
  + Departments: Engineering / Operations / Science / Medical / Tactical / Security
  + These bridge officers will make suggestions on what Doffs to assign to missions which fall under their specialisations.
  + These suggestions are NOT always the best Doffs to assign and that will be covered in more detail during the advanced guide next week on STOked 119.

• Basics of running a Duty Officer Assignment
  • Choose an assignment from a category that interests you
  • Read the assignment description to get an idea of the “story” involved
  • Take note of the “Time To Completion”
  • Examine the “Rewards” for this assignment
  • Use the “Chance of success” percentages and graph to gauge the expected outcome of the assignment based on the Doffs you choose to assign to it. This updates as you change Doffs.
  • The “Requires” section tells you how many Doffs are needed and the specific traits and specialisations that are required. The more of the good traits you have in your assigned Doffs, the higher you chances of success and possibly critical success will be. Failed missions sometimes result in Doff injuries and disasters result in dead white quality Doffs. Blue / Green / Purple doffs only take injuries from such failures. The only exception where higher than white quality DOffs “die” are when you assign them to “Execute For Incompetence” missions.
  • Some Doffs have an innate % boost to rewards provided e.g. 5 (green) / 10 (blue) / 20 (purple)
Next Week:
• Assignment chains and the special rewards from them
• Pro tips from Brooklyn Knight / Z3R0B4NG / Lucas Purcell
• Entire Duty Officer guide for these segments published in the show notes
• DoffJOBS Spreadsheet usage
• DoffJOBS Tracker
• DoffJOBS in game, global chat channel
  investigation.
Foundry Files:
Foundry Files will have it’s own release soon, stay tunned to STOked for further announcements!
The post Reporting for Duty | STOked 118 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.
]]> https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/17872/boldly-they-played-stoked-114/ Mon, 12 Mar 2012 20:12:23 +0000 https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/?p=17872 Al “captaingeko” Rivera joins us to share details on the new Odyssey and Bortasqu' C-store ships, and Jeremy "BorticusCryptic" stops by for a live Q&A.
The post Boldly They Played | STOked 114 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.
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It’s a double dev special. Al joins us to share details on the new Odyssey and Bortasqu’ C-store ships, and what they can do. Then Jeremy stops by the studio for a live Q&A with our jblive.tv chat room.
Plus Chris reviews the final mission in SERIES 4: THE 2800.
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Show Notes:
News:
• Doff expansion…Gamma Quadrant Duty Officers added / New Mission chains
  >Dev Blog<    >Heretic’s Clarification<
• CapnLogan leaving Cryptic to work for Bungie >link<  >Send Off Video<
• C-store flagships with bridges by Captain Geko
• Rehpic explains some details about the recent STO server instability  >link<
• Starbase UGC recruiting Foundry authors to create their own FE series >link<
The post Boldly They Played | STOked 114 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.
]]> https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/13418/space-station-and-lizards-scibyte-19/ Tue, 01 Nov 2011 21:35:47 +0000 https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/?p=13418 We take a look at the Space Station resupply mission, dinosaurs, Mars, Snake Oil, Asteroids, cryptography, and take another peek at what’s up in the sky.
The post Space Station and Lizards | SciByte 19 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.
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Hello everyone and welcome back to SciByte!
We take a look at the Space Station resupply mission, dinosaurs, Mars, Snake Oil, Asteroids, cryptography, and take another peek at what’s up in the sky this week.
Direct Download:
MP3 Download | Ogg Download
RSS Feeds:
MP3 Feed | Ogg Feed | iTunes Feed
Show Notes:
Audible.com:
The Master Swtich: The Rise and Fall of Information Empires
Space Station Re-Supply Mission

• The low down

• Progress 45 cargo ship successfully launched from Kazakhstan on Oct. 30, 2011, bound for the ISS.

• Progress 45 will automatically link up with the ISS at the Pirs Docking Compartment on Nov. 2

• Progress 45 is carrying nearly 3 tons of supplies to the ISS, including food, water, clothing, spare parts, fuel, oxygen and science experiments for use by the resident crews.

• Deliver 1,653 pounds of propellant, 110 pounds of oxygen and air, 926 pounds of water and 3,108 pounds of spare parts, experiment hardware and other supplies

• Significance

• Soyuz rocket booster is used for both the Progress cargo resupply missions and the Soyuz manned capsules

• If this Progress flight had failed, the ISS would have had to be left in an uncrewed state for the first time since continuous manned occupation began more than 10 years ago and would have significantly increased the risk for survival of the ISS in the event of a major malfunction and no human presence on board to take swift corrective action.

• Multimedia

• Successful Launch for Soyuz Flight @ NASA TV

• Further Reading / In the News

• Success ! Launch Video of Crucial Russian Rocket to ISS puts Human Flights back on Track

• First Progress Launch Since Accident Looms Large for Space Station Program

• Russian Space Agency Sets Dates for Resuming Progress, Soyuz Launches

• Progress Crash Investigation Update

• ISS Crew Provides Light-Hearted Look at Current Space Flight Plight

• Cause of Progress Crash May Have Been Determined

• International Space Station Could be De-Crewed by November

• Managers Still Assessing How Progress Crash Will Affect ISS Operations

• Breaking: “Emergency Situation” as Russian Progress Re-Supply Ship Fails
— NEWS BYTE —
Migrating Dinosaurs

• The low down
• studying chemical variations in the teeth of the chewing-challenged sauropod
• When animals drink water, the oxygen in that water gets incorporated into the blood stream and eventually into tooth enamel
• water from a mountain tarn and water from a lowland swamp will have different amounts of a particular form, or isotope, of oxygen that has two extra neutrons in its nucleus
• Significance
• oxygen isotopes extracted from the tooth enamel of eight fossils remains from the western United States, and then compared the enamel isotope levels to those of minerals found in nearby sediments
• isotopic variation suggests, that they were moving around
• Multimedia
• By comparing the levels of a chemical tracer found in the enamel of sauropod teeth
• Social Media
• Twitter account for Colorado College @ColoradoCollege
• Further Reading / In the News
• Giant dinosaurs may have migrated
Mars feels the Suns Wrath

• The low down
• A bright CME blasted off the sun Oct. 22nd, heading for Mars. Analysts at the Goddard Space Weather Lab expected the cloud to reach the Red Planet on Oct. 26th
• Significance
• Mars is constantly losing part of its atmosphere to space and pressure from solar wind pulses is a significant cause.
• unlike Earth, Mars has no planet-wide magnetic field to redirect the atmosphere-eroding solar wind around and away from the planet
• How does it manage to have any atmosphere at all? Mars depends on comet impacts, polar dry ice and perhaps underground water that de-gasses over time to keep the red planet from being entirely airless
• It is believed Mars suffered a cataclysmic impact event in its early history that damaged the planet’s internal “dynamo.” Therefore, its magnetosphere was shut down and any residual magnetic field acts as mini-magnetic “umbrellas.”
• Multimedia
• predicted solar system path of the Mars-directed CME in the Space Weather Laboratory simulation
• CME launched toward Mars orbit on Oct. 22, as seen here by the LASCO instrument on the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (NASA/ESA)
• NASA Spacecraft Photographs Avalanches on Mars
• Avalanches on North Polar Scarps @NASA.gov
• Dust Devils on Mars from the rovers @ NASA.gov
• Social Media
• Twitter account for Space Weather @spaceweather
• Twitter account for iNtegrated Space Weather Analysis System NASAiSWA
• Further Reading / In the News
• Martian Air Blown Away by Solar Super Wave @ Discovery.com
• Mars Feels Sun’s Wrath @ FoxNews.com
• Martian Air Blown Away by Solar Super Wave @ Discovery.com
Snake Oil
• The low down
• snakes naturally enlarge their own hearts by some 40 percent in two to three days after eating one of their huge but rare meals
• A mix of compounds called fatty acids identified in pythons can spur an exercise-like boost in the size of mouse hearts
• three fatty acids identified in the blood of Burmese pythons boosted the mass of a heart chamber in lab mice by 10 percent in just a week
• Significance
• Enlarging heart tissue can be a danger sign for humans
• the growth seen in the mice looks more like an athlete’s healthful heart growth than a heart disease patient’s worrisome one
• These ubiquitous compounds perform a variety of functions in reptiles and humans alike. Just the right mix of three of them — myristic, palmitic and palmitoleic acid — turns out to trigger a quick upsizing in heart muscle cells
• many questions remain about how the snakes’ fatty acids actually work to trigger heart muscle cells to bulge
• Further Reading / In the News
• Python’s heart-restoring elixir works in mice
Story of a Molten Asteroid

• The low down
• Lutetia and its asteroid cousins are thought to be relics from the early solar system
• rocky fossils that have recorded a history of the solar system’s early days in their pits and fractures
• In July 2010, the European Space Agency’s Rosetta spacecraft flew within 3,200 kilometers of Lutetia, peered at the asteroid and attempted to read its stony story.
• Images from the OSIRIS camera reveal that parts of Lutetia’s surface are around 3.6 billion years old. Other parts are young by astronomical standards, at 50–80 million years old.
• Astronomers estimate the age of airless planets, moons, and asteroids by counting craters.
• Lutetia’s weak gravity tugged on Rosetta. The slight change in Rosetta’s path was reflected in radio signals received back at Earth
• Significance
• Scientists now think it is a leftover planetary seed, booted into the main belt
• Lutetia turns out to have one of the highest densities of any known asteroid: 3400 kg per cubic metre.
• The density implies that Lutetia contains significant quantities of iron, but not necessarily in a fully formed core.
• The only explanation appears to be that Lutetia was subjected to some internal heating early in its history but did not melt completely and so did not end up with a well-defined iron core.
• Multimedia
• ESA Rosetta Images of Lutetia
• ESA Rosetta Images of Lutetia
• Social Media
• Twitter account for ESA Science Team @esascience
• Twitter Results for [#Lutetia](https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23Lutetia)
• Further Reading / In the News
• Chronicles of Lutetia
• Asteroid Lutetia: postcard from the past @ ESA
Cracking a 250 year old puzzle

• The low down
• Code breaking still relies on good guesses and flashes of insight more than brute force
• more than three centuries after it was devised, the 75,000-character Copiale Cipher finally has been broken.
• To break the cipher the team tracked down the original manuscript, and transcribed a machine-readable version of the text, using a computer program created by Knight to help quantify the co-occurrences of certain symbols and other patterns.
• reveals the rituals and political leanings of an 18th-century secret society in Germany
• handwritten message in abstract symbols and Roman letters meticulously covering 105 yellowing pages hidden in the depths of an academic archive.
• rituals detailed in the document indicate the society had a fascination with eye surgery and ophthalmology
• Knight now is targeting other coded messages, including ciphers sent by the Zodiac Killer and other famous unsolved codes
• Significance
• There are quite a number of antique documents that remain mysterious, despite cryptologists’ best efforts
• opens up a window for people who study the history of ideas and the history of secret societies
• Historians believe that secret societies have had a role in revolutions
• * Of Note*
• Translation remains a tough challenge for artificial intelligence
• Copiale cipher. Translation from German (August 2011)
• Multimedia
• • USC Scientist Cracks Mysterious “Copiale Cipher” @ YouTube
• Social Media
• Twitter account for University of Southern California USC
• Further Reading / In the News
• Computer Scientists Crack “Unbreakable” Code, Find Minutes of 250-Year-Old Secret Society
• Computer Scientist Cracks Mysterious ‘Copiale Cipher’ @ ScienceDaily.com
• For more information about the method of decipherment
• Modern Algorithms Crack 18th Century Secret Code @ Wired.com
SCIENCE CALENDER
Looking back this week
• Nov 06, 1572 – 439 years ago : Tycho’s Supernova – A supernova was first noted in the W-shaped constellation of Cassiopeia but was seen by many observers throughout Europe and in the Far East. For two weeks it was brighter than any other star in the sky and visible in daytime. By month’s end, it began to fade and change colour, from bright white to yellow and orange to faint reddish light. It was visible to the naked eye for about 16 months
• Nov 08, 1895 – 116 years ago : X-rays – Wilhelm Röntgen discovered X-rays during an experiment at Würzburg University
• Nov 07, 1908 – 103 years ago : Single atom – Prof. Ernest Rutherford announced in London that he had isolated a single atom of matter
• Nov 07, 1918 – 93 years ago : Goddard rocket – Goddard demonstrated a tube-launched solid propellant rocket, using a music stand as his launching platform,. Goddard began work for the Army in 1917 to design rockets to aid in the war effort.
• Nov 04–05, 1922 – 89 years ago : Tutankhamen’s tomb – The entrance to King Tutankhamen’s tomb was discovered in Egypt in the Valley of the Kings where the English archaeologist Howard Carter had been making extended excavations. One of Carter’s labourers stumbled upon a stone step, the first step in a sunken stairway that ran down into the rock. Howard Carter excavated a further 11 steps and exposed a large part of a plastered and sealed doorway to Tutankhamun’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings near Luxor, Egypt. The tomb was the most complete ancient Egyptian royal tomb ever found.
• Nov 07, 1940 – 71 years ago : Tacoma Narrows Bridge collapse – at approximately 11:00 am, the first Tacoma Narrows suspension bridge collapsed due to wind-induced vibrations. Situated on the Tacoma Narrows in Puget Sound, near the city of Tacoma, Washington, the bridge had only been open for traffic a few months. Video of Tacoma Narrows Bridge Collapse “Gallopin’ Gertie”
• Nov 02, 1947 – 64 years ago : Spruce Goose – Howard Hughes piloted his huge wooden airplane, known as the Spruce Goose on its only flight, which lasted about a minute over Long Beach Harbor in California. It was the first test of a U.S. plane with eight engines. Wing span was 319 feet, 11 inches. Originally conceived by Henry J. Kaiser, a steelmaker and builder of Liberty ships, the aircraft was designed and constructed by Hughes and his staff. The original proposal for the enormous, 400,000-pound wooden flying boat, with its spectacular 320-foot wingspan, came from the U.S. government in 1942. The entire airframe and surface structures are composed of laminated wood (primarily birch, not spruce).
• Nov 03, 1957 – 54 years ago : Laika – Sputnik 2 was launched, with the first live animal sent into space – a Siberian husky dog, Laika (“barker” in Russian). By design, the craft which was built in only 4 weeks. Biological data, the first data of its kind, was transmitted back to Earth while she lived. The data showed scientists how Laika was adapting to space – information important to the imminent planned manned missions. The 508-kg satellite remained in orbit 162 days. The true cause and time of Laika’s death was not made public until 2002, Laika likely died within hours after launch from overheating.
• Nov 05, 1963 – 48 years ago : Vikings in America – Archaeologists found Viking ruins in Newfoundland predating Columbus by 500 years. Leif Ericson, Icelandic explorer, second son of Eric the Red, is believed by most historians to have been the first European to reach the North American mainland.
Looking up this week
• You might have seen …

• A small comet dove into the sun during the late hours of Oct. 30th. Watch the movie to see what SOHO saw

• Keep an eye out for …

• Wednesday, Nov. 2 : 1st Quarter Moon

• Thursday, Nov. 3 : Look lower left of the Moon this evening, by two or three fist-widths at arm’s length, for Fomalhaut, the Autumn Star.

• Friday, Nov. 4 : Jupiter’s Great Red Spot should be crossing the planet’s central meridian.

• Sat November 5, 2011 : The planet Saturn is quite low in the east at first light. It looks like a golden star, with the true star Spica to its lower right. Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, is visible through modest telescopes as a tiny “star” quite near Saturn.

• Mars, the red planet, is a morning object among the stars of Leo during November

• In the Southern Hemisphere : Mercury and Venus get together in the evening sky

• Early November : The Taurids meteor shower is active in early November and although rates are not high with no well-defined peak, around five meteors per hour can be expected with hopefully some unusually bright and slow moving events. Although Eastern Europe and the Middle East are most favoured, it is essential that observers head out as soon as the Sun is a few degrees below the horizon also be aware you will

• Saturday, Nov. 5 : Daylight-saving time ends (for most of North America) at 2 a.m. Sunday morning. Clocks “fall back” an hour.

• More on whats in the sky this week

• Sky&Telescope

• AstronomyNow

• SpaceWeather.com

• HeavensAbove

• StarDate.org
The post Space Station and Lizards | SciByte 19 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.
]]> https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/13366/the-next-generation-stoked-101/ Mon, 31 Oct 2011 20:21:28 +0000 https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/?p=13366 Big changes for Star Trek Online fans. We introduce the beginning of a new show format, chat about the Doff System, big economy changes.
The post The Next Generation | STOked 101 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.
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Big changes for Star Trek Online fans, and STOked is rolling out one of the latest! We introduce the beginning of a new show format, chat about the Doff System, big economy changes.
And of course, a few of the difficulties players are having with STO’s transition to free to play.
Direct Download Links HD Video | Large Video | Mobile Video | MP3 Audio | OGG Audio | YouTube
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Our STOked App:
Grab the STOked iPhone/iPod App and download STOked on the go!
 
[ad#shownotes]
Show Notes:
 
> Doff System
– Operant conditioning / skinner box …Farmville
– Bartle test…Doff system fits into the “Achiever” aspect of gamer psychology
– Bajoran Doffs removed until the DS9 Feature Series debuts
– Reduced XP for longer term missions
– Increased XP for shorter term missions encouraging more frequent “Doff sessions” for players
 
> Economy
1. Dilithium/Emblem exchange rate unchanged. F2P players get +30% more Dilithium for their time as previous subscribers. 336 converted, 480 earned.
2. 754 dilithium per converted emblem for a MK XI Beam Array (formerly 30 emblems)
3. Options taken away from the T-5 Excelsior after people paid money for this item.
4. VA token still taken from us despite being told that nothing would be taken from subscribers.
5. Increases Decreases Common Items Unchanged
6. 58.62% 9.20% 100.00% 32.18%
7. Salami Inferno says C-Store prices are final https://forums.startrekonline.com/showthread.php?p=3808268
8. James T. Picard points out that Cryptic’s C-Store prices aren’t higher than LOTRO’s in-game store prices.
https://forums.startrekonline.com/sho…d.php?t=238302
• • MVAM 1200 c-store points 2000 c-store points
  • Using 336 exchange rate: 500 emblems would be 168K dilithium
  • Using 754 exchange rate: 500 emblems would be 377K dilithium
  • 2000 C-Store points = MVAM = 168K or 377K dilithium
  • 1 c-store point = 84 or 188.5 dilithium
> Crafting Changes
– all tiers craftable again
– dilithium inserted into the higher tier (even levels)
– Mk XI Beam Array has old schematic costs + 16K refined dilithium (2 days to convert)
– MK XI Beam Array at ESD (was 30 emblems) 22,620 dilithium = 754 exchange rate
– Mission Chain Problem: https://img85.imageshack.us/img85/4515/brokenmission.jpg
– The Foundry: component complete still broken & anti-exploit nerf stops XP & drops after the 30th NPC kill in a single mission.
– Female Animations have been adjusted:
Now, if you choose the 3 feminine stances (Feminine, Sexy, Cute), you will get the existing new female walks & runs in unarmed modes.
If you choose the other gender neutral stances (Standard, Brawler, Stern …) you will get the default standard walks/ & runs.
– Zeronious Rex promoted to Producer and Farktoid5000 promoted to QA Lead
https://twitter.com/CrypticEQAH
– So Stephen D’Angelo said, during his interview on STOked 100, that he was going to have Stephen Ricossa do the Engineering Reports.

But then StormShade says no more Engineering Reports.
https://forums.startrekonline.com/sho….php?p=3815496
Now Stormshade says no more Dev Blogs.
https://forums.startrekonline.com/sho….php?p=3835627
– 700 Day Veteran Reward will come due December 11th, just 2 days after STO F2P launch.
– JBJeremy’s New Cryptic account https://twitter.com/BorticusCryptic & he is BorticusCryptic
Skills Revamp is coming!
Early details in CaptianGeko’s forum post.
Foundry Files:
• Overall, this mission is perfect for someone who wants to play a diplomatic mission with no combat (and hey, its another way to get some DXP, and it stacks up with some of Cryptics diplomatic missions like the ones that came out in Season 2) With a good story, and good puzzles, its very good for someone who wants to play a mission without combat.
Download the FULL review


The post The Next Generation | STOked 101 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.
]]> https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/12928/cryptic-visit-pt-3-stoked-100/ Mon, 17 Oct 2011 20:00:56 +0000 https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/?p=12928 Star Trek Online's Special Task Force missions are going through a big change! Find out the inspiration, plans, and improvements to the new STF missions!
The post Cryptic Visit PT 3 | STOked 100 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.
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Star Trek Online\’s Special Task Force missions are going through a big change! Find out the inspiration, plans, and improvements to the new STF missions!
Plus a sneak peak at STOked\’s new round table news team!
Direct Download Links HD Video | Large Video | Mobile Video | MP3 Audio | OGG Audio | YouTube
Subscribe via RSS and iTunes:
Subscribe... -- STOked -- iTunes HD Video iTunes iPod Video iTunes MP3 HD Video RSS iPod Video RSS
MP3 Audio RSS OGG Audio RSS -- ALL SHOWS -- iTunes Large Video iTunes MP3 Large Video RSS MP3 Audio RSS OGG Audio RSS
Our STOked App:
Grab the STOked iPhone/iPod App and download STOked on the go!
[ad#shownotes]
Show Notes:
Find Chris on Google+ for updates on STOked:
• Chris
Find Chris on Twitter for updates on STOked::
• Chris – ChrisLAS
Meet Jupiter Force:
• Jupiter Force Forum
Catch the show LIVE Saturday 11am PDT:
• https://jblive.tv
• Network Calendar
The post Cryptic Visit PT 3 | STOked 100 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.
]]> https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/12723/cryptic-trip-pt2-stoked-100/ Mon, 10 Oct 2011 21:05:22 +0000 https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/?p=12723 Exclusive new KDF ships and weapons pluslus take a run through the new Defiant interior! Plus our chats with several STO developers and team members.
The post Cryptic Trip PT2 | STOked 100 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.
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Exclusive new KDF ships and weapons, straight from the STO dev team! Plus take a run through the new Defiant interior, a chat with the STO community lead and a few folks from Q&A, and last but not least star ship design philosophy with Captain Logan!
Direct Download Links HD Video | Large Video | Mobile Video | MP3 Audio | OGG Audio | YouTube
Subscribe via RSS and iTunes:
Subscribe... -- STOked -- iTunes HD Video iTunes iPod Video iTunes MP3 HD Video RSS iPod Video RSS
MP3 Audio RSS OGG Audio RSS -- ALL SHOWS -- iTunes Large Video iTunes MP3 Large Video RSS MP3 Audio RSS OGG Audio RSS
Our STOked App:
Grab the STOked iPhone/iPod App and download STOked on the go!
[ad#shownotes]
Show Notes:
Find Chris on Google+ for updates on STOked:
• Chris
Find Chris on Twitter for updates on STOked:
• Chris – ChrisLAS
Meet Jupiter Force:
• Jupiter Force Forum
Catch the show LIVE Saturday 11am PDT:
• https://jblive.tv
The post Cryptic Trip PT2 | STOked 100 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.
]]> https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/12601/new-voyages-stoked-100/ Mon, 03 Oct 2011 20:11:19 +0000 https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/?p=12601 STOked went on-site at Cryptic Studios to bring you the latest information and feature announcements, straight from the mouths of the developers themselves!
The post New Voyages | STOked 100 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.
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In celebration of our 100th episode, STOked went on-site at Cryptic Studios to bring you the latest information and feature announcements, straight from the mouths of the developers themselves!
In addition to interviews and walkthrus, STOked has a big announcement of its own to make that you cannot afford to miss!
Direct Download Links HD Video | Large Video | Mobile Video | MP3 Audio | OGG Audio | YouTube
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Our STOked App:
Grab the STOked iPhone/iPod App and download STOked on the go!
[ad#shownotes]
Show Notes:
 
Tribble Patch:
– Doff System (lvl 12)
– Mission Journal UI upgrade (including Replay button!)
– “New” Fed tutorial
– First steps of the Dilithium switchover
Also a few unannounced tidbits:
– Ent F in the Mirror Universe incursion
– New voiceovers for the Guardian of Forever
– STF armor on display at ESD
– Ship shield quadrants change shades from blue to red as they lose integrity
– DS9 updates
F2P Test Rewards:
– Reach level 11 and receive an 8 hour XP boost item on Holodeck
– Reach level 31 and receive “a reasonably large chunk” of Dilithium on Holodeck
– Reach level 51 and receive a bonus ship slot, and a unique title.
———-
Let’s roll that beautiful bean footage!
– Up first, an interview with the Emergency Executive Producer Hologram: Stephen D’Angelo
– Then Al Rivera takes on a whirlwind tour of some upcoming +1 ship powers for the Feds!
– Then, Jesse Heinig gives us a run-down of the Dilithium-based economic changes
– And we end with a tour of Bajor!
The post New Voyages | STOked 100 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.
]]> https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/12106/daniel-stahl-interview-preview/ Tue, 13 Sep 2011 19:56:04 +0000 https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/?p=12106 Daniel Stahl stopped by STOked and dropped a few exclusive details about up coming content for Star Trek Online.
The post Daniel Stahl Interview Preview first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.
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Daniel Stahl stopped by STOked and dropped a few exclusive details about up coming content for Star Trek Online. We’ve released the clip to give you a preview of what’s coming up in episode 98 of STOked! Be sure to catch the full episode next Tuesday 9/20/11 at jupiterbroadcasting.com
The post Daniel Stahl Interview Preview first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.
]]> https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/12063/matrix-freeloaded-stoked-97/ Mon, 12 Sep 2011 20:55:35 +0000 https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/?p=12063 More free-to-play information has landed, and we’re sure you wanna hear ALL about it. We discuss the finer points of this new subscription model
The post Matrix Freeloaded | STOked 97 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.
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More free-to-play information has landed on Cryptic’s site, and we’re sure you wanna hear ALL about it. After we finish discussing the finer points of this new subscription model, we’ll set a course for September’s Ask Cryptic with a full suite of sensors ready to snoop out the juiciest bits of STO’s inner workings, before diving into another set of delicious Tweet Leaks!
Then, hold on tight for a special KDF edition of the Foundry Files, guest starring the author and co-host of Podcast UGC, Havraha!
And we top off this sundae of awesome with a cherry of Community Feedback, including some great tips for keeping your Fleet strong, and a brand new question all about F2P!
Direct Download Links HD Video | Large Video | Mobile Video | MP3 Audio | OGG Audio | YouTube
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Subscribe... -- STOked -- iTunes HD Video iTunes iPod Video iTunes MP3 HD Video RSS iPod Video RSS MP3 Audio RSS OGG Audio RSS -- ALL SHOWS -- iTunes Large Video iTunes MP3 Large Video RSS MP3 Audio RSS OGG Audio RSS
Our STOked App:
Grab the STOked iPhone/iPod App and download STOked on the go!
[ad#shownotes]
Show Notes:
NEWS:
Free to Play Matrix and FAQ
Changes for everyone:
• KDF unlocks at 25 (we’ll talk about that more during the Ask Cryptic)
• “Premium” Race selections coming off the C-Store (into the Doff system)
• Foundry: “8 Starting Slots” – more coming to the C-Store?
  *We are discussing the exact criteria for how Gold players will “unlock” new Foundry slots and hope to have this in place at or shortly after F2P launch.
  What does F2P not get?
• Limited bag space
• Limited EC storage
• Fewer character slots (one each faction)
• Very few boff slots (enough to have just 1 crew for both space + ground)
• No Foundry authoring (can still play)
• Ads in Vivox
• Limited chat, mail & customer service
• Let’s talk stipend! 400 points for subscriptions… Is that enough?
So are Lifers losing the Liberated Borg or not?
Ask Cryptic – September Edition
• Voth as a potential baddie in the future?
• Very few assets or features being added to the Foundry until F2P lands (but maybe more social zones hooked up as doorways)
• Wait, WHAT? No new missions until after F2P lands? … ouch
• Info on the Borg Ground Assault – sounds like a CO open mission, kinda.
• Perfect World is going to help with localization efforts – huzzah!
• Some talk of “costume” options for ships
• “STO is a very solo-heavy MMO…” (commentary)
• KDF at 25… (commentary)
• FLEET PROGRESSION (not just starbases) coming with Season 5
• PvP will have a strong focus in 2012
• THEY RUINED PONIES! FOREVAR!!!~
Tweet Leaks!
• Galaxy X / Venture crossbreed
• Update to “gates fighting back” – they no longer spawn helpers
FOUNDRY FILES:
KDF EDITION!
Mission: “Time The Enemy” by Havraha
Grab the complete report
COMMUNITY FEEDBACK:
Results from Last week
Last week’s question: “How do you keep your fleet strong?”
Skype in from Jupiter Force – Fleet Leader, Maverick
Discuss ribbon rewards
Skype in from {UFP} United Federation Planets – Fleet Council Member, Mikester
Discuss “assimilation” forum mini-game, and “changelings” voicechat mini-game
Example of the new Borgified signatures of members of the UFP Fleet
• https://ufplanets.com/ufp/images/signatures/Airik.png
• https://ufplanets.com/ufp/images/signatures/GracePryde.png
• https://www.ufplanets.com/ufp/images/signatures/theborg.png
New question:
Since the F2P Matrix is currently still “subject to change” what major changes would you recommend be made?
Try out our drink! Superfruit Punch
The post Matrix Freeloaded | STOked 97 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.
]]> https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/11232/in-a-perfect-world-stoked-94/ Mon, 15 Aug 2011 21:53:00 +0000 https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/?p=11232 Perfect World’s purchase of Cryptic is complete, but what does it mean? Plus our thoughts on one of the biggest challenges currently facing the game!
The post In A Perfect World | STOked 94 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.
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Perfect World’s purchase of Cryptic is complete, but what does that mean? We dig into this major topic, and break down this month’s Ask Cryptic.
Plus our thoughts on one of the biggest challenges currently facing the game, and why now has to be the time these issues are addressed!
Direct Download Links HD Video | Large Video | Mobile Video | MP3 Audio | OGG Audio | YouTube
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Subscribe... -- STOked -- iTunes HD Video iTunes iPod Video iTunes MP3 HD Video RSS iPod Video RSS MP3 Audio RSS OGG Audio RSS -- ALL SHOWS -- iTunes Large Video iTunes MP3 Large Video RSS MP3 Audio RSS OGG Audio RSS
Our STOked App:
Grab the STOked iPhone/iPod App and download STOked on the go!
[ad#shownotes]
Show Notes:
NEWS:
First, it’ll be a compact episode this week, sorry!
We had planned to have another “Foundry Files” segment for you to chew on, but the Foundry has been eating missions and causing a LOT of crash issues, so it’s been taken offline. Until it’s stable again, our team can’t deliver the goods!
Perfect World Acquisition is FINALIZED!
• What’s that mean for Atari points?
• What’s that mean for personnel/staffing?
• Final Price = $49.8million (~$30mil went straight to bring Atari into the black)
• The first round of “separation” from Atari on August 18th.
Ask Cryptic – August Edition
• Dates (Sept/October before we see anything new)

  • Additional comment from Dan re: timelines, delays: “… we are absolutely learning from the code merge that was Season 4 and I’m being very vocal about how much it has cost STO and how we can avoid it in the future.”
  • Aug 25th and Sept 22nd – next “big” release dates.

• T2 Nova / Pay-to-Win (Not seen as an issue by Cryptic… but totally is!)

• Acquiring the Ent F = Mission Reward for completing “a Fleet Action series”
• Space skill update coming in September, will combine T5 stupidity.
• Custom kits confirmed! (Late S4, or Early S5)
• Cross Faction STFs coming in September! (big boon to the underpopulated KDF side)
JHeinig ECONOMY MATHS us
• Per the Ask Cryptic… This ‘unified currency’ may be implemented as early as September.
Massively hands out some solid info on the upcoming Borg events
• Persistent ground combat areas, with weekly missions (Orion or Gorn homeworlds?)
• Stage 3 is the STF Revamp releases.
  • This will include new STF queues, including cross-faction teaming.
• Stage 4 = Into The Hive
Updated Defiant – QUAD CANNONS
Action Shot #1 // Action Shot #2
Not to be outdone… the KDF gets the same!
Action Shot!
Stahl hints at some sort of “Marines” uniform coming with the Borg invasion
TrekCon edition of TWEET LEAKS
(which just goes to show, what happens in Vegas, ends up on the internet)
• Gozer shows off his writer-signed script and flute from TNG “Inner Light”
• ThomasTheCat in uniform
• And a more job-appropriate color
• ThomasTheCat squeezes a Trek babe
• Trekkie R&R at the blackjack table
Dstahl responds to Foundry outage with REAL INFO
Reminder Q Weekend 20th-21st – XP NOMNOMS!
The post In A Perfect World | STOked 94 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.
]]> https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/8861/champions-marvel-mmorgue-3/ Sat, 28 May 2011 03:00:49 +0000 https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/?p=8861 In this week’s MMOrgue, we’re digging up the dirt on the world of superhero MMOs!
The post Champions / Marvel | MMOrgue 3 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.
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In this week’s MMOrgue, we’re digging up the dirt on the world of superhero MMOs! Join us as we don our capes and tights to take a look at the latest troubling reports from inside Marvel Universe Online, as well as examine the effects that SOE’s network security issues and subsequent outage have had on DC Universe Online.
Last but not least, we examine the announcement that Atari is parting ways with Champions Online developer, Cryptic Studios. What has motivated this divestment, and what could this mean for the studio’s future and existing projects?
Direct Download Links: HD Video | Large Video | Mobile Video | MP3 Audio | YouTube
MMOrgue iTunes Feeds:	MMOrgue RSS Feeds:
HD Video iPad & Apple TV Video iPod Video MP3 Audio	HD Video RSS Large Video RSS Mobile Video RSS MP3 Audio RSS
Show Notes:
First, to respond to some feedback:
“The dark theme and name do not suit the show’s content.”
• First the obvious reasoning behind the name: Everybody talkes about MMOs, and everybody considers themselves an expert worthy of a name and brand. Hence, MMO-everything is taken. I kid you not.
• More importantly, the concept of looking at the inner workings of a living industry is very much in line with the idea of cataloguing and studying our dead.
  • I chose this theme and name to illustrate a scientific and analytic approach to the stories that will be covered herein.
  • The communities, technologies, and professionals of this industry are very much the heart, lungs and brains of any MMO. Without analysing what motivates and drives any of these, we potentially lose sight of the whole.
• And lastly, the MMO industry is a dangerous place. Covering titles and technologies that are dead, and finding out what put them there, is something that WILL be covered on this show.
“You need a co-host.”
• If this was a show about sharing the latest press releases and announcements, I would be inclined to agree. Finding commentary and conversation on such topics is easy, and flows best between separate minds.
  • However, as this show is 100% editorial driven, the content is created from the mind of its host. Increasing the number of minds involved would only fragment the content and any opinions contained herein.
• That said, there will occasionally be important industry events which either slip my radar, or about which I know too little to accurately form an editorial opinion.
  • In these circumstances, I intend to invite “correspondents” to join me on air to discuss those particular situations. If you feel as though you would like to become a correspondent, please contact me by posting at jupitercolony.com, or by emailing jeremy@jupiterbroadcasting.com, to start a discussion on what content you would like to present to our audience.
DCUO and SOE outage
• Infographic
• On May 2nd, SOE went dark. Then hundreds of thousands of gamers cried out in frustration, and never went silent.
• It took almost two weeks to get the network, and all of Sony’s games, back up and running and (apparently) secure from further invasion. That outage is estimated to have cost SOE a total of $171 million.
• And this is AFTER a fiscal year that ended in March, which reported an annual loss of $3.2 billion for the company.
What does this rough patch mean for the future of DCUO?
• Nobody at SOE is making any official statements yet, other than to say that DCUO’s population is currently “very good.”
• In the past 3 months, there have been two replacements among the DCUO project’s upper management that were made from within … existing execs taking on extra responsibility instead of promotions, or new hires.
• And this after the project suffered a round of layoffs in April.
• It is likely that subscriptions will see a noteworthy drop due to the outage. Even with the incentives being offered by SOE by way of apology.
  • This comes down to Consumer Confidence, which is fancy way of saying “people don’t like to be jerked around.”
  • SOE has a large overhead, capable of supporting a few rocky patches. Even so, they’ve been known to shut down games (Matrix Online).
• GOOD NEWS: Apparently this outage scared SOE into being more interactive with their customers, and their forums are now ablaze with Dev Posts at regular intervals sharing REAL info instead of SOE’s standard practice of silence and mystery.
  • Let’s hope it lasts.
MegaServers
• Just days before the SOE network outage, it was announced that ALL of the existing DCUO servers would soon be merged into a few instanced networks called “MegaServers.”
• Through the use of “phasing” technology, players will still be participating in areas that will have reasonable populations.
• The benefit of this is to allow all of the back-end queueing for Raids, Duos, Alerts, and PvP to work across ALL players (on a per-platform basis).
• The idea of server mergers has always been seen as a bad thing by the MMO press. It indicates a population decline, and a lack of interest.
  • This MAY be different, as this sounds more like a fundamental tech shift, and not just a run-of-the-mill merger.
  • However, it is still addressing an issue that would not be present if the game had a large and active population of gamers (queue times for instanced content).
• Community outcry of “name collision” issues, and lack of solid responses from SOE, are causing additional schisms and rage among players.
Champions Online – Atari divests itself from Cryptic
https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/34704/Atari_Drops_Champions_Online_Developer_Cryptic_Studios.php
First, rumor killing:
– Nothing is happening YET. Atari has only announced their INTENT to divest. They have not announced that they are seeking a buyer, nor that any change of staff will occur as a result of this decision.
Atari is making a Bad Choice
• Investing in casual markets
  • Casual / Facebook games do not create brand recognition, fan loyalty or press.
  • As this market continues to mature, games will become more and more complex and impressive until their development budgets rival current standalone titles.
  • Long-term investment in this area will continue to require more and more finances to remain competitive. It is not a quick and cheap money-maker market.
• Profits continue to rise
  • 17.3 million prior year, 7 million this year, next year = ??
  • While actively developing at least one unreleased title – Neverwinter
  • Early indications that Champions Online move to F2P has resulted in huge increase in profits, which only occurred in Q3 of 2010.
• Foundry Tech
  • No other MMO has created such a successful and robust UGC tool, and it is now available to be ported to all titles using the Cryptic Engine: STO, CO and NWO.
  • Giving the power of content creation to users opens up new doors to new types of gamers, and creates a powerful sense of community.
  • Other MMO devs would probably love to get their hands on this technology…
Independence for Cryptic?
• In today’s MMO landscape, no Dev survives alone.
• They all need a publisher, and most publishers end up owning the Dev studio
  • Blizzard was acquired by Activision in 2007
  • Bioware became a part of EA in 2007
  • Turbine, the biggest example of a successful “indie” developer, was purchased by Warner Bros in 2010.
• To date, no major developer has managed to leave its parent publishing company, and survive. In fact, it’s such a risky prospect that studios typically just dissolve rather than even attempt it.
So then, who buys Cryptic?
• I think it’d be a bit presumptuous for me, as a gamer and not a financial analyst, to try and make an educated guess on this one.
• MMORPG.com has a couple good editorials that cover most of the major candidates in this area. Check the show notes for details, as I don’t have much else to add to the discussion at this point.
  • “Who Should Buy Cryptic?” — Western buyers
  • “Cryptic’s Future Unclear” — Eastern buyers
• Fans of Star Trek Online are hoping that the company is acquired by CBS, the IP holder of the Star Trek franchise.
  • Would CBS be interested in entering the online gaming arena? They haven’t yet.
Future of Neverwinter IP?
Possibly the biggest question mark in all of this…
• Atari holds publishing rights on all Dungeons & Dragons products until 2017.
• A lot of money and time already invested in the project, including a co-publishing deal with a line of novels written by R.A. Salvatore, and a deal with Wizards of the Coast for additional tie-ins.
• Unlikely that Atari will let this one go completely.
  • It will either get pulled from Cryptic and given to another studio with Atari maintaining their publishing oversight, or a new deal will be worked out to keep Atari on board in spite of their divestment from the studio.
  • Either option discounts the title from being a bargaining tool in obtaining a new investment partner.
Marvel Universe
F2P
• Attempting to live under the title of “First ever AAA F2P MMO in the West, at time of launch”
  • Color me completely unimpressed.
  • First of all, you can’t CLAIM a title like “Triple-A” without having a product. At this time, with the total lack of game footage, screenshots, timelines for beta/release, or even branding… what is here to lay claim to?
  • This just sounds like empty hype, from a company that has already started disappointing us with overblown hype for their other unlaunched MMO, Jumpgate:Evolution.
No Character Customization
Rank this as my “most worrying” concern for this title.
• On the one hand, it will allow players to jump into game as iconic well-known superheroes from the Marvel franchise.
  • A lot of people will find this appealing, as evidenced by the outstanding sales records for single-player superhero titles like “Ultimate Alliance.”
  • Developers at Secret Identify Studios claim this will make everyone feel more heroic, and “we won’t be merely ‘sidekicks.’”
    • EMPTY CLAIM — CO allows heroes to feel like heroes, and even have their own Nemesis with minions and a base. What sidekick has that?!
• On the other, how many Wolverines and Hulks will be roaming around? Or will each server have only one instance of each? Where’s the “massive” in this MMO, if that’s the case?
  • And how about progression? If you have to unlock the powers of your favorite superheroes, how do you explain them losing their abilities at the start of the story?
• Possibly one of the biggest selling points of superhero MMOs to date, has been character customization. CoX and CO had it in droves, and DCUO’s comparative lack of options brought them a lot of criticism from MMO players and press.
  • This is a technological step backwards, and will only work if this is NOT a true MMO as we’ve come to define it.
  • If this is just another “X-Men Legends” or “Ultimate Alliance” with robust online matchmaking services, then it could work.
  • But any form of persistence, progression and community, will be lost without personalization of your avatar.
Written by Bendis
This has the potential to make me excited.
• Brian Michael Bendis is the godfather of Marvel’s “Ultimate” universe, and creator of some of the most critically acclaimed stories ever to spring from comic books. Including “Avengers Disassembled,” “House of M,” “Civil War,” and “Secret Invasion.”
• He claims to be writing stories for MUO that will portray some of the most iconic moments from each characters’ lore, and re-imagine them into events that players will experience in-game.
• Not much else to say about it, really. Bendis has never really done anything ‘wrong’ (except, arguably, killing off Hawkeye… ) so it’s great news for the story side of the game.
• Between this, and the news that R.A. Salvatore is writing for Cryptic’s “Neverwinter,” it could set a precedence in the industry to bring in more established high-profile writers to flesh out the story of an MMO. Nothing wrong with that at ALL. There’s a reason they are high-profile after all… it’s because they’re AWESOME.
https://www.mmorpg.com/showFeature.cfm/loadFeature/5187/page/1
https://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/02/the-daily-grind-do-you-think-marvel-universe-is-an-mmo/
—————
Man… this whole episode was a lot of bad news, wasn’t it? And here I was hoping that superheroes were a HAPPY topic of conversation…
Well, maybe next week will turn some of that around…
+ RIFT feedback and discussion
+ 2KGames enters the MMO arena, through a partnership with XLGames (Lineage)
+ Bioware talks Mass Effect MMO
 
The post Champions / Marvel | MMOrgue 3 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.
]]> https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/8592/cryptic-remastered-stoked-83/ Tue, 24 May 2011 02:01:56 +0000 https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/?p=8592 Big news landed this week, as Atari announced their intention to part ways with Cryptic Studios. What does this mean for the future of Star Trek Online?
The post Cryptic: Remastered | STOked 83 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.
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Big news landed this week, as Atari announced their intention to part ways with Cryptic Studios. What does this mean for the future of Star Trek Online? Apparently not much, but it’s not been easy to get a straight answer. Hear what Chris & Jeremy have to say on the matter on today’s episode.
After drudging through the mess of corporate financial statements, it’s time to have some fun! Remastered episodes are getting their moment in the spotlight this weekend, and we’ve taken them through their paces to see if this re-imagined content has been worth the hype and anticipation.
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Show Notes:
NEWS:
Season 4 includes behind-the-scenes improvements (“very un-sexy”)
– S4 marks a conjunction of “Code Branches” between all projects using Cryptic engine.
– Micro-patching, partitioning, animation sequencing.
– DX11 support?
June 17-19, Q will return for Double XP
C-Store Sale thru May 26th
– no discount on Section 31 uniform, or Fighter crafts.
Fighters
VIDEO
C-Store Items: 400 tokens each ($4.99 US)
– More fragile than existing shuttles, but more firepower.
– Shuttles/Fighters to feature in STF Revamps
New Prize for “Stranded in Space”
New reward for Stranded in Space summons a commodity dealer that also works as a bank and mailbox! Thank you Captain Brott!
– 4 hour cooldown, useable in any sector space map
TWEET LEAKS:
Two more pics of 500-day Vet Uniforms (Pic 1 // Pic 2)
Andorian Badge: https://twitpic.com/4ynr6x
Golden Gate Bridge: https://yfrog.com/z/h74bahpj
Atari intends to SELL CRYPTIC ?!
– Business as usual, for now. Seeking a buyer.
– The term “Discontinued Operation” doesn’t sound good.
– Could be worse… Eden Studios having workforce cut by 60+% instead of being sold off.
– Future of Neverwinter is unclear. Atari owns publishing rights on D&D franchise until 2017.
– If profits continue to rise, next year could be “in the black”
– Atari Second Half and Full Year 2010/2011 Consolidated Result
Atari has it’s reasons:
“ Sharp reduction in research and development costs year over year due to lower amortization in relation to the products released and lower investment requirements of the current product pipeline as the Company continues to focus and fewer profitable  releases with reduced research and development  investments”
Followed by…
“In line with the previously stated strategy of fewer but more profitable releases and further expansion into casual online and mobile games, the Company has determined that external development creates more flexibility in the changing marketplace. Therefore, the Company has made the decision to divest itself from Cryptic Studios. The divestiture process is underway and more details will be provided as appropriate.”
Instant Feedback Poll:

TACTICAL VIEW:
Remastered Imaga/P’Jem
P’JEM / DIPLOMATIC ORDERS
– Badass reward (Pocket Spock)
– Vulcan has a space station. Who knew?
– Shuttle interior! (Briefly)
– Vulcan landing was EEEEEPPPPIIIICCCC
– New social area on the ground.
– Cutscenes and voiceovers
IMAGA / DOOMSDAY DEVICE
– No more hargh’peng torpedos (360 targeting)
* New ones have a neat effect, though!
– Holoshimmer effect on KDF costume is really nice
– High quality Klingon voiceovers.
– You’re actually flying a B’rel !!
* Have to reset your hotkeys. WORTH IT.
* Bridge cutscene IN SPACE! (no zoning)
– Avoid the targs. You WILL get deaded.
– oh. em. gee.  The Doomsday Device
– Klingon singing!
Community Feedback:
More Duty Officer info and Q&A
We’re still collecting Duty Officer questions for Heretic, but he won’t be able to appear for a few more weeks.
Around the same time he’ll be on, we’ll also have Al Rivera back to talk in-depth about the new Ground Combat. So…
Send us your questions for Al Rivera, re: Ground Combat!
Foundry Suggestions:
Cryptic spotlights “Sins of the Son” (video) by Netherblood
Brains Before Bounty
Ice Station Gamma
To Free or Not To Free
Be sure to check out the J-Man’s new show: MMOrgue

Download:
The post Cryptic: Remastered | STOked 83 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.
]]> https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/2752/captain-bio-spotlight-stoked-50/ Tue, 07 Sep 2010 06:20:42 +0000 https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/?p=2752 We’ll talk about some of the 3rd party software and hardware solutions that were seen on the PAX Expo floor for STO, that we’re hoping to feature in future episodes.
The post Captain Bio Spotlight | STOked 50 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.
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This weekend, the boys from Jupiter Broadcasting boldy went where so many had gone before — PAX Prime 2010! Unfortunately, with Cryptic not in attendance, news for STO was light. In this episode, we’ll talk about some of the 3rd party software and hardware solutions that were seen on the Expo floor, that we’re hoping to feature in future episodes.
After that, we’ll perform a quick review of the latest Weekly Content: “Out In The Cold”
Then we’ll wrap up the episode with the last batch of Community Spotlights, from the bios we’ve received over the past several weeks, and give you a tease regarding our next feedback request.
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This week’s Show Notes:
We spent the last week preparing for, and then attending, PAX!
We did catch a couple cool things for future episodes of STOked
• a potential STO-compatible voice-control software (Tazti – pronounced Tasty)
• some neat peripherals. (keyboards, mice, headsets, etc)
Chris will review: Out In The Cold (this week’s Breen/Deferi weekly content).
• Cave tileset new and neat
• Convenient plot devices (“weapons that only work on [insert race here]”)
And that’s it!  For more thorough PAX coverage, tune into Jupiter@Nite Tuesday night.  And then we’ll have a PAXtravaganza episode of LOTSO filmed live this Friday evening.
For details on live broadcast times go to jupiterbroadcasting.com/calendar
Community Feedback:

Honorable Mentions:
@Ebeyer
“Oh, and he has irritable bowel syndrome”
Lol A Saurus (@ not known)
– Because it’s funny/clever.  Not particularly good.
@Te’lc (Ethan)
– Because he’s freakin’ TWELVE.  He’s never known a Star Trek world that wasn’t reruns.
Will be posted on Jupitercolony.com:
@IronEarth
Great story, good narrative, quality writing.  Worth the read.
“Think of a metal. Picture the most desirable metal in existence. Do you see Silver? Gold? Latinum perhaps? All of these are rare elements that carry with them traits such as royalty, beauty or power. Our protagonist, Alec Michael Paul Maynard, is a revered Captain of piracy, attributed to Iron for the qualities that it possesses. Common, dark and sturdy it is an often condescended metal of both integrity and fortitude that isn’t pretty but is used for the toughest jobs, due to its reliability in handling just about any task thrown at it, no matter how dense the crap.”
@S’ting
Ties in to Spock’s Reunification efforts AND being a reclaimed borg.  No easy feat.
@FourFiftyOne
Epic blog of epicness and rad, spanning multiple characters.  https://wearefourfiftyone.wordpress.com/
Download:
The post Captain Bio Spotlight | STOked 50 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.
]]> https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/2704/stoked-birthday-party-stoked-49/ Tue, 31 Aug 2010 06:58:50 +0000 https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/?p=2704 We’ll give you our impressions and brief opinions regarding the first of the new weekly Deferi missions: “Cold Call.” And we throw a very special STOked one year birthday party!
The post STOked Birthday Party! | STOked 49 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.
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This week features a ship-heavy news segment, wherein we discuss the merits and limitations of the Excelsior and Nebula, as well as give you an update on the state of the infamous Enterprise J.  After that, we’ll give you our impressions and brief opinions regarding the first of the new weekly Deferi missions:  “Cold Call.”
Then it’s time to celebrate!  This episode is being released exactly one year after publishing our debut episode of STOked.  To commemorate the occasion, we’ve compiled a collection of some of our favorite moments and milestones from every episode crafted in our studio over the past year.  Including some embarrassing moments, and the birth of a few of the show’s catchphrases.  Cryptic employees also stop by for a quick cameo to share their well wishes for our future!

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This Week’s Show Notes:
The Excelsior Class is OUT:
• Transwarp Drive that can be activated in system space for rapid travel to the Alpha Centauri, Sirius, Regulus, Pi Canis, Psi Velorum, Iota Pavonis, Eta Eridani, Beta Ursae and Alpha Trianguli Sector Blocks.
• This ship may only be purchased by Federation captains that have attained Rear Admiral or higher rank.
Early information on the Nebula Class:
Nebula
• A StarCruiser variant (Its not a Retrofit. It utilizes the StarCruiser Skill).
  • Interesting that a Sovereign alternative has a special ability.
• Unique Ability: Tachyon Detection Grid: PBAoE buff that increases your, and allies w/in 10k, Starship Sensor Stat and Cloak Detection. Each buffed ally in turn will buff more allies within 10k of them – thus extending the grid.
• Has a UNIVERSAL boff slot
  • Same boff arrangement as DSSV, only second science became universal
• Ugliest Ship EVVVVAAAARRR.
Enterprise J Grounded:
Daniel Stahl (STO’s EP) writes in the STO forum:
We are not making a 2 mile long Enterprise J. In fact I think we should just stop saying the Enterprise J is coming, because Enterprise J refers to a very specific ship that I can confirm we are not making.
The idea is – we want to make a ship that moves ship designs closer towards the J, but based on internal discussions we are not going to be making the J as it appeared in Enterprise. It is going to be some other ship between now and then. J was just a way of saying a forward looking ship like the J.
Weekly Episode Release Schedule:
Episode 1: Cold Call
Starfleet and the Klingon Empire both respond to call for aid after the Breen attack the planet Defera.
Debuts: August 28, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. PDT.
Episode 2: Out in the Cold
While searching for a lost ship, the crew uncovers a plot to enslave the Deferi people.
Debuts: September 4, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. PDT.
Episode 3: Cold Comfort
Breen slavers leave a ship and its crew crippled while they hunt for buried memories among the Deferi.
Debuts: September 11, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. PDT.
Download:
The post STOked Birthday Party! | STOked 49 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.
]]> https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/2201/how-to-pick-the-right-deflector-dish-stoked-40/ Tue, 29 Jun 2010 07:32:11 +0000 https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/?p=2201 We help YOU get the most out of your Deflector Dish equipment slot in Star Trek Online.
The post How to Pick the Right Deflector Dish | STOked 40 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.
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We help YOU get the most out of your Deflector Dish equipment slot. In today’s MATH segment Jeremy gets you pointed in the right direction to really take full advantage of this often missed ship equipment.
Then it’s our community news focus, we chat about Cryptic purchasing a forum posters mini-game artwork and concepts, plus much more!
We wrap the show up by asking you our latest question: Send us your ideas to turn your bridge officers into more iconic, if at least not more important Star Trek characters.
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NEWS:
ThomasTheCat gets bought out.  https://forums.startrekonline.com/showpost.php?p=2781838&postcount=311
    * I’ve never before seen or heard of a game developer buying the works of a fan.  New trend?  Bad idea?
Black Market Exchange launches (out of game item auctions)    https://blackmarketexchange.blogspot.com/
    * Forum:  https://bmebulletinboard.freephpbb3.com/index.php
    * Only going to work if many people participate.  It looks sparse now, but if everyone that sees this sticks around, it could turn into a great community tool.  Give it a chance!
Galaxy X coming to the C-Store  https://forums.startrekonline.com/showthread.php?t=164479
        * Sets a poor precedent.  This has a tangible impact on game play (Phaser Lance, Cloak) and can be purchased via RL cash.
        * Still no word on a Klingon equivalent.
        * It was nice of them to release this information before too many people bought extra copies via Steam (big sale going on right now).
        * They are giving a $50 C-Store credit to anyone that received this before 6/24, as they assume this was all people buying multiple copies of the game.
                — Not a good distinction.  You can’t use a date to determine purchases, how about checking CC# on the accounts instead?
        * Interesting to note:  Only 50 people have earned a Galaxy-X via referrals, despite the forums erupting in rage from every angle.
Fun bug — KDF occasionally log in and find themselves at Earth!
https://forums.startrekonline.com/showthread.php?p=2766737#post2766737
Updated Intrepid/Cochrane/Discovery model pics:  https://forums.startrekonline.com/showthread.php?t=161807
        * Go see for yourself, pics included!
Complete list of Accolades:  https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0ArevmnGYK2p1dFluSkM2aDNmaG9HdUt4VnVNaVIxbVE&hl=en#gid=1
        * Assembled by Cinos
        * Includes what they are for, how to get them, rewards, etc.
        * Most thorough list I’ve so far seen, but still a work in progress! (missing some title reward details)
Recent series of Zinc interviews
Hailing Frequency:  https://hailingfrequency.com/boards/latest-star-trek-gaming-news/hailing-frequency-special-june-2010-interview-with-craig-zinkevich!/
        * Transcriptions here:  https://forums.startrekonline.com/showthread.php?t=163964 (thanks, Darren_Kitlor!)
ZAM’s Q&A:  https://www.zam.com/story.html?story=22624
        * Interview took place in early June, some info is dated.
        * Zinc: “Putting Episodes dealing directly with your Bridge Crew is one of my dreams that I’d like to see in ship interiors eventually.”
MATH:
Spacial Anomaly?  Emitters?  Deflectors?  Deflector FIELD?  Deflector DISH?
The amount of strange terminology is enough to give even the most math-brained players a headache.  But I’m here to try and clarify the situation for you, and help YOU get the most out of your Deflector Dish equipment slot.
Selecting the right dish is a 3 step process:
STEP 1) EXAMINE YOUR SKILLS
It might be best to have something to write on, for this step.  It’s worth noting up front that Deflector Dish boosts ONLY affect Science abilities.  What you need to do is go through each of your Science Bridge Officer skills, and take note of whatever skills have an effect on those abilities.  You have two methods to do this —
    * Use your skill selection drop down, and it will highlight which skills affect which abilities.
    * Use your ability selection screen, and take note of whatever is listed on the info pane.
        — I’d recommend this second approach, as scrolling through your drop-down is tedious.
At this step, it may become apparent that you’ve spread yourself too thin, and you’ll want to retrain your boff abilities.  I did when making THIS segment, so I know it can happen!
STEP 2) CHOOSE 3-4 DEFLECTOR SKILLS TO BOOST
Here’s my example list of my science boff abilities:
Scramble Sensors: Sen, SenP
Viral Matrix: Sen, SenP
Jam Sensors: Sen, SenA
Gravity Well: Def, Spa
Tyken’s Rift: Def, Spa
Science Team: Def, DefF
Tachyon Beam: Def, DefD
Based on this list, I’ve decided that it makes the most sense to boost the following skills:  Def, Sen, SenP, Spa (in that order of importance)
STEP 3) FIND YOUR DISH!
Deflectors come in an array of types, each with uniform stat boosts, as follows:
Deflector Array
Sensors
Deflectors
Emitters
Tachyon Deflector Array
Sensors
Sensor Array
Graviton Deflector Array
Deflectors
Deflector Dish
Positronic Deflector Array
Emitters
Tractor Beam
Based on this info, it looks like my best choice is going to be a Deflector Dish.  That will boost two of my skills:  Def, Sen
Now I’d like to find out if I can obtain a dish that also includes boosts to my other top skills.  Using the following list, you can search the exchange for the suffix that will benefit your skills the most.
ast = Astrometrics
def = Deflectors
defD = Deflector Dish
defF = Deflector Field
em = Emitters
hs = Hazard Systems
sen = Sensors
senA = Sensor Array
senP = Sensor Probes
spa = Spacial Anomalies
st = Photonic Theory
tb = Tractor Beams
In my particular case, I know that I’m looking for the following item:  “Deflector Array Mk X [Spa] [SenP]“
A quick trip the Exchange, and BOOM… wait, whu?  Aww bummer, must’ve chosen a rare combo.  Maybe you’ll have better luck?  Make sure to try your search with the stat boosts in different orders.  Just in case.
If you can’t find the precise Dish you need on the Exchange, make sure to check vendors for other options.
MAIL:
New question:
“Star Trek is about more than just the Captain — the crew matters too. But right now in STO, they are little more than equipment. Send us your ideas to flesh them out into more iconic Star Trek characters.”
Chris’ Response:  
I had much higher hopes for the BOs. I wrote them into my story line and really had a lot of thought into their background..
But after I played the game I realized they were useless, so I never finalized the background story
Jeremy’s Response:
Re-implementing the voice pack options that were introduced in late Beta would be a nice first step in giving our boffs a personality.  To be able to customize their vocal reactions to things we do as their Captain would go a long way towards making them feel less like loot, and more like people.
DOWNLOAD
The post How to Pick the Right Deflector Dish | STOked 40 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.
]]> https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/1718/stoked-s02e06-crystalline-catastrophe/ Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:43:55 +0000 https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/?p=1718 We take it easy this week and invite you over to our STO party, we join up with Jupiter Force in our not-so-awesome attempt to take on the big bad Crystalline Entity. We discuss the new Engineering Reports, The Infected mission, some new tease screen shots of future ships, Cryptic's new release calendar, and so much more!
The post STOked s02e06: Crystalline Catastrophe first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.
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STOked Season 2 Episode 6: We take it easy this week and invite you over to our STO party, we join up with Jupiter Force in our not-so-awesome attempt to take on the big bad Crystalline Entity. We discuss the new Engineering Reports, The Infected mission, some new tease screen shots of future ships, Cryptic’s new release calendar, and so much more!
PLUS – Our suggested DOs and DON’Ts for taking on Crystalline Entity!
Direct Download Links Small | Medium | HD | OGG Video | MP3 | OGG Audio
Our STOked App:
Grab the STOked iPhone/iPod App and download STOked plus bonus content on the go!
NEWS:
“The Infected” — released!! https://www.startrekonline.com/node/1239
Skipped the Test Server, and it shows (very glitchy)
Primary bugs include — untargetable borg, UI lock-out, movement control issues.
The STF instance is very, very difficult. Watch for a more thorough review, including Tips & Tricks, on next week’s STOked!
Also includes a cross-faction team mechanism for Borg DSE fights in Gamma Orionis. Feds can fight alongside KDF in a tentative alliance.
“Engineering Reports” — new feature on Cryptic’s Forums https://forums.startrekonline.com/showthread.php?t=132122
Basically a status report on the Behind-the-Scenes work going on at Cryptic.
Separate into categories: In Development, In Testing, and Under Investigation
The most recent report includes features we didn’t know about!
Changing your @ name, “Romulan Temple” fleet action, Off-duty outfits, Neutral-faction social areas
Teaser screenshots from DStahl: https://forums.startrekonline.com/showpost.php?p=2290118&postcount=181
New PvP ground map, new Fed ship (science?), new Klingon cruiser
Billing Issues being addressed: https://forums.startrekonline.com/showthread.php?p=2311163#post2311163
$30 charges have been refunded.
12-month charges are being fixed on a case-by-case basis.
Cryptic admits, billing server just couldn’t handle the Day 1 rush and these subs were the lucky ones that got screwed up.
Release Calendar Now Available: https://startrekonline.com/calendar
Tentative schedule — per Rekhan: https://forums.startrekonline.com/showthread.php?p=2311880#post2311880
Ask Cryptic — MORE KLINGONS! https://www.startrekonline.com/node/1275
More customization of avatars and ships is on the way. (but no Gorn females)
Possibility of “High-End” (T5?) ships being based on Gorn/Orion/Naussican designs, but nothing in the low/mid range.
New Klingon computer voice & music coming soon.
More melee weapons in “an upcoming update”: More bat’leth variants, mek’leth, Andorian Ushaan, katana, and more. Also the “Nausiccan Energy Lance”
3-sided PvP maps! And another mention of neutral-faction social areas.
Confirmation of “Unique Episodes” … but timeline is “down the road” which is pretty distant. This is in addition to Fleet Actions, Star Clusters and STFs for Klingon players.

MATH / MEDIA – Combined!
Taking Down the Crystalline Entity — Tips, Tactics and a Walkthru
Preparation Suggestions:
Disruptors and Plasma are the best energy types (the CE and its shards have no shields and no subsystems)
Do not use Mines or Boarding Parties. Do not use Heavy Plasma/Tricobalt torpedoes once the entity is at 30% (explanation below)
Beam Weapons are superior to cannons due to the amount of maneuvering required for this fight.
Set your energy settings to: Weapon 50 / Shield 25 / Engine 100 / Aux 25
This will usually allow you to outrun the Fragments, in case they cannot be killed quickly enough. Always remain at full speed.
Shields are useless against the Fragments, and the CE’s beams do not hit hard enough to generally worry about.
Do NOT use the following abilities:
Any “Dispersal Patterns”
Mines are a very bad idea against the CE (explanation below)
Boarding Parties
For the same reasons as Mines (explanation below), in addition to the fact that the CE has no subsystems.
Any ability that provides buffs against incoming damage
The damage dealt by Fragments is huge, and should simply be outright avoided. Use these ability slots to better control the battle, and deal damage.
Any ability that targets/disables a subsystem, shield, or special ability on the enemy (e.g. Charged Particle Burst)
Holds — the CE seems to be immune to Viral Matrix, and there are too many targets for Tractor Beam or Viral to generally be useful vs. Fragments.
Ramming Speed
If you impact a Fragment on the way inbound, you will die and deal zero damage against the CE. The damage is very low even if you do manage to impact the CE itself.
DO use the following abilities:
Scramble Sensors
This causes all Fragments affected to hold still for the duration. They will not target eachother, but they will also not target YOU and not move.
Gravity Well, Tractor Repulsors, Photonic Shockwave
All of these abilities will slow or prevent the movement of Fragments toward your ship.
Battle Walkthrough
Upon entering a new instance, proceed forward AS A FLEET toward the Crystalline Entity.
Positioning is important!
Try to remain as close to 10km away from the CE at all times.
Agree upon a direction to circle the entity (clockwise or counter-clockwise)
Stay at the midpoint so you can see all incoming shards (not above or below the CE)
Situational Awareness is important!
If a fleetmate is being followed by a cluster of shards and gets killed, those will switch to the nearest target which COULD BE YOU. Stay alert!
Now that the battle is joined, it’s a fairly straight-forward conflict until the CE reaches 30-32% hull. Up until that point, he will only employ two basic abilities:
1) Crystalline Beam — inflicts heavy beam-based damage on a random high-threat target, every few seconds.
2) Spawn Shards — spawns 3-5 “Crystalline Fragments” which will spread out from the CE and begin following nearby enemies. These follow basic threat principles, and will change targets if you shoot at them.
Upon reaching 30-32% hull, the Crystalline Entity goes into “Survival Mode” and stops spawning normal Fragments. In their place, it will begin spawning “Large Crystalline Fragments” which follow a few special rules.
They are faster than the previous basic fragments.
They deal much more damage than basic fragments.
…but most importantly!
If they impact any object (ship, mine, shuttle, heavy plasma, or tricobalt) they will destroy themselves and turn into 3 “Small Crystalline Fragments”
If these Small Crystalline Fragments spawn, they will immediately fly back toward the CE. Upon reaching it, they are devoured and heal the CE for 1% of its total hullpoints.
The ideal strategy is (roughly) as follows:
Split your team’s efforts between damaging the CE, and killing Fragments.
Most of your party should be focused on Fragments. There’s no rush to down the CE quickly.
It is acceptable to use Heavy Plasma and Tricobalt torpedoes against the CE until it reaches about 40% hullpoints, but Mines should always be avoided as they cannot be “undeployed” and are a very large hazard once the CE goes into Survival Mode, due to the risk of impact against rouge Large Crystalline Fragments.
Small Crystalline Fragments and Large Crystalline Fragments are always high priority targets, in that order of importance.
Though it IS possible to drag along a cloud of Fragments behind you and not kill them, this tactic generally results in an excessive number of uncontrolled Fragments.
Keep moving, but clean up your Fragments along the way.
Step 3) Profit!



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