Dariuas - Good evening and welcome to our 19th Ultima Online Celebrity Chat. UOCC is a forum wherein we bring to you celebrity guests from the UO community, ranging from website administrators, OSI personnel, counselors, seers, and even roleplayers and PKs from your own shard!
Dariuas - They drop by to answer your questions about UO, their experiences in it, and about their own contribution to the community. Our system is similar to the UOHOC chats. All you have to do is /msg a designated question taker with your question or comment. However, when it is your turn, rather then a moderator pasting your question in the chat, instead we set +voice to you and allow you to talk with the celebrity guest yourself! Please /msg or /query Neo_Orion, Stark, or RacerChik with your questions.
Dariuas - Tonights guests will be Kal El, Head of Support Volunteers, Companions, Counselors, etc.
Dariuas - While we are waiting for questions lets listen as our guest introduce himself..
Kal_El - Hi everyone
Kal_El - nice to see all of you
Kal_El - If you dont know who I am ...
Kal_El - I am the support volunteer coordinator for UO
Kal_El - I used to be in charge of the Counselors some time ago..
Kal_El - oh around March of 99
Kal_El - is when I started
Kal_El - then went on to over see teh GMs for a bit
Kal_El - now Im happy to say Im back with you all
Kal_El - I love working with the vols more than any job Ive had to date...
Kal_El - I know there have been some "rough" times in the recent past
Kal_El - but we are working diligently to move through those
Kal_El - and get on with a great future
Kal_El - I want to dispel any ideas that OSI doesnt absolutely love the volunteer program
Kal_El - in fact, its quite the opposite..
Kal_El - no matter what it may seem like
Kal_El - The vols are our number one priority right now
Kal_El - and Scorch, Trasa, Guardian and myself are all working hard to make progress
Kal_El - with everyone involved
Kal_El - Thats about all I have to start with...

Aesop - Go ahead with your question ImaNnoying
ImaNnoying_LSR_Pac - Kal_El, the recent "No More Free Account" change has sent alot of people into a frenzy with rumors, and various other stories about what's going on. Are you allowed to clear this up, and perhaps give us a final answer on why the Volunteers no longer recieve free player accounts?
ImaNnoying_LSR_Pac - Had that copied and everything =P
Kal_El - good question...
Kal_El - and good name :)
Kal_El - ok
ImaNnoying_LSR_Pac - Thanks =)
Kal_El - I know this has been the hottest topic as of late...
Kal_El - everyone wants a specific, clear cut definition..
Kal_El - If you are looking for me to label all of this on something other than the fact that this is the way our legal department believes the industry is moving Im afraid Ill dissappoint you
Kal_El - I cannot comment on why our legal dept makes the decisions that they do
Kal_El - I know thats not what you all want to hear
ImaNnoying_LSR_Pac - So then, it had to do with certain "Legal Matters" that cannot be explained?
Kal_El - but you have to understand that seeing as how Im not a lawyer
Kal_El - correct
Kal_El - lol
Kal_El - hehe
ImaNnoying_LSR_Pac - Hrmmm, alright. Thank You!
ImaNnoying_LSR_Pac - *puts his Gag back on*

Aesop - Go ahead Twithead
Twithead - Ah, thank'ee Aesop and Kal El for hosting and coming to this. =)
Kal_El - anytime
Kal_El - :)
Twithead - With the request for new counselors (posted recently on FYI section on UO website), when will we start seeing the results of this new influx of volunteers? And are these volunteers to replace those who left the counselor program or to help beef it up even more to handle the workload? Thanks! =)
Kal_El - Let me just say that we have received an enormous response
Kal_El - the apps will take a little time to process, but I can assure you that you will start seeing an influx of Counselors over the next couple of weeks
Kal_El - once they finish the interviews I want all new trainees to go straight to the regional channels
Kal_El - so they can start building the community with you all asap
Kal_El - Its been a long time since we had a call for counselors...
Kal_El - this is simply the right time to do it again
Kal_El - :)
Aesop - Thx Twithead =)

Aesop - Go ahead with your question LadyCurious
LadyCurious1 - Kal_El, With the influx of new applicants those of us that have had our interviews will we need to reapply
LadyCurious1 - *giggles*
Kal_El - nope
Kal_El - not if you have already been through it
LadyCurious1 - Have had my interview, just have not heard anything in weeks.
LadyCurious1 - wasn't sure with all the changes, what needed to be done
Kal_El - hmm
Kal_El - if you havent heard anything then please email me
Kal_El - Ill make sure you get taken care of
LadyCurious1 - Email address please?
Kal_El - [email protected]
LadyCurious1 - Thank you very much!
Kal_El - :)

Aesop - Go ahead ImaNnoying =)
ImaNnoying_LSR_Pac - *grin* Thanks Aesop.
ImaNnoying_LSR_Pac - Kal_El, there seems to be a recent shortage of Counselors (Alot quit) and with the new applications out, that should bring in a whole new fleet of Smurfs. However, much of the player-base is not over 21 years of age, is there any chance that some day, perhaps with a more complicated interviewing process, that the age requirement of 21 might be lowered?
Kal_El - Not at this time no...
ImaNnoying_LSR_Pac - *snivel*
Kal_El - we have discussed this, but it is going to remain 21
ImaNnoying_LSR_Pac - Is there a specific reason that it will stay 21, and not be lowered?

Aesop - Go ahead with your questino GreenDragon.
GreenDragon - Kal_El, how do you compare and rate UO's customers service with EQ's in terms of customer satisfaction?
Aesop - question too.
Kal_El - well I would love to be able to actually compare that unbiasedly (SP)
Kal_El - but I cant...
Kal_El - I have played EQ some...
Aesop - Traitor!
Kal_El - but it wouldnt be professional to comment on their service
Kal_El - :)
Kal_El - I know we have the best
Kal_El - thats all there is to it

Aesop - Go ahead sir.
Twithead - Hi again Kal El. I got a further question about those regions.
Twithead - I noticed that there's been a slight change by referencing the various shards to particular regions. Can you detail more on the specific regions and why this was done?
Kal_El - well
Kal_El - one of the things our dev team is working on...
Kal_El - is for Counselors to have the ability to take calls on multiple shards at the same time... without having to log out and back in again...
Kal_El - we want this to be separated into regions...
Twithead - Cool! That'll help a lot. =)
Kal_El - east coast would be Cats, CHessie, and Atl
Kal_El - etc...
Twithead - Will this apply for all volunteer programs?
Kal_El - just the Counselors
Kal_El - anything else?/
Twithead - Thanks for your answer.
Kal_El - you bet
Kal_El - :)

Aesop - Go Ahead w/ your question =)
Newbie_Rooter - thx
Newbie_Rooter - :)
Newbie_Rooter - I'm just interested to know if with the removal of free accounts for counselors if they would look into offering any other special benefits in the future.
Kal_El - we are looking at all kinds of rewards and recognitions for c's, but they just cant have any kind of monetary value associated with it
Kal_El - any ideas are alway appreciated
Kal_El - :)

Dariuas - Please remember: Direct your questions to one of three people using /msg or /query Neo_Orion Stark, or RacerChik.

RacerChik - *CeloxNex* HeyKal, I am a big fan of UO! I was just wondering what is the single most impressive
RacerChik - motivation you have? If you take a look at all upcoming MMORPGs and ones currently out, how does the UO
RacerChik - program compaire? What would you change about the UO program if you could?
Kal_El - hmm
Kal_El - whoops
Kal_El - Ill answer anyway..
Kal_El - the single most impressive motivation...
Kal_El - has to be the people
Kal_El - this game and its programs would be nothing without the incredilbe people involved
Kal_El - thats why I do it
Dariuas - And kal, from personal view, we appreciate everything you do ;)
Kal_El - THanks Dariuas

Aesop - Go ahead w/ your question DarkDragon.
DarkDragon - i gotta retype it, eh...
DarkDragon - gimme a sec
DarkDragon - :)
DarkDragon - To what extent could volunteer powers be increased in the future, and do you feel the "forced vacation" would actually slow down this process (more turnover, and more vols overall could actually mean less trust placed in them by OSI....a common fear of vols)??
Kal_El - To a huge extent!
DarkDragon - hope thats not too controversial :)
Kal_El - there are some great things coming into testing in the next few days
Kal_El - for vols
Kal_El - like being able to go invis...
Kal_El - among others..
DarkDragon - and on the 2nd part?
Kal_El - and I dont think the LOA will slow things down at all...
Kal_El - the main reason is so everyone can take a short break and not get burned out
Kal_El - I think 3 months was too long
Kal_El - and fought to have that shortened
Kal_El - I feel good about 6 weeks
Kal_El - and think will will recharge everyones batteries
Kal_El - more than anything
Kal_El - :)
DarkDragon - so vols should get info about new powers soon, eh?
Kal_El - you bet
Kal_El - as soon as its on TC
DarkDragon - thanks...
Aesop - Thx DD =)

Aesop - Go Ahead Dar-Villous
Dar-Villous - Thanks
Aesop - Welcome.
Dar-Villous - Since removing the free accounts from the counselor program are they lowing the expected volunteer time required to be in the program?
Kal_El - it is still 6 hours a week
Kal_El - ...
Kal_El - thats what we ask of each Counselor
Kal_El - so that will remain the same
Dar-Villous - ok, Thanks

Aesop - Go ahead Majestic =)
Majestic_Summer - Thank you
Majestic_Summer - How do you rate the success of the global queue for counselors and how do you see this as a viable solution
Majestic_Summer - when all that has happened that q times have increased
Kal_El - well its hard to rate the GQ for c's as it isnt in yet... but we all feel that it will be very effective..
Kal_El - Counselors really shouldnt notice a difference
Kal_El - its still just .next
Kal_El - the shard you are on shouldnt matter
Kal_El - the GQ itself is quite amazing
Majestic_Summer - Can i build on that question?
Majestic_Summer - or is my go over? :)
Kal_El - sure go on
Kal_El - :)
Majestic_Summer - I see it as being partially in place with everything in except the actual game q... wouldnt of it been more wise till do everything after housing and factions
Majestic_Summer - so the developers could have all thier time devoted on the q
Majestic_Summer - instead of having the volunteer system in regions without them global mechanics ingame
Kal_El - the dev will never have all of their time devoted to simply one thing...
Kal_El - right now they are working hard on Factions, and fixing bugs..
Kal_El - there are a couple that are "specialists"
Kal_El - at teh GQ
Kal_El - so we have them utilized
Kal_El - to their potential
Majestic_Summer - ok thanks :)
Aesop - Thx for your question Majestic

Aesop - Go ahead Myth =)
Myth - G'Day
Myth - thanks
Aesop - G'eve
Kal_El - Hi Myth
Myth - hi Kal
Myth - quick question...
Myth - What, if anything, would you like to add or change in the companion and councilor programs programs? And what is your general vision for the future of the programs with uo2 coming out soon?
Kal_El - wow
Kal_El - well
Kal_El - there are so many things Id love to improve upon...
Myth - not so quick question maybe :)
Kal_El - I think they are great in general..
Kal_El - but I really want to make it better for you guys...
Kal_El - show you all how much you truly are appreciated...
Kal_El - that is the biggest thing that is lacking right now...
Kal_El - we cant and dont do that enough
Kal_El - one thing I would like to see...
Kal_El - also is what the players actually think about all of this
Kal_El - Id like to have an exit survey with training
Kal_El - its a pretty long winded answer :)
Myth - no probs...
Myth - thanks a lot
Kal_El - but I think that the biggest thing is really for you guys to be recognized by the public
Kal_El - for your efforts
Kal_El - :)

Aesop - Go Ahead Spiral =)
C_Spiral_East - With the introduction of the Global Queue, will we, the Counselors be able to switch shards at will?
Aesop - Dang he's a talker..
Aesop - hehe
C_Spiral_East - Sorry, I was feeding the dogs :)
Aesop - Whoooo let the dogs out!!?!?!
Kal_El - yes... you guys will be able to switch at will within your region..
Kal_El - we will want to test it extensively first
C_Spiral_East - Excellent.
C_Spiral_East - Thanks a bunch :)
Kal_El - so you will have plenty of time to get used to it
Kal_El - :)

TheMAG_Eu - GO ahead
ImaNnoying_LSR_Pac - Wooo, I'm on a roll tonight..
ImaNnoying_LSR_Pac - Kal_El - With these new LOAs in place, will Counselors/Companions be guaranteed their old positions after they return from their LOA? (Exaple: Counselor Tim comes back after his LOA, and finds that the evil Counselor Larry has taken his spot. Does Tim get the boot?)
Kal_El - welll..
Kal_El - no one can "take your spot"
Kal_El - so to speak...
Kal_El - I also dont know what the conditions are when you leave so I cant say for absolute certainty that your spots are guaranteed when you return, but assuming you leave on good terms then I can timagine you would be denied returning
Kal_El - make sense?
Kal_El - ahh
Kal_El - ok
Kal_El - nm
Kal_El - :)
Kal_El - anyway
Kal_El - I want to thank everyone for coming tonight
Kal_El - I really want to do this more often and I thank Dariuas for inviting me
Kal_El - to attend

Dariuas - aye I was glad to thanks for comming Kal El
Kal_El - its been a pleasure and I hope to see all of you again soon!
Dariuas - Thank you for attending tonight's UOCC. Remember, UOCC occurs every other Monday night at 7pm CST. The log of tonight's chat will be posted on http://uohoc.stratics.com.
Dariuas - Please feel free to join us here in #ultima-online at any time of the week for help in game, the latest UO news, or just to chat. Have a nice evening.
Dariuas - Please email [email protected] with suggestions for future guests or topics
Zorn - Yes thanks very much for coming, we know how busy you are :)
Dariuas - Thank you all and Good Night =)