Site Updates – Bitcoin, Coding, and Diablo II

The random Bitcoin address at the bottom of the sidebar, intended as a way to ask for donations, has been replaced with the BitcoinPlus Widget. This allows visitors to mine me a few Bitcoins with their spare processor time via the magic of Java, while I get to do my part in asking for free money. To quote an old Ferengi proverb: “Why ask, when you can take?”
As stated on bitcoin.org and the Bitcoin wiki:

Bitcoin is a peer-to-peer currency … [in which] new [Bit]coins are slowly “mined” into existence by following a mutually agreed-upon set of rules. A user “mining” bitcoins is running a program that searches tirelessly for a solution to a very difficult math problem whose difficulty is precisely known. The difficulty is automatically adjusted regularly so that the number of solutions found globally, by everyone, is constant: an average of 6 per hour.

More information on Bitcoin:

What is Bitcoin?
Bitcoin wiki
Bitcoin P2P Virtual Currency
Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System

Minor Updates

Site Code

  • The Etsy widget’s layout now jives better with the rest of the sidebar. Also fixed a broken link to the Etsy shop within the widget.
  • Colors changed on FeedBurner link.
  • Tags moved to the top of the sidebar.
  • Updated OldE 4040 Theme to version 0.2
    - added css text-shadow to title, tagline, navigation bar, header 1-6
    - changed the color and style of the navigation bar
    - removed stray placeholder " fuckin.... < ?php echo($GenTimeStart); ?>" from header.php

Diablo II: The Abyss

  • Added SEO data to the page.
  • Corrected a spelling mistake in the explanation paragraph.
  • Updated the wording on the installation instructions. Added notes for users of Linux+Wine and Windows Vista/7.
  • The new Runewords and Horadric Cube recipes don’t need their own pages. They are now one with the main D2: The Abyss page.

update – Diablo II: The Abyss v 1.2

The files have been up for testing for a couple weeks now and everything seems to be working in this massive update. The Abyss can now be installed via setup and has a launcher built in so that the original, unmodded version of Diablo II: Lord of Destruction can be run at any time (including a version of the launcher for use with D2MultiRes.)

The change in version number format is to reflect the version of the launcher program.

The following changes in the game have been implemented:

	New background screen for TCP/IP game menu that I found in the game's files
	New Loading Screen based on some Diablo 3 art of Rakanishu or something.
	New Amazon skill: Quickness
	New sound for manipulating Arcane Runes in the inventory
	Bone wands/Grave wands and their counterparts are now correctly flagged as 'bone' type items
	Map Changes - The following areas have been renovated
		Act 1
			Rogue Encampment (modified from Demon666's plugin; thanks Demon666!)
			Cold Plains - Bishbosh's Camp (thanks ShamanKing!)
		Act 2 - Lut Golein (modified from Caela's plugin; thanks Caela!)
		Act 3 - Kurast Docks (thanks dyze!)
		Act 4 - Pandemonium Fortress (modified from ShamanKing's plugin; thanks ShamanKing!)
	Unique Items
		Mark of Wu [small charm]
	Runewords
		Authority now armor only
		Fortune's Favor now helms only
		Obsession now belt, boots only
		changed Storm
		Thurisaz is now Thurz
		added Voice (ThursKenaz) helm
		added Desire (OdalDagaz) belt
		Heaven's Will properties modified. skill chances and dmg% is now dmg-min
		fixed strings on Flickering Flame and Fortune's Favor
		First Circle: The Lovers (FehuUruz) [helm, torso, gloves]
		Second Circle: Tradition (ThurzAnsuzRaido) [shield]
		Third Circle: Unbending Will (KenazGeboWunjoHagal) [weapons]
		Fourth Circle: Valor (NaudIsazJeraEihoz) [weapons]
		Fif Circle: War (PerthAlgizSowilTiwazBjark) [spear, sword, axe]
		Sexth Circle: Youth (EhwazManazLaguzYngviOdalDagaz) [armor, shield]
		Aurora of the North (Naud, Flawless Diamond, Nef) [Helms Shields]
		Aurora of the South (Sol, Flawless Diamond, Sowil) [Helms Shields]
		Honor Guard Diamond (Wunjo, Flawless Diamond, Yngvi) [swords]
		Honor Guard Ruby (Wunjo, Flawless Ruby, Yngvi) [maces]
		Honor Guard Saphire (Wunjo, Flawless Saphire, Yngvi) [axe]
		Honor Guard Topaz (Wunjo, Flawless Topaz, Yngvi) [missle weapons]
		Honor Guard Emerald (Wunjo, Flawless Emerald, Yngvi) [staff]
		Honor Guard Amethyst (Wunjo, Flawless Amethyst, Yngvi) [spear]
		Honor Guard Skull (Wunjo, Flawless Skull, Yngvi) [polearms]
		Grifter's Rest (JeraManaz) [wands]
	Gemwords
		Shadow Words
			Dread (2 Perfect Skull)
			Despair (3)
			Darkness (4)
			Terror (5)
			Oblivion (6)
		Fire Words
			Hatred (2 Perfect Ruby)
			Hunger (3 Perfect Ruby)
			Red (4 Perfect Ruby)
			Judgment (5 Perfect Ruby)
			Armageddon (6 Perfect Ruby)
		Ice Words
			Broken Promise (2 Perfect Saphire)
			Penitence (3)
			Whisper (4)
			Patience (5)
			Knight's Vigil (6)
		Lightning Words
			Lightning (2 Perfect Topaz)
			Thunder (3)
			Tempest (4)
			Question (5)
			Prowess in Battle (6)
		Toxicant (Poison) Words
			Envy (2 Perfect Emerald)
			Jealousy (3)
			Temptation (4)
			Peril (5)
			Pestilence (6)
		Aether Words
			Chance (2 Perfect Amethyst)
			Mystery (3)
			Reason (4)
			Knowledge (5)
			Truth (6)
		Circle of Mastery (Regular Diamond, Ruby, Saphire, Topaz)
		Sphere of Mastery (Flawless Diamond, Ruby, Saphire, Topaz, Emerald)
		Orb of Mastery (Perfect Diamond, Ruby, Saphire, Topaz, Emerald, Amethyst)
	Lesser Gemwords
		chipped [weapons and helms]:
			Beauty (2 chipped ruby)
			Sting (2 chipped saphire)
			Thunderhead (2 chipped topaz)
			Deception (2 chipped emerald)
			Thought (2 chipped amethyst)
			Mist (2 chipped skulls)
			Destiny's Wheel (2 chipped diamond)
		regular [weapons and shields]:
			Blood (3 ruby)
			Water (3 saphire)
			Law (3 topaz)
			Punishment (3 emerald)
			Innocence (3 amethyst)
			Thirst (3 skull)
			Pillar of Faith (3 diamond)
	

Blizzard is currently working on Diablo II Patch 1.13. I’m not sure if the mod will be compatible with it or will require my attention once the patch goes live. All this means is this will be the last content update for the mod until Patch 1.13 is released. More information on Patch 1.13 is available on Blizzard’s forums.

update – Diablo II: The Abyss v 1.19

Diablo II: The Abyss v 1.19 released!

1.19 -- 03/12/2009
	fixed a bug that caused Serendipity to sometimes not have life steal
	fixed a bug that allowed runes to be upgraded with any other rune instead of one in the same circle
	leap of faith is now bless
	fixed thuggish ruggish
	New Runewords:
		Storm (YngviThursHagalJeraFehuGebo) [weapons]

update – Diablo II: The Abyss v 1.18

Diablo II: The Abyss version 1.18 released! The mod’s page also updated.

Changes in 1.18 --
	D2MultiRes is no longer bundleded with the mod, but still mirrored on the site
		Saves some file space
		I've been finding the 800x600 easier to play in, though not as pretty
	2 New staff class weapons that add to barb skill, among other things
		rattan staff	fighting baton
		dragon staff	nightstick
		monk's staff	melon hammer
	New Runewords:
		Conky (KenazNaudJera) [Wirt's Leg]
		Heaven's Will (ManazTiwazSowilHagal) [Weapons and Missile Weapons]
		Nightfall (DagazBjark) [Weapons and Missile Weapons]
		Obsession (NaudNaud) [All Weapons and All Armor]
		Fortune's Favor (NaudNaudNaud) [All Weapons and All Armor]
		Authority (NaudNaudNaudNaudNaudNaud) [All Weapons and All Armor]
		Woe (IsazUruz) [Weapons and Missile Weapons]
	Cube Recipes:
		Upgrade base items:
			Tal Shael PerfectDiamond Normal Item + herb -> Exceptional Item
			Ko + Lem + perfect diamond + exceptional item + herb -> elite item
		Obtain gems: El Rune + Perfect Gem + Herb = 3 random chipped gems
			like for if ur upgrading items and run out of the right type, or take a chance and upgrade more with a single gem

	Skills:
		Tweaked numbers on barb weapon masteries
		reset druid's wolf and bear shifted graphics
		Animal Lore Synergizes Shapeshifted Duration
		Changed the strings (names/description) on Droseras (formerly Druid's vines)
		Paladin Holy Bolt heals 10x more
	New Items:
		Unique: Godly Plate of the Whale [Ancient Armor]