Bugs

People have been really good about reporting bugs lately. Both potential abuses as well as the normal "I think this should give more experience" types. We get well over 100 bugs an update now, up from around 60-80 last year. And I don't think this is just because we're creating more bugs than we used to. So kudos, keep them coming.

Since a lot of players aren't aware, I thought I'd review our bug system. When you /bug your bug is logged, as well as your exact location and the time you bugged it. The bug is also sent to all online GMs. A /pray also goes to all online GMs, and up until recently they weren't logged. They are now, but we don't generally check it.

After every update the bug log is dumped onto a bug tracking database using keywords, so remember to mark your bugs as best as you can.

Since we log where you are standing try to be standing as close to the source of the bug as possible, and since we log the time, try to bug as soon as possible. Try to include as much information as possible bugs like "This doesn't work" or "This doesn't give enough experience" aren't very useful. Even if you know (or think you know) a GM is watching, it won't make sense when they're reading a bug later without context. So make sure to provide that context.

If you think you've found an abuse it is a *very* good idea to bug before you try to reproduce the bug. And then again afterwards, reporting your results. You want to do this to cover your hide more than anything else. If some GM happens to be watching you abuse a bug, we have no way of knowing if you're just trying to help or if you're actively abusing things. And 90% of the time it is someone abusing, so don't expect the benefit of the doubt.

For bugs you think are time sensitive, or for whatever reason need a very long description, you can private message Eldon or me on the Sentinel with a description. You could also post bugs on the Sentinel if you think we might benefit from more reports. But remember that it is best to avoid posting bugs that can be abused in any way, or bugs which contain spoilers. And that in general the Sentinel isn't a way to get anything constructive done. Ever.