[Question About Forum Browsing]

[quote name='circlewood' date='18 April 2010 - 10:22 PM' timestamp='1271629345' post='2265395']
I noticed something kinda... worrying and was hoping on someone might be able to explain it.

I noticed when I was looking at old forum posts as soon as I enter the forum there is no other guests or members in it, but as soon as I refresh, say 30 secs later there are guests in the room with me, sometimes up to 7. No I'm not being paranoid about being followed :P rather wondering if I have been hacked and have like some spyware program following my Internet browsing. Or, is there some other explination someone can offer about the CN forum that is causing this.

Thanks.
[/quote]
As someone without a conclusive answer, that doesn't sound like how spyware would traditionally behave.


Spyware would usually hook directly into your browser (Or deeper) and read the page as you do, causing no need for an additional connection. There are exceptions, naturally, but spyware tries to hide.

To me, this sounds more like the kind of thing I'd expect from an anti-virus scanner, such as [url="http://free.avg.com/us-en/faq.num-1692#num-1692"]AVG LinkScanner[/url], which acts as a browser plugin to surf pages that you haven't visited and determine whether or not they are secure. Since you aren't after a personal opinion on link scanners, I won't tell you that I think it's a waste of time.

Some browsers, such as Firefox, also "prefetch" pages that it expects you to click, such as links containing "Next" to give the illusion of a capable rendering speed, but a cursory glance of the forums doesn't lend to many "Next" links that would point to the same location, so I'd rule out browser pre-fetching.




Doing a virus scan on your machine is very rarely a bad thing to do, but without being at your machine, I'd suggest that it's probably your anti-virus running in the background to pro-actively scan URLs. If you're running one, try turning it off in the control panel (and/or plugin list) and see what happens. It's completely safe to do unless you're relying on its behaviour, and I never met someone who was. If the hits drop, you've found the "problem" and cut down for any bandwidth tariffs that you may have. Of course, I could be over-complicating it (And let's face it, it's fun to do so), and you may just be [i]that[/i] popular.

[The Acronymless Accords]

[quote name='ZeroSoldier' date='25 March 2010 - 01:31 AM' timestamp='1269480649' post='2235902']
So... Hard.... To... READ!!!!!!
[/quote]
Sorry about that, it was a necessity of the way I'd chosen to write up our treaty (And an ASCII art flag was totally my idea, and it rocks almost as much as TLK). I've changed the font to one that appears slightly more readable, but my choices are limited as monospace is required.

The smallest font really was necessary for word-wrapping reasons in most [i]treaty viewers[/i], not to mention that I could find no way to set the background colour. Feel free to copy and paste it into a text editor, or press Ctrl+Scroll wheel to increase the size in your [i]treaty viewer[/i], but you'll lose the effect of the treaty. It does repeat, since no treaty should be long enough that it can fit inside a flag.

[The Acronymless Accords]

[center][img]http://www.xq-hq.org/LXXQTJMN/flag_shiny.png[/img][/center]
[center][size="6"][b]The Acronymless Accords[/b][/size]

Note: 100pt width required

[/center][font="Lucida Console"][size="1"][color="black"]Preamble: The signatories, the LXXQTJMN * Alliance (Hen[/color][color="#010400"]c[/color][color="#051304"]e[/color][color="#0c3008"]f[/color][color="#11510a"]o[/color][color="#17700d"]r[/color][color="#178d08"]t[/color][color="#129501"]h[/color] [color="#149304"]L[/color][color="#157f0a"]X[/color][color="#17690e"]X[/color][color="#114c0a"]Q[/color][color="#0b2608"]T[/color][color="#020802"]J[/color][color="#000100"]M[/color][color="black"]N) and TLK Come together in their love of all things random,[/color]
[color="black"] delicious, technological and economic for the purpos[/color][color="#000300"]e[/color] [color="#165c0d"]o[/color][color="#19840c"]f[/color] [color="#129402"]s[/color][color="#119501"]ig[/color][color="#109500"]n[/color][color="#119500"]i[/color][color="#109500"]n[/color][color="#119601"]g[/color] [color="#139403"]t[/color][color="#198d0a"]h[/color][color="#196d0e"]e[/color] [color="#041003"]f[/color][color="#000200"]o[/color][color="black"]llowing articles of awesomeness. Article 1: Both LXXQTJM[/color]
[color="black"]N and TLK agree to remain cordial toward each other[/color][color="#000100"],[/color] [color="#175a0f"]a[/color][color="#19890b"]n[/color][color="#139403"]d[/color] [color="#119600"]ma[/color][color="#119501"]ke[/color] [color="#119501"]ef[/color][color="#109501"]f[/color][color="#119501"]or[/color][color="#109601"]t[/color][color="#129501"]s[/color] [color="#197e0d"]t[/color][color="#144b0d"]o[/color] [color="#000100"]p[/color][color="black"]revent any issues that may occur between the governments[/color]
[color="black"] of each signatory. Article 2: Both signatories[/color] [color="#0f3b0b"]a[/color][color="#1c840f"]g[/color][color="#139304"]r[/color][color="#119500"]ee [/color][color="#119600"]t[/color][color="#119601"]h[/color][color="#139402"]a[/color][color="#188c08"]t[/color] [color="#115e07"]s[/color][color="#157609"]h[/color][color="#178f07"]o[/color][color="#129502"]u[/color][color="#109501"]l[/color][color="#109601"]d[/color][color="#119500"] e[/color][color="#109400"]i[/color][color="#159205"]t[/color][color="#1c7710"]h[/color][color="#0b3008"]e[/color][color="#010700"]r[/color][color="black"] alliance fall upon hard times and require economic aid[/color]
[color="black"], due to any circumstance, the other signatory a[/color][color="#000100"]g[/color][color="#010d01"]r[/color][color="#17570f"]e[/color][color="#198e0b"]e[/color][color="#119501"]s [/color][color="#119600"]t[/color][color="#119500"]o[/color] [color="#119501"]g[/color][color="#169008"]r[/color][color="#1a6b10"]a[/color][color="#0a2907"]n[/color][color="#010801"]t[/color] [color="#020c02"]e[/color][color="#103b0c"]c[/color][color="#1b7a0e"]o[/color][color="#169205"]n[/color][color="#119601"]o[/color][color="#119600"]m[/color][color="#119601"]i[/color][color="#119500"]c[/color] [color="#139402"]a[/color][color="#1a8a0a"]s[/color][color="#16590e"]s[/color][color="#061505"]i[/color][color="#000100"]st[/color][color="black"]ance where possible, permitting that it does not end[/color]
[color="black"]anger themselves and their ability to party on,[/color] [color="#041603"]d[/color][color="#1c6713"]u[/color][color="#159107"]d[/color][color="#119501"]e[/color][color="#109601"]s[/color][color="#119501"].[/color] [color="#1a840d"]A[/color][color="#12410c"]r[/color][color="#010b01"]t[/color][color="black"]icle[/color] [color="#021001"]3[/color][color="#17510f"]:[/color] [color="#139402"]B[/color][color="#119500"]ot[/color][color="#109600"]h[/color] [color="#119501"]s[/color][color="#169206"]i[/color][color="#1d7a10"]g[/color][color="#0e300a"]n[/color][color="#000500"]a[/color][color="black"]tories hereby will share all appropriate information[/color]
[color="black"] regarding Planet Bob and its provinces (allia[/color][color="#000200"]n[/color][color="#092205"]c[/color][color="#1d7511"]e[/color][color="#159305"]s[/color][color="#119601"])[/color][color="#119500"],[/color] [color="#119501"]pr[/color][color="#159305"]o[/color][color="#1c7a11"]v[/color][color="#0a2908"]i[/color][color="#000300"]d[/color][color="black"]ing tha[/color][color="#000300"]t[/color] [color="#186e0e"]s[/color][color="#169107"]u[/color][color="#119501"]c[/color][color="#119601"]h [/color][color="#119600"]in[/color][color="#129502"]f[/color][color="#1b8a0d"]o[/color][color="#12480d"]r[/color][color="#030c02"]m[/color][color="#000100"]a[/color][color="black"]tion is gleaned through legitimate means. Each sig[/color]
[color="black"]natory agrees not to request data from the ot[/color][color="#000200"]h[/color][color="#092507"]e[/color][color="#1c7c11"]r[/color] [color="#119501"]f[/color][color="#129600"]o[/color][color="#119501"]r[/color] [color="#119501"]w[/color][color="#159306"]h[/color][color="#1c6e12"]i[/color][color="#071e05"]c[/color][color="#000200"]h[/color][color="black"] they have[/color] [color="#15500f"]n[/color][color="#1a8a0d"]o[/color] [color="#119501"]l[/color][color="#119600"]eg[/color][color="#119601"]i[/color][color="#119501"]t[/color][color="#188f08"]i[/color][color="#1c6912"]m[/color][color="#051603"]a[/color][color="#000200"]t[/color][color="black"]e claim to. [/color] [color="black"]Article 4: Should both signatories[/color]
[color="black"] agree that this treaty no longer fits t[/color][color="#000001"]h[/color][color="black"]e n[/color][color="#000300"]e[/color][color="#0c2c09"]e[/color][color="#1e7d12"]d[/color][color="#149304"]s[/color] [color="#119501"]f[/color][color="#119600"]o[/color][color="#119500"]r[/color] [color="#169107"]w[/color][color="#1c6514"]h[/color][color="#041303"]i[/color][color="#000100"]c[/color][color="black"]h it was wri[/color][color="#000600"]t[/color][color="#0f380b"]t[/color][color="#1c800f"]e[/color][color="#149304"]n[/color][color="#119501"], t[/color][color="#119500"]h[/color][color="#119600"]e[/color][color="#159305"]y[/color] [color="#082306"]m[/color][color="#000300"]a[/color][color="black"]y[/color] [color="black"]either upgrade it at any time, or choose to ca[/color]
[color="black"]ncel it. Confirmation of t[/color][color="#000001"]h[/color][color="black"]e[/color] [color="#000005"]c[/color][color="#00000e"]a[/color][color="#01011a"]n[/color][color="#010222"]c[/color][color="#010224"]e[/color][color="#010220"]l[/color][color="#010115"]l[/color][color="#00000a"]a[/color][color="#000004"]t[/color][color="#000001"]i[/color][color="black"]on o[/color][color="#000200"]f[/color] [color="#1d7a11"]t[/color][color="#149304"]h[/color][color="#119501"]i[/color][color="#119600"]s[/color][color="#119501"] t[/color][color="#119402"]r[/color][color="#189207"]e[/color][color="#1a6511"]a[/color][color="#041503"]t[/color][color="#000100"]y[/color][color="black"] must be met[/color] [color="black"]f[/color][color="#000300"]i[/color][color="#072105"]r[/color][color="#1b6b10"]s[/color][color="#169206"]t[/color] [color="#119501"]w[/color][color="#119500"]i[/color][color="#109601"]t[/color][color="#119601"]h[/color] [color="#1e8011"]a[/color] [color="#010501"]7[/color][color="black"]2 hours[/color] [color="#030000"]p[/color][color="#0b0000"]r[/color][color="#150101"]i[/color][color="#170101"]o[/color][color="#160101"]r[/color] [color="#070000"]p[/color][color="#030000"]u[/color][color="#010000"]b[/color][color="black"]lic notification, in addition [/color]
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[color="black"]le compromise before p[/color][color="#000002"]r[/color][color="#000003"]o[/color][color="#010118"]c[/color][color="#040654"]e[/color][color="#060daa"]e[/color][color="#040fe3"]d[/color][color="#010cf7"]i[/color][color="#000cfe"]n[/color][color="#010bff"]g[/color][color="#000cff"] wi[/color][color="#010bff"]t[/color][color="#000bff"]h[/color] [color="#000cfc"]p[/color][color="#030df1"]u[/color][color="#0810ca"]b[/color][color="#060b7d"]l[/color][color="#020431"]i[/color][color="#061d0c"]c[/color] [color="#149404"]n[/color][color="#119501"]o[/color][color="#109601"]t[/color][color="#119600"]ic[/color][color="#119501"]e[/color] [color="#1e6f14"]o[/color][color="#051305"]f[/color] [color="#010000"]c[/color][color="black"]ancellation. Art[/color][color="#010900"]i[/color][color="#144b0f"]c[/color][color="#1a8b0c"]l[/color][color="#129402"]e[/color] [color="#119501"]5: B[/color][color="#1a8f0b"]o[/color][color="#17530f"]t[/color][color="#030e02"]h[/color] [color="#1c0102"]S[/color][color="#610707"]i[/color][color="#b50c0b"]g[/color][color="#e90908"]n[/color][color="#f80302"]a[/color][color="#fd0000"]t[/color][color="#fe0100"]o[/color][color="#fe0000"]ries[/color] [color="#fc0101"]a[/color][color="#f40404"]g[/color][color="#d20b0a"]r[/color][color="#810a0a"]e[/color][color="#330404"]e[/color] [color="#010000"]M[/color][color="black"]utual Love between Kylie [/color]
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[color="black"] TLK; Tharbakim, Dir[/color][color="#000004"]e[/color][color="#010123"]c[/color][color="#060a7d"]t[/color][color="#050fd7"]o[/color][color="#010cf9"]r[/color] [color="#010bff"]R[/color][color="#000cff"]u[/color][color="#010bff"]b[/color][color="#010cfe"]i[/color][color="#010cfd"]a[/color][color="#010df3"]n[/color][color="#040dda"]Q[/color][color="#030ccf"]u[/color][color="#040ee6"]e[/color][color="#010cf8"]e[/color][color="#000cfe"]n[/color][color="#000cff"]521,[/color] [color="#010fee"]D[/color][color="#041dba"]i[/color][color="#114f68"]r[/color][color="#188425"]e[/color][color="#139207"]c[/color][color="#119501"]t[/color][color="#149305"]o[/color][color="#1f7913"]r[/color] [color="#000100"]([/color][color="black"]AKA Kylie RAWR ;) )Prea[/color][color="#000400"]m[/color][color="#0b2d08"]b[/color][color="#1e8510"]l[/color][color="#129403"]e[/color][color="#119501"]: T[/color][color="#1a9001"]h[/color][color="#467703"]e[/color] [color="#db1101"]s[/color][color="#f90201"]i[/color][color="#fd0100"]gn[/color][color="#fe0000"]at[/color][color="#fd0000"]o[/color][color="#f70303"]r[/color][color="#e00808"]i[/color][color="#b90505"]e[/color][color="#c10909"]s[/color][color="#e70706"],[/color] [color="#fd0100"]t[/color][color="#fe0000"]he [/color][color="#fd0100"]L[/color][color="#f70302"]X[/color][color="#d90c0b"]X[/color][color="#7d0b0b"]Q[/color][color="#200101"]T[/color][color="#040000"]J[/color][color="black"]MN * Alliance (Hencefo[/color]
[color="black"]rth LXXQTJMN) and T[/color][color="#00000a"]L[/color][color="#03043e"]K[/color] [color="#030eee"]C[/color][color="#000cfd"]o[/color][color="#010bff"]m[/color][color="#000cff"]e[/color] [color="#000cff"]t[/color][color="#010bfe"]o[/color][color="#020df4"]g[/color][color="#060eca"]e[/color][color="#060a74"]t[/color][color="#01022a"]h[/color][color="#00001a"]e[/color][color="#030545"]r[/color] [color="#040fde"]i[/color][color="#010cfa"]n[/color][color="#000cff"] thei[/color][color="#000cfc"]r[/color] [color="#082e9c"]l[/color][color="#166848"]o[/color][color="#188a17"]v[/color][color="#1e7a15"]e[/color] [color="#000200"]o[/color][color="black"]f all things random, deli[/color][color="#000400"]c[/color][color="#0f2e0b"]i[/color][color="#1e8111"]o[/color][color="#139303"]u[/color][color="#129501"]s[/color][color="#208d01"],[/color] [color="#ba2701"]t[/color][color="#f10600"]e[/color][color="#fd0000"]c[/color][color="#fe0000"]hno[/color][color="#fd0000"]l[/color][color="#fa0202"]o[/color][color="#dd0a0a"]g[/color][color="#890b0a"]i[/color][color="#310303"]c[/color][color="#0b0000"]a[/color][color="#0f0000"]l[/color] [color="#a70c0c"]a[/color][color="#e80706"]n[/color][color="#fb0101"]d[/color] [color="#fe0000"]e[/color][color="#fd0100"]c[/color][color="#fe0000"]o[/color][color="#fc0101"]n[/color][color="#f20504"]o[/color][color="#b90e0d"]m[/color][color="#510706"]i[/color][color="#100000"]c[/color] [color="black"]for the purpose of s[/color]
[color="black"]igning the followi[/color][color="#00000e"]n[/color][color="#040752"]g[/color] [color="#020df4"]a[/color][color="#010bfe"]r[/color][color="#000cff"]ti[/color][color="#000cfe"]c[/color][color="#000cff"]l[/color][color="#000cfc"]e[/color][color="#040eea"]s[/color] [color="#02033a"]o[/color][color="#00000b"]f[/color] [color="#000100"]a[/color][color="#000002"]w[/color][color="#000013"]e[/color][color="#030650"]s[/color][color="#070eb0"]o[/color][color="#020eee"]m[/color][color="#000cfe"]e[/color][color="#000cff"]ness[/color][color="#000cfe"].[/color] [color="#0f2b21"]A[/color][color="#000201"]r[/color][color="black"]ticl[/color][color="#010000"]e[/color] [color="#000001"]1[/color][color="black"]: Both LXXQTJMN and [/color][color="#000200"]T[/color][color="#082305"]L[/color][color="#1e7811"]K[/color] [color="#6c5d03"]a[/color][color="#c61f00"]g[/color][color="#f40500"]r[/color][color="#fe0000"]ee t[/color][color="#fd0000"]o[/color] [color="#b60d0d"]r[/color][color="#490707"]e[/color][color="#0e0000"]m[/color][color="#010000"]a[/color][color="black"]in[/color] [color="#170000"]c[/color][color="#5e0909"]o[/color][color="#c40e0e"]r[/color][color="#f40404"]d[/color][color="#fd0001"]i[/color][color="#fd0100"]a[/color][color="#fe0000"]l[/color] [color="#fe0000"]t[/color][color="#f90202"]o[/color][color="#de0a0a"]w[/color][color="#7e0a0a"]a[/color][color="#1f0202"]r[/color][color="#030000"]d[/color][color="black"] each other, and ma[/color]
[color="black"]ke efforts to pre[/color][color="#000013"]v[/color][color="#050862"]e[/color][color="#0710ce"]n[/color][color="#020cf8"]t[/color][color="#000cff"] an[/color][color="#010cff"]y[/color] [color="#010cfa"]i[/color][color="#050fd9"]s[/color][color="#050976"]s[/color][color="#01011e"]u[/color][color="#000003"]e[/color][color="black"]s tha[/color][color="#000004"]t[/color] [color="#050977"]m[/color][color="#060fd5"]a[/color][color="#010df8"]y[/color] [color="#000cff"]occ[/color][color="#010bff"]u[/color][color="#010cfa"]r[/color] [color="#070e92"]b[/color][color="#01022b"]e[/color][color="#000005"]t[/color][color="black"]ween the governments of eac[/color][color="#010200"]h[/color] [color="#884111"]s[/color][color="#d41602"]i[/color][color="#f80301"]g[/color][color="#fe0000"]nato[/color][color="#fc0101"]r[/color][color="#eb0707"]y[/color][color="#9b0f0f"].[/color] [color="black"]Arti[/color][color="#000001"]c[/color][color="#060000"]l[/color][color="#2a0302"]e[/color] [color="#e20a0a"]2[/color][color="#fa0201"]:[/color] [color="#fe0001"]B[/color][color="#fe0000"]o[/color][color="#fd0100"]t[/color][color="#ef0505"]h[/color] [color="#390303"]s[/color][color="#070000"]i[/color][color="black"]gnatories agree th[/color]
[color="black"]at should eithe[/color][color="#000001"]r[/color] [color="#05096a"]a[/color][color="#0610d2"]l[/color][color="#000cf9"]l[/color][color="#010cff"]i[/color][color="#000cff"]a[/color][color="#010bff"]n[/color][color="#000cff"]c[/color][color="#000cfe"]e[/color] [color="#060fcd"]f[/color][color="#04075e"]a[/color][color="#000011"]l[/color][color="#000001"]l[/color][color="black"] upon h[/color][color="#000001"]a[/color][color="#00000a"]r[/color][color="#020448"]d[/color] [color="#020df0"]t[/color][color="#000cfd"]i[/color][color="#000cfe"]m[/color][color="#000cff"]es[/color] [color="#000bfd"]a[/color][color="#020def"]n[/color][color="#070eb1"]d[/color] [color="#00000b"]r[/color][color="black"]equire economic aid, du[/color][color="#000001"]e[/color] [color="#010000"]t[/color][color="#160000"]o[/color] [color="#e50a08"]a[/color][color="#fc0101"]n[/color][color="#fe0000"]y c[/color][color="#fe0001"]i[/color][color="#fb0101"]r[/color][color="#e00a09"]c[/color][color="#820c0c"]u[/color][color="#1c0101"]m[/color][color="#010000"]s[/color][color="black"]tance, t[/color][color="#010000"]h[/color][color="#100000"]e[/color] [color="#c70b0b"]o[/color][color="#f60303"]t[/color][color="#fd0100"]h[/color][color="#fe0000"]er [/color][color="#fd0100"]s[/color][color="#f70302"]i[/color][color="#ce0d0d"]g[/color][color="#620808"]n[/color][color="#120000"]a[/color][color="#010000"]t[/color][color="black"]ory agrees to gr[/color]
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[color="black"]llation.[/color] [color="#020df1"]A[/color][color="#000cfe"]r[/color][color="#000cff"]ticl[/color][color="#000cfc"]e[/color] [color="#060c7f"]5[/color][color="#00001a"]:[/color] [color="black"]Both Signatories agree Mu[/color][color="#000002"]t[/color][color="#00001b"]u[/color][color="#060a76"]a[/color][color="#050fdc"]l[/color] [color="#000cff"]Love[/color] [color="#020cf6"]b[/color][color="#0810c1"]e[/color][color="#030652"]t[/color][color="#00000e"]w[/color][color="black"]een Kylie[/color] [color="#430404"]a[/color][color="#c40f0f"]n[/color][color="#f60303"]d[/color][color="#fe0000"] Ar[/color][color="#fd0000"]l[/color][color="#fd0100"]o[/color][color="#ef0606"]r[/color][color="#a01010"]i[/color][color="#260202"]a[/color] [color="black"]<3 <3 <3 Signed for LXXQ[/color][color="#030000"]T[/color][color="#210202"]J[/color][color="#8e0d0d"]M[/color][color="#e50908"]N[/color][color="#fc0100"];[/color][color="#fe0000"] Ar[/color][color="#fd0100"]l[/color][color="#fb0201"]o[/color][color="#da0e0d"]r[/color][color="#6b0909"]i[/color][color="#120000"]a[/color][color="#010000"],[/color][color="black"] Leader[/color]
[color="black"] Stewie[/color][color="#000004"],[/color] [color="#080e9e"]F[/color][color="#030eed"]o[/color][color="#000cfe"]r[/color][color="#000cff"]eign[/color] [color="#0510e4"]M[/color][color="#070c8a"]i[/color][color="#010121"]n[/color][color="#000003"]i[/color][color="black"]ster Tharbakim, Minister of[/color] [color="#000016"]E[/color][color="#05096f"]d[/color][color="#060fda"]u[/color][color="#010cfb"]c[/color][color="#000cff"]ation[/color] [color="#00000e"]S[/color][color="#000001"]i[/color][color="black"]gned f[/color][color="#040000"]o[/color][color="#380202"]r[/color] [color="#f40405"]T[/color][color="#fe0000"]LK; [/color][color="#fd0101"]T[/color][color="#f30605"]h[/color][color="#ab0e0d"]a[/color][color="#2d0202"]r[/color][color="#040000"]b[/color][color="black"]akim, Director RubianQueen52[/color][color="#020000"]1[/color][color="#1d0101"],[/color] [color="#e6090a"]D[/color][color="#fc0100"]i[/color][color="#fe0000"]rect[/color][color="#fa0101"]o[/color][color="#dc0b0b"]r[/color] [color="#170101"]([/color][color="#010000"]A[/color][color="black"]KA Kyl[/color]
[color="black"]ie RA[/color][color="#000001"]W[/color][color="#000006"]R[/color] [color="#060d9d"];[/color][color="#040eeb"])[/color] [color="#000cff"])Pr[/color][color="#000bfe"]e[/color][color="#000cfe"]a[/color][color="#040fe8"]m[/color][color="#070c91"]b[/color][color="#010125"]l[/color][color="#000003"]e[/color][color="black"]: The signatories, the LXXQTJ[/color][color="#000001"]M[/color][color="#000013"]N[/color] [color="#0610d9"]*[/color] [color="#000bfe"]A[/color][color="#010bff"]l[/color][color="#000cff"]li[/color][color="#000cfe"]a[/color][color="#010df9"]n[/color][color="#0610cc"]c[/color][color="#04085f"]e[/color] [color="#000001"]([/color][color="black"]He[/color][color="#000001"]n[/color][color="black"]c[/color][color="#070000"]e[/color][color="#400505"]f[/color][color="#b91010"]o[/color][color="#f40404"]r[/color][color="#fd0001"]t[/color][color="#fe0000"]h[/color] [color="#fe0000"]L[/color][color="#fd0101"]X[/color][color="#f60403"]X[/color][color="#bf100f"]Q[/color][color="#310404"]T[/color][color="#040000"]J[/color][color="black"]MN) and TLK Come together in t[/color][color="#020000"]h[/color][color="#190101"]e[/color][color="#800c0b"]i[/color][color="#e20b09"]r[/color] [color="#fd0000"]l[/color][color="#fe0000"]ove[/color] [color="#e10c0b"]o[/color][color="#7a0b0b"]f[/color] [color="#020000"]a[/color][color="black"]ll th[/color]
[color="black"]ings [/color][color="#000009"]r[/color][color="#02043d"]a[/color][color="#080faa"]n[/color][color="#030eee"]d[/color][color="#000cfd"]o[/color][color="#000cff"]m, d[/color][color="#000bfe"]e[/color][color="#030ee8"]l[/color][color="#070d95"]i[/color][color="#010128"]c[/color][color="#000003"]i[/color][color="black"]ous, technological and economic[/color] [color="#00000f"]f[/color][color="#03065c"]o[/color][color="#060fce"]r[/color] [color="#010bff"]t[/color][color="#000cff"]he[/color] [color="#010cfe"]p[/color][color="#010cf9"]u[/color][color="#070fd2"]r[/color][color="#050766"]p[/color][color="#000012"]o[/color][color="#000001"]s[/color][color="black"]e [/color][color="#090000"]o[/color][color="#460505"]f[/color] [color="#f40404"]s[/color][color="#fd0100"]i[/color][color="#fe0000"]gni[/color][color="#fd0100"]n[/color][color="#f30403"]g[/color] [color="#340404"]t[/color][color="#060000"]h[/color][color="black"]e following articles of awesomen[/color][color="#010000"]e[/color][color="#170101"]s[/color][color="#7e0c0c"]s[/color][color="#e10a0a"].[/color] [color="#fe0000"] Ar[/color][color="#fc0100"]t[/color][color="#e70909"]i[/color][color="#8c0c0c"]c[/color][color="#1c0101"]l[/color][color="#020000"]e[/color][color="black"] 1: [/color]
[color="black"]Bo[/color][color="#000001"]th[/color] [color="#020552"]L[/color][color="#070ebc"]X[/color][color="#020cf3"]X[/color][color="#000cff"]QTJMN[/color] [color="#030ee6"]a[/color][color="#060c90"]n[/color][color="#010127"]d[/color] [color="black"]TLK agree to remain cordial towar[/color][color="#000002"]d[/color] [color="#04075a"]e[/color][color="#0811cd"]a[/color][color="#010cf8"]c[/color][color="#000cff"]h ot[/color][color="#000cfe"]h[/color][color="#010cfa"]e[/color][color="#070fd4"]r[/color][color="#06096c"],[/color] [color="black"]a[/color][color="#120000"]n[/color][color="#6a0c0c"]d[/color] [color="#f70302"]m[/color][color="#fd0100"]ak[/color][color="#fe0000"]e [/color][color="#fd0000"]e[/color][color="#f20505"]f[/color][color="#b80f0f"]f[/color][color="#390405"]o[/color][color="#060000"]r[/color][color="black"]ts to prevent any issues that may [/color][color="#010000"]o[/color][color="#110000"]c[/color][color="#690909"]c[/color][color="#da0d0d"]u[/color][color="#fc0101"]r[/color][color="#fe0000"] be[/color][color="#fd0101"]t[/color][color="#fc0100"]w[/color][color="#e50808"]e[/color][color="#890c0c"]e[/color][color="#1d0101"]n[/color] [color="black"]the[/color]
[color="black"] g[/color][color="#000002"]o[/color][color="#00011a"]v[/color][color="#060973"]e[/color][color="#050ed4"]r[/color][color="#010cf9"]n[/color][color="#010cff"]m[/color][color="#000cff"]en[/color][color="#010cff"]t[/color][color="#000cff"]s[/color] [color="#050fda"]o[/color][color="#050a79"]f[/color] [color="#000002"]e[/color][color="black"]ach signatory. Article 2: Both s[/color][color="#000001"]i[/color][color="#00000d"]g[/color][color="#030653"]n[/color][color="#060fc4"]a[/color][color="#010df5"]t[/color][color="#000cff"]ories[/color] [color="#050fd8"]a[/color][color="#070972"]g[/color][color="#1c0011"]r[/color][color="#8a0d0e"]e[/color][color="#e60909"]e[/color] [color="#fd0100"]t[/color][color="#fe0000"]hat[/color] [color="#eb0707"]s[/color][color="#a00e0e"]h[/color][color="#2b0303"]o[/color][color="#040000"]u[/color][color="black"]ld [/color][color="#000001"]e[/color][color="black"]ither alliance fall upon hard ti[/color][color="#010000"]m[/color][color="#0e0100"]e[/color][color="#690b0a"]s[/color] [color="#fa0203"]a[/color][color="#fd0001"]n[/color][color="#fe0000"]d r[/color][color="#fc0201"]e[/color][color="#ea0808"]q[/color][color="#970d0e"]u[/color][color="#1d0101"]i[/color][color="#020000"]r[/color][color="black"]e [/color]
[color="black"]e[/color][color="#000004"]c[/color][color="#010227"]o[/color][color="#070c8e"]n[/color][color="#050fe2"]o[/color][color="#010cfc"]m[/color][color="#000cff"]i[/color][color="#010bff"]c[/color] [color="#010cff"]a[/color][color="#010cfe"]i[/color][color="#010df6"]d[/color][color="#0811c9"],[/color] [color="#000012"]d[/color][color="#000001"]u[/color][color="black"]e to a[/color][color="#000001"]n[/color][color="black"]y[/color] [color="black"]circumstance, the other s[/color][color="#000001"]i[/color][color="black"]gna[/color][color="#00000a"]t[/color][color="#03064e"]o[/color][color="#070fc0"]r[/color][color="#020df5"]y[/color] [color="#010cff"]a[/color][color="#000cff"]gr[/color][color="#000cfe"]e[/color][color="#050bf4"]e[/color][color="#3109af"]s[/color] [color="#ed060b"]t[/color][color="#fd0100"]o[/color][color="#fe0000"] gra[/color][color="#fa0202"]n[/color][color="#da0a09"]t[/color] [color="#1f0101"]e[/color][color="#030000"]c[/color][color="black"]onomic assistance where possible, permi[/color][color="#0c0000"]t[/color][color="#600707"]t[/color][color="#d70e0e"]i[/color][color="#fa0202"]n[/color][color="#fe0000"]g[/color] [color="#fe0000"]th[/color][color="#fd0101"]a[/color][color="#eb0707"]t[/color] [color="#280202"]i[/color][color="#030000"]t[/color]
[color="#000005"]d[/color][color="#02032d"]o[/color][color="#090fa1"]e[/color][color="#030eeb"]s[/color] [color="#000cff"]n[/color][color="#000cfe"]o[/color][color="#010bff"]t [/color][color="#010bfe"]e[/color][color="#020cf6"]n[/color][color="#070fba"]d[/color][color="#02044a"]a[/color][color="#000009"]n[/color][color="black"]ger themselves and their ability to party[/color] [color="#03044b"]o[/color][color="#070ec3"]n[/color][color="#010df7"],[/color][color="#000cff"] du[/color][color="#050af6"]d[/color][color="#3506bf"]e[/color][color="#aa0b5f"]s[/color][color="#f2030f"].[/color][color="#fe0000"] Ar[/color][color="#fa0201"]t[/color][color="#d50c0b"]i[/color][color="#5b0708"]c[/color][color="#0d0000"]l[/color][color="#010000"]e[/color][color="black"] 3: Both signatories hereby will share al[/color][color="#0d0000"]l[/color] [color="#d70d0c"]a[/color][color="#fa0201"]p[/color][color="#fd0100"]p[/color][color="#fe0000"]rop[/color][color="#fc0100"]r[/color][color="#f00605"]i[/color][color="#ae0f0e"]a[/color][color="#2d0405"]t[/color][color="#030000"]e[/color][/size][/font][font="Courier New"][size="1"][color="#030000"]

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[quote name='Onified' date='07 February 2010 - 12:17 AM' timestamp='1265501855' post='2165451']
When you view a person's profile, and this message comes up "Person has not set their status," the word "their" needs to be changed to his/her or otherwise it is an incorrect use of grammar
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Hardly.

[i]*puts on his English Wizardry Hat*[/i]

Usage of they as a singular neuter pronoun goes back hundreds of years, and its previous forms before then, due to the lack of a neuter pronoun. It is my understanding, in fact, that it's due in no small part due to (And possibly even a direct evolution of) the Old English "hira" (Plural genitive, "his"). Shakespeare used "their" several times as a singular neuter pronoun, and according to Wikipedia (O glorious bastion of truth that anyone can edit) both the "Chicago Manual of Style" agrees with it, and the "Cambridge Guide to English Usage" agrees with it. These three sources are more authoritative than both of us combined.

The fact is that there is no way to please everyone with this, because there are a group of people who insist that whilst "it" can refer to either a male or a female, "their" cannot refer to either an individual or a group. The argument seems to be due to the fact that verbs conjugated with "their" typically take the plural form when a plural is given... And not much else. Nonetheless, the same people argue that a corporation takes the singular form (e.g. Microsoft [i]has[/i]).

It could be argued, in fact, that the reason that the English language no longer has a neuter pronoun is due to the devaluing of women in the past. Certainly, the most recent push for gender-neutral language has been as a direct response to the feminist movement. I'd posit as an uncited opinion that the reason it fell out of usage was because women historically had a much-reduced value to society, regardless of their contribution. Times have changed, and language changed with it... [i]Five hundred years ago[/i]. We've used "their" as a singular pronoun since, because it's the only "clean" way to do so. Whilst it is true that "his" has been used as a neuter pronoun historically, it has faded almost entirely from use due to cultural evolution reaching the point it should have done a few thousand years ago, and starting to take the role of women seriously enough to be confused over usage of "His".


TL;DR: "Their" is perfectly valid in this case according to multiple highly-credible sources, and history itself.

[LXXQTJMN's Series of Announcements]

Just a quick question...

How come even after a year, none of the players in your flag have scored a point yet? It is still 0-0

Because both players are in LXXQTJMN, and we're just that good?

[LXXQTJMN's Series of Announcements]

Interestingly enough, I was just looking at you guys. Congratulations on a slightly belated DoE.

Our DoE was about a year ago, and can be found here, so perhaps this is a belated thanks.

[LXXQTJMN's Series of Announcements]

LXXQTJMN * Alliance

Combo Announcement

It is not often that LXXQTJMN has an announcement to make. Indeed, it's rare enough that we considered keeping all the fun to ourselves, but then we decided it'd be more fun to let you all argue over whether we really exist.

The LXXQTJMN * Alliance recently celebrated two confirmed years. We've lost our exact date, but we estimate it as one month before recorded affiliation history, perhaps as many as two months. An archaeological dig has been planned where LXXQTJMN was born, which hopes to one day uncover a more accurate date. However, we were more content with waiting for absolute proof than funding such a dangerous mission. As you all know, old hard disks are guaranteed to be haunted.

In celebration of our belated two year anniversary, we've updated and redesigned our website to something that doesn't look like it came out of 1997 with a degree in ancient history. We've cast off the old grey look and brought in the new, something that has been unanimously declared a better design. Read on, and you may see the significance of this, given what hasn't been a unanimous conclusion within our alliance.

In those two years, we've achieved a lot for an alliance of our size, despite only recently reaching 400k combined NS. We've probably all learned something along the way, although it's a complete mystery as to whether we've learned the same lessons. We've had plenty of time to make friends and enemies alike in the (more than) two years that we've been around for. Even in this time, however, there exist many alliances that we have simply had no contact with. This is - to say the least - Unfortunate.

So for this reason, I may as well re-iterate who and what LXXQTJMN is. LXXQTJMN is the identifying form of the 'LXXQTJMN * Alliance'. An alliance born - As most good things are - As a way out of a bad situation. LXXQTJMN is the only reverse-defined alliance that we have ever heard of. Rather than one name which defines the people, LXXQTJMN has many people who may each define the name. Hence, the star. A member of LXXQTJMN has the right to replace that star with any word they choose. Since LXXQTJMN itself not only has no meaning, but no official pronunciation, it becomes the job of the member to decide what it means for them. It becomes our job to find a way to accommodate it. Through this, we achieve a greater understanding.

Your next question will be - What has LXXQTJMN done? Mainly, we've stayed in the shadows without even trying, for people often appear to make close to zero effort when trying to get in contact with us. The reason baffles us, frankly, for not even our nations themselves tend to be contacted. Even on top of this, we might have the strongest communication facilities of any alliance, with our alliance forums being written by us, as well as a unique embassy system that should long ago have redefined what an embassy is for the citizens of our fair planet. As an alliance born out of internal communication systems, we have an entire network available for contacting us. Should anyone wish to do so, it's as simple as using our Flash IRC client, or you can use mIRC as before. (Note: Though we maintain a legacy Coldfront presence, we are not easily approachable there.)

Through these unique strengths, an even more unique alliance has been born and raised. We have always been here, and we have always grown. We have made mistakes, and we have learned from them. We have been responsible for many successes, and - Given that we have been around for two years now - We have probably been at least passively involved with you whether you realise it or not. Though we do not try to hide, it appears that we have become the resident masters of hiding in plain sight.

Last time we made ourselves known here, it was to declare that we were finally considering the possibility that we might exist. Most progressive of us after almost 500 days. After near-unanimously (I've been asked to point out that some of us are still unsure) coming to the conclusion that we were probably somewhat real, we decided that we'd make this follow-up to announce that we'd come to a decision. Paperwork in the LXXQTJMN * Alliance is pretty intensive when it comes to determining things like reality, you see. But in this time, we've had two years to work out who we are, what we want, and where we want to go. We invite you to come with us, in fact. Despite a deceptively-small size, we (and the satellite communities that we're immensely proud of) collectively contribute a surprising amount of value, and we'd like to think you'll agree. Which brings me to your favourite part - The summary, which ensures that you will never have to read any of this, but will nonetheless be quite effective in getting the point across.

As is traditional, the current government of LXXQTJMN:

Head: Arloria

Foreign Minister: Stewie

Minister of Most Other Stuff and AIFIBW: Sov002

Minister of We Don't Quite Know What Yet: Valv

TLDR

Hi. Thanks. Clicky clicky. Embassies are awesome. We exist. Drop by via IRC to let us know that you exist too.

\

[Come ask your Questions for AdTheRat, Coldfront Admin on CN-Radio]

Backslash. Seriously, it catches out so many clients bugs. Actually broke my last client I've used

You're welcome!

\

[Petition for Coldfront IRC admin]

Nickname|AFK can still be impersonated if it's not linked or registered. I think that's why a lot of people support this.

-Bama

But so could any number of related nicknames. Let's say that I'm Arloria[LXXQTJMN] (As noted in my last post and stated here for future reference, I'm not). Not a very satisfying target, I'll admit, but here are a small number of ways I can think of to impersonate it:

Arloria|Away

Arloria[LXXQTJMN]|Away

Arloria[LXXQTJMN|Away]

Aloria[LXXQTJMN]

Arloria[LXQTJMN]

Arloria{LXXQTJMN]

etc, etc. Mainly spelling trolls (Especially easy with a micro-alliance with a name such as mine, but any nickname is subject to these kinds of "impersonations")

This doesn't mean that I think the linked nickname limit should be increased to ten, in order to account for the fact that I use none of these. It also doesn't mean I think it should be raised to 20 so that I can account for a few more.

Additionally, we're referring to the number of linked nicknames, not the number of registered nicknames. If you really, really needed it registered to stop people from impersonating you, there's no reason that one can't register it under a different address. I can't think of any reason that someone would need ChanServ access while they weren't at the machine to begin with.

Still, at the end of the day, I don't lose anything if the limit is increased, but I don't think many people truly gain from this either.

[Petition for Coldfront IRC admin]

I have to wonder why anyone would need more than four nicknames, personally, even after reading all the replies here.

Coldfront currently limits you to three concurrent connections per IP (With an exception in place for Mibbit that isn't relevant), meaning that - By using the restrictions in place as they're designed, you can't possibly be using all your nicknames concurrently.

Personally, I use four, all of them one character long (Main nickname: \, you might recognise it, hai!). This will be my eleventh month of doing so. Granted, I'm not the most "popular" CN player, but I've never had an issue with linked nickname counts.

My point being - Alliance tags are only necessary by some arbitrary channel rule, nothing on IRC enforces you to use it (Heck, I'm the living proof that even the channels that do, don't). You don't even need to be using a registered nickname to gain access to a channel you own on Coldfront (Use /cs identify #channel channelpassword, and you have your owner access). You could, if you so choose, identify with your main nickname, change to another, and not lose status. Nothing says you have to be using a registered nickname every minute of every day, nothing stops you from reclaiming your registered nickname back if someone is using it. The limit applies to linked nicknames and e-mail addresses, thus you can (by technicality) register it under a different e-mail address if you really have to.

Seriously, am I missing the point here? I'll admit to the possibility, but Nickname|AFK probably doesn't need ChanServ access.

[In regards to the spamming throughout IRC.]

I'd like to see you write a bot net that automatically registers a nickname, goes into the email, gets the auth code and inputs that. All without human interaction.

Oh, and plus the fact that none of the bot net's nicks are registered

Not to mention that with Coldfront's IRCops being long-aware of the issue, any nicknames registered would likely be unregistered almost as quickly.

In the same vain, setting usermode +R on yourself as I always have (/mode yournickname +R, or XChat users can use /umode +R) will stop unregistered nicknames from private messaging you. With the degree to which users here are encouraged to use registered nicknames, I can't see it causing anywhere near as many problems as it can solve.

On a side note, I'm glad you now all understand why LXXQTJMN runs its own network rather than using Coldfront. This just hasn't been an issue for us, although it could be said that we're a little off the political compass.

[LXXQTJMN finally declares existence, maybe.]

Love the flag. (It is a flag right?) Congrats on the move from the shadows.

That's our official flag, yes. We use it as a TV tuner in the main cities.

[LXXQTJMN finally declares existence, maybe.]

We're nothing if not memorable.

We've probably existed for a long time, and this might be one of the most delayed declarations of existence in history, but we finally got around to it.

What this means is that we're finally ready to step out of the shadows and be more of a part of things than we have been previously. We've used the time to learn who you are, and to learn who we are, even if we still don't know how to pronounce our alliance name.

I guess we can truly say we've paved our own way - We've only recently signed our first major treaty, despite existing for well over a year, and we've developed our own forum software and IRC network. When it comes to LXXQTJMN, we're proud to attempt to say that it's truly an LXXQTJMN affair.

In preparation for this, we've also given you the ability to create what might be the best embassies of any alliance, after pulling out all the stops and focusing on this project. Please see this thread for more information and how to create one, and our example embassy to see how they might look. Site registration required to create an embassy, please report bugs/issues, you know the drill.

Below is our current charter, with the most recent always being available on the official LXXQTJMN forums.

Introduction

Above all, LXXQTJMN attempts to prove that diversity can promote unity. With setting the definition of difference, however, comes the responsibility to ensure that difference does not conflict with reason. Wisdom is a trait amongst the worthy, and discretion is of equal value. With this in mind, I hereby set down the core rules that we all must ensure we follow to ensure co-operation between ourselves, and with others.

Peace

Whilst to err is human, to know it is wisdom. As a member of LXXQTJMN, members have committed themselves to the cumulative force of peace, and should strive for peace and understanding between others. A member may, on behalf of LXXQTJMN, introduce themselves and us to an alliance with similar goals. If they appear well-suited to the task, they or a member of another alliance may seek permission to be regarded as an official ambassador of our alliance. A member of LXXQTJMN must always understand the position they are putting themselves into, and knows the value of their words. As such, a diplomat of LXXQTJMN also knows the value in not saying anything at all, if such words may be deemed offensive.

The reverse is also expected of diplomats that are assigned to us. We welcome a diplomat from other alliances to ours, and understand the value of casual conversation. We do not, however, expect diplomats of another alliance to behave in a way that is out-of-place. It is often said that one should treat others as they would expect to be treated themselves, but we understand that it is often wiser to treat others with respect regardless of one's own expectation.

Prosperity

One of our founding beliefs is that the sharing of knowledge should be free, which we combine with the strive for difference. The downfall of an alliance starts when it begins to create secrets, causing the limitation of free speech. LXXQTJMN has no private forums, no secret channels, and nothing to hide. Through this, we prosper.

LXXQTJMN are therefore able to strive for further goals - The ability to help and inform others. The founders of LXXQTJMN came together for their abilities, and are able to provide infrastructure for other alliances to communicate effectively. We pride ourselves in knowing that what we have created, in turn, has nothing to hide. We offer our out-of-character resources as a platform for others, should they require them.

Power

There is truth in the old rule that a good offence comes from a good defence. Through this, we know that there are those who disagree with our goals, and may attempt to unravel what we have created. We are not warmongers, however, and cannot justify starting a war without reason. The declaration of war by a member of LXXQTJMN must meet with the approval of the alliance. We purchase what we require, for the best price we can negotiate. We all profit from the goodwill of others.

Government

LXXQTJMN has never had a defined governmental structure beyond the 'head' position, but understand that as more members join us, our cause may merit the additional assignment of positions. We give these positions based on two things, and only two things. A government member of LXXQTJMN must be someone who we believe embodies what we are and who we are, and they must be deemed capable of doing the job they have been assigned to.

Government positions in LXXQTJMN are mainly an advisory position. They are put in place for being knowledgeable about their task, but do not necessarily order others. If it is absolutely necessary, it is within their power to do so, should they state their reasoning and intention as an order. Governors are expected to only order a nation to perform a task that is within their scope of oversight.

Income

The aid that is received by a member of LXXQTJMN can be spent as the member wishes, so long as they do not use it to send aid to a nation or alliance that we have previously had issue with. Members who join the alliance, but leave before 30 days have passed will be expected to pay back what they have received, so that others may benefit from what we are able to give.

Members may also sell or purchase technology from those who would make a deal with them. We have facilities in place to make transactions easier, but do not require their use. We provide these services to anyone who would not seek to abuse them.

Communication

Members of LXXQTJMN should choose at least one means of staying up-to-date with developments in the alliance. Specific use of IRC or our forums are not required, should a member state their desire to be informed by another means. We appreciate that with a diverse community comes a diverse set of potential limitations to communicate, and will work around the needs of members accordingly. LXXQTJMN members are entitled to limited embassy access, though recognise that it is a privilege which may be removed if abused.

And on the subject of communication, you can reach us at our alliance forums or on IRC at irc.arloria.net #rpg

-

LXXQTJMN * Alliance Government:

Arloria - Alliance Head

Stewie - Foreign Minister

Sov002 - Minister of Economics

[An Apology from the LXXQTJMN * Alliance]

I've never heard of you guys. What does LXXQTJMN stand for?

I just joke that it stands for "Look, it's a word in Scrabble that's 480 points!". The idea is that rather than a name defining a people, the people define the name. It has no meaning for a reason.

Well done Arloria...

as small and unheard of LXXQTJMN might be, at least you have the sense to issue a proper statement within 24 hours... some people can learn a lesson or two from this.

Small, unheard of, and quite surprised to find ourselves in the middle of a conflict we were barely aware of. Wasn't our intention to get involved, so I thought it best to be un-involved as soon as possible.

Good thing you handled this with UPN and the CDT guys...

I was about to come and discuss this same thing with you guys...

good show guys.

It's starting to become more and more evident that as our alliance grows, so does our political presence. If there's anything you or anyone else would like to discuss, drop my nation a PM. Due to our current political inactivity, I'm not exactly a frequenter of these boards, so drop my nation a PM if there's anything that any CN players would like to discuss.

Glad you worked this out, good luck in the future; don't do it again

Heh, didn't realise it'd happened in the first place, no plans on letting something like that happen.

It's good to know you have apologized, as entertaining as the conversation on IRC was.

Hm, one or two were more than happy to make a good stir out of it, but the end-result was an agreement and cessation of hostilities, which was what I came for.

Good show in your apology.

Your initial move into Alliance Politics seems to have ended well, with a lesson learned, and a measure of respect gained.

Hail LXXQTJMN *

It went a lot better than I thought it would, thanks.

You guys get crazy credit for being smart enough to do this, gj.

Again, thanks. There was no reason to provoke them further so after a bit of... Coaxing, it seemed very much like the smartest option.

Phew, that's a lot of replies. Seemed the best way was to handle them all at once though. Thanks to everyone for the kind words, I wasn't expecting anything of the sort and was somewhat dreading the response this would get.

[An Apology from the LXXQTJMN * Alliance]

I, Arloria, head of the LXXQTJMN * Alliance, have been asked and feel it appropriate to make an apology regarding a number of events which have taken place in the past 24 hours.

On the evening of the 2nd February, we took in an Illuminati nation in what we believed to be an act of compassion and friendship, in order to alleviate the issues that he personally was having with being part of a war between two groups that he had no issue with.

Furthermore, it then came to my attention that two members of my alliance had given aid to a member of the Illuminati. The combination of these two events were such that the UPN & NATO either believed we had a motive in the war, or were angered by what appeared to be us helping an alliance that they were at war with.

We are a casual alliance and do not attempt to get involved in political matters, and were unaware of the consequences of harboring a member of an opposing alliance under these circumstances.

It was not our intention to take sides in a war that did not concern us, and on behalf of my alliance, I would personally give an apology to each of the following:

UPN (United Purple Nations):

I apologise on behalf of my alliance to the UPN for accidentally taking an involvement in this war

I would also like to apologise for appearing un-cooperative when attempting to find an arrangement which more comfortably suited the members of my alliance, and hope that UPN would understand what I was trying to achieve as opposed to what it appeared I was attempting to achieve.

Invicta

I apologise to Invicta for getting involved in this war, and for a reactionary comment relating to an out-of-character event.

CDT (Common Defense Treaty) and Super Friends

I would like to apologise to these two blocs for my involvement in this, as well as the nations that gave aid to an Illuminati member.

Following these events, w4rland has been expelled from our alliance and we have agreed to pay reparations. It is my hope that our alliance will learn from the events that took place here today, and that such an event does not occur again.

- Arloria, head of the LXXQTJMN * Alliance