Global Economics and Trade Help Desk and Q&A

[Costa Aluria]

When I say replace text with images, I mean creating images containing written information, diagrams, pictures etc. rather than using text with the simple post formatting options. I feel that creating my entire storefront in an image editor and then transferring that to NS in the form of images allows considerably more freedom to alter the visual appeal of my thread and create something a little more unique.

The downside with editing your storefronts and posting as an image is that the content doesn't show in searches, which may or may not make a huge difference to how well it does.

[United Gordonopia]

As someone who has done a storefront composed largely of images containing text, I can give a bit of info on the up and downsides. On one hand, it does allow you achieve a very particular visual look thats unattainable by even the best bbcode wizardry, since you can explore fonts and things that just arent supported. To me thats the primary attraction. The two notable downsides I can attest to are search and editing. Since theyre just images, the search function doesnt really work well in these types of storefronts, which can be a bit of a pain. With editing, it means you cant hop in and make a quick fix, since you have to boot up whatever editor you're using and do it there. Worse, should something happen and you lose the files, you basically may be left with only the option of doing a full refresh if you want to change something.

Let me know if you have questions!

[Yohannes]

Just to add to Costa Aluria and United Gordonopia's excellent comments, is something that most players tend to not, or do not realise: what you see (of your storefront) on your screen resolution may not be what other people see on their screen. And to add to that, the sidebar option for NationStates too, meaning that that side bar will make it more likely that what you see of your storefront on your screen is not what others see.

As just but one example, if your image is beyond a certain width, someone with a certain screen resolution (on top of the possibility that he or she may have the NationStates side bar on for his/her screen) may not see a certain part of your image. This can also (if not most inevitably) affect the page formatting of your storefront. The fact that other players' screen resolution may not be the same as yours can truly mess even the most very well-designed storefront formatting (like... really mess up the whole thing)

In fact, the counter to the above problem is to pretty much do the most basic of page formatting for your storefront, because the more advanced and complex a storefront's formatting is, the more likely that that storefront can be affected by the above. I can give some good examples if anyone want to know, and these examples are taken from some of the widely acknowledged to be 'very good' non-military storefronts (and they are my close friends, with one of them discussing this problem with me @IRC)

Their formatting for their storefronts are very very good if not near excellent. But because of that, they are most affected by the above

[Anemos Major]

When I say replace text with images, I mean creating images containing written information, diagrams, pictures etc. rather than using text with the simple post formatting options. I feel that creating my entire storefront in an image editor and then transferring that to NS in the form of images allows considerably more freedom to alter the visual appeal of my thread and create something a little more unique.

Cestyr: The simple answer is, yes. I've been experimenting with this on-and-off for ages, and it works more or less as you describe it, with caveats. So the good thing is that you can free yourself of BBCode restrictions and bring in images, formatting, fonts, and a combination of the three in a way that said restrictions might not allow, and not even necessarily within 900x900 bounds.

The more complex answer is, yes, at some cost. Here're a few examples:

- The problem with images is that for the most part, they tend to be a lot blockier than text, and what that means is that they don't scale up or down all that well. If screen resolution goes down with regular text, then the text will inch downwards accordingly to fit onto the screen in question. If it happens with images, it might well break apart your pretty formatting, or even (on low enough resolutions) end up clipping your images, which isn't pretty.
- Individual images look great when they're formatted nicely - it's a tad harder to organise formatting so images look great together.
- Plenty of internet related troubles - what if viewers don't have access to consistent or decent connections? What if your image host goes down? Most of mine are on photobucket, and the prospect alone terrifies me.
- Keeping track of image. It depends on complexity, of course, but the more ambitious you are, the more images will pile up. Your offline and online organisation needs to be impeccable.

And yet, ultimately, most of the problems described above can be sorted out by a mind for such things and some common sense/organisational skills. It's the sort of thing you should definitely take a foray into - if only to get a grasp for the sheer potential it offers you.

This was my first proper all-images testbed, feel as though it worked out decently (would've been even better if I'd finished it ). Currently in the process of converting my flagship storefront (ASAEA) to something similar.

[Yohannes]

- Keeping track of image. It depends on complexity, of course, but the more ambitious you are, the more images will pile up. Your offline and online organisation needs to be impeccable.

You wouldn't want to see my Public 'Yohannes' folder.... (not even organised into a kind of NationStates folder but straight at the Public section with all pictures/images mixed together lazily)

[Cestyr]

When I say replace text with images, I mean creating images containing written information, diagrams, pictures etc. rather than using text with the simple post formatting options. I feel that creating my entire storefront in an image editor and then transferring that to NS in the form of images allows considerably more freedom to alter the visual appeal of my thread and create something a little more unique.

Cestyr: The simple answer is, yes. I've been experimenting with this on-and-off for ages, and it works more or less as you describe it, with caveats. So the good thing is that you can free yourself of BBCode restrictions and bring in images, formatting, fonts, and a combination of the three in a way that said restrictions might not allow, and not even necessarily within 900x900 bounds.

The more complex answer is, yes, at some cost. Here're a few examples:

- The problem with images is that for the most part, they tend to be a lot blockier than text, and what that means is that they don't scale up or down all that well. If screen resolution goes down with regular text, then the text will inch downwards accordingly to fit onto the screen in question. If it happens with images, it might well break apart your pretty formatting, or even (on low enough resolutions) end up clipping your images, which isn't pretty.
- Individual images look great when they're formatted nicely - it's a tad harder to organise formatting so images look great together.
- Plenty of internet related troubles - what if viewers don't have access to consistent or decent connections? What if your image host goes down? Most of mine are on photobucket, and the prospect alone terrifies me.
- Keeping track of image. It depends on complexity, of course, but the more ambitious you are, the more images will pile up. Your offline and online organisation needs to be impeccable.

And yet, ultimately, most of the problems described above can be sorted out by a mind for such things and some common sense/organisational skills. It's the sort of thing you should definitely take a foray into - if only to get a grasp for the sheer potential it offers you.

This was my first proper all-images testbed, feel as though it worked out decently (would've been even better if I'd finished it ). Currently in the process of converting my flagship storefront (ASAEA) to something similar.

I think I can live with these problems due to my circumstances; this is a regional roleplay project that I'm listing on GE&T because it seems the most appropriate place. There'll only be perhaps 10, maybe 15 people who would take part in the roleplay after which it will wrap up, therefore there's no need to worry about future organization or image hosts collapsing. My region mates, to my knowledge, have decent internet connection and very few computers these days would work with a screen resolution of less than what would be required for the formatting to work without issue.

I was more worried about people just not liking images in place of text, but I guess that wasn't the issue with my last storefront. Perhaps if this one is well received I'll consider expanding it out of the region.

[Anemos Major]

I was more worried about people just not liking images in place of text, but I guess that wasn't the issue with my last storefront. Perhaps if this one is well received I'll consider expanding it out of the region.

Even better - you've a circle of acquaintances to test your gimmicks and party tricks on. Definitely give it a go, if only because you don't stand to lose much.

[Khoor]

Hi everyone! I want to draw a pistol for my embassy guards... and I see so many good drawings like this viewtopic.php?f=6&t=113519 or this viewtopic.php?f=6&t=321339

how do you do that? I want to draw like that too

[Crookfur]

Hi everyone! I want to draw a pistol for my embassy guards... and I see so many good drawings like this viewtopic.php?f=6&t=113519 or this viewtopic.php?f=6&t=321339

how do you do that? I want to draw like that too

You start ms paint up and practice practice practice.

I hate to be so brutal about but it is basically how it works, well that and taking the time to really look in depth at RL images of stuff that inspires you. As such a large collection of reference images comes in very handy.

Ms paint as included in all versions of Windows is the preferred tool of most line artists but some prefer programs like paint shop pro, flash, the gimp, illustrator or even photoshop it really comes down to what you are most comfortable with.

Sometimes you can use layers to trace over pictures as a bit of a short cut and to help decide the best way to express what a certain part might look like in line form but ultimately that can hold you back.

Getting stuff as good looking as that of Anemos or nachmere is never going to happen overnight but if you have the talent and the patience it will come eventually. For further help take a look at the infantry and create your own everything CYOE threads on the fact books and national infomation section, there are plenty of line artists active in those threads

[Yohannes]

Crookfur's the right person to ask for things like this. I would encourage for you to telegram him, he is a very helpful player. He probably know more than half the people posting in this Help Desk about armaments

[Nachmere]

Hi everyone! I want to draw a pistol for my embassy guards... and I see so many good drawings like this http://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic ... 6&t=113519 or this http://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic ... 6&t=321339

how do you do that? I want to draw like that too

Firstly thank you. Now, as Crookfur said, the way to get there is draw lots and lots of stuff. However I can tell you the following things:

1) When drawing things, one of the hardest parts is getting proportions right. There are 2 solutions for this, and they work best combined:
A)use a reference picture of whatever you are drawing.
B)if possible, decide on a scale in which you will draw all your stuff. different scales are required for ships,aircraft, vehicles and light arms. Make a "ruler" in the scale you are using, it will help you a lot!

2) Don't be upset if at first your drawings are not great. It takes a long time to get better. You can find my earlier pistols from around 2009, and see they look terrible compared with this one. This one is also not perfect, and others with more experience make better ones(Anemos is superior to me in this in my eyes).

3) Ask other people to look at your WIP and suggest improvements. Sometimes we don't notice stuff other people do.

Thats all I can think of for now. You can TG me if you want advice.

Edit: if you do go with MS paint, I personally prefer the older version like from XP, and in fact I found and downloaded it to my windows 8 laptop because I find the new paint to be a pain in the butt. could be just my old habits though.

[Pharthan]

Hi everyone! I want to draw a pistol for my embassy guards... and I see so many good drawings like this viewtopic.php?f=6&t=113519 or this viewtopic.php?f=6&t=321339

how do you do that? I want to draw like that too

I have to agree with the others - practice is highly important.

Just as important, however, is patience and dedication.
Understand that you aren't going to become the artist you want to be overnight, and each individual drawing is likely to take hours, and you may spend several of those hours getting one small segment looking "just right."

For pistols especially, I find one of the easiest ways to get off the ground is to flat out copy the outline of a real life pistol. Straight up - the human hand isn't going to change. Make tweaks here and there to make it your own, as well as the grip and whatnot.

If any of the tools of your art-program confuse you, or you feel you could streamline certain things, I would recommend watching youtube video examples of more practiced artists doing things - this is especially useful for programs you're new to, especially those more complicated than MS Paint.

[Union Of Canadorian Socialists Republic]

Hello. I am wondering if it would be possible to create a stock exchange in which one can invest in various storefronts. Is such a thing even possible? I am new to this whole type of RP.

[Pharthan]

Hello. I am wondering if it would be possible to create a stock exchange in which one can invest in various storefronts. Is such a thing even possible? I am new to this whole type of RP.

It has been done before. While they are usually quite entertaining - especially the ones where the owner controls stock based on a variety of factors including random events they think up - they normally don't last long, which is very unfortunate, as they typically get a lot of people roleplaying together.

[ViZion]

Hello. I am wondering if it would be possible to create a stock exchange in which one can invest in various storefronts. Is such a thing even possible? I am new to this whole type of RP.

It has been done before. While they are usually quite entertaining - especially the ones where the owner controls stock based on a variety of factors including random events they think up - they normally don't last long, which is very unfortunate, as they typically get a lot of people roleplaying together.

Very true. Doable so long as you are willing to invest the time and energy.

[Empire of Symphonia]

After reading about the formatting issue, I might actually go back and check out my own. Seems like a pretty big concern, considering I play around with formatting on all my storefronts.

Anyway, does someone mind looking at the WIP on my city storefront? [Here]

Playing around with this idea for a while, but wasn't really sure how realistic it seemed. Vague in my opinion, so I can flush out some stuff. Just want some other opinions as well.

[Gotham City Empire]

What is the best way to advertise my business?

[Nachmere]

What is the best way to advertise my business?

The first and easiest thing to do would be to put it in your forum signature.

[Maltropia]

What is the best way to advertise my business?

Here's a post I like to link to when people want to advertise. Hope it helps.

[Eletya]

So I have this ridiculous idea,

A dedicated, civilian aircraft carrier.

This thing would be huge, for one purpouse. It would be able to land a 777 on its massive aviation deck. For times when theres not enough range, or you need a new middle of the sea airport.

Any feedback?

[Crookfur]

So I have this ridiculous idea,

A dedicated, civilian aircraft carrier.

This thing would be huge, for one purpouse. It would be able to land a 777 on its massive aviation deck. For times when theres not enough range, or you need a new middle of the sea airport.

Any feedback?

theoreticvally possible but well outside the realms of plausible or practical.

Really just find and island or atol along the way and do some mega dubai/hongkong/singapore land reclaimation to make room for a proper airport. It'll be cheaper and possibly even financially viable if it can drastically cut times and fuel costs compared to a multi stop route that goes around the oceon, porvided there are actual viable destinations on either side of the mega oceon.

[Pharthan]

So I have this ridiculous idea,

A dedicated, civilian aircraft carrier.

This thing would be huge, for one purpouse. It would be able to land a 777 on its massive aviation deck. For times when theres not enough range, or you need a new middle of the sea airport.

Any feedback?

Plausible for a world with much larger oceans than Earth's, perhaps.

[Eletya]

So I have this ridiculous idea,

A dedicated, civilian aircraft carrier.

This thing would be huge, for one purpouse. It would be able to land a 777 on its massive aviation deck. For times when theres not enough range, or you need a new middle of the sea airport.

Any feedback?

Plausible for a world with much larger oceans than Earth's, perhaps.

Which is what NS is. Most atolls would have been taken over by now.

[Tippercommon]

So I have this ridiculous idea,

A dedicated, civilian aircraft carrier.

This thing would be huge, for one purpouse. It would be able to land a 777 on its massive aviation deck. For times when theres not enough range, or you need a new middle of the sea airport.

Any feedback?

If we're going to keep it in the realm of realism, I don't think it is sensible. A much better idea would be to invest in technologies to extend the range of aircraft, use multi-stop routes instead of non-stop routes, or construct airstrips on islands or atolls. There's no real standardized map of nations in NationStates unless you're in a region that has a cartographer, so you could likely just create an atoll in the middle of the ocean if you really wanted to cross it. Plus, even if you hypothetically don't want to, you could probably find somebody on here how'd want to engage in a joint venture where one of your companies or your governments funds the construction of an airstrip on somebody else's island.

It would be far too dangerous to land an aircraft as large as a 777 on a ship at sea. It requires amazing skill to land an F-18E on a carrier, much less a wide body airliner. The largest ship ever built, the Seawise Giant supertanker, was 1,504 feet long. A Boeing 777-300 at MTOW would need 11,200 feet to takeoff and 8,100 feet to land safely at MLW. There have been proposals for carrier-borne transport aircraft, but the only practical example which has been put into service is the C-2, although it can only carry 26 passengers (not exactly a 777). It is known that the C-130 can land and takeoff from an aircraft carrier with proper modification, but it was deemed too dangerous by the Naval Department.

In short, in the realm of NS Realism, you could design something like that and you could market it and it has the potential for being bought up by GE&T-goers. But should you?

Of course if you're a PMT guy 100-years in the future this doesn't apply to you.

[Gotham City Empire]

How do I change an address into text.

like lets say I want to turn this www.Blahblahblah.com into something that says Blah Inc. How would I do that?