01 — Who Am I?

Behind the computer is just another young 20-something using the internet as a social medium on his free time, which is something it would seem he has too much of.

I’m very unemployed, as in disabled. Hence the too-much-time-on-my-hands syndrome.

I’m American but I choose to type in British because I find it to be an entertaining challenge. Alas I don’t have the capacity for learning another language entirely, else this page would be entirely in French, Danish, or Finnish… or something.

Actually, I would much rather tell you more about myself personally, if you are honestly that interested. Not sure why anyone would be though; it’s not as if this is the website of some famous or important person. It’s just me wasting more time on various dabblings with a blank canvas available for all to gawk at.

02 — Who or what is The “zhaarteth” Entity?

If you’ve actually come here with this question in mind, you’re probably a psycho-stalker from back in the days I frequented certain Role Play IRC networks.

The short of it is that it was a Role Play character of mine. In the end, nobody liked it for various (bigoted) reasons, so it became my primary all-purpose internet screen name.

The long of it is that zhaarteth was a fictional character schema used in various stories and role-playing forums that I participated in for a time–or at least tried to. I was cast out of so many online communities (ahem, mob-like cliques) because of their absurd rules and mentality that I decided to quit involving myself with such people completely. Thusly, zhaarteth “died” in a manner of speaking and its name now lives on as a mere general-purpose screen name. I have it on all major IM networks, as well as quite a few forums out on the internet. Once you have one screen name (this domain…), you pretty much know how to contact me anywhere on the web.

Wondering how to pronounce it, and why I seem to forget capitalisation when spelling its name? Well… zhaarteth is pronounced somewhat like the “ßah-tah” or “szah-tuh” depending on your accent. It began as a bit of a mashup of phonetics which evolved into an easy slur with a complicated spelling. The name is only capitalised when at the beginning of a sentence because, well, grammar is grammar and all. I refer to it not as a name per se, but as a “colloquial proper noun,” or a name for what it is, not necessarily who. It really isn’t a big deal if you can’t spell or pronounce it correctly or even remember not to capitalise it in the middle of a sentence, but it is greatly appreciated if you do.

As for people impersonating me, which has unbelievably happened, all that is required to prove it is me is to ask any potential “impostor” to post an agreed-upon message to this WordPress blog. If it is made as an actual post and not a comment, then you’ll know it is me. I still can’t believe there are people who think I am important enough to even do something like that. How very interesting, peculiar, and mildly disturbing…

( For specific details on the character itself, you’ll need to ask me directly. The character was the centre of so much anxiety over the years of accusations and belligerence that I haven’t had the patience [not to mention self-esteem] to write down a full character biography. )

03 – Where else you can find me:

On the 3D Virtual World platform known as SecondLife I am known as Amras.Martynov. Chances are, you learned of this website through there. I’m nowhere near as active in SL as I once was but I am almost always up for a chat or exploring new places so long as they’re open-minded and well-maintained.

I’m available on all major IM networks by the same common name as well. As a general guideline, just add @service to my zhaarteth username when applicable, with the exception of MSN as I use my own domain. However please be warned that if I have had no previous contact with you, I will likely ignore your request to contact me via any common IM network. My username on Steam is also the same.

As previously mentioned I’m also on a few forums–but not necessarily active on them. Fact is, I rarely (if ever) join forums unless explicitly invited to do so; and only when I am assured that the senior members and/or progenitors aren’t going to hound me for making an error in some regard. Fact is, I usually get caught in a silly “you’re an idiot” contest in some form or another whenever I join a forum on my own. It’s depressing how many ego-maniacal forum admin there are out there who would sooner start a fight and ban someone than actually make honest attempts at solving issues. But enough digression…

04 – Other stuff:

The following is a mashup of various opinions of mine, rarely ever updated. Try reading them with an unbiased eye. If not, there’s always ALT+F4.

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I play games, but I’m no gamer:

I’m VERY picky about video games. Not only can I not pay for them but a certain abusive and insulting thing called DRM has often made me abandon games completely.

Here’s a short(ish) rundown of types games I will and will not play:

  • As far as any games that require a monetary subscription or “freemium” games which give paying players an unfair advantage, this is a definite “NO!” This includes, but is not limited to games owned and/or operated by the following companies: Aeria Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Nexon Corporation.
  • Most online multiplayer shooters I never play unless they have a “humans versus computer” mode. Not only am I not good at them (as in slow) but that fact alone tends to tick people off. Actually, I don’t play very many multiplayer games at all. I’m just not a very competitive person. There is also certain stigma in multiplayer games which typically keeps me away from anything multiplayer at all. ( e.g. “camping” versus “defending” or “cheating” versus “hacking” )
  • RPGs are generally a “no” unless they are in first-person (e.g. Fallout3, Elder Scrolls, Borderlands) and have the option to deviate away from the storyline to just explore or goof around.
  • Racing games are good but only if PvP is optional. Driving around and wreaking havoc almost never gets old with me.
  • I WILL play any game that has “free roaming” modes. Games that allow players to goof around and do whatever they wish are always nice.
  • I like flying, driving, sailing and anything else vehicular in games. 3D space flight confuses me to no end, though.
  • My computer is not that good. The newest game I can play with decent FPS is probably Fallout: New Vegas. I get a maximum of about 80 and a minimum of about 10 for an average of 30-40. I don’t have any money for a new machine.
  • I also play games when people buy them for me and demand that I never pay them back. Even if I end up not liking a game, I will give it my best shot if someone actually spends money to get me to play it legitimately.
  • Lastly, I venture to say that the best games are OpenSource. Or rather, they have such a potential. If a closed group of people on a time and budget limit can produce such great games as Homefront and Empire Total War…. imagine what a game would be like if everyone who wanted to ( and could ) pitch in and help make it even better would be like. Seriously…

 

In other news…

Are you an arrogant, rich, right-wing bigot who can’t remember a damn thing and think you should be afforded tolerance and respect while having nothing but bitterness, intolerance and hatred for your fellow human being? If so, die.

More to be added whenever I feel like it.