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Week Twenty-Eight: Phase Two Hey guys - it's been an interesting, infuriating, joyful (and did I mention schizophrenic) week. Let's recap! Interview with a Developer WARNING: OLD NEWS ALERT! For those of you who didn't listen to it last week (because I had it mislinked or you didn't have time), my recorded PTAG interview is still available online here. So far the most common feedback has been "Wow, your voice is deeper than I thought." So that probably means my voice is more deep than the interview is interesting crying In the Light I'm not the featured journal anymore! That's mostly good in my book, considering: I might be able to respond to comments again I was up there for way too long Other users can have their great journals spotlighted People won't think I'm a suck-up that got featured just because I work at the company! If I Had a Penny for Every Gaian I Wanted To Pitch Out a Window Okay, so I love Gaia and its community. However, my usual haunts are the Gaia Community Discussion and Site Feedback (no offense to my GCD and SF friends) and they're not known as bastions of positivity. So I post in SF regularly, usually trying to address what's being fixed and what isn't (something we need to do a LOT more of, which I'll try to do below) - but sometimes a user posts something really nasty that just burns me up. It doesn't bother me at all that people have opinions on Gaia -- I admit it's not perfect and there's a LOT more work that needs to be done, and we've made plenty of mistakes -- however, when they make assumptions about how long it takes to do something, what goes into making something something happen, or call Gaia devs/admins lazy, then I lose my cool. I want to reiterate again how hard everyone here works - not for anyone's sake but theirs. One of the reasons I'm sure a lot of devs don't interact with users is because when they do, there's a hostile attitude towards them. We try to make Gaia user friendly so you continue to use the site -- if you want us to show, make it dev friendly rofl . Devs are people too heart On the Block There are a few broken things that I want to acknowledge here and discuss whether or not they're being fixed at the moment. NONE OF THIS IS A GUARANTEE ABOUT WHEN THEY'LL BE FIXED OR RELEASED -- stuff always comes up, and it's possible that some of these things get put on the backburner in lieu of something more important. Gift Giving: Status: Disabled Working again! Reason: Once in a while, it was destroying items Resolution: Fix finished, currently being tested It's working again! "Games" Daily Chance: Status: Occasionally hangs Reason: Currently investigating the reason Resolution: Addressing this is a side-project of mine Random Events: Status: Broken Reason: Dunno Resolution: Being fixed Home Purchase/Placement: Status: Confusing / Can't Find Lots Reason: Needed more attention than it got, didn't expect it to be this popular Resolution: Complete overhaul finished, currently being tested Tattoos: Status: Delayed Reason: We decided the avatar system hadn't been tested enough with tattoos, and other higher-priority projects came up taking up those devs time Resolution: We'll get to it eventually, GEEZ! Item Arranger: Status: Disabled Working again Reason: Was occasionally deleting items permanently, decided better to take it down until someone can fix it Resolution: A couple of people are looking at it, but they're very busy (like all of us) Fixed! Profiles / Journals: Status: Working, but frequently Disabled and Crashing Reason: Old code that isn't set up too grow as fast as the site is growing Resolution: This is a major focus for us at the beginning of this year. Multiple devs will be working on it. Battle system: Status: On schedule Quests: Status: Working, but only one quest Reason: Phase one focused on the quest base and the New User Quest, that was all we had specced for Resolution: We'Ve done some early planning for the next Phase of quests, but nothing concrete Gstore: Status: Working, but Paypal is required for credit cards Reason: We made major infrastructure, security, and usability upgrades that will allow us to expand it and change it easily. One of the downsides was that Paypal requires that for the changes. Resolution: We're looking into alternatives So again -- none of this is set in stone, and stuff happens ALL THE TIME to delay/switch project priorities. I had a BAJILLION more things to talk about but I wanted to get this posted before I left today smile I'll see you all next week!

Posted by: Fleep Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 01:02am

Gaia Isn't Being Money Hungry

User Comments: [136] Viewing page 2 of 3 · Goto Page: « 1 2 3 » [add]

MingSao
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Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 03:45pm


	I love ya Fleep, and I appreciate all the hard work that goes into this site. heart My inventory OCD is kicking up without my arranger though... curse that one blue shirt! It's not with all my other blue shirts... twitch And I miss the Prize & Joy, but as long as it's back by the time I have 330k tickets saved up, I'm all good.

Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 08:43pm


	Ah, I'm so glad you inform your fans. <333 And, I really like the picture you used for Site Feedback. xd Gotta love that place. What about Prize and Joy? Hopefully being fixed? OOO:

20 Shades of Crazy
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Sgt.PepperHat
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Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 08:53pm


	D': I hate being sick. I missed the journal entry coming out. Ah, well... Very nice that all those things are being worked on. Especially gift giving and inventory arranger. My entire inventory is currently locked away in storage. D: "So far the most common feedback has been "Wow, your voice is deeper than I thought." So that probably means my voice is more deep than the interview is interesting" No, no! What they REALLY mean is: 'Wow, Fleep! You're voice is so totally sexy and amazing that I totally wasn't listening to all those interesting things that you were saying. ;D' Or something like that... D:

Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 09:34pm


	Just remember fleep, not every user thinks badly of the developers or admins. It just seems the users that are upset are more inclined to post about it. While the happy users are more inclined to continue on their way. So for every user that makes silly assumptions. Theres bounds to be much more realizing that these things take time, and you guys are only human. Never let the bad attitude of others get you down. I work in retail, and so deal with the public frequently. Working there you cannot take anything people say to you as personal. When they're upset, they'll find a worker and unload it upon them. Even comments that seem personally directed at you. Is rarely the intent of their onslaught. Mostly, people just need to let off steam. Their day could have been horrible and you just happened to get in their path. Sure, it's not right. But your best bet is to smile and continue on. It works for me at least.

XDvandalDJ
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Xayide Estrada
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Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 11:07pm


	Thanks for the update fleep! Your journals are always full of delishous info that, keeps me comeing back. 3nodding

Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 11:30pm


	It's nice to see that a mod is actually acknowledging the fact that all of us gaians are freaking out because of the profiles and Arranger being disabled. I really hope that the Arranger will come back soon, because I want my items. D:

Suruma
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FaerieQueenSparkle
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Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 11:32pm


	Lol. I enjoyed the interview and it gave me a lot of information that I didn't have...and it asked my question. What does the (!) button do anyway? lol. Still... actually hearing your voice is quite different from reading your words. I think most people forget that you aren't 13 and your voice WILL be deeper on account of it. lol. I enjoy gaia the way it is. Sure theres always room for improvment but I think you and the rest of the devs are doing a great job just keeping it up and running. Once again... you're awesome! heart (faeriequeensparkle...probably # 4 fan. lol.)

Commented on: Sun Jan 14, 2007 @ 01:18am


	Thanks for the handy-dandy list of these things that I will kill some devs over are being worked on! biggrin Yes, your voice was more deep than the interview interesting! mad Write goth poetry. Write.

Killer Dwarf
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SilverCoatl
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Commented on: Sun Jan 14, 2007 @ 01:28am


	Thank you so much for the status reports! I wasn't one of the ones complaining about any of these things, but I was wondering how they were progressing. It would be great if you could update this list on a semi-regular basis, just to keep us informed... surprised And I can totally relate with how long a project can take and how frustrating it can be...I've failed Intro to Computer Science three times, not because I couldn't understand it, but because I would always get so frustrated I'd never get the programs done... sweatdrop I swear I'll pass it next time! (p.s. I finally got done reading all your past journal entries! Now I can start commenting without sounding like a suck-up! xp )

Commented on: Sun Jan 14, 2007 @ 01:58am


	I just was looking and you forgot one thing the exchange for credits from word bump is down too other wise great job

Shadoon4
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Skine99
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Commented on: Sun Jan 14, 2007 @ 01:58am


	Why aren't you guys working on the GGN anymore? crying I just started up a guild and I need several things from you guys to make it perfect. PS: I've heard people talking about Guild Housing but I'm not entirely sure what it meant. sweatdrop

Commented on: Sun Jan 14, 2007 @ 02:52am


	Oh, but Fleep we love you so. Sure, we're not bastions of positivity - but you know how us GCDers can get our panties in a twist. That doesn't mean we don't appreciate what you guys are doing <3 We do, really do, but you can't expect a forum that's dedicated solely to the happenings of Gaia not to bitching when something isn't working. Now can you? razz .We still love you and all the Admins, dear.

Rhoswen Gaehlie
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HardDickensCider
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Commented on: Sun Jan 14, 2007 @ 03:12am


	hug Dont worry about GCDers or SFers, their job is to complain constantly without realising that everyone that works for Gaia is human and voicing your complaint doesnt make it magically fixed. >_>; Anyway, I'm glad to hear that the gift giving is being worked on, it was maybe one of my favorite features (though a small one.) Any word on if It'll be back before valentines day? ninja

Commented on: Sun Jan 14, 2007 @ 03:25am


	Wow thank you for working so hard on getting things fixed. I just hope you, and everyone isn't stressed out, or overworked. 3nodding Well i hope things get better, and i get to see more of your journals

CrackedJewel
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Skine99
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Commented on: Sun Jan 14, 2007 @ 04:28am


	Oh I see. I guess guilds can survive untill then. Thanks for answering my question biggrin

Commented on: Sun Jan 14, 2007 @ 05:06am


	Wow this answered a lot of questions I had. Thanks!

Lily The Thirteenth
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kotomi--mitsu
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Commented on: Sun Jan 14, 2007 @ 05:33am


	I think you have a cute voice. And thanks for the status of all that's going down atm. 4laugh heart

Commented on: Sun Jan 14, 2007 @ 05:56am


	hehe yay glad to know the item arranger i being worked on. it's the thing i'm most concerned about but well so long as you guys are working on it i know you'll get it up eventually. good luck!and luffs to everyone! heart

PickledCreamPuff
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Zeek Slider
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Commented on: Sun Jan 14, 2007 @ 05:57am


	Is there any way you can put this simple to read and understand kind of update on the future features of Gaia in both SF and the Q&A forums? Please? It would save us a lot of greif.

Commented on: Sun Jan 14, 2007 @ 06:11am


	I about wet my pants at the photo references for [********] and GCD. Thank you for that. xd I stalk SF just to see what everyone's all in a tizzy about and I have to say, you put forth so much effort. You deserve kudos for that. I know it's not appreciated by some of the people you put the effort into, but it is appreciated by others who see it.

Pirate Dirge
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MysticSX
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Commented on: Sun Jan 14, 2007 @ 06:32am


	Ink Mixing and Prize & Joy is down too, maybe you forgot to mention them?

Commented on: Sun Jan 14, 2007 @ 08:05am


	Devs heart People who work hard for Gaia, with priorities and their own lives! 3nodding -Gift Giving - Would like to have this fixed. 3nodding -"Games" Daily Chance - Has had it not work sometimes. ninja -Random Events - Rather upsetting it doesn't work right and resorting to clicking links people have posted. neutral It is Odd. @.@ -Home Purchase/Placement - People seem to ask about this all the time. I was confused when I first started looking into it. domokun -Tattoos - Neat mrgreen -Item Arranger - Gah it's on my mind. gonk I've had some odd problems with it too though... -Profiles / Journals - The new layout is great yet crashes alot.... neutral -Battle system - Seems Cool.. mrgreen -Quests - More Fun 3nodding -Gstore - Alternatives would be great. 3nodding whee Next week means hinted @ MC's!! whee Anyways looking forward to ya'lls great work n' fixes. 3nodding

SugarCatXP
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dBEf-GAEc-18E-BBAf
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Commented on: Sun Jan 14, 2007 @ 08:18am


	What's funny about the Inventory Storage going down just now, and you saying that items are randomly deleted, permanently? I Just Move Most of my Inventory in there! sweatdrop Lol. Glad it's been taken down before I lose a million gold >_>

Commented on: Sun Jan 14, 2007 @ 11:38am


	Ooo!! Is that going to be be the new game? Gaian Pitching??! The more annoying the person is, the more gold you get for pitching them out of the windows? That would be fun!

Shine On Crazy Diamond
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KoNterra
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Commented on: Sun Jan 14, 2007 @ 07:07pm


	heart Im oh-so happy that your off the spotlight. x33 It sounds really rude, but I am. Yeah. Ive been fed up with the site feedback, and the GCD lately, so ive been hanging out in my guilds more then them. I cant wait till the inventory organizer is enabled. gonk But oh well, I understand you guys are busy. <3

Commented on: Sun Jan 14, 2007 @ 08:17pm


	Wow. I've just read through your entire journal. You are one BUSY dev! Thanks for taking the time to make Gaia a better place. heart

sboo99
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cindy sue who
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Commented on: Sun Jan 14, 2007 @ 08:54pm


	But Fleepppppp gonk gonk No hey I'm not going to miss treat you. I know your only human. All though you may hear me whine on occasion. Like I donated this month like the good little minion I am and put them into storage which I now can't get to. It would have been nice to open them tomarrow like every one else instead of when ever you guys get arround to it. Makes me almost not want to donate. Yes on that one point I'm upset. Expecialy since I seam to be one of those lucky folks that have had glitches happen to them a lot. But since I love this place I'll stick around and pray for you all to get time to get things fixed.

Commented on: Mon Jan 15, 2007 @ 01:23am


	thank you for doing this. this awnser's alot of questions for me

nst243
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Hydro
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Commented on: Mon Jan 15, 2007 @ 02:19am


	This status of features is really great, Fleep! Its nice not feeling like we're in the dark. heart I wonder if everyone was matching your voice to what your avatar looks like....lol. I don't think you sounded strange at all. 3nodding

Commented on: Mon Jan 15, 2007 @ 03:13am


	I think instead of working on the Tattoos, you should put the Fish Eyes on the top layer again. :3 Then ALL GAIANS WILL BE HAPPY AND REJOICE. But srsly, good luck with everything.

Drakku
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Yoinki
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Commented on: Mon Jan 15, 2007 @ 03:39am


	Awww well i hope the Item Arranger will be back very soon... I want some items I have place there... I also hope Prize & Joy will open soon! Well good luck with all those things... !

Commented on: Mon Jan 15, 2007 @ 03:59am


	Thank you for posting this update. I hope the glitchy stuff on common features get fixed before the fun features (tats, battle system and quests) are put up. Sure, I want those things and think they will be a wonderful addition but to fix the already implemented items would be so nice.

Jylla
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[Ryan the Sage]
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Commented on: Mon Jan 15, 2007 @ 05:09am


	Thanks for filling us in on the developers' side of Gaia!

Commented on: Mon Jan 15, 2007 @ 05:55am


	pouts Not only was I late on posting comments but you already have a bajillon! gonk I sowwy for not posting earlier bows sickness sucks... Anyway...It seems as though you had a more or less good week, and I'm glad you posted that information for wondering minds. Hopefully now that will keep some people from whining about things...hopefully. Well, Anyway I think you and the other memebers of the Gaia team are doing an awesome job. Keep up the good work, seriously. heart I and many other appricate you, unfortunately there are just so many that don't that we kinda get drowned out gonk I hope this week is less stressful for you in terms of user feed back. heart Also, I heard the Ptag session but never got to finish it,hence my half finished comment on your journal(if you saw it), theres a whole list of things I liked besides you voice...erm..found interesting that is...@@

Leena no Majo
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SOawesomeness
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Commented on: Mon Jan 15, 2007 @ 10:32am


	Thanks for at least letting us Gaians know about the status of the problems. Q and A forum is going crazy... Its filled with repeat threads of "why isn't this working?" gonk Hopefully all the glitches will stay away for at least three months [for once... >>] after everything is fixed. I'll really be happy then.

Commented on: Mon Jan 15, 2007 @ 01:49pm


	Now see, this is exactly the kind of run-down of works-in-progress that I've been hoping for! It is fantastic to know what's going on with features--and knowing what's actually wrong with them. Y'know, as opposed to things just going poof and never even knowing why (which is by far, I think, the main reason for the frustration over things going down). See, now I can even understand why the inventory arranger was disabled without any notice. 3nodding Thanks a million for the run-down, Fleep. This was personally the cause of my frustration, not that things have to go down from time to time but that too often we weren't told why or if it would be back anytime soon. You've restored my straining patience over the staff/user communication. heart And you've gained a new fan. wink

CooperationIsKey
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Gothic Waffle
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Commented on: Mon Jan 15, 2007 @ 03:34pm


	I got the PTAG interview the day it came out :> Thanks for the Status about everything, My heart skipped when i saw the Battle System was on schedule eek heart

Commented on: Mon Jan 15, 2007 @ 04:03pm


	Like you need another comment xd With the inventory issue, will this address the items that are coming up as blanks? It bothers me I can't get to my items, but I understand why I can't and am just dealing with it... only pixels and a small part of what is offered here. But the whole blank items is bothersom... are they gone for good or??? heart

Greedz_Rawkz
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darkstorm13
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Commented on: Mon Jan 15, 2007 @ 05:23pm


	im sorry that gaians are mean... hugs I personally think that when we get the new stuff it will be great. There will always be complainers no matter what anybody does.

Commented on: Mon Jan 15, 2007 @ 06:26pm


	Thank you for all the hard work you do for us! ^_^

wolfsbanemoon
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PixelShank
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Commented on: Mon Jan 15, 2007 @ 08:22pm


	Good to see things are being worked on. Keep up the good work everyone!

Commented on: Mon Jan 15, 2007 @ 10:25pm


	heart Oooooh yay. {I hope none of my items were deleted...} THANK FOR MAKING GAIA GREAT! :3

eluzabeth
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auni007
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Commented on: Mon Jan 15, 2007 @ 10:43pm


	Is is possible to give the inventory arranger back for some time that people could get their stuff out? I've got 10 january 2007 letters there and I would like to get them back ^^;; heart

Commented on: Tue Jan 16, 2007 @ 07:06am


	Oh that's why the item arranger was taken down. I didn't know that. Good thing, I would hate for my stuff to disappear. People do need to chill a bit when it comes to Gaia, all good things come tho those who wait. Go Fleep go

MadPink haze
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Shrimp_Man
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Commented on: Tue Jan 16, 2007 @ 09:16am


	I am the embodiement of fear and evil I did know that the arranger was randomly deleting items since my friend lost a coco/Oct. 05 from his house. I appreaciate all the work you guys are doing for us but it's got to suck for you guys since some people can't get to their items especially today. Keep strong Fleep! heart of the House of Demonic Dreams

Commented on: Tue Jan 16, 2007 @ 04:22pm


	Thank you very much for taking the time to type this up ^^ It really helps if you understand why something was taken down XD (like the inventory arranger) Everyone was bitching about it but it's a hell lot better then having your stuff disappear >.> The only thing that still worries me a bit it the paypal thing. I mean, I understand why you would need it (and security is very important) but my dad doesn't want me to make an account there so I can't donate >.>; (mail is not an option for him either sad ) Buuut I might be able to talk him into it if I really try ^^ Anyway, good luck fixing things and shooting handling angry gaians ^^ (I've seen many people calling admins lazy since I'm a GCDer myself and I don't think they know what they have to deal with when a site grows as fast as gaia does...then again, neither do I sweatdrop )

Mooniewitch
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Misogi Tabiris Shadowsong
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Commented on: Tue Jan 16, 2007 @ 05:07pm


	One is hoping for the inventory arranger to be up soon but one can wait... a couple more days.

Commented on: Tue Jan 16, 2007 @ 05:31pm


	Is there any chance of just kicking peoples items into their main inventory? Why did Gaia choose to use a flash based aranger instead of HTML?...<3 + + + + + d e a d r u n ..

deadrun
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Foolish Dream
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Commented on: Tue Jan 16, 2007 @ 05:46pm


	I have been lookign everywhere on gaia for somewhat of an idea as to what was going with the inventories and such. Thanks Fleep!

Commented on: Tue Jan 16, 2007 @ 09:10pm


	I'm not going anywhere soon, so I don't plan on missing any of it. xd

Coyotecom
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