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I then realized my account should not be over quota for the month. I checked and confirmed it was not and realized this must be an error. I could not change anything on my service because Libsyn is migrating all of their users to new software. The users have no choice in the matter and must wait until the migration is finished before they can make any changes or they can resume their account.

I received no warning or announcement about this migration. I had no idea that it would interrupt my service or keep me from making changes. Unfortunately, I’m at their mercy for the (short) time being. My iTunes feed and other aggregation services are tied to my libsyn rss. If I host it elsewhere, it will take days for the files to show up on the feeds that I use.

This isn’t the first time I’ve had a run around with libsyn’s bad customer service and support. This will be the last time. Once I get the show up after I migrate, I’ll be paying libsyn for this month. Through the month, I’ll be migrating everything including the site to a new host. There will be a new feed to subscribe to and a new iTunes address that I’ll update you all on when it comes.

Until then, I’m sorry. My hands are currently tied. As soon as my account is migrated to libsyn’s new software, I’ll update the show. I’ll also keep you updated on Twitter when the show is ready to go.

Update: A few people have e-mailed offering hosting. Thank you guys and much love for the offers. I do have HostGator and I was waiting until a WordPress powered site was finished for GDI before moving everything over. With what happened today, I’ll be moving over a lot faster and have to roll out the new design later.

Let’s break this apart for just a moment. I have a 7 year old step son who plays video games. He messes around on MMOs but his reading isn’t up to par just yet to be able to play on his own. When he is ready, he will be allowed to play video games with his Dad or I right by his side. The only parental control I will ever use for him is a profanity filter.

LotRO currently has a profanity filter built in. He could easily find it and remove it. That is why I need to check every so often with “surprise check-ins” to make sure he didn’t remove the filter. We do not need chat parental controls. The profanity filter is already there. If you want certain chat channels gone, turn them off yourself when your child creates a character. Those surprise check ins will also make sure the chat channels are not turned on.

Nothing he does on the game is sent to an e-mail address belonging to him. He doesn’t have his own e-mail and probably won’t for some time. If he ever gets an account warning or temporary ban, it would be sent to mine or his Dad’s e-mail depending on what game he is playing. When we see an e-mail like that, he would not be able to play video games for awhile. None of the above has happened yet, but we’ve discussed at length how to work with him when he starts to play games on his own.

If you need to make sure your child is not using your credit card to spend money in the LotRO store, I think there is a bigger problem at hand. The moment I see a charge from the LotRO store that is not mine would be the last time he plays LotRO or any MMO for a long time. He would also have to work to pay back the money spent that wasn’t his.

Hey, I don’t have time for “surprise check ins” with my kid and their game settings. Well, then you probably shouldn’t allow them to play a game. If you don’t have the time to supervise what they are doing, then they need to do something else that requires less supervision.

Let’s say your kid is a teenager or older. Chances are you can allow them to play a video game with little to no supervision. The surprise check ins for someone that age is really up to you. Sure, teenagers are exposed to a lot of things in this day and age. It is your discretion what they are and are not exposed to while they are under your roof.

I know people who use parental controls to kick themselves off games so they don’t play too long. I also know people who set them for their kids. That is really the only parental control I would say is useful. Though it’s useful, it isn’t needed. Any parent or person should be able to keep track of time spent in game.

It is your responsibility to keep track of your time and your child’s time spent in a game. If you can not tell your child “That’s enough.” then there is a much larger problem. May I suggest removing the computer all together for awhile if you have this problem?

You don’t have a child who plays video games. You have no room to talk. On the contrary. Though neither of my step children play MMOs yet, both do play video games on consoles and the DS. The rules for them are similar to the rules set up for an MMO. Both of them have already experienced losing a console for awhile due to not turning the game off when they needed to. Both of them have already whined about not being able to play a game that their Dad and I deemed a little too old for them. Both of them have already had rules for video games laid out for them and they know these rules have to be followed.

It is not up to Turbine to police your children when they are playing online. It is up to you as a parent to watch what they are doing. My main suggestion?Lay out the rules. Be consistent with the rules for the game. If they break the rules, the consequence should always be the same and you shouldn’t falter. Play with them as often as you’re able to. It is an activity you can enjoy together and something fun to do. If you find yourself not able to enforce the rules, or having problems with the gaming then it’s time to tell them to find a new hobby for a little while. There’s nothing wrong with that. Just please, don’t make them learn the tuba or something like that.

Update: For more in depth information, check out Goldenstar’s post on Casual Stroll to Mordor. Plus, there are baby Hobbit pictures!

Our poll is going to ask you about the store itself. Let’s face it. If you are staying in LotRO, you will eventually use the LotRO store. Based on what we know people can buy, what would you be most likely to purchase?

This video on YouTube comes from the Tolkien Ensemble with Tom Bombadil, and an excerpt from the poem of Tom and the Troll.

“…Eldest, that’s what I am. Mark my words, my friends: Tom was here before the river and the trees; Tom remembers the first raindrop and the first acorn. He made paths before the Big People, and saw the little People arriving. He was here before the Kings and the graves and the Barrow-wights. When the Elves passed westward, Tom was here already, before the seas were bent. He knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless – before the Dark Lord came from the Outside.”

I love Tom.

Grab the show here!
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On the show:
* Listener poll results
* Leveling and missing the RK – sort of
* Creeping it up! (Check out Through the Palantir)
* Free to Play! Get the pitchforks! …Not really. Some constructive criticism and some praise.
* A talk with Patience from Turbine. …Did she give a hint at the next expansion?
* The Lay of Nimrodel

Links:
Free to play announcement and FAQ
Free to play forums
Patience’s link

Mental Health Warning!
If you are a “lore purist”, do not listen to this show. You will most likely have fits of rage.

Covered on the show:
* The quest for Undying
* Guardians and Wardens as alts
* Deeds and welcome back weekend
* Housing and why it’s not *that* important
* The Great Debate – Rune Keepers
* Special guest Theobor reads “Ode to a Weaponsmith”

Grab the show here!

Subscribe to the feed!

Show Links:

Casual Stroll to Mordor

Lotro Reporter

Lotro Network

Ode to a Weaponsmith

Tell the Community Team: Burglars

This week’s video is a player-made trailer of the Rune Keeper class. It’s by “DinkyDino” on YouTube and he admits this was his first attempt at a video like this. Well, for your first attempt it was a great job! He certainly captured the spirit of a Rune Keeper. Our Rune Keeper friend is Galuhad of Brandywine who I stalked…errr found! on my.lotro.

The Rune Keeper – with epic music

If you know of a video you’d like to see on the site for the Weekend Muster, send me an e-mail and link the video. If you have any information on it’s creator, please list that as well. The only rule is that the video be from players. Meaning not a Turbine, Massively, or RPGash (etc.) created video.

There is a reason why it’s my favorite home. Just look at the water and the gazebo. Plus it’s tucked away in a nice little lane. It’s so homey and inviting for an Elven Minstrel I think.

Aelinnor doing what an Elf Minstrel does best, playing a song by “her” pond. It’s her favorite place to be when at home. Alright…it’s mine really.

Nothing like a nice cushioned bench, some good books, a good cup of tea and my faithful barghest at my side. All right, the barghest is stuffed. Aelinnor got a lucky drop near Esteldin recently which brought me a great trophy for the house.

The bedroom! Complete with froo froo canopy bed and the dresser (which is off to the side). A nice and lovely place to rest if you ask me. I’d sleep there.