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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 0 of 3 · Goto Page: 1 2 3 » [add]

Cube B
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Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 01:03am


	I didn't Know weeks had mental conditons. Very interesting... I'm glad you're working on fixing things though!

Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 01:04am


	I hope Gift-giving comes back soon~ So I don't have to start a trade and my gifts can be anonyumous~ And I never downloaded your episode with PTAG. Dx p.s. hiii~ p.p.s. thank the team for fixing gaia~ m o d o <3

Modoko
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Devil Influenced Angel
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Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 01:05am


	Yay, fixing things. I can't wait till the inventories come back up.

Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 01:09am


	cool and fair enough 3nodding does this mean you'll go back to rocking out and pretending to work? j/k

Scandi the Vampire
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Cid High-Wind
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Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 01:09am


	Nice to know these things are being addressed/fixed. :3 And I'm sorry that you guys have to deal with negativity like that all the time. It sucks when people just say those things. stressed

Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 01:14am


	Nice to know what's being worked on. Thanks. ^.^

Hylarn
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Toxxyyy
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Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 01:22am


	Yay. Tattoos. XD

Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 01:24am


	It's good to hear that the Quest System is continuing to be developed. Even if it is only one more quest, I'll enjoy it. Keep up the good work Fleep!

Allaron
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Prom Night Baby
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Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 01:25am


	Yay, I'm glad things are being fixed now. Or soon xDD

Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 01:26am


	Yay! Glad to see things are being fixed~ you guys do great work. n_n

Sapphire Zelda
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BenjaminBriggs
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Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 01:27am


	Works for me! I'm still seeing the site in general as being very stable on Safari and Firefox, but with the mentioned glitches. I expect those since there's been so much work on fixing and expanding. Good job, and thanks!

Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 01:28am


	Thank's for the update Fleep ^_^

jonyyy
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Vincent Valentine-Jenova
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Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 01:32am


	hugs Fleep I'm sorry some people are screaming about the Dev/Admins being lazy. I've been thinking about trying to learn to code, so I couldhave a shot at getting a job at GaiaHQ... but... I dont think I would be able to take the stress of the huge work load, then people yelling, and only looking at the bad instead of the good that gets fixed every day. Anyway, I'm kinda rambling now. sweatdrop Thanks for the update!

Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 01:32am


	Nothing about guilds? o_O Lanzer did say the devs were planning to do some major UI changes to guilds in Q1 2007, has that changed?

SpeQz
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Literary Legionnaire May
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Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 01:32am


	Fleep, you can be assured that I am dev friendly, and i'm glad to read about some updates, its nice to be informed on things, even if it isnt completed yet ^_^ it shows that you guys care enough to talk to us and update us on these things!

Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 01:34am


	Tatoos seem to be a myth at this point.

Kuma - kun
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Austierra
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Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 01:35am


	Looking forward to them all ^_~ 'Specially Profiles o__o

Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 01:38am


	I bet if the other devs were more active they would be well recieved. I also bet you get your share of knuckle heads talking trash because they have some gripe with the sight. Fleep its cool that you do this...and I think it would bode well for the sight if more people in the office would follow your lead.

Shinigami no Storm
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Awiergan
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Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 01:41am


	Could you please give us an update on prizes and joy? Please? It was great to learn about all the other projects in the works and fixing.

Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 01:41am


	gonk SF is a bastion of hate. (Mainly due to misunderstanding and misinterpreting) I think I should subscribe now... no more direct link to your journal!

Giraffics
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Band of Ponies
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Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 01:47am


	I just felt the need to say that some of really do appreciate the work you guys put into Gaia. Thanks! heart

Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 01:47am


	Fleep We try to make Gaia user friendly so you continue to use the site. Thank you so very much for posting that. There are some users who seem to think that Gaia should only be friendly to a certain type of person instead of everyone, like the admins and devs intend. [ I run into it much too often, and it's beyond draining. ] Thanks again.

i_bonsai_i
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meiastar
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Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 01:54am


	It's so sad that people are so mean! crying You guys deserve lots of love and hugs! gives you chocolates and beer 3nodding heart

Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 01:56am


	Users will never be happy... you should know this. Anyways... I will be making use of these 'status reports' when answering questions in Q&A wink

Kathleen Starr
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Alterdeus
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Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 01:57am


	Don't worry man help is on the way! Course it won't be here for another 4 years ninja Yeah I'm in college for web design and development, so if I can I'm gonna apply to help out when I finish. Course it's a long shot of getting in but the best I can do is try. Keep up the good work man.

Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 02:12am


	You quoted me? Ch'yeah!! Well, it's not so much that the interview wasn't interesting, it's just...uh...I would have thought your voice to be...y'know....geekier....because you uh.... Foot insert mouth I'll have you know I fight for devs, mods, and admins. A lot of users just don't understand how difficult it is to run any site, let alone one as large as Gaia. With so many servers, so many little things can go wrong, which could affect so many things, in one massive domino-effect. If I knew enough about coding (which might change in a year's time. Go CIS [Computer Information Software] classes!) I'd be happy to fix anything and everything I could, for free. Not for fame, but to feel as though I'm actually contributing more to the site, than just money or posts. Then again, I'm a giving person. shrug I will say, though, that you and I suffer from similar flaws. We dislike general hate, and yet we hang out in the two most hate-filled forums on Gaia. xD Trust me, it may seem like all users ever do is complain, but finding those few who can make it so much fun is worth all the whining. It is for me, anyway. In any case, keep at it Fleep. Don't let all the complainers get to you. Work at it, and when everything starts running more smoothly, you'll be able to reap the rewards. At least until it crashes. x3

Burr Durr
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jfnbhgurkddhj8
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Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 02:23am


	Thank you very much, Fleep ^__^ You are pretty much my Gaian Idol, because you keep us informed and tell us like it is 3nodding It is good to know where you guys are on things, and I am sure that it must be hard work (even if you do get to eat all the free food xD ...yeah, I heard your interview! blaugh ) Speaking of which, you do have a low voice blaugh You Barry White impersonator! Also, since this is my first time reading your journal (even though it was highlighted for so long xD) I have to say, the inclusion of pictures was hilarious! I can't wait to see the quests that you've got up your sleeves! That was one of my favorite features that was mentioned, and I'm so happy to see it in works ^^ Keep up the good work, and spread that to everyone for me ^^ Thank you, Fleep! Sincerely, Otakkun domokun

Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 02:52am


	Fleep you really rock xd It can't be part of your job to hang out with us and try to explain things to people, so its really appreciated. You don't just work there, you're part of the community, and that's not something many staff members are game to do (understandably wink ). I hate it when people criticize or assume things when they have no idea of what goes on behind the scenes. Every developer I've met in real life (and the few I've met on Gaia) are ridiculously hard working, working crazy overtime hours to get things done on time. I have a lot of respect for that, and the kind of work you guys do. So don't let the haters get you down and give yourself a pat on the back from Chisa, and not just because I'm a stupid groupie blaugh

Chisa
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Sheshira
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Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 02:58am


	I almost feel guilty for probing you... almost... ninja Thanks for hanging in there... and letting Gaians in on what's and why's of Gaia behind the scenes...

Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 02:59am


	Well, Fleep, (You sexy b***h you.) I, like many other Gaians, truly do appreciate all the work you do. I'm also quite taken with the inventor of the Comma. It's a multi-tool it is! Anyhow, It's great knowing what's going on with all that stuff. Of particular interest to me though is the Tattoo section. When has Not enough testing ever been an issue? That's what we're for! Sure I can understand if there are a LOT of bugs to work out, then you should hold it back, but if it's just not extensive enough testing then have a little faith. -Rereads the section on user responses- Alright, fair enough. Once again, my lord and master, thanks for the update.

Zarin Denatrose
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Shiarka Jonless
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Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 03:13am


	Haha! Nice rendition of GCD. rofl

Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 03:26am


	I love reading your journal Fleep - I try to read all the admins/devs blogs I can...but I yours is weekly so it is almost ritualistic looking at it. # Tattoos: Can't wait that long...I have all these inks sitting in my inventory which people speculated might be used for tattoos so I can't get rid off in case it is true. # Item Arranger: Status: Disabled Huh? since when - I was using it a couple of weeks ago I think... # Battle system: Status: On schedule for release in 2012. lol (seriously WOO! not delayed yet...I know about schedules it will be delayed eventually...)

Shaded Spriter
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Spazn
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Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 03:39am


	I didn't realize how much stuff was broken until you pointed it out... 0_o Oh well, at least the whole site's not broken like in 'o4. Good luck gettin' it all fixed. XP

Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 04:48am


	Thanks for the updates! I'm so glad that gift-giving is being fixed, before this I thought it was gone for good! It's such an easier way to surprise friends with gifts, because trading takes all the fun out of random giving! XD The whole inventory arranger being down is killing me though, people with large inventories such as myself can't put items past the 800 mark into trades, I can't play with my house, and all those items stuck in storage limbo! collapses At least I know it's being looked at, so I can rest a little easier! :') <3

Kiyo_Michan
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Druki
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Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 05:16am


	Quote: Devs are people too But you guys are supposed to be robots that have no feelings and not require the neccessities of life! Do you guys get Monday off or not?

Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 05:20am


	Heya Fleep! I try to look at the positives of things being down; it just means when they come back they'll be better, which works for me. wink Anywho, have a great week!!

Redliw
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[damaged roses]
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Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 05:57am


	Thanks for the list Fleep, that really helps clear up a lot of things. ^_^ Sorry about all the negativity that seems to come towards yourself and your fellow coworkers. Just know that a lot more of us appreciate what you guys are doing and love you for it. ^_^ ... on a side note, I'm constantly surrounded by 24 year old males.. still haven't heard one as deep as yours. Though the voice just made the interview more intriguing while listening. =3

Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 06:35am


	Marketplace searching (3-letter, mostly) fixed?

Chema
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Mr_Anime_guy
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Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 06:55am


	Fleep you always amaze me when you write in your journal and share whats up. so like always D: thanks 3nodding (also give thanks to all the devs working around the clock to make gaia operational XP) thanks for clearing up those issues at hand right now. I hope everything goes well and resolved, but remember XP don't over work yourselves. hope you have a good weekend. and keep up the fine work around gaia

Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 07:25am


	Lol I heart this journal but your picture for GCD doesnt fit razz I know that place wreaks of complaints all the time but sheesh it's not mean girls >.> Anyway, I just wanted to point something out, a smilarity that I found while I was reading. Im studying to be a computer animator right. Well, animating takes a LONG time to do in general. It's a lot of hard work and people lose sleep over the projects they have to complete. Now, let's take a young person who doesnt know much about animation: nothing about the programs used, how much time it takes, what happens before something is animated, and all that good stuff. That person, without comprehending the whole process of animation, really has no place critiquing an animator about how long they take, how well they did, what they're doing etc. Where Im going with this is that I see that situation here in Gaia. You have a whole bunch of people on this site in charge of giving feedback on certain features. A lot of them are young and the reason why I target young people is because of their tendency to be immature (not all of course). Most of them knowing nothing about how long it takes, what programs are used, how much work goes into it take none of that into consideration and just complain. In that situation, people who arent proffesionals in your field and have NO IDEA how much you actually have to do should not be saying anything in the first place. It makes me realize quite a few things: once I graduate Im making sure to only work "behind the scenes" with professionals and not work with customer service or any of that, mad I cant deal with that type of blatant ignorance, especially with something that takes so much time, effort, and energy, and I feel for you guys. You have to deal with stuck up, snotty kids. What's even worse is that a lot of them arent even like that irl, they just seem to be spoiled on Gaia.

LadyCoco
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Rychi
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Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 09:55am


	I was actually kind of sad when they took your journal down from the featured page. sweatdrop Your journal is actually one of the few...well, actually the only one I ever check regularly every week. And when it was on the featured page, I could get to it easily. XDD Oh well. A couple extra clicks aren't the end of the world. That's sad that a lot of the other developers don't post. ^^; It's terrible that there's hostility, but I think that if more devs actually do interact more, then maybe once users get to know them as regular users as well, there might not be so much hostility. But then again, I don't know. I like to see people who actually work on the site and manage it talking to everyone else. So it feels like Gaia is actually made and run by people and not just made by a magic computer. XP Hahaha, I always love all the accompanying pictures in your journal, Fleep. ^^

Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 11:06am


	Thanks for letting us know what's up - especially with the inventory arranger. n_n I was kind of wondering what had gone wrong... <_<

-TS- Alex
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Packs
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Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 12:07pm


	"Battle system: Status: On schedule" Wasent that ment to come out last year. blaugh But thanks for this. It might shut a few people up in SF about this stuff. Im sure when people hear that the item aranger killed items they will quit complaining. smile And thank god those rare items are finaly being adressed to. smile

Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 12:26pm


	OMG YOU DESERVE A PROMOTION! Keep up the good work and tell the devs i wubs them all heart p.s. dont listen to all the goddamn nay sayers about daily chance i love it and am collecting lots of junk.

Wenchypants
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g2gpotty
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Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 01:06pm


	ZOMG! Dwight quit! D= You did a *decent* job with the links this time! Hurray!

Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 01:59pm


	Bah, people will never be satisfied. Spoiled brats! xd Yer doing a fine job, man. You've got my support!

Mekairinek
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MidgetDance
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Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 02:03pm


	Did you suggest that kick button for towns? xp biggrin

Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 02:39pm


	Helpers of Site Feedback need a "Kick in the Pants" button for those threads that are real feedback, but poo over all the work you guys are trying to do. I still luff all you Devs and Admin heart

Xya
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Darksp
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Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 02:52pm


	Whoa! I didn't know the invetory organizer was killing items. eek moment of silence I hope none of those items I put in storage gets lost. Yeah, gaians are a hostile species, but if you are lucky you'll get some peaceful understand ones. sweatdrop hugs It's not that the interview wasn't interesting, it's just that we were so amazed by how your voice sounded. Like all my friends on the internet were shocked at how my voice sounds, because it's sevenish. It's only natural.

Commented on: Sat Jan 13, 2007 @ 03:32pm


	Whoa I didn't know that the inventory organizer was deleting items surprised and another note fleep you guys work hard for this website and they made it free users shouldn't be complaning stare and the daily change is cool it gives a lot of good stuff to me! biggrin

LabTech David
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