Question: What the?! Why did you change the color scheme of your website?
Answer: I didn't. The website is coded in such a way as to change the color scheme automatically every 3 months - for variety. This is done with a bit of PHP code that simply checks the month and loads the appropriate CSS file and menus, etc. If you don't care for the current theme just choose the theme you like from the options below, there are 4 themes to choose from. If you choose a new theme it will store a cookie with your preferences in your browser.
Question: I chose a new theme but when I go to a different page it still shows the old theme. Why?
Answer: You probably went to that page before choosing the new theme and the page was stored in your browser cache. By clearing your cache, your browser will retrieve fresh, up-to-date versions of previously loaded pages and will display the new theme.
Question: I thought your site was Flash-y but all I see is this Javascript swap-over menu. Why?
Answer: I use a javascript that detects if you have the Flash plugin and displays a Javascript swap-over menu if you don't. If you want to view the Flash stuff, go get the flash plugin and then refresh the page to see the Flash. If you are one of those cautious (or disabled) types whose browser doesn't allow Javascript, then you will just get an image map menu instead. If you are one of those purists who insists on browsing without images, then what the heck are you doing here? This is a web-comic!
Question: I see you have an RSS feed. What is that used for anyway?
Answer: RSS currently stands for Real Simple Syndication. Its used to provide a means for end users to be notified whenever the site providing the RSS feed updates. Its very popular in the weblogging community because you can incorporate content from many different sites into your site and it updates automatically whenever those sites update. An alternative is to download an RSS-aware program called a news aggregator which is usually a TSR (terminate-stay-resident - means runs in your system tray when you boot your computer up) program that allows you to "subscribe" to RSS feeds. Once you have subscribed to an RSS feed, the program will give you a little pop-up whenever that website updates. You can then view a blurb about the update in your news aggregator program and decide if you are interested in going to the site to view the update or not. By subscribing to RSS feeds of any websites you commonly visit, you can have a single place to view who has updated and who has not. This saves loads of time over visiting every site in your favorite list every day to find those few sites that have updated since the last time you were there. As for finding a good news aggregator? Well there are plenty to choose from. I use FeedReader. Once you've installed it you can subscribe to my RSS feed!
Question: You should setup an IRC channel. It's so useful. And fun. And everybody's doing it.
Answer: No.
Question: Who is involved with the creation of Vagabond Lords?
Answer:
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Scott wrote the story, designed the website and produces the comic.
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Joel is Scott's younger brother. He assists Scott as a critic for the story and artwork. He also helps in administering the forums and by updating the cast section.
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Hui Ling is Scott's wife. She provides emotional support and delicious Chinese meals (when he's lucky).
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Jack is Scott's son. He is the enemy of Vagabond Lords, sucking all of Scotts free time into a vortex of fussiness, feedings and foul diapers. But he is ultra-cute so we let it slide.
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Question: What else do you do with your time?
Answer: For the curious: I enjoy relaxing with my wife and son, traveling (when I can afford it), drawing and web design (duh), studying and teaching the Japanese language, and several martial arts including Taekwondo, Kenpo and Judo. I'd love to learn some Chinese arts like Choi Lee Fut, Wing Chun or Baguazhang, but alas there are no schools located anywhere near my domicile.
Question: Aren't web-comics supposed to be funny?
Answer: No. The term web-comic is being used for those who are not familiar with Japanese manga, which is the prime influence behind this project. Even among American comics not all "comics" are comical. In Japan the term Doujinshi (同人誌) is often used to describe comics produced by artists who print their own comics and attend semiannual conventions to attain readership. Vagabond Lords can be thought of as a doujinshi.
Question: In [blah] comic [blah] is fighting [blah] with [blah]. Why didn't [blah] just [blah]?
Answer: If you are an expert in martial art or science send me your book. Just make sure it has lots of reference photos. Pretty photos.
Question: Why do you use Japanese sound effects when catering to an English speaking audience?
Answer: Because Vagabond Lords is drawn in a manga style, I thought it would be neat to do the sound effects in Japanese, even though it's currently geared toward a primarily English speaking audience. There will be those who disagree (for example Japanese readers would probably find more novelty in English sound effects), but I find that Japanese sound effects just look cooler. And who really reads sound effects anyway? As if a car actually sounds like "VROOOOM!"
Question: Where can I buy your merchandise?
Answer: I'm glad you asked! Unfortunately I've just started so I haven't got any yet. However here's the plan: launch comic, watch hits rise exponentially then produce T-shirts and prints to sell at conventions. When I feel that an online shop is worthwhile, based on readership and income from merchandise sold at conventions, I will make it happen. Why not expedite the endeavor by donating?
Question: Your art looks just like work by so-and-so.
Answer: That’s not really a question but here is an answer. Japanese manga artists that have influenced me include Toriyama Akira (鳥山明), Masamune Shirou (正宗四郎), Fujishima Kyousuke (藤島康介), Takahashi Rumiko (高橋留美子) and Maekawa Takeshi (前川たけし). If my artwork reminds you of these manga artists that is probably why, though I don't feel my art resembles any of these folks'.
Question: They did the same thing in such-and-such manga/anime/movie.
Answer: I am under the personal belief that there is very little that hasn't already been done in the entertainment industry. The question should be: "Is your story a refreshing new twist on a previously done theme, or is it just another lame rehash?" I hope to have many unique ideas in my story but undoubtedly there will be similarities to movies and manga that I have experienced and thought were worthwhile. It is the nature of the beast (Rawr, I'm a beast!). Incidentally, most of the story was laid out by 2002, so if you find elements that resemble anything released since then it is purely coincidence.
Question: What conventions will you be going to?
Answer: As the comic is still in its fledgling stage, I doubt that I will be attending more than one convention a year. When I do attend conventions regularly, there will be a specific news post with the title being the name of the convention (i.e. Otakon 2008).
Question: Is this comic available in different languages?
Answer: As the comic grows it will only be available in English. If it becomes very popular I plan to make it available in Chinese and Japanese as well.
Question: What makes you think you have a right to clutter up the Internet with this garbage?
Answer: The fact that I live in a free country makes me think that. Sorry you don't care for my work. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.
Question: I love your work. Will you draw something for me? Do a guest comic for me? Link me?
Answer: I'm glad you enjoy my work! It’s definitely nice to hear the encouragement. Unfortunately I must decline. The reason is quite simply that I haven't the time to commit to it. And if I say yes once it will open a floodgate (well perhaps a flood is a bit overzealous but you understand what I'm getting at). Thank you for your continued support of Vagabond Lords!
Question: Can I link to you?
Answer: Feel free. Here are some banners to assist in the linkage:
Question: Why don't you update more often?
Answer: Maybe someday when I don't have a full-time job and a child to take care of I will enslave myself to a regular update schedule again. But unless I'm making money off this it's doubtful.
Question: What days do you update?
Answer: When I feel like it. See above.
Question: I emailed you like fifty years ago and you never responded. Why do you hate me?
Answer: I don't hate you. Unless you emailed me fifty times about the same thing, then I might dislike you. There is only one way to ensure that my email filters do not delete your email (they can be a little over-enthusiastic but its only because they love me) and that is to use the form located on the contact page. If you used that and still have not recieved a reply please be patient. While welcome, emails (legit ones mind you) are few and far between so we don't frequently check our mail.
Question: How do I get the login to the donation wallpaper page?
Answer: Donate $5 or more. Once you pay at the PayPal site (PayPal account is not required), you will be forwarded back to Vagabond Lords. It is very important that you are forwarded; if you go to another site or close your browser before you are fowarded back to this site, you will not recieve the email with the login information.
Question: Why is there a minimum donation required to recieve the wallpaper page login?
Answer: I would hope that my readers recognize that a donation is simply that. A donation is meant to help with my overhead costs (server and bandwith) so that I can continue to provide the comic for free. While I appreciate and accept any contribution my readers may want to give, I choose (read: not obligated) to provide a special something to those who make worthwhile contributions of $5 or more (since the process of making a donation requires bandwidth and a percentage cut from PayPal).
Question: I donated $5 or more but never got the email with the login info. Why?
Answer: If you did indeed donate $5 or more and were forward back to this site and still did not recieve the login information, please wait an hour or so to make sure it isn't simply hung up on the mail server. If after that you still haven't recieved it, send me a message and I will investigate it. Note: If you donated before the last wallpaper was uploaded, I will NOT respond. See below.
Question: I recieved the login info last week, but the UN and PW is incorrect. What gives?
Answer: I change the username and password everytime I upload a new wallpaper. This is to give people an incentive to donate again in the future (since server costs don't simply dissapear with a single donation). For this reason you are encouraged to visit the wallpaper page immediately after donating (assuming you are actually interest in downloading wallpapers). I will not, repeat NOT respond to messages requesting login information from before the last update. I have better things to do with my time (like update the comic) and I am not obligated to provide anything in exchange for a donation. Period.
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But do donate, won't you?
Question: When I try to login to the wallpaper page, I'm getting no error but it will not login. Why?
Answer: The wallpaper page login code uses cookies. If you are experiencing the phenomenon described above, then you probably either have cookies blocked in your browser, or you have a currupt cookie. Delete your cookies and make sure your browser settings allow for cookies.
