Before I go any further, I know there is no set route to be successful, I'm just looking for suggestions. Oh, and when I talk programming, I mean C++ specifically :o.

Okay so. It's always been my dream to make video games, and as of late, a game programmer. But I'll save the story for my grandkids. I looked into schools such as DigiPen and FullSail. I requested information. I did research. I looked into the areas, and even looked at prices for housing (I live in New Jersey, DigiPen and FullSail are in Washington state and Florida, respectively). Then I realized... what if I don't wanna do this? What if I pay all this money on tuition, and make all these plans to move out and what not, and I just can't handle the work load? (DigiPen is the Harvard of video-game related schools, while FullSail gives you a four-year Bachelor's degree in nearly two.)

So I thought to myself. How about I start slow? I'm not gonna risk it and jump in the deep end of the pool first, and hope to God I can swim. No no, that's stupid. I'll get a broader, well-rounded education, one that's close to home. I decided I'd major in Computer Science. With a better understanding of programming languages and concepts, theory, computer achitecture, as well as classes in other subjects as well, PLUS the benefit of being able to stay home to save money on well, everything, the latter looked like ice-cold lemonade next to warm milk on a hot summer day.

Now, my sister's husband, or my brother-in-law, is studying to be an Oracle DBA, or database administrator. These guys work in the programming language 'SQL'. He's into what I wanna do, and he's trying to help me be successful, which is cool, I like the advice. Today he was telling me how when he worked in the IT department at the company Merril Lynch (dono hao2spel, 2lazy2googel), there was this kid in the cubicle next to him, about 22 years of age. He was a sophomore in college, and he was making ~$80k/year working with Oracle. The point of the story, however, was not that Oracle pays amazingly well at entry-level positions. This kid's father gave him the oppurtunity to learn all these things, with help and on his own, from when he was my age. About 16. The point of the story was that if I really wanted to get into programming in C++ and all that fun stuff, and be successful in the field, a college degree in computer science alone won't cut the cake. I'd have to teach myself, or at least get used to what I'm about to get myself into, from now. Like, right now. Which is brings me to the point of why I made this thread.

What can I do, at this point in time (I'm going on to my senior year of high school in September), to get myself ahead of the game? I mean, it's a given to rent/buy some C++ books, study them, do some free-lance programming myself, etc. But what else can I do to gain experience, specifically in programming games? Is it possible to get into MapleStory's source code and see how it's constructed? Should I start small, or go big? Are there any books some of you might recommend? Websites with free tutorials? Anything to get my feet wet?

I know that's a lot of questions, but I'm kinda lost in the dark as to where to begin with all this. I've taken classes in Visual BASIC last year, so I have at least a single iota of experience in programming something. I love programming, and looking at code that may scare others away catches my attention. I even think about things in code sometimes, LOL.

But where the hell do I start...? :x

Hii everyone, just wanted to share the collection of videos that I've worked on from the past 2-3 years. I'll be working on Chapter 4 (C4 in my signature) this summer and hopefully release it at the end of this summer ^_^. Thanks and enjoy~

Level 100, May '06:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=To_OUI4ie4I

Level 120, Aug '06:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWlEB_9DRXw

Quadruple PA Level up Nov '06:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toe8kaVrtL8

Level 140 (before 4th job came out) Dec '08:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ENddIiK58s

Hiiii Southperriers!

I'm Mintrified aka Minty from MCPVixens. I'm from San Francisco and I play in Scania. Was introduced here by a fellow vixen and so far enjoying the site [will be donating soon =D]. Most of you who do know me, know me as the Polearm DK so... I'll continue my journey here as everyone else ^_^.

P.S. I sell zhelms for my guild, if you're interested, you know my IGN =P

I hopped on my Page to sell some stuff, including an Apple, looked for an apple for sale to get a price idea, and found a few for four million in the FM, room 13. ._.
That's twice the price a few months ago. D:
Is this just a scammer or did the prices really inflate that much?

1 sentence to describe your username. :]


'I will be the next hokage!'

I didn't see one already made so I decided to make it.

Edit: Someone delete thread please!

Hi there,

Just wanted to ask if anyone is selling a doomsday staff in Khaini for mesos and if you are, please let me know the your price. I was thinking somewhere in the 100M-150M range so its flexible. Just PM me would be fine.

Thanks and sorry if this is in the wrong section.

Hi, everyone. One of the Vixens linked me here, and I'm totally in. I've been having some issues with Sleepywood for quite some time now (and I will NOT be going into them), so Fiel isn't the only one feeling like it's not the place to be.

I'm hoping that a lot of the sleepywood dissidents make their ways over here - I know I did, and I think a lot of people will be happy with an alternative.

Congrats to Fiel for getting a site set up, and good luck with everything!


~ToastyGhost/PhoenixAshe {and, let's face it, most of you know the other name, too }