obiter wrote:I must be honest and say i don't get all the wingeing this thread has generated.
Contrarian wrote:I received my copy yesterday.It was my prize for playing in "Bottle City" at Gen Con last year, so it's numbered "COMP." (Just thought I should note that now, so nobody's confused at my estate sale in 50 years.)
mbassoc2003 wrote:Comp. SE or LE?
smarmy1 wrote:PPP's redesigned web site seems to be up. http://pied-piper-publishing.com/The 'Announcements' page is definitely an interesting read.Good luck guys!
1. A silent partner has made a substantial investment in PPP. The meeting between the new partner and Rob Kuntz took place on March 10th in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at the Pfister Hotel. From Rob: "What a vote of confidence! This long-term partnership is as grounded in our philosophy of good gaming material, and good product, as we are. PPP has put out some wonderful products to date and with this new partner we are assured to be able to move forward not only with products which we could never had produced earlier, but with a new set of goals which had only been a dream until this point. At some time our partner may choose to reveal himself, but until then let's call him the "Fiddler" who compliments the "Piper."
2. Eric Shook has been named VP of Pied Piper Publishing. He is currently involved with designing the new website and formulating his Starstrands© line of products to be published through PPP. Originally conceived by Steven R. Marsh, and further developed by Eric in the early 1980s, Eric has Steve's blessing to bring their initial vision to print. Eric will also be designing graphics for these projects. Find him just about everywhere that Rob Kuntz isn't. Eric has a twelve-month release plan for this line and will be working with a dedicated editor to bring them to print in a timely and reliable fashion, befitting PPP's commitment to excellence in product design.
3. PPP will be employing a separate shipper and order fulfiller to mail and track orders, assuring that RJK is not overworked and, more importantly, that orders are processed in a timely manner. From Rob: "I bit off more than I could chew with handling PPP as a one-man-show, for certain, and with my health issues and other delays this resulted in a very bad situation for us. In order to surmount this obstacle PPP will use a shipper during peak order periods when products become available. "The new shopping cart feature on the redesigned website will give us added functionality, as well, allowing us to track orders better. I will be using broadband internet service (yes, I conducted all business on a 56k modem for the past six years!) from now on and we will be using a part-time customer service representative (CSR) to answer queries and streamline customer relations. This will also allow me to concentrate on designing products full time and oversee the company's long term goals and operations. PPP has definitely outgrown its roots and these measures are needed to continue forward with plans we set in motion so many years ago."
4. Due to unforeseen illnesses Rob Kuntz, President of Pied Piper Publishing, was out of action for many months and has only recently recovered. During that time outstanding orders fell behind and it was only with Eric Shook's assistance and organization that the mailings for The Original Bottle City and other books went out. From Rob, who sent apology letters to some but not all of the existing and recent customers:"I'd really like to thank everyone for the patience and understanding shown during my trying days. Not only was I diagnosed with single pneumonia (in one lung) but also suffered from fatigue and acute depression due to many mounting personal reasons which I have not, and will not, make public. These trying days are behind me now, notwithstanding having my vehicle stolen during that same time period. I also wish to thank John Seibel who took me to and from the post office for a time and transported me to buy groceries in the middle of a very cold and snow-laden winter. "PPP operations are now back on track and the many changes we had planned beforehand, and which had been hinted at, are now a reality. Thanks for sticking with me and PPP through these rough times and please accept my sincerest apologies for the unexpected delays in shipping the end products."
5. They say when it rains it pours; and that every cloud has a silver lining. Rob Kuntz will be joining his fiancée and wife-to-be in Florida at the end of April! PPP will move operations and relaunch its new website in tandem with the move. More news to follow on this wonderful tryst! From Rob: "A match made in heaven, for sure. Couldn't be happier, and considering that I was in the dumps only months earlier! How's that for karma! Photos to follow from Glenda and myself, and I also look forward to living only 90 minutes away from Dave Arneson. Happy days!"
6. PPP will no longer employ a pre-order process for new products. We wish to thank all sponsors of Cairn of the Skelton King, Tower of Blood, The Original Living Room, and The Original Bottle City who helped get PPP onto its feet. Pre-orders kept the company going, but the time has arrived for PPP to stand on our own two feet. This will assure customers that new products are available when ordered, and will allow PPP to streamline the stocking and restocking of books through our new and more-efficient cataloging and fulfillment system.
Badmike wrote:I think this is a very good move. Why anyone beyond the age of....oh hell, why ANYONE would want to put up with winters in Wisconsin is beyond me, particularly if they are of a certain age. No more snow in 6 foot drifts....no more below zero temps.....
Plaag wrote:Must defend the state where I live And I even moved back here from Florida (d12 years there). Yes snow sucks to shovel, and yes this was past winter was the worst one on record, but I'll be damned if I ever move south again to the heat, hurricanes, humidity.Not to mention one of the greats, Gygax lived and died here.ShaneG.Don't mess with Tex..err Wisconsin!
Badmike wrote:CRAZY MAN!!!! It's been 70 degrees here the past two weeks....and my garden has been planted since March, I've even got snow peas and green beans already...and my cherry tomatos are almost ready. Ah, I think I'll sit on the back porch tonight in my shorts and look at all my flowers blooming....screw the snow!!!(Uh, don't bother me during the 100 degree summer, I'll be huddling inside around the AC to avoid heat stroke.....)Mike B.