WeaselTech In More Detail
Getting to WeaselTech
WeaselTech is located at http://www.theamazonbasin.com/wt/.
It's definitely worth a bookmark, since you will want to reach it quickly if you've forgotten the passwords or are trying to enter a Basin game and the passwords have changed (as they regularly do). Another quick way to get there is to go to the Basin Forums. There is a link to WeaselTech at the bottom of every Forum page.
What you need to do before using WeaselTech for the first time
Your browser must be set to allow cookies for WeaselTech to work. If your browser is set to block cookies, the first page of WeaselTech will prompt you to change your settings.
You must be registered on the Amazon Basin D2 Forums to use WeaselTech, and your Forum username and password are required to log on to WeaselTech. Any change of password on the forum is automatically used by WeaselTech, but WeaselTech will prompt you to logon manually the first time after a password change.
You must also have registered as a Forum user 48 hours before WeaselTech will let you access certain features (such as the game list). The 2-day waiting period is a great time to become familiar with the Basin site, read the Basin Guides and Guidelines, brush up on what's under discussion in the forums, and perhaps even introduce yourself there.
Logging on for the first time
The front page of WeaselTech has a menu of links to Basin resources: The Forums, the Guide ("How we play"), a listing of Amazon Basin Members, recent News, and a page on the Basin history.
But the heart of WeaselTech does not become available until you log on.
To log on, click the "Logon" link under the "WeaselTech" menu item. It takes you to a logon window where you enter your username and password.
Before clicking the "Logon" button, though, decide whether to take advantage of the "Automatic logon" feature. Just as with the Basin D2 Forums, you can enable automatic logon so that whenever you return to the WeaselTech front page you will automatically be logged on, and don't need to go through the manual log-in process again.
To enable Automatic Logon for WeaselTech, click the selection arrow below the boxes for entering your username and password, click "Automatic Logon," and then click the "Logon" button. Once you have enabled it, you will automatically be logged on whenever you visit WeaselTech from that same computer. If you want to have the same convenience when using WeaselTech from other computers, you will need to enable the Automatic logon feature at each of those computers (just go through the same process of logging in for the first time at each computer you will be using).
If several different people use the same computer, then you should avoid the automatic logon feature. A computer can be set to log in automatically for only one user on each profile.
Getting game names and passwords on WeaselTech
Once you've logged on, the Official game names and passwords are just a click away. The link is in the menu on the left side of the page, called "Game Passwords". Left-click on it, and the page of games and passwords loads.
The games are organized by Realm: USEast on top; USWest in the middle; and Europe on the bottom. Be sure you are looking at the Realm you want, because the passwords are always different.
Always go to WeaselTech for game names and passwords
If you haven't played in a Basin game for a day or two, go to WeaselTech before logging onto Battlenet to see what the current passwords are. If you're already on Battlenet and you've forgotten the passwords or they seem to have changed, don't ask for them. Go to WeaselTech. Just hold down the "Alt" key as you press the "Tab" key, which will minimize the D2 game screen and let you punch up your browser to check the passwords on WeaselTech. It takes only a few seconds. Get in the habit of doing it.
Instant access to the games list
You can bookmark the Games List page itself, and that bookmark will take you instantly to the list. Otherwise, bookmark the main page of WeaselTech, or follow a link to WeaselTech from just about anywhere on the Amazon Basin D2 site (there's one at the bottom of every page of the Forums).
Use the Official game names and passwords to start a game if it isn't already up
Anyone in the Amazon Basin community can create an Official Basin game. You just need to be sure to use the current Official game name and password. So if you want to play (for example) in the Basin hardcore Nightmare game on USEast, but when you try to join it you get the message: "Game Does Not Exist," then create it yourself. Starting a Basin game is a great way to meet other Basin players, since they'll be coming to your game when they join the official game name/password.
If you want to encourage others to join, make an announcement in the Basin channel that you're creating the game. A simple message like, "Hardcore Nightmare going up" is enough.
Report game security problems so they can be addressed
If you see a problem with the security of AB Official passwords (like a pk-er or a troll getting into an AB game), tell an ABM immediately. They can change the game names and passwords on WeaselTech instantly, and can help warn anyone playing in games that are already up.
Getting help with WeaselTech
If you are having problems using WeaselTech, then ask for help. If you are logged onto Battlenet, look for someone in the Basin channel ("op theamazon-basin") for help. Tell them what your problem is, and they will try to walk you through it. DO NOT ask for the current passwords. Doing so will single you out as a potential problem, not as someone who genuinely wants help.
If you can't get an immediate resolution through the channel, then send a PM to AllWeasel (he posts on the Forums every day, and a link to his PM box is on each one of his posts). You can also send a PM to a Basin administrator. All of them routinely and gladly help get problems resolved as quickly as possible.
WeaselTech is designed, written, and maintained by software guru AllWeasel of the Amazon Basin. You can find him on the Forums regularly, and he makes frequent appearances at op theamazon-basin on USWest. His work is voluntary and selfless. But if you appreciate it, remember that his work needn't go thankless.
Grimborn v. 1.1, 11/18/02
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