FFXIV didn't take a day off yet, providing more information for the third day in a row. As IGE ran an article named, "E3 2009: Final Fantasy XIV - What We Know." So, let's take a moment to sum up the information we know:

Let's sum up all the information we've taken in the past 3 days. XD

What of this FFXIV -and- the FFXI Comparisons:
Races: similar to FFXI as a bridge of familiarity.
Job System: An expansive job system is going to be in the game, but it will be a new take on jobs that will be significantly different from the traditional RPG classes of FFXI.
Weapons: This will be the crux of the game play, influencing your character growth, success, et cetera. For example, choosing specific weapons on a certain task and time will affect the development of your character. The FFXIV logo has hints and hidden meanings about FFXIV, specifically the "wheel" of adventurers with weapon in front and back expased, thus relying on their comrades.
Play Styles: There is a deemphasis on team play in comparison to FFXI, with content geared toward all play styles and systems, meaning content for solo, party and large-scale battle. Square Enix wants a wide-variety from the start.
The Grind: A new system will be introduced that will not use Experience Points! FFXIV is to be casual with growth & development in a more natural way without putting too much weight on the player.
Chocobos: A part of the game, but not going to be used in the same manner as FFXI. I'm assuming this means, Chocobos aren't a source of transportation.
PlayOnline: Not going to be part of FFXIV.

Future of FFXI:
Future development: Plans are extended out for a year with no plans of stopping any time soon..
Character transfer to FFXIV: Nope. Entirely different game, eventhough character design will be similar.
FFXI exodus: Square Enix envisions players to play XI one day and XIV another. The games will be independent, but users are free to play both.

Launch Info:
Platform: PS3 and PC. Possibly Xbox360 in the future. 
Languages: English, Japanese, German, and French (No Spanish)
Release Date: 2010 - fully simultaneous launch
Servers: Cross-platform and cross-region. Square Enix wants to do a beta test and look at the balance and player experience. We want to look for a good balance between region and cross-region play.
Beta: Not currently  scheduled. However, the game is to be released in 2010 and the Beta will supposedly be over 4 months long,
Subscription Fee: Unknown

Informational sources:
Final Fantasy XIV official site - opened 6/2
G4tv Live Blog for E3 - from 6/3
E3 2009: Final Fantasy XIV - What We Know - posted on 6/4

All of last week I was excited, because I knew that ‘Rapture’ would be unveiled at E3.

The first day of E3 lived up to the E3 reputation and I found myself interested in many upcoming games, including the upcoming MMO, Star Wars: The Old Republic. Then, during what can only be described as shocking deep breathe moment, Sony showed 'Rapture' under it's true name, 'Final Fantasy XIV'.

However, that changed today when Square Enix held a Q&A session that seemed directly aimed for Final Fantasy XI players with some really great questions and answers.

( Details )
( My short opinion in the sea of opinions )

Finally updated! I think it’s the most comprehensive melee calculator I’ve seen. Actually, it should be called a ‘melee calculation spreadsheet’.

There are a lot of additions and fixes to the spreadsheet and I think interested people will find it useful or at least interesting.

AshCalc download: hosted @ FileFront (updated: 8/11/09)

To view this spreadsheet you will need Microsoft Excel or compatible. If you don't have access to Excel, download OpenOffice.org. It is a free office software suite with compatibility to Microsoft Office.

( Using the Spreadsheet )
( New Additions )
( Fixes to the Old Version )
( Accuracy of the Formulas )
( Editing: Hidden Tabs )
( Editing: The Formulas )
( Purpose )
( Final Notes )
( Sources )

If you find an error please or information that will enhance the spreadsheet, post it or contact me. Thanks.

Something incredible has been realized by the endless testers over @ BlueGartr: Spell Interruption Rate down percentage is NOT capped! If you equip enough Spell Interruption gear to get your rate to 100% you cannot be interrupted by a mob hitting you. Incredible, I know!

( Details )
( Using this to your Advantage )
( Finding Spell Interruption Gear )
( Source )

There have been a lot of changes in my life and in game since my last post. However, the turbulence is subsiding and I seem to still have a little bit of an itch for FFXI!

Forewarning: This post is pretty much about stuff that's happened to me in the past few months, nothing exciting! :p

( Changes )
( Signed Gear ) 
( Journal Name Change )
( Upcoming Posts )

Advantage of Spellcast on Summoner:

SpellCast can be transformative to a person’s gameplay, this is definitely a blanket statement, but it holds especially true for Summoner, because Summoner is lethargic and antiquated. The only way to combat this problem is be as quick reacting and prepared as possible; this means quick dynamic macros and gear changes. SpellCast in combination with the Autoexec plugin and the Cancel plugin provides the ability to adapt and chooses the correct gear changes based on any situation allowing the player to concentrate directly on gameplay without the need for fumbling around with the many unique gear switches and buff cancellations.

It is my intention to show how to use SpellCast on Summoner to make it more effecient. Unfortunately, since many do not even know what SpellCast is and some people are experts, I fear this post will be both over complex and not specific enough. lol At a minimum, I hope it gives people ideas how to form xml for SpellCast.

( What is SpellCast? )
( Basic SpellCast Features )
( Summoner SpellCast Example )
( Bind & Alias on the Fly )
( Maximizing Summoner Gear )
( Auto-equip Conjurer's Ring )
( Auto equip Balrahn's Ring for Refresh )
( Auto-equipping AFv2 )
( Auto wake up when Sleeping )
( Blink Casting )
( Auto-chose Spirit for Siphon )
( Changing Cure Spells )
( Link and Credits )

I think I'm too exhausted to continue typing or even proofread... Peace.

I am currently in the midst of finishing up Scholar. It's been an enjoyable ride, but as with leveling any new job, I've had to deal with the AH price manipulation which occurs on the items that are in high demand. Of course, this is a very old topic, nonetheless, the issue is as prevalent as ever. I've the last 10-15 levels borrowing gear while I could get reasonable prices on a couple pieces of gear.

It is widely known that the majority perpetrators of this are RMT. However, it is always possible that some are ordinary players with extensive resources, after all it isn't against the Terms of Service to manipulate the Auction House.

( How the AH manipulation is carried out )

Anyway, the point of ranting about this old topic is that it highlights the importance of using ffxiah.com when purchasing any item of real value. I've created a list of items that I know get manipulated on ffxiah.com in my spare time for fun. lol

Magic Damage Calculator

I finished putting together a magic damage calculator. The spreadsheet is designed to compare the outcome of two offensive sets of gear. I don’t think this will be ground breaking, but it might help to decipher how gear affects the outcome in a different situations. It is condensed as much as possible to fit onto even smaller computer screens so you can alter the data and immediately see the results.

I'm leveling up Scholar in what spare time I have and I take pride in trying to understand the mechanics of damage in this game, so I’ve put quite a bit of time learning how the formulas work and making them as close as possible.

( Notes )

This has been a great week for me. On Monday, after six months of it not dropping, Ultima's Claw dropped and I finally obtained Nashira Gages! In addition, my Salvage shell, FishBait, has been fighting LAC for three months, all of those three months I've been waiting for Tsukikazu Sune-Ate, but I've just had awful luck, including seeing them drop only to have our alliance d/c due to a maintenance. However, on Wednesday, it finally happened! Tsukikazu Sune-Ate dropped and I completed Usukane Sune-ate! On top of that last week, Koga Chainmail finally dropped for me. I had accumulated more points than anyone in the shell waiting for it to drop, oddly enough, I'll never wear it because there are simply better body pieces in for every situation.

This has definitely been the culmination of a lot of waiting and effort, I'd say it's overdue, but I'm just happy to have the drops! <(^_^)>