This has been put together from a thread on the FarStar forums - thanks to Jedel Resun, Efix Lordana and all the others for their contributions and comments.

If I've missed your site out (or your favourite site), add it to this thread - annotated with a short comment, like the ones below.

Hope this helps!

I'm sure I spend too much time at work on SWG! But I'm still not sure if there are crucial online resources that I'm missing, and thought that perhaps I'd ask you lot - and if I've come up with resources that you're not using, you can check them out, too.

What this could end up as would be an 'annotated webliography' of SWG resources. Hmmm, don't think I like that phrase, got to be a better way of putting it! So, here are my top online SWG resources...

• www.StarWarsGalaxies.com and associated forums
  You'll know about this one, of course... just look around you! It's always amazed me how *little* info is on the official site, though - this game ain't all that newbie-friendly. Loads on the forums, of course, but it's only a small percentage of players that use the forums, I hear.


• SWG Stratics
  This one's always my first port of call. While they don't have the best databases or guides, what they do better than everyone else is get on top of the "breaking news" in SWG and posting summaries of latest developments, almost real-time! Sure, you can use the Dev Tracker to get most of this, but Stratics' summaries often pull together responses to issues from different threads or devs and players and put them together coherently. I don't spend long at Stratics, but I check it before the SOE site, and I check it daily.


• SWGCraft.com and forums
  For anyone that's ever built anything in SWG, be it a med or a town hall or a pair of Wookiee slippers, this is the site. Player-updated resource database, fully searchable, server and planet specific, all the info you need whether you're crafting traps, selling resources, making weapons or armour - geddit? I actually tried to organise some people on my server to systematically update this site, but not much enthusiasm - people seem happy doing this on a more casual basis and I understand entirely! However, I cannot sing the praises of this site enough.


• SWG Creatures.com
  I've only come across this site recently, but it's seriously good. Full player-updated database of all the SWG critters, including searchable resources, DNA information, and their latest development, mapping creature locations (so you know where you're most likely to run into a Krayt Dragon). As a doc, I use this in conjunction with SWGCraft.com - I find out what the best planet for herbivore meat is at the mo, and check SWG Creatures.com to find out what creatures on that planet I should be hunting. Ultimately, though, this site seems aimed at hunters, creature handlers and bio-engineers.


• SWG Resource Centre
  I was gutted when this site went 'premium' - my partner struggles with the idea of a monthly payment for a computer game as it is, membership fees for premium content on strategy sites ain't going to happen! It's not all premium, though - the strength of this site for me is in its player-written guides, there must be well over 200 of them. OK, so some aren't available to non-members (especially recent ones) and quite a few are getting dated, but it's still a good collection. However, this site seems to miss it's target – it was obviously designed to be a collection of up-to-date game-wide databases for things like PAs, Player Cities, resources etc. The database functions are, however, very clunky, non-searchable, non-filterable and just not used by many people. There are no FarStar stores, PAs or cities listed on their databases (I checked, the option to list for FarStar does exist!), and only 3 resources for FarStar/Tatooine (with no verification system as per SWGCraft.com). So unless they get their act together, it'll just be for the guides that I recommend this site!


• Allakhazam's SWG Community
  I have the sneaking suspicion that I'm not using this site as well as I should be... there are almost daily updates of their huge location, skill, creature & quest databases. There are a number of player-written guides too, but nothing like the previous site. Their most promising feature - if only we players were using it more - is the dynamic maps, which note the location of player-placed vendors & cities, POIs, NPC cities. Trouble is, only 2 entries for FarStar/Tatooine - a house in Aartan Ridge and a vendor in the Styx! My one moan about this site is the ads... no pop-up blocker at work, drives me insane.


• SWG Character Builder v0.9 by paraLogiki and Vixenar
  Probably the best online character-builder out there, and pretty up-to-date. There was a hiatus towards the end of last year, but work has recommenced. A great free resource, mildly searchable. I keep Trosto more-or-less up-to-date, and they've finally added FarStar as a server option when saving! An alternative, offline, builder can be found at Bloodfin.org.


• SWG Warcry
  Another one of the mega-sites, this one boasts quite a few irregular columns and some cartoon strips. The usual not-very-searchable databases that you're never sure about in terms of current data. The crowning glory of this site, though, is the maps - they host Simsimian's famous maps amongst others. They lack the functionality of the Allakhazam site, but the point is moot given that no-one's using the dynamic maps!


• SWGalaxies.net
  This is excellent site, loads of info. I was almost convinced that this was the magnificent PA database that I was dreaming of, too - they list over 600 PAs! Only trouble is, just 4 of them are on my own server, FarStar... So here's a quick plea - guild leaders, register your guilds!!! Not just because you're looking for members (or not), but so that the rest of the server knows you're around and can approach you as a group. So Rebs & Imps can sort out some violence, RPers can find places where they're not going to be 'l337'ed at, etc etc.


• Profession-specific websites:


• SWGMedics.com


• SWGArchitect.com


• SWGTailor.com


• SWG Bio Engineer


• Up-to-date Chef menu from including publish 6 data


• Medical Resources Filter for SWGCraft.com data
  A medical resource filter for SWGCraft.com - that is, you tell it what server you're on and it gives the stats for all the current specific resources that docs, medics and combat medics need (e.g. Lokian Wild Wheat) and the best general organics and inorganics (based on OQ and PE/UT values). Excellent idea. Now that SWGCraft.com is making it possible for everyone to link to their database, I expect that more of these will come out for specific professions. This is probably just the first, but it's a great idea.


• Ikow's Low-Bandwidth Guide to Stuff in SWG
  Invaluable source of information based around the "Badge" system in SWG. Virtually exhaustive information about Story Arc episodes (up to Cries of Alderaan Act III at the time of posting), Quests, Locations, Theme Parks and all the other random Badges. Excellent source for places like The Warren, Jabba's Palace etc. Full walkthroughs, and some superb maps - truly the adverturer's guide to SWG!

This one's really cool...

• The Mos Eisly Reporter: From the Stratics website: "The Mos Eisley Reporter is association with the 'Citizens of Mos Eisley' RP Scenario on the Chimaera Galaxy. Currently the newspaper is run by myself, Finnigan Jaxx, but I am looking for budding reporters who wish to spread the news of Eisley to the rest of the Galaxy. The newspaper doubles as a list of reports of events going on in the community, and also as the community website where you can find the mission statement and rules to our RP Community."

Edit [5 July 04]: The site has changed somewhat since this review, and is now more of a PA site. Four issues of the Mos Eisley Reporter, though, are still available in the Links section of the site. Still impressive!

Message Edited by Ethalsar on 07-05-2004 02:48 PM

Came across a few more today... mostly architect-related stuff aimed at customers of architects rather than the architects themselves:

• SWG-Decor.com
  Furnishing your house, but not sure what's available? Just bumped into this site, which has images of almost every furniture item in the game, as well as the complete collection of floorplans for the different house styles. Additionally, there's a Looted Items database (including pics of some fairly rare drops!) that's well worth a browse, and a summary of all faction perks available.


• Architect Galaxy
  Another architecture site (very stylish, too, if perhaps a little dark), which in addition to images of all the houses, PA halls and funiture, includes images of all player-city placeable structures, factories and harvesters. Apart from the lack of floorplans, this is a thoroughly comprehensive collection.


• MTK Eastern Theed Realty and Burgundy Wyne Designs
  These two sites are for Architect/Interior Design businesses on the same server - but which one, I'm not sure!

The next link is a doozy - could be just the thing I'm looking for, if people start using it more...

• Starbase-151 Vendors Database
  447 vendors listed on this cross-server database, in a 'Classifieds' style (i.e. divided up into different headings like Droids, Deeds, Resources, etc). Registration asked for, but apparently not required. Part of the Starbase-151 site.

Galaxy Girls and Galaxy Guys
The SWG version of the Pirelli calendar - but for both sexes! I'm in awe - the 'screenshot photography' is awesome, the imagination and effort that went into these deserves a huge round of applause. And if you find any of them physically arousing, you need to start asking yourself some hard questions... "Am I playing this game too much?" for a start!

OK, a few more profession-specific links here. These are all links to sites designed by members of service professions which are aimed at customers rather than colleagues.

• SWG Armour
  Images of all in-game armour wearable by players, with the armoursmiths' colour palettes so that clients can specify exactly what colour they want their armour to be.


• J'Vee Technologies
  Site for the clients of Droid Engineers. Includes a short guide to programming your droid, information on all possible frame and module combinations, and (though you have to hunt for the link on the home page) a full colour palette guide.


• Undead Fish's Droid Configurator
  Build your own droid step-by-step and place your order for DEs of any server. Not sure how many servers' DEs actually take orders from here, it's not clear on the site, but I'd like to think that enterprising DEs are approaching customers who place orders here! There's the usual Droid FAQ too... though it seems as if the owner of the site no longer plays a DE, so not sure if this will get updated with current and upcoming changes.


• Lightstrider Image Designs
  Although the owner of the site no longer runs her ID business on the Flurry server, she's keeping the site up for the moment. It looks great, has oodles of info and some great suggestions. Time for a change? Look here for inspiration.


• Karis of Bria's Image Design Stylebook
  While not as pleasing to the eye, this site is more comprehensive in giving the range of physical attributes (e.g. facial characteristics) that can be altered on your avatar. Perhaps once you're inspired by Lightstrider you should come here to make sure your idea is even possible!

And one more profession-specific link, though this is designed more for practitioners than clients:

• SWG Medical Information
  All the 'official' FAQs for Docs, Combat Medics and Medics, Iootnega's famous doc resource filter for SWGCraft.com data and a complete schematics list. Dog's bollocksingly useful.

And some more... these are all a bit random, but each very impressive in its own way.

• SWG City Map Maker
  An online tool for the planning of in-game player cities. I'll have to take their word for it that this works, as I've only Internet Explorer v5.5 at work, and it requires v6.0!
• Reavus.CA/swg/
  A whole bunch of information about various bits and bobs to do with SWG. Includes a profession guide for smugglers (including the dummy's guide to slicing), and a great guide to the Genosian Bio Lab dungeon on Yavin IV.
• SWG Items
  A database of all items, sorted alphabetically. Looking for a rare loot item and can't find where to get it from? The answer should be here. Includes item stats where relevant, which NPC to talk with to start any necessary quests, and any necessary hints as to how to get the items (sometimes multiple items can be obtained).
• Namasoon Zoo
  Not sure what server the actual zoo is on, but this online tour makes that almost irrelevant. Fantastic images of a truly inspiring player creation, the Namasoon Company Zoo which is housed in five main collections, featuring creatures ranging from fish to the mighty Rancor!

Right, just to confirm this - have managed to have a fiddle with the SWG City Map Maker at home, it works great with both IE6 and Netscape 7.1. Awesome tool, had a lot of fun fiddling with it.

For German speakers...

StarWarsGalaxies.DE
Summary of news hot off the SOE forums in German, database of PAs (mostly German, but not exclusively), guides, forums... everything you'd expect from a large and well thought-of fan site. Now, my translation software suggests that I should render this in German as: Zusammenfassung der Nachrichten heiß weg von den SOE-Foren auf Deutsch, Datenbank von PAs (meistens deutsch, aber nicht ausschließlich), Führer, Foren... alles, das Sie von einem großem und gut Gedanke- vom Ventilatoraufstellungsort erwarten würden.

How accurate was that???

Any other non-English fan sites that should be listed here? Please let me know either by responding to this thread or dropping me a message on these forums.

Also, I'm continually on the look-out for other sites... if you know of any, please share!

I've overlooked this one for too long...

• SWG Vault @ IGN.com
  Way more style over substance. Poke around for a while and you'll come across a few guides, the forums seem reasonably active, and there's more advertising than you can shake a stick at. Definitely not a site I visit from my 56k home computer (and even irritating on my work T1 connection). However, they do get occasional scoops and inside stories... though other sites like Stratics and Warcry are quick to provide links to these, happily negating any pressure I might feel to monitor this otherwise unimpressive and cumbersome site.

Heh, quite fun to actually write a negative review... mention of which leads me to invite people to post reviews of sites if they disagree with anything I've written here. Of course, reviews for sites I've missed are as usual invited. Either post here or sent me a forum message.

The Tempest News Network

www.swgtn.com

A news site specifically for Tempest players.  News, Classifieds, Guild Listings, Player Cities, etc.

---

Blu_Haze wrote:
You've worked too hard on this to let it just dissapear.

So a bump for you.

---

Why thank you!

Here's a quick list for all doctors (or people who want to sell to doctors) of all the creatures on each planet that drop avian and herbivore meat. By yours truly, so obviously a rave review... link is http://members.aol.com/ethalsar/hunting.htm, hope it's of some use.

/bump

---

Zartonn wrote:
/bump

---

Thanks!

Thought I'd just add that Iootenaga's site mentioned above (the Medical Information link) now has a very thorough buff calculator for docs to figure out how their buffs will turn out. As far as medical professions go, his site is now officially the dog's b*ll*cks... which for you non-Poms there is a good thing!

• SWG Faces
  New (as of today's date) collection of mugshots of your fellow players... organised by server. Much humour potential, surely... but for those of us willing to share, a great service, nicely laid out and simple to use. And assuming the photos I browsed are genuine, turns out that SWG players aren't all pale, spotty teenage blokes. Can this really be true???

• Dazzla's Weaponsmith Item Resource Listing
  This is a filter using current SWGCraft.com data, similar in concept to the Medical resource filter listed earlier... but more comprehensive in terms of specific resources needed for each and every schematic in the weaponsmith tree. It's a bit vanilla in appearance at the moment, but the creator says it was thrown together in desparation in a very short time... already a second version has been produced in response to requests on the weaponsmith profession forum. Expect this to be fairly popular, and hopefully continually worked on.

---

Saboth wrote:
Yep, it's been a great resource and gets 5 stars from me. Thanks!

---

Heh, thanks Saboth & Technomad... glad to see that this does occasionally get read by other players!!!

Here's a link I lifted from a post in today's Tuesday Tips:

• Laeren's Furniture and Interior Designs
  Some seriously good ideas on what can be done in terms of innovative home design in SWG - I'm sure I recognise at least one of these from Garva's weekly Galactic Home Show, though I couldn't be sure. Dammit, now I have to buy a house and pay the maintenance on it to try some of these out!!!