My problems when managing my island:

I created this section to record what problems I had and how I solved them (in case anyone ever asks me the same questions).  the solutions are also just good to remember.  Note:  my solutions are just what worked for me for the specific problem.

[1]  I had trouble when trying to use variables (so that a person could only access a link once  in an NPC conversation) when creating an NPC conversation.  When I selected the "set variable," or any other option relating to variables, it created an error that would not let me edit that part any more.  Solution (thanks Nasrudin):  I was trying to work with a variable when none existed!  I created a "dummy quest" so that I would have some variables to refer to.  This quest is not public and is only used to create variables to use.  Once the dummy quest (and at least one variable under it) is created, you can use the variable options when programming an NPC convo

[2]  Trying to link from an NPC convo to the main map:   Solution:  I think this is just a nono.  you have to make the exit link go back to the town or whatever the NPC is residing in.

[3]  Dialogue references:  I was having trouble with linking to dialogues for a bit.  Solution:  there are two parts to linking to a dialogue:  first the link, and second a smaller box in the upper left corner labelled "To ID." The number of the dialogue  you are linking to must match this number.

 [4]  I tried to link directly to a dialogue not from within the conversation containing the dialogue.  that's just a plain nono I believe.

[5]  I couldn't make a link that went directly from an NPC convo to the main map.   solution (thanks Olos): anytime you link to a 2D map, you need x and y coordinates of where you want the player to appear   (game.php?NEWLOC=12345&X=1&Y=1)

[6]  "WHERE ARE YOU COMING FROM?"  I learned to hate this error message.  possibly has something to do with the "from ID" box (upper left corner).  make sure this box is correct (the From ID = the dialogue # the current dialogue was linked from)

TIPS

-select one category in the drop down menu for inventory items in order to reduce load time.

Notes:

-water tree maze

-spicy chicken ring (get after dodge quest?  gives access to place with massive monsters)

-dodge quest