DMing and Playing in NWN2
It has been pointed out we are hurting for NWN2 DMs. Part of the reason is because people do not want to give up playing NWN2 to DM on our only server.
Until we open another NWN2 server up, I support this in a limited fashion. This is an area where the DMA needs to use discretion however.
There is an enormous possability for abuse and meta gaming doing this. Those ARE legit concerns.
The reality is we need DMs more than we need to worry about this. We have NO US night coverage right now.
Of course, the situation will be closely monitored at an Admin level and by anyone else playing on the server. Only the most experienced, trusted DMs would be allowed to do this and only with the TSM HDM's consent.
I am going to err on the side of trust here. Violation of said trust would be dealt with harshly. Anyone offered this oppurtunity to help the community in a time of need will be someone considered above reapproach.
When a second NWN2 server stands up, this program would be ended.
MShady's DMA Question Thread
Moderator: ALFA Administrators
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MShady
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Danubus,
1) I can work with anyone willing to work with me. Everyone will be treated professionally. As for people bringing up the past, that's up to them. I'm very good at compartmentalizing. Ultimately, we're here trying to run a gaming community. We should always strive to think of that first.
2) As far as I'm concerned, anyone in good standing can apply to be a DM if they have a HDM who will sponsor them. While I would reserve the right to deny someone, it would be a rare thing. Anyone I did decline would receive a constructive denial letter explaining why they were declined and what needs to change. They would be able to reapply after 6 months with an HDM sponsorship again.
I'm a fair person. If Indio was not already reinstated as a DM, I would reinstate him in recognition for his works. I'm not sure what happened with you, but you'd get a fair hearing out of me.
Before I left, I would try to codify the approval and denial process as I see it. This has been done in a subjective manner in the past. I am in favor of an objective approach and trusting the HDMs. If an HDM wants you to be a DM on their server, I'd certainly listen. If there was a problem IC or OOC after that, I wouldn't count on any leniency but if there is no problem, there is no problem/
3) I partially answered with my suggestions on this in another post.
I'm not going to enforce a requirement for people to DM a certain number of times of week. I'd certainly ask they have a regular schedule. We have a DM shortage and I'm happy with a limited committment from someone.
If you're just not DMing and just trying to hold on to the status and the vote, that status and vote will be suspended. I'd say a month or two.
Mike
1) I can work with anyone willing to work with me. Everyone will be treated professionally. As for people bringing up the past, that's up to them. I'm very good at compartmentalizing. Ultimately, we're here trying to run a gaming community. We should always strive to think of that first.
2) As far as I'm concerned, anyone in good standing can apply to be a DM if they have a HDM who will sponsor them. While I would reserve the right to deny someone, it would be a rare thing. Anyone I did decline would receive a constructive denial letter explaining why they were declined and what needs to change. They would be able to reapply after 6 months with an HDM sponsorship again.
I'm a fair person. If Indio was not already reinstated as a DM, I would reinstate him in recognition for his works. I'm not sure what happened with you, but you'd get a fair hearing out of me.
Before I left, I would try to codify the approval and denial process as I see it. This has been done in a subjective manner in the past. I am in favor of an objective approach and trusting the HDMs. If an HDM wants you to be a DM on their server, I'd certainly listen. If there was a problem IC or OOC after that, I wouldn't count on any leniency but if there is no problem, there is no problem/
3) I partially answered with my suggestions on this in another post.
I'm not going to enforce a requirement for people to DM a certain number of times of week. I'd certainly ask they have a regular schedule. We have a DM shortage and I'm happy with a limited committment from someone.
If you're just not DMing and just trying to hold on to the status and the vote, that status and vote will be suspended. I'd say a month or two.
Mike
Danubus wrote:Mshady, thank you for running.
A few questions to ask:
1) You have had run ins with past DMs over issues regarding your high level toon Hignar. Do you think you can work with HDMs and DMs who were involved in the issues surrounding your previous toon? I know there is a lot of bad blood there, but the past is past and sometimes its best to move on. ALFA likes to bring up the past and never let people live it down, but do you think time heals wounds enough to have a decent working relationship with those individuals?
2) Currently, the DMA can screw a DM over forever if they have been banned from DMing. In my case I was not banned because of anything I ever did in game it was because of forums behavior and Ive seen worse from previous DMAs, DMs, and others here. Yet, Im still banned and everytime Ive asked to have it lifted Ive been given no recourse to follow to lift the ban except to have it be the will of a DMA who may or may not either like me or be in a bad mood that day. I saw you want to allow Dms to be able to reinstated after a period of time. Is it just a 6month issue or do you want to see certain criteria happen also during this time before their allowed to reapply if banned. I have had people say they would instantly reinstate me and others want me to jump perverbial hoops for them to get this done.
The current way of this being done is wrong and a fixed set of rules need to be adhered too for DMs to apply for reinstatement. Not just the will of someone who holds grudges or likes to toy with peoples heads.
3) DMs are short in supply. What can you do to get more DMs active when we have more servers avaliable. I know from speaking with players now the current DMs for TSM arent on much and if their not on then why have a live server? We use to have rules in place that servers had to have active DM teams etc for them to stay afloat. I know this is our first NWN2 server, but what will you do to nudge more folks into DMing so short supply of DMs will not continue.
Do we need to allow Dms to play on servers they DM on? Do we need to enforce Dms to show up so many times a week or they are removed from the DM core? People like to have things be "easy" for them but is having a DM show up once a week acceptable or having a DM required to show up X number of times a week a better idea? Ive heard the arguments that people should be happy that people DM X amount of time per week. I dont agree this should be a job but I think that folks who are Dms should have to agree to DM X amount of time or they shouldnt be Dms.
"Audentes fortuna juvat - Fortune favors the bold. (Virgil)"
"Spartans, lay down your arms!"
"Come take them!"
ALFA Browncoats
"Spartans, lay down your arms!"
"Come take them!"
ALFA Browncoats
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MShady
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- Posts: 469
- Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2004 5:09 pm
- Location: On the line. Where the metal meets the meat.
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Here is something suggested to me that I thought was brilliant and I want to fully support if I'm DMA or just get out there as a great idea!
BTW - Does anyone have any more actual questions for me?
Toolset Shop Classes:
Implement is a weekly builder's training workshop. A good builder could use a loose format to train on a different aspect of the toolset each week. Topics could include -:
* Martha Stewart on walkmeshes - How to get a perfect bake, every time.
* The secrets of interior building
* YATT and city building
* How to use ALFA's spawn system
From what I know of our community, these workshops would be very popular. They could be run in IRC with the Toolset open and workshop notes could be made available on the forums.
We could choose a different volunteer builder to run one every
few weeks.
This would help build confidence and make ALFA the best building community in NWN2.
BTW - Does anyone have any more actual questions for me?
Toolset Shop Classes:
Implement is a weekly builder's training workshop. A good builder could use a loose format to train on a different aspect of the toolset each week. Topics could include -:
* Martha Stewart on walkmeshes - How to get a perfect bake, every time.
* The secrets of interior building
* YATT and city building
* How to use ALFA's spawn system
From what I know of our community, these workshops would be very popular. They could be run in IRC with the Toolset open and workshop notes could be made available on the forums.
We could choose a different volunteer builder to run one every
few weeks.
This would help build confidence and make ALFA the best building community in NWN2.
"Audentes fortuna juvat - Fortune favors the bold. (Virgil)"
"Spartans, lay down your arms!"
"Come take them!"
ALFA Browncoats
"Spartans, lay down your arms!"
"Come take them!"
ALFA Browncoats
Mike, honestly, this might not be easy for you to read, but bear with me.
You know that I have personal reasons for not wanting to vote for you nor have you in any position of authority because of my experience with you in the past as your HDM. I worked and worked and worked to give you the benefit of the doubt, but all I got was stubborn denial and twisting of my words to fit your view of the situation, whether it was to gather sympathy or for personal justification. Either way, dealing with you on *MY* server almost burned me out completely from ALFA. I say my server because in a post against Rusty, you claimed he "effectively" ran the server, which he did not. I made all of the final decisions in those cases because I had to balance the integrity of the story, the integrity of my DM team, and the integrity of my server, on top of making sure you were dealt with fairly in character.
Ask anyone, I try to be a very patient man of few words (look at my post count). I try not to bash anyone on these forums and I try to make my words count.
Now on the flip side, from what I have seen thus far in this thread, your enthusiasm and desire to see ALFA move forward unhindered is entirely encouraging concerning a change in your character (not Hignar). I find myself wanting to give you the benefit of the doubt again. To just leave the old concerns behind and for the good of ALFA, hope you won't be the same way you treated me.
I really hope if you win, you and I personally can leave this crap behind us and work effectively.
By the way, I really like your idea about running toolset shop classes, however, my question would be this:
You have stated you know little about the toolset. Would you be willing to participate? Nothing shows leadership like active participation. I would be willing to be a volunteer to run a class on one aspect of the tooslet. I suggest splitting it up into several classes instead of just one huge one.
Anyway, cheers on throwing your hat into the ring. I hope you and ALFA make the best decision for ALFA's sake.
You know that I have personal reasons for not wanting to vote for you nor have you in any position of authority because of my experience with you in the past as your HDM. I worked and worked and worked to give you the benefit of the doubt, but all I got was stubborn denial and twisting of my words to fit your view of the situation, whether it was to gather sympathy or for personal justification. Either way, dealing with you on *MY* server almost burned me out completely from ALFA. I say my server because in a post against Rusty, you claimed he "effectively" ran the server, which he did not. I made all of the final decisions in those cases because I had to balance the integrity of the story, the integrity of my DM team, and the integrity of my server, on top of making sure you were dealt with fairly in character.
Ask anyone, I try to be a very patient man of few words (look at my post count). I try not to bash anyone on these forums and I try to make my words count.
Now on the flip side, from what I have seen thus far in this thread, your enthusiasm and desire to see ALFA move forward unhindered is entirely encouraging concerning a change in your character (not Hignar). I find myself wanting to give you the benefit of the doubt again. To just leave the old concerns behind and for the good of ALFA, hope you won't be the same way you treated me.
I really hope if you win, you and I personally can leave this crap behind us and work effectively.
By the way, I really like your idea about running toolset shop classes, however, my question would be this:
You have stated you know little about the toolset. Would you be willing to participate? Nothing shows leadership like active participation. I would be willing to be a volunteer to run a class on one aspect of the tooslet. I suggest splitting it up into several classes instead of just one huge one.
Anyway, cheers on throwing your hat into the ring. I hope you and ALFA make the best decision for ALFA's sake.
Builder/DM
NWN2 ALFA 02- The Frozen North
PC: Gegnar Stonechipper- A Smith of Mirabar
Luskan- Server Retired
NWN2 ALFA 02- The Frozen North
PC: Gegnar Stonechipper- A Smith of Mirabar
Luskan- Server Retired
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MShady
- Orc Champion
- Posts: 469
- Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2004 5:09 pm
- Location: On the line. Where the metal meets the meat.
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Marklos - No problem reading it and whether I win or not I have no problem putting that behind me. I don't think you understand that I still have great respect for you overall and my greatest regret with all that is that it damaged our personal relationship. The same can be said on behalf of the other player who was involved.
I'm not running on a platform of grinding old axes. You and everyone else know that reading what I want to do. I'd encourage you to look at it with an open mind. If you feel those are good goals for the DMA and supporting NWN2, I would hope you can look past any personal issues in the past and look at what is good for ALFA.
I hope the content of what I'm proposing to do can overcome your personal reservations. An ALFA with less personal drama and grudges is a better ALFA. If you want to see ALFA move forward unhindered by the past, with enthusiasm and with constructive changes, I'm going to do it. All I'm asking for is 2 months and a chance right now.
Like many others in ALFA, I had significant issues with Rusty, but mine were ostensibly IC as well. I stand on what two Lead Admins, Heegz and Rotku told me, about the situation. Rotku in particular, after reviewing extensive testimony from one of your own DMs, felt that the plot and situation were ridiculous and TT should have been removed as a DM. He resigned the next day after apparently confronting Rusty over it. Beyond that, I'm not going to get into a point for point response with you on this because I'm satisfied with the Lead's opinion after review.
The question I have for you is if you want to move on from this? I'm not only quite willing to, I have. Just the other night I was offering to try and help you out with building in TFN to the best of my ability or get in touch with Muse to see if she had anything left from her work. I'd be happy to talk in IRC, PMs or even by phone if you want to discuss any more of this.
The intent always was to split it into small sessions instead of a large one just due to the nature of the toolset. It has a high learning curve.
I, of course, do intend to participate in these sessions but better instructors with more experience would be ideal. I certainly intend to learn everything I can at their knee. Things like this are how the community can share best practices. I would certainly invite you to instruct one of these classes; you'd be very high on my list to do so actually. In fact, you could run that whole thing if you want.
I'm not going to say vote for me and I'll get this done because I'd expect any of the other DMA candidates to do this as well. Like everything else I'm running on, its just something I think needs to be done.
I'm not running on a platform of grinding old axes. You and everyone else know that reading what I want to do. I'd encourage you to look at it with an open mind. If you feel those are good goals for the DMA and supporting NWN2, I would hope you can look past any personal issues in the past and look at what is good for ALFA.
I hope the content of what I'm proposing to do can overcome your personal reservations. An ALFA with less personal drama and grudges is a better ALFA. If you want to see ALFA move forward unhindered by the past, with enthusiasm and with constructive changes, I'm going to do it. All I'm asking for is 2 months and a chance right now.
Like many others in ALFA, I had significant issues with Rusty, but mine were ostensibly IC as well. I stand on what two Lead Admins, Heegz and Rotku told me, about the situation. Rotku in particular, after reviewing extensive testimony from one of your own DMs, felt that the plot and situation were ridiculous and TT should have been removed as a DM. He resigned the next day after apparently confronting Rusty over it. Beyond that, I'm not going to get into a point for point response with you on this because I'm satisfied with the Lead's opinion after review.
The question I have for you is if you want to move on from this? I'm not only quite willing to, I have. Just the other night I was offering to try and help you out with building in TFN to the best of my ability or get in touch with Muse to see if she had anything left from her work. I'd be happy to talk in IRC, PMs or even by phone if you want to discuss any more of this.
I'm glad you liked the idea, Marklos. I think it would go a long way towards increasing toolset literacy and get more actual building done.By the way, I really like your idea about running toolset shop classes, however, my question would be this:
You have stated you know little about the toolset. Would you be willing to participate? Nothing shows leadership like active participation. I would be willing to be a volunteer to run a class on one aspect of the tooslet. I suggest splitting it up into several classes instead of just one huge one.
Anyway, cheers on throwing your hat into the ring. I hope you and ALFA make the best decision for ALFA's sake.
The intent always was to split it into small sessions instead of a large one just due to the nature of the toolset. It has a high learning curve.
I, of course, do intend to participate in these sessions but better instructors with more experience would be ideal. I certainly intend to learn everything I can at their knee. Things like this are how the community can share best practices. I would certainly invite you to instruct one of these classes; you'd be very high on my list to do so actually. In fact, you could run that whole thing if you want.
I'm not going to say vote for me and I'll get this done because I'd expect any of the other DMA candidates to do this as well. Like everything else I'm running on, its just something I think needs to be done.
Last edited by MShady on Sat Jun 21, 2008 5:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"Audentes fortuna juvat - Fortune favors the bold. (Virgil)"
"Spartans, lay down your arms!"
"Come take them!"
ALFA Browncoats
"Spartans, lay down your arms!"
"Come take them!"
ALFA Browncoats
-
MShady
- Orc Champion
- Posts: 469
- Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2004 5:09 pm
- Location: On the line. Where the metal meets the meat.
- Contact:
Am I the real MShady?
Are you the real Jayde?
Are any of us real? Are we all just imitating?
LOL
Thank you for the question, Jayde.
I'm not sure how I'm different from Mr. Hamilton as he has not posted a platform.
In terms of my differences between you and Spider, the differences in large part have to do with our platforms. That is my testament to what I want to do for ALFA. I think we are all running to help ALFA in the post-Rusty era. Otherwise, I think I have a little more time to dedicate to the task than you might but frankly, its not about time but time management and you're probably fine with that.
I've been here for quite awhile and these are things I've been thinking about for 5 + years or rather recently. For years, I've been involved or worked with other people running for Admin. One time I basically drafted someone's winning platform.
Rather than doing so this time, I thought I would step into the light so to speak and instead of supporting people who shared my vision, I wanted other people to try sharing mine.
While I've been here for awhile, I would like to think I represent a new take on things. I'm a policy innovator. I look at things that could be better and I try to come up with ideas. While I respect what you and Spider are trying to do and why you are running, I want to change our course a bit more.
Otherwise, I'm completely independent. A free range chicken. I'm not saying thats a difference, I just am. I'm not in with any groups, friends with a particular Admin (that is NOT a swipe about you and FI) or anything like that.
I think what ALFA needs right now is someone willing to do the work that should have been done and someone utterly neutral right now. As I say, I'm asking for 2 months and a chance. A chance to make some changes and probably step away.
Are you the real Jayde?
Are any of us real? Are we all just imitating?
LOL
Thank you for the question, Jayde.
I'm not sure how I'm different from Mr. Hamilton as he has not posted a platform.
In terms of my differences between you and Spider, the differences in large part have to do with our platforms. That is my testament to what I want to do for ALFA. I think we are all running to help ALFA in the post-Rusty era. Otherwise, I think I have a little more time to dedicate to the task than you might but frankly, its not about time but time management and you're probably fine with that.
I've been here for quite awhile and these are things I've been thinking about for 5 + years or rather recently. For years, I've been involved or worked with other people running for Admin. One time I basically drafted someone's winning platform.
Rather than doing so this time, I thought I would step into the light so to speak and instead of supporting people who shared my vision, I wanted other people to try sharing mine.
While I've been here for awhile, I would like to think I represent a new take on things. I'm a policy innovator. I look at things that could be better and I try to come up with ideas. While I respect what you and Spider are trying to do and why you are running, I want to change our course a bit more.
Otherwise, I'm completely independent. A free range chicken. I'm not saying thats a difference, I just am. I'm not in with any groups, friends with a particular Admin (that is NOT a swipe about you and FI) or anything like that.
I think what ALFA needs right now is someone willing to do the work that should have been done and someone utterly neutral right now. As I say, I'm asking for 2 months and a chance. A chance to make some changes and probably step away.
"Audentes fortuna juvat - Fortune favors the bold. (Virgil)"
"Spartans, lay down your arms!"
"Come take them!"
ALFA Browncoats
"Spartans, lay down your arms!"
"Come take them!"
ALFA Browncoats