Questions for Vendrin (also his platform)

[ThinkTank]

[Vendrin]

Vendrin - Why would you want to leave final decisions in the hands of the Standards team instead of having them submit the changes for approval by Admin? This would seem an appropriate check to prevent the team from doing whatever they want. Diversifying the membership helps, but ultimately shouldn't the Admins and/or HDMs have a say in approval?

Because I believe when the standards team is changed, it will be a representation of what the community wants, and it won't need more votes to add just another layer of approval.

Do you believe having such conflict and animosity within the Admin team will help to push ALFA forward and make us better?

The animosity is already there, Rusty is the one causing it. Cause last I checked I haven't made anyone leave ALFA.

That did not actually answer the question.

Another angle there. The animosity is already there in the Admin, I'll bring more, but it will be blocking Rusty, and I think Rusty is the one holding ALFA back.

[JaydeMoon]

Vendrin, can you explain to me in detail how knowing the nuances of the NWN2 engine will be the difference between making or breaking your ability to be the Lead Administrator?

[Vendrin]

Vendrin, can you explain to me in detail how knowing the nuances of the NWN2 engine will be the difference between making or breaking your ability to be the Lead Administrator?

It won't make or break my ability, but actually knowing what I'm talking about regarding the engine, knowing difficulties a player can have, or the issues of the dm client, and at least a basic working knowledge of the toolset does give me some understanding of what can be done in reasonable amount of time, what is feasible to expect players to be able to do, and allows me to actually interact with the players and dms in the game instead of simply on the forums and chat, which I think is very important for any of the admin.

[JaydeMoon]

Would it be safe to say, then, that it is not a dealbreaker, and that someone who is not familiar with NWN2 might be perfectly capable of leading this community as an Admin, however it is definitely a plus if you ARE familiar with the engine?

[Vendrin]

Would it be safe to say, then, that it is not a dealbreaker, and that someone who is not familiar with NWN2 might be perfectly capable of leading this community as an Admin, however it is definitely a plus if you ARE familiar with the engine?

For the Lead Admin, I'd say it isn't a deal breaker, however for the player or DM admin, I'd say it would be.

[HATEFACE]

Jayde for Lead Admin.

[JaydeMoon]

Thank you for your answers.

[ThinkTank]

Jayde for Lead Admin.

[Phineus]

Jayde for Lead Admin.

[Senor T]

...Perhaps also reduce the number of staffer positions, because I think an admin shouldn't need 3 staffers to manage their domain. If they don't have enough time to do so with less then 3, they probably shouldn't be in the admin position.

While I admire your shoot-from-the-hip no-nonsense approach on one level, a comment like this leads me to wonder at how realistic your view is of truly how much work needs doing in the LA role.

Speaking simply of people working beneath you in the hierarchy (not splitting hairs over what constitutes a voting staffer, as I agree with your general voting philosophy as stated here) with proper management, you should be able to have any number of people working for you so long as they're provided the proper direction. In fact, the more people you have working with you, the more you can get done. As well, with more people, you get more talents and views that would otherwise be missed in any team.

For example, I created a structure for the PR department and detailed six positions that require unique skillsets. I managed to find four very bright people to donate their time and talent to ALFA, and together, we've even gotten quite a bit of work done, though only the smallest start at all of what needs doing.

Anyhow, I don't doubt that if given a look at the PR zoho project, and seeing the documentation we've begun to build out, you'd likely agree that having the help of four other people is a good thing, since for the first time we have a persistent base on which to build the rest of ALFA's future PR efforts. We have lists of competing PWs, sites at which we have promotional material on, sites we can target for future promotions, etc....

I guess my point is that it seems like your heart's in the right place, but I wonder at whether the good of the community would be served in the long run by such a shoot-from-the-hip approach.

My question:

Do you stand by your statement that [any] admin wouldn't need more than 3 staffers to manage their domain? Would you consider the 5 people in the PR department as being excessive? Perhaps this could all be cleared up for me by you simply clarifying what you mean by "staffers?"

[MShady]

I think he is referring to VOTING staffers.

There are more votes cast by Admin and their staffers than ALFA's actual DMs. On an institutional level, the tail is wagging the dog here.

Admins certainly DO need staffers, but staff should have one vote just like a DM staff had one vote cast by the EADM. Just have ONE head staffer.

[Vendrin]

Do you stand by your statement that [any] admin wouldn't need more than 3 staffers to manage their domain? Would you consider the 5 people in the PR department as being excessive? Perhaps this could all be cleared up for me by you simply clarifying what you mean by "staffers?"

I refer to voting staffers yes, however I do think that admin should be closely involved in all their parts of the domains and not leave things solely up to delegates and only checking in once a month.

[Swift]

Another angle there. The animosity is already there in the Admin, I'll bring more, but it will be blocking Rusty, and I think Rusty is the one holding ALFA back.

Once again, that does not really answer the question.

There is already animosity between yourself and Rusty, that much is evident to anyone who cares to look. You are running on a "I will veto everything rusty does" platform, which will lead to open conflict, and slow everything DMA related down to a standstill and make anything that requires the DMA pointless to try, since you will veto it.

Rusty has shown his true colors (when he quit) and yet still remains DMA (winning the re-election by a fair margin) and avoided getting recalled. I question whether your "Veto everything from Rusty" platform will do anything to move ALFA forward and, in fact, strongly believe turning the DMA into a lame duck will do more harm to ALFA than Rusty has been perceived to have already done.

Aditionally, Will you stick to this platform if, when the time comes, he is re-elected again, and therefore deny the will of ALFAs DM teams?

ALFA needs a leader, not someone running on purely vindictive reasons.

[Vendrin]

Well Swift, you got your opinion I have mine. I can't do anything else but run with it. I think I'd be a decent leader, and I think things would get done. If you don't, don't vote for me. I answered honestly, and thats all I can do.