I'm updating my platform to include a new subject for my agenda:
- The userfriendliness of the forums. As part of our PR effort we came to the conclusion that the forums are just not very easy to navigate for the new member, or anyone else for that matter. IMO, the forum lay-out needs a rethink and some good maintainance. Making a seperate forum for administration announcements and giving the brainstorming forum more prominence are two ideas that could make a huge difference, IMO.
Demson wrote:...Making a seperate forum for administration announcements...
Once upon a time, in a land far away, there use to be an announcements forum. I hated it, and constantly asked for it to be removed. The reason being simply because it was NEVER used. Admin hardly ever posted there, members never seemed to read it, and as a result, it gave the feeling (to those looking in from the outside) of dis activity. Same currently with the News on the front page.
Demson wrote:...Making a seperate forum for administration announcements...
Once upon a time, in a land far away, there use to be an announcements forum. I hated it, and constantly asked for it to be removed. The reason being simply because it was NEVER used. Admin hardly ever posted there, members never seemed to read it, and as a result, it gave the feeling (to those looking in from the outside) of dis activity. Same currently with the News on the front page.
Looking at the current forums, I see plenty of announcements done by administrators, staff, HDM's and such. Though yeah, if it isn't used that kind of defeats the purpose.
Still, it's something worth looking into. It has proven to work well elsewhere.
Demson wrote:
Looking at the current forums, I see plenty of announcements done by administrators, staff, HDM's and such. Though yeah, if it isn't used that kind of defeats the purpose.
Still, it's something worth looking into. It has proven to work well elsewhere.
The problem was never the lack of annoucements. The problem is that the annoucement forum was never used, Instead people just posted in GD or wherever they felt like at the time.
Current PC: Gareth Darkriver, errant knight of Kelemvor
Se'rie Arnimane: Time is of the essence!
Nawiel Di'malie: Shush! we're celebrating!
On the subject of DM's, I would look into having the OAS2 be used as 'training ground' for aspiring DMs, depending on how the existing admissions staff reacts to this.
As aspiring DM, you wouldn't be thrown before the lions unprepared, of course. But the OAS2 is the ideal platform to learn how to DM. Allot of time is spend observing, and the sessions are relatively short, with only a few players within a predictable environment and without any plot progression.
The receptions and assessment of OAS2 players is a special task that is not a regular DM task. But it would take precedence over your interest as aspiring DM.
Still, I see great potential here. The OAS2 would have more DM coverage, and ALFA as a whole benefits from more players and DMs.
And with the OAS2 RSS feed that reports if and how many players are on, there's no need to expect weekly sessions for OAS2 DM's either. Maintaining a (semi)-regular schedule would be greatly appriciated, especially in the context of NeverwinterConnections. But based on reactions I've seen, the demand of a regular schedule has been more of an obstruction to DM coverage than a stimulant.
Keep the ideas coming, Demson. It never hurts to revisit things and take fresh perspective.
As for the OAS as a "training ground" for DMs we have looked at that in the past.
The concern at the time was that some rogue asshat of a PADM on OAS wouldscare off a flock of applicants by doing/saying something untowards, or that applicants would not be appropriately guided through the process.
I think the lack of OAS DMs now is critical enough to revisit the risk:benefit ratio on this subject.
Newer DM's tend to actually be more cautious and humble. Veteran DM's tend to be more intolerant and critical. Probably better off with new DM's on OAS, IMO. My own experience there certainly supports this idea.
Doesn't matter if they are a current DM, including one in need of practice.
PA is the gatekeeper though. If an "open door" policy has produced some bad results as DD indicates above, guess the gatekeeping has to be done seriously.
Mission is still to evaluate applicants and in turn, have applicants evaluate ALFA, for each other. DM Client training might not necessarily intersect with those goals ("I would have joined ALFA, but the DM seemed to have trouble spawning anything but chickens?"), but if the PA thought they could achieve all those goals at the same time, good luck I guess?
ALFA NWN2 PCs: Rhaggot of the Bruised-Eye, and Bamshogbo
ALFA NWN1 PC: Jacobim Foxmantle
ALFA NWN1 Dead PC: Jon Shieldjack
Demson wrote:
Looking at the current forums, I see plenty of announcements done by administrators, staff, HDM's and such. Though yeah, if it isn't used that kind of defeats the purpose.
Still, it's something worth looking into. It has proven to work well elsewhere.
The problem was never the lack of annoucements. The problem is that the annoucement forum was never used, Instead people just posted in GD or wherever they felt like at the time.
Well, now we have the mods. They could simply move any announcements made in teh wrong place to the right place, which would be good.
*** ANON: has joined #channel
ANON: Mod you have to be one of the dumbest f**ks ive ever met
MOD: hows that ?
ANON: read what I said
ANON: You feel you can ban someone on a whim
MOD: i can, watch this
ANON: its so stupid how much power you think you have
