zicada's platform and questions thread

[zicada]

Do you think you have the right attitude for the job?

Definitely. I don't think there is any reason we should be 100% serious all the time. Its a PW. A game. People pretend to be elves. How can we be 100% serious.

Do I think its OK to purposefully hurt other people ? Of course i don't, i don't think anybody in this community do.

[zicada]

As for my question, I'd like to know if you're willing to commit to the job enough to be around for a full term. We have seen the DMA, TA and IA end prematurely in 2008, which makes a mess of things and creates a bit more chaos than we're used to. If elected, can you guarantee you're willing to stick it out for the rest of the term?

I can't make any such guarantees unfortunately. Nor should anyone who take on this sort of responsibility be required to. There is such a thing as RL, and it can be a bitch. I had my last run cut off because of RL issues.

I'm just trying to be honest and not bullshit anyone. No, i cannot guarantee this. I will obviously try though.

[Nalo Jade]

RE: Email addy's for servers.

Northern Cormyr has one now...

The e-mail is: alfanorthcormyrdm@alandfaraway.org
(of course you can use uppercase on some letters as mail do not mind this).

To access it please go to this URL: http://members.powweb.com/mail/
Please do not forget to type in the @alandfaraway.org after the e-mail address when logging in.

Hialmar set it up, so I don't think you have to worry about the @Hiphopmail.com address situation...

However, as Danubus has said, I am being cavalier about the setting up of accounts on NWConnections.

It is my opinion that we "need" the face of having every live server represented in the NWConnections community...

Yes the HDMs can ask the IA for an address and then use that address to set up an account at NWConnections ... but here are the benefits to IA,LA and PR doing it for them...

First they have such a thing as a "realm" which in effect would be a server called A Land Far Away, using a PR address as the main hub for the NWConnections promotions.

as it stands now without a "hub" server all the individual servers will be isolated from each other.

Second the IA would be able to make all the login names consistent...

ALFA NWN1 Northern Cormyr DM team
ALFA NWN2 The Silver Marches DM team
ALFA NWN1 ShadowDale DM team

-vs-

The Silver Marches ALFA
NWN1 Shadowdale server
NC ALFA 013

[edit] Third, we haven't seen a big push for them to do this, maybe they are too busy building and DMing? which is what we want them to spend their time on while the elected people devote time to setting this sort of thing up for them to use.[end edit]

Do you believe that it is the IA and PR's responsibility to "set-up" these sort of things for the HDMs. I do not advocate maintaining any of the "servers" only the main ALFA server.

But it doesn't really matter what I think ... I'm not running for IA, what do you think Zic?

[ThinkTank]

[zicada]

RE: Email addy's for servers.

Northern Cormyr has one now...

The e-mail is: alfanorthcormyrdm@alandfaraway.org
(of course you can use uppercase on some letters as mail do not mind this).

To access it please go to this URL: http://members.powweb.com/mail/
Please do not forget to type in the @alandfaraway.org after the e-mail address when logging in.

Hialmar set it up, so I don't think you have to worry about the @Hiphopmail.com address situation...

However, as Danubus has said, I am being cavalier about the setting up of accounts on NWConnections.

It is my opinion that we "need" the face of having every live server represented in the NWConnections community...

Yes the HDMs can ask the IA for an address and then use that address to set up an account at NWConnections ... but here are the benefits to IA,LA and PR doing it for them...

First they have such a thing as a "realm" which in effect would be a server called A Land Far Away, using a PR address as the main hub for the NWConnections promotions.

as it stands now without a "hub" server all the individual servers will be isolated from each other.

Second the IA would be able to make all the login names consistent...

ALFA NWN1 Northern Cormyr DM team
ALFA NWN2 The Silver Marches DM team
ALFA NWN1 ShadowDale DM team

-vs-

The Silver Marches ALFA
NWN1 Shadowdale server
NC ALFA 013

Do you believe that it is the IA and PR's responsibility to "set-up" these sort of things for the HDMs. I do not advocate maintaining any of the "servers" only the main ALFA server.

But it doesn't really matter what I think ... I'm not running for IA, what do you think Zic?

What this seems to boil down to, is a problem with organization again. ALFA is a loosly federated system of single servers with their own crews. Maybe that's not such a great way to do things. If we were actually all one big team, and worked together on all of our assets, then questions like these would be defunct by default.

It seems what Dan was getting at, is that pretty much anyone can do the actual registration thing. Who gets to do it is a fairly trivial and minor issue imho. Please take further actual discussion on that particular topic to another thread.

[Valdimir]

You're right i had a problem with moderation when it started. I can safely assume most did. The moderators who were chosen did a very bad job, and made a horrible first impression. In a way it was pretty funny. It seems to have slowed down quite a bit though. As long as Off topic is left alone, and we actually know who we're dealing with, everything is just dandy.

How do you come to that conclusion? I won't presume to speak for the majority, but there were obviously many that welcomed the policy, especially if one does view the PA election as a referendum on the topic.

If the forum moderators become "targets" once their anonymous cloak is removed, then we deal with that. Its an easy problem to solve.

Perhaps because you took exception to the tone, I am not sure you really answered the question. Elected Admin can barely survive their term these days, in part because of the abuse heaped upon them for merely trying in their own way to make ALFA a better place. How would the forum trolls react against someone that they feeling is infringing on their "free speech" given a target to vent upon? How long would moderators last in that unappreciated position if they had to endure attack after attack while their persecutors were given mere "warnings"? Won't this really amount to a de facto way to kill moderation when noone volunteers to serve in the position? What is your "easy" solution?

[Nalo Jade]

-snip- Do you believe that it is the IA and PR's responsibility to "set-up" these sort of things for the HDMs. I do not advocate maintaining any of the "servers" only the main ALFA server.

What this seems to boil down to, is a problem with organization again. ALFA is a loosly federated system of single servers with their own crews. Maybe that's not such a great way to do things. If we were actually all one big team, and worked together on all of our assets, then questions like these would be defunct by default.

It seems what Dan was getting at, is that pretty much anyone can do the actual registration thing. Who gets to do it is a fairly trivial and minor issue imho. Please take further actual discussion on that particular topic to another thread.

Sorry my question got lost in the tl;dr post... there it is a bit clearer probably.

[Magile]

How would the forum trolls react against someone that they feeling is infringing on their "free speech" given a target to vent upon? How long would moderators last in that unappreciated position if they had to endure attack after attack while their persecutors were given mere "warnings"? Won't this really amount to a de facto way to kill moderation when noone volunteers to serve in the position? What is your "easy" solution?

You don't need their "ALFA" name to make "targets" of 'em. Merely speaking out about it is putting salt in the wounds in some cases.

[zicada]

How do you come to that conclusion? I won't presume to speak for the majority, but there were obviously many that welcomed the policy, especially if one does view the PA election as a referendum on the topic.

Sorry, I said, 'when it started' Remember those posts made by the moderators themselves ? They were obviously not being the serious moderators some had wanted, nor were they the moderators with a name that others wanted. Once things settled, i definitely dont presume to think everyone hated it.

Perhaps because you took exception to the tone, I am not sure you really answered the question. Elected Admin can barely survive their term these days, in part because of the abuse heaped upon them for merely trying in their own way to make ALFA a better place. How would the forum trolls react against someone that they feeling is infringing on their "free speech" given a target to vent upon? How long would moderators last in that unappreciated position if they had to endure attack after attack while their persecutors were given mere "warnings"? Won't this really amount to a de facto way to kill moderation when no one volunteers to serve in the position? What is your "easy" solution?

I was never abused last time. In fact I don't think I've been abused ever around here. Nor do I think spider or paazin feel very abused. I think most people who feel abused are taking things the wrong way.

What i referred to as easy, was things like privmsg's. If someone feels like they're being abused via privmsg, i have a quick look, and based on the findings hand out a strike or a ban. Its relatively easy, eg easier than alot of other problems, like how to balance moderation.

On the topic of moderator-lifetime, alara touched on that. Its about having people who are thick skinned enough to not take things too personal. People who are able to detach themselves a bit and not take things so very seriously. By that i obviously don't mean they shouldn't do their job seriously.

Finally, I get the feeling you think we haven't had moderators before. Real ones with real faces. We have, for many years, since the beginning actually. A lot of the time, they have been doing quite a good job imo.

[Veilan]

I would strongly suggest that noone who volunteered to serve in the role as moderator, anonymously, be made public. As new IA you may well want to offer to keep them, however, officially, you should do a firing and re-hiring (perhaps even without your own knowledge, letting LA handle that before you put out a call - though perhapts that might be overly thorough).


This does not mean I may agree with everything that was done, however revealing those people after they have been at the centre of a controversy would seem disrespectful at best, and a breach of their trust at worst.

[zicada]

I would strongly suggest that noone who volunteered to serve in the role as moderator, anonymously, be made public. As new IA you may well want to offer to keep them, however, officially, you should do a firing and re-hiring (perhaps even without your own knowledge, letting LA handle that before you put out a call - though perhapts that might be overly thorough).


This does not mean I may agree with everything that was done, however revealing those people after they have been at the centre of a controversy would seem disrespectful at best, and a breach of their trust at worst.

Obviously. It was never my intention to publicly name who wore what mod# hat. That would indeed be a stupid move for many reasons.

[Valdimir]

Thanks for the answers, Zic.

Finally, I get the feeling you think we haven't had moderators before. Real ones with real faces. We have, for many years, since the beginning actually. A lot of the time, they have been doing quite a good job imo.

Actually, I am aware that we have had moderators before. I spent minimal time on the boards before becoming a HDM, at which point I felt obligated to stay more in touch. The venom I have seen and experienced in the last few years leads me to believe that any moderation has been done quite poorly, if at all, during this time. It has nothing to be with being thick-skinned. I can take criticism and welcome debate. It is unprovoked flames that rile me. To me, unmoderated immaturity is only amusing until it the personal attacks start.

[zicada]

Thanks for the answers, Zic.

Finally, I get the feeling you think we haven't had moderators before. Real ones with real faces. We have, for many years, since the beginning actually. A lot of the time, they have been doing quite a good job imo.

Actually, I am aware that we have had moderators before. I spent minimal time on the boards before becoming a HDM, at which point I felt obligated to stay more in touch. The venom I have seen and experienced in the last few years leads me to believe that any moderation has been done quite poorly, if at all, during this time. It has nothing to be with being thick-skinned. I can take criticism and welcome debate. It is unprovoked flames that rile me. To me, unmoderated immaturity is only amusing until it the personal attacks start.

It's been a while since i had the access to browse DM forums and such. If i remember correctly, they used to be quite a bit worse than what your average member gets to see. Im going to have to look at them a bit apparently.
I don't think anybody likes personal attacks though. The main problem is agreeing on what a personal attack is, really. I get the feeling you've had some close encounters though. If its as bad as it sounds, then obviously it will be dealt with. Again, I am not against moderation at all. All forums require it, because of the nature of forums. I just have a beef with anonymity.

[Senor T]

I'm highly encouraged by your mention of the website design. This is a large job, to be sure, but I also know you have a great deal of experience and knowledge and would likely be able to make the project run a lot more smoothly and quickly. If you get the job, I'd be excited to talk over what all needs doing.

Now my questions.

Infra is a tough spot to be in. Traditionally, community policy seems to be directed by the 3 social Admins and the two tech admins each get a vote in decisions and subsequently support those decisions through development effort. I don't particularly envy the IA or TA because of this. In fact, you yourself have been a rather large reason for ALFA's continued existence over the years, which is greatly appreciated.

1) So why do you do it? What do you get out of it?

2) Do you think you'll be able to work effectively with the current Admin?

3) PR requires loads of IA help to get anything worth doing done. Do you feel like you'll be able to work effectively with Lusipher and his PR minions?

You mention reducing the rules that are in place. I'm all for simplifying rules and making them easier to follow, but ALFA's scalability depends on a strong and consistent set of rules. In the end, it's about managing personalities (game B) so that game A can go on. The rules are the tool that allow us to quickly and effectively get the required parts of game B over and done with so everyone can get back in game A.

4) Do you favor this 'rule of law' style approach rather than an approach that favors a strong admin unconstrained by rules?

[zicada]

1) So why do you do it? What do you get out of it?

Like you say, Ive been here for years. I dont mind helping out, especially when its a challenge. I think the whole community is very interesting in alot of ways.

2) Do you think you'll be able to work effectively with the current Admin?

The current admin is one of the better ones we've had i think. As an IA though, its most important to work with the other techies around here, and i know i can work well with them from past experience.

3) PR requires loads of IA help to get anything worth doing done. Do you feel like you'll be able to work effectively with Lusipher and his PR minions?

Dan has his moments of horror (some of us do), but he does seem to be working rather hard, which is obviously great. The notion of PR to attract people is one we haven't been to good with in the past. Like I've mentioned earlier, i strongly support it. I think as long as we'll be able to keep the actual work we do professional, we'll do just fine. Screwing with each other on irc shouldn't interfere with the actual work we do.

You mention reducing the rules that are in place. I'm all for simplifying rules and making them easier to follow, but ALFA's scalability depends on a strong and consistent set of rules. In the end, it's about managing personalities (game B) so that game A can go on. The rules are the tool that allow us to quickly and effectively get the required parts of game B over and done with so everyone can get back in game A.

Scalability is the key word. The current organizational setup, and the current political ideology's and groups etc, were intended for a huge PW, with vast amounts of servers and players. Today we seem to have about 90 or so active members, most of whom don't play or DM. That means there is no reason to pretend we're a small country, or a huge professional company. In fact, i think just looking at the charter, and all the other lawyerese documents, then looking over at the amt of active players makes more people leave than anything else. I would get a bit scared at least.

That is the main reason I think we need a change. We're fooling ourselves a bit, and we probably unconsciously get sick of 'never getting there'. 'There' being the original mission.

Ill point out some ideas on how to do this below:

4) Do you favor this 'rule of law' style approach rather than an approach that favors a strong admin unconstrained by rules?

In a nutshell my proposal is as follows:

We basically have a small 'revolution' if you will. All current 'titles' revoked. Then we set up a DM team, a Building team, a Hosting team, and a PR team. Each gets their own admin, and their own forum space.

The Building team would be in charge of all content. What servers that content ends up on, is up to the hosters, who control all the physical assets. Finally the DM team deploys DMs on these servers. All based on who wants to do what,- keep it simple. Its not that many people, its not that hard to do.
What we gain from this, is standardization, a greater feeling of common collaboration, and less politics and titles and positions. We also use our limited resources quite a lot better this way. This will effectively remove a lot of ALFA-game B content, and move it back to ALFA-game A where it belongs.
Admins are chosen by all members, and stay admins until stepping down. This takes care of a lot of problems as well, and in this setup, the strain on admins would be smaller.

It deserves its own thread for discussion, but that's the basic idea. One could argue that it could even be adminless, but i fear that's too radical (Exodus does this).