I like how the user titles are set up on this forum: http://thebotnet.com/members/phatboyfresh.html I hope it's okay to post that, but I think we should spark up this forum with some shmexy user titles like that. It's not needed, but it sure looks cool.
Hey, Rex. Thanks for the feed back. I'm glad you think the CP is a good idea. I do enjoy my post and I try to effectively spread out my time accordingly. I don't like throwing this in as an excuse, but I moderate the forums over on UK of Equestria, so I'm doubling up on the activity there. I try to stay active on both sites, which leads me to stay up till ridiculous times (oh man, it's 4am now). Still, I'm up for the responsibilities and I will do my best to keep up the activity on the site!
Posting links is fine as long as you're not explicitly asking people to join or advertising in any other way. As for the usertitles, that would be a nice feature. We just have to make sure no one will abuse that feature to impersonate staff members. I've seen that happen alot on forums with modifiable usertitles. As for Rex's OP. I'd add my two cents, but i'd basically just be repeating what every other staff member said already. :derpe: What i CAN add though, is that i can, as a recently added staff member, be very honest in saying the opinions, suggestions and complaints of members are taken into account, and actively discussed, contrary to popular belief. The reason why the staff may appear a bit secretive at times is because there's alot going on most of the time, and we want to make absolutely sure we've worked out every little detail that could go wrong with an idea before we say anything about it on the forums. If we mention a half-flanked idea on the forums before it's done, people would go berserk on the "mights" and "maybe's". Or in other words, unnecessary chaos. That's why we only ask members for opinions when and if we need them. Think of it as sitting in a restaurant waiting for your order. Would you like your dinner nice, warm and perfectly displayed, or would you rather have a frozen tv dinner thrown infront of you? That's the best metaphor i can think of. :derpe:
I love seeing what the opinions of our members are about how to improve the site, and I certainly hope we get more ideas coming in. Now, to address briefly a few of the points brought up. I usually try to be as open as I am allowed to be. Sometimes, what may come across as secrecy from us, is actually more us trying to surprise the members in a good way. Kind of like a surprise birthday party in a sense. Seems the Community Patrol already covered their side of things regarding activity. As for other staff activity, some of us have full time jobs and/or school on top of our responsibilities to the site, so we try our best to be as active as we can. I like to think I'm somewhat active around the forums. I try to have a few posts in each section on the forums as a personal goal. I really like the idea of having staff meetings to make sure we're all on the same page about rules, but the varied time zones make it difficult. Perhaps have a meeting when most staff is on, and appoint a liaison to fill in the staff who weren't present? I am one of the EPN Chat Mods, and I feel like I'm pretty lenient. I clean up any inappropriate messages and try to let the person know why I did. I do like your idea of giving more of an explanation though, as opposed to just going, "Hey you! Cut out what you're doing!" Makes it seem more personable and friendly. I think the curt warnings could be what's causing others to think we're strict, and that just giving extra effort to explain the rule to them will go a long way. Everything else seems to have been pretty well explained already. Ooh, here’s an idea for user titles? What about holding some kind of contest, and winners get a title of their choice? Would anypony be interested in this?
I can only speak on a couple parts of this, because only a couple parts pertain to what I do on this site. I can't really do anything without repeating what has been said already. I do feel like a weekly meeting would be good, but unfortunately, we all live in differing time zones. Usually I'm the odd man left out as I'm usually more focused (due to not being at work) after most of the staff has gone to bed. It's unfortunate, but I can't just up and quit my job. ^^; I try to be as active as I can considering my life... Kids, never wish for a life, you'll regret it. Anyway~ In regards to EPN chat~ Personally, I don't think we're too strict. And if someone is new I DO try my best to let them understand the rules, so I explain it to the best of my ability. People that have been around longer I assume know the rules (granted those rules are kind of old...). Sometimes I'll let people have their fun depending on what's going on and what is being done, but only fr a small while because there still are rules. I would hope everyone would understand that rules are there for the protection of people that may find certain topics and images disturbing and/or repulsive. My job is to speak up for them and to keep them safe. I do try to explain if I need to, I will try to explain more often, however, as the current rule sets are vague on some topics. So if I did anything without explanation that needed one, I apologize. >.<; Please please please PLEEEEASE if you feel I'm too harsh, or I need to explain something let me know. Pending the situation and the rule being broken, etc, I'll figure out if I was too harsh or if an explanation is needed. But I can't know if I'm not told. On that note. If you do have any complaints about EPN chat that are more reserved for talking directly to someone, I'm sure Berry Punch, Zephyr and Foxytail would be great to direct them to. Personally, I wouldn't mind taking some of the problems either, and depending severity I could easily pass them on, as well. So, if you feel there is a problem, whether it be with a user, content, or a mod being too strict don't hesitate to send anything (which I know you won't Rex, but this goes for everyone in general in terms of EPN Chat). That way we can work on getting it fixed/solved/otherwise repaired. <3 Hopefully this made sense...
I have another complaint pertaining to the rp chat I am so tired having role plays ruined either by an over power character, people just comming into the channel and suddenly joining doing random things taking over the rp with their own, theres been times people have just come in and started having a conversation. anytime I try to ask them to leave I'm either ignored or told to quit complaining. I think before anyone should have to read the roleplay rules before being allowed into one of the channels. And if it's possible get someone with some authority to watch the roleplays perferably someone who knows how role plays work. or a list of mods us roleplayers who are trying to have a good time can come to in a situation like this, because apperantly don't care.
Ironically we are working on more specific RP chat rules the subject just came up yesterday actually.
Like what Rashall said, we noticed this as finally becoming a serious problem along with many other aspects in how people actually RP in the RP chat. So as a result we'll be making a new set of rules specifically for the RP chat along with a guidelines of etiquette. If you've got any suggestions for it feel free to shoot us a PM.
i have a bit of a complaint. The infractions system. i think i may be missing something, but i feel the infractions system is causing some disorder with EP. there are some users who are trolls, some that like to cause problems, but they simply dont get banned or punished because they haven't collected enough infractions. i was always told the staff is too strict, i didn't know if i should believe it, but it seems true. it seems the staff aren't strict with taking care of the troublemakers, they are strict with the rules. "oh he made fun of your dead father? im sorry, he hasn't collected enough infraction points." i feel similar things happen all the time. I feel like i am missing something, but this is what i see so far.
