There are a number of things beyond our control. One thing we can't do is dictate how you guys will act. Some do agree with the whole 'Drop the Democracy' thing, while most highly disagree, and I'm one of them. Dropping the Democracy means discarding everything we've worked so hard to achieve and only letting the people in charge doing the dirty work. It goes against everything this site stands for, especially given it's motto, 'Where Everypony is Somepony'. Sometimes it is just a little too Democratic. But I'd rather it be democratic than a dictatorship. Everyone's opinions matter, and I think that's obvious considering how this thread hasn't been locked. We're all open to criticism and we're all open to ideas, and we're doing our best to accomodate you guys. It's hard to do, however, when there are people who stir up trouble. This is one of the most challenging aspects of a forum. We all just need to work to go for a common goal. I think all of the staff want to have some part in finding this goal with you guys.
My apologies for my comment yesterday. I had just finished getting more robocalls and posting about them and was in a bit of a mood. I now accept that I won't be a part of my suggestion. I still think it is a good one and that someone on staff should work towards implementing it. I also haven't the little extra time I had before to commit to something like that now. Life happening again. But this time at least it's good news for me in life. Anyways, back to the point. I have hope that we can and will get better here. I think the admin team of Berry, Zephyr, and Mike is strong. I think several of the mods need improvement in ability, tact, and attitude. Please also remember quality over quantity. And do not let seniority get in the way of decision making. If the new staff you choose is better than the old, well then. I will continue to try to be part of the solution and again apologize for my words said in anger yesterday. Sent from my EVO 4G Shift using Tapatalk 2
I'll sum up my thoughts on this recent situation really quickly. I agree with Rarit E, for the most part, and almost wholeheartedly agree with Grey give or take some semantics. While I do agree, that too much discussion is detrimental, I also believe its highly valuable. Moderation, ironically, is the key word here as it is with most things. Part of the staff duties are to partake in staff discussion, this means the exploration of ideas constructively, and nothing more. If you disagree with someone, that's perfectly fine and you can voice that objection, hell, you're encouraged to. However, when you're told by not only the majority of the group to drop it, but an admin as well, this is where this discussion becomes detrimental. Now before anybody jumps on that, it was purely hypothetical. If you felt it related to you in some way, that should say something, if not, then that's excellent. As said before, discussion is just that, discussion; an exploration. It may be your job to explore these ideas, but it's not your job to decide which one is optimal. As Grey said, "this is not a democracy, this is an [oligarchy]". With that out of the way, allow me to reiterate, this does not mean discussion isn't highly valuable, it just means that those involved need to understand when their job is done and either pass the baton, or take a step back and remove themselves from the remainder if necessary. Mods are here to moderate and discuss. Admins are here to decide and mediate. The users are here to have fun. The staff are here to serve them. Poetic, Saikyo, take Grey's advice and continue your discussion in private
Yeah like Dragon I apologise if anything I said seemed angry, I'm not, I'm just posting about my experiences. From first-hand experience Berry, Zeph and Mike have proved capable of handling things well and I hope they can continue to do so. My life isn't brilliant right now, so unnecessary drama is not what I intend, I'm trying to help, I'm bringing the problems I have up to help find a solution, not to shame anyone. Personally, I have hope, but I think it requires all of us to work together on this. At the moment I kind of feel a bit hated because I left the staff.
What people need to stop assuming is that if things go 'dictatorship' then no one else gets a say. We have never nor (to my knowledge) will we ever decide to do things just because we can and no one can talk or put input towards it. We have always and hopefully will always listen to comments, criticism, complaints and praise about the site, its staff and its members. All I'm saying is that there needs to be a shift in power in who makes the decisions. EDIT: Zephyr, thank you for once again filling me with hope for our administration.
Hey man, we all understand you mean the best. There's no problem at all. I apologize, myself, for getting hot-headed. It happens a lot (And that's an understatement), but it's kinda my fault for never really getting the point across. So I'm sorry too.
It seems that all the important stuff happens while I sleep. Anyway, as you can probably see, I'm the only person to put good and going in the right direction. This was because nothing on this site has happened that has made me think about leaving, so I'd say that it's good, but not perfect (obviously). I'm also liking the idea of the whole EP chat/reformation thing that Zephyr's hosting. Although a while ago, the staff created an EP Review Team. While that started off well, it died down pretty quickly and was abandoned. So can I ask you mods a question: will you keep this thing going this time? I'm liking the whole idea of members being able to contribute and I think that it'll bring the staff and members closer. There is used to be a huge gap between the members and staff (like Poetic said, it was more like a VIP club than the staff and they hardly used to post at all once they got the job). While that has changed now, that is a path that you're going to want to avoid. While the community of this site is much smaller than that of other sites, the main selling point that we have is that our community is a lot closer.
YES! THIS! ABSOLUTELY THIS! GREY I COULD KISS YOU RIGHT ABOUT NOW. YOU ARE THE RIGHTEST I'VE EVER SEEN YOU. Seriously. Listen to this bloke.
ok time to drop in (and yes, i'm back home meaning I'm back on forum on full power) so, what do I think where's the site now and where's going? where it is now: neutral to down where it's going: up up and more up, just we have to work for it. ok, there has been some bumps and slides on our forum, but I think it's nothing we can't overcome. Beside, we're all here for same basic reason: We're all fans of MLP:FiM, show that's totally out of target demographic for most of members. Yet, despite all social bumps and holes, we managed to stick together and came here to support each other, and discover magic of friendship, despite our differences. On the end of the day, we're all bronies. in staff and stuff: yes, I'll be taking community posts from foxy and community management. community posts: every Sunday (somewhere during day, Central Europe Time). inb4 sorry for possible bad grammar. What will it be in: what's new in site (including plans from staff room (unless it's surprise project), threads that members (<staff> is child class of <members> (little java reference) ) want to be featured, news (submitted by members (meaning, anyone)) (everypony related, some member related, etc, anything that one think it can be interesting for community). how to submit: PM me, or if my PM is full (possible outcome if there's lot of submissions) on yetione.snowboard@gmail.com with [everypony] tag in the title of mail. community management: if there's any problem that staff can't handle, pm me about it. if there's any problem with some staff member, pm me (or skype me if you have me on skype). Staff aren't power hungry dictators, if you see that some staff member did something wrong, don't be afraid to tell him (of course, keep in mind that they are people, and if you blow up at them, they will blow up back), so be polite, and calmly explain why you did xy thing or why you think xy staff member did something wrong. I think we can be civil enough to do it. If there's something you can't resolve with certan staff member, pm me, and I'll see what's going on and what is right thing to do. other things: well, now with foxy gone, I'm only one in PR department now, and for starters, first project is Band of Bronies show that Everypony.com is doing together with FOB Equestria (on Everypony Radio, every Saturday, 11am East Coast USA Standard Time). Also, as you could see, affiliations have been taken care off (credits to Mike for implementing them into site) and affiliations to our site button has been made (credits to Fluttershy for making it). PR plans: working more on BoB show, bringing new people in, famous bronies (and hopefully eventually mlp:fim staff), and on something that I'm keeping secret for now since I don't know if it'll be realized. I'll notify ep on time if it'll be happening. members involvement: of course you can be involved, every help and enthusiasm helps. example: chocolatechip showed interest in being part of BoB show, we've talked about it, interviewed him in voice chat, and he's in. He's got what we need for show, and he's in. Lesson from example: you don't need to be staff if you want to do something for the site. all it takes is little interest and good will. We're always up for new ideas and little help.
Normally I would avoid this, but I'm going to drop 2 cents and go. Everypony is becoming a sinking ship. Our staff is thinning, our users are becoming restless, and morale is dropping. Can it be saved? Probably. Rally what staff is left and get it back to a functioning team. Get some fresh people in, help them out, expand coverage, get back to running this place efficiently. Grey Knightmare is right, Democracy will not work, nothing will get done. BUT, giving one person the finally say can be risky. Obviously, the person has to be stern but also has to take in community input. The people should still have a voice in important decisions. But just get someone in charge who knows what to do and how to do it. Lastly, regular members, Yeti is also right, get involved. Try to help out. Suggest new ideas. Just don't rely on the staff to keep this site moving. This forum needs both the staff and community to work together on this. I know, being a junior member and acting like I know what to do probably isn't going to hold up very well in the long run. In fact, everything I just said was probably already either said,done,or wrong. Just felt like adding my say.
First of all, this is good input, exactly the sort of thing the staff needs. A clear honest opinion which makes your point without being insulting or suck-up-ish. Secondly, the 'junior member' thing isn't an issue. Everyone's opinion is important, no matter what anyone says. Don't let being new or inexperienced hold you back, it's you guys that need to get your voice heard, exactly what Yeti was saying. Good on you for saying what you felt.
Just on this point, since I'm in line to vote right now, this has not been a true democracy. It has been a representative 'government'. Not even a true one at that, since the staff representing the users on decisions were not elected - they were selected by those already on staff. I'm not going to name what people call that if we are using government terms. This is NOT an argument for or against anything, just stating what it actually was and is. I hope those in power are benevolent with it. Sent from my EVO 4G Shift using Tapatalk 2
I chose neutral, heading neutral. Right now, things are good and things are bad. With some staff gone, it leaves open a possibilty. Either the site will begin to slowly head uphill again, or it will crash and burn into the pits of bad maintainment. It all depends on the new staff which will come up now I suppose.
Exactly. All the "Junior/Senior Member" thing determines is how little of a life you have to post so much on here. *Looks at my own post count* Well crap.
I think that you 3 admins and the rest of the staff should be more than capable to run the site well. As long as you split the duties among you (and don't pile it all onto one person), it should be fine.
This thread isn't old at all, lol. I'm not choosing anything because I don't think the site is really headed in any direction at all. As long as I've been here there's been all these paranoid theories about the site getting dumped and speeches about improvement, but to be honest I don't think it's changed that much at all, other than in appearance and the names of the members of the site. Of course, a few things are different, such as community posts, I don't think they had those when I joined. But I just don't think it's moving in any particular direction. It just...is. I guess that's all I've got to say. I'd rather stay out of the "this staff did this, the staff is horrible" debate.
