The Players Corner Archive

1. People that don't play Gemstone Moderating. Very questionable in my opinion. Yes, they have their opinions...hopefully I'm not seeing things but at the top of my screen it says Welcome To The Gemstone III Player's Corner. Does that involve Moderators who don't play anymore? IMO: No. To all those that don't play...don't take this harshly...it's just something I feel strongly about. If you're not involved in something...do you really think you have the right to make a statement about it? Ex. People that don't vote complaining about how poorly the President/Senate/House decisions are regarding our country. Uhm...they have no right to argue...and you learn this in your first Government class in either high-school or college...even debate for that matter.

2. The current setup of the boards. While I know you're going to hate me for this one Buckwheet...I have to state my opinion...as these are opinion-minded boards. I've already stated exactly how thankful that these boards are here in the passed. I read 3 other message boards (only 1 pertains to RPG's)...and there's a few features on these boards that are great. One of them is the use of Avatars. An avatar can be placed under your name. It's like an icon, basically. Mine on 3 other boards is Flick from "A Bug's Life". It gives each post a little more meaning. Another option on these boards is the ability to change the caption under the poster's name after a certain amount of posts is made. I know that the ability to move from member to rep. is available...however the ability to know that when you reach say...300 posts..._you_ can decide what the caption under your name reads. On the boards I post on that encourages posting from current members...more posts...bring more and more posters. Another idea is the idea of a chatroom (although I'm not quite sure about how the setup is run for this). I've read a message board that has a chatroom client setup for everyone that is reading the boards to read. Another idea...see who's logged in, etc. etc. There's a lot of things from other message boards that I would love to bring across in a way that would not downsize the amount of gratitude I have for your setting up these boards. It's really hard for me to try and explain ideas...w/o trying to russle any feathers.

3. The amount of active topics is dwindling. More and more people would post, of course, if there were new topics in nearly all of the folders at all times. As I saw when I first logged in, I believe there's enough readers everyday to keep topics in each folder moving for most of the day.

4. (Fergot something)-If time permits...perhaps a revamping of the mods? Some folders just have absolutely no traffic.

I'm trying to make suggestions for the good of the entire boards. I love them...and would love for them to stay alive.

Those are my only suggestions/wonders/questions/concerns/inquisitions, etc.

Questions:

Are the boards linked to many other frequented websites? (I'm not very positive on this one...as I'm sure you have been linked to several)

These boards are running on your whee.org server right? If so...I understand why my suggestions in #3 would not work.

Again...

The setting up of these boards have helped a lot of people express feelings that they simply can't do on the official boards. And having GM's come in and post on these boards is simply fantastic.

I appreciate all you've done Buckwheet.

As well as you Kranar.

Now if my Mod app would go through! HeeHee!

(JLOM awaits the beheading in Town Square)

[This message has been edited by JustLilOlMe (edited 08-29-2001).]

[This message has been edited by JustLilOlMe (edited 08-29-2001).] reg

R
reg

quote:

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Originally posted by Desharei:
How do you know which moderators don't play anymore? How do you know if any of them don't play anymore? And what about those who played and got locked out recently? Does this mean they are no longer eligible to moderate?

R

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Geez Roberta...bite my head off

(I knew it was coming)

No...I know who isn't playing anymore...and yes...this was my opinion. I'm sorry if it hurt your feelings...obviously it did

I'll take back my post. Maybe this isn't a place for opinions as I thought it was.
reg

JLOM,

I think that you have some good ideas, and I encourage you to continue sharing them with the community. I think that you will find that the community is very tolerant of different ideas.

Of course, different ideas can sometimes ruffle feathers, but take heart and stand fast. People here have good intentions.

I must offer a different viewpoint to yours that a moderator must also be a current playing member. And my reason is thus - I think that the job of a moderator is to make visitors feel welcomed. It is the moderator's job to be a host, and to make visitors feel like a guest. I may not know the answers to a particular issue, but as a moderator, it is my job and duty to encourage someone who does know to help out with the answer. As a moderator, I may not agree with your opinion, but as a moderator, I am duty-bound to protect your rights when you post so that you can feel safe when you are posting. In this respect, I do not feel that a moderator needs to be a current playing member in order to be effective on the boards. I think that the qualities that makes one a good moderator would outweigh the issue if that moderator is playing the game or not.

We welcome and encourage you to continue posting as you have good ideas, and we would like to continue having your presence on these boards because you are a part of this community.

Gandmor
::Oh yes, I will bring the bandages::
reg

quote:

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Originally posted by Gandmor:
::Gandmor prepares his ambulance::
::Gandmor makes sure that your Medi-Care card is up to date::

JLOM,

I think that you have some good ideas, and I encourage you to continue sharing them with the community. I think that you will find that the community is very tolerant of different ideas.

Of course, different ideas can sometimes ruffle feathers, but take heart and stand fast. People here have good intentions.

I must offer a different viewpoint to yours that a moderator must also be a current playing member. And my reason is thus - I think that the job of a moderator is to make visitors feel welcomed. It is the moderator's job to be a host, and to make visitors feel like a guest. I may not know the answers to a particular issue, but as a moderator, it is my job and duty to encourage someone who does know to help out with the answer. As a moderator, I may not agree with your opinion, but as a moderator, I am duty-bound to protect your rights when you post so that you can feel safe when you are posting. In this respect, I do not feel that a moderator needs to be a current playing member in order to be effective on the boards. I think that the qualities that makes one a good moderator would outweigh the issue if that moderator is playing the game or not.

We welcome and encourage you to continue posting as you have good ideas, and we would like to continue having your presence on these boards because you are a part of this community.

Gandmor
::Oh yes, I will bring the bandages::

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It's been relatively light so far...only two people responding
reg

Sounds like there is a lot of whipping going on around these parts, but I think they only use wet noodles.

Gandmor reg

I was asking sincere questions, because saying "I don't like this" with some sort of "Here's how it could work instead" is more producive than if it's missing that last part

That's all.
reg

In regards to number two, the moderators have discussed diferent additions to the board off and on since we started. Some stuff we felt was worth it, others not worth the hassle or too buggy/ hard to implement.

In fact , we just recently discussed the chat issue. If alot of posters feel they would like something, then I'm sure Buck will seriously consider it.

Ill skip three and go directly to four for a moment:

I don't know what you mean really by revamping the mods. We have a good group here right now. We also have a pretty small group. Truthfully, we barely have enough staff to keep our heads above water as it is. You can glance down and see a bunch of holes in the moderator spots on a great many topics. And even some that are listed either are gone temperarily for different reasons, or gone for a while with little or no sign of returning.

This really doesn't put us in a position for any major moderator changes, except the bringing of more volunteers aboard. We have also become a tad more strict on the admissions , and are taking a bit more time with our decisions than normal (Not that we really have that luxury, but definately more so than when we first started out).

which brings us back to number three:
this sounds good in theory. just put more topics out there. a good idea.
how exactly to do that is a diferent story.
If nothing is really happening in gemstone, its pretty hard to post in news or events and invasions.

the topics are very much game dependant. its true, the moderators might be able to dig up something if they spend alot of time on it, but even then its kinda hard.

I think we have done a good job so far with bringing up new topics (and even adding a new section thanks to summers wonderful idea).

With the staff we have right now, i really dont think its feasible to have an active topic in each and every folder, or even the majority of folders, every single day.

Number of posters isn't the problem, number of availibe topics and moderators is...

'lood
reg

quote:

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Originally posted by kelood:
As for number one, i really don't think its relevant unless they are moderating a current events type folder. For example, Colbrand moderated the rogue folder at the-spot very well for a long time after he quit GS.

In regards to number two, the moderators have discussed diferent additions to the board off and on since we started. Some stuff we felt was worth it, others not worth the hassle or too buggy/ hard to implement.

In fact , we just recently discussed the chat issue. If alot of posters feel they would like something, then I'm sure Buck will seriously consider it.

Ill skip three and go directly to four for a moment:

I don't know what you mean really by revamping the mods. We have a good group here right now. We also have a pretty small group. Truthfully, we barely have enough staff to keep our heads above water as it is. You can glance down and see a bunch of holes in the moderator spots on a great many topics. And even some that are listed either are gone temperarily for different reasons, or gone for a while with little or no sign of returning.

This really doesn't put us in a position for any major moderator changes, except the bringing of more volunteers aboard. We have also become a tad more strict on the admissions , and are taking a bit more time with our decisions than normal (Not that we really have that luxury, but definately more so than when we first started out).

which brings us back to number three:
this sounds good in theory. just put more topics out there. a good idea.
how exactly to do that is a diferent story.
If nothing is really happening in gemstone, its pretty hard to post in news or events and invasions.

the topics are very much game dependant. its true, the moderators might be able to dig up something if they spend alot of time on it, but even then its kinda hard.

I think we have done a good job so far with bringing up new topics (and even adding a new section thanks to summers wonderful idea).

With the staff we have right now, i really dont think its feasible to have an active topic in each and every folder, or even the majority of folders, every single day.

Number of posters isn't the problem, number of availibe topics and moderators is...

'lood

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Well then go over my mod application again...and we'll work from there

I respect your opinion very much kelood. When I mean revamping the mods I meant removing mods in places where they are no longer active. Yes...current events I believe should be modded by characters that only play. Concerns should be as well, IMO. But that's my opinion.

Sorry Roberta...sometimes I'm not sure whether your posts are harsh or not. They're so hmm...I don't know if obtuse is the right word...it's just hard to figure out where you're going...aggressor/defense/victim (Highly likely on the victim)

I know pretty much every mod here...or have over the years. Not well...but I know the characters, etc.

I guess the idea was a rash one...but I thought I'd bring it up.

Sorry everyone. reg

On one point, about the inactive topics, I must say that it is very difficult to find subjects for posting about in some areas.

As you probably noticed, I moderate the Solhaven folder... It is very dead there, and that is mostly from a lack of population within that town. However, I have grown so tired of it being empty that as soon as I get back in the game (tomorrow! ) I planned on taking a trip straight to Solhaven and finding anything possible. Hell, I may even put down the kinds of items for sale in the town shops and their prices, if that is all I can find. Once I get back into the flow of GS I will surely find some time to write a short essay on life in Solhaven and its major features and hutning places, though I cannae survive most of them.

All I can ask for is some help with info for my Solhaven folder. Not many people care about what goes on in Solhaven, though I hope to be able to bring that folder into the ring as soon as I can.

------------------
Caels Onae'Rae
AIM : Caels OnaeRae
MSN : Caels_Onaerae@hotmail.com
ICQ : 91446467
Yahoo!: caels_onaerae reg

For example, someone started a thread about favorite invasions. You could start a topic about what components make an invasion a favorite one. You could critique some of the current invasions based on the list of components the community came up with.

A new rogue guild was just opened this week in Solhaven that is raising quite a stir on the official boards in both the Solhaven and Rogue folders.

You could pose some topics that speculate about the upcoming expansion of the Elven Nations. How will non-elves be received? Talk about all those character histories that will now have the opportunity to actually be fulfilled.

Breakage and a self-cast world of magic is nearly upon us. What are everyone's plans to adapt to this?

There's lots of subjects to talk about without waiting for something to happen in Gemstone to give us something to talk about.

~Sayrena
reg

quote:

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Originally posted by Caels:
Well, your constructive criticism is greatly appreciated, and we always look for ways to improve these boards.

On one point, about the inactive topics, I must say that it is very difficult to find subjects for posting about in some areas.

As you probably noticed, I moderate the Solhaven folder... It is very dead there, and that is mostly from a lack of population within that town. However, I have grown so tired of it being empty that as soon as I get back in the game (tomorrow! ) I planned on taking a trip straight to Solhaven and finding anything possible. Hell, I may even put down the kinds of items for sale in the town shops and their prices, if that is all I can find. Once I get back into the flow of GS I will surely find some time to write a short essay on life in Solhaven and its major features and hutning places, though I cannae survive most of them.

All I can ask for is some help with info for my Solhaven folder. Not many people care about what goes on in Solhaven, though I hope to be able to bring that folder into the ring as soon as I can.

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I'll help ya Caels.

I'll IM you here in a bit.
reg

Our policy is that once the application is filled we post it in the moderator folder and we give it a thumbs up or state our reasons for why there may be a conflict.

It used to be simply 2 days and you're a moderator, now we're being a little more picky due to SEVERAL reasons, one of them being that we are MUCH bigger than we used to be.

Your suggestions are great, I like the icon idea but we'll have to see how to go about finding icons and implementing them.

We have a Gemstone Consensus Folder (vote on different issues) in the plans and are discussing having a Player's Corner chat room. The icon idea seems pretty nifty.

Give it another week for a final decision to be made about your application. New ideas to make this place more comfortable and neat are always welcome.

Thanks.

- Lord Kranar, human Archwizard reg

quote:

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These boards are running on your whee.org server right? If so...I understand why my suggestions in #3 would not work.

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Nope. I built one just for this task.

And...

Pinging whee.org [209.98.30.211] with 32 bytes of data:

Pinging gsplayers.com [207.195.220.19] with 32 bytes of data:

Different pipes, different everything.

But things are going to take LOTS of time to change. I just went back to school, working about 35 hours a week and taking 14 credits is going to be hard. I don't know how much server maitenence I will be doing.

Hope that helps.

Buckwheet

PS. Money is also an issue for some ideas. Even though this is a Unix box some of the software does require money to get chat rooms etc. reg

quote:

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Originally posted by Buckwheet:
Nope. I built one just for this task.

And...

Pinging whee.org [209.98.30.211] with 32 bytes of data:

Pinging gsplayers.com [207.195.220.19] with 32 bytes of data:

Different pipes, different everything.

But things are going to take LOTS of time to change. I just went back to school, working about 35 hours a week and taking 14 credits is going to be hard. I don't know how much server maitenence I will be doing.

Hope that helps.

Buckwheet

PS. Money is also an issue for some ideas. Even though this is a Unix box some of the software does require money to get chat rooms etc.

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Lemme know if you need help with anything.

I can definitely lend a hand in some of those areas.
reg

quote:

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Originally posted by LordKranar:
On the issue of moderator applications, we look over every single one.

Our policy is that once the application is filled we post it in the moderator folder and we give it a thumbs up or state our reasons for why there may be a conflict.

It used to be simply 2 days and you're a moderator, now we're being a little more picky due to SEVERAL reasons, one of them being that we are MUCH bigger than we used to be.

Your suggestions are great, I like the icon idea but we'll have to see how to go about finding icons and implementing them.

We have a Gemstone Consensus Folder (vote on different issues) in the plans and are discussing having a Player's Corner chat room. The icon idea seems pretty nifty.

Give it another week for a final decision to be made about your application. New ideas to make this place more comfortable and neat are always welcome.

Thanks.

- Lord Kranar, human Archwizard

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Sorry for the impatience Kranar.

I just get thoughts buzzing through my head and I really feel like I want to help out.

reg

I used to go to a BB that had Avatars and all that and what I noticed is that it left out people with less than optimized systems because the images cause slow page loading, which is fine if we're talking a few seconds but it often went to minutes. I like the idea of picking your title (moderated of course, nothing too outraegeous) a lot.

I remember a time when people responded to posts in out of the way topics. I think if you look there are three or four dangling questions in the profession and town folders, which weren't noticed by the moderator of the topic, all the other moderators, and the administrator as well as all of the other registered posters. If you want to see that kind of action, then you yourself need to wander into those other folders besides your favorite topics and think of some kind of response. Hopefully one that raises more questions than it answers, if you want others to follow suit.

BTW Desharei, you announced that you don't play anymore although maybe that wasn't here, I'm sure I'm not the only one who reads more than one board. It only matters in the knowing when it comes out in the attitudes and tones of the post.

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He who laughs last, didn't get the joke. reg

Maybe in a clarified sense.

The people that no longer play...that's great. I respect the fact that you don't play. The post about the people that are still modding turning against us? Very unlikely. Although...you're one of the very very very few Theonic that's agreed with me on any topic!

My original points were this:

(No need to go over the suggestions again)

I'm not clearly sure on the actual goal of these boards. You _do_ want it to grow, I have no doubt. You _do_ want GM responses. You _do_ want it to be fair. You _do_ want it to be a place where everyone can state opinions that they would not be able to state on the regular boards (in most cases). I'm 90% sure those are at least some of your goals. Of course...you can direct me in another direction if they aren't.

The jist of my topic was to explain that I _do_ feel that some of the people that mod here are very good people. Very _opinionated_ people in that sense as well, which is great. Very _articulate_ people as well. My only concern is whether or not everyone finds that these boards should be modded by people that don't play anymore.

I've stated my opinion whole-heartedly in the above post that I made that I _do not_ believe that it is the right thing.

Ex. (This is purely hypothetical) I quit. I make a public statement claiming how much I hate Simu, screw GS, screw the GM's, screw David Whatley, screw Andraste, yadayada, whatever else whining stuff I can come up with. I've been modding on the boards here for a while...and when I quit I decide to continue modding. Now...say I have a problem with Andraste (Again hypothetical). I come to the boards here and blast her/flame her, etc. Now...that hasn't happened with any mod as of yet, and I doubt it will. But I've seen it work with mods vs. other posters. They come in and just decide they don't like posters so they basically decide when that person can/cannot throw an argument. (I don't know if the example is good enough...it was a quick thought, sorry)

Again.

Roberta/'lood/Buckwheet/Kranar/etc.

As I continue to do in every post...I will express my gratitude for the work here. Sometimes in my posts I could write a 30 mile long paper about my gratitude yet someone still chops my head off.

(I'll think of more rambling in a bit)

JLOM awaits the guillotine. reg

I haven't quit Gemstone.. am I more qualified to be a member/moderator because I have an account? Gads, NO! Desharei has more knowledge about the history of Gemstone than I could ever hope to have. I have learned a great deal from her posts, as well as the majority of other posts here.

I think of it like playing a rogue for 2 years, and then deciding that you would like to try a wizard. Do you forget all that you knew as a rogue, just because now you're a wizard?

Summer reg

quote:

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Originally posted by Summerlyn:
Maybe I'm just different, or that I don't know many people here, but I don't judge a person's post, or opinion on what they are currently involved in. I tend to look at how much experience and knowledge they have on the issue.

I haven't quit Gemstone.. am I more qualified to be a member/moderator because I have an account? Gads, NO! Desharei has more knowledge about the history of Gemstone than I could ever hope to have. I have learned a great deal from her posts, as well as the majority of other posts here.

I think of it like playing a rogue for 2 years, and then deciding that you would like to try a wizard. Do you forget all that you knew as a rogue, just because now you're a wizard?

Summer

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Summer...you know...I actually believe that post. And I don't feel very badly about pulling back a little bit on the post I made.

You're right.

The mods that _are_ here do know quite a bit.

And yes, Roberta knows a lot.

Man...Summer...every argument I make...please make a post! <laugh> I'm probably making a stupid point. reg

Not at all, JustLilOleMe.. I agree with many of your posts. We just had a little difference of opinion on this one. That's what makes this place so darn interesting!

Summer reg

quote:

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Originally posted by Summerlyn:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by JustLilOlMe:
[b] I'm probably making a stupid point.

Not at all, JustLilOleMe.. I agree with many of your posts. We just had a little difference of opinion on this one. That's what makes this place so darn interesting!

Summer[/B]

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Wish everyone would put it as nicely as you :P

reg

Lord Deprav
I will reply later when I am not as bothered. reg

For me, I don't care whether mods play or not as long as they are knowledgable, and have a positive attitude about GS. It's also nice when their information is up to date, so they're not telling young sorcerers to overtrain in their spell circle for higher CS, because now that doesn't make nearly the difference it used to.

GM's get criticized no matter what they do, it's similar for mods, and anyone else who is in a position of power. Like Monday morning Quarterbacking, and other things we only get to witness and critique the end result and therefore it's easy to say we should have switched to a running game instead of sticking with passing.

Please don't get upset, I'm not bringing football or sorcerers into this, just using them as an illustration.

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He who laughs last, didn't get the joke. reg

quote:

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Originally posted by Lord Deprav:
Well in my view, I may not play the game anymore but I think my knowledge about gemstones is great. If I feel I could not answer questions that needed to be I would quit just because it is unfair. Also its a little more than just gemstone info. We try to keep conversations on topic, keep them flowing, and editing where we can and need to. Maybe I do not know every single thing about rogues, but I have had two different rogues, trained very different, role played very different in the past 6 or so years. My other topic is a dueling folder which I was a dueler when I use to be in game. I know basically how it works and what it is about. Which besides the point as a moderator I should also be enjoying these boards to learn about others too. I use to enjoy the game, so I try to keep in touch with it just a tad. I also do not feel you have the right to criticize any moderators unless they are not doing there jobs. I can only think of one other moderator that does not play gemstones and I will not name them because they perhaps do want to keep it a secret. But in reality you should not criticize whether I should be a moderator or not unless I am not doing my job. Also do not bring politics into this, because anyone who wants to be can be a polictically involved. Just so you know I am offended by your first post.

Lord Deprav
I will reply later when I am not as bothered.

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Deprav...

1st. That's my opinion. This is your's

2nd. Respect my opinion...as I know is the main idea for these boards.

3rd. Politics is a correct example. You have _absolutely_ no right to criticize the way politicians are if you don't vote. That's just a simplicity that's gone throughout government teachers' lectures in the years past.

4th. I was trying to allude to this fact (Which I will state as boldly as I can): It seems as if the mods (in my opinion once again) that have the most negative replies, most negative reactions, negative attidues (on the whole), don't play GS. Yes, there are several mods that do _still_ play GS. However, when a mod that doesn't play GS is pulling posts, claiming how much dominance they had in the game, pointing out something is wrong, etc. etc. it's a problem to me. I will not name names...however when it comes down to it...several mods have a tyrannical approach (again, my opinion).

I think that the point was made in my earlier posts and I'm sorry that I angered so many of you.

Summary: My opinion/Your opinion. reg

quote:

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Originally posted by JustLilOlMe:
4th. I was trying to allude to this fact (Which I will state as boldly as I can): It seems as if the mods (in my opinion once again) that have the most negative replies, most negative reactions, negative attidues (on the whole), don't play GS. Yes, there are several mods that do _still_ play GS. However, when a mod that doesn't play GS is pulling posts, claiming how much dominance they had in the game, pointing out something is wrong, etc. etc. it's a problem to me. I will not name names...however when it comes down to it...several mods have a tyrannical approach (again, my opinion).

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For once... I agree.

NOI reg