Community Discussion #1: January 12 2013
Part 3 of 3
Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3
XinonHyena: Lollerskates is now a word that'll be added int he Xinon internet-vocabulary
Mellute: My biggest pet peeve is the uncapitalized pronoun I.
Copper_Dragon: And that's why we need to re-read what we write. Be our own editors!
PenGryphon2007: 
fallensiner: Of Course in rps when your typing out a good paragraph or so, there should be little to no errors in it. But sometimes we do have hiccups. But hey isn't that what spell check is for?
Earendill: What about non-native english speakers who are forced to use english as a medium if they want to expand their RP community choices?
Mellute: Fallen, I am guilty of that sometimes too. Very humorous sentences are created when I can't type as fast as I think and words are skipped in the middle of a sentence.
Spy: If the character's personality is in line with doing disrespectful things IC, then fine. But yes, I feel like it should be common sense to understand that "The other people present are real people, and not NPC's in a vide game. My actions are not the end all be all."
Tailbone: I'm just skeptical you can really separate that silent bubble of immortality from the way your characters behave. I don't think I'd be able to feel the same grip of terror they might and convey it as well if a part of me really knew they'd be okay.
Lorvilran: I don't use spell checker.
The_Ross: Consider this: in pretty much every story anyone's ever written, we understand implicitly that the protagonists will not die even before we start reading, yet we become no less invested in the characters for that. That's because the writers have created genuinely interesting characters.
fallensiner: to Mellute: yeah we do have that when are brains think faster then our hands can type and we end up getting a very silly situation when it comes to my characters. Trust me im guilty as well.
PenGryphon2007: Ross, I now have the urge to break that rule.
The_Ross: Not that there aren't stories where the main characters die. I'm speaking in generalities.
Copper_Dragon: To Ulrin's/Earendill's point, I unfortunately am rather tainted by the non-native-English speakers I know. You guys write it so darn well, I sometimes forget that it probably wasn't your first language!
Kim: Ross, that is an AMAZING point.
Earendill: Ross, you should read Game of Thrones then 
Nero: I consistently enjoy RPing with non-native English speakers. It's handy to know up front that's going on, but not required.
Rubix: Ross you haven't read the Dresden books then.
Nuclear_Dingoz: Uh yes Game of Thrones "You like this character... sorry"
The_Ross: See above. We've all read stories where the authors kill off the main characters.
Nuclear_Dingoz: "DEAD NOW"
Earendill: Though, to be honest, those books are an exceptional exception to a rule.
Mellute: Its an awful feeling.
Lorvilran: Or generally amazing ones.
Kim: Actually, writing quality and its effect on player immersion is our topic of conversation for next Saturday. 
We will definitely delve into it in depth then.
Let me tweak the discussion one more time:
Is there a situation or a point at which it is acceptable for an experienced player to decide they no longer want to help people?
Tailbone: Ahh, but you're missing a fine distinction here!
Zeronight: I haven't read/watched game of thrones. I don't have cable.
PenGryphon2007: I've stopped picking favorites in anything now...because my favorites generally die.
Lorvilran: If the people don't want to actually learn.
Earendill: Why would you ever stop helping people?
The_Ross: Point being, in most of those stories, the authors often fail to get us to care about their characters in the first place, so there's no meaning.
XinonHyena: What Lor says
Rubix: Kim. Acceptable no. But does it happen, yes.
Earendill: That's like giving up on what makes life so great and bearable! The community!
XinonHyena: Or if they begin getting rude or meanspirited
Kim: I don't know Earendill... Why would you? 
XinonHyena: Perhaps it's not acceptable but we're all only human in the end, we've got limits to what we can tolerate
Kim: Why do you think it happens, Rubix?
Earendill: Kim: I've been known to be stubborn to infinity when it comes to helping someone
Spy: Everyone should get a first, second, and potentially third chance, depending on whether or not they're actualy trying. But yes, I would say there's a point at which it's acceptable to stop trying to help someone who simply won't be helped.
Kim: Xinon: Should we allow for some forgiveness of human failings, and build that into our expectations?
Tailbone: In a piece of writing crafted by a single individual with major players we know they're unlikely to die because this is their story being told. In roleplay we are many narrators with many characters and no single "main characters". There are many plots and many stories crossing one another, so "assuming" they won't die in their story as it's being developed and explored in sessions rather than planned out like a book, you're overlooking a key element of roleplay itself.
Zeronight: Earendill, you act like a moderator.
Spy: Not for those that are trying to learn and simply aren't getting it right, though.
Tailbone: The element of surprise and unforeseen development.
Copper_Dragon:
Kim wrote:
Is there a situation or a point at which it is acceptable for an experienced player to decide they no longer want to help people?
As Lorvilran said, when people don't want to learn from you, and when you are burned out on teaching them. Yes, people can be burned out on helping others in this regard.
Unfortunately there are times when someone simply does not want to drink in what they're being told and taught, and as hard as it is to swallow, you as the teacher need to learn to move on. It ISN'T an experienced person's responsibility to burn themselves out as if they have Good Samaritan Syndrome.
Rubix: People have feelings, sometimes you get burned. And if you get burned over and over and over again you're going to shut down and while it's still your responsibility you also have the responsibility to protect yourself.
The_Ross: A person decides for themselves what is acceptable. I'll help anyone I can, who asks, to the best of my ability, such as it is.
Nero: There will always be people who do not want to help others, but that doesn't make it acceptable especially in a community like this. Even if the "help" offered is as simple as directing them toward someone who does like to help, or even just informing them that they should seek help on a particular subject, that would be enough. It is acceptable to discontinue helping specific individuals if they prove unwilling and/or unable to be helped.
Kim: That's great, Earendill! Do you have some sense of what drives you to do that?
Earendill: You shouldn't feel the need to 'stop helping', but rather admit that if it isn't working, you might just not be capable of helping that person. That doesn't mean no one else might, and you might refer people to others willing to help!
The_Ross: Once again, we don't need the threat of death to create that feeling of suspense. There are more interesting methods.
Lorvilran: Oh I find it perfectly acceeptable for those reasons Xinon. There comes a point wheeree they're obviously trying to hurt you in some way.
Copper_Dragon: I believe we might be done with the death subject for now, Ross.
Kim: Nero: I like your point that sometimes helping is just directing someone to someone else. It's true that different people have different skillsets, and teaching is not innate to everyone and maybe shouldn't be expected of everyone. But perhaps caring about the vitality of their community *is* something that can be expected of a community member.
Earendill: Kim: I'm not sure. I just don't like giving up on someone or something just because there doesn't seem to be an end to it.
XinonHyena:
Kim wrote:
Xinon: Should we allow for some forgiveness of human failings, and build that into our expectations?
We should, but there comes a point where enough is enough. When people just keep doing the wrong things to the point where you can realistically start considering they're just pulling your leg.
The_Ross: Yes, you might say it's been done to death.
Mellute: I think sometimes experienced players would need to back off. Let the RPer breath and figure out somethings on their own. They will stumble a couple of times while they are trying to fit into their own style, but if everyone coddles them, well how can they find themselves?
The_Ross: I'm here all week.
Earendill: Zeronight: Well, I'm not a moderator, I assure you!
Kim: *hat sting for Ross*
The_Ross: Permanently in your debt
Zeronight: I know, but you certainly act like one.
PenGryphon2007: Mellute has a very good point!
Rubix: Point to Mellute!
XinonHyena: Mellute said it well
Kim: Mellute: That's a great idea. Do you think there's a good rule of thumb for the ratio of how much helping versus how much just letting it happen experienced players should do?
Spy: Oh, I'd never push my help on anyone. I know from personal experience how annoying it is to be learning your way around and have someone trying to shove their self-righteous "help" down your throat. But I'm always happy to help if asked.
Mellute: I got thrown into the wolves my first time RPing, I don't suggest doing that to friends or others, but I learned alot by making my own choices base on my own ideals.
The_Ross: We can give advice. Grammar, spelling. Showing instead of telling. The basics.
Kim: Spy: Do you think it's okay to offer help? Or do you not say anything at all until asked?
PenGryphon2007: Writing is all about experience. Sometimes you have to make mistakes before you learn how NOT to do it. I know when I wrote my first novel, I had to make all the mistakes before I could improve.
Tailbone: Showing vs. telling is huuuge, yes.
Spy: Offering is another thing entirely.
Earendill: Kim: On the same note, that's why I feel that it's very important for there to be a reliable community. Even if you can't help someone, or no longer feel compelled to help because so far your attempts are failing, you won't be alone! They might even inspire you. Don't do it for yourself, or the person you're helping! Do it for the community and RP as a whole!
Mellute: Yes. I think being supportive is the way to help. If they do fall they know someone will forgive them for a silly blunder.
Rynh: Sorry, been afk... again. Was teaching my brother to shave. He's turning into a little man.
fallensiner: Whoot Mellute is completly right, sometimes more experienced rpers scare of newebies and they dont want to come back. Or they feel overwhelmed and dont think they can match up. i remeber when I first started to rp,i used the quotation and star form and hand only a sentance. But seeing the ones that dished out four paragraphs in a post scared me off for awhile. but i had other tell me how I should rp. But at the same time everyone has to learn on their own. so in general support is good. So long as they dont get to needy and well want everything to be done for them.
XinonHyena: I had to figure out shaving on mah owns
Zeronight: Say, Kim? Is there a specific time this is supposed to end?
fallensiner: And awws to you Rynh, i hope he didn't get too many nicks and cuts.
Nero: I like to offer to help people when I discover that they are new. I do always offer it in such a way that they are clear it is available, but not required. If someone continues to stumble for a while, then I will begin to recommend they take me up on my offer of assistance.
Rynh: I'm an expert on shaving. He learned from the master.
Copper_Dragon: Bathroom break! I'll be back in a few!
Earendill: Then again, a community can be quite overwhelming. People might feel like outsiders to this tight group of people, even if it's a large accepting group! After all, being new can always be intimidating to a lot of people.
Mellute: Should have handed him a women's razor and see the reaction to that lol
XinonHyena: It is intimidating, very intimidating
Kim: Zeronight: This was scheduled to go from 12 to 2 PST, so we have about 50 minutes left.
Rynh: He already gave me strange looks when I suggested he took a roll of TP with him.
Earendill: Ryng: With the amount of hair you can grow, I can believe that.
XinonHyena: The better the community the more intimidating because people will act to eachother as bro's, but not to you yet because you're new
Spy: Truth be told, I'm still uncomfortable in large RPs (those containing 6+ people generally, and five is pushing it depending on the circumstances).
Lorvilran: Especially when theey aren't really welcome. 
Mellute: I have to squeeze the lemon. Heehee I love that phase. Be right back!
PenGryphon2007: I must say that part of why I love this community as a whole is because people are willing to encourage you, even when you make mistakes. And instead of shunning you, they work with you to help you improve. Positive reinforcement works.
fallensiner: ^^ well thats good Rynh no cuts and no upsest irate little brother. and to ear, i felt like an outsider when i first came her. Xp it was like whoah a whole community to rp!!! O.O oh dear god a whole community to rp...what do i do? so yeah as long a its availible.
The_Ross: Now that I think about it, I realize I've never asked for, nor offered help. When I ask people to criticize my characters or writing, I feel like I'm fishing for compliments, as well as demanding free help. When I offer, I feel the reverse: like a pompous, presumptuous jerk. "So I noticed you're terrible, let me help you with that." I simply don't have the tact or subtlety for such things
Kim: Xinon: Do you think a community can truly be said to be "better" when it is so tight knit it can't weave in new people?
Earendill: And that's why you should be bros with everyone! Take that noobie aside and offer him a warm jug of mead and show them some real RP hospitality!
XinonHyena: Well no, I mean, if you as a new player join a new community it's more intimidating
Rubix: Ross, I've been there. I tend to try to nurture new rpers through roleplay and occasionally dropping them a line about "what do you think should happen next".
The_Ross: Good point, if we had a mead hall, everything would be way easier
Tailbone: I've been a pompous and presumptuous jerk for long years! It's all about the presentation and making sure they actually are open to advice first.
XinonHyena: A new community that is tight-knit, doesn't mean the community isn't also accepting
Kim: *makes a note. New feature: mead hall*
Earendill: Unless when they're underage. No mead for them!
Rynh: A friendly bunch of people can put that intimidation easily aside, really. It's just a matter of giving a chance to the new guy.
Spy: When a community is so tight knit it can't bring in new members, it's just signed it's own death sentence.
XinonHyena: What spy said
Zeronight: Mead hall...?
Earendill: Last thing we want is an underage drinking scandal in RPR.
fallensiner: help and advice anyway and postive reinforment and constructive and easy critisicm. So long as your trying to help out peeps. and yes hey knots can be unwound and new peeps can be intergrated. And awesome Ear, that is right help new rper into the community. and offer them many small rps aside to get them used to rping.
Rubix: Mead Hall might be necessary.
The_Ross: Non-alcoholic mead can be an option
Kim: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mead_hall
Sadrain: Wow, I missed a lot. xD
Spy: Welcome Back.
Rynh: Let them drink Fizzy Mead!
PenGryphon2007: We could have a non-hard Cider Hall.
Rubix: Done Kim, I made it out of legos for you! *proud!*
Earendill: What's really important there is that when someone new enters your community, but seems quiet, start the conversation! They might just be intimidated by the community.
Rubix: Pen.
fallensiner: lols, underage drinking scandal? 
but hey is that what sparkling cider is for?
Sadrain: Lemonade hallll. Ice tea hall. ICE CREAM HALL.
Rubix: Yes Erendill!
Tailbone: Aye! Always be welcoming, that's basic etiquette and big among the groups I frequent.
Rynh: We've got too many halls in here!
Sadrain: I am just suggestin'.
Earendill: I've seen it happen so many times. Someone enters a dream on Furc, just sits there quietly (probably waiting for someone to talk, so they know if they're disturbing anything), have nothing said to them and then leave forever.
XinonHyena: Aye, when someone new walks in I tend to try and say hello to them myself. Mostly because back when I joined the RP group that I eventually stuck to, people did it to me and it's the reason I stuck around
Kim: Thanks for making that point, Earendill. Let's expand on that.
What steps can a community make to make clear their expectations and the responsibilities of being a member of the community, while at the same time balancing the needs and fears of newcomers?
Minkja: Earendill: Me every time I go anywhere in Furc..
fallensiner: -nods- but hey pulling a newbie aside and making the feel welcomed is a major responsibility of experineced rper in rpr. To make sure other rpers dont feel akward. oh god. I quit Fur because absoluetly no body said hello. so i want to avoid it here. On furc i was afraid to bother anyone.
XinonHyena: Someone actually PMed a welcome to me, and I was the kind of person intimidated by the big group, it really felt good
XinonHyena: Spread them good feels
Loki: Hello everybody! Looks like the discussion is going great! 
PenGryphon2007: Oooh, that's a good idea, Xinon! To PM a welcome. That makes it personal.
Tailbone: A little comedy and friendly welcoming words included with the 'continuity guidelines' or 'rules' page goes a long way.
Spy: Honestly, an introduction/help page helps. A lot. Having something I can sit down and read at my own pace to learn about the comunity is a godsend.
Sadrain: Talking with them, giving some good opinion about their writing/characters, expressing interest about those things, generally being friendly. It doesn't harm an older member or his status, but helps new one.
Mellute: Threads that explain the basics and happy friendly people that can weave themselves throughout the community.
PenGryphon2007: I sort of just watched RPR for a few days when I first signed on, to get a feel for how it worked. Then through trial and error figured it out from there.
Spy: Rather than just tossing me into a brand new place with only other people to ask.
Earendill: Kim: What I've found helpful is when the community has a 'welcoming commitee'. A group of volonteers, much like the Beekins on Furc, who are on the lookout for newbies and always have "WELCOME!" ready for them.
Copper_Dragon: Whew, alright, I'm back!
Nero: I have frequently found that a new player forum/channel/whatever helps. The new players can say hello there and more experienced players can offer help to those who want it.
Rubix: Huh Kim, that's a great question. I'm afraid I really don't have a suggestion for a community as a whole but, individuals can help that. I think RPR does a great job of having places to welcome new members, the Just Talkin' chat is a great haven for meeting people, and I know personally I love to go talk to the new rpers on their Introduction Threads. Plus you have the fancy help guide for people. Sometimes no matter how many bread crumbs you drop, the birds just won't pick 'em up!
Loki: That's a good idea Earendill
Earendill: Of course, ideally the entire community should be this welcoming group! But not everyone is that socially adept.
Mellute: I read examples of posts around here. Chatting a a bit helped me talk to a few people and go from there.
Rynh: I find Earen's idea a good one. Back on Furc the Beekins made me feel right at home. It might be difficult to achieve, but in the end it does get results
Rubix: Oh I do like that Erendill! I'd totally hop on a committee like that!
Earendill: It helps if they're experienced community members, who can reply any and all questions! Or at least refer you to someone who can.
Sadrain: Welcome back!
And well, I think welcoming comitee makes it sound limited, everyone who has the time and interest, should say hi. Others coud feel left out/not so privileged and judged by activity if there was committee.
Rubix: I just butchered your name *Earendill.
fallensiner: hmm to help newcomers? well i think in general thread that let the newbies know that if they would like to rp just drop someone an pm. And estabilsh a seperate thread to list the rules, and general ettique of rping. Aslo as Rubix said to have a welcoming commite to let all the newbies know they are more then welcome and are loved. but at the same time a welcoming committee that drops an pm to let them know that everyone one is more then willing to help a newbie into the art of rp.
Mellute: Though how can we tell which newcomers are going to be actively involved? Or just pass through and leave as quickly as they got here?
Kim: Sadrian, that's an interesting point. It sounds like you think consistency is really important, that if there's a standard of welcoming it needs to be extended to everyone, and mistakes are costly.
Rubix: Fallensiner, I'm sure if there was a welcoming committee here on RPR all of those involved would be more than willing to help newbies get started into rp.
Kim: Mellute: Do you think that how they are welcomed could change the ratio of how many stay?
Spy: Does it matter? Whether they're here for five minutes, five hours, or five years, it's important to make them feel welcome. To return, if they do not stay.
The_Ross: The beekins were actually a terrible idea. Each time I made a new character, I received the equivalent of a form letter from somebody I knew didn't care whatsoever about me. The equivalent of a call-center representative. It actively turned me off from trying to get involved with the community, since it immediately gave the impression of an enormous, faceless conglomerate. Better for anyone who feels so inclined to genuinely, sincerely take the time to befriend new members.
Mellute: Well, yes. I know the friendly and personal replies I received made me want to stay.
Sadrain: Not all newbies need help with it, though. Some are just new to RPR, but not RP in general.
Well, I do like to make things even and sometimes, committees grow... I don't really know how to put it, I just think that committee sounds a bit too big for posting. It's like a fancy club that there isn't really need for. We all can be part of, so, why there must be "badges of commitee" for that?
Kim: I might also mention that people who don't stay still have mouths, and can influence whether other people join or keep away forever based on their short experiences.
Zeronight: If anybody here is interested fantasy role play, they're welcome to come to the new rp I made. After this is over or something.
Earendill: Darn it, I just DCed
Nero: A forum for New players would be a place where people could comment on their own level of newness. If they're experienced but just new to the RPR, they might say so and thus be welcomed. If they are entirely new, they might say so, and thus be welcomed with additional offers of assistance.
Mellute: True, true.
Kim: Sadrian: Maybe something less official than a "committee", but rather guidelines and suggestions available for everyone who deems themselves to have the time and interest to help new players?
fallensiner: hmm true Mellute, the way i can tell someone is just passing by is that they are a little less serious with the rp, or they respond and then dont respond again. But hey even if they leave we have tried to make them feel welcome. Some just cant get into it, though hey you can tell when someone is committed to staying.
XinonHyena: What Kim said is true
Loki: That's a cool idea Nero
Sadrain: Welcome back then, Earendill.
Thank you, Zero, if I wasn't involved in bunch, I might join, but I might lurk (and as I said, I tend to prefer one on ones).
Earendill: Sadrain: It doesn't have to be an actual commitee! Just community guidelines for being welcoming...what KIM JUST SAID
Earendill: And thank you!
Mellute: Hey Zero, you still posting in mine?
fallensiner: ditto to kims words.
Zeronight: I like the whole idea for the new discussion thing. And is that the into the fortress one, Mellute?
Sadrain: Well, I think we already have those, Earendill? General politeness and welcoming guidelines most people have in them? The people who actually bother with welcoming others. xD If there is thread "WELCOME THEM LIKE THIS"... xD Well, it sounds funny.
Kim: Nero: Do you suppose repurposing the "introductions" forum to "New players" and making it clear that any type of newness was welcome there would serve that purpose?
Mellute: Zero, yes.
Earendill: On that note: It's awesome how RPR has a place where people can introduce themselves. ON A FORUM. Less personal, less intimidating, but if enough people welcome you in it you can already feel right at home!
Zeronight: Discussion for the new role players.
Zeronight: It's a good idea.
fallensiner: lol to sadrian a thread like that would be funny. if you put it that way. hm i think both would be good introductions and new players.
Mellute: I like that idea.
Sadrain: Sometimes, when there aren't enough people, though, and someone else gets 10+ welcomes than you at the same time, it makes you feel less worthy, though.
Kim: Sadrian, maybe not "Welcome them like this," but perhaps "These are some thing that probably seem normal to you, but other people might not yet know!" would be helpful.
fallensiner: yeah it kinda does. But hey a friendly pm always makes you feel welcome.
Mellute: That way if we know who is totally fresh and new to rP we can stalk them and befriend them. Haha I am kidding.
Sadrain: So, that would be only thing I would add: try to post in the more empty welcome threads, the neglected ones, not just ones with lot of attention.
The_Ross: That's a result of perspective. We're assuming there's any kind of reasoning behind who gets welcomed.
Nero: Introductions suggests it is a place for people to say hello, and presumably say hello to each other. New players is the sort of thing someone who is new to the whole idea might gravitate to. It also frees up those who don't have time to mentor new players to not have to read the form just to see if new, experienced, people have arrived. There may be room for both forums.
Sadrain: Also, why everyone writes SadRIAN? If it's Sadrain. xD This is getting epidemic.
Earendill: Sadrain: Things like that are inevitable. How many replies you get are subject to how many people have the time and interest in doing such things. Don't you think that if at least one person answers, there's a first stepping stone into the community?
Kim: And yes, some threads getting more attention than others is really unfortunate. Sometimes it's obvious why -- one person spent a lot of time introducing themselves, and someone else wrote "Um hi" and that was all. It's easier to respond to someone who takes the time to tell about their interests or what they're looking for in a RP partner. I've often thought a 30 second video about what we want to know about you would be very helpful.
The_Ross: We're trolling you.
Kim: Sorry Sadrain! My brain has been auto-correcting me falsely!
XinonHyena: I think it depends on the time, it's a matter of chance, if you happen to make the thread when a lot of people are watching or not
Copper_Dragon:
Kim wrote:
I've often thought a 30 second video about what we want to know about you would be very helpful.
That might be a pretty good idea, actually!
Sadrain: Sometimes, it's not like that, though, Kim, and then you feel like, I wrote a lot about me, but it wasn't interesting? ):
That's why it was just my 2 cents, though.
And it's fine, just thought I would throw it out here, about my name. xD
Mellute: Ooh I like that idea! It would make things more welcoming and personal here!
Lorvilran: I have never made an introduction post. :p
XinonHyena: I'm personally someone who's bad at introductions :p
fallensiner: hey a 30 second vid sounds good. And hey inforamtive vids are good. and since were on that idea, a vid welcoming them to rpr would be good. Say an introduction of rpr and the quick ins and outs.
Earendill: Kim: I'm sure if you did the honors, a lot of people would follow you in it. YOU ARE OUR PARAGON!
Kim: Also, there's another reason why threads with 10 replies get more attention: Every single reply they get bumps them onto the "recent forum topics" list everyone sees, and if someone with friends posts a welcome, all their friends see that activity in notifications are immediately aware of that thread. Perhaps something to highlight intro posts with less replies would help to balance the natural propagation effect that having replies has.
Mellute: I reveal most about myself by talking with others. Thats why I get stuck at intros. I did it anyways though.
XinonHyena: Yeah
Tailbone: That's not a bad idea!
Nero: A 30 second video might be very handy. I have also noticed a great deal of success with a short primer at the top of a New Player forum. 10 (clearly optional) questions about how they got here and what their past experience is, and perhaps a check box for if they would appreciate some mild mannered mentoring.
Kim: Fallensiner: The idea was to have a video for each of the tutorial steps that new accounts are prompted to go through, so there'd be a welcome, a quick "here's how to make a character", a quick "here's what we want to know about you and how we want to help you", and finally a "here's where to find more help"
The_Ross: Whenever I reply to introductions (and I admit, I don't do it often) I try to pick at least half a dozen, and do so at random. Not saying everybody has to do it that way, but it could help
Rubix: Kim that would be a great idea for that forum specifically.
Sadrain: It sounds like a nice idea, Kim. I just personally felt it, when I first joined, and if not for some person, I might as well have sulked out quietly.
Rubix: Also I like the idea of the video.
Kim: That's a great idea, especially the checkbox!
fallensiner: hmm that would be good kim. though the general idea of a vid is a good idea. and the check box.
Kim: Sadrain, I am SO sorry your welcome wasn't as full throated as it should have been! I hope we are making it up somewhat after the fact.
Loki: I like that idea Nero
Mellute: Wait? Check box? I got lost somehow.
Kim: For those that missed what we're talking about:
Nero wrote:
A 30 second video might be very handy. I have also noticed a great deal of success with a short primer at the top of a New Player forum. 10 (clearly optional) questions about how they got here and what their past experience is, and perhaps a check box for if they would appreciate some mild mannered mentoring.
Earendill: Well, while we're at it! WELCOME TO EVERYONE I HAVEN'T WELCOMMED YET!
Nero: While we're on the subject of checkboxes, New Player forum could have a check box for "Is this your initial introduction post on this forum?" Which concerned citizens could then set to flag onto their notifications. That way anyone who wants to can be alerted(hopefully only once) when someone new pops up and is in need of saying hello to.
Mellute: Ah. Neat.
Rynh: THANK YOU
Rynh: I HOPE I WILL BE A GREAT MEMBER OF THIS COMMUNITY
Kim: Nero: We don't need a checkbox, I can detect that.
Nero: But I cannot.
Kim: Okay, we've got about half an hour left, and we have covered a GREAT DEAL already.
Earendill: Kim: You and your magic!
fallensiner: though im still set with kims idea of a quick vid to get newbies started.
Kim: No, but the site detecting it can then alert everyone who wants to know.
Earendill: Oh yes, I agree. This has been a wonderful, albeit a bit chaotic, experience.
The_Ross: Divination magic.
Sadrain: Oh, I wasn't complaining, Kim, but people can talk the best from personal experience, I think, that's why I talked about it. I have made quite a new RP partners here and have had fun, really.
And thank you, Earendill. xD
Also, I have to go soon to do some replying, and if anyone's interested in some further discussions (I like to chat!), send me a PM or friendrequest. Or have a look at my chars. xD
On last note, I really enjoy this chat discussion, Kim, I've talked with lot of new people here, that I have just *cough*stalked*cough* seen before.
Rynh: It was fun to see so many great minds gather into one gigantic brain storm so far
Earendill: It's sad that we only represent a small portion of RPR, though. So many opinions unheard ):
Kim: In our final half hour, let me ask:
Did you learn anything from this chat? What was the most helpful or important point that you saw made in the last hour and a half? And finally, what can we do better next time to make our next chat even more helpful?
The_Ross: I have a feeling 90% of this site's members made an account and never returned.
Sadrain: There is always the next time, though, or I hope so.
Rynh: Perhaps we'll hear more voices next week
Rubix: True Earendill, but I know it isn't always easy to meet up like this. Maybe a series of chats on this topic would be good to hit more people?
Loki: I don't think it's that high Ross lol a lot of people just use it for the character templates and rp elsewhere
Mellute: I sadly wont be here next weekend.
XinonHyena: Ehm
Earendill: I'm sure this might inspire others to join if they see how friendly and open everyone is to other opinions.
Rynh: The most important point that was made is by far how to welcome new players into a group/the site. A good beginning is what drives a person to move forward
The_Ross: Well, kind of what I meant. Very few members are actually active in the community itself.
Kim: The_Ross: Our ratio of return users is actually higher than the average social media site by a healthy margin. We also "suffer" from an enormous portion of our players quickly holing up in groups, and becoming invisible to the general populace despite being active on a daily basis. We actually get hundreds of logins every day.
XinonHyena: Lots of things happened criss-cross together, I couldn't point to anything in specific
Rubix: Ross, I'm sure many more are but are active in private groups.
fallensiner: hmm i learned alot from this chat. Well since that rps and deaths and the infamous consent rule. XP but ill drop that and sometimes that there are newbies that dont feel welcomed. and how we all can better our rpings skills. And see how friendly everyone one is. It is kinda like attending a con, everyone is friendly and they are more then happy to talk with you.
The_Ross: Thanks Kim!
Earendill: I have to agree with Rynh! It's a very important subject.
Rubix: As Kim just said.
Sadrain: It was interesting to see various people, their opinions and if I had more time and less shyness, I would dare to bother some of them about their characters now, since I have actually talked with them. I also see that there is actual ideas contributing to fairness and goodness of the site that could actually be implemented. It was just nice to feel part of the community, too.
Kim: Mellute: We will miss you very dearly next weekend, I think you'd have fantastic things to say on the next topic! I hope you'll share your thoughts through news post comments, if nothing else.
XinonHyena: I also agree with Rynh, welcomes are always nice
Mellute: I learned quite a bit here, lots of this was mostly a great way to see how others think and where their opinions stand.
Earendill: You're always welcome to send a PM my way. Anyone for that matter ^^
Nero: I'm closer to the mentor end of the spectrum than the learner end, so I'm skipping to the last piece of the question. To make this format work better, it would help a great deal if people restricted their side comments, or random off topic comments to another forum. Since we appear to be hyjacking the forum that is intended for just such side and random comments, perhaps it is in fact the guided discussion forum that should be moved to somewhere else.
Lorvilran: I don't ddo a lot sso meh.
The_Ross: We should all just get skype.
Earendill: The side comments are what makes these chats more laid back, though, as long as it doesn't go out of control
Sadrain: Just the chaos bothered me a bit, I felt like some comments were missed in the general sea.
And no, it would be harder to look over then, and in voice, it would get drowned out.
Mellute: Kim, thanks! I'll post in the discussion part at least! I have an Honors Band Concert that day. Its actually a three day event.
Kim: Nero: I'm not sure we can get people to not have side discussions. As was discussed today, OOC bonds are what make a community great. But I will certainly make sure to ask people to stay on topic in future if it gets too out of hand.
fallensiner: eh well nero it is the side comments that make the discussion feel a lot less well i guess the word is tightly loosed and you soley should rp. OH hey theres an idea Ross skype. that would be fun too.
fallensiner: Ehe whoops to part of my comment i mean soley discussion. if it were we wouldn't know the others personaltiy.
Rynh: I have to disagree on that, Ross. Everyone will want to have a word, and if 20 something people start sharing their opinions all at once, it'll be difficult to have a discussion this size
Sadrain: I don't really agree on Skype, it would be harder to look over-see and in voice all would be talking trough each other. RPR chat layout is more eye friendly for talks like these than Skype.
Kim: The RPR has a Skype group for those that are interested in continuing this on voice. We won't be having our official discussions there, to make sure everyone can access the chat.
Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3