Hello! Well, this is the first thread of this type that I've made... So, excuse my awkwardness. Before we begin, I'd like to let you know that this is not a drama thread, nor is it meant to imply that I dislike the server or the forums. There are just a few things I think should be addressed. Although, I digress, let's get into the thread. The first "problem" I want to talk about is the fact that not many suggestion threads get a final reply. As in, they don't get accepted nor denied. The "Suggestions" forum is there for a reason: For, as the name clearly states, suggestions. Suggestions, obviously, are ideas for new features, and quite a few of them are very good ideas. However, they are always lost or forgotten, so there's no longer a chance that the feature suggested will be implemented. And I know that many others besides me are unsatisfied with this. What is the solution to this, may you ask? Simple. The higher up staff members that can accept suggestions should pay more attention to that specific forum, so that when there are great suggestions, they have a chance to be accepted before they are lost; Which leads me to another issue: Applications. I do not have any problems with applications themselves, but a lot of them, from what I saw when the section was not private, never got accepted or denied. Much like the suggestions, lots of applications were lost after some period of time, and never got a final reply. Yes, I know people must be patient, but to a certain extent. It's unfair to the applicants when they are waiting for a reply, and never get one. Most of the applications that are absolutely awful get denied within 2 days. But why don't the absolutely outstanding ones get accepted within at least 2 weeks? I'm aware that it takes consideration, and that Staff are busy with other things, but we are in desperate need of more staff members. Which, again, leads me to yet another thing I think should be addressed. Staff inactivity. I'm not saying Staff should be online 24/7, but there are staff members that have not done anything on the forums for at least a month. Besides, of course, reports and possibly denying some applications. But I wouldn't know, since those sections are private. But, what about the help section? While it is also meant for normal members to reply and help people out, those inactive staff members do not reply to them, be it to confirm that a previous answer was correct and locking the thread, or to answer the questions themselves. I am not at all saying that the Staff are lazy or don't do their job, I in fact am very grateful for the Staff Team. Within this server are some of the best Staff I've ever seen. But to be so inactive without an excuse when you have such an important rank, and to keep said rank, I find that odd. With that out of the way, we'll be moving on to the final issue: Drama threads. While I am fully aware that these threads are against the rules, there is one place I see drama go down: The "Real life stuff" forum. In my eyes, it's perfectly okay to discuss issues that have been happening in real life. However, there will always be people in the comments who say: "This thread is for attention." While those threads usually are not for attention, people who say that it is can cause drama in the thread, because people argue about it. This causes another thing against the rules: Flame wars. While it started off as a thread to explain some tings that have been happening to them, the OP gets offended by the people who accused them of attention seeking. This causes arguing, and eventually, the thread must be locked because of it. Now, the OP can not hear other people's thoughts or ideas about what's happening. Before we get any further, I would like to confirm that I am not suggesting a removal of the "Real life stuff" section. However, I am curious of one thing: Do the people who start the drama get warned for beginning a flame war? Please let me know. If you disagree with any of this, please explain why. This thread was not meant to be offensive if it was, and I still love the server and forums. Have a nice day!
I can agree with you about the map submission because only 5 have been accepted and all parkour :/ and the staff one no kill or ban
I totally agree with all your parts. I'd like to say a quick thing about the part of your thread where it moved over to "flame wars/drama threads/etc". I've seen so many of these, and have been in many of these as well. All the drama I see is clearly unnecessary. The thing with drama, sometimes it's unintentional. These days, people get insulted about almost anything. I've seen people say harmless pieces of words, that another person took to heart/got sad about/got mad about, and started some drama. We can stop this drama, but it is hard to. Drama is not always created from the start. What I said earlier, can basically sum up flame wars. More unnecessary drama. If someone comments something that could be interpreted as mean, then just IGNORE THEM. Better yet, if they keep saying these comments, then REPORT THEM. It's easy. This is one way to stop drama, which I think people need to learn to do. If the people who start a flame war do not get warned for it, I would say they should be warned. But, it may be hard at times to find out who actually did start a flame war. I don't know if people actually do get warned for them though..
About suggestions and applications: I dont think we as a regular player know what goes on behind the scenes. Maybe staff is talking about it and are considering stuff. Inactive staff can be because of personal reasons or because of timezones. I feel that higher staff can see which staff is online or not and I dont think we should interfere. Real life stuff, yes, there is drama, but it cant really be affoided. Real life stuff is nice to talk about yourself and to know more about others, so I think it should stay. Really, you made really good points, but I just dont agree.
As I said about Real Life Stuff, I wasn't suggesting that it be removed. I do, however, think that the people starting the drama, be it the OP or a commenter, should be warned. Thank you for your response.
O sorry, I didnt read that correctly. I think there is already a rule about starting drama, that that person gets a warning, not sure though.
I think that the "Real Life" section is now becoming a place to discuss life problems we can't solve. Now there are very hypocritical people who always complain about their life, and say things that never actually happened to them. Things should probably be in put in General Discussion, and do something about all the drama issues in the "Real Life" section
The staff members that you are referring to about inactivity are two I know of. That's a little part of the whole team which kind of derails the importance your statement. One clearly put that he would be inactive for a long time. Whether it may be a good reason or not, remember Paar: he was given at least six months to become active again. The other staff member deals with many private section issues so his comments here are minimal to none. There is an official way to say you're going to be inactive, which he has probably done considering his general activity. He's a great guy and responsible. On the other hand there probably are staff that just log on for a quick second and leave. Though it's another matter that we have no way to really pursue . :)
Regarding applications; don't worry, things are being done. If you actually have proof of inactivity, pm an admin/higher. No harm in that.
There is really no way a normal member can report staff for inactivity. Any admin would think the member just doesn't see the work the person does. The only people that know who is inactive for no legitimate reason are you guys.
Quite true quite true. And that statement is enough. We do know who is inactive, both for legitimate reasons and none. However why no action is being done isn't an answer I can say, as it isn't my decision. I trust it is being looked at, however.
Most of why nothing happens is because a lot of you are friends and good aquatinces. I don't blame that. That's how life is. You don't rat out co-workers cause you'll need them in the long run. This could push the wrong buttons, but I believe the issue is really with admins and up. They should be monitoring activity and making those decisions. Inactive staff are the admins+ fault for not providing enough motivation. I believe that is the situation here unfortunately
Totally agree with the suggestions part. Nothing gets accepted or even looked at these days and all the good suggestions that people have actually put time in, get faded away. Someone 0f the suggestions could of made this server even more better!
I totally agree with you Blab. These issues really do need some improvements to improve the forums. The suggestions on the forums are really starting to fall a part. If this issue continues being unsolved then no one will make anymore suggestions due to them knowing that they'll never get accepted/denied anyway. Some of the suggestions can actually really improve the server and forums a lot, but if the owners don't pay attention, then players will probably leave due to nothing new or any new improvements to the server/forums. Thanks for sharing your opinions btw Blab :) Hopefully the forums do improve from this thread and of course any other threads like this.
Jesus another one of these threads? Sense we are going to rehash the same frustrations, Ill bring the same counter argument :) There alot of things in this world that would be nice. However there is not enough money or resources to actualy do these things. Its the same concept here. Im sure they see lots of suggestions and think "Hey I would like that to be on my server". The problem is someone has to implement it, and IJAH simply dont have enough people to code this stuff in. I feel the best possiable soultion is this . Staff applications are not what get you accepted. Staff from many levels have stated that before. All and application is, is a way to say "hay im here, Im interested" A good application does NOT mean getting helper. I know before they went private that lots of accepted candidates had simple applications were very simple, they were not fancy. On top of that promotions come in waves, usually 4-6 weeks apart. We had one almost two weeks ago, I think you should know when to expect one next :) Im sure if Harry read this he would tell you the same thing Im about to. You are making assumptions. For one staff function in different timezone. I dont see Mappy Turtle, but I know she is active because of time zone. And if staff are busy working on staff things in private sections, don't you think that they might leave stuff players can do, ie help section, to players? Im sure there are some lazy staff, but you dont really have the proof, and people that thought they did have had it back fired on them before. I think you'are sort of catching on to this part: Its the person, not the thread. Most threads in RL are completely harmless, many people here are more comfortable talking on these forums then they are IRL, so they will post it here. I see nothing wrong in that. The problem is the same people who start flame, and accuse attention (the irony), they need to be punished, and in a manor that quickly shows them the door. You are 100% right, RL should not be removed, but the people causing the problems need to be.
You did bring up some good points. However, with the staff application thing I wasn't talking about only the application being good, I as well meant members who had open applications that deserved to be accepted. I'm aware that it takes time and consideration, but I do think a year is a long time to wait. For the "Staff inactivity," you're right, I wouldn't really know. My apologies for making assumptions. Thanks for your response.
i agree with everything in this thread, except this: Man, let staff breathe a little bit. If they haven't posted in the forums for like 2 months, its obvious they will get fired soon. If the staff member comes once a day, at least like one hour a day, they don't need to actually post anything unless something major is going on... I mean, if I'm a staff member, if I read threads, if I'm not asked to solve reports, and that I know what's going on with the community, I see no problem. And I also can't find an example for what you're saying... I mean, we have like 8 staff members online right now...
