RPR Archive Hammer's Guide to the RPF's Leadership Transition

Hammer's Guide to Surviving Life post-NaboosPrincess
or: Don't fear the red!

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Hello Happy RPFer! If you're reading this thread, you might have some worries in your head! How will these threads be run now? Will Hammer toss out all the rules? What lies ahead for these faire forums? This thread is to answer these questions.

So your long-time moderator has stepped down....

RULE #1: Don't Panic!

NP and I talk alot, so I'll be constantly asking her for advice, opinions, and the like. She's already given me a bunch already, and I hope to moderate in a similar fashion to her own.

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First the Bad Cop: AKA - The Rules

Don't be looking for too much change here, content wise. Of course, the TOS and Rules are big things that I'm charged on policing, and so it shall be. As to RPF-specific rules, I really think the place runs fine as is, so I'm not touching it. No excessive gore, no excessive sexuality, no slash, the whole spiel.

What may be changing is enforcement. I'm kinda a stickler for the rules, so be careful. This does not mean bans flying around for everyone, but if I see a word on the list of language and you use it, I will edit it. And if I see someone baiting another user, I will edit that.

Don't take it personally. It?s just how the job is. Bans will come after repeated offenses. Banning will be viewed by me as a last resort, and won?t be used lightly. I?m also thinking I will probably use warning PMs when you get close to a ban. Bans, when used, will follow the same rules for the forums at large, doubling for every offense.

The best way to avoid trouble: refresh yourself on the rules!

Yes it?s boring and you might have read them before, but read em again. I'll even make it easy for you alls by giving you the links right here.

The Rules and TOS
* I will stress the parts on hateful, harassing, and abusive discussions. These are probably the most common areas for edits (and subsequently bans) in the RPF
The JC's Official Bad Word List
* There are some words here that you might not think are all that bad. Pay special attention to #s 2, 7, 9, 10, 11, 16, 20, 21, and 22

I don't want to edit/ban anyone. Its annoying and a hassle and stressful and just makes my job that much more difficult. So be good, follow the rules, and we'll both be better off. Be a good user, and you'll wind up like this guy:

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Happy and smiley.

And now...

The Fun Stuff: AKA - The Future! (in glorious technicolor)

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Doc Hammer has got the prescription for your Role Playing blues...

Prt 1: A New Mod

Yes, I plan on filling the magical spot once held by the illustrious LSA. For all those who don't know, this forum is approved for two moderators. We had two for a while, NP and LSA, then LSA resigned and NP has been doing it by herself. But I have no intentions to steer this ship all by my lonesome, so I will be getting me a partner soon. My plan is for growth in the RPF, so in order to allow this to happen in a smooth fashion, an extra hand will be lovely. And by a soon promotion, I do mean soon. Like probably in a few weeks. Just enough for me to be called the senior mod of these forums.

For this of course, the old rule goes that the more you push for modship, the less chance you?ll generally have of getting it. Modship finds you, not vice versa.

Prt 2: Outreach

When dealing with the rest of the boards, I see my role as a sort of ambassad

 

It does occur to me that some sort of "exit poll" might be useful for us. That is to say, if someone notices a user hasn't been around the RPF specifically for a while, maybe it's worth sending a PM just to ask them nonthreateningly whether their departure is permanent and if so, why they left. That might finetune tracking down problems in the area -- and, if it's a question like "They didn't have X game on the RPF," and X game has since surfaced, it's a chance for an invitation back...

 

I like the intention there, but I'm not sure it's so great in execution. I mean, I just can't envision it working as a set in stone policy or somesuch. That said, I think it'd be cool if, as a friend or acquaintance of a user who hasn't posted in a while, you sent them a PM, or noticed a certain user was gone and asked one of the mods to send that PM, that'd be great. I think that's our best chance at executing that idea somewhat effectively.

But really, I like the sound of it. I just think it'd be a bit tough to "make official", though that's probably not what you were advocating in the first place.

 

Nah. It'd be an impossible task for the Modhammer to run around tracking down people who haven't logged onto the RPF in X amount of time anyway. But as an informal, do-it-on-the-odd-occasion-when-somebody-leaves, it might work a bit better...

EDIT: Also, while wandering lonely as a cloud over the moors of the TFN boards, I came across the games community where they seem to run the d20 or d6 versions of the Star Wars RPGs. Maybe we can look at establishing some ties over there; after all, they're roleplaying brethren of a sort, and they (a) don't play NSWRPGs over there and (b) do play SWRPGs over there. In which respect I point the finger at Yuul_Shamar, who I've seen posting over there recently...

 

This is something I actually recall (vaguely) NP doing, albeit via AIM. When I disappeared from the RPF a couple of years ago, after I hadn't posted for a couple of months she tracked me down via and IMed me asking where I'd been.

At that point I didn't actually mean to leave as such, which is what I told her, but the point stands. It's a good thing, and on top of getting feedback it makes users feel appreciated even if they're leaving.


EDIT: Also, I would love to see a Flagship RPG here again, in either the RPF or NSWRPF. Most fun I've ever had here was when practically everyone was playing IBOP in some fashion and we had massive AIM chats just talking about it.

 

AIM is a good service for that. I think I've been harassed by both Light and the Modhammer himself at times when I've vanished from their games.

Now if I could just get AIM conversations between Sith_Lords and I so we both know when the other's arbitrary hiatuses from System Lords end....

 

So you noticed, I joined the boards when I saw the Games: RPGs and Minis section when I was looking for advice on a RL game of mine. And since have developed several friends over there. It is sad to say though that the Games: RPGs and Minis doesnt have as many Regulars as it once did, and many of the good Oldbies have left, save for a few like my good friend Koohii.

It was only in the summer of last year I joined the RPF

Edit1: Also I have been off and on working on an RP for the RPF, just haven't decided whether or not to make it an RPG or RP

 

Bi-Monthly GM Appreciation!

Step 1: Announce that the forum mod will be holding nominations for known Game Masters who have started and kept going a game in the RPF or in the NSWRPF.

Step 2: Users nominate Game Masters that fit the nomination criteria, one for RPF and one for NSWRPF but cannot nominate for both catagories. Users must provide a link to said game to prove Game Mastership. Game Masters cannot nominate themselves but can nominate other Game Masters. We don't want spam threads being created by random noobies who want the "reward" just so they can claim Game Mastership.

Step 3: Users vote on the nominees for the RPF or NSWRPF.

Step 4: Forum mod promotes the winner to Technicolor VIP status for a week or more.

Step 5: Two months later, forum mod announces he will be holding for the next nominations.

Step 6: Previous Winners of the GM Appreciation Award will be listed in a Hall of Fame thread along with any links to past or present games (this can help promote present games).



How's that Hammer?

 

Don't we have quarterly RP Awards that do that for everyone across a bunch of different categories? Speaking of which I think we are overdue for the winter one.

 

Interesting idea Mitth. I'll give that some thought as a possibility, though colors might be a stretch. The MS generally tends to be pretty conservative when it comes to giving opportunities to colorize users. NP fought pretty hard just to get the opportunity to give out colors for the RPF awards. I'll see what I can do though. Perhaps there is another way or recognizing achievement outside of the almighty colors? I'm thinking maybe something like a sticky thread or the winning GM's name in a scrolling banner or something.

And so we are Yuul. Consider the Winter Awards on my to-do list for next week.

-I_H

 

NSWRPF flagship game could be an interesting GDG task. Wouldn't make much sense to put the fate of the biggest NSWRPG in the hands of just one person....

 

I like that idea, very much.

 

Conflict of interest!

 

Everyone interested, IM me (see profile). I have some ideas.

 

Personally, I'm liking this part especially. Not because I'm a rule-monger, but that I'm of the opinion that rules serve such a great purpose. I came to this board for the first time when I was a young teen. It's not to say that I didn't enjoy reading things that were then allowed, but that as a kid, I wouldn't have been allowed here if things didn't change. We have quite a few "young people" on these boards and it's nice to see family friendly-ish things out there. I thoroughly enjoyed the reign of NP. Particularly, because as a writer, I stand in applause at anyone that achieves their written purpose without four-letter words. It bespeaks of creativity when somebody can tell me how much they care about something without resorting to a given phrase.

On the points of other things in the TOS that are banned or controlled, again, it makes it necessary for players to be creative and stretch their skills to tell the same story. If nothing else, that's something that I've enjoyed about the RPF. It's full of creative, witty, and intelligent people. We're all a little weird in our ways, but that's what makes it so entertaining.

That sounds pretty prudish, I suppose. What I'm trying to say, is the TOS, as a whole, has served to make the RPF greater. It's made the forum open to a wide range of players and people and if we're going to get better, we need that.

On the point of a greater RPF presence in the boards at large, I wonder if there is something we regular player can help out with here. I mean, I'm sure that there are not many players that are RPF-hermits. We all pretty much visit one board or another. A lot of what we do can draw interest here and ultimately build things up. For example, how many RPGs are there out there are very similiar to real things in other boards? The Galactic Senate game in the SWRPF, for example. The EUC has a "senate" and the Star Wars Community with the Galactic Senate game. Honestly, those in the Galactic Senate game have great storylines they often follow and a lot of heart. They're dedicated JCers that are borderline RPers.

We've movie buffs in the Sci-Fi forums that could of be great use in our resource forums. We've fanfic writers that write for the very same characters that they could respawn over here in the RPF. Novel reviewers that I'm sure we could drag over here. We could just go on and on mentioning the possibilities.

Either a personal initiative taken on by the players by way of invites to JCers we come in contact with - which I suspect is something we already do or have been recipients of - or by an actual thread. A thread in the resource forum to track games/projects that tie-in with other threads throughout the JC. This gives us the opportunity to seek them out, preferably via PM, so as not to spam their threads.

Getting a few well-meaning invites never hurts anybody. Too, that covers cross-promotion for the JC as a whole.

As to the GM appreciation I applaud it as a goal and will hopefully have some suggestions up later. We've a lot of dedicated people out there.

I only hope half of the above makes sense.

 

Looks all good, Imp! Really all I have to say.

Except, of course, that you know I got #4 of Part 3 all covered. Working on it right now.

 

I know you'll do a fabulous job I_H!!

EDIT: Oh and as for the NSWRPF, anything I can do to help let me know. I love that little guy!

 

Goal 6: Play RPGs that aren't entirely free-form

Right now, there are two games that aren't free-form in the entire forum. Casino Royale and A Tide of Flames. This is rather unfortunate, as numbers make things more interesting.

I would also like to mention that Hammer posting images as part of an announcement is one of the most disturbing things I've seen all month. Everything I know is a lie.

 

Bold and in control. That's what I like to see.

I am tempted to volunteer for the track missing gamers job.

 

You mean the only games you were involved in creating?

Edit: congrats Hammer.

 

Great ideas, all. I especially like that you're looking to bring FanFic and the RPF closer together. It's always struck me that there is a real lode of talent at FanFic that we'd be foolish not to mine, and (forum hubris aside) FanFic could do worse than scouring some of the great writing to be found at times here in the RPF.

Do you have a timeframe on when you'll be floating this idea for a competition? How do you forsee it running?

Sounds like you have a wealth of great ideas, and I wish you luck in filling the sure-to-be-stylish-yet-comfortable shoes of the moddess.

 

I can understand why some/most RPers aren't interested in FanFictioning (FanFicking doesn't sound right). They either don't have the time or imagination to write a story all on their own. At least, that's the way I am. But I don't see why most/all FanFickers wouldn't be interested in RPing. It's kinda the same thing, I would assume, just less time and effort. And we all like that, don't we?

 

But in fanfic, you don't have to deal with flaky players and incomplete sub-plots.

 

I think one argument for Fanfiction over RPing is that one is allowed to create, basically, according to their own rules. This isn't wholly true, because there is a readership to consider and if Anakin starts flying around Nemo-style people are going to peg that. Not that I'm saying it can't work, just that it's something of a different beast in that a fanfic writer holds the reigns, owns the horses, and knows where they are going and when they want to get there.

If you look at the FF, there are those that dutifully peg away at a fan-novel and put out something new on regular basis - some even to the extent of once a week, or daily in some cases. Then there are others that take their time to develop a story, a chapter, a character, etc. These writers, for a multitude of reasons, take longer to bring their ideas to the community.

I'm no great authority on any of this, of course. I'm just a fool writer. However, it's been my observation, as flawed as it may be, that these reasons could range from interest of the author, interest of the readers, time of the author to generate what they feel is a successful piece of work, or to board access.

These could make a FF writer a little leery of joining the RPF community mainly because of the commitment on a daily basis that they perhaps don't have the freedom to offer. Perhaps they enjoy that opportunity of being master of their own universe. I admit, its alluring.

Too, for FF writers to come to the RPF might mean, for them, a division of their attention from their FF.

I've had the pleasure of carrying some dialogues with FF writers over the years and while a majority of them think highly of the RPF, there are those that don't. Some look at the RPF as a place for less accomplished writers and the FF as the next level. This isn't fair obviously, but for a FF writer that takes themselves seriously and their work seriously, venturing out into territory where you're not in control anymore can, and is in some cases, an issue.

As an independent writer, one can pace posts, change perspective, introduce just about anything. In the RPF, as was mentioned, you're working with people.

Now, this being said, nearly all of the above reasons are great arguments for FFers to become a RPF cross-over. The community is much stronger over here in the Roleplaying forum. We have a great time! There is a lot of variety. Honestly, the selection seems to have dwindled a bit, but that could just be the winter slump. We have a plethora of choices to dive into and begin writing.

It does seem that the FF writers should enjoy this side of life. Roleplaying offers a lot of what the FF doesn't allow for in most situations - genuine interaction. From a character drawing perspective, one learns an awful lot by writing in this format because, quite frankly, as a player one has little control over what happens. Sure, that's not always the case and depends on your playing style, but you're dealing with a number of different imaginations, different personalities and different perspectives. We're talking about spontaneity, not self-created items. Obstacles come up, generated by your fellow players, and you must deal with them and create obstacles in turn. Interaction becomes a powerful tool that carries well into private or solo-writing. It boosts one's believability in writing.

Yes, the successful FFers already have these skills of writing numerous perspectives and creating well-paced, entrancing stories. We can all learn something. Not to mention, if they have those skills, we could use them over here! Creativity can be contagious. Look at the following that have spawned over the RPF. IBoP for example. How many writers kept up the "style" of the RP? I mean the bold-name, italics for locations, blue GM-text for posts, red OOC GM posts, etc. That made the RPF better.

Then there was the "...Star Wars style." I don't think these were all good things, particularly as they were copying the "007...Star Wars Style" games, which have become a class of their own. Still, how much of

 

Peng, we don't have to deal with that either. That's the entire point of the RPR, and the entire point of what Hammer's trying to do. The RPF can be better than what it is right now, and we can make it so. But it will require things like reaching out to the rest of the community, creating a community where new users are taught how to RP and do so effectively and reliably, and where sub-par users are accepted and continually grow. The more we (as members) buy into that vision, the more likely it is to come to fruition.