An Operations Request [Feedback Desired]

[slowreactor]

with no special order:
saxitoxin

...

[Falkomagno]

with no special order:
saxitoxin

...

I like healthy controversy, sorry.

[Kotaro]

Basicly, he likes to see the forums go to shit, so he offers up the user that would screw CC up the most.

[MeDeFe]

with no special order:
saxitoxin

...

I like healthy controversy, sorry.

He's definitely controversial, I'm not so sure about the "healthy" part, though.



People I think should be on the board include (in no particular order):

owenshooter
PLAYER57832
Mr Changsha
Fircoal
GabonX
thegreekdog
King Herpes
demonfork
Dancing Mustard (yes, I'm serious, he appears to be intelligent, is active (when he can), is held in high esteem by many other forumgoers (and in not so high by others), and has been around for quite some time. I think DM qualifies as "healthy controversy".)



Question for OP: How large would this "sounding board" be? 10? 20? 30? More?

I think the number of moderators/admins (I've seen both nominated) should be limited to maybe 10% of the board members. I fear there's a risk they will tend to speak up in favour of things that could make their job easier but that would not benefit the community as a whole, and against things that would benefit the community but could make their job harder in some way. While they should definitely be heard as well, I think the fact that all mods/admins are already in a special group of their own means they are having sufficient opportunities to speak their minds already before a final decision is made.
Giving them a large block in this yet-to-be-formed consultative group could easily turn out to be counterproductive to its declared purpose.

[jpcloet]

I think the number of moderators/admins (I've seen both nominated) should be limited to maybe 10% of the board members. I fear there's a risk they will tend to speak up in favour of things that could make their job easier but that would not benefit the community as a whole, and against things that would benefit the community but could make their job harder in some way. While they should definitely be heard as well, I think the fact that all mods/admins are already in a special group of their own means they are having sufficient opportunities to speak their minds already before a final decision is made. Giving them a large block in this yet-to-be-formed consultative group could easily turn out to be counterproductive to its declared purpose.

Mods should be pulled in on an as needed basis, and absolutely for their respective areas. They do have their own opportunities to speak their minds with OPrime, but it is not as often or impactful as people may assume. I can tell you that my observation is that both the Clan Directors and Tournament Directors have done a number of positive things for the community that have massively increased their workloads, so I have a hard time buying part of your argument. The work done around tournament medals and hall of fame is a lot of work and I know I and many others truly appreciate it. I can also mention that the Clan Directors made 0 games for Season 1 of the clan league, and we will be making about 2000 games this year and being able to include twice as many clans this time around.

[Falkomagno]

Basicly, he likes to see the forums go to shit, so he offers up the user that would screw CC up the most.

I could nominate you, but that would prove that point. So, you are lying

[the.killing.44]

For one of the more 'silent' members, I'd like to nominate KingOfGods, a veteran player who reads all the forums but doesn't post much. But trust me he knows what's going on

[The Neon Peon]

I nominate KLOBBER. He'd be able to read through everything he sees on the forums in about 5 minutes.

Oh, and WidowMakers, Cairns, Oaktown + Fireside Poet (if they want to come back), the.killing.44, hecter (if he is still around), Timminz, Brueswar and owenshooter... but mostly KLOBBER.

[4myGod]

I think the number of moderators/admins (I've seen both nominated) should be limited to maybe 10% of the board members. I fear there's a risk they will tend to speak up in favour of things that could make their job easier but that would not benefit the community as a whole, and against things that would benefit the community but could make their job harder in some way. While they should definitely be heard as well, I think the fact that all mods/admins are already in a special group of their own means they are having sufficient opportunities to speak their minds already before a final decision is made. Giving them a large block in this yet-to-be-formed consultative group could easily turn out to be counterproductive to its declared purpose.

Mods should be pulled in on an as needed basis, and absolutely for their respective areas. They do have their own opportunities to speak their minds with OPrime, but it is not as often or impactful as people may assume. I can tell you that my observation is that both the Clan Directors and Tournament Directors have done a number of positive things for the community that have massively increased their workloads, so I have a hard time buying part of your argument. The work done around tournament medals and hall of fame is a lot of work and I know I and many others truly appreciate it. I can also mention that the Clan Directors made 0 games for Season 1 of the clan league, and we will be making about 2000 games this year and being able to include twice as many clans this time around.

Not every mod is out to lessen his workload, however the reason for bringing it up is because a couple of ideas we had for the punishment system were turned down by Andy because they would increase the time a mod has to spend modding, or the amount of coding lack has to do. The idea was that the mods are working for free so we don't want to make them work any harder than they already do, even if it will benefit the site.

[hwhrhett]

blitzaholic
owenshooter
robinette
jr
lokisgal
bruceswar
tisha
jiminski
captain_scarlet
scott-land

[notyou2]

I don't think there should be any mods or admins in the group. We need checks and balances. Mods have a vested interest so they should be out, and admins will be made aware of any issues/items being put forth by the group.

[Timminz]

I don't think there should be any mods or admins in the group. We need checks and balances. Mods have a vested interest so they should be out, and admins will be made aware of any issues/items being put forth by the group.

I disagree. I believe that the admins, and the owner need to all be involved in this (but not any mods. they already have their venue for frank discussion with the admins). I would agree that they need to do more listening than anything else, but they absolutely need to be involved. I also believe that, in order for this to have any positive effect, it needs to be a small group. No more than 10 non-official members + admins & Mr Lack. Otherwise, I feel it will just be something similar to what goes on in the forums whenever there is a discussion that leads in a similar direction. Too many people talking, without taking the time to really understand what the other side is saying (and I admit that occasionally I can let myself be a participant in such behaviour). A smaller, focused group is the only way that I can see a project like this producing any usable results.

I would also like to say that this thread gives me hope. I sincerely believe that, if carried out properly, this idea has a great chance to have a very positive effect on the community. It will not be easy, but I have faith that it can be done.

[Woodruff]

I disagree. I believe that the admins, and the owner need to all be involved in this.

Agreed. If no admins or lack are involved, it's be a completely futile waste of time.

[notyou2]

I didn't make myself clear.

I assume that the focus group will report direct to the admins. Therefore, the admins will be directly involved, just not as a member(s) of the group.

I also assume that this focus group could be a sort of check and balance for the mods, so I believe the mods should not be included.

Hope that clarifies my post.

[Timminz]

I assume that the focus group will report direct to the admins. Therefore, the admins will be directly involved, just not as a member(s) of the group.

I really think that the admins, and (more importantly) the owner, should be included in the discussion. Not just observers. Actual participants in the discussion. They have answers to questions that will need to be answered in order for the other participants to be able to understand the situation properly from all sides.

[Army of GOD]

*cough* Ahem! *cough*

*fixes tie*

[Evil Semp]

I don't think you can exclude any group. By excluding the mods in this group wouldn't that be saying that the mods are the problem? By the same token if you excluded the group that is vocal against the mods you would be saying that they are the problem. To fix the problem you will need all sides in on the discussions.

As you can see in this thread there are comments that should not have been made. The job of this group is going to be a hard one and in this thread one poster said certain people should not be in this group. It shouldn't matter if you agree or disagree or if you think the person is a whiner or an ass kisser. Be open minded. The differing opinions should create a discussion probably a very heated discussion.

Fruitcake
Mr Changsha
Owenshooter

I regard those users as highly active with plenty to contribute, if you're prepared to take onboard their input without prejudice.

I would hope that all members of this group would take the input of all others without prejudice. Only time will tell.

[Woodruff]

I didn't make myself clear.

I assume that the focus group will report direct to the admins. Therefore, the admins will be directly involved, just not as a member(s) of the group.

I think if the admins and lack aren't directly involved as MEMBERS of the group, then the group will find itself largely and routinely ignored.

[stahrgazer]

Perhaps Team CC plans to have a moderator or two head any focus group(s) for their areas; and/or global mods if the 'area special' mods will not have time to devote. That way, mods are contributing and can bring back any ideas the group(s) determine are a right way to go, to the appropriate Team CC discussions.

Y'all know I've been a loud voice on these forums to promote appropriate change and if (as I know many of you have) you've read my concerns, you'll know that I do believe some moderators can let personal bias interfere with good judgement.

But.

Assuming that mods on these groups are out to kill any productive ideas does those mods, and admin who requested this feedback, a disservice. It also discourages admin from inviting multi-opinioned groups to speak up like this.

In plain speak, give them a chance, guys, it's a step in a right direction. Nominate your nominees and see what comes of it.

[Mr Changsha]

I don't think you can exclude any group. By excluding the mods in this group wouldn't that be saying that the mods are the problem? By the same token if you excluded the group that is vocal against the mods you would be saying that they are the problem. To fix the problem you will need all sides in on the discussions.

As you can see in this thread there are comments that should not have been made. The job of this group is going to be a hard one and in this thread one poster said certain people should not be in this group. It shouldn't matter if you agree or disagree or if you think the person is a whiner or an ass kisser. Be open minded. The differing opinions should create a discussion probably a very heated discussion.

Fruitcake
Mr Changsha
Owenshooter

I regard those users as highly active with plenty to contribute, if you're prepared to take onboard their input without prejudice.

I would hope that all members of this group would take the input of all others without prejudice. Only time will tell.

Yes I see your point. We all need to step back a little and listen to each other a bit better...including Fc, owen and I.

I also agree that the group should be small...though I would think 15-20 would be ok personally.

[Strife]

In regards to the mods/admins in the little operation deal, I think that as long as they are nominated and approved by OP it should be fine. Obviously mods and the admin will have less time on their hands than the players to respond to the forum. I think that there should probably be at least one mod/admin other than OP in the group, to answer questions and what not incase OP doesn't know or isn't on to answer or discuss.

[slowreactor]

I don't think you can exclude any group. By excluding the mods in this group wouldn't that be saying that the mods are the problem?

Here's the thing. Some people actually DO think the mods are the problem, and even though I personally don't, some people will think that the mods' voices will drown out theirs if there are mods in this focus group.

[jpcloet]

For some future projects here at Conquer Club I am going to be in need of a "focus group" of sorts.

I think some are completely missing the point. My understanding of OPrime's request is that this is about projects, not about moderating the mods. So the question really is, who wants to help design/comment/suggest/help implement on future projects that can help the site?

[Timminz]

For some future projects here at Conquer Club I am going to be in need of a "focus group" of sorts.

I think some are completely missing the point.

Fortunately, Opie is smart enough to be able to tell which people are misunderstanding, and which aren't, and will be able to base any decisions he makes on that information.

[Timminz]

Also, I'm not sure if he would be interested in participating in something like this, but I think Gozar would be an excellent addition to any focus group. He's been around CC for a long time, involved in many aspects of the community, and is a very well-spoken guy, with a cool and collected head on his shoulders.