Author Support Announcements (Some very important things we'd like your input on) · 10:52am Jul 11th, 2012
(Speaker: Bronymaster)
So we've finally done it. Finally made ourselves into a sentient collection. This is totally not being controlled by an outside source.
Anyway, let’s move on to business. As this is the first ever (Technically not, but it is in my eyes) group blog post, I’m going to start using this as a place where I introduce new things and you guys comment on them and give feedback or input.
First order of business: The selecting of a new admin.
No, I’m not selecting a new one right now. I probably won’t do that till we reach anywhere from the 300-500 member marks. HOWEVER, I would like to state that I’ve already begun evaluating members based on how helpful they’ve been, how friendly and nice they are, how active they are, and overall just how good of a leader they might be. I’ve already picked out a few possible admins, as well as struck (most of the member list) off for being inactive. Just remember that you are always leaving an impression on me.
Next order of business: The “List of People Who can Help You” thread.
It’s getting removed. And wiped clean. Why? Because I don’t like it. All it does is give you a list of willingly helpful members. It doesn’t give you any information as to the possible experience each person has in their field, how helpful they might, how good at art they might be, etc. It also doesn’t provide direct links to each person that’s willing to help, which is just a hindrance on the user’s part. So I’m going to remove it and wipe it clean of members. Right now, it is going through a revamp and I’ll re-release it. If you wish to re-apply to the lists, you’ll have to comment in the new thread once it is made, while still providing the (now) necessary information required of you for your particular slot.
Group Badge:
Moving on.....the group has it's own video, two it's own banners, and a reward system for turning you into a contributor. What could possibly be next!? Take a look at this:
This is the first of many new badges to come for the group. Currently, me and Pho are planning out how this is going to work, but I can already tell you that this might be one of the most important of the batches of badges being made. This one only goes to those who I think to be truly outstanding. So far, it's gone to Tricondon, PhoKingAzn and Sorren. Only those three have received the badge so far. Tricondon because he's Tricondon (Trolololololo), PhoKingAzn because, let's face it, he makes practically everything for the group, and Sorren because he is our resident group reviewer (All those stories in the "To be Reviewed" folder? Yeah, he reviews nearly all of them. Far as I know, no one else does. If you do, then I'm sorry, but you've never told me. I specifically asked that people tell me when they do a review.)
Fourth order of business is this folder: Stories you Recommend for Reading
As has been helpfully pointed out to me, there is a problem with the way stories in this folder are monitored. As those who were around and paid attention when I made the folder should be aware, it has limitations on it. Currently, a story in the folder must have 50 more likes than dislikes. Now as we all know (or at least I hope we do) there are truly wonderful stories out there with less than 50 views, much less fifty likes. I’ve read and enjoyed a few of those stories.
Now, GingerNutGin and I were talking and he pointed this out to me. When I told him that those rules were the best way I could monitor the thread at current time, he proposed that I make a team of people willing to read the stories put into the folder and who would decide if they were up to par. They would then message me with their resulting decision and I would use this result to decide if a story stayed or left.
GingerNutGin has graciously offered to be the head of the team that would be willing to do this, but I still need 2 more people who would be willing to help him out with this. Any and all offers would be appreciated, even if it looks like at least two people have already offered.
Fifth Order of Business: The Thread Directory
So as mentioned in previous blog and practically all over the place, our Thread Directory has been completed. It was even updated so as to be alphabetized. So at this point, we're mostly just wanting to know if it is being helpful. Short order of business is short.
Sixth Order of Business: The Tournament
Yeah, you remember that contest with The Writer's Group? We still need a few more participants before we can possibly kick this thing off. Four more members, to be exact. For those of you who don't know about it already, here's a short overview of how this tournament works:
Well, I’m happy to report that we have formed an alliance with The Writer’s Group. In about a week’s time (or so both parties hope), we shall be co-hosting an inter-group tournament with them!
We decided that we would go with a Swiss-style tournament. There will be 64 contestants: 32 from each group. These 64 contestants will be divided into 16 individual “divisions”. Each division consists of 4 people, who will compete against each other one at a time. Everyone in the division gets to face everyone else once and the contestant with the best win-loss record will move on.
Once 16 winners have been decided they are divided into four more divisions, which compete in a second round. Finally, we are left with four people, who compete for the honor of “Winner”.
The events, as well as the prize, have already been determined. The prize is bragging rights, and being featured on the front page of both groups for an entire week. I’d prefer to keep the events a secret for now, as secrecy will keep you from preparing for them. I will tell you that not all three events are exactly writing related.
Qwardy will be running most of the tournament on our side, as he is our Game Lord. Tytyvm will be running it for The Writer’s Group. This means that you should be asking HIM (TheGLQwardvark) any questions. Not me. I just throw out ideas and look good.
So we only need another 4 people to participate in this tourney! Just go here and leave a comment to join: Tournament Thread
Seventh Order of Business: The RP Event.
I think the link and name says it all.
That's all the Orders of Business for the group out of the way! Leave your comments and feedback on what's going on down below, and we shall address it! Have a wonderful day, everypony!
Awesome!
I would like to help out for the 'stories you recommend for reading', but is there any more details as to what I have to do Eg. a guideline? Also, if I review a story, do I have to read the ENTIRE THING even if it's 10000 words long for the first chapter. Or can I just use my own judgement and discuss with Gingernut? You see, i'm not sure about my schedule as of now and I probably can only do a fic every two-three days and when uni starts...fic a week probably...
Hm, interesting read indeed. It's good to get an insight of the developments that the group is going through.
As for the fifth order of business: It's very helpful and easy enough to use! It'll just need updating now and then when a new helpful thread is made.
What does excite me is the possibility of new badges. Makes me wonder whatever they could be for? Well, I suppose I'll find out in due course.
Keep up the good work...um...thing. Since you're a collective consciousness and all.
225786
Thank you. As for badges, that is currently being discussed between me and Pho.
225785
No, silly. I won't require you to read the whole thing unless you want to. Probably the first couple of chapters or so to give you a feel for how good it is. You can also discuss with Ginger, of course.
225788 Understood. I'll contact Gingernut at once
This information is relevant. Are these blogs gonna be happening on a regular basis or just when there is stuff to be talked about?
225798
Only when important happenings are going on.
Wow, that badge is really good...
And I do try and do reviews as well...it just takes a while for me to get around to reading them. Sorry
...I'll try and do better
I'll try to do reviews as well. Once the summer is over I'll have a lot more time to do that, since I'll be out of town the next couple of weeks.
I am looking forward to the tournament provided we can get the four others. What will you do about badges? Add them to someone's profile by commenting or what?
225854
I PM the IMG code to them.
225862 Oh, and another thing, the stories to be reviewed. I wanted to do that but I don't know what exactly you want us to do.
225877
Which thing are you talking about?
225886 I would like to revew some of the stories in that folder like Sorren does, but I don't know what you want me to do. Write a reveiew and send it to you or the creator. Leave a comment on that story. I don't know.
225893
Just send the review to the author directly or leave a comment on the page. If you are uncomfortable telling the author who you are, I can send your review for you. Either way, just be sure to inform me once you review a fic so I can remove it from the folder.
225920 And another thing, what are we reviewing. Creativity, grammar, storytelling, or all of the above.
Arby's looking at the badge, noticing some choppy parts, and it's enraging him. o_e
Other than that, it's all good.
Oh collective mentality of the group, I would like to help out with teh recomended reading folder. I also try to get around to helping with the review folder, but I have yet to find a story in there taht has caught my attention. So I'm still waiting for that.
226002
Tell GingerNutGin, then.
225929
Whatever you want to review. All of it preferably, though.
226026
Talk to GingerNutGin. He's in charge of deciding who gets on the team.
226074
Got it collective conciousness.
I call dibs on Ginger for the tournament! (not joke)
So, will I remain Aringsor on the group? Just wondering. I'm not complaining, no, not at all. I was just asking. I would be okay with that.