Mahz's Dev Journal

[LegendBegins]

Don't actually mock that up.

If I implemented this, I'd just enforce minimum image resolution and aspect-ratio restrictions.

@Mahz

That's a good idea. You can theoretically cheat the resolution, but it's best to make people want to do it correctly.

[Ellri]

While its more restricting, we think having a low number of pre-set options would be safest. People will abuse it if they can upload whatever, because out of 2000, you can be certain that there will be at least 20 who are idiots in some fashion, probably more.

But there could always be the option for adding more choices with time. Perhaps a template for where the images need holes, then a nice little committee to argue over which are appropriate to add, with Mahz having the final veto option (which probably wouldn't need to be used).

[Hael]

<Snipped quote by NuttsnBolts>

Background images that don't match the rest of the styling always make me want to barf.

@Captain Jordan

I mildly agree, but maybe there's another option to make themes enjoyable? Perhaps you should be able to edit the general colour of our posts?

If we have a green and blue background, the boxes our posts appear in could be changed to match. This would be optional, clearly, as it wouldn't always work and could make the Unicorn Barf even worse.

Just an idea, of course. I haven't really thought it out, so apologizes if it has some gaping, horrible flaw I missed.

---

While its more restricting, we think having a low number of pre-set options would be safest. People will abuse it if they can upload whatever, because out of 2000, you can be certain that there will be at least 20 who are idiots in some fashion, probably more.

@Ellri

Hmm...I think that would largely defeat the purpose of allowing themes, at least in my eyes. Rather, Mahz should simply allow a personal option to disable the ugly ones (as has been discussed) or- if someone uses an inappropriate or offensive theme- a way to report it and have the thread removed.

Granted, this could make things harder on Mods, but I like to think the RPers will be, as a whole, mature enough not to grossly misuse the option.

Like how we can add images, but you don't see many folks putting up nudes or pure gore, because nobody wants to get banned over a pic. Themes could work exactly like that, or at least so I hope.

Forgive me if I am being naive or gullible.

[Ellri]

Initially, it'd mean fairly few themes, yes. But after a few months, given the nasty tendency for creativity found in this place, we highly doubt it would be nearly so few.

[Hael]

Initially, it'd mean fairly few themes, yes. But after a few months, given the nasty tendency for creativity found in this place, we highly doubt it would be nearly so few.

@Ellri

Eh, I just prefer the idea of allowing people to upload images as they wish.
Power to the people!

That being said, your idea is still sensible. If Mahz ever implements this and rejects giving people the power to upload whatever image they please (*hisses angrily*), your method is equally doable

[Ellri]

the pessimist in us says this:
Even if 99.9% of players don't break with what is appropriate, that last 0.1% can still be more than enough to make a mess, say for example if that adSense thing reacts to images too.

[LegendBegins]

the pessimist in us says this:
Even if 99.9% of players don't break with what is appropriate, that last 0.1% can still be more than enough to make a mess, say for example if that adSense thing reacts to images too.

@Ellri

As a speaker always in favor of the user, I don't believe there are sufficient methods to abuse the system to warrant cutting it altogether.

[NuttsnBolts]

Don't actually mock that up.

If I implemented this, I'd just enforce minimum image resolution and aspect-ratio restrictions.

@Mahz

Aww... :(

I was gonna put it together and sneak in a unicorn vomit photo.

[Hael]

the pessimist in us says this:
Even if 99.9% of players don't break with what is appropriate, that last 0.1% can still be more than enough to make a mess, say for example if that adSense thing reacts to images too.

@Ellri

Then why has that .1% not already gotten us in trouble with the power to put up images?

Your argument would be completely perfect under different circumstances, but I believe the community has long-since proven itself, as we don't have many people uploading inappropriate content.

Furthermore, even if that was the case, adSense rarely cancels sponsorship over a handful of offenses. If it did, we would already have lost it 100 more times since guildfall

Furthermore furthermore, if people can edit these templates, what is to stop them from making inappropriate images out of tbose?

Does any of this make sense? I'm not super-smart, and I am not very good at explaining things

EDIT:

<Snipped quote by Ellri>

As a speaker always in favor of the user, I don't believe there are sufficient methods to abuse the system to warrant cutting it altogether.

@LegendBegins

I agree. This is what I am trying to say, with all my weird, insane arguments

[Hael]

<Snipped quote by Mahz>

Aww... :(

I was gonna put it together and sneak in a unicorn vomit photo.

@NuttsnBolts

And soon...EVERY thread shall be covered in and themed with Unicorn Vomit.

And it shall be beautiful.

[Ellri]

Perhaps. We're in part arguing here as the Devils' Advocate.

Nothing will stop people from abusing such a template. What will stop such abuse is the review process before such image is accepted. Seeing how it would not only be impractical to have Mahz decide everything, we imagine such could be done by a select group of players. (no idea what would be the parameters for said group)

But the argument above about it not having been abused on images so far is strong. We're just making sure all possible eventualities of problem are covered.

[LegendBegins]

Perhaps. We're in part arguing here as the Devils' Advocate.

Nothing will stop people from abusing such a template. What will stop such abuse is the review process before such image is accepted. Seeing how it would not only be impractical to have Mahz decide everything, we imagine such could be done by a select group of players. (no idea what would be the parameters for said group)

But the argument above about it not having been abused on images so far is strong. We're just making sure all possible eventualities of problem are covered.

@Ellri

There is no reason to believe that page skins will cause a greater quantity of issues than user-uploaded profile pictures. In fact, it could quite possibly be less problematic, as pages are static, while users are dynamic, posting in multiple locations.

[Hael]

Perhaps. We're in part arguing here as the Devils' Advocate.

Nothing will stop people from abusing such a template. What will stop such abuse is the review process before such image is accepted. Seeing how it would not only be impractical to have Mahz decide everything, we imagine such could be done by a select group of players. (no idea what would be the parameters for said group)

But the argument above about it not having been abused on images so far is strong. We're just making sure all possible eventualities of problem are covered.

@Ellri

Fair enough. Truce, then...

...for now

Also, what about a mix of the two ideas? There is no template, BUT you must still have a theme pre-approved. I don't really like it, but it may out the fear of abuse out of mind

---

XD I love how much thought we're putting into this idea that Mahz hasn't even agreed to.

[Ellri]

This is far from the first such idea, @Hael.

There's at least one other that went on for several pages without Mahz' approval.

[Hael]

This is far from the first such idea, @Hael.

There's at least one other that went on for several pages without Mahz' approval.

@Ellri

I wouldn't know. Never bothered checking this thread before, and the one time I did it was just memes. This time, at least, it seems productive- which is why I decided to jump in and start blabbering

The debates will continue until the next update!

[NuttsnBolts]

<Snipped quote by Ellri>

Fair enough. Truce, then...

...for now

Also, what about a mix of the two ideas? There is no template, BUT you must still have a theme pre-approved. I don't really like it, but it may out the fear of abuse out of mind

---

XD I love how much thought we're putting into this idea that Mahz hasn't even agreed to.

@Hael

Having users add a theme and then waiting for approval can be pretty efficient if set up correctly. There would just have to be a forum section for the mods that displays each theme like a notification and they say yay, or nay. Until then the theme isn't shown.

It's censoring before the image has a chance to become public and triggers AdSense.

Edit: just got a bug where Hael thanked my post "twice" somehow...

[Hael]

Edit: just got a bug where Hael thanked my post "twice" somehow...

@NuttsnBolts

Maybe I was just double-thankful?

Anyway, I truly like this theme idea. I pray that it is done at some point.

[LegendBegins]

<Snipped quote by Hael>

Having users add a theme and then waiting for approval can be pretty efficient if set up correctly. There would just have to be a forum section for the mods that displays each theme like a notification and they say yay, or nay. Until then the theme isn't shown.

It's censoring before the image has a chance to become public and triggers AdSense.

Edit: just got a bug where Hael thanked my post "twice" somehow...

@NuttsnBolts

I do not see the difference between this and uploading profile pictures. If the userbase can be trusted with that privilege, there is no need to review it based on roleplay skins.

[Hael]

<Snipped quote by NuttsnBolts>

I do not see the difference between this and uploading profile pictures. If the userbase can be trusted with that privilege, there is no need to review it based on roleplay skins.

@LegendBegins

I think I agree with you more on this. I only suggested the idea as a last resort for compromise

Afterall, there is no need for the mods to act like police. If there is an inappropriate theme, it will be reported exactly like an inappropriate image, avatar, RP, or any other such thing. There is no difference.

[Hank]

Oh, hey @Mahz. Nice to see you around again.