Mahz's Dev Journal

[clark]

Not sure if this is the appropriate place for it, but it would be nice to have a Steampunk tag as well. And I don't know if the tag system is the best vehicle for this, but it would be nice to have some way to indicate when a game is "hiring" or not. Again, maybe this shouldn't be a tag, but a tag could work.

[Captain Jordan]

<Snipped quote by UltikanaRe> But that would require moderation, and would make filtering impossible. It's easier to have a broad list of tags, fit for most (if not all) circumstances while keeping the list manageable.

@TheMaster99

I honestly don't think it would require as much work as you think. A report system could be useful here (any word on that, @Mahz?), but simply have a list of banned terms (which would probably include sexually explicit content and whatever stupid things get reported) that cannot be made into tags. Filtering would work best with that auto-complete system that Mahz devised for Co-GM names, apply that same technology to tags and it would be possible to facilitate tag discovery without having to list out all tags, or do those silly tag maps or other awful things. Some popular tags could also be suggested, based on searches or newly-created RPs. These are all suggestions, however, but I think a custom-tag system is not too prohibitive.

[UltikanaRe]

Do you think it will ever be possible for GMs to voluntarily delete/close threads? @Captain Jordan I agree. It is simply impossible to cover every genre, sub-genre, and idea out there. If Mahz trusts us to to report abusive and explicit PMs and posts, why couldn't we report abusive and explicit tags?

I wasn't saying it'd be hard to do or prohibitive, @Captain Jordan, but I do think it isn't really necessary, and complicates things more than it needs to be. In most cases, a simple list can describe a roleplay well enough for someone to know if they will be interested in more info or not. Of course there will be some niche ones that won't have great tags, but fantasy; fandom, modern, etc should be broad enough to be applicable. Just my two cents.

[LegendBegins]

<Snipped quote by TheMaster99> I honestly don't think it would require as much work as you think. A report system could be useful here (any word on that, @Mahz?), but simply have a list of banned terms (which would probably include sexually explicit content and whatever stupid things get reported) that cannot be made into tags. Filtering would work best with that auto-complete system that Mahz devised for Co-GM names, apply that same technology to tags and it would be possible to facilitate tag discovery without having to list out all tags, or do those silly tag maps or other awful things. Some popular tags could also be suggested, based on searches or newly-created RPs. These are all suggestions, however, but I think a custom-tag system is not too prohibitive.

@Captain Jordan

However, many will abuse the system and simply begin to change the spelling, or otherwise modify banned words in order to bypass the filter. People tend to be very creative when doing things they are not allowed to do.

Do you think it will ever be possible for GMs to voluntarily delete/close threads? @Captain Jordan I agree. It is simply impossible to cover every genre, sub-genre, and idea out there. If Mahz trusts us to to report abusive and explicit PMs and posts, why couldn't we report abusive and explicit tags?

@UltikanaRe

I actually think it'd be a horrific experience if a GM could control the existence of a thread. The second a rogue GM arises, then all members involved in the Roleplay would be scattered, and the RP potentially killed, just because a GM decided that he was angry with the members.

[NuttsnBolts]

Do you think it will ever be possible for GMs to voluntarily delete/close threads? @Captain Jordan I agree. It is simply impossible to cover every genre, sub-genre, and idea out there. If Mahz trusts us to to report abusive and explicit PMs and posts, why couldn't we report abusive and explicit tags?

@UltikanaRe

From my experience having members with the ability to perform mod like actions is a terrible idea. Even a rogue mod can cause a mountain of problems and stress (I speak from experiencing it when I was once an admin of a site) Imagining that site wide with the members would just be a nightmare. D:

[Captain Jordan]

However, many will abuse the system and simply begin to change the spelling, or otherwise modify banned words in order to bypass the filter. People tend to be very creative when doing things they are not allowed to do.

@LegendBegins

Hold the phone! People try to abuse systems? No way! Actually, I thought that's what moderators were for. And ban lists. And rules like "be Fonz cool." Don't overthink it.

[LegendBegins]

<Snipped quote by LegendBegins> Hold the phone! People try to abuse systems? No way! Actually, I thought that's what moderators were for. And ban lists. And rules like "be Fonz cool." Don't overthink it.

@Captain Jordan

Sarcasm noted. However, the point is that it's much easier to maintain a whitelist than it is a blacklist.

[UltikanaRe]

I mean GMs for their own threads, not for other people's.

[UltikanaRe]

True, but I do not think closing a thread would be terrible idea. Also, perhaps there is a way to move closed threads to the back automatically.

[LegendBegins]

I mean GMs for their own threads, not for other people's.

@UltikanaRe

True, but I do not think closing a thread would be terrible idea. Also, perhaps there is a way to move closed threads to the back automatically.

@UltikanaRe

I understand that, but do consider that having control over the ability to post entirely reaches the realm of moderator capability, and could be too powerful for a GM. What if he wishes to lock one player out simply because he does not like them? It's an easy system to abuse.

[UltikanaRe]

@LegendBegins Magz already maintains that GM word is law, so blocking individuals could be helpful. If you look at every closed thread in the help forum...that could all end.

[Captain Jordan]

It's a conundrum that I pointed out earlier. I'll quote the relevant part of my post here:

Is this something where a mod would be needed? If so, then you have the other consequence of taking the decision out of the GM's hands (and the GM runs the RP, not the mods). If the mods are simply there to carry out the GM's wishes, then what's the point of not allowing the GM to perform that action in the first place? Who has the power here? The GM? The Player? The Mods? Nobody?

@Captain Jordan

If the mods are in charge, then don't give the illusion that the GM's word is law in her/his own roleplay. If the GM's word is law, then they should have the ability to enforce it. Any middle ground is going to cause confusion and hypocrisy.

[LegendBegins]

It's a conundrum that I pointed out earlier. I'll quote the relevant part of my post here: <Snipped quote by Captain Jordan> If the mods are in charge, then don't give the illusion that the GM's word is law in her/his own roleplay. If the GM's word is law, then they should have the ability to enforce it. Any middle ground is going to cause confusion and hypocrisy.

@Captain Jordan

Agreed. And I personally believe,@UltikanaRe, that giving GMs the ability to control the forum aspect of their Roleplay can easily lead to the sacrifice of the enjoyment of other players.

[UltikanaRe]

GM powers have long been regarded as a necessary feature. I know of several mod and Mahz quotes supporting it.

[LegendBegins]

GM powers have long been regarded as a necessary feature. I know of several mod and Mahz quotes supporting it.

@UltikanaRe

GM Powers do not equal controlling the existence or availability of a thread by any means. I support giving the GM higher options, but I am very much against giving him the ability to completely shut down or lock out the thread. For instance, on my RP, the thread creator (who wasn't me, because he decided to be quick and generate our Roleplay here on his own) left about a year ago after a long fight. If he had the ability to kick us all out and shut down our thread, it would be chaos, especially when he should have had no powers in the first place. Yes, GMs should have special rights, but altering the way the thread acts in the forum should not be one of them.

[UltikanaRe]

You could just copy-paste the ICs and make a reboot.

[Mike Wasowski]

I'm new here and haven't had all the time in the world to read the features that are planned and such. But I feel like a reputation system would be nice and would help with moderation. And perhaps forum ranks would be cool to have as well. However I really do enjoy the site as is. But since it's up for discussion I figured I might offer a few of my ideas.

[KeysOfKayes]

You could just copy-paste the ICs and make a reboot.

@UltikanaRe

If the thread had been deleted, how are you going to copy+paste anything?

[UltikanaRe]

I agree total deletion would be troublesome, but closing it would do nothing.