Tip.It Guides lacking substance/updated info/extensive info

[Ren]

Tip.It guides lack content. I'm not really an avid gamer anymore but certain things that I checked weren't updated or as clear as I wish. I'm making a complaint now because it's been years with very little change to the site (granted new updates like gano area guide and nex, etc.).

 

For example:

 

http://www.tip.it/ru...ng_guide.htm#FT

It lacks detail on areas, XPrates, etc. Not just the most popular, but abstract areas brand new players could either know about or the more "veteran players" that later on if it's changed to be good use (Beefy bill and Karamja exchanger NPC's, for example). Some areas may be even unpopulated or the spawn areas for that gathering may be shorter distance between than others.

 

The fish guide, my example, lacks specification on rivers. Which rivers? All rivers, literally? Which area content is F2P and which is P2P? Which parts of the guide are F2P and P2P unless color-labeled like so?

 

 

It's just a big hassle (me switching from F2P to P2P gameplay all the time due to having multiple accounts) and not knowing which will either waste the most time, I.E. powerfishing herring, over something like exchanging Tuna+Swords. It'd be great to have color-labeled XP/h or something like that for gathering skill guides. I saw one guide like that and it was very helpful. It aimed towards lower-end players', mid-level cash/lvlup-concentrated players' and the higher level players' areas.

 

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2nd Example:

 

http://www.tip.it/ru...2monster_id=436

This is (I believe) ALL monsters in the Tip.It Bestiary. NONE show a drop rate for specific items :(. I, personally, think this would be a step up. It gives much more detailed info, very accurate info, and would compete with the Rswikia articles that exist. I'm not saying people won't think you're taking ideas and content from other sites, moreso just expanding your normal site with what was already available. People question credibility with Rswikia because it can be edited by anyone. At least Tip.It has a review of sorts, and if it's wrong, it likely will be fixed by someone trusted. It's what makes Tip.It stand out..But then Rswikia has more info than Tip.It and I guess more info accessability. Please improve open.tip.it/ to something more than just a graphically overhauled version of Tip.It. It's exactly what Jagex did.

 

 

After all, shouldn't Tip.It be considered the most comprehensive and accurate fansite, not just for the 'noobs'?

[Kimberly]

Moved to Website Discussion

[Ren]

Thanks, finished it and knew I posted in the wrong area X_X. Sry.

[Sy_Accursed]

Personally I entirely disagree with your cases on this one.

 

Sure you *could* try and wedge in xp:hr data all over the place but xp:hr is quite a subjective thing that can vary greatly depending on if you like high apm or afk or how you are with mousekeys. Besides it's not like there is extensive data on xp:hr for every last method in-game.

 

As for whats F2P and P2P it's all pretty well classified to me, I mean all the tables ARE colour coded, some of the boosts that are members only items are lacking a mention of members only, but meh they are obvious ones withint a click or 2 (eg click thru to summoning guide).

 

Only thing I kinda agree on is the locations in fishing could use some work. Would definitely be beneficially to have a run down of all the fishing locations in a table with hidden images.

 

As for the monster database there is a very simple reason it does not have drop rates:

1) There is no such thing as an accurate drop rate.

Some people have some very nice estimations of drop rates based on hordes of data, but even then they can be highly misleading subject to your luck.

Eg people read something is 1 in 100 then rant they did not get the drop in 100 kills.

You could use arbitrary categories for it like rs wiki does, but they are hugely inaccurate as where does one draw the line between these categories?

 

2)It'd make the pages look bloody messy imo.

I don't want scroll through like 5 or 6 different drop tables that take up tones of screen space because they have to be organised in a way where a drop rate can be put in without seeming cluttered. I like that it's all on 1 screen and I can quickly find a drop thanks to the groupings provided.

 

As for the thing about tip.it being comprehensive rather than noob, to me it IS comprehensive in that it gives you all the basic facts and assumes a certain level of knowledge rather than spoon feeding you "this is members" above every single item. Tip.it has always (to my eyes, and much like many of the other big fansites) been more about giving you the facts not about blinding you with masses of data and hugely in-depth strategies and numerical data, that field is left to specialist guides on more niche sites and forums.

 

Just my two cents.

[Mercifull]

You make some good points. Let me add my 2 cents.

 

Firstly with regard to drop rates, I think in order to avoid maintaining a massive database of rates and percentages etc as well as confusion over people thinking they are guaranteed something after 100/500/1000 kills we can find a middle ground such as Very rare, Rare, Uncommon, Common and Guaranteed. For the average user this should be enough information without bombarding someone with too many figures. If someone really wants to know he exact drop rates for each monster then they can ask in the forms for more detailed research. I think that providing accurate and up to date rates for everything in the beasiary would not be good "values for money"... i.e the time taken by staff to keep this relevant would be better used elsewhere.

 

As for the guides themselves, you're right many of them could do with a refresh but there's nothing stopping you from sending your submissions to the Tipit Crew and you'll even get credited in the article. I think there is a place for limited use of XP rates perhaps on the most common methods of training, but you'd need to be careful you dont put unrealistic rates in for mousekey methods etc or just someone being very fast at clicking. Information like "how many potions can i make an hour" is always useful as well as "how many bones can I ecto an hour" and then people can work out their own XP/Time/GP rates but these types fo things are always lacking on fansites.

[Omnitec]

There is a noticeable distinguish between F2P and P2P content in the guides, indicated either in words or in the form of using grey tabulation for members content. XP rates are something touched upon without quantitative data as of yet, however this could be something done in the future: it's the only thing I agree upon with you there. This is a large operation though to find accurate rates for every skilling action, which usually is time out of our day to create guides for newer content, however it still could be done.

[Xena_Dragon]

... it's been years with very little change to the site (granted new updates like gano area guide and nex, etc.).

 

First of all, that is just not true. Massive amounts of work are being done on the site, on a weekly basis. Not only adding new content, but also making sure that existing content stays up-to-date and above all correct. A classification of "very little change" could not be farther from the truth.

 

Second, and this is what bothers me about your rather blunt statement, I find it an insult to the website crew. We have a group of volunteers spending countless hours on doing research, gathering data, doing experiments and what else is needed to create guides and databases filled with info. And don't forget the site's users who submit reports with extra information, making sure content stays correct. This statement just isn't fair to them.

 

As for your examples; I see that both Sy Accursed and Mercifull pretty much hit the nail on the head already. Exact drop rates are excruciatingly difficult to get. If we would start adding that info to the site, it would require massive amounts of time to verify that the numbers are correct, and at this point in time we have plenty of other work on our plate which has a higher priority. And guides in general are getting updated *all the time*. You do address some valid points about the fishing guide, as it currently does not have a tips & tricks section. A list of "good" fishing locations would make a very nice addition to the guide. Since you seem to know a fair bit about those locations, I invite you to help us, and the community at Tip.it, to post some suggestions on our Website Updates & Corrections forum.

[highlanders]

The guides on the forum (archive of wisdom) are better when you're looking for a practical guide. I view the guides on the main site as more of an "overview" of everything that's available as opposed to a "guide" that tells you what to do.

[Legionwizard]

Eh, I only use Tipit for clue scrolls. For setups and info on skilling/boss hunting/... I try to scrounge the useful parts from RS Wiki and youtube videos from reputable players. Have tried Tipit for these things, but only inadequate information, here and there outdated.

[thejollyroger]

As for the guides themselves, you're right many of them could do with a refresh but there's nothing stopping you from sending your submissions to the Tipit Crew and you'll even get credited in the article.

 

Second, and this is what bothers me about your rather blunt statement, I find it an insult to the website crew. We have a group of volunteers spending countless hours on doing research, gathering data, doing experiments and what else is needed to create guides and databases filled with info. And don't forget the site's users who submit reports with extra information, making sure content stays correct. This statement just isn't fair to them.

 

I can back up what they're saying; I have been given credit and I have worked with the Crew. (Just not under this name; I have my reasons for semi-anonymity-- long story.) If you'd already done this, well, I'd understand. But I'm guessing you haven't, so, do what they suggest, make some contributions, and then if that doesn't go well... of course that's another matter entirely.

 

Personally I use Wikia's RS Wiki most of the time but Tip.It is still tops for Treasure Trails, and I like the calculator interfaces. I especially worked with KS_Jeppe for a bit (yeah, the girl that started Runehead) so I can really appreciate how some of the website is structured, and yes, some of her stuff (and Michael West's) is still being used to a certain extent. It's clean and easy to reference. There's probably a few other things I'm forgetting, but hey, really, I think a majority of players reference a variety of fansites, even if they've got one or two particular favorites.