Tip.it Help Center! ~ (01-21-08) ~ Housing system [DONE]

Alas! I have come up with an idea, so great it'll blow your socks off! I present to you, the Tip.it Help Center! :o

 

 

 

Now you're probably asking, ÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ãâ¦Ã¢â¬ÅWhat is it?ÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬ÃâÃ

I enjoyed the entire post. ;)

 

 

 

However:

 

- Man power.

 

- Dedication.

 

- 10 to 20 hour service?

 

- Do you truly believe people would give their time to help others? And for how long would they continue to be a 'buddy'?

It looks great so far. I'll continue to check back and see what you add to it. I think many Tif'ers including myself would be interested, although we wouldn't want to be tied to it. The only problem I could see is players being upset when they get rejected due to the "mentor" being busy. Aside from that, it seems great. :

Sounds like a great idea, go for it. :)

I enjoyed the entire post. ;)

Thank you. :

 

 

 

- Man power.

 

- Dedication.

You'd be surpised...

 

 

 

- 10 to 20 hour service?

Differently time zones, people playing 2+ hours per day.

 

 

 

- Do you truly believe people would give their time to help others? And for how long would they continue to be a 'buddy'?

It wouldn't be all the time, it's just a friends that willing to help, maybe not right when someone needs it but edventually they'd help them. I mean I could see how it would be a burden on some people at some times, so maybe I could incoprate a break/rest time into the rules giving, so that people will understand when they say "no"

 

 

 

It looks great so far. I'll continue to check back and see what you add to it. I think many Tif'ers including myself would be interested, although we wouldn't want to be tied to it. The only problem I could see is players being upset when they get rejected due to the "mentor" being busy. Aside from that, it seems great. :

I doubt I'm going to add anything major, unless someone brings up a big, vaild point.

 

 

 

The players being upset would be a problem but again (like I said above) rules would come with your buddy/helper/friend, such as that there helping you so be nice about it, if they say no then ask at a later time.

 

 

 

It's still got a few tweaks to shack out but the next step is to get admin approval. :

The only problem I could see is players being upset when they get rejected due to the "mentor" being busy. Aside from that, it seems great. :

 

They would never be rejected as who they are paired with isn't decided by them, thus they could not be rejected. All they could be is waiting for a long time until someone who meets what they need, or someone waits till someone comes in who needs them, would be the only problem, by captains post I get this?

Sounds like a great idea, go for it. :)

I would but if this was a go I'd want to be offical, or atleast a trial for the offical one, where it'd be stickified (hehe), helping the most people, not just some wantering thread thats needs to be bumped past every summoning thread and its brother. :wink:

 

 

 

How ever, I will probley start working on it, putting in the format and filling some parts in, now. :

 

 

 

 

 

Also the only really long part would be the Index of Guides, which would in fact take 10-20 hours, but it doesn't have to be out when the other two parts are out.

I've already began a list of respectable guides, you should be able to get to it through the link in my sig. If this ends up going through, I'd be happy to put more work into it.

I've already began a list of respectable guides, you should be able to get to it through the link in my sig. If this ends up going through, I'd be happy to put more work into it.

I'd be very happy if you would, that quiet a list, although there's still many more to include.

I've already began a list of respectable guides, you should be able to get to it through the link in my sig. If this ends up going through, I'd be happy to put more work into it.

I'd be very happy if you would, that quiet a list, although there's still many more to include.

 

Yeah... the list could be endless. I may just end up including all guides to make it easier.

I've already began a list of respectable guides, you should be able to get to it through the link in my sig. If this ends up going through, I'd be happy to put more work into it.

I'd be very happy if you would, that quiet a list, although there's still many more to include.

 

Yeah... the list could be endless. I may just end up including all guides to make it easier.

Then there's really no point, it won't be endless as there's NOT really that many guides, if you think about it most of the "crap" ones either get locked or ingored.

I've already began a list of respectable guides, you should be able to get to it through the link in my sig. If this ends up going through, I'd be happy to put more work into it.

I'd be very happy if you would, that quiet a list, although there's still many more to include.

 

Yeah... the list could be endless. I may just end up including all guides to make it easier.

Then there's really no point, it won't be endless as there's NOT really that many guides, if you think about it most of the "crap" ones either get locked or ingored.

 

Correct... and that's why it's a hard project. You have to check every single guide... almost.

Great Idea. I would be willing to help out. :wink:

 

 

 

I mean really. We all spend alot of time helping others anyway. This way it would be a Tifer at least. :

 

 

 

we'll thought out.

Great Idea. I would be willing to help out. :wink:

 

 

 

I mean really. We all spend alot of time helping others anyway. This way it would be a Tifer at least.

 

 

 

we'll thought out.

Thanks, and thats always good to know. :

 

 

 

 

 

I pm'd all admins amd super mods about this thread, with a linky, and post 'em to post...none have came, I did this last night :cry:

 

 

 

I think there off trying to find there sockys!

 

 

 

 

 

Anyways, in math today, half asleep, an idea came into my mind about how to index things, it's fool and full proof, :anxious: that I almost yell'd it out loud... :-w

 

 

 

Now I can do the rough draft (be done in a half an hour), twas the only thing holding me back.

 

 

 

I really, really! Want admins and super mods to comment... :cry:

 

 

 

I r sad... :cry:

 

 

 

(Oh nose...13 smiles, can only have 10 I thought I posted in this forum about changing this... :-k ) *goes and PM Ablosky 10,00 times* :-$

EDITED

I pm'd all admins amd super mods about this thread, with a linky, and post 'em to post...none have came, I did this last night :cry:

 

 

 

I never got a PM ;) Although I did see this thread as soon as it was posted, as I check this forum whenever it's flagged down.

 

 

 

While I don't really have a problem with this idea, I don't really see it being a huge improvement to our current system, especially when considering the amount of work that it will require. If such a system were to be run by the current staff, then I'm going to have to cast my vote as "no." The staff is already stretched very thin (contrary to what some people believe :P).

 

 

 

I'm also having a hard time differentiating this from the current Help & Advice forum. What would be the difference between the two? Would people go to these "helpers" for everyday questions as well? If so, I see a simple forum proving more effective. Personally, I would much prefer posting my question on a forum for everyone to see where I would get multiple responses within a short period of time (I rarely see a question go unanswered in that forum - if ever) than spending seemingly more time seeking out a single person who I think might be able to help me (and they might not even be able to).

 

 

 

To me it just seems like a complicated system that would require a lot of man power (as skatedog stated) and wouldn't seem to dramatically improve our current system. But I don't know... maybe I'm misinterpreting what this idea would achieve.. I'll have to read the thread a bit more closely once I take care of a few more things.

You never got a PM!? :shock: I spend a good half an hour and messaging you all...That was a bust

 

 

 

I agree, there wouldn't be a HUGE improvement to the current system, just a easyer (in some sinse) and faster way of retriving imfomation.

 

 

 

I'm also having a hard time differentiating this from the current Help & Advice forum. What would be the difference between the two? Would people go to these "helpers" for everyday questions as well? If so, I see a simple forum proving more effective. Personally, I would much prefer posting my question on a forum for everyone to see where I would get multiple responses within a short period of time (I rarely see a question go unanswered in that forum - if ever) than spending seemingly more time seeking out a single person who I think might be able to help me (and they might not even be able to).

I can see why you'd think this, as I havn't really distinguished what this will do...so I shall now.

 

 

 

The person you pick/get pair up with arn't going to be someone who you PM for every question, it's more of a mentor is if you will. Someone who would teach people how to Dk, Barrows, Kq, all about members*/ F2P depending which one's they want to. Or go do those things with, more of a "helpful" friend that you can hang out with or do things with that in time would tech you things.

 

 

 

- These helpers arn't people who just have people add them and get asked questions every 10 seconds (Didn't know where to put that in... )

 

 

 

The only thing that would "put Help & Advice out of a job" would be the in-game help chat that people could join ask a question and possibly get an answer, as I know many of times I don't really want to creat a thread and maybe play a waiting game, I would just want to ask some people who'd know, this would solve that. Also cut down on some of the "easy or simple" questions such as "what do I feed my dog?" "wheres (such and such)?" and leave the forum open for more "advance" questions, which would help every one.

 

 

 

As for the Index of Guides and POH, its WAY better then the old search though 7 pages of posts finding someone POH who fits your needs, and sitting at the search page for 10 mins finally just resulting in asking somthing on Help & Advice which may or may not get answered. (Still havn't got a reply on a good (if any!) Dk guide...)

 

 

 

 

 

I'll keep working on it and making it improve more and more, so it's the best it can be. :

 

 

 

P.S: I wouldn't mind runnning/managing this operation, as I've said before, why not give it a trial before we all say it's bubskis. :lol:

I don't have a huge amount of time.. but I'll post my initial thoughts:

 

 

 

I really like the idea of having a list of people who are "social" i.e. they enjoy grouping with others, want to make new friends, etc. They don't have to just be out to help people.. although that could be part of what they want to do. Your little bio there is just fine - include your username, when you play/time zone, and what you want out of this new program. Keep it REALLY simple but make it easy for people to navigate. It's a great idea, Captain, but I don't think focusing it around the Help board (or just helping in general) will get too much attention.

 

 

 

Perhaps having it include something about "contact" or "groups" or "friend-making"...

 

 

 

And perhaps this could be coded into something profile related. Actually, that may be a good idea. New profile boxes that include playing times, time zone, and what they are looking for (if anything) friend/player-wise. You'd have to have a post with a list of all the people as well.. but an ideal situation would be this: you see someone posting something interesting or needing help with quest X, you click on their profile and see that they play at a certain time, are open to new friends, don't have privacy enabled, etc.

 

 

 

Having tons of people do this is a bit idealistic but I think if the system was set up properly (integrated with the website would be even better), it could get enough attention and be something "unique" that draws people to both the Tip.it website and forums.

 

 

 

The only problem, as Tripsis and others have mentioned, is manpower. The list would need to be updated daily at the start and quite often afterwards (both on the website and the forum if the idea progresses that far). I honestly DO think this is a great idea but *only (and I can't stress this enough) if it is executed properly and with enthusiasm. It isn't a project that you set up and then leave alone - it's an ongoing thing. And the staff has to have the motivation to pursue this project, ensure it gets implemented properly, and then watch the results and adjust things as necessary.

 

 

 

Right now, I don't necessarily see this happening. Not trying to be pessimistic.. but people are stretched way thin as it is. And the number of people on the staff has yet to reach an ideal balance (IMO) in order to deal with the current website/forum workload, not including new projects like these.

I really like the idea of having a list of people who are "social" i.e. they enjoy grouping with others, want to make new friends, etc. They don't have to just be out to help people.. although that could be part of what they want to do. Your little bio there is just fine - include your username, when you play/time zone, and what you want out of this new program. Keep it REALLY simple but make it easy for people to navigate. It's a great idea, Captain, but I don't think focusing it around the Help board (or just helping in general) will get too much attention.

I was trying to lean towards not just being ALL about helping people and hanging out with friends, but not to the extent that your suggesting. Now that I've done it and you've pointed it out the idea with time zones...well isn't really all too "user friendly"

 

 

 

And perhaps this could be coded into something profile related. Actually, that may be a good idea. New profile boxes that include playing times, time zone, and what they are looking for (if anything) friend/player-wise. You'd have to have a post with a list of all the people as well.. but an ideal situation would be this: you see someone posting something interesting or needing help with quest X, you click on their profile and see that they play at a certain time, are open to new friends, don't have privacy enabled, etc.

I don't see this happening in the near future, as this would require more man hours then what I've suggested, however it does seem like a good idea down the road a few months after this is implemented.

 

 

 

Having tons of people do this is a bit idealistic but I think if the system was set up properly (integrated with the website would be even better), it could get enough attention and be something "unique" that draws people to both the Tip.it website and forums.

Thats the plan. :wink: ...Just need to find the proper way to do this... :-k

 

 

 

The only problem, as Tripsis and others have mentioned, is manpower. The list would need to be updated daily at the start and quite often afterwards (both on the website and the forum if the idea progresses that far). I honestly DO think this is a great idea but *only (and I can't stress this enough) if it is executed properly and with enthusiasm. It isn't a project that you set up and then leave alone - it's an ongoing thing. And the staff has to have the motivation to pursue this project, ensure it gets implemented properly, and then watch the results and adjust things as necessary.

I disagree that maintaning this after it's setup won't be as big of a hassel as you'd think. Would be a simple copy and paste job, with a few PM's that have a template that you have to fill in a few spots. I wouldn't mind doing this at all, I'd just need some help on deleting the post on the thread that are already looked at and put into the Index.

 

 

 

Right now, I don't necessarily see this happening. Not trying to be pessimistic.. but people are stretched way thin as it is. And the number of people on the staff has yet to reach an ideal balance (IMO) in order to deal with the current website/forum workload, not including new projects like these.

Prephaps a new work force, for this (IF it REALLY needs it set by staff) because I'm sure I as well as a hand full others and me that could handle this, not needing staff help.

 

 

 

 

 

The only real problem I have as of now is finding a better "user-friendly" way to Index the "helpers/friends/POH/ect." Also, another problem is convincing that this wouldn't need as much attention from so many people and...gathering the guides...but thats a whole different story... :ohnoes:

I was trying to lean towards not just being ALL about helping people and hanging out with friends, but not to the extent that your suggesting. Now that I've done it and you've pointed it out the idea with time zones...well isn't really all too "user friendly"

 

 

 

What extent were you suggesting then? And what part of that isn't user-friendly?

 

 

 

I don't see this happening in the near future, as this would require more man hours then what I've suggested, however it does seem like a good idea down the road a few months after this is implemented.

 

 

 

I actually see this as quite feasible. I'm not about to assume I know anything and everything about phpBB coding but from what I understand, adding profile fields is an easy task - especially with phpBB3. If I recall correctly, adding profile fields is an option in the ACP itself, cutting out Albosky's role of manually coding this in.

 

 

 

I disagree that maintaning this after it's setup won't be as big of a hassel as you'd think. Would be a simple copy and paste job, with a few PM's that have a template that you have to fill in a few spots. I wouldn't mind doing this at all, I'd just need some help on deleting the post on the thread that are already looked at and put into the Index.

 

 

 

I guess hassle isn't the right word. The point I was trying to make was that if this idea is to be implemented, I think it would eventually move beyond just a simple thread on the General board.. and onto something more. At least, that's what I'd like to see it become. If we want to keep it simple and with a thread only, a large amount of effort would only be required initially, you're right. But anything beyond that (and this isn't including this idea alone) would require more staff participation on a frequent basis - something that I don't think can be spared now.

 

 

 

Prephaps a new work force, for this (IF it REALLY needs it set by staff) because I'm sure I as well as a hand full others and me that could handle this, not needing staff help.

 

 

 

 

 

The only real problem I have as of now is finding a better "user-friendly" way to Index the "helpers/friends/POH/ect." Also, another problem is convincing that this wouldn't need as much attention from so many people and...gathering the guides...but thats a whole different story... :ohnoes:

 

 

 

Well, organizing the post and details of the project can be done by non-staff. Again, if we want to just start out simple (which we probably SHOULD...), staff intervention will not be required often. But since this idea is unique and beneficial to the community, I would like to see it go beyond its initial setup.. to hopefully something more substantial. That can be discussed later, however, if and when the project appears to be a success.

What extent were you suggesting then? And what part of that isn't user-friendly?

I was thinking helpful groups that were social also...but I see that it would require too much attention of helping, so I think a social group that does a fair amount of helping would be the right idea here.

 

 

 

The non-user friendly part would be with the time zones...Having people not know what time zone there in, or not having anyone to help them in there time zone and redirecting them to another one. But I can see that this could be sloved easily buy making a thread about how to find your time zone, then give a link...I also forgot that an average tip.iter is smarter then the average scaper... :wink:

 

 

 

I actually see this as quite feasible. I'm not about to assume I know anything and everything about phpBB coding but from what I understand, adding profile fields is an easy task - especially with phpBB3. If I recall correctly, adding profile fields is an option in the ACP itself, cutting out Albosky's role of manually coding this in.

I wasn't acutally talking about the coding part into the profiles, that never even came to mind while thinking about it. However I was thinking the about the time seening how to use this it's full potential, because I'm not really seening it...

 

 

 

I guess hassle isn't the right word. The point I was trying to make was that if this idea is to be implemented, I think it would eventually move beyond just a simple thread on the General board.. and onto something more. At least, that's what I'd like to see it become. If we want to keep it simple and with a thread only, a large amount of effort would only be required initially, you're right. But anything beyond that (and this isn't including this idea alone) would require more staff participation on a frequent basis - something that I don't think can be spared now.

I agree, if or when this does become bigger then a thread on General borad it would need staff help, and a good amount, I'm not really sure what they'd need to do, but I can't imagine there not needed, if we could find out a good system to incorperate within the forums profiles and such then we could look at, well does staff need to be pulled away to manage this? Or would we start a new section of staff, kind of like the TET that could handle it.

 

 

 

Well, organizing the post and details of the project can be done by non-staff. Again, if we want to just start out simple (which we probably SHOULD...), staff intervention will not be required often. But since this idea is unique and beneficial to the community, I would like to see it go beyond its initial setup.. to hopefully something more substantial. That can be discussed later, however, if and when the project appears to be a success.

I agree 100% :)

 

 

 

I can picture this being up at the end of this coming up weekend, just need to come up with some helpful words of adivce on how to use this...thing, and start on a very long search of guides... :

The only problem I could see with this and the 'mentor' system for specific questions would be at a time like this (when I posted this), there are only about 4-5 people in the H&A Forum. Now, if this is then split into mentors for specific questions, there will be times when there won't be any people to field these questions, whereas at the moment, people who mightn't have much knowledge on the subject can offer something small to it even if they don't know the activity inside out.

 

 

 

I hope that isn't too much of a stumbling block, it seems like a great idea and something that I'd be very willing to offer my support in as I moderate and post regularly in H&A at the moment.