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Off-Topic Archive / Re: Dandy sends her regards
2013 Jun 13, 14:37:52Quote from: Tekner on 2013 Jun 13, 14:06:03
I agree with this. One thing that's changed since you left, Dandy, is that we now have anonymous suggestions that are polled every week. These suggestions can be about absolutely anything. So to a degree, we're already taking steps in a direction similar to that of what you proposed
Also I'd like to provide some clarity. I did my best to read the posts that others made, but as far as I can tell, I was the only one who mentioned the average age of the team, and I did so several times. My intention behind mentioning this was not to excuse any behavior whatsoever. It was just to respond to those who acted like the team is composed solely of mature adults who should never act immature, ever. We're still kids, that much is undeniable. We'll do stupid things, but that doesn't mean we won't face consequences for them.
Also, just to see how accurate I was, I made a census page that the majority of the active team members participated in (26 as of this post.)Spoiler: Here are the results of that census: • show
Glad you now have a suggestion box Tekner, and I hope you use it in a good manner. Are the suggestions brought up for discussion with the team, or is the team leaders just answering them before the team gets a chance to voice their opinions without the suggestions becoming biased?
Yes, the age explains that people on the project won't act like real company people, but it still sounded more like an excuse to me than anything else. Thing is, I never saw any consequences due to childish behaviour. Yes, people got kicked for leaking stuff they weren't allowed to, but where was the consequences for the faux kicking of a person as a trolling just because some Leads were bored? That isn't even about professionalism or age, that is about being a decent person. That is something you tell an 8-year old is not okay to do. And there were no consequences for that.
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Off-Topic Archive / Re: Dandy sends her regards
2013 Jun 13, 12:28:55Quote from: McSleuthburger on 2013 Jun 13, 12:23:44Quote from: Dandy Lion on 2013 Jun 13, 12:15:07
Just realised I put it in the wrong Off Topic-section... could it be replaced to the correct area?
taken care of
Thaaaaaank you
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Off-Topic Archive / Re: Dandy sends her regards
2013 Jun 13, 12:15:07
Just realised I put it in the wrong Off Topic-section... could it be replaced to the correct area?
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Off-Topic Archive / Dandy sends her regards
2013 Jun 13, 08:22:17
First, I want to say that I am sorry for making any of the fans upset. I was never really my intention to bring all this dirty laundry for you to see, it was an act of desperation since some people on the top just won't listen. I thought, that maybe, if people from the outside would see what was going on, some people would look twice at their own behaviour and do something about it. Not for my sake, getting an apology from those that hurt me is something I've given up on, but for the project's sake.
So yes, I am sorry to the fans that you "had to" get exposed to this.
I'm still having ideas for how to fix the organizing though, and would like to tell about them.
~~~~~~~~
First thing, there is clearly still holes in the Code of Conduct. If someone feels extremely hurt because s/he got faux-kicked out of the project, as a joke, and another Team Lead defends this Team Lead by saying that there is no point in the CoC about not trolling the members, then there is clearly something that needs to be added to the Code of Conduct. The CoC will never be flawless since it's made out of people, and seeing it as set in stone after one rearrangement in the project is not gonna hold. There should be rules against treating people however you want. There should be consequences. There should be responsibilities tied to the role as a TL. If people use "Average age is 22!" as an excuse to why some people behave like jerks, maybe there should be an age limit to being a TL as well.
Idea to this: Once every half year (Or other time-lapse), have a "board meeting" to discuss changes in the project, if some rules needs to be changed, things like that. No "emergency meetings" for big dramas that then turns into drastic changes that the rest of the team haven't given consent to because the only ones allowed were Team Leads. A calm gathering to make sure that everything goes fine, everyone enjoys working on the project and things are moving forward at the speed that fits.
The first time, that meeting is going to be loooong, and might even be divided into two or three with a week's interval between. Because all suggestions needs to be discussed, and they need to be solved. Max half an hour discussion per suggestion, if nothing is solved after that, move to the next suggestion, and move back to that point once you've gone through the list. (This is a technique used to keep meetings efficient) It's important to take concerns seriously and not brush it off as people being whiny if you don't feel that something is an issue, because you can't step into the other person's shoes.
These meetings needs to be documented properly. I could volunteer to be the secretary, swearing confidentiality (And no demand to rejoin the project, I just want to help get it working), just to have an example for future ref on how meetings should be protocolled. (I was a member of the Green Enviromental Party of Helsingborg's youth division board for 8 years, treasurer for 5 years, as well as secretary for the school board for 3 years, so I have experience)
Second, if the management is the same it was back when I left, I personally think it needs a refreshment. I do NOT mean that every Team Lead should be replaced, but the opportunity to get a more competent leader if it's needed/possible, if there is anyone on the team, since the majority of leads have been leads since I joined in August 2011, and there is people that joined during that time that could take the role as leaders. Some people that have experience in management, some that just simply are wise, some that have the maturity and humbleness for it. Having been on the project since the start does not make you the most qualified as a lead for the project.
My suggestion to that, would be to have people (in the team, team issue, not team lead issue) give anon suggestions on who they want as lead in a discipline over a set time (The notice to board meetings are set at max four and minimum two weeks prior to the meeting, so that would be a good set of time, so everyone in the team are aware and noted, and have time to consider). Every suggestion for a lead would be sent in as one suggestion, so for example, if you can think of three people that would do better as, for example Code Lead and you have one you would want to see as Sound Lead, you would send in four different notes with each person's name, not a list of these four people and that you would rather have them as a leads. You would be allowed to nominate yourself, you would be allowed to turn down the offer of becoming a lead before the voting if you didn't want to be nominated in the first place. Anyone that is suggested is nominated, so there is no veto for leads to forbid someone from taking over the role as a lead. Everyone are equal in a meeting like this.
People would be allowed to nominate and vote outside of their discipline. 2D-people might know a really humble and experienced 3D-member that they know will listen to them if there is an issue with UV-mapping and has an eye for it, or 3D knows a CA-person that they think would be the best for approving and dissaproving a picture before they get to work on it. Same reason that other disciplines needs to be allowed to vote. If you are not sure, just "vote blank", then you vote won't be in favour for anyone. Voting blank will not mean that the current lead is safer, just that you're staying out of it, it's only the yes/no-votes that are counted for a decision.
I would also suggest a nomination for a Project Manager. See the first point for what the PM's task would be.
Personally I think the project would do well with an Art Director to keep an eye on CA, 2D and 3D. S/he would keep a better overview of the three visual departments, so that those three can work as smoothly as possible. How exactly could be discussed at the rule-meeting if necessary. Preferably a person that can do all three of the areas.
You would only be able to be voting if you are attending the meeting (Your nominations are still valid though), which is why the 2-4 weeks note is so important, so everyone that want their voice heard have the chance to attend. It would be the responsibility of everyone that every team member is informed about date and time and what is to be discussed.
There also needs to be a rule to how few is allowed to be on the meeting for it to be postponed, this is to prevent that it's just a selected few that will be able to attend, when it should ideally be as many as possible. Otherwise, whoever is making up the date could plan times they know certain someones wouldn't be able to attend. (Like on a Tuesday because someone they know they don't like whose opinions is always offline on Tuesday nights)
~~
I hope this will be helpful in getting things in order
Best regards,
Dandy Lion
So yes, I am sorry to the fans that you "had to" get exposed to this.
I'm still having ideas for how to fix the organizing though, and would like to tell about them.
~~~~~~~~
First thing, there is clearly still holes in the Code of Conduct. If someone feels extremely hurt because s/he got faux-kicked out of the project, as a joke, and another Team Lead defends this Team Lead by saying that there is no point in the CoC about not trolling the members, then there is clearly something that needs to be added to the Code of Conduct. The CoC will never be flawless since it's made out of people, and seeing it as set in stone after one rearrangement in the project is not gonna hold. There should be rules against treating people however you want. There should be consequences. There should be responsibilities tied to the role as a TL. If people use "Average age is 22!" as an excuse to why some people behave like jerks, maybe there should be an age limit to being a TL as well.
Idea to this: Once every half year (Or other time-lapse), have a "board meeting" to discuss changes in the project, if some rules needs to be changed, things like that. No "emergency meetings" for big dramas that then turns into drastic changes that the rest of the team haven't given consent to because the only ones allowed were Team Leads. A calm gathering to make sure that everything goes fine, everyone enjoys working on the project and things are moving forward at the speed that fits.
The first time, that meeting is going to be loooong, and might even be divided into two or three with a week's interval between. Because all suggestions needs to be discussed, and they need to be solved. Max half an hour discussion per suggestion, if nothing is solved after that, move to the next suggestion, and move back to that point once you've gone through the list. (This is a technique used to keep meetings efficient) It's important to take concerns seriously and not brush it off as people being whiny if you don't feel that something is an issue, because you can't step into the other person's shoes.
These meetings needs to be documented properly. I could volunteer to be the secretary, swearing confidentiality (And no demand to rejoin the project, I just want to help get it working), just to have an example for future ref on how meetings should be protocolled. (I was a member of the Green Enviromental Party of Helsingborg's youth division board for 8 years, treasurer for 5 years, as well as secretary for the school board for 3 years, so I have experience)
Second, if the management is the same it was back when I left, I personally think it needs a refreshment. I do NOT mean that every Team Lead should be replaced, but the opportunity to get a more competent leader if it's needed/possible, if there is anyone on the team, since the majority of leads have been leads since I joined in August 2011, and there is people that joined during that time that could take the role as leaders. Some people that have experience in management, some that just simply are wise, some that have the maturity and humbleness for it. Having been on the project since the start does not make you the most qualified as a lead for the project.
My suggestion to that, would be to have people (in the team, team issue, not team lead issue) give anon suggestions on who they want as lead in a discipline over a set time (The notice to board meetings are set at max four and minimum two weeks prior to the meeting, so that would be a good set of time, so everyone in the team are aware and noted, and have time to consider). Every suggestion for a lead would be sent in as one suggestion, so for example, if you can think of three people that would do better as, for example Code Lead and you have one you would want to see as Sound Lead, you would send in four different notes with each person's name, not a list of these four people and that you would rather have them as a leads. You would be allowed to nominate yourself, you would be allowed to turn down the offer of becoming a lead before the voting if you didn't want to be nominated in the first place. Anyone that is suggested is nominated, so there is no veto for leads to forbid someone from taking over the role as a lead. Everyone are equal in a meeting like this.
People would be allowed to nominate and vote outside of their discipline. 2D-people might know a really humble and experienced 3D-member that they know will listen to them if there is an issue with UV-mapping and has an eye for it, or 3D knows a CA-person that they think would be the best for approving and dissaproving a picture before they get to work on it. Same reason that other disciplines needs to be allowed to vote. If you are not sure, just "vote blank", then you vote won't be in favour for anyone. Voting blank will not mean that the current lead is safer, just that you're staying out of it, it's only the yes/no-votes that are counted for a decision.
I would also suggest a nomination for a Project Manager. See the first point for what the PM's task would be.
Personally I think the project would do well with an Art Director to keep an eye on CA, 2D and 3D. S/he would keep a better overview of the three visual departments, so that those three can work as smoothly as possible. How exactly could be discussed at the rule-meeting if necessary. Preferably a person that can do all three of the areas.
You would only be able to be voting if you are attending the meeting (Your nominations are still valid though), which is why the 2-4 weeks note is so important, so everyone that want their voice heard have the chance to attend. It would be the responsibility of everyone that every team member is informed about date and time and what is to be discussed.
There also needs to be a rule to how few is allowed to be on the meeting for it to be postponed, this is to prevent that it's just a selected few that will be able to attend, when it should ideally be as many as possible. Otherwise, whoever is making up the date could plan times they know certain someones wouldn't be able to attend. (Like on a Tuesday because someone they know they don't like whose opinions is always offline on Tuesday nights)
~~
I hope this will be helpful in getting things in order
Best regards,
Dandy Lion
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Original Characters / Re: Physics Shift, my OC
2012 Oct 13, 21:11:38
I'm just going to discuss general in Mary Sue-making since I'm not that into any roleplaying here.
A Mary Sue is not only about if a character is overpowered, it's about a character being cliché and dull. First thing, your colour scheme is a bit weird, having all blue in almost the same hues. Consider changing the coat into grey, pastell yellow or something like that.
All your magic feels like it's battle specific (Or at least something that must have taken years and more years to master). The interesting in a character isn't their powers, it's their weaknesses. Imagine a unicorn that only has the power of, let's say, freezing water, like Frozone in The Incredibles. The first thought is that s/he can only freeze normal water, like in a glass, or a bathtub. But s/he could also freeze water on the ground to create ice that the enemy slips on. It's about playing with the limitations, making it interesting and creative.
A great example in-show with that is Rarity's find-gem-spell she taught Twilight. Twilight doesn't have a "locate my friends and then go and find them"-spell. They used logic ("These diamond dogs wanted to use Rarity's talent, so they must be were the most gems are!") and then a "normal" powered spell to do something really great.
Even if your character's special talent is magic, there is still a limit. Among the whole bunch of magic Twilight can do, some of those Spike consider impressive is growing a moustache. GROWING A MOUSTACHE. She has one "failproof spell" that we don't even know what it's supposed to do since it failed, most of her spells are things for normalday use, like levitation.
Your argument about Celestia and Luna not being gods, and Cadence being a babysister, that is just bad excuses. Celestia and Luna has lived for thousands of years. They could have had hundreds of years studying and training magic, your character wouldn't match that in a lifetime (And absolutely not in those 10 years he probably tops have trained for if he's 22, guessing getting your CM would be normal at the age of 10-15). Cadence is an alicorn, we have only seen royals as alicorns so far (minus the animation error in Twilight's magical kindergarden-imagination) and yet her only spell is bringing up the positive energy ponies have about each other, ergo "love".
A Mary Sue is not only about if a character is overpowered, it's about a character being cliché and dull. First thing, your colour scheme is a bit weird, having all blue in almost the same hues. Consider changing the coat into grey, pastell yellow or something like that.
All your magic feels like it's battle specific (Or at least something that must have taken years and more years to master). The interesting in a character isn't their powers, it's their weaknesses. Imagine a unicorn that only has the power of, let's say, freezing water, like Frozone in The Incredibles. The first thought is that s/he can only freeze normal water, like in a glass, or a bathtub. But s/he could also freeze water on the ground to create ice that the enemy slips on. It's about playing with the limitations, making it interesting and creative.
A great example in-show with that is Rarity's find-gem-spell she taught Twilight. Twilight doesn't have a "locate my friends and then go and find them"-spell. They used logic ("These diamond dogs wanted to use Rarity's talent, so they must be were the most gems are!") and then a "normal" powered spell to do something really great.
Even if your character's special talent is magic, there is still a limit. Among the whole bunch of magic Twilight can do, some of those Spike consider impressive is growing a moustache. GROWING A MOUSTACHE. She has one "failproof spell" that we don't even know what it's supposed to do since it failed, most of her spells are things for normalday use, like levitation.
Your argument about Celestia and Luna not being gods, and Cadence being a babysister, that is just bad excuses. Celestia and Luna has lived for thousands of years. They could have had hundreds of years studying and training magic, your character wouldn't match that in a lifetime (And absolutely not in those 10 years he probably tops have trained for if he's 22, guessing getting your CM would be normal at the age of 10-15). Cadence is an alicorn, we have only seen royals as alicorns so far (minus the animation error in Twilight's magical kindergarden-imagination) and yet her only spell is bringing up the positive energy ponies have about each other, ergo "love".
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