A section for Freelancers?

[Nanapariri]

I was thinking recently, since I'll probably freelance for awhile before I decide on any LS, should we have a section for freelancers to communicate just like offering each guild their own section?

[Smiling River]

It sounds like a good idea, but then I wonder what exactly would it be used for?

[Kylin]

It sounds good but as Mason already said, what would it be used for? What would freelancers need to talk about that the rest of the forums don't provide? I myself am currently not dedicated to a guild and I'm still not sure what would even be posted in a freelancer section

[Nanapariri]

Well if you're intending on also holding freelancers to the rules it will be good to know who they are.

 

For instance if a Freelancer is running around griefing and godmodding per RPC standards a guild would e responsible to talk with them. If they were required to register in a thread moderated by a leader responsible for their behavior it might help.

[Smiling River]

This got me thinking... rosters.

 

Each guild can update their roster, say once a month (the RPC representative can edit the roster thread for their guild). Every name on the roster can be linked to that person's Directory/Library page. There can also be a Freelancers roster. That way we can see who the freelancers are, too.

[Aveline]

Sorry to assist in hijacking the thread (partly), but I don't know about keeping rosters here. Once the game starts up, guild leaders are going to have enough to maintain on their own guild websites (rosters, maintenance, etc.), adding a second area for guild rosters here seems redundant and a bit of an unnecessary time-sink.

 

As far as who moderates the freelancers.. it seems kind of counter-intuitive to have a freelancer "leader".. what happens if that leader settles on which guild they would like to join? There could potentially be a lot of turnover there. Maybe it would be better if freelancers were to adhere to standard forum rules, and be moderated by the forum moderators? If they join in a roleplaying discussion that is guild-specific (ie. something that would need guild-specific rules) that is for whatever reason not on the guild's own website, it seems reasonable that the freelancer would adhere to that guild's roleplaying rules, and not need a moderator of their own.

[Keir]

Once the game starts up' date=' guild leaders are going to have enough to maintain on their own guild websites (rosters, maintenance, etc.), adding a second area for guild rosters here seems redundant and a bit of an unnecessary time-sink.[/quote']

 

I agree with Mythis on this point. While the RPC will remain a conduit for guilds to interact, many of them will have their own websites and message boards to maintain and moderate, including rosters. Unfortunately, adding them here as well just simply doesn't seem productive.

[Eva]

Aside from an overall roster (I figure the people who are confirmed RPers on the server), I see no reason to break it down by guild or such. I would assume that once someone's been acknowledged as an RPer they would be given rights to post. Or are we going to either assume that no one will come along, register an account, and spam the forums (either ads or griefers)?

[Smiling River]

Unfortunately, adding them here as well just simply doesn't seem productive.

 

I assume all guilds will post their rules here yes? This is to keep it conveniently all on this site. I think we can all agree that that's productive. I don't see how it's that much more work to copy/paste the rosters here as well. Again, to keep them all conveniently here, which actually increases 'productivity' for most people (except those that have to copy/paste it and keep it updated I guess.) Anyway, just a suggestion.

[Eva]

Rosters typically change a lot more frequently than rules and are difficult to keep updated - we sort of stopped bothering in Crystalline and went loosely by the forum's "Memberlist" which was still somewhat inaccurate for a number of reasons, one of them being that inactive members were often left on for a very long time.

 

Perhaps if each guild chooses to keep a list of its members on a publicly viewable webpage or forum post... a link can be provided to the RPC. That way it need only be edited at one location. This may or may not be a good idea for the rules information as well (pro: latest version of rules is there, no discrepency between guild rule list and guild rule list posted on rpc forum. con: have to click away from rpc forum to get more information, possible navigation issues). If this were going to be done, and I'm still not entirely certain what purpose it would serve, it would be important that they be kept up to date and publicly accessible though. That's all.

[Aveline]

Rosters typically change a lot more frequently than rules and are difficult to keep updated - we sort of stopped bothering in Crystalline and went loosely by the forum's "Memberlist" which was still somewhat inaccurate for a number of reasons, one of them being that inactive members were often left on for a very long time.

 

Perhaps if each guild chooses to keep a list of its members on a publicly viewable webpage or forum post... a link can be provided to the RPC. That way it need only be edited at one location. This may or may not be a good idea for the rules information as well.

 

That's exactly what I was thinking. Visitors to RPC who are interested in browsing the rosters of various guilds will have to click a link regardless, whether that link is to the guild's website or to a roster copied to RPC. So why put extra work on the guild leaders to update their rosters in multiple places? There is a guild list on RPC's homepage, which seems like more than enough information for people interested in perusing guilds and links to further information such as membership rosters.

[Smiling River]

Linking would work too, sure. I don't think it's really work to copy/paste something but I guess with a link it'd be as current as it could be since it'll take you directly to the guild.

[Nanapariri]

Mythis I wasn't talking about griefing on the forum. I was meaning more like a forum thread moderator that could be contacted if a Freelancer got out of hand and had to be dealt with by the RPC. I got the feeling from Cas that there will be a representative to the Council from the guilds for voting on issues and that leaves some people out of it.

 

I'm just saying if a guy wants to grief but he can't be held to the same rules it might not seem fair. Also if an issue is voted on and a certain segment of the community isn't represented then there might be hurt feelings.

 

I basically was mulling these things over and thought it might be good to bring them up.

[Kylin]

Freelancers will be able to vote on issues just like everyone else. They simply won't have representation in the RPC Council and thus won't be able to vote when the council decides whether or not to take an issue to the public. Giving them representation would be extremely difficult due to the fact that freelancers are just that. Their styles are radically different from person to person and some of them don't join guilds in order to avoid having to deal with rules. Thus, any representative for them wouldn't be able to do much to handle griefing or anything drama related when it comes to freelancers.

 

That being said, freelancers are still held to the same standards. If they cause issues on these forums, they'll be dealt with accordingly just like anyone else. If the griefing is in game, the best that can be done is simply giving a public notification of the griefer so everyone can just /blist him/her.

 

In regards to the rosters, I don't think those would be a good idea. It seems like a good idea but it also can turn into a numbers war. That is, certain guilds may feel threatened when other guilds have significantly higher active rosters. This could slowly transform into political rivalries and create tensions. A guild may try to suck up some of the members of a larger guild and cause serious problems between the groups. The smaller RP groups may also feel insignificant compared to the larger ones and struggle to get new members as a result. Thus, roster lists could prove more problematic than they're worth.

[Eva]

Linking would work too' date=' sure. I don't think it's really work to copy/paste something but I guess with a link it'd be as current as it could be since it'll take you directly to the guild.[/quote']

It would be work if it had to be done often enough. Particularly if a guild had a high turnaround rate or had a lot of members joining. A link to their own guild forums' Memberlist, or if they took the time to create a roster of their own seems to be the most efficient solution.

[Keir]

Linking would work too' date=' sure. I don't think it's really work to copy/paste something but I guess with a link it'd be as current as it could be since it'll take you directly to the guild.[/quote']

 

The difficulty is in the fact that not everyone keeps a simple text file of members. For example, in Lost Boys, I kept an Excel chart of each member, along with various facts about their membership. On the website, our member roster took the form of a Flash component.

 

And, as it has been said, rosters change frequently. It was enough for me to just trying to keep track of our roster in my own notes and files, without even trying to keep track of it on our website. To have to apply it to a third place is simply more work than I think is necessary. Besides, with the Stormguard being something of a secret society, we wouldn't necessarily want our roster posted in the RPC. In a role-played sense, that defeats the purpose of any secrecy.

 

I do however intend to post our rules, as those shouldn't need to be changed much at all once they are set in stone.

[Smiling River]

I agree that it shouldn't be required, especially if it goes against RP.

[Nanapariri]

Freelancers will be able to vote on issues just like everyone else. They simply won't have representation in the RPC Council and thus won't be able to vote when the council decides whether or not to take an issue to the public. Giving them representation would be extremely difficult due to the fact that freelancers are just that. Their styles are radically different from person to person and some of them don't join guilds in order to avoid having to deal with rules. Thus' date=' any representative for them wouldn't be able to do much to handle griefing or anything drama related when it comes to freelancers.[/quote']

 

Maybe we should instead put a section in the rules that tells Freelancers the fact on general items they can vote or voice opinion but won't be involved in the Council on policy making.

 

That being said' date=' freelancers are still held to the same standards. If they cause issues on these forums, they'll be dealt with accordingly just like anyone else. If the griefing is in game, the best that can be done is simply giving a public notification of the griefer so everyone can just /blist him/her.[/quote']

 

This is where I think the problem could delvelop. We have a no gridfing policy on the forum and if the way to handle freelancer problems is to let people post complaints about them and not people in guilds its rather biased. That's why I think their should be a person or body of persons where such complaints can be PMed and the RPC notified. If you allow people to just post thread "This guy is a jerk everyone /blacklist them" you are inviting drama.

 

In regards to the rosters' date=' I don't think those would be a good idea. It seems like a good idea but it also can turn into a numbers war. That is, certain guilds may feel threatened when other guilds have significantly higher active rosters. This could slowly transform into political rivalries and create tensions. A guild may try to suck up some of the members of a larger guild and cause serious problems between the groups. The smaller RP groups may also feel insignificant compared to the larger ones and struggle to get new members as a result. Thus, roster lists could prove more problematic than they're worth.[/quote']

 

After reading all of your input I can agree rosters wouldn't be a way to handle this.

 

I think I'm looking more for than a section is a clear policy on:

 

1) Rules clear to Freelancers on that they are required to follow rules and will be held responsible for their actions just like people in the guilds

 

2) A way to report Freelancers who break rules to the RPC that is clear, private and doesn't bring the issue onto the RPC forum inviting drama.

[ramdragn]

I honestly don't see why make exclusive rules for freelance RPers when they are from the coalition if they wish to be. I mean, they will follow the same rules and want the same output, they just will lack a second set of rules dictated by the individual guild.

 

I believe they need no less nor more privilege just because they prefer no affiliations.

 

However, if actions will be taken, I agree 100% with Tsumi. I second a Freelance representative (a link between the complains and the RPC if ever needed)

 

As the rooster/database deal spoken, I don't think we need one since we have a forum to update as pleased. Unless some PHP or C++ program is customized to post and display data as its either updated or automatically changed it can be not only hard but tiresome

 

((Fight for vote rights!)) :lol!:

[Nomine]

I think I may be missing the meat of this so I apologize if this sounds uninformed or idiotic, work also turns my brain to mush... >.>

 

I'm a little confused on the need for any sort of seperate rules regarding freelancers or the like? As far as behavior on the forum, general forum rules should apply right? In regards to freelance rper behavior within the game when it's released shouldn't that be more of an individual basis? The FFXIVRC is being built as a means to help promote community growth and to encourage events and development right? Does there really need to be any sort of in game policing involving the RPC? Unless I'm completely reading this wrong which, feel free to delete if I am >.>

 

Having guild representatives and such kinda make sense as they put the extra effort in it to organize a group, actually run the guild and should recieve a greater voice since they're speaking on behalf of their own, but I sorta agree with one of the above posts about why Freelancers would need that extra care? Having a representative for a group that is, in and of themselves avoiding specific organization into a guild, seems kinda silly, otherwise why not join up with a guild? In regards to identifying which characters to /blist and things like that I really think that sort of thing is way too much of a drama pit to even be necessary. If someone is /blist worthy then chances are when you run into that person in game you'll know pretty early on as opposed to going by a 3rd party judgement which may have just had a bad experience.

 

Not to mention folks who may fit into the default freelancer category just because they're new or just getting settled into a character. As far as the previous is concerned having a specific ruleset seperate from forum rules or something to follow in game might be a little bit daunting and discouraging to folks. I know it would be to me if I just wanted to make an attempt to get involved into a new style of gaming.

 

That being said, I don't think it would be a bad idea to post up guidelines for behavior in general (which has probabily already been done and I'm blind ) but I dunno about going rule crazy for a group that exists as a category of individuals who are opting to play the ruleset that a guild may offer. Then again, like I said, I may be reading this completely wrong so feel free to axe this post!

 

P.S. TOTALLY planning to be freelance from the get-go btw. >.>

[Nanapariri]

I don't mean separate rules in behavior but that a separtate paragraph or somthing be added into the rules that just have been posted to address how disruptions should be handled when caused by Freelancers.

 

I'm also stating to make it clearly stated that Freelancers are subject to the rules just as those in the guild are too.

[Nomine]

I think that might be the part I'm getting a little confused at.....again I apologize, my brain doesn't work very well before noon. (If you notice the times I post, i'll have a new excuse for being a dummy each time! )

 

I know in the forum rules there's that general conduct notification under the "Respect" heading that seems to encompass everyone guilded or not guilded as far as behavior on the forums, or was there another section with specifics in regards to more strict conduct for guild members that I may have missed?

 

I should look into getting some glasses just for use in the morning....