Rough Idea, don't hurt me

[[DtK] [Jedi] Ham]

Alright no fancy colours or gifs or text size changes or propaganda, I'm gonna cut straight to it.

The DtK member system is outdated.

It is very rare for a community to have an extensive range of member groups such as DtK. For newer players who aren't aware, DtK has 5 (or 6 if you include Life Member) different Member ranks. Personally I believe this is a great system as it rewards longstanding members of the community or individuals who have made a significant contribution to the servers, to be worn as a badge of honour.

However, as I have previously stated and noticed in recent applications (and I may be getting this wrong), players aren't sure on what they are actually signing up to. Sure this isn't a big issue but I still think that with a new playerbase it may be time for change.

There are 3 things in which I suggest could be done, of course these are rough ideas and I honestly don't expect any of them to be followed up on.

1. Add a Ts and Cs pop-up that has forum rules and outlines the DtK member system appear when people click the "Apply Here" thing to make an application. Make sure they click something like "I have read and understood the message".

2. Change the application itself, whether it be changing existing questions or adding one in saying "Do you know what you are applying for, if so what is it?" This can be done in order to see if people making applications understand what they are applying for, if they say [N] tags or w/e then all good but if they say admin, staff or any admin really can explain how membership and admin applications work within DtK.

3. Reform the Membership System, this is my most sceptical idea but maybe implement a system in which if a player has more than 25 non spectator hours globally and more than 10 Forum Posts, they message staff and upon processing via PM, they can receive like a [R]egular rank. For other ranks such as [M] and [T] maybe merge them into one group too with the same promotion process that currently exists.

Also members who are inactive for more than 3 years should probably be demoted, with exceptions (i mean ranks lower than [JEDI]). I understand this isnt an easy job though so its all good.

As I said these are very rough ideas and I would love to hear other opinions on this matter, and if I'm wrong in assuming most new people don't understand the system then thats all good too.

- Ham

[[DtK] [Jedi] Ham]

Oh and when I say member system, I am not only refering to ranks but the application its self

[[DtK] [SA] WalkerBoh]

Just to add to that, has there ever been or will there / could there be a rank in between JA and SA? Like just plain Admin or A or something as a step up for people who have been JA's for more than 2 years say, but have no real option to become SA's as the current ones are still very active?

[The_Tactical_Bacon]

I like the idea of demoting inactive users as there seems to be a lot of them making up the lower ranks, [M] and [N] in particular.

[[DtK] [Jedi] Onesks]

I like the [R]egular idea, same with the demoting the inactive users.

[[DtK] [Jedi] Shadow]

Just to add to that, has there ever been or will there / could there be a rank in between JA and SA? Like just plain Admin or A or something as a step up for people who have been JA's for more than 2 years say, but have no real option to become SA's as the current ones are still very active?

i dont think there is a need for JA's to rank themselves more important than others...

and ham, last time i knew i think they did demote inactive players (of course not JEDI's, but V and T at least), i dont know if that still happens though

[[DtK] [V] mjrmooseknuckle]

I personally don't mind walkerboh's idea, as those new to [JA] can garner some confidence from knowing there are [A]'s to which they can also receive support from with server related matters. Not to say [SA]'s don't do an exceptional job in this regard, but it can take time to become a sound admin and at the end of the day it's a team minded approach...

[[DtK] [Jedi] Onesks]

Idk about the [A] idea, seems a bit admin-crowded, seems a bit too much and might confuse new players.

[[DtK] [SA] WalkerBoh]

My thinking wasn't about ranking anyone above anyone else, more just some interactions I've personally had from the abusive players we get from time to time, who like to point out that you are only a Junior Admin and have been for soo long, that you must be too bad to be anything else.

I used to let that sort of thing get to me, but under KO's expert guidance, along with some staff and other SA's, I no longer care about it. Ham's post just got me thinking about it is all. I love the honour of being a DtK admin, and care less whether it's senior or junior, but I vaguely recall seeing someone with an [A] once early on in my time on DtK servers, and was wondering if I'm seeing things or if it was ever a thing, or if it's been thought of.

[[DtK] [V] the presidant]

I personally don't mind walkerboh's idea, as those new to [JA] can garner some confidence from knowing there are [A]'s to which they can also receive support from with server related matters. Not to say [SA]'s don't do an exceptional job in this regard, but it can take time to become a sound admin and at the end of the day it's a team minded approach...

Seems a little silly to add an inbetween rank, atleast in my admin experience for DTK the JA's were confident enough to talk to eachother and work as a group to come up with solutions for the server, bans or whatever was needed. Being close to your co-admins is a bit part of managing a server and you should be confident enough to speak to the JA's, because you're all there for the same reason.

ot; rank cleanups r cool they've happened in the past and i think doing them more frequently would make ranks more valuable, and something to achieve by being in the community

[[DtK] [Jedi] Dark Necessities]

My concern, recently anyway - is the amount of applications to DTK that say they want to admin/how they would admin.
It's coming across as people are joining to become admins, not be part of this awesome community, contribute and if lucky/considered be asked to admin.

[[DtK] [Jedi] Onesks]

My concern, recently anyway - is the amount of applications to DTK that say they want to admin/how they would admin.
It's coming across as people are joining to become admins, not be part of this awesome community, contribute and if lucky/considered be asked to admin.

I think that links into what Ham was saying about "knowing what someone is applying for" and explaining what you ARE applying for.

[[DtK] [Jedi] Undercover Martyn]

My concern, recently anyway - is the amount of applications to DTK that say they want to admin/how they would admin.
It's coming across as people are joining to become admins, not be part of this awesome community, contribute and if lucky/considered be asked to admin.

Considering there are messages on our servers advocating that DtK is looking for players to admin, it's not much of a surprise to see people joining with the hopes of being promoted to admin, and I don't think it's too concerning either.

On the admin ranks note, I don't think there's a need for a 3rd tier of admin (JA - A - SA), but perhaps rather just replace "Junior Admin" with simply "Admin", as some people who are JA's clearly aren't new or inexperienced in the role as might be inferred from the title.

[[DtK] [Jedi] Ham]

^^^^^ About the apps, that's what I said, it isn't an issue but I just don't think players understand.

[[DtK] [V] mjrmooseknuckle]

Seems a little silly to add an inbetween rank, atleast in my admin experience for DTK the JA's were confident enough to talk to eachother and work as a group to come up with solutions for the server, bans or whatever was needed. Being close to your co-admins is a bit part of managing a server and you should be confident enough to speak to the JA's, because you're all there for the same reason.

Not disagreeing with your point, my point was in regards to guidance rather than confidence in the ability to communicate effectively ([SA]'s are great in guiding new admins like myself). However, I did see credit in also having a seasoned admin position who can also provide clarification in the brief absence of an [SA].

You're absolutely right, it is important to be a close knit admin team (Which from my experience Dtk excels at). As it is to have discussion around these things and experience multiple points of view.

[[DtK] [Jedi] Shadow]

Not disagreeing with your point, my point was in regards to guidance rather than confidence in the ability to communicate effectively ([SA]'s are great in guiding new admins like myself). However, I did see credit in also having a seasoned admin position who can also provide clarification in the brief absence of an [SA].

You're absolutely right, it is important to be a close knit admin team (Which from my experience Dtk excels at). As it is to have discussion around these things and experience multiple points of view.

if their is absence of your SA, and you need clarification then im sure any staff member can help with that one

[[DtK] [Jedi] Onesks]

Not disagreeing with your point, my point was in regards to guidance rather than confidence in the ability to communicate effectively ([SA]'s are great in guiding new admins like myself). However, I did see credit in also having a seasoned admin position who can also provide clarification in the brief absence of an [SA].

You're absolutely right, it is important to be a close knit admin team (Which from my experience Dtk excels at). As it is to have discussion around these things and experience multiple points of view.

So what like a backup [SA] lets say?

[[DtK] [M] Dyelon]

So what like a backup [SA] lets say?

Well an SA runs their JA team and server, so like a Veteran/experienced admin who still handles the JA tasks, but is distinguished by their experience is what id assume.

[[DtK] [V] mjrmooseknuckle]

Just like a seasoned admin who has valuable experience - at least more of that than a fresh [JA]. If that's a 2IC type position than so be it.

[[DtK] [Jedi] Onesks]

Ahhh okay,