Re-Build Thread

[Sarah]

Yeah I definitely want to add some more locations, especially to Terra. (For instance, the Inbetween could probably use stuff like a school location, etc). I'll have to remove a few as well since the characters that "owned" them are no longer around.

On the location note, though, I did delete The Painted Lady on the Underworld completely, just in worries that it leaned too far into the concern about "adult themes". I still don't know if any of our actual content was a problem past the note in the rules that was specifically pointed out by the Abuse team, but I did delete some other threads here and there as well. Mostly ones involving some making out or the like . I don't consider them explicit, but I figured I'd take them down as a precaution in case they were still a problem (I saved a copy of each of them before deleting, though, to preserve a record of our writing history for myself). Might email further about that particular issue...

I was thinking about the applications a bit while I was backing them up the other day. I do feel like they need a bit of tweaking, but am unsure where. Suggestions?

[Claire]

Yeah, that's a good idea. Removing all of the potentially incriminating content will save us a lot of trouble in the future. I went and saved Magdalen's application just in case. It'd be tedious if I had to type all that up again from memory.
I could come up with a few new locations and descriptions for you while we wait for the relaunch to kick off? I like doing those sorts of things. Obviously I'll run them by you for your approval first, but I feel like I should do something constructive. Haha.

As for the applications .. I really don't know. Recently I've come to notice that a lot of roleplayers are getting especially tired of the long, drawn-out biographies they have to fill out. I understand it can become extremely monotonous, especially when they just want to throw their new creations into the action as soon as possible. Perhaps we could shorten them somehow, but still keep the essential bits? Besides, I always found it was much more exciting developing a character through roleplay as opposed to laying it all out beforehand.

But that's completely up to you. There are definite pros to having the lengthily application as well.

[Sarah]

Sure! Feel free to come up with some interesting places! Most notably I think we need further variation on public "meeting places" of sorts. We can't just have people keep running into each other at the bar, after all! XD

On the topic of applications, do you think maybe just cutting out the length requirements on the various spots might make it easier to fill out?

Also, I know the "role play example" is difficult to write out in some cases too (even for me!), but I do like to have it as an example of a poster's overall writing quality. It's not that I'm looking for perfection, but it's nice to see those who have a decent grasp on the English language. Maybe cutting out the length requirement too? Or making it optional? (thus: those who bother to do it get extra points right off the bat?)

[Claire]

Haha, I guess you're right eh? Our characters are going to seem like total alcoholics! But yeah, I'll get on that ASAP and see what you think of what I can come up with. Just for Terra then, or other planets as well?

I think shorter length requirements might help. Or even if you give them certain options for the personality and history sections. For example, instead of writing out a full personality, perhaps they could list ten specific attributes - five good and five bad - and then add a short explanation beside each? That might suffice without feeling overwhelming? And for the history section they could just explain important moments in their character's lives? Something along those lines.

Again, it's completely your call. I'm just thinking about comments other users have made to me on various sites in the past.

[sunnie]

I agree that giving people options is definitely the best way to go, perhaps one of the options could be to combine the history and role play examples. The person could write about a few important points in the characters life as if they were making a post in a thread about that point. For example,

"When So-and-so was five they met their best friend Blah: [Insert sample post describing them meeting] The two stayed friends until they were thirteen and Blah had to leave because reason. [Insert sample post about friend leaving] ect."

Although that could easily get very complicated, so maybe it's not the best idea. What do you guys think?

[Sarah]

Combining them might work. Basically it seems like we should remove all restrictions to the bio section, and then just gives some suggestions/hints and whatnot.

Head's up, I sent you guys an email!

[Sarah]

Alright here's a question:

We've talked about making Terra a bigger part of the site... what if I were to split it further into the Sectors? This would mean repeat "docks"/"apartments"/etc for each of the Top/Inbetween/Below.

Downside being... the characters are more split up in different locations, but it would be more realistic in that not everything that's happening is in the same tiny corner of the planet.

Pros/cons/thoughts?

[sunnie]

We could do that, although it would make things a little more confusing. I don't think it would really keep the characters too separated though.

If you consider the fact that they have elevators that can go from the Below to the Top in a matter of minutes, going from one Sector to another fairly quickly shouldn't be too hard. Although I guess in the Below they would be separated cause they probably wouldn't have that technology.

[Sarah]

Now thinking we'll stick with what I've got for now, but I'll label it a specific sector so that it reminds people there are others. But then we don't spread the RPers too thin around the planet for now and they can actually interact. Then, if we get enough people on Terra, we can always open up another sector. Sound good?

The forums are all built now, so now I get to focus on the layout aspect. I have the week off from work Aug 21-28, so I'm holding off the substantial work until then, when I can really spend some decent time focusing on it, rather than trying to drum up some brain power to learn/build a layout after a long days work.

[sunnie]

Sounds good to me, I can't wait to see the site up and running again!

[Claire]

Same here! I'm so ready to dust Magdalen off and dive back into this.

[Sarah]

Slowly figuring out where to input coding and the like. Next step is to figure out where to adjust the colours, and then figure out which colours to use. XD (should I just do my best to transfer this layout over for now? right now I've just put in the images as place holders).

[Claire]

Yeah, I'd say transfer everything over for now .. just until you get a better handle on IF's controls and coding format. And then once you're a little more comfortable with it, attempt something new.

The layout isn't especially important at this point anyway. Glad to see things are coming along nicely! You're doing an awesome job, Sarah.