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thread statistics and constructive criticism.

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DarkenedKnight

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May 23, 2010
I have a couple of suggestions here that may be helpful to the community.

This may seem a little egotistical but I find myself wanting to have in-depth statistics for the threads I create. Things like number of subscribers(if any) number of unique views, number of repeat views(excluding my own) and a more detailed rating system.
It would also be nice to have more explicit control over thread moderation inside roleplays, not to the level of an actual mod, but being able to add notations, define co-authors or something like that. I would imagine that for role players who world build, or dungeon master, such a system would be valuable to help their partners along with out having to wait for the other person to edit their post.
Another thing that might be nice to see would be a discrete comment system, that is an opt in, for role players to get feedback about their posts or plot. All of it would be hidden from public view, to prevent public shaming or abuse, while allowing for more experienced players and wordsmiths to help those who want to get better as they go.
Mind, I know most people roleplay just for themselves, but I also know that some like to know that others enjoy their works.

I was always bad at ending the suggestion posts....
So...
I'm done.
 
1. Views are good enough.
2. Why would you need subscribers if you know people are already looking at your thread?
3. Why would you need a more detailed rating system? No one likes the rating system as it is because people can be biased assholes about it. Formulate your own opinion rather than asking it of others.
4. In a One x One thread, it's between you and your partner. For groups, we have sectional mods. For gaming, we have GMs. They aren't as high as sectional mods, but since they are GMs, they have what they need to do what is required of them. We don't need more than what we have already.
5. If you want to comment on someone's thread, then send them a message. Otherwise, there isn't a need for a "discrete comment system." We also have a Concrit and Idea development forum specifically for the purpose you have described.
6. I suggest you take a better look around the forum. Most of your suggestions have either been put into place in part, or are just downright silly.
 
We have sectional mods who take care of group-style games for the purpose of modding. For games that require a bit more control for the purpose of the game NOT for modding, we now have GMs. GMs are NOT mods, but have limited thread managing capabilities. So that aspect is already handled. Giving people thread management over 1x1s or small groups? Not happening. Sorry. Ask a mod for assistance if you really need it.

If you want concrit for anything? Submit a link or portion over in the appropriate subforum. It's been there for a while now and that is its purpose. To help us improve our writing as well as to share what we know in regards of how to improve. Just don't be a dick in how you pass on that help.

As for a rating system, it's gone and staying gone. People abuse it and I refuse to watch such silliness occur on the boards. Believe it or not, when people are actually really taken with what you post, they tend to contact you. It's happened to me a few times and I'm sure to several others as well. But really, if you want some sort of feedback, bring it to concrit. Otherwise, to me, it just sounds like people want their ego, among other things, stroked.
 
I see your points about the moderation thing, in immature hands that would be quite a problem.
However, I would stand by the comment idea, if for no better reason than I do most of my role plays by pm, I tend not to do many role plays by thread unless I am required to by my partner or have a particular intent to entertain with said role play.
I know that there are other people who feel the do the same for a variety of other reasons. If they want to keep it private or not get comments, then the don't turn the option on.
I generally don't care either way about input for my role plays since they are for me and my partner, however as a writer I like to know that if I place a role play in a public area, I am doing it well. If some one reads it and can't understand it or finds issue with my style or some other thing that makes it less enjoyable to read, I'd like to know. I am certain that I can get all the ego stroking I like from a partner if I asked. That's not the point though. I am not interested in knowing if my work is good, only in if it can be better. To ask in con crit is one thing, but that asks people who may not have been following my thread out of personal interest to look at my work, not a bad thing, it certainly does allow for unbias viewpoints, but that's like asking a star wars devotee to critique my hawaii five-o fanfiction, he/she may have an interest in it but if he/she wasn't looking at it in the first place does he/she really care?
 
It really does sound like you are looking for something other than what the site normally offers. Most people in general do not go rummaging around through your past history to get to know "you."

Concrit is where you can go to get feedback about what people like/don't like/think you can improve on. Asking for more just seems like you want something. -shrugs-

As a side note- most people don't get personal about other people's RP stuff. They usually don't care because it's an RP site and not one based on improving one's skill through commentary.
 
I think what Darkened Knight and I are getting at is having something that can help the role player instead of simply the writer. By which I mean, yes, we have forums to get specific feed back from written works, but to have a feature where all parties, should they opt into it, could get a PM to where someone could provide specific feedback I don't think sounds too unreasonable. Also, a short story, poem, etc, doesn't have the same merit as a role play. Critics could comment on how well two (or more) parties work together, or how well ideas flow between posts, and could even point out continuity errors that the players might not have seen.

I think the forum statistics, while they could be fun, are much more of a bother than say having a button at the end on ones post saying something along the lines of "give feedback" which would just instantly set up a PM to send to those who are writing the thread. It's a simple way to ask for feed back without seeming like a dick for asking or presuming someone wants it.

Cause you are right, some people wouldn't want it, and might even feel a little strange you are taking time to read their role play. Contacting said people would be a little awkward. Then on flip side you have people who would appreciate feedback, but don't know how to ask for it in a way that would provide context and limit relentless ego-stroking. As far as linking to Concrit, you would have at least two threads to keep a somewhat reasonable tally on (the Concrit one and the role play) and a potential third one of OOC chatter if it is a group role play.
 
I will grant you that, but role playing isn't writing in the same way a poem is or writing a novel is, so while I might be a good writer-- I may not be a good role player. Asking for a spot critique in con crit is good, but if there are people who read "your" role plays, or at least one in particular, its nice to be able to have them say "this was good, but your word choice is poor." or "you might want to work on your characterization in the future". I may be getting too techincal, but I think that it would be a nice option to have, if for no better reason than I don't have to play on a thread, I can just as easily play by pm or email(via dummy account naturally) and I don't have to care if I get better as a role player. If I want ego stroking then I can find a starry eyed newbie and wow her/him with four paragraphs. I can also just as easily get along with others who like to be more use shorter form role plays.
I know that this I primarily a role play site, but if you have a con crit section at all, it means that there can be space for those who are interested in providing help and those who want the help. All I am suggesting is a way that would make it easy for people to do so without having to make a thread about it and do it in a more fluid way.
 
Personally, if someone was going to critique what you were roleplaying, they would PM you if you said they should. I also don't care what people think of my Rps either. If you want to improve, then you can ask for help with that, but otherwise, it's not really what the site is for. As I've said, most people do not care about what other people are RPing. It's simple as that. And as DA and I both have said, if you want critiques on proving your writing and roleplaying then ask for help in the Concrit section. Several people have done it to help improve on character development, request threads, etc.
 
Short answer. Critique is for concrit. You want it, submit something there be it by link or something you copy/paste. Issue is closed.
 
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