Author Topic: How does the Layonara volunteer staff treat you? (Read 2128 times)

OneST8 · « **on:** December 11, 2006, 05:13:41 AM »

This poll stems from a recently frozen thread.

I personally am very interested to know the community's perspective on this because from an admin standpoint it can often be difficult to determin what's the community's actual perspective is towards the volunteer administration and staff of Layonara.

Edit:
Just a quick note, this is an anonymous poll. Please vote with how you honestly feel. Hiding from the public discussion is one thing but you need to at least give us a clue here folks. Communication is the cornerstone of any community's longevity, without hearing honest opinions and perspectives there is very little that can be done to remedy any unspoken or unvoiced issues.

Honora · « **Reply #1 on:** December 11, 2006, 05:28:14 AM »

I'll be the first to say that as someone with a life, who understands that the GMs of Layo also have a life, and volunteer their time (as I do on the writing team), I have no problems with the way I'm treated. I don't make life difficult for them, they only interfere when it's in the rules (as far as I've seen); *looks at Orion and remembers some bugs she dragged to zone so many months ago*; and as far as I'm concerned, it's all good.

If one wants to throw stones, perhaps then one should not come back after one is BANNED (Hello! Banned!) and whine when one is found out.

*Sermon off*

Falonthas · « **Reply #2 on:** December 11, 2006, 05:52:01 AM »

i came from a server that has been constantly called the worst server of all times by some and the best by others

why is this because you cant make everyone happy all the time no matter what you do
they have a very tightly controlled PW in some aspects where as others they basically let you run with whatever happens as long as the RP justifies the actions

now i got tired of not being able to have my char go over levl 10 because my play times varied and though everyone said i stayed in character and was doing as they would i never got seen by the ones who could take the cap off my char so i could advance
they keep a very low level low magic standpoint for the realms

so i floated around for a bit and then i saw the window for layo so decided to check it out
everything i read appealed to me save teh non pvp which i ran into and was took to the side when it did happen
i wasnt told i was wrong as i had acted just as my character would
but due to the way we have all accepted to play my actions didnt give the other side a way to roleplay it out other then being severly injured

thats in the past and the way it was handled was perfect
in rl when you want to bring something up you dont have to make a scene for all to see
you take the people involved aside and you talk it out and then you fix it
same happened here

since i had one other slight issue but was resolved as well with no ranting needed it was done through mail and all sides are fine still

if your unhappy with something,dont try to make this large ruckus cause it will simply backfire and make people wonder why you didnt just take it to the people you have issue with
yes your unhappy with what you see is favoritism
ok i travel with some of the the chars of the staff and i do my best to be my char as they do as well
if i have questions they answer them,if they cant then they point me in the right direction

you have to remember the staff are players too even if they wear the fancy hat sometimes
they have their staff time and their play time

ive seen on many occasion when they drop what they are doing to help out in staff mode when they could have just kept playing

am i a favorite, in my opinion far from it
if anything im the anti favorite
yet i do as my char would within the guides that have been given to me
my druid has his goals and if he reaches them fine and dandy
if he doesnt thats fine too
cause even if he does he has his flaws
just as people do
the gms have their flaws too
they are here to play and to guide and to benefit from the world we have been given to explore ourselves in
for if you think about it
beyond the magic and the humanoid shapes and the monsters
each char we play is an extension of who we are to some point
we put some of ourselves into who we play and how we play
the gms do the same
some are the super analytical who can see things like the matrix
some are incredibly visual
some are a mix of both
but all in all they are people too and just trying to enjoy what they do as their hobby

for thats what it is, a hobby to put time and effort into something ,so they and others can escape and be the mighty warrior or studious mage or cackling cleric

dont ever forget we are playing a game
so sit back
relax and get your sword out and put the little things for those few hours aside to give a clear view on having fun

AbnerMojo · « **Reply #3 on:** December 11, 2006, 06:01:35 AM »

Uhm, I know it isn't funny. But, uh, do you think anyone is all that eager to give a negative response if thats their honest feeling in the poll above after we just got through reading a rant about how our Tells are being read, and etc, etc? I mean, regardless of what the truth is, this may get twisted around by someone. Like I can pretty much see it now, 'See the only responses were posotive, people are afraid to say how they honestly feel.' LoL I know it is stupid, and absence of proof is no proof at all, but people who are conspiracy nuts or like relishing the rebel against the machine role live for a thing like this.

But, yeah, staffs been great to me.

Falonthas · « **Reply #4 on:** December 11, 2006, 06:05:01 AM »

from what ive seen they may freeze negative posts so flame wars dont occur in the same thread but they are seen by all
open forum if people have bad experience the staff im sure would like to see them

not that im one to say but my opinion if you cant see negatives you cant possibly figure out the way to fix them if they actually exist

Rowana · « **Reply #5 on:** December 11, 2006, 06:09:51 AM »

If you've something negative to say, a constructive discussion is your best bet, vote negatory and describe your feelings so we can look into it and fix what's broken. If you don't tell us, how will we know?

~row

OneST8 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 11, 2006, 06:13:47 AM »

I've posted the poll and discussion thread while freezing the original in the hopes of providing some transparency and a suitable location for public discussion.

Anything can be misconstrued, in any number of ways, as the real lynch-pin here is that all-time wonderous saying from Mr. Einstein....

"Reality is relative to the perspective of the individual"

Sadly, the problem with situations like this is that you're damned if you do anything and you're damned if you don't.

soul101 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 11, 2006, 06:16:12 AM »

As a new player here, I am not in a position to make a definitive vote, as I haven't had enough interaction with GMs'; however I feel the service here so far is much better than other servers I have played on.

Thanks to Minerva for being patient with me in his (her?) Quest which I took part in recently. It was my first experience of one of these, and it was extremely fun, and well run. I look forward to redeeming myself from shouting "slaads!" having never seen one before...

seriously though, thanks for taking this time (YOUR time) to put this world together and keep it going.

Pen N Popper · « **Reply #8 on:** December 11, 2006, 06:29:53 AM »

I hope the GM team and those in supporting roles know my opinion. I have always felt treated with kindness and respect, and attempt to maintain that in my dealings with them.

I will make one small note: The textual medium, without its verbal inflections and its lack of facial expressions, can often be misconstrued. I have seen some posts and their replies that I have raised an eyebrow at. For I read them as one way, but the replying person has clearly interpreted the emotion behind the words differently.

LordCove · « **Reply #9 on:** December 11, 2006, 06:30:21 AM »

I've had some time with the GM times....and I've had "no" bad experience. I've had nothing but help and support, going back to the times my Router would crash me every ten minutes, causing agonising breaks in GM quests. Did they ask me to leave or abandon the quest. No, they told me not to worry, keep logging on, and they'd keep me updated.
For something which is "free" to all of us....I thought this was bloody fantastic, and is what keep's me here.

My 50 bob.

Steve

Shadowblade225 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 11, 2006, 06:43:11 AM »

How does the Layonara volunteer staff treat you?
Fair and unbaised.
How does the Layonara volunteer staff treat the Layonara volunteer staff?
Fair and unbiased from my observations and please...please let it be known that I speak from an absolutely neutral point of view.
I'm far and away not the most knowledgable or smartest apple on the tree here, but I'm establishing a career in scientific research and anyone involved in such a career or a similiar one knows the meaning of unbiased - absolute unbiasness. In a few rare cases in the scientific community there does arrise a "conflict of interest" between two parties, but in general, the community is mature enough that to see the advancement of various aspects of human biology, nonhuman biology etc... (i.e. the scientific community), a neutral perspective is mandatory.
There really isn't anything else to say here other than that no matter what...no matter what, there will always be a disgruntled member - damned if you do, damned if you don't. It's a sad case, but then such is human nature.
For those whom are disgruntled or upset, please...please remember as has been pointed out time and time again:
[list=1]

This is a game. Your life does not depend on this game, nor should it be influenced to such an extent.
This is a hobbie, a form of volunteer time taken out among the hectic lives of much of the Layonara staff

For those upset, I'm sure much of you realize that, but still I'm inclined to ask if despite the fact that such and such was a friend of yours, the rules set are set in place for a reason - again - common sense there.
If after thinking about it, calming your emotions down, being rationale (as in my witness, much of the complains have been rather irrational and unidimensional) then take it up politely andin a mature manner with the staff.In some cases I will admit that there have been times where I could completely understand the players point of view and even go so far to admit that in these very rare cases I would have sided with the player. However like I've said these cases are rare and the responses in much of these instances would have progressed further if the player had laid down their case in a mature manner and more so, responded to the DM comments in a polite tone.
Finally, I know that no matter my words nor anyone elses, there will always be that one person whomthe constant and polite insistance that their issue be addressed in a polite (and sometimes private) manner - will fall on deaf ears. They will scream and hollar. They will flame. They will not realize nor admit that they do, but they will. They will clearly show their emotion, but despite how rationale there greivance may appear to themselves, the immature nature of their posts will negate any and perhaps all chance of afavorableand understanding response and hopefully they will see, after revisiting that post that they were so adamant on, they will perhaps be slightly embarrassed about their tone of dialiect. Unless ofcourse the member continues to be stubborn.
After speaking all this I must offer the disclaimer that i'm not saying this to score browning points with the Layonara team here - if I felt the DM's had a special "groupy or click" thing going on, I'd leave. It's just that simple.

Laldiien · « **Reply #11 on:** December 11, 2006, 06:44:20 AM »

I had to, in good conscience, vote "Incredibly good" I'm sorry, but when I made my character, I logged in and no GM was there with wads of gold, no one held my hand and escorted me to the juicy spawn points, and the GM team has steadfastly refused to kiss my butt.
That being said, they *have* answered my questions, resolved the few issues I have had, provided me with hours of entertainment both in static content and dynamic quests, and generally treated me with courtesy and respect. The few times I felt I was not being treated with courtesy and respect, it was because I was violating server policy by wantonly OOC'ing a conversation. I took offense that someone would treat me the same as they would everyone else and have the temerity to correct my lapse. I even got pissy about it. They GM was not impressed.
The *volunteer*(click HERE for a definition; see points 2 and 7) staff of Layonara do this for a myriad of reasons, none of which I am privy to, nor do I need to know. They do. They matter. We, the players, owe them a debt of gratitude, not the unrelenting wash of crap that is spewed at them. Do I agree with every policy the GM’s and Leanthar has put in place? Not a chance. Do I think some policies are heavy handed and over stringent? Sure. I also know that they are heavy handed and uniform across the board. What goes for me, goes for them. I am not a quiet person. If I feel there is an unresolved issue, I’ll yammer until something is done, or I understand the reasons.
Keep it up. And I am still waiting for my bags of gold.

Rayenoir · « **Reply #12 on:** December 11, 2006, 08:02:27 AM »

I voted "Very good." I feel as though it was the ideal PW that I was looking for over a year and a half ago when I started, and it still stands above other PW's, it's started to decline since the fall of Bloodstone. I'm not entirely sure why that is, so I'll save my speculation.

LynnJuniper · « **Reply #13 on:** December 11, 2006, 11:07:03 AM »

I was torn between Good and Very Good.

As PnP Stated:

I will make one small note: The textual medium, without its verbal inflections and its lack of facial expressions, can often be misconstrued. I have seen some posts and their replies that I have raised an eyebrow at. For I read them as one way, but the replying person has clearly interpreted the emotion behind the words differently.

This I wholeheartedly agree with having been at both sides of the spectrum.

That being said, whenever I had a problem or a question the GMs would Always answer that problem or question always promptly and 90% of the time efficiently. If they could not do so they would point me to someone who could.

Having been given the privilege to work with a few of them Id have to say that there are way more good things then there are bad things..

I do want to give some credit to Abner's post that states that some people may be afraid to give negative criticism. I have to admit for a while I was as well. I mean, no one likes feeling like the 10 year old with their parents 'not mad but ...disappointed' and sometimes truthfully I can feel that vibe (and mostly rightfully so) coming from the team (not necessarily directed towards myself but in some of the forum replies and such)(Also, sometimes this can be what PnP refered to) . While this is perfectly fine and justifiable in most cases my only criticism is saying that it may in turn, dissuade others from offering their constructive points or opinions....Or maybe Its just me *shrugs*

All that said I do want to commend the team for, while being disappointed, keeping their calm. I have commended them personally before for being the bigger person, and I would like to do so again here. Like I’ve stated time and time again it takes a certain breed of person not to drop to the level you’re forced to endure sometimes.

Eight-Bit · « **Reply #14 on:** December 11, 2006, 11:26:33 AM »

I've had some good GM experiences and some bad ones. I'm still here though, that tells you something.

hawklen · « **Reply #15 on:** December 11, 2006, 11:30:05 AM »

I had to vote worst. Because they nerfed the pillar of lava spell and I cant kill 40 ogres at once anymore. *nods sagely*

Chnmmr · « **Reply #16 on:** December 11, 2006, 11:37:42 AM »

I voted incredibly good because that's how I have been treated. But I have seen and heard others treatment that I would describe as 'bad'. Differs person to person, and then again I haven't need to post a request for any sort of refund. So I suspect I've seen the light side of the whole system.

CHAzz · « **Reply #17 on:** December 11, 2006, 12:22:03 PM »

also as has been mentioned, everything is relative and completely subjective. Two people could be given the same ruling based on the same circumstances, with the same explanation given, and they would each come away with a different perspective on how they were treated, with one person feeling that things were done in a fair manner and that proper consideration was given, while the second person feels that they were manhandled, mistreated, misunderstood, and generally maligned in every way.

Tanman · « **Reply #18 on:** December 11, 2006, 02:08:50 PM »

I voted "Incredibily Good". I am a firm believer that not everything is going to be 100% There is without a doubt that there is going to be room for improvement. Thats what keeps us going.

My answer to how I am personally treated on Layonara by the staff. . .I have been treated in a fair and friendly manner. I have met several GMs IG and out of the game. There are a few WL and GMs that have made my time in Layonara enjoyable and I hope my RP with them enriches their play time too. I have talked to the character approvers when I needed my character approved and I have had a blast doing that. If you work at reaching a solution and attempt to understand why they come to the conclusion that they did I found that 99.999% of the time, you are going to be treated right.

Leanthar is one of the most approachable person I know.(and thats not within Layonara *winks*) Every single query/suggestion that I have asked him(even if it looked dumb) has been responded to in at least a day, and none of the suggestions or queries either make me feel belittled or make me feel intimidated. Most of the time if he is on, he responds to them in an hour. Whether the response is an acknowledgement, or a quick explaination, he responds and takes note if it makes sense. This tells me that he really cares about this community and is willing to listen.

I would like to highlight a point that PnP, LynnJuniper and Chazz made. And that is of perception of the admin team when it comes to the likes of disputes. As with LynnJuniper I find my eyebrows being raised, moreso, because I have not worked with the team to know them as LynnJuniper does.

Whether we agree with or not...there are going to be people out there that are going to have a kind of sentinment with their characters, so it is natural that they might put up a fight when losing a SS or their special item. People have a better perception of the team when they realise that the team are not there to make life difficult or singling them out to by empathesising with them.

Etinfall · « **Reply #19 on:** December 11, 2006, 07:39:14 PM »

Absolutely the best.

I hope that is because I treat them the best I can. I have had issues. I mention it to a GM or Leanther and every time I get a respectful response. I can not count the number of times I see someone post a suggestion that was respectful and see the same respectfulness posted back by the team. The idea might not make it but a lot do. If the idea does not make it there is always a reason posted.

Some people are just rude. Here, at work, on the road, in the grocery store...anywhere. Sometimes we get caught up in that. When that has happened to me a GM always listens to me and calms me and helps me enjoy this world.

Thanks to Leanther, the entire GM team, the writing team, the techies, the character approvers, the disputes team, the movie makers, and the community!