Ok so as I am meandering the forums and playing at the same time I come across a realization.. Your below average player (me for example) has a tough time finding anything on the forums. For example, IG they were disputing the rules about unlawful pilots and who could and couldn't carry them... Well I decided to try and figure that out myself but much to my dismay the forum lacks a general information page. Search didn't help either as it resulted in nothing on the subject matter. Now I am sure most of you might say that I was wording it wrong (most likely true <.< ) , but I feel a organized reference should be made so that new players don't have to plunk half a day to forum digging so they don't have to worry about getting banned/reported cause they did something like shield running and they didn't know about it.. or in my case got popped for carrying pilots... >.>
//note to the Admins, etc. Wasn't sure where to put this so if it needs to move please do so and hit me up with a message to point me in the right direction.. I would prefer not to lose my post into the depths..//
BTW Thanks for the UBERLY awesome mod.. only complaint is that the SP is kicking my butt.. them enemy ships are insanely too strong/smart.. but multi player is oh so cool.
Yea, i aggree, when i first started playing this game and tried to use the forums,, i got lost as well, but now i just mainly click the veiw new posts icon and it usually has the good stuff right there, like for instance. players being sanctioned or if you post a question, like this, for other people to see. or is i want to find something more specific i type <name> into the search, it will become more easy to use after moaping around them for awhile.
Some time ago I was wondering if perhaps we should start working on a portal of sorts for the server. I have to agree that the forums are something of a overwhelming sight for someone who comes here for the first time.
Even today I can't fully wrap my mind around them. I think I use two or three of the sub-forums actively and the rest of them whenever I have a surge of memory. Making specific stickied threads for the more important matters is good, but these matters are important to us that already understand what's going on here. The new player must first understand he's looking for them (not probable) and get to find these threads (not likely).
Maybe, MAYBE, the wiki can help in this, but still I think it's not the ideal format.
' Wrote:There already are two "index" threads of sorts that are pinned.
Mine has over 5000 views, and Majkp's has several thousand in the Welcome Forum.
Still, Xoria, we have to deal with the ignorance (no pejorative meaning whatsoever here) of new players on a daily basis. It wouldn't hurt to have some sort of less cumbersome interface for the really important content, as rules and your "tips for newcomers" thread.
In a time of infomercials, flash content and pop-up windows; thinking that people in general can be bothered to browse through tons of text content is hoping too much. It's like hading out complete encyclopedias at the entrance of a park and saying, "Here's what you need to know so you can play here"; as opposed to handing out folders with comprehensive enough information so people can avoid making blatant mistakes. People come and see all the rides inside and won't care about reading no book. But maybe they'll have time to check in the folder while they wait in line.
If we're really interested in including people rather than becoming a death trap of sanctions, we should be serious about considering this. In the end, we are party with the bigger interest in this. We, who play here everyday, will be the ones who will have to endure and deal with that ignorance.
EDIT: As a quick alternative to this. Could we at least include an automated e-mail and/or forum PM to the new registered people. (1) A link to your welcoming thread; (2) How each of the forums are used; (3) Where to find specific information; and so on...
I believe the primary concern should be one location that lays down the basics. I don't like the idea of getting blown up cause I didn't know about the level 30 PVP allowance AND that someone had made a Blockade of Liberty. (I have played freelancer, Making level 30 is a cake walk).
Beyond that a list of rules and perhaps an explanation to all these acronyms would be nice.. Since seeing a whole bunch of two letters doesn't help the newbie learn who to say hello to and who would be better to light some AB (afterburners) in the other direction from. I noticed the glossary that someone posted is doing well, but its still a little bare bones. If I was better at writing I would offer, because this is for sure going to be a near full time job to make sure the Newbie page is up to date with the changes made in the forums. Also I don't know everything real well so it would make it very difficult.
A final note for the post. An ending to the announcement in the news.. I would like to know when embargoes and stuff are lifted.. I don't think the event from 1 year ago is still in effect. Some minor stuff like that. Thanks.
Rules are in the- OMIGOSH -rules subforum. Nice topic entitled "Server Rules" by Igiss. For blockades and whatnot, check the roleplay subforum, should be in diplomacy. Or shoot someone a PM. For Liberty, try Turkish or Titan (sorry sn!per but I can't remember how to spell your name).
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