A Staff Change for the School Server

[Xray_Doc]

Recently, there have been many people who see the school server as just 'there' and don't bother with it. This can be frustrating for visitors/students who are trying to join or learn, and when no one helps them they leave or result to other methods that leave them at fault. This bring me to a possible suggestion for a staff change on the school server, as it may be able to help run the server much smoother.

Like on the RDF (yeah, I know admins), the school server was run separately by another group from the staff or new admins. However, with the way they chose to run it this made the staff more accessible from the school server to students, and allowed better maintenance of the server itself.

While I am not saying we should completely change the system, I'm suggesting we try this new separate school staff to see if the server becomes more productive.

Many of the admins on ORE focus on primarily the build server, I rarely see any on the school server. In fact, I myself don't go on the server due to the lack of people. I truly believe that trying this could result in new members in the community and a much better school server.

[Iceglade]

Recently, there have been many people who see the school server as just 'there' and don't bother with it. This can be frustrating for visitors/students who are trying to join or learn, and when no one helps them they leave or result to other methods that leave them at fault.

Really? I haven't noticed a lack of people who really care about joining and learning redstone not finding or acknowledging the school server. I'll admit that occasionally we get someone who expects us to be an open-plot server and does not come on willing to do applications or get involved in learning redstone. People like that, however, would most likely not benefit from the school server even if they were more exposed to it, because all they want to do is come on and maybe build a door or two and leave. All of the remotely dedicated (promising? not sure what word fits here) visitors have certainly found the school server, which keeps the student body passionate and eager to learn. There are periods where there are 10+ on school, and all students are just about the best we can hope for.

[Xray_Doc]

Then the times I have been on no one is on. Thanks for giving a different perspective.

[Dcentrics]

o-o (frustrating decision is frustrating) AHEM alright i really cant say a lot without asking the other staff but i see the points that xray is making. Ice is correct to but not to the same extent. Let me ask the other administrators after I get home tonight.

[Xray_Doc]

It was just an idea/suggestion. I wouldn't consider it a server chaning decision.

[newomaster]

I think the best way to remedy this issue would be to integrate the school server directly into the build server (much like they have it on Stym's), that way the students are immersed into the community of more experienced redstoners, instead of being segregated into their own little room to ponder their existence alone (kinda). The idea would be to have special plots on the build server for the students so they can build with the rest of us (they would have the same permissions as on the school server). Then there would be some extra commands for members to help with teaching/dealing with them (such as possibly a mute command for members to mute them?).

I think students would learn more if they were more inspired by the work around them. The world of the school server is rather bare, and to be honest, not very impressive. I remember the RDF school server had a ton of big imposing redstone projects really close to spawn (that's because redstonewarrior, darkroom, etc had plots next to spawn). And people there generally built more as well. However, on our school server most plots contain a single adder and maybe a 7-seg.

[Xray_Doc]

Just use the multiverse plugin, that would be an easy way to combine the servers. The plot system could work also but it would require new programming for the special plot size.

[Dcentrics]

first: Can we use portals to change servers?
second: if we can how?
third: that would be fucking awesome to have them either log into the school directly, or have to go through the build server. (main server)

[EDevil]

Multiple world on one server can be easily achieved by using Multiverse. Methods to get to the school server would then by using signs, portals or the command.

[Dcentrics]

Evil, Mort hosts both school and build right? if so why not. it would work perfectly

[Xray_Doc]

Everytime the build server crashes or restarts, we would have to reload the multiverse world. Maybe there is a way to auto load it, I haven't used it much.

[Guy1234567890]

Everytime the build server crashes or restarts, we would have to reload the multiverse world. Maybe there is a way to auto load it, I haven't used it much.

Could easily write a script that auto-starts it if it isn't already an option (i assume)

[greatgamer34]

Yeah then the build server lag goes up, and members leave. We already had a discussion with Red multiple times about this topic, and it comes down the the fact, the server cannot handle it. For instance survival has been moved of of the build server and that barely fixed the server lag...

[Xray_Doc]

Well, mort is already running 2 servers via the same server. I don't know if it will actually make it worse. When we load the RDF map everything seems fine.

[redstonewarrior]

We've been talking about combining build/school, but I've been away recently. Don't know if this is going anywhere. (Multiverse.) Survival is memheavy / crashing, we've isolated it to my server (new one), and it seems to be okay. Even if we consolidate school and build, it is nice having a second/third server to be able to meet on. (And we'd have a free host.)

[greatgamer34]

Hey, why not just rent a super server for $100usd a month, put all servers on it,have a multiverse, and give out free pie on wednesdays....

[redstonewarrior]

ORE's hosted for virtually nothing, and money mucks things up.
When I say nothing, I really mean it. A bit of servertime, which is cheap, and may have gone to waste otherwise for most hosts.

[EDevil]

Hey, why not just rent a super server for $100usd a month, put all servers on it,have a multiverse, and give out free pie on wednesdays....

I APPROVE.

[Chibill]

3.14159?

[Iceglade]

265359?

[EDevil]

4.

[Xray_Doc]

I still think we should have the new staff.

Back on topic bitches

[EDevil]

Well, how about making a poll then? But make sure to include a "neutral" option to it, for when you have no problems with both options.

[greatgamer34]

Ive always wanted admin responsibilities :3

[Epic_SkyPilot]

Well maybe this is just me but I see this as an opportunity for many other things that would help the server. Honestly, joining school and build sounds like a bad idea. First off lag would be worse for sure, or at least it'd be harder to control. But secondly, I think making seperate staff for the school is actually a great way to make members throughout the whole community more proactive. Let me elaborate:

Myself included, some members really want the opportunity to have staff responsibilities. It's an intriguing thing, and maybe the school staff is a good way for people to test the waters and see what's it's like to have that extra voice and authority. And let's face it, the school is smaller than build and takes less management, there's no arguing that.

So maybe it would be a good idea to give a promising member staff on school. That way, the school can not only be better managed because it won't suffer from a major lack of authority, but the build staff also get to witness how they handle themselves in that position. Maybe this isn't a good idea after all, but the fact remains that something does need to be done for the school.

Personally I only go on it, and not build anymore. So I hope you all realize that I'm a dependable witness to what the school is like on a day to day basis. Since there are hardly ever any staff on, the behavior of many of the students and teachers alike is less than satisfactory. Of course it's not like this all the time, but whenever there are issues they are much bigger than the problem itself because there are no staff around to defuse the situation, or at least punish members accordingly.

School and build really are 2 seperate servers, so there should be 2 seperate staff groups operating both, it just makes sense. If not a seperate group, then at least promoting some members to staff that are on school pretty consistently, again such as myself. That's just one idea, but I don't think many disagree when I say there needs to be some changes in the staff roster, at least when it comes to managing the school.

Hopefully people listen when I say this, but I think it's about time for another election. Through my time on the server I talked to many staff about this subject, and almost all of them agreed that the staff needs refining. Inactive members, immature members, and unfair punishments are common staff plagues that I hear about from staff themselves.

Just think about it guys, you staff especially. It's about time to change the authority on the server. I think these recent months showed that staff can certainly be better. I'm not bashing you guys, don't get the wrong idea. We just need some members promoted to staff that are on the school server alot.

[Guy1234567890]

Oh, when i posted on this thread i had not read OP. Now let me give my opinion. Multiverse is messy. Two separate servers is easier. End of story. *Lays experience card on table*

And now, regarding new staff: Request an election (use a poll as Evil said). If it gets enough interest then the nomination process begins as it always has. Staff will then select a few candidates among those nominated, and then an election will be held.

[Chibill]

I would say from my work as admin of my own server running the servers not merged is best. And I can help with being a moderator on school?

[Iceglade]

Looks like we're voting up the election, just wait until it's open.

[Xray_Doc]

You hold the election in the announcements forum. This is just for if people want the idea or not. You could link them to this poll from the announcements to get more people to vote.

[Dcentrics]

Listen with 2 of our admins have been demoted/resigned in the last week we have decisions to make. Give us a bit of time to work with the information at hand. Lets see what makes of this.

[Xray_Doc]

Once again, the poll is just to see if people like the idea. It doesn't have any affect and shouldn't be seen that way to the admins.

[Dcentrics]

Thats how I interpret all polls. even staff elections but anyways yeah Remember my server will be somewhat powerful (around the same specs as mort). so if its needed after FTB is done. Its there.

[EDevil]

Just for the admins who are wondering, i changed my vote from Yes to no opinion.

[Dcentrics]

brit voted for all.....

[Xray_Doc]

"I like the idea but it's also fucking stupid. Also, I want my idea to be a part of it. This entire thing is fucking stupid."
That's what you mean if you vote all.

[greatgamer34]

Exactly the reason Britt voted for all of them ;-;

[EDevil]

Are we seriously going to discuss this? Brit just wanted a lol, and voted for all 4 options. She didn't change the outcome by any way, since all the options are +1. Can we please get back on topic now?

[Xray_Doc]

Mine comment was a joke also. Sorry, anyway, what do you think you guys will do?

[Iceglade]

Well, currently it looks like the verdict is learning towards yes.

[greatgamer34]

i was joking to xD /love brittany the ban hammer!

[Dcentrics]

Remember the POLL doesn't mean anything. Just to see who supports the idea and who is being addicted spaming...

[veloxsouth]

Please, keep in mind there is always an issue with similar choices in a poll. Two similar options can split the vote, leaving one lone option to win despite being unpopular. So I'm voting for both inaction or a combining of the servers.

Personally, I feel that there is no need to have two staff populations

My response to the discussion so far:
If they are entrusted to keep order, they should be able to do so wherever needed. Why enable a possible situation where the only staff online are powerless on build where they could have been helpful? Consider that a person caught spamming on school could get banned from school then immediately connect to build and torture the builders, and there's nothing that the lone school-staff could do.

If you are trying to test the waters with a new staff member, why should the students have to deal with a possibly poor staff member any more than builders do? Just give them lesser tools, like removing any ban hammer over a day long, with the authority to use them on both servers.

The rules are the same for both servers (pretty much just don't be a dick), so why make them two different jurisdictions?

My proposal:
The common complaint seems to be that students are alienated and that it's difficult to contact staff when needed. If any staff or teachers are on, they are likely only on build. So let's attack this directly where possible.
-Get more staff for better overall coverage.
-Make it easy for staff to see problems(or problem players) themselves, and easy for staff and teachers to be seen so that students don't have to log in to a different server to request a lesson or to kick a griefer.
permanently bridging chat between build and school, or simply putting everyone on the same server with different permissions for staff, builders, teachers, and students are possible solutions.

This should help students learn faster by reducing the barrier to learning, reduce griefing by increasing staff presence, and get rid of the perception that school is just there and not an active place to be by bringing school's purpose closer to home.

The only risks players face with this proposal are possibly overcrowding on the combined server system.

[Iceglade]

Please, keep in mind there is always an issue with similar choices in a poll. Two similar options can split the vote, leaving one lone option to win despite being unpopular. So I'm voting for both inaction or a combining of the servers.

Personally, I feel that there is no need to have two staff populations

My response to the discussion so far:
If they are entrusted to keep order, they should be able to do so wherever needed. Why enable a possible situation where the only staff online are powerless on build where they could have been helpful? Consider that a person caught spamming on school could get banned from school then immediately connect to build and torture the builders, and there's nothing that the lone school-staff could do.

If you are trying to test the waters with a new staff member, why should the students have to deal with a possibly poor staff member any more than builders do? Just give them lesser tools, like removing any ban hammer over a day long, with the authority to use them on both servers.

The rules are the same for both servers (pretty much just don't be a dick), so why make them two different jurisdictions?

My proposal:
The common complaint seems to be that students are alienated and that it's difficult to contact staff when needed. If any staff or teachers are on, they are likely only on build. So let's attack this directly where possible.
-Get more staff for better overall coverage.
-Make it easy for staff to see problems(or problem players) themselves, and easy for staff and teachers to be seen so that students don't have to log in to a different server to request a lesson or to kick a griefer.
permanently bridging chat between build and school, or simply putting everyone on the same server with different permissions for staff, builders, teachers, and students are possible solutions.

This should help students learn faster by reducing the barrier to learning, reduce griefing by increasing staff presence, and get rid of the perception that school is just there and not an active place to be by bringing school's purpose closer to home.

The only risks players face with this proposal are possibly overcrowding on the combined server system.

I as on the edge (sorry, my double u(W) key doesn't work), but no I'm convinced that merging servers is a better option. Of course I can't change my vote, but just know that that's here I stand no. Apologies for the atrocious spelling.
EDIT: your welcome ice

[Dcentrics]

lol ice thats fucking aWesome xDwwww

[Dcentrics]

w(.-.)w

[Xray_Doc]

The reason I thought this would be a good idea is because it actually worked really well on the RDF. Tyler and titan did a really good job running the school server and put a lot of time and effort in making the server enjoyable for students and visitors.

[Dcentrics]

I agree with Xray because that was the only WELL ran server that had active improvement. The RDF build was just a lot of the same thing

[Dcentrics]

Although during Beta it was a lot of fun because things constantly improved

[Epic_SkyPilot]

Well all I know is I think it's about time we get some new staff members that are around the school often. Whether that be with a separate team, joined servers, whatever, it doesn't matter. The school really does need more involvement from staff, it suffers heavily from lack of discipline because whenever there's a problem somebody has to jump to build just to find someone who can help, and often times they're not even willing.

It seems like everyone agrees about that. I have no preference to how this is done, I just want the net result to be more staff members on the school, that's it.

[Dcentrics]

if there are 2-3 on school I almost always will hop on there to make sure everything is ok. then i tell him if the need ANYTHING to come and get me or another admin on the build server. Sometimes i just stay there because i dont have anything better todo.

[Xray_Doc]

Even if a new staff isn't made, I think part of the current staff should be assigned to be more active on the school server.

[Dcentrics]

I try to be active on school