In reply to icosahedron152 (msg # 39):

No GMs have been told that they can't  advertise their forum in the usual way since 2012, no.  Had any GMs actually created new forums since 2012, then they obviously would have been informed of this.

Appreciate the thought, steelsmiter, but it's actually far easier to moderate if we can keep it in one place and control what goes on there ourselves - otherwise we end up having to check multiple quasi-game-forums to ensure the rules are being complied with.

What we hadn't realised (since none of us mods had had a need for char sheets or other resources for some time) was that Heaven hadn't been updated in quite a while ... doesn't time fly !  But as bigbadron says, we're currently looking at that - just working through some admin issues and aiming to get Heaven back up and running soon (and keep it current).  :>
This message was last edited by the user at 14:05, Fri 06 Mar 2015.

Because of the way an open forum (ie: one which anybody can post in without requesting access) is set up, it can not have a "players wanted" flag.  One of the requirements of posting a game ad in the W-P forum is that the "players wanted" flag must be switched on in order for the GM to post a new ad thread.  No flag, no ad.  So technical requirement, not a matter of "not rewarding the GM for posting useful resources".

Apart from that, people who ask to have their game changed to an open forum are telling us, "Hey, I want my game to be treated like your forums!" and none of our forums are advertised in W-P.  Though the lack of a flag prevents us advertising them anyway.

That's why the GMs need to choose how they want their forum to be set up.

GMs who choose to keep their forum closed (ie: only people who have requested (and been granted) access can post, are free to use W-P to advertise.

It's also worth bearing in mind that if you decide to run a forum of either type, then you are responsible for moderating it (or appointing co-GMs to do so).  We will not moderate your privately organised forum for you - meaning that if there is no active GM for an extended period of time, then the forum will be shut down if people start coming to us with complaints about disputes there.

I'm just giving a +1 to the suggestion that a "Gaming Aids" category be provided in the Categories Section (for closed games) for searches, and as an option for the GM to checkmark when setting up the game genre.

I think other suggestions are tending to try to take the idea of gaming aids too far.

Ok, thanks, I see now. Technical issues are technical issues. :)


And will these also be given a place on a list in Heaven?
And will these also be given a place on a list in Heaven?


Sure, that's a given with any game.

Apologies for the double vision in the middle there: quote/post ratio police...

No, they probably wouldn't be listed in Heaven, as they are not a publicly accessible forum.  They are, basically, just like any other private game.

The GM is not providing a service to RPoL, he's providing a service to game members.  While threads may be visible to the general site populace, the GMs of these games are under no obligation to make everything visible.

Which, alas, brings us back to square one. There is currently no simple way for people to search for these resources.


Yet they frequently choose to do so. As do the 'game' members. These are not 'just like any other private game' because they are created not for the private pleasure of the members but by the members' contributions for public benefit.
I think that opinion is divided on the issue of what constitutes a service to Rpol.

You have a ready-made location that could be used as a sharepoint to signpost people to a wider range of resources than are currently available to them.
You are in the process of reviewing that location to make it more user-friendly.
Why not take that extra step? Why not make it more user friendly than you'd planned?

Or just provide a new 'Game-aids' or 'Resources' category as per my original request...
This message was last edited by the user at 22:45, Fri 06 Mar 2015.

Yes, mechanically they are exactly like any other private game.  They have a limited membership who have the ability to post in them, and the option to post an ad in a public advertising forum (which open forums do not).

The addition of the open forums to Heaven was purely a result of their not being able to advertise in the normal location.

I've read this thread with interest, and see that the discussion has gone back and forth about how the people who run "games" such as the one described by Maidenfine COULD potentially "advertise" it on Heaven, or on the "Game Systems" forum, but I confess for the average user of RPOL, unless they think to look in either of those two places, they are highly unlikely to find it...  I really want to find that specific game that Maidenfine mentioned, but I have tried - using the obvious tool of "Browse/Search the Games", and I can't find it!   If there was a category titled "Game Aids", then I can see how it would help narrow down that search rather more rapidly!   Though it would also rely on the owners of games such as the one Maidenfine mentioned recatogorising their game appropriately.
This message was last edited by a moderator, as it was against the forum rules, at 10:41, Sun 08 Mar 2015.

I also say +1 for a category for game aids, or at least non-games.

I for example have a "game" that is open and is a series of writing "challenges" so isn't really the normal idea of game, nor does it fit a genre because it has no genre.

And happy to announce that Heaven is officially up to date once more.  :>

I've been deputised to help out there, so there should now be at least a couple of pairs of eyes watching out for new submissions.

There's still a couple of outstanding PMs I'm checking into, and I need to go through the links and weed out any dead ones (thank you to those who pointed broken links out for us already).

I've put up a couple of Notice threads which should make navigation a bit easier:

• a General Index, providing an orderly listing of all threads (as they move around a bit as new information is added)
• a Character Sheet Index, listing all characters sheets alphabetically which was moved from the first post in the Character Sheet thread (there's now 60+ character sheets so unless you knew it was there you'd never have found it)

We've also taken on board feedback from this forum and renamed it to Heaven - Gaming Resources to try to address user perception as to what it's all about.  Like it or hate it, you're going to have to forgive us for wanting to keep Heaven in the name - chalk it up to one of those little idiosyncrasies which make RPoL so loveable ... like custom holiday themes.  <grrins>

So a huge thank you to everyone who has contributed thus far and very much looking forward to receiving more in the future.  Please submit content and/or any feedback via Request Access in Heaven.

Cheers ;>

Skald

Thank you for listening!

About the Languages thread  in Heaven...  A lot of them are coming back 404 for me.

Thanks Dara - fixed that.  Mea culpa - I tested then copied the shortened links directly from the private messages - whereas I should have quoted them first to get the full path.  Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain. ;>

Oh, no worries.  We never do.

whistles innocently

And done.  Heaven - Gaming Resources is, at time of writing, up to date with all private messages, and I've been through all the threads and fixed all the broken links that I was able to (a Bestow Curse {C3} on everyone who decides to completely reorganise their webpage) and deleted those that are no more, have ceased to be etc.

So come and have a look if you've not been there recently, and keep those contributions coming - the usefulness is dependent on what the RPoL community makes of it.  Personally I'm rather fond of the Languages thread ... ;>

You can't miss the place - first thing you'll notice is Utsukushi's head on a spike by the door. Don't forget to wave ...  <grrins>

Looking good. All you need now is a thread in there called 'Resource Games'...

H'mmm ... not really -> the idea is that all the various and varied links should be available in Heaven, rather than us managing links to a plethora (word for the day, folks - use it IC) of other RPoL game threads - ie you can find the off-site link in Heaven rather than having to go to another thread and click through.

But we do have a thread in Heaven that points to specific gaming-related discussion games, if that's what you're after: link to a message in another game

I went through everything that had "discussion" as category or game system or in the title, plus found a few more here and there.  Ignored anything inactive or which hadn't had a post in five months.

Anyone else already has or starts gaming-related discussion threads (or if you're the owner of an inactive one that you're bringing back to life), I'd be happy, keen even, to add to the list.  :>

I already use plethora with obnoxious regularity. Also cognizant.

In reply to Skald (msg # 58):

Ok, this is starting to look like a working compromise. I see at least one resource in there that others have been seeking. However, there are other resources that are missing because the GM has probably been confused about categorizing his/her game and picked a category other than Discussion (which was my original point).

So, if you are a GM, or know a GM, who has a useful resource with an element of discussion in it, get that resource tagged with 'Discussion' and let Skald know. And make yourself a shortcut to that list so you can find other resources as they are added.

Thanks, Skald - a positive result. :)

No problemo.  :>

Out of curiosity, does a game being rated as adult for having adult oriented rule materials prevent it from having the Discussion option?

If it's a private discussion forum where people can only get access after sending an RtJ, then there is nothing stopping it being Adult, subject to the usual adult game rules.

An Adult game could not be converted into an open discussion forum.

Skald, if someone has a discussion game that they want to add to the list in Heaven, what's your preferred protocol? Do they send a RTJ to Heaven, or send an Rmail to the mods with your name in the title, or something else?

RTJ to Heaven, thank ye kindly. :>