Changes & Ideas (Feedback greatly appreciated)

[Chørd]

So after mulling over things for the past month I've come up with a few ideas to put forward to you, the members.

(Just as a word of warning in advance, this post could be very long.)

And so, because I have a tendancy to ramble during these things, I'm just going to go straight on to the pitching:

• 1) The skin. My personal opinion on it is a pretty negative one, however I don't know how you all feel about it. Off site I have been creating a new possible skin to be installed on here, but that is only if you are all happy with changing the look of the place and like the new skin. Once I'm happy it's at a suitable stage to be introduced, I'll add a link to the site in this thread for you all to go check out. Feel free to leave comments on this site or the preview one, or in either of the sites' C-Boxes.
  If you would like a breath of fresh air as far as the look of the site is concerned, PLEASE tell me what sort of things you'd want. What colours? A certain layout? More or less graphics in a new skin? Would you want personalised smilies (so no more ;D etc?)
  
  
• 2) Information. The information thread desperately needs updating, and I shall be getting around to that. The rules also need updating. There's certain things I obviously haven't made clear enough in them, and some things that are just purely common sense and don't need an entire paragraph to summarise them. I will let you all know the changes and such going in to place so that you're aware of things and therefore can't use 'I didn't know they'd changed' as an excuse to get around bending them - not that I'm saying anyone on this site would do that anyway.
  
  
• 3) Characters. This is already partially enforced at the moment, but it will be going into full-blown action providing no one has any serious objections to it.
  
  Military characters for American and British forces (French and Hessians, feel free to go on ahead and completely ignore this) MUST go into either the 54th or 23rd regiments for redcoats and the 1st New Hampshire, 2nd Massachusetts or 2nd Continental Light Dragoons for continentals. This will remain in place until ALL regiments on a side have at least 4 members in them, at which point a new regiment can be introduced. And when I say 4 members, I mean 4 active characters - preferably soldiers who remain at all times with their regiment, although camp followers and scouts/pioneers will be counted.
  The only exception I will make on these is if:
  

  a) the character is a historical figure who is known for being linked to a certain regiment.
  
  b) the regiment/military body your character wishes to be attached to is either a naval body (so a ship, or Marines), or is involved in cavalry or artillery. This is simply because, obviously, sea Captains and sailors are not likely to be hanging around the bivouac of a land-based regiment, and also because cavalry and artillery can easily be mixed and mingled with other regiments. I highly doubt you're going to get a single group of artillerymen or dragoons fighting off two regiments of the enemy - there's going to be infantry involved somewhere. Whereas with infantry regiments, it is more plausible for a party/patrol of soldiers to be out, stumble across the enemy (this sounds familiar!) and start firing on them.

  
  
  And in case anyone is wondering: yes. I have seen this in action on multiple sites, and it's worked just fine. If it proves to be a complete botch here then it can easily be taken away.
  
  
  
• 4) Timescale. Is it just me, or has it been spring-time 1777 for a long time?
  So because something probably does need to be done about that, I've sat down and thought about it...and really, it sucks having threads cut off because the site's moved on in time to a new season/year. Eventually, the site will reach the end of 1783, the war will likely be over, and...well, the site's purpose has basically ended.
  The possible solution?
  
  No timescale on the site. This is completely up to you if you want the site to run by this as, granted, it could get confusing. But, instead of being focused on one part of the war (currently early 1777), it may just be easier to have the site cover all years of the war (1775-1783).
  
  Threads will have to be dated - and logically at that: liquid time will still be allowed, but obviously your character cannot be on a ship, in the middle of the ocean, sailing for France on the same day, or possibly even week, as (s)he is having dinner with the members of congress in Philidelphia.
  
  I say it could get confusing as, yes, existing threads will have to be dated, but also because this means you could be in a thread where your character is 17, single and fit as a fiddle, and another where they're 23, missing a leg and married with three children. But that could just be a matter of personal preference. This is why I'm leaving it out there for you all to decide on. I'm not going to introduce something like that without first consulting you all.
  
  

And that's pretty much it. I tried to cut down on what I was saying to prevent you all facing an essay, but clearly I've failed. (: Feel free to throw something at me.

[faithfulguardian]

I'm fine with everything that has been said here, except the skin change, I like the muted colours here. it's easy for us to concentrate on our writing or reading when the background isn't popping out at you and there's no animated pictures flashing around like on facebook and deviantart. I think if you were to change anything it would be to move the C-box up on the side panel so we don't have to scroll down half the page to get to it.

[Chørd]

Heh, yeah I see what you mean about the C-box. What I was planning to do with the skin was change the layout completely in any case - the 'events', 'staff' and 'current info' side boxes would not exist (so yes, the C-Box would be further up the side panel), and the info stored in the missing boxes would be placed in a menu underneath the logo. This menu would also contain a list of links to open threads.
The logo for the site would also be wider so it covered the majority of the the width of the forum border so that the forum and sidebars would go under it...if that makes sense?

The other thing that would be changed would be boards - there's an awful lot of text in their description which is pretty pointless, so that would be done away with and instead an 'Events Feed' would be in the description, which would display any events such as a battle, a ball, a recruiting party etc. etc. occured in that area. The images would also be changed/tweaked.

[Dallas]

just now noticed this. I should probably put some input in since I've been failing with muse lately ;-;

I agree with the skin change, as long as the colors are reasonable and there aren't to many graphics that slow computers down. I highly agree with the whole regiments thing that sounds like it will work out nicely. very good idea Chord :3 the timescale thing I'm a little iffy on. after all I'm going to have to try and be careful about plotting now to make sure that the timelines line up and I'm not contradicting something I already wrote about (of course I've basically been doing that with every thread already xD). I'm willing to mark threads, but I don't know how well this will sit with people wanting to join. although I do agree that having the site move forward month by month can cause problems and there really aren't very many ways to solve those problems. so whatever, give it a shot =D

[Katie]

I have to agree with Dallas about the timeline thing. That makes me a bit nervous.

[Raeoki]

Personally, I like the skin, but I suppose a new one could be alright as long as the members have a right to choose between this one and the next one.

As for the timeline, I'm not really sure if I like that idea. It sounds to me like it's just going make the site more complex (in an unnecessary and in all honesty annoying way) and confusing. I mean, I do understand why we should consider it, but I think there's a simpler way to make a thread based in 1781 and another one in good ol' 1777. Why don't we just make a place for threads set in the preferred time span? I mean, I know it's a bit of a cliché with roleplay sites these days, but if you want to give the members a choice of what year their thread is in...

Ugh, sorry if that sounded confusing. >_>

[thehmskatie]

Okay, this will be just me because I am coming with two completely different roleplay sites. I'm from Fragile-Things (known as Lemon-Drops in the past)... and another one called Twilight-Sky. I'm use to that XMB board layout, etc. I also think this board needs more sections. I really think you guys need a chat OCC board other than the "C-BOX". Also, rather than make a board called "Who is Who", make a completely section board for "Introductions". Let people make their own separate boards for people to say hello. Because I am not reading a long ass list of "who is who" on one post thread x.x How do I know some of those people haven't been on for weeks or months or something? Lulul.

I'm also not a fan of the whole "Hey guys, its SPRING in 1777 and you can't choose anything else". I'm use to long-term roleplays that take place in multiple places during different seasons and so on, etc.


ALSO, I'm also not a huge fan of having to pick a character and pop them into some kind of audition thread. Maybe just make a general character thread. Or something :L

I sound sooper bitchy probably, but I can't type much or elaborate because I only have two more minutes on my laptop, lolol

I'd like to help out this site. I do a lot of "modern" RPing on those other sites I mentioned. I've always tried to make historical RPs on those other sites, but they weren't very successful. So I consider this a special site for me :3 If I do decide to join in

[Katie]

I don't want to sound rude, but we already have a bunch of those things you're suggesting we get. Like in the general section at the bottom, you'll find the introductions. Plus we have a c-box so we can catch each other online and chat about ideas or fun things. We all really get along here and we want to keep it that way. And the whos-who is mainly to keep track of who plays who on the site and it does help.

Yes some people haven't been active in awhile, and some how, but we have good reasons. And a lot of people have real life stuff going on or writer's block (like myself) preventing us from writing. Yet still say hi and chat in the cbox. There's nothing wrong with that. Most of the people on there are alive and active and would be willing to roleplay with you if you gave us a chance. The only people needing to audition are real people from the past, we want to make sure they do know who they're roleplaying and not knowing any information about them. Like if you want to be George Washington for example, you should know where certain battles took place, simple things like that. Like the Battles of Trenton and Princeton, easy enough, crossing the Delaware which took place in winter of December 1776 so things like that. We don't expect you to memorize books or research about them, but if you want to do a specific character that was real, then pick one you like, etc. That's why we do it. For our own original characters we do do just the application thread and then the claims etc.

For the timeline, most of us have threads from 1777 and we need to finish them before moving on to another season. That's what we meant.

I'm just trying to help you, it'd be nice to have lots of people join and we appreciate or Chord will appreciate the ideas, I'm just pointing out that the things you want us to change because you don't have them on your old sites doesn't mean they aren't valuable, because they are.

[Chørd]

the timescale thing I'm a little iffy on. after all I'm going to have to try and be careful about plotting now to make sure that the timelines line up and I'm not contradicting something I already wrote about (of course I've basically been doing that with every thread already xD). I'm willing to mark threads, but I don't know how well this will sit with people wanting to join. although I do agree that having the site move forward month by month can cause problems and there really aren't very many ways to solve those problems. so whatever, give it a shot =D


-

I have to agree with Dallas about the timeline thing. That makes me a bit nervous.

I would suggest doing a trial period but I have a feeling that would really throw things out of balance. We could always have a timeline thread where each year will, surprise surprise, have a timeline and threads can be listed there for a quick reference to see what happened when and where. Battles can also be listed there so you can look back and check to see that you aren't mentioning, say, the Battle of Camden in July 1776 which would be way before it happened...if that makes sense? As I said, I shan't introduce it unless everyone's happy, as it is a big thing and threads would need to be dated which is a bit....eh. I myself don't particularly like the thought of having to date my threads and make sure my characters (especially Matthew) are not in two places at once. P:

The only thing I would say is that I'm pretty happy to be lenient about timescale between characters being in different places. I'm not expecting you to calculate exactly how long it would take them to walk from Charlestown to New York, just that a reasonable about of time (a few days at least) is left to allow them travelling time etc.

-

As for the timeline, I'm not really sure if I like that idea. It sounds to me like it's just going make the site more complex (in an unnecessary and in all honesty annoying way) and confusing. I mean, I do understand why we should consider it, but I think there's a simpler way to make a thread based in 1781 and another one in good ol' 1777. Why don't we just make a place for threads set in the preferred time span? I mean, I know it's a bit of a cliché with roleplay sites these days, but if you want to give the members a choice of what year their thread is in...

Ugh, sorry if that sounded confusing. >_>

Not at all! The only problem with having difference places for threads in a different time is that the board would get even more confusing, there'd likely be even more empty-looking places all over the place...
As I said, I'm leaving it open for now. I'm not going to introduce it until everyone's had their say about it and we're all at least willing to give it a try. The last thing I want to do is turn everything on its head, drive people away and basically make everything confusing and grind to a stand still.

I agree with the skin change, as long as the colors are reasonable and there aren't to many graphics that slow computers down.

-

Personally, I like the skin, but I suppose a new one could be alright as long as the members have a right to choose between this one and the next one.

So on the skin check list: same colours, slightly different layout so that the C-Box is further up, perhaps less sideboxes, not too many images etc. In won't look a great deal different to this one, but hopefully some irks and issues should be fixed...?

I also think this board needs more sections. I really think you guys need a chat OCC board other than the "C-BOX". Also, rather than make a board called "Who is Who", make a completely section board for "Introductions". Let people make their own separate boards for people to say hello. Because I am not reading a long ass list of "who is who" on one post thread x.x How do I know some of those people haven't been on for weeks or months or something? Lulul.

The confusion over the Chat OOC board is probably my fault, as it's not particularly clear where it is/what it is. But, for clarification, you can chat under the 'General' board which is under the 'Other' category at the bottom of the site's main page. There's also sub-boards there for people to introduce themselves, say goodbye etc. etc.

The Who's Who thread is mainly just a roster so people can keep track of who plays who, how to contact others should they wish to get a hold of them, and basically just a list of members who've been active in the past 6 or so months.

I'm also not a fan of the whole "Hey guys, its SPRING in 1777 and you can't choose anything else". I'm use to long-term roleplays that take place in multiple places during different seasons and so on, etc.

Hence the attempt to make the board span over the entire time period of 1775-1783. And as Katie said, we still have threads going that are set in 1777, so if we were to move time forward, they would need to be finished first.


Another thing I thought I'd throw out there is that I'll be tweaking the Character 'Logs' section to include things such as Wanted Ads (say if you wanted a servant for your character to be made, or if you wanted someone to make their relative or something). A section for general character discussion, and then plotting will also be made and slotted in there. Just makes things a bit tidier.

Oh, and would you want a place for In-Character Chat? Such as a separate C-Box (it won't be premium like the main one, mind you) or a board? Just an idea.

[The Author.]

.....

This will probably make no sense whatsoever, but maybe the background could be part blue, part white and part red? Still, not like saturated (More dull neutral colors, kind of tinted greyish?)

[Chørd]

That does make sense.

I'm probably not going to make any changes to the site now until July, once my exams, coursework and the majority of my worries will be out of the way. But the skin I did have planned was a toned-down blue-grey colour. Originally I had built the new skin to be red, white and blue but no matter how I did it the colours didn't really work. They work well together on flags and clothing, but on sites and in rooms they just don't really go quite right. ^_^'

I think, though, if I'm going to make any drastic changes to the site such as a complete skin change, timeline edit and so on, I'd restart the site from scratch, leaving this one open so people can finish their threads, save characters and posts etc. Reason being it would be too much to completely turn everything on its head when the site has remained like it is now for the past year or so. Also, if I was to make an updated/renewed version of the website, I'd at least know which members were genuinely interested and which members had done a 'hit-and-run' so to speak.

That being said if I did make a new version of the site, it would be pretty different. For example, it would be account-per-character rather than account-per-member (which is one of the big mistakes I made with BF), and would be more plot-driven with plenty of events going on.

But anyway. That probably won't happen, like I said, until July as I don't want to make any major changes or make a new site with me being in a position where I am unable to dedicate my full attention to the place.
As far as the in-character timing and site skin goes I'm going to leave that for a while. There seems to be mixed feelings on that so... *shrugs* I don't want to upset the few members the place does still have haha.

[The Author.]

XD I wouldn't leave no matter HOW ticked off I am.... This is the only place where I can actually RP in this time period.

[Raeoki]

I think, though, if I'm going to make any drastic changes to the site such as a complete skin change, timeline edit and so on, I'd restart the site from scratch, leaving this one open so people can finish their threads, save characters and posts etc. Reason being it would be too much to completely turn everything on its head when the site has remained like it is now for the past year or so. Also, if I was to make an updated/renewed version of the website, I'd at least know which members were genuinely interested and which members had done a 'hit-and-run' so to speak.

Um, I have to object to that. D: I'm not saying you're gonna do that, but it just...kinda feels like a waste. I mean, I know I've been inactive for a while (and not because I wanted to be Dx) but this site's kinda sentimental to me, and personally it feels unnecessary. I mean, we can have plenty of cool, new plots; we just need to start thinking about them. :3 And the same goes for the whole new skin change, and maybe even the timeline! But if we do the account-per-character thing (in all honesty, I prefer the way we're doing it now), then I guess a new site might be in order...