TO: The Community; FROM: The Head Developer
Mar 15, 2014 2:04:28 GMT
VikingPingvin, Gamegod12, and 1 more like this
Post by Skull132 on Mar 15, 2014 2:04:28 GMT
Afternoon,
Over the past week I've been rather happy with what has been happening. With most of what's been happening, anyways. Despite my own inability to square away sleep, or figure out basic maths, I am still very damned content with the progress I've made, and the recent developments.
To that end, I would like to extend a 'thank you'. To whom? The first thought would be to everyone who has assist myself and the staff in the development of Aurora Station. But who are they? I could list names, but there would be two issues: the list would be VERY damned long, and I would fail to cover everyone involved. Why is that? Simple: every single member of the community has contributed to some degree. Some in ways I can directly relate to, and acknowledge. Others in ways that I cannot relate to. For this reason, I shall cease using the word "they", and switch to a plural "you" -- the community.
I have always looked at Aurora Station as a community project. It is created through the constant input and feedback which the community provides, through the effort which the community members dedicate to it. I may carry the title of Head Developer, but all that means is that I am a facilitator, someone who enables this to happen and run. Yes, I do step in from time to time, either to stonewall certain elements, or to forcibly apply advisory input; but I would wish to think that for every wall I've created, I've offered a chance to compromise or bypass. If I have not, please call me up on it, and we'll square it away.
Now, with the thanks said, allow me to address an issue or two. The main one being elitism. Before you jump down my throat, let me set a few rules I'll abide by in this thread: I shall name no names, I shall reference no incidents. The issue transcends that of single individuals, single incidents -- it is a mindset. It is a barrier which prohibits prospective members from joining our community.
How does this mindset work? Allow me elaborate: as far as I'm concerned, there exist two sets of standards. Standards enforced (being rules), and standards expected (unwritten rules, expectations, etc.). The former are written down, and most often enough clear in their intent, purpose, translation and enforced with realistic punishment. The latter are subjective and biased, often leading to resentment by the community and bending of standards enforced to comply with the views of a few.
Why is this an issue? Because it stops us from growing. We must be able to accept failure, accept incompetence, accept the fact that people will not meet the standards expected. Instead, standards expected should be used as a goal, not as a requirement for entry.
Allow me to draw a parallel: I am involved in an ArmA 2 Military Simulation unit, have been with this specific unit for 3 years. Now, in that unit, I spent about a year as a recruiter. The way the process worked is application based. An application is submitted, after which a recruiter is assigned to each applicant personally. It is the responsibility of this recruiter to assess and evaluate the applicant over the course of the application process. About a year ago, I was assigned an applicant brand new to PC gaming. ArmA 2 was his first PC game, actually, and he applied for a unit with very high requirements. He didn't know how to play the game, let alone conduct tactical movement and adhere to radio protocol. But I accepted said applicant. I spent weeks working with him. I could have simply denied him for not meeting standards, but why didn't I?
Because he was trying. He was doing his damnedest to fit in, to learn and absorb knowledge given. Right now that applicant is still in the unit, a good friend of mine, an excellent player.
A similar story can be applied to myself and my stay in this community. I started as nothing, and I learned, and worked my way up here.
As a closing note, I ask the following: provide new players chances. Instead of simply shooing them away for not answering the community's ideals, teach them. Take them under your wing, guide them! And most of all, respect them!
Over the past week I've been rather happy with what has been happening. With most of what's been happening, anyways. Despite my own inability to square away sleep, or figure out basic maths, I am still very damned content with the progress I've made, and the recent developments.
To that end, I would like to extend a 'thank you'. To whom? The first thought would be to everyone who has assist myself and the staff in the development of Aurora Station. But who are they? I could list names, but there would be two issues: the list would be VERY damned long, and I would fail to cover everyone involved. Why is that? Simple: every single member of the community has contributed to some degree. Some in ways I can directly relate to, and acknowledge. Others in ways that I cannot relate to. For this reason, I shall cease using the word "they", and switch to a plural "you" -- the community.
I have always looked at Aurora Station as a community project. It is created through the constant input and feedback which the community provides, through the effort which the community members dedicate to it. I may carry the title of Head Developer, but all that means is that I am a facilitator, someone who enables this to happen and run. Yes, I do step in from time to time, either to stonewall certain elements, or to forcibly apply advisory input; but I would wish to think that for every wall I've created, I've offered a chance to compromise or bypass. If I have not, please call me up on it, and we'll square it away.
Now, with the thanks said, allow me to address an issue or two. The main one being elitism. Before you jump down my throat, let me set a few rules I'll abide by in this thread: I shall name no names, I shall reference no incidents. The issue transcends that of single individuals, single incidents -- it is a mindset. It is a barrier which prohibits prospective members from joining our community.
How does this mindset work? Allow me elaborate: as far as I'm concerned, there exist two sets of standards. Standards enforced (being rules), and standards expected (unwritten rules, expectations, etc.). The former are written down, and most often enough clear in their intent, purpose, translation and enforced with realistic punishment. The latter are subjective and biased, often leading to resentment by the community and bending of standards enforced to comply with the views of a few.
Why is this an issue? Because it stops us from growing. We must be able to accept failure, accept incompetence, accept the fact that people will not meet the standards expected. Instead, standards expected should be used as a goal, not as a requirement for entry.
Allow me to draw a parallel: I am involved in an ArmA 2 Military Simulation unit, have been with this specific unit for 3 years. Now, in that unit, I spent about a year as a recruiter. The way the process worked is application based. An application is submitted, after which a recruiter is assigned to each applicant personally. It is the responsibility of this recruiter to assess and evaluate the applicant over the course of the application process. About a year ago, I was assigned an applicant brand new to PC gaming. ArmA 2 was his first PC game, actually, and he applied for a unit with very high requirements. He didn't know how to play the game, let alone conduct tactical movement and adhere to radio protocol. But I accepted said applicant. I spent weeks working with him. I could have simply denied him for not meeting standards, but why didn't I?
Because he was trying. He was doing his damnedest to fit in, to learn and absorb knowledge given. Right now that applicant is still in the unit, a good friend of mine, an excellent player.
A similar story can be applied to myself and my stay in this community. I started as nothing, and I learned, and worked my way up here.
As a closing note, I ask the following: provide new players chances. Instead of simply shooing them away for not answering the community's ideals, teach them. Take them under your wing, guide them! And most of all, respect them!