Petition for the RPG Forum

[Roy Karrde]

As a representative and participator of the RPG Forum, I hereby draft this complaint against Outlaw JT and Ultimate Charizard due to their inactivity as mods. The RPG forum requires mods that not only are active but also provide and influence the growth of the forum. For the better half of this last year both Outlaw JT and Ultimate Charizard have neglected their duties of this and allowed the responsibility to fall on to other shoulders. As a concerned member of this forum and in hopes to revive it in both growth and prosperity, I present a petition for the RPG forum members to sign to allow for the immediate demodding of the two mods mentioned above for incidents indicated above and listed below.

Ultimate Charizard and Outlaw JT have neglected various duties as a RPG mod of this forum. These duties include inactivity in posting in the forum, and failure to create a RPG of any kind. Outlaw JT by his own admission in his last post in the forum has admitted that he does not have the time to post due to work and school. Ultimate Charizard’s last RPG was one that almost completely copied off another RPG at the time. Neither have truly made any attempt at creating a new RPG in more than three months. Outlaw JT’s last post in this forum before a few days ago was last year.

There by as a concerned and representative of this forum I submit this petition to the forum for fellow people to sign up and give their opinions.

~Roy Karrde

Signatures
Roy Karrde
Plantae
-/Deathborn/-
Emotional Faun Chiko-sai
Weasel Overlord
Perfect Chaos
Kalad1
Sango
Heald
Mega Horny
fireguardian
Tsukasa
The_Missing_Link
Hyperness is a Good Thing
Nabooru23
Green Lanturn
Hatake Kakashi
Drusilla
Crystal Tears
Krystalline Kabutops

[Plantae]

I agree earnestly. Though demodding them is severe, it seems the best course of action in this situation. Duly signed.

I would say more, but I would only be repeating what Ryan here has so well-put.

[-/Deathborn/-]

As a matter of fact, they haven't been around lately. Or doing modding-actions. So I sign...a bit loosely.

[Heald]

I do not sign (although this may change if you sway my opinion) but here are my views :

Mods are primarily here to preserve the peace of the Forum. The RPG forum has few issues (usually one per year) where a mod is forced to intervene (except in the case of a newcomer not knowing the rules and having their RPG closed) so mods have very little work compared to, say the Misc. forum, where flame wars come and go frequently (usually with me as one of the participants, but that is a different story). Therefore their inactivity can be excused.

So what about starting RPGs? If you take a look at some of the other forums, such as Misc., the mods hardly ever post topics, if any at all. Some even hardly participate, only posting once or twice a month. I know for a fact that UC does check the forums once in a while, but he is too busy to post. Therefore starting RPGs is hardly a requisite of maintaining your post as RPG mod. If you believe differently, that is your opinion.

So should the mods be encouraging activity? On one hand yes but then again all active members of the RPG forum should be encouraging activity. The RPG Lounge has been gaining some activity in the last month and this should be encouraged and I applaud the topic starters for this. We should not be relying on the mods for this activity, we're not mindless you know.

I know I'm often inactive and for that I apologise to those affected but I am in my most important year of school at the moment and I do have tonnes of work, leaving me with little time to post, but I try my best.

Then again, in agreement with you, their inactivity does suggest that their positions are no longer required. We have already elected Tsukasa as a mod and we have yet to see how that turns out. Perhaps JT and UC could do the noble thing and voluntarily step down since they do very little in terms of actual moderating or activity and if we do replace them we do it with current roleplayers. Some view the post of moderator as a powerful role but it isn't really, especially here where there is little need for mods.

Either way, I am not signing it now, but I may in the near future.

Also, shouldn't this really be in the RPG Lounge? I know here you can get better attention but people do actually check the lounge when there is a new post.

[Roy Karrde]

Last night when we all decided to make this, yes I said we I was not the only one in this decision. It was decided that this should be placed in the main forum so that it could recieve the most amount of attention since it effects the entire forum. The lounge just does not get the same amount of attention that the main forum gets, so that is why it is here.

[Emotional Faun Chiko-sai]

Um... I have no real opinion on whether UC and JT should be axed, what's to be said has already been said; but I'm signing this petition for now...

[Weasel Overlord]

[color=thistle]While it is true that mods don't have to be as active as normal role-players, it's still nice to know that your mods are around, and taking part in what's going on. As B4 does, and Tsuki; which is why I think that some more active moderators are needed here.

And as for being too busy to post, well surely a prerequisite of being a mod is that you have the time to post in the forums. Also, I think that our currently active moderators are prime examples of how a mod can manage to actually be a mod, and to create and run their own rpgs. The rpg forum is different to the others, I think, in that no-one would want to give up their role-playing entirely to become a moderator. I certainly wouldn't expect them to just drop out of the whole thing. I mean, just look at ASB. The moderators there are fully active in all aspects of that area. They battle, ref, do contests, judge contests, and thats as well as moderating the forum. As you state, Heald, mods over here have less to do, and surely that means that they have more time to be active in the everyday rpg-ness...

Anywho...there are my ramblings for the day. They probably don't make sense. I apologse...

EDIT: Ooop...I forgot to say...I sign the petition...

[Vulpix.ck87]

I think it would be nice to have mods who are more in tune with the rpg forums, i guess that'd make a more effective mod. Then again, i don't know what UC and Outlaw actually do around here, how often they drop in or whatever.. Before we demod them it'd probably be best to let them state their reasons for staying modded, or we should see if they're happy to give it up anyway.

If they don't reply to this topic that will probably speak for itself, and then we can assign a more active mod, if necessary. Like it's been said, it's pretty peaceful over here..

[Bear]

This might make some people angry, but I think it needs to be said. I'll make it short and sweet:

What good are active mods if the board itself is not active?

I browse this forum every day. This is the only board (with the occasional bit in ADV) that I look at on this forum. I've seen two, even three days go by without a single post in a single topic. I remember the days when I'd have to check this board 3-5 times a day just to keep up with posts. The days when you had to choose between RPGs to join because there were so many interesting ones, and you only had time for a few.

Really, I see no need to demod them, because honestly you could check this board once a month and not miss a beat. [HINT FOR DISCUSSION] Why don't we GIVE the mods something to do?

[Roy Karrde]

On the opposite view Bear, why doesnt the Mods give us something to do? In last night's chat several things were suggested for the future by the mods that participated in that chat. JT and UC have just both been inactive and dont seem to care about this forum. They are mods and as RPG mods they are supposed to help keep this forum from dieing. They have failed in that duty. Now this sounds like I and others are looking for a scapegoat, but in reality we are trying to get mods like Tsukasa and Bulbasaur4 who actually post more and work for the betterment of this forum.

[Heald]

Who was involved in this chat last night? And what ideas were put forward?

Also, as I said before, ordinary roleplayers are the ones who make up the majority of the forum and so shouldn't have to wait for a mod to give them a piece of string to play with, they should just act and do it. That's why the lounge is there.

Also, perhaps JT's and UC's lack of activity or innovation is attributed to the failure of the ASB/RPG project. That was something we could have done to liven things up but only a few people actually expressed any interest, and then that interest petered out. Then they realised that trying to inject any life into this forum would not be worth it in the long run. Sure we've picked up a few more members since then but it really isn't enough.

[Roy Karrde]

Heald I sent you a PM listing the people in the chat and some of the ideas put forward. I wont post the names yet becuase some of the people in there do not want to be identified yet. But I will say this topic was pretty much agreed upon by everyone. As for the ideas, I will wait and see if everyone wants them released or not since it was their idea in the first place and they may not want to spoil some of the surprises we have instore in the next month.

[Weasel Overlord]

[color=thistle]I think that maybe the ASB RPG could be revived. I for one would love to role-play wth my pokemon and now that more role-players have started asb-ing there might be more interest...who knows! And I don't think the board is beng as bad as it was. There are at least five active rpgs going on; probably even more. I don't think that's a sign of deadness. Even though it's nowhere near as active as when I started; at least new people are showing up. The big server change lost us loads of people which could be a reason for quietness.

We can't keep looking back at the 'old days'...

[Bulbasaur4]

Yes, I agree that we cannot look back at the 'old days'. I for one have been here long enough to remember those times when the RPG board didn't exist... and that was back when text-based RPGs were starting to become a new sensation that had just touched this board. Let's face it- this board and this forum will probably never go back to being as it once was. However, that does not mean that we cannot try to make it better and try to help it reach a level of more activity. I believe that it is starting to rise in activity, mainly because a few selected people have put forth some effort and within a month it is showing a bit more of a rise.

Why is the RPG board dwindling?

Well, in my opinion... it is just because of the age group. Back when the RPG board was booming, I was in 7th and 8th grade (maybe 9th as well) and I had the time to go and post a lot. (Of course... with my time management skills, I find ways to post...) However, now many of those same RPGers who have stuck around, are much older and have far more things to do. They still make an effort to post once in a while, but they're faced with a hard schedule to work around with. Of course, there are probably more reasons than this... but that is just one of the many. (I may note however, that I have managed to bring in one new RPer and I have a few friends who are interested in joining the board as soon as I put up an RPG... so it isn't like there isn't any hope at getting new RPers.)

But ... now that I have slightly ranted, let's get on topic. This isn't a debate about the activeness of the RPG forums or what caused the RPG forum to be inactive... it is about UC and JT. I, personally, am hoping that the two of them will post so that they can declare their position or what they think. I do know that both are fairly busy, especially JT, but I think that they will probably post in this topic. I would like to reserve judgement until I see what they have to say.

[Perfect Chaos]

I have to agree with what Kalah is saying. I too, used to come around the RPG Forum ALOT during the past years (middle school, 9th and 10th grade). But again, I was forced to completely get off-track from RPG. One, because of my school work (which in terms of load, is FAR greater than the standard AP classes in high school). And two, to a lesser degree, my inability to actually produce my own original RPGs and also adequate posts for the RPGs that I were in. So, yeah, I have to agree that the main reason that the RPG board is dwindling is because of the age group.

Now onto JT and UC:

I have somewhat mixed feelings on their presence in the board. I remember when I was around, their presence was actually seen and they were doing their jobs as mods. We all know that Kalah definitely has been keeping up with her duties as best as she can as well. I have nothing to say about Tsukasa, because I have never interacted with her before, so we can only wait and see.

Anyways, although they are mods, they also have lives as well and from what I can tell (from seeing RPG in the past couple of weeks as a bystander), their really isn't that much to be done from a mod's point-of-view, except for the random new member that comes in and posts an improper RPG topic.

However, I still will sign this petition for electing new mods.

-Sean

[Bear]

What I meant by "giving the mods something to do" was to work to make this board livelier and more post-intensive. With more people actively participating, creating RPGs and posting every day, it would keep the mods busier. I'm not saying I disagree with you on the status of these particular mods. I am in an RPG with JT and UC, and until 2 days ago, we had been waiting since last November for a post by JT, despite many OOC posts directed at him IMPLORING him to post.

I will not sign a petition like this. Rather, I would like to provoke some further discussion on the matter, and get everyone's opinion. This concerns the entire board, and I think the entire board should have something to say.

[kalad1]

*Signs in massive fancy script* There you go.

[Ace64]

Hmmm..what drives me to post here, when I haven't posted in a single RPG for years?My last attempt at trying to get into the RPG thing, was interestingly enough, one that JT Outlaw created. Despite the fact that I'm not technically active on this board, seeing this topic does make me wonder.
Why is the RPG Board dying? Like several other people have stated, RPG's were thriving when we were younger. I remember taking part in one of the old "Pokeschool" RPG's, which had pages and pages of people joining up.Now...not so much. Many people from the old days are gone. Big deal. It happens. But I don't think you can attribute the stagnation of the board squarely atop the shoulders of two people. Even if they are mods, you can't expect them to resurrect the entire board, by coming up with so original, so great an RPG idea that it singlehandedly revives the board.
I agree that they aren't as active as some of you, but we've all got our own things to do in life. We don't know the situation with them. Why not try and get their perspective first before you start signing away?I'm not sure if de-modding them and appointing new mods in their place would change anything. If that's the only reason we can use to explain the reason for the lack of people here, well...

Anyway, sorry about that.

[Toxicity]

About UC and JT...personally, I have to agree with Kalah on this. Both are fairly busy, but somehow if they manage free time, do they really post is my question. I remember JT having a fair bit of time over the course of last year, but then again, that was only over the summer. And UC...I personally wonder about him, too. But really, half and half...I guess it's fair, isn't it?

Well, I'll also give them the right to be honest how they feel about their modding duties, and if they feel like giving them up due to too much time. But in short, I'm signing.

[Kuro Espeon]

What good are active mods if the board itself is not active?

I browse this forum every day. This is the only board (with the occasional bit in ADV) that I look at on this forum. I've seen two, even three days go by without a single post in a single topic. I remember the days when I'd have to check this board 3-5 times a day just to keep up with posts. The days when you had to choose between RPGs to join because there were so many interesting ones, and you only had time for a few.

I actually agree with my brother on this one...strangely enough. I don't think anyone on this forum has the right to point fingers when it comes to inactivity. I myself haven't been very active lately either, but like Bear and Kalah said, there hasn't been much going on because all of the older, more experienced RPers have MUCH busier lives than we used to (back in the good ol' days when I was *cough*14 *cough*). Lots of work needs to be done in this forum if we're ever going to have major activity again, but that's another issue all together.

However, as for UC and JT, I agree that they've been lacking in their "duties" as mods. I can understand not having time to be active, but if they're too busy for the forum, then they shouldn't be mods. They should step down and let someone else with more time to devote to the board take their place. BUT, I also side with Bear that I don't think a petition is the right way to go about it.

Though...If UC and JT don't appear soon to defend themselves then, well, that sort of speaks for itself, doesn't it? I say we give them a deadline. If they still want to be Mods, we give them till a certain date to plead their case and why they should still have the position. It may just turn out that neither of them really want the Mod spot anymore, which would make this a lot easier.

Heh...know what's kind of ironic? This is the most active a topic has been for months... And it's about inactive Mods. XD Lol, go figure. The only time people make an attempt to post is when there's controversy to be dealt with. Hmm...kind of like politics, huh?

[Plantae]

The general position of most of you that have refused to or are reluctant to sign it seems to be either that the moderators are doing their jobs in terms of what moderation is, as a whole, and also in that electing a new moderator is hardly cause for a revolution.

This forum has never been like any of the others- and in that the moderator's duties should be different. Moderation here requires a constant and vibrant effort to stop inactivity and to bring in new recruits. The RPG Forum does not deserve to be compared to something such as PCG.

The community itself may be inactive, yes, and part of this may have to do with schedules and age groups, indeed; the simple truth, however, is that the two moderators in question are in general opinion considered to be doing their basic duties which anyone with the proper means would be capable of, and that is all. I agree that the ASB/RPG idea was an interesting one, and could yet prove fruitful: but do we want moderators who give up after the first real try? Hypocrisy in this does not lessen the point. We are inactive yes, but that makes them no less inactive.

There is a large amount of work to be done that the community must also take part in. However, someone has to step up as leader, so why have two leaders who are incapable of doing so? Creating a vibrant forum requires organized effort, for all of you are right- few of us have made much individual effort to help the forum, for there has been no one there to tell us to do so. And that is what human nature so often requires: direction.

[Heald]

In light of recent discussion and the fact that neither UC or JT has bothered to defend themselves I shall sign this, although I do consider them to be good friends but if we want to revive this forum we need active moderators.

[Mega Horny]

whatever. *signs*

[Tyler and Hobbes]

At first I was in the opinion that Ultimate and Outlaw should step down on their own, but after reading through the rest of the discussion... And so, wherever you are... *signs the petition*


Edit- Just checked the lounge - we're not totally dead.

[Fai D. Flowright]

[color=#990A66]Tis my turn now!

I would like to say, right off, that I am signing this petition.

Now, onto discussive matters. Even as the newest mod of the forum, I can now reason that it takes more than just "watching over the forum" to keep things working and active. In order for things to stay interesting, it takes more effort that just popping into the board for a few minutes to make sure things are in place. It requires participation and, as Plantae said, some direction. Even the most random and spontaneous of plans still have to have some direction to reach a worthwhile conclusion.

Another aspect that I now feel as a mod (that I'm sure must have driven Kalah up the wall alone), is that Kalah and I must pull our weight around in the forum, helping as much as we can, while the other two merely watch from the sidelines, doing little to nothing for the betterment of the forum. As mentioned by several others, it can easily be seen, with a little research, that neither JT or UC have contributed anything beneficial to the forum in the past several months. It's somewhat stressful, and even irritating at times, to deal with as well as try to help the board become more active as well.

Another aspect some of you have brought to attention is the fact that there is little use in having active mods if the forum is inactive itself, but I think the problem stems from that. Perhaps the forum is inactive BECAUSE the mods are also inactive. Having mods that are consistently involved in the community and will to work together for a more progressive forum will help to make the board more active again. Keeping around what we already have will only cause the problem to progress further. There is only so much Kalah and I can do without that extra boost of help.

In the light of this matter, I conclude, as a both a member of the RPG community and a moderator of the board, that this petition has sound reason to be followed through with.

[The_Missing_Link]

whatever. *signs*

When you post in a forum, you should always have something constructive to say. Don't just tag along and do something on a whim without giving input. Your spammy posts are less than desirable


I do agree with those that are saying that as we grow older, our lives become more busy and it's tougher to stay active. Five years ago, I had all the time in the world to participate in RPGs. Now, I limit myself to one because college is taking up most of my time (although I'm in none right now because all the RPGs out right now are inactive or don't interest me)

I'm signing because when you become a mod, you gain the responsibility of taking care of a forum and doing whatever you can to make it prosperous. When you become too busy to live up to your duties, you should realize that it's time to step down and let someone with a less hectic life to take over. I've felt for a while that UC needed to step down - he says he lurks but you also need to post on a regular basis to keep the regulars satisfied that you're around (I don't have anything against him, it's just what I've observed). As for Outlaw, if he says that life is keeping him from posting and he can't do anything about it, he has to go. In the end, TPM is just a hobby and sometimes life prevents you from continuing on with that hobby

[Hyperness is a Good Thing]

UC did create a new topic recently, "Realtime" or something like that. Just pointing that out.

Yeah, sure the mods haven't really been active.. and those who have been around for longer do remember those "good old days" that most senior RP-ers still talk about. A lot. Yeah, I remember those times, and heck, it was fun too.. but instead of sitting on our butts missing them, if you really wanna see even a *LITTLE* bit of that once again... go out and post. YOU can make the difference. ;P.

Bleh, ignore that. I'm signing, because I think the RPG forum needs newer, more enthusiastic mods with more ideas and definitely more time(not that I have anything against B4 and Tsukasa - as far as I know they're more or less doing pretty fine, and they do take the trouble to post.)

[Arnen]

I'll sign, too. I wish I had a big long speech to go with it, but I don't ^^;

[Kuro Espeon]

I'm going to re-state what I suggested before and see what you all think about it.

I think we should give UC and JT a date. And they will have until this said date to show up and defend themselves. If they don't, then they're demodded. This will also give them a chance to show if they're actually paying attention and if they actually have TIME to be Mods. Also, it will give them a chance to say wether or not they still WANT to be Mods. I think that's the most simple and fair way of going about this, but obviously not everyone is going to agree. *shrug*

[Roy Karrde]

If this was a normal mod not appearing on the forums like what happened to Bulbasaur4, then I would understand and agree. But this isnt, Outlaw JT and Ultimate Charizard will show up, they do so about each week and stay around for five minutes. For most forums that run themselves that would be fine, and back in the day that would be fine here too. But this forum has degraded due to a lack of skills and creative thinking by the leadership. And we can blame ourselves for that if we want, but as a Famous President once said 'The Buck Stops Here'. And just like any other office, the mods are held responcable for the upkeep of this forum. We need a change, we need mods like Tsukasa and Bulbasaur4 that remain active and dont post only once per Season. The Buck Stops Here guys, Outlaw JT and Ultimate Charizard can come on and give the most Gradious excuse. If one ever comes, I would like to know Outlaw's excuse for not posting for four months back in November, or possibly Ultimate Charizard's excuse for not making a actual Role Playing post since May. I'm a proud RPGer, I always have been proud of this forum, but I cannot be proud of a mod that is about to come up upon his one year anniversary of not role playing, or a mod that takes months off from the forum. We can give them excuses, or they can come up for excuses for themselves. Yet in the end, it comes down to what that President said, The Buck Stops Here.

[Green Lanturn]

I was only in the chatroom for a couple of minutes, as my time in the RPG forum is limited.

Beingf a high school senior, I find myself more occupied, but I do spend lots of time here at TPM, mostly in PCG, but every other day Im in here, and I agree that I have seen the amount of inactivity from these two.

Other than that, I can say no more, but I do agree we need to let them defend at themselves at least, but dont wait too long, for it only shows more their lack of activeness.

TPM needs active mods.

I am signing this petition.

~GL

[Ultimate Charizard]

Right, my turn.
For your information i have been watching this progress for sometime but i thought id just wait and get a feel for peoples real opinions of me. It soon shows who your friends are.
As for what has been said, Im on this site EVERY DAMN DAY! checking things over, not 5 min once a week. And alot of you say i havent posted in too long. Have you checked my 'last post record'...oh i remember, it was me posting in the away topic that i was going on holiday.
And thankyou to the poster that pointed out i did try to start an RPG recently though i overcomplicated things and ruined my own plot with a stats and abilities system to try something new (you know, the creativity you say i dont show enough of)
If you want creativity how about someone try an rpg that doesnt resemble at least 3 others on the board already? When i fist joined there were signups for dozens of rpgs that interested me each with different plots, ideas, methods etc. Then we started getting into 'the age of..' syndrome. First it was Schools, then it was Pokebabies, the the Dark/moody phase which i dont think weve really left. Ive noticed a couple of the old styles popping up (theres another school rpg) but at least its not all the same styles. Variety = Creativity its that simple.
I have plot lines running through my head right now and could start maybe 3 rpg's however i will be going away on holiday again soon and so there isnt any point in doing so right now. Also i didnt like any of the current rpg's enough to join up so again, whats the point posting and joining up for the sake of it knowing full well i couldnt keep up, (and then getting accused of more serious inactivity your accusing JT of)

Im not going to start posting random crap just to say 'hello im still here' and spam the board up. The mods are supposed to 'police' the board laws, not break them and if i dont see anything that needs sorting out, and i dont see a plot that interests me, and i dont have time to run my own, then i wont post. So if you dont like the way i work then fine, send the petition off to LP and get me booted. Your the posters, its your choice and i wont fight you. Im not one of these that think i have some sort of 'power' just cos im a mod though i would suggest that maybe we dont need a replacement since the boards are so quiet. I also suspect a couple of the people accusing (especially those who wont consider the opinions in our defence) are trying to use this for their own rise to power.

I would finally like to commend the comments that were brought up in regards to whose fault the inactivity really is. You guys are the RPG'ers. Its our job to keep the board to the rules, not act as motivational support. If you guys arent posting, (again as said, this is the most active thread) then what are the mods supposed to do?

[Plantae]

I have recognized your particular committment to basic moderation, Ultimate Charizard. I have read your profile to look at activity; I had not seen that Away message, but I had always been under the impression that you had a reason anyway. In summary, I agree on you on every point except for one.

I would think if I and others could see that RPG needs a moderator with more zeal, who is willing to do more than watch and carefully control, that someone in the position as yourself with an expected wisdom would realize the same. The forum here has no need of moderation at all in that sense, no; we need moderation in motions and charisma and precedence, the precedence to take charge and push towards a future where posting is entertaining again. For that is the bottom line, is it not? Even if schedules are a large factor, it all falls back to lack of interest in comparison to other things, does it not?

I believe those who are reading this topic grow tired of all of us repeating ourselves. We all so explicitly know that we are inactive as a whole. But this most certainly is not only the roleplayers fault; neither do the two of you deserve to be scapegoats, either, but I again digress.

It remains a difference in opinion, and a vital one. The word "moderator" may very well have the connotations you speak of, but really only in relevance to other forums. For you are all certainly here for something, and if we are as well policed by ourselves as you claim, then what use are you? It is obligatory that you, sir, make something more of yourself should you hope to even come close to fulfiling your supposed position.

For what is in a title? Very little, really. But it still remains that you were placed here for a purpose, and if that purpose is fulfilled, is it not natural that you would seek another pursuit? This forum needs effort- for what more are you than role models?

When we as roleplayers see our moderators languishing in their positions, falling out of favor, and doing little to help a dying forum- then what do we do as roleplayers?

We follow as sheep- waiting patiently for a sign of action- being disappointed. The two of you are no more than black sheep in the flock. What we see is what we do, so when you set the example to watch and wait from the sidelines, and to let what was once flourishing decay- what message do you think that sends?

Posting is a fickle thing. And so are ideas. Both cannot exist independently, and the income of the latter has withered of late. For ideas are but plans, schemes, and notions and all are the devices of the luminaries, the higher authority, managers.

Do not forget that what was lost is yet retrievable. For I lied. Moderator may be mediator, but it comes from a Latin word, and in the end it also means "he who leads."

[Fai D. Flowright]

[color=#990A66]I'm sorry, but I feel that your comment needs a reply...

It's exactly that attitude that is preventing this forum from going anywhere. You can't just watch from the sidelines and hope that people will just take action. Being a mod doesn't just mean following the rules and keeping the forum in line; it DOES mean that you should be helping to inspire the board, and its members, to flourish. Monkey See, Monkey Do. If people see the mods merely watching and waiting, then that is what the people will do.

If you're on every day, then you could be making efforts to start topics that help the forum. Look at some of the ideas that have come forth in the Lounge by people FINALLY taking initiative. Those are things that you or JT could have started, but have had nothing to do with, simply watching the forum in near-hiding. I've personally taken an interest in these and several of the other projects to make it known to others that I want to help. If the theory that merely "policing" the boards is all a mod needs to do, then remove me from the position!

Obviously, if any and/or all of us want this section of TPM to develop again, we need another moderator, like Kalah and myself, who is willing to step forward as some kind of leader for this forum. The key to success is not observation, but action. Apparently, neither you nor JT have the devoted time and initiative to get things running and people are, apparently, sick of waiting around...

[Hatake Kakashi]

Consider me signing.


Albeit this is my second post, I've lurked for a while. And I'm no stranger to forums or RPG boards. A moderator is supposed to be active in the RPGs.

Granted this place seems to be inundated with "dark" and "moody"(i.e goth) RPGs, and there really needs to be a change in that respect. And that COULD be attributed to the mods, too. Especially when they complain that there's a lack of creativity.

You can't kick a field of dirt and yell at the tomato crop for not growing if all you planted is corn.

[Ultimate Charizard]

Some good points and im not arguing.
Im the first to admit i havent been posting. But i already mentioned the reasons why.
Im not signing up to rpg's that dont interest me just for the sake of it. Its harmfull to the RPG and the creator deserves better than some half a$$ed effort. Also currently i dont have time to create my own rpgs though shortly, (about a month when im back from holiday) i will have more free time and the plots im developing should be about ready to go.

This thread has become more about the role of the mods now. Police or Cheerleader. Fair enough its probably a mix of both however the reason my last post sounded so aggressive is due to the Original post. We were being accused of plain inactivity. Neglecting the job in a straight out public attack. If it was felt i wasnt doing my job, thats what my pm box is for. Have a word and ill get right back to you.
Im wont be accused of just not being bothered about the Forum.

[The_Missing_Link]

Christ Plantae, how old are you? That sounded like a college lecture or something


I can see where you're coming from UC as in each forum, a mod does different things. As a former (but now pseudo) mod of ASB, posting almost everyday is a given. If you don't post for a week and haven't said anything in the Absence Tower, you know someone is going to get on your ass. On the other spectrum is PCG/AC/CC. Posting isn't required - just lurking around trying to find spammers and closing big game topics is all that's needed. You don't join RPGs that don't interest you, I don't participate in games or polls that don't interest me

But somewhere along the middle is RPG. Lurking is ok, but the RPGers need the constant satisfaction of seeing their leaders post on a somewhat regular basis. Back in the day, I always looked at Kalah, Ginger and whoever modded back then as the leaders. They created the fantastic RPGs and if they joined an RPG, you knew what kind of person was participating. You are on that border - lurking a lot but not posting enough. Obviously, it was a big enough concern for a number of members of the community to talk about it in a chat room and then making a public topic about it. Yeah, maybe Roy Karrde made himself sound like a moron in the first post but he has his concerns

Perhaps the best solution is for you to step down and let someone a little more enthusiastic take over. You'll have your time to relax and then after you come back from vacation, you'll be able to participate actively again and without the pressure to make yourself present on a consistent basis

[Roy Karrde]

Well I was going to wait and hold off in posting in this but I guess I should. Ultimate Charizard, if you want to take subtle jabs at me saying that I am doing this for my own gain, or that I should have PMed you instead of dragging this out into a public forum, then that is your right. I started this topic and I should be held up to critisism. The problem is that I wasn't the one that came up with the idea of this topic. It wasn't just me, or another person, or two other people, it was a group of more than ten RPGers that finally decided something had to happen. I just decided that I would be the one that would write the language up for it and post it after it met the approval of some in the group.

You may not recognize it or you just may not care, but that is the harm that you have done, you have caused so many people to recognize that we do need a change. And not just that ten. Almost what 19 people total have signed this? This place doesnt need a Police man, when was the last time the RPG Forum was attacked? When was the last time we truely needed a Police Man mod? We need a mod right now that takes initiative as so many others have said. You and JT can sit back as you wish and go on your vacations, but eventually you will come back and there wont be a forum to moderate. People need direction just look at what is happening in the Lounge, people are starting to use that. And it wasnt a police man that spured that activity, it was a moderator that was doing what he is meant to do in the RPG Forum, create ideas and topics. The men and women that helped put together those topics, they were not cheerleaders, they were captains of the team, as mods should be.

If you have had so many ideas, why wait till now to bring them up? Where were these ideas back in January? Where were these ideas when this forum needed them? If you have these ideas why not list them out? We cant have Vacation mods, we cant have check in and check out mods, we must have creative mods. If you cant understand that then you probably do not understand why so many people are posting in this topic.

[The_Missing_Link]

Well I was going to wait and hold off in posting in this but I guess I should. Ultimate Charizard, if you want to take subtle jabs at me saying that I am doing this for my own gain, or that I should have PMed you instead of dragging this out into a public forum, then that is your right. I started this topic and I should be held up to critisism. The problem is that I wasn't the one that came up with the idea of this topic. It wasn't just me, or another person, or two other people, it was a group of more than ten RPGers that finally decided something had to happen. I just decided that I would be the one that would write the language up for it and post it after it met the approval of some in the group.

You may not recognize it or you just may not care, but that is the harm that you have done, you have caused so many people to recognize that we do need a change. And not just that ten. Almost what 19 people total have signed this? This place doesnt need a Police man, when was the last time the RPG Forum was attacked? When was the last time we truely needed a Police Man mod? We need a mod right now that takes initiative as so many others have said. You and JT can sit back as you wish and go on your vacations, but eventually you will come back and there wont be a forum to moderate. People need direction just look at what is happening in the Lounge, people are starting to use that. And it wasnt a police man that spured that activity, it was a moderator that was doing what he is meant to do in the RPG Forum, create ideas and topics. The men and women that helped put together those topics, they were not cheerleaders, they were captains of the team, as mods should be.

If you have had so many ideas, why wait till now to bring them up? Where were these ideas back in January? Where were these ideas when this forum needed them? If you have these ideas why not list them out? We cant have Vacation mods, we cant have check in and check out mods, we must have creative mods. If you cant understand that then you probably do not understand why so many people are posting in this topic.

Dude, it's not like he's taking a vacation to spite you and everyone here. It's annoying, yes, but it's probably like every other family vacation we take. You've probably taken vacations yourself and as annoying as it can be for a regular member, it sucks for a mod because they can't be around like they want to. And he's not harming anyone, RPG has gone downhill since Ginger left. It reminds me of ASB in a sense and a change is needed, but we don't need to be harsh about it

[Ultimate Charizard]

What so im not allowed a holiday away from home for the first time in 5 years? Im not allowed yo use the away forum?
As for 'where were my ideas in January' look down the board a little bit. Its called Realtime and even though it never got past the signup due to my over ambitious signup, its still on the first page due to the Inactivity from and lack of creativity from anyone else.
Your right, i was hinting that i suspected you trying to jump into the first available mod spot and there are a few little hints and clues all over the board so dont try saying your just the messenger. I posted originally that it was those who refused to consider our defence that i suspected and youve done exactly that. Another attack just having a go at me and blatantly ignoring what has been said throwing the same arguments at me. (ie no new rpgs since May, which someone else poitned out to u)
Ive tried, hardly anyone seemed interested (and it took far too much explaining from me, my bad). Ive seen the 'revival' in the Lounge though i have a feeling more people will be interested in thinking up their charachters them tunes, than they are their plots. As for the 'what does your charachter look like', i take it thats non descriptive (thats in your signup) which means only people who can draw or have art interests are going to use it. Ive nothing against that as i love to see the talented artists we have but again one of thos things that could end up more popular than the actual rpg'ing itself.

(edit) knew id forgot one. I do actually like the Plot resolution thread. An OOC style thread has been missing and continuation for some rpgs really suffers. Great idea.