Attempting To Increase Some Activity In The Storymat

[Fake]

Me and Finway have been talking and we decided that it might be a good idea to combine the RuneScape Stories Section and The Library to possibly generate more activity in the forum. The Roleplayers Room should be left the way it is as it gets as much activity as it needs. This way when someone posts a story in the new forum the person will be able to look at all the stories there and just not the one he/she posts in.

 

I'm also going to be organizing a contest in the new Forum and I was wondering if it would be okay if an announcement could be made regarding the topic (to try and get more activity in it.) The new forum could just be entitled the Library and the description for The Library could be changed to include information on The RuneScape Stories Section.

 

Our second, contradicting plan is that The RSS (RuneScape Stories Section) should be moved to Everything RuneScape because if you think about it that's where it kind of belongs. It would be like another forum in that section.

 

What do you guys think?

Edited April 1, 2011 by finisterra

[Fatalysm]

Me and master neverdead had the same idea but he likes to disappear in the middle of a project, maybe this would be better off in forum suggestions though. See what everyone else thinks? I do like the idea though, it's not bad. I'm all for merging forums down, it's making more I've got issues with!

[Mr FANG]

Me and master neverdead had the same idea but he likes to disappear in the middle of a project, maybe this would be better off in forum suggestions though. See what everyone else thinks? I do like the idea though, it's not bad. I'm all for merging forums down, it's making more I've got issues with!

I don't think we should jump the gun. I'm sure anything that involves the forums started around these parts is discussed here for a little while before being made public. :D

[Fatalysm]

Me and master neverdead had the same idea but he likes to disappear in the middle of a project, maybe this would be better off in forum suggestions though. See what everyone else thinks? I do like the idea though, it's not bad. I'm all for merging forums down, it's making more I've got issues with!

I don't think we should jump the gun. I'm sure anything that involves the forums started around these parts is discussed here for a little while before being made public. :D

We aren't the arbiters of the forum though. We really have no more say than the average joe. It might grab more attention in suggestions!

[Fake]

I'm actually undecided between merging the forums and moving the RSS. :D And yeah I guess this should be made public.

 

EDIT: No moderator's on to move this. When one of you guys see this topic please move it to the Suggestions forum.

Edited April 1, 2011 by Fake

[Fatalysm]

I'm actually undecided between merging the forums and moving the RSS. :( And yeah I guess this should be made public.

 

EDIT: No moderator's on to move this. When one of you guys see this topic please move it to the Suggestions forum.

I don't know if the RSS would work. It could go into that media area but I'm not sure how much activity it would pick up in there. It might be better off left where it was to be honest :D.

[Fake]

So what do you guys think?

[Samsara]

As I occasionally post stories in the Library, I think it's about time something be done to increase its activity.

 

Merging RuneScape stories and the Library is a good idea. I feel like RSS (RuneScape Stories) gets far more attention than the Library does, and that the Library has the same particular members who frequent it regularly. This would be good in getting fresh blood and I think it'd make it a little more friendly for users to jump in.

 

I don't think that the RSS should be placed in RS Discussion because that would null the point I brought up above. However, I do think we could have a link in the RS Discussion board that takes you to the combined RSS/Library forum.

[Fake]

As I occasionally post stories in the Library, I think it's about time something be done to increase its activity.

 

Merging RuneScape stories and the Library is a good idea. I feel like RSS (RuneScape Stories) gets far more attention than the Library does, and that the Library has the same particular members who frequent it regularly. This would be good in getting fresh blood and I think it'd make it a little more friendly for users to jump in.

 

I don't think that the RSS should be placed in RS Discussion because that would null the point I brought up above. However, I do think we could have a link in the RS Discussion board that takes you to the combined RSS/Library forum.

 

I actually like this idea, it would increase activity and more than one way. We should wait a little more for other suggestions, though.

[Aliath]

As a story-mat dweller, I support this!

 

That one. The first one. Merging RSS and Library.

Edited April 1, 2011 by Aliath

[Fake]

As a story-mat dweller, I support this!

 

That one. The first one. The one you talked aboot in that place.

So you don't think there should be a link leading to the forum from the Everything RuneScape section?

[_life]

Dissolving the RuneScape Stories forum and utilizing 'The Library' as the main source of both stories would make it too cluttered. If I could proffer another suggestion, I'd say make the RuneScape Stories a sub-forum of The Library.

 

In regards to activity and giving the Story Mat a kick-start, I began the Story Mat Energy Kick project a while back, and it got some great ideas. It even succeeded slightly - with the rewriting of the Role-Player's Guide, the re-introduction of the Reviewing Circle and some other things - but ultimately, I became inactive, and people lost interest.

 

I think I've still got some of the ideas down, if you want, though.

[Fake]

Dissolving the RuneScape Stories forum and utilizing 'The Library' as the main source of both stories would make it too cluttered. If I could proffer another suggestion, I'd say make the RuneScape Stories a sub-forum of The Library.

 

In regards to activity and giving the Story Mat a kick-start, I began the Story Mat Energy Kick project a while back, and it got some great ideas. It even succeeded slightly - with the rewriting of the Role-Player's Guide, the re-introduction of the Reviewing Circle and some other things - but ultimately, I became inactive, and people lost interest.

 

I think I've still got some of the ideas down, if you want, though.

Feel free to post your ideas here, I encourage you to do so! Also, have you seen the recent activity in the Forums? I doubt that it would be to cluttered, in all honesty.

[Prinz]

Me and Finway have been talking and we decided that it might be a good idea to combine the RuneScape Stories Section and The Library to possibly generate more activity in the forum. The Roleplayers Room should be left the way it is as it gets as much activity as it needs. This way when someone posts a story in the new forum the person will be able to look at all the stories there and just not the one he/she posts in.

 

I'm also going to be organizing a contest in the new Forum and I was wondering if it would be okay if an announcement could be made regarding the topic (to try and get more activity in it.) The new forum could just be entitled the Library and the description for The Library could be changed to include information on The RuneScape Stories Section.

 

Our second, contradicting plan is that The RSS (RuneScape Stories Section) should be moved to Everything RuneScape because if you think about it that's where it kind of belongs. It would be like another forum in that section.

 

What do you guys think?

Combine, yes.

Announcement, 50/50, could be a bad precedent.

Moving RSS: HELL TO THE NO.

 

I have an idea - why not a group of

GOOD, CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM REVIEWERS

to be put in a group, and then, a person could submit a story which follow the guidelines (like, say, 5 chapters, 5K+ words, no more then 5 grammar/spelling/punctuation mistakes a paragraph) to the CCR (I'll dub them that, Constructive Criticism Reviewers for now), give them a link to there story, and then a CCR member would read it, review it, and give good CC, and, if the majority (vote between all CCR Members, and, if we want, I guess, a vote on our thread, if both polls total a yes, yes, or, we could just use our votes), vote yes, then we could feature it on our page. Our incentive would be a signature that we could get someone or make ourselves, and if you're in the CCR you to get to wear it if you're not, you can't.

Huh, I like this idea, I'll PM a more detailed version to you, Fake.

[Fake]

Me and Finway have been talking and we decided that it might be a good idea to combine the RuneScape Stories Section and The Library to possibly generate more activity in the forum. The Roleplayers Room should be left the way it is as it gets as much activity as it needs. This way when someone posts a story in the new forum the person will be able to look at all the stories there and just not the one he/she posts in.

 

I'm also going to be organizing a contest in the new Forum and I was wondering if it would be okay if an announcement could be made regarding the topic (to try and get more activity in it.) The new forum could just be entitled the Library and the description for The Library could be changed to include information on The RuneScape Stories Section.

 

Our second, contradicting plan is that The RSS (RuneScape Stories Section) should be moved to Everything RuneScape because if you think about it that's where it kind of belongs. It would be like another forum in that section.

 

What do you guys think?

Combine, yes.

Announcement, 50/50, could be a bad precedent.

Moving RSS: HELL TO THE NO.

 

I have an idea - why not a group of

GOOD, CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM REVIEWERS

to be put in a group, and then, a person could submit a story which follow the guidelines (like, say, 5 chapters, 5K+ words, no more then 5 grammar/spelling/punctuation mistakes a paragraph) to the CCR (I'll dub them that, Constructive Criticism Reviewers for now), give them a link to there story, and then a CCR member would read it, review it, and give good CC, and, if the majority (vote between all CCR Members, and, if we want, I guess, a vote on our thread, if both polls total a yes, yes, or, we could just use our votes), vote yes, then we could feature it on our page. Our incentive would be a signature that we could get someone or make ourselves, and if you're in the CCR you to get to wear it if you're not, you can't.

Huh, I like this idea, I'll PM a more detailed version to you, Fake.

 

I don't really understand what you're getting at, maybe the detailed version will help.

[Silavor]

I'm all for merging the RSS and the library, or making them the main story mat forum, with the Rp room as a sub-forum.

[Helm Lardar]

I'm all for giving more action to that area, despite feeling guilty about not really visiting since my failed story ages ago. Is there a market for pseudo-runescapish stories that are more fantasy than runescape?

 

In any case, I've always thought RS stories shoudl be in everything runescape. It jsut struck me as odd. So I don't mind, and I mgiht start posting there again sometime soon.

[Finway]

I believe that the Library should be annexed into the Story Mat forum, so when one clicks the Story Mat link they are lead directly into the stories, rather than having to chose between the Library, RuneScape Stories, or the Role-Player's Room. That alone will grab more attention. Additionally, the RuneScape Stories section seems out of place, as it is a RuneScape-related forum in the Everything...Not RuneScape category. It fits categorically into the Everything RuneScape category, so I think that moving it to become a forum in that area would be great. In addition, it would boost activity in the forum, and more focus would be on the RuneScape Stories section as well. It would be like colliding two worlds an increasing activity in each of the two involved. :D

 

As for the Library/Story Mat merging, that would make exposure to people's stories more direct. Those who are curious won't have to enter the Story Mat, then chose between three other options. They will simply enter the Story Mat, and already be present there (it was like this before, but the Library as a sub-section made it extremely confusing). The Role-Player's Room seems fine where it is, because many of the active Role-Players there have consented that their forum is plenty active, at least in comparison to the other two stories.

 

I don't know, just my thoughts. :(

[_life]

Feel free to post your ideas here, I encourage you to do so! Also, have you seen the recent activity in the Forums? I doubt that it would be to cluttered, in all honesty.

 

Considering how many pages of history there are within The Library and RuneScape Stories - a merging of the two would make it considerably 'cluttered'.

 

I have an idea - why not a group of

GOOD, CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM REVIEWERS

to be put in a group, and then, a person could submit a story which follow the guidelines (like, say, 5 chapters, 5K+ words, no more then 5 grammar/spelling/punctuation mistakes a paragraph) to the CCR (I'll dub them that, Constructive Criticism Reviewers for now), give them a link to there story, and then a CCR member would read it, review it, and give good CC, and, if the majority (vote between all CCR Members, and, if we want, I guess, a vote on our thread, if both polls total a yes, yes, or, we could just use our votes), vote yes, then we could feature it on our page. Our incentive would be a signature that we could get someone or make ourselves, and if you're in the CCR you to get to wear it if you're not, you can't.

 

There's been various similar concepts achieved in the past, as well as numerous ideas about a group of reviewers. Master Neverdead ran one of the more successful review threads, Slashing took up his own, Fruityfred and another member (whose name is lost on me) made one ages ago, and now we have the Reviewing Circle - which is a more open variation of the idea. The issue, in my opinion, is establishing a set group of reviewers who are both active, willing to read and who can offer a proper review - and not one which just gives each and every story a 10/10.

 

In regards to the guidelines you mentioned - I'm not particularly in support of that. A review table should be able to provide constructively criticizing responses to stories of any size.

 

The one thing I don't like about the reviewing group idea (and I've maintained this opinion throughout the years), is the fact that the group appears as some sort of 'official review team' - rendering other reviews by members (who aren't in the group), somewhat less important. That's just me, however.

 

It fits categorically into the Everything RuneScape category, so I think that moving it to become a forum in that area would be great.

 

The idea that was put out earlier on (about placing a link to the forum in the 'Everything RuneScape' category) makes more sense than actually moving the forum itself. With it being a 'story forum' and a 'RuneScape related' forum, it warrants a place in both areas.

[Prinz]

Feel free to post your ideas here, I encourage you to do so! Also, have you seen the recent activity in the Forums? I doubt that it would be to cluttered, in all honesty.

 

Considering how many pages of history there are within The Library and RuneScape Stories - a merging of the two would make it considerably 'cluttered'.

 

I have an idea - why not a group of

GOOD, CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM REVIEWERS

to be put in a group, and then, a person could submit a story which follow the guidelines (like, say, 5 chapters, 5K+ words, no more then 5 grammar/spelling/punctuation mistakes a paragraph) to the CCR (I'll dub them that, Constructive Criticism Reviewers for now), give them a link to there story, and then a CCR member would read it, review it, and give good CC, and, if the majority (vote between all CCR Members, and, if we want, I guess, a vote on our thread, if both polls total a yes, yes, or, we could just use our votes), vote yes, then we could feature it on our page. Our incentive would be a signature that we could get someone or make ourselves, and if you're in the CCR you to get to wear it if you're not, you can't.

 

There's been various similar concepts achieved in the past, as well as numerous ideas about a group of reviewers. Master Neverdead ran one of the more successful review threads, Slashing took up his own, Fruityfred and another member (whose name is lost on me) made one ages ago, and now we have the Reviewing Circle - which is a more open variation of the idea. The issue, in my opinion, is establishing a set group of reviewers who are both active, willing to read and who can offer a proper review - and not one which just gives each and every story a 10/10.

 

In regards to the guidelines you mentioned - I'm not particularly in support of that. A review table should be able to provide constructively criticizing responses to stories of any size.

 

The one thing I don't like about the reviewing group idea (and I've maintained this opinion throughout the years), is the fact that the group appears as some sort of 'official review team' - rendering other reviews by members (who aren't in the group), somewhat less important. That's just me, however.

 

It fits categorically into the Everything RuneScape category, so I think that moving it to become a forum in that area would be great.

 

The idea that was put out earlier on (about placing a link to the forum in the 'Everything RuneScape' category) makes more sense than actually moving the forum itself. With it being a 'story forum' and a 'RuneScape related' forum, it warrants a place in both areas.

Thanks for the feedback - and I guess you'd be right.

So, really, how about, everyone just agrees to review something?

Competition, like the database drive for RSS?

And the reason why I put the size limit was because if it was going to be some 1 paragraph thing, then they suddenly stop, it's a bit of a waste because anyone who really, thoroughly reviewed it (like an editor would to say J.K. Rowling) would get a little ticked off if all there hardwork was done for 1 paragraph.

 

And to the bolded - what do you mean? Two RSSs'?

[_life]

Thanks for the feedback - and I guess you'd be right.

So, really, how about, everyone just agrees to review something?

Competition, like the database drive for RSS?

And the reason why I put the size limit was because if it was going to be some 1 paragraph thing, then they suddenly stop, it's a bit of a waste because anyone who really, thoroughly reviewed it (like an editor would to say J.K. Rowling) would get a little ticked off if all there hardwork was done for 1 paragraph.

 

And to the bolded - what do you mean? Two RSSs'?

 

That's actually a pretty good idea - I mean, we could expand on the concept of a Story Mat 'database drive'-esque thing, where, perhaps, we all contribute as many legitimate, proper short stories/poems/reviews (of current stories) for a prize.

 

The reviewers wouldn't have put in so much hard work for a review of something that was less than one paragraph. So the only loss there is the writer's.

 

And to clarify - I meant putting a link to the RSS in the 'Everything RuneScape Related' category, and then leaving the actual forum in The Story Mat (whether that be under The Library as a sub-forum, or merged or whatever).

[Finway]

The idea that was put out earlier on (about placing a link to the forum in the 'Everything RuneScape' category) makes more sense than actually moving the forum itself. With it being a 'story forum' and a 'RuneScape related' forum, it warrants a place in both areas.

I would disagree. The General RuneScape Dicussion is both a discussion forum and a RuneScape-related one, but that doesn't mean it warrants a spot in the Everything RuneScape as well as the Everything...Not RuneScape categories. :D At least a link in the Everything RuneScape category would be effective in achieving the desired results.

 

In my eyes, reviewing threads (aside from the Reviewing Circle) don't seem to work nowadays simply because they require a lot of activity. It would be a nice thing to do, but plenty of members are already reviewing when they have time, so putting this pressure on them wouldn't make things much different. A 'database drive' for the Story Mat would imply that, for a set time, we are offering certain incentives for posting a story. I'd disagree with that since the actual database drive was set-up for a purpose of achieving needed information, whereas stories aren't 'needed' in the same sense.

[_life]

At least a link in the Everything RuneScape category would be effective in achieving the desired results.

 

That's what I was getting at. :D

 

In my eyes, reviewing threads (aside from the Reviewing Circle) don't seem to work nowadays simply because they require a lot of activity. It would be a nice thing to do, but plenty of members are already reviewing when they have time, so putting this pressure on them wouldn't make things much different. A 'database drive' for the Story Mat would imply that, for a set time, we are offering certain incentives for posting a story.

 

Incentives like this would help in rousing activity - which is the entire purpose, anyway. Similarly, prose/poetry are incentives to write and submit stories/poetry pieces. True, a database drive is a bit different in terms of the end result - but it was a raw idea anyway, and far from a final, established one.

 

Moving back to offering ideas which could aid The Story Mat's activity levels, contests such as the Story of the Month Contest succeeded greatly when it was re-introduced last year. It did lose it's excitement and appeal afterwards, but perhaps that was on account of a lack of prizes (which could be as simple as a shiny underbanner coupled with bragging rights), delays in the contests, topics which weren't as interesting to write about and even the fact that there wasn't any change to the way it was run.

 

The past has shown that the voting process is a long one which doesn't always doesn't garner lots of votes - so perhaps you could modify it to have a special, select group of writers (who, obviously, aren't participating) to vote on the entries. The group could change members every time - or remain constant (though it wouldn't allow them the opportunity of entering themselves).

 

The RP Room, last year, entered another of its low periods, albeit, an extended one. To stir interest and activity, myself and Erebus took on the job of organizing a 'RP Awards' - and it actually worked very well until the end, when there was a bit of a delay in the revealing of the results. However an idea like that could be modified to suit the RSS and Library - provided there's enough stories, of course.