[Top][All Lists]
[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
[Wesnoth-dev] Thoughts on the forum restructuring
From: |
James Barton |
Subject: |
[Wesnoth-dev] Thoughts on the forum restructuring |
Date: |
Sat, 18 Feb 2006 13:37:15 -0500 |
I also posted this message in abbreviated form on the forums -
http://wesnoth.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=135784#135784
I'm not a "true developer", but I have some thoughts on the recent
forum restructuring which I'd like to share.
Firstly, I think that the move is a sound one. Many developmental
discussions get drowned out in the noise of the feedback which
inevitably arises around them, making it difficult to hold to a single,
productive thread. This is particularly true, probably, of Art
Development. Jetryl's work, for instance, rarely needs an extended
feedback-improvement cycle, and having lots of feedback in the thread
can actually get in the way. This is where the "division" helps, in
that it limits the amount and quality of discussion in the developer's
areas.
However, there are certain consequences which must be kept in mind.
Two, which are interlinked, are community relations and community
feedback. People like being "in the know". They also like to be able to
talk about new developments, and to talk about them with those
developing. This creates a sense of belonging, and a powerful community
atmosphere which I think Wesnoth really achieves. (Anyone who's ever
dared the Blizzard forums knows that web communities don't have to feel
communal - they can be divisive, acidic and viscerally unpleasant).
With the division in place, a little bit more effort will have to be
made to involve users. As ideas mature into visual stages, they should
probably be "showcased" in the User's Forums for criticism and
feedback. For instance, Jetryl's "High Elves" could have a topic, or
freim's new GUI proposals (GUIs in particular being an area where
community feedback can provide new information - remember that
surprising "time of day" discussion about right->left vs left->right?)
While removing some of the discussion from work in development is a
very good idea, user feedback remains valuable and it's now going to
take just a little bit more effort to solicit it.
Secondly, I do think that the "Ideas" forum should be open to
newcomers. Yes, most ideas posted there are rehashes of old ones. Yes,
a lot of the discussion which goes on there doesn't produce meaningful
results, or add to the game's development.
However, I think that many users come to the forums specifically to
give their ideas on Wesnoth. They may not be useful ideas, but to block
them out is to send a signal to new users that "we don't want your
ideas", and, more subtly, "we don't want you on our forums".
In short, I feel that dealing with an unruly ideas forum is necessary
to ensure a vibrant and involved community.
Just my musings,
James Barton
a.k.a. Sangel
PS: I turn 21 at midnight tonight, which happens to be the second time
I've reached legal drinking age. So here's a glass to Wesnoth, and all
the developers who've made it so incredible!
[Prev in Thread] |
Current Thread |
[Next in Thread] |
- [Wesnoth-dev] Thoughts on the forum restructuring,
James Barton <=