[Discussion] New Graphics Request System

Alright, guys. As you may have seen from the previous ERA system, things didn't work out the way a lot of people wanted them to be. Despite having almost 30 members, having a very organized system, etc., we were thwarted by a main problem: even though a lot of people showed enthusiasm and support, not many people could be bothered to keep doing requests for so long, which led to a huge build-up of requests and ultimately having to close down the system way past the intended "close-down" limit. Some tried to help clean it up a bit, but there were simply too many, most of us have lives or just couldn't be bothered. It pains me to say this, but we just simply lacked the amount of dedication that the system needed.

I'm almost sure even our dear Synik would agree that the system, while seemingly perfect and a brilliant idea, didn't work out so well. So, for the good of our humble services to the Neo community, a lot of us think a new kind of system is in order, and hopefully it will be more effective.

After a good amount of time passed after the thread was closed, discussion sparked in the G&A Town Meeting with suggestions and different ideas as to what could be done. Aphex's idea stood out to most of us, so I'll quote some of the discussion:

quote Aphex

Right now, I don't think we currently have a great system going. With all due respect to Synik (rip), it was going great at first but that's cause we had a bunch of people who seemed to enjoy helping out these people. Sadly, it got more and more flooded and people just started ignoring the rules, and members just don't want to do your request when you don't take the time to format it appropriately. Secondly, I pretty much hate keeping track of who's doing what wrong and having to kick them off the system.

What I'm suggesting is a system similar to Dave's. Not the thread that was cluttered and full of random requests. Now, I mean way back when we had that thread for all members who are currently taking requests. Basically, no one is posting in any thread and no need to really monitor it other then being notified if someone is constantly messaging the volunteers to do their requests. Members are too lazy to PM both the accoutn and post in thread and even though it helps, maybe it could be simpler?

So let me break it down. There would be one thread and one thread only. No alternate accounts, no system banning, but just a list of members, their portfolios and a link to PM them. The link would already contain the format so chances of them messing that up are pretty slim and it really just goes to those who actually want to contribute/help. Those members would have to be active and then they would take however many requests they desire. Members requesting would be asked to only request once per every 3 weeks to avoid mass flooding to the volunteers and to also insure that they don't annoy us.

quote Sparx

I agree with a long list of Artists names with a PM link, and a 'Currently Taking Requests:' Under, and maybe underneath that 'Notes' by the Artist, like maybe, 'Only do requests with pictures'.

quote The Answer

My only advice for Aphex's idea would just be to have the people listed in the thread as "taking", "not taking" and "maybe", and to let the members who make the graphics change their status. Imo, it loosens up the hassle for the artists, and in a weird way encourages some to help out because of the hassle-free system. For Sparx's idea and this one to work nicely, then obviously it would be handled in a separate account accessible to more than one trusted person so the workload is distributed to make it easier to keep the list updated with all the statuses and notes. For the record, I believe that a great part of G&A has at least decently intelligent members, so I doubt this suggestion could be abused.

But yeah, I agree completely that the system should be as convenient as possible while involving minimum work.

tl;dr: A list of people taking requests with a PM link. Anyone can take any request they desire.

That's pretty much the best idea we have right now. The suggested system sounds the most hassle-free, easier to organize and whatnot. If the idea sounds good to everyone, we could yet again gather a pre-list of a good amount of people to start the new system.

Keep in mind that I'm only suggesting, not implementing/imposing/forcing or anything like that. Once the mods accept this, if they do, then all systems would be go after plenty support is shown. The ideal thing would be having in the end 50+ members of different skills and styles in the list and maybe even much more, but 30 to start with shouldn't be bad. I'm hoping that with this thread, the members of the community can shape an effective new system.

Suggestions, ideas, opinions? Post them here!

I still follow this idea

Here's an idea: stop organized graphics request. It's never truly worked in the past, and there's no evidence to suggest future plans will be any better off. Just let people make requests based on those offering in their DPs, etc. and be done with it.

I think this would actually work for the most part, despite the problem I mentioned earlier:

quote Catboy14

One problem I can think of though, is that people who are on the top of the list/thread would get most of the requests, and people in the middle or the bottom would get relatively few.

If it ends up not working though, I agree with Moonrise in that we should just scrap the thought of an organized graphic request system altogether, and leave it up to individual forums and members.

Close them and then ridicule them. They'll learn soon enough.

quote The Answer

I fear for people who can't make a legible post or an actual post following the guidelines. Same for impatient people who request the first person they see (which would naturally be on the first page). I don't know which scenario could be harder to handle: keeping track of posts that don't follow the format and trying to balance out the requests between the ones on the first pages and the ones on the last pages, or updating the first post when the person PM's them to add/change their information.

There could always be a standard as to how your post should be set up. Raz can always help fancy things up, haha.

I see what you mean about impatient people. In that case though, if the people on the first page are feeling like they're getting too many requests, they could always just delete their post, and repost it at the end. Also with that, people who got their post in late would have at chance at more requests if they so choose.

If we're going to designate a certain amount of requests per week, then that would be an easy way to balance the requests, since even if the first person would most likely get the majority of the requests, everyone would already be aware of the limit, and the ability to freely edit their post would mean a faster way to let other members know they're at their limit cap. In that scenario, the person could also disable the PM link.

Interesting ideas, all. We'll keep this brainstorming session open a little while longer. I haven't yet figured something out I'm 100% on.

I think the only way you can filter who can view or post in a forum is by rank (guest, member, moderator, supermod, admin). That means we wouldn't be able to just pick who can see it. Even if it is possible, it's essentially the same thing as the ERA system, only we'd be using a forum instead of an account.