Threads Vs Blogs

[Blaze]

Hey all!

Most people know that I am a huge fan of our wonderful Ning and even if I do not join in with every discussion I certainly read every thread posted, and every reply made! I also try to keep up with all blogs as I simply love finding out about other peoples characters and backgrounds.

Anyways, I thought in my new capacity as a ning mod I would make a quick mention of the 2 main avenues of publishing we have here, ie threads and blogs!

I wish to point out that I love the enthusiasm and passion that so many players have in wanting to share their ideas, stories and suggestions, even those that have gripes I have respect for if they are handled in a sensible and mature way. However, I am finding that people are starting to use the blog section for more and more OOC stuff and I wish to point out why I think it is avoidable...

Threads are there for us to start/add to discussions on many different subjects, whether it be talking about rules, rp styles, events, asking for help/suggestions or random fun stuff! You can also publish information and offer it up for discussion on your individual characters and their current/backstories.

Blogs on the other hands are traditionally used for publishing stories. These can be any sort of story whether a diary extract, background story or a retelling of some current exciting RP! The possibilities are endless and can really help to get your creative juices flowing in a way that 'live' roleplay cannot, where you can take time to think over your style and perspective and provide some great ic or ooc information about your character(s).

What I am finding currently is many people are using the Blog facility to start ooc discussions rather than the thread function. Of course there is no law against it but what it does to is push what I call 'real blogs' down the list and off the homepage, most of the time these blogs have been slaved over and players have poured their heart and soul into only to see it pushed off the page by someone announcing they are going on holiday rl! That is just an example and of course we love to know if players are going to be absent, but that kind of information should, in my eyes, be more suited in a thread/discussion.

I apologise in advance if my view or indeed this thread seems rather unneccesary, but I just wanted to point out the difference, as some people may not even realise!

Thankies!

Blaze :)

[Prince Alexander]

A great post! Makes it clear for us all... for the older ones who might have forgotten and the newer people! Keep the blogs for your most marvellous stories and the discussions well... as it says...discussions :)

Great work you mod! :D

[Trendor]

lol at ooc discussions....send em to the admins not the forums!

[Arturos Gustafson]

Pet peeve of mine ... but never one I thought was worth me making a stink out of -- so thanks for bringing it up, Blaze.

The other part of it that makes a difference on how they are used is that you can be alerted when a new thread is started by something being sent to your e-mail. Blogs you can not. While I know some of you monitor the NING regularly, many of us don't. So I have relied on an e-mail making me run to the NING to read an issue tht is brewing; which if it is IC information or backstories aren't as much of a priority as a OOC drma storm. So I always saw forums as a place to get faster time alerts of somethign OOCly going on -- and blogs that are thing to read and enjoy when I have the chance.

[Bink]

ooooh thank you for bringing that one up Blaze.

Not only that (though I do feel rather put out when a blog I do gets rushed out of view because of the ooc blogging) but it actually easier to keep up with what comment you are commenting to on a Thread. Ablog its only one column persay so when commentng you have to be very precise or else it just gets confusing x.x

[Kit Coyote]

An excellent point, thanks Blaze

[Prince Alexander]

Ok, ehm... Yeah... I hope I am right. If I am not, please tell me... but I will tell my views on how I see the Ning.

We have Discussions and Blogs. Blogs are just Blogs and discussions are seperated into different boards. The boards are:
- Rules and Administrative --> Hang out spot for the Admins and mods. They can open topics there concerning the rules and administration of Ambea and the Ning. We, users, cannot open things up there, but we can reply to open discussions.
- OOC Chatter --> The Trashbin... Here we can just have laughs, trash vids, funny images and random forum games. Just a 'Community Lounge'. (Actually, should use it more often! Runa made a lovely start there with funny vids and some music. I believe we could do with another music thread... heck yeah!)
- Events --> Here you can announce events, put events up with information and evaluate recent events.
- In Character Stories, Background etc. --> Like the title already says: The place for stories about your character and background stories. Very close to Blogs.

And then we have blogs. Blogs are mainly written about events which has occured to a character or a group of characters. Things which happens in Ambrea to your character. You can display your lovely stories here on things which happened to your character. In my eyes it is not to be used to announce things, to discuss things (other than the blog itself!) and not to keep people up-to-date with what happens OOC.

Well... that is just how I see it... and I think if it is right (to the mods/admins to tell us), we should use it this way. That way we keep the Ning tidy and overviewable... :)

w00p!w00p!

[Blaze]

A perfect summary! My my you said something useful Alex! Only joking and love you really! :)))

[Prince Alexander]

I knew I could be useful in once in my life on the Ning!

Thank you! love you too <3

[Kit Coyote]

Yep that is a pretty good breakdown. I think of blogs as your 'my' space where you can put your personal stuff. Its your place to be ME. The Forums are for discussions and things that are shared with our community.

[Prince Alexander]

Thank you Kit! I see that my observing skills are still around somewhere. Hooray for a good Ning!

[Bink]

My random: I never understood the In Character Stories and backgrounds.. because they are in essence.... a blog. a discussed blog, but really.. why have TWO places to post stories? I think the character backgrounds and stories are better left for the blog. Makes them feel special like.. "blog space = character space". and nothing else.

So why not instead.. Alter the In character Stories and backgrounds into something more discussion based. Like Character Ideas and Plot Perceptions. Which would be a discussion place for people who are:
1. New to Karamoon and still thinking out their characters and would like the help of others giving suggestions to thoughts they are just not completely sure about. Heck, this could even go for older players who are thinking of sprucing themselves a little.
2. People who are confused on the RPS in the IC manner and wise to discuss things (like the age old "If I'm a mage, where would you suggest my myth points go" kinda thing.)
3. Random Ideas that people may think have merit IC, but again, aren't sure as they aren't fleshed out.

In that way, you kinda are reformatting the NING TO be not only merely a social network, but a helpful aid for all players.. to help all players. I mean, sure, you may have some that may want to take it negatively, but that is why we Mods are about and the Admin. Overall, I think giving the Character Creation and themed sims ideas and plots a place to call home would be beneficial for all players.

[Blaze]

That is a bloody spiffing idea Bink! Give that man a gold encrusted blindfold! :)

KIT!!!! Calling KIT!!!!!! How about it?! :)