Changes to the way suggestions are handled.

Recently there has been some great changes to the forum and the way it is run that have really benefited everyone. However, all of these efforts seem to only be moving forward when Sythe himself feels like getting them done. Such examples of this are: http://www.sythe.org/showpost.php?p=7114843&postcount=1, where in which Finn states "After discussing self-vouching with Sythe, he has asked that I create this thread..." and: http://www.sythe.org/showpost.php?p=7162339&postcount=60, where Sythe decided to create the new High Pardon section. Although these changes are great, there needs to be a better system in place that allows change without Sythe having to step in. Thus, I'm going to propose a system of sorts below.

Suggestions System:

1. User makes a suggestion via. the suggestions forum.

This part of the system would function basically like it does now. The user posts a suggestion and others support it and try to make it as good as possible.​

2. A staff member brings the suggestion to the staff and private discussions happen.

This is one of the most crucial points in moving the suggestion forward. If no one brings the suggestion forward, then it will never be implemented. This step would work by any staff member liking a suggestion, or at least the idea behind it. An example of this is: Do not permanent ban scammers. The idea of this suggestion is to not permanently ban scammers. The suggestion its self could contain a system to make this happen. The mods could either bring forth the entire suggestion, if they like it, or just the idea, if they think the suggestion its self is junk.​

3. Staff voting occurs.

This staff voting could be as simple as if a forum change such as: Other Games Section should happen. In such a case, that would be the end of the suggestion and it would be implemented (Unless Sythe or another admin shot it down). Or it could be the case that they vote on whether or not the idea is sound and should be looked into further by the entire community, which would be a suggestion like: Do not ban for past actions..., where there could be a basic idea for a system but needs refining which could be done by the entire community.​

4. Community Discussion / Voting

The final step in the suggestion process would be a community discussion thread (With suggestions that deserve one, such as major rule changes, but not minor forum changes). These threads should follow: Allow open community discussion before making a poll for community voting... to allow fair community discussion and unbiased voting.​

Notes:

The staff in this system should be allowed to go from step 4, community discussion, back to step 2, private staff discussion, in order to access the ideas that the community brought forth to see if they are indeed viable. Once the staff are happy they will take the best ideas that the members had and put them in a poll, without an other option. Then the members could either vote, stay the same or choose between a couple changes. If the vote is close, a second vote could be made that eliminates the least popular suggestion to make it even fairer.​

 

I support, I think this would be a better way to get peoples voice heard.

 

Fully support. Some awesome suggestions just die without a system like this.

This is actually one of the best suggestions I have seen for a while.

Wait, why aren't you staff again?

 

I can't remember everything! Thank you. The staff voting will happen has the staff sees fit. I'm assuming it would go with the majority like other votes do in the SL. What exactly gets voted on is up to the staff, whether it be "Should we go ahead with this section change?" or "Is this system good and should be present it to the members to see what they think and possibly let them decide if they like it?" or "Is this a good idea that should be presented to the members for ideas to make it work?" type deal. It all depends on what the suggestion is, how detailed it is, and whether or not it is major enough to need the members to look it over.

 

I would add another step where those that make it through staff->community->staff where Sythe can step in and make the final decision.

We all know that most staff will disagree with this because they feel Sythe doesn't want them making any changes without his approval, but putting in that Sythe will ultimately have the final say may sway their opinion on this topic.

I'm assuming this is what you wanted feedback on. I like it! Very well thought out, and would love to see this happen.

 

I think a full staff vote would take too long. Maybe 1 admin or 3 globals approve (if the globals or admin have ability to do so)

 

Another thing I kinda forgot. I think that Sythe has to approve major changes to the forum anyways, but he could, as the owner, step in at anytime to just say, "NO.".

 

Well, currently suggestions rarely even are talked about by the staff. The staff needs to talk about the suggestion as they know what can happen and what can't. The users all might think, "Oh lets unban all ban evaders", but the staff can't allow that. Also many complex issues, such as not perming scammers require massive amounts of thought and the entire staff needs to give their opinion so that we get the best possible outcome. Speed really isn't an issue. Change takes a long time. You can't change that.

 

Personally I think that one staff member starting the process and beginning a full staff vote would be too long but would still be shorter that the lengthy periods of time suggestions take now to be implemented or begun work on.

 

How else would the staff discussion start?

A process using many people is better than one persons judgement.

 

I meant a full staff vote would take too long..

Just realised now they wouldn't need all the staff to vote just the majority of staff to Support or w/e

 

Both would take about the same amount of time anyways.

 

The number of suggestions that go unanswered is startling. A lot of them are really good, but because there's not really a process to easily implementing suggestions, and because the important ones are not thoroughly discussed amongst members and staff... they just fall to the wayward.

This suggestion would ensure more suggestions getting discussed, and members would thereby be more involved.

 

I support, there is a certain section I want to have a trial period.

 

Exactly. The users need to be heard and their suggestions should be acted upon.

Exactly. Simple forum changes shouldn't be a big deal.

 

I support this. It seems like a lot of good suggestions go unnoticed or people talk about them and support it but nothing really ever happens.

 

This is a great idea SuF, you see a lot of good ideas in the suggestion forum but nothing usually happens with them. There is a lot of support at first and then after everyone has had there say the suggestion just dies out.

 

I don't see why this can't be implemented on at least trial basis because all it takes from sythe is a group conversation with the mods, a pm to each mod or a post in the mod section of the forums before this can begin to be implemented.