Donations

[Admires]

But guys, thats not quick. Im talking about people who are active, or the system doing it within hours maximum.

I like the idea of the system doing it automatically, as long as it checked the requirements and confirmed them.

 

Support, it definitely shouldn't take as long as it does now to change custom ranks.
UIs though.. Last time i changed it, it didnt take that long.

 

[Pain]

I've never had an issue because dave is a legend.


But I support .

 

[Brendan]

Darkest Dream made a similar suggestion around a year ago, discussing the delegation of Matthews activities here - http://www.sythe.org/denied-suggest...me-matthews-responsibilities-other-staff.html

Matthews response can be seen below:

As always I'll address each item in turn...

1. Username images/custom ranks: Custom image requests have always been an issue because you need server access to upload the files. Server access is severely restricted for security reasons. This doesn't even have anything to do with me, I just happen to have access so I process requests when I can. We've looked into alternative ways to get the images uploaded but that's usually easier said than done. We thought we had found a way but when we tested it with modern browsers it wouldn't work because most browsers have new security features which broke it. I'll look into it again but it's not like we haven't tried to make this simpler. I literally have to be at home on my computer to process these because that's the only place I can get into the server.

2. User titles: these tend to be approved quickly so I don't see the problem here. Last week they piled up because I was out of town for a funeral but I did them all when I had time. A couple other admins do have access to approve these now (Govind and n4n0).

3. Bond management: The bond system was created and designed to benefit our users so they have new methods of donating besides what we accept (PayPal). Being a bold holder is NOT a right you have as a user and there isn't a pre-defined set of criteria for being one. A lot of people want to be a bond holder to get "trusted" or to make money off of fees but that's not what the system is for. The system is to help our users support Sythe.org and keep the site funded. Sorry if you haven't been chosen to be a bond holder, but there are plenty of others who haven't been chosen as well. I do, however, save requests to be a bond holder and when we need new ones I contact people in the order in which I received their request. It's fair and orderly. As for the minirank, miniranks are perhaps my least favorite thing I ever coded for this site because people go nuts over them for no reason.

4. Prizeboxes: I disabled them to keep people from getting screwed because you could redeem prizeboxes but then wouldn't get a rank. We're still trying to figure out what's wrong. I spent hours messing with the code and trying to fix them but couldn't get them working again. Sythe was going to look into it but he likely hasn't had time yet.

5. Suggestions: If you have a suggestion which requires my attention PM me a link to it. I don't peruse the suggestions section that often. I've responded to the longer username images suggestion.


I understand things can be frustrating when you don't get a response within 5 minutes but there's only so much I can do. I wrote the user center to avoid these problems and with every revision of it I've tried to improve both what users can do on their own and what I can approve/handle automatically away from home. The user center is now on its 5th revision and has come a long way. Oddly enough, however, it seems like the more things we add the more people complain about wanting more or wanting things more quickly...

If you have a complaint which you do not feel I've adequately addressed you can:
1. Continue to discuss it here;
2. PM me directly; or
3. Address your complaint directly to Sythe.

I've highlighted the key issue with the delegation of Custom Ranks and Username images.

 

[Bert]

Darkest Dream made a similar suggestion around a year ago, discussing the delegation of Matthews activities here - http://www.sythe.org/denied-suggest...me-matthews-responsibilities-other-staff.html

Matthews response can be seen below:



I've highlighted the key issue with the delegation of Custom Ranks and Username images.

I know about the post But that was a year ago, so I decided to give it a try to see if there are any changes or anything that can be made in the future to this because it definitely is an important issue. As I mentioned before... people pay out of their pocket to support the site, and they should get support back by getting the perks they have paid for

 

[Brendan]

I know about the post But that was a year ago, so I decided to give it a try to see if there are any changes or anything that can be made in the future to this because it definitely is an important issue. As I mentioned before... people pay out of their pocket to support the site, and they should get support back by getting the perks they have paid for

Ahk. I understand the frustration it must cause, and I would absolutely love if these requests could be handled in a speedier manner, I just don't think there's a plausible solution with all the concerns regarding security or the large amount of time to create some sort of automated system.

I'm sure before long Matthew will come along and answer this though.

 

[Dave]

You guys have to be kidding, n4n0, FireZ, and myself approve UTs and UIs within 24 hours unless they're questionable in which case we consult before accepting/denying.

As for Custom Ranks, I can talk to Matthew about that, but the other two get approved legitimately within 24 hours, sometimes faster. I can't honestly believe you guys are complaining about that. Also, if what Matthew said in the post linked above about Custom Images requiring server access is true and unchangeable, then you'll have to settle with that not being a lower tier administrator accessible thing. Server access isn't given to administrators and in the past has only been granted to Sythe, Matthew and for a VERY BRIEF period of time, Govind. It's a security issue, and it's as simple as that.

 

[Bert]

You guys have to be kidding, n4n0, FireZ, and myself approve UTs and UIs within 24 hours unless they're questionable in which case we consult before accepting/denying.

As for Custom Ranks, I can talk to Matthew about that, but the other two get approved legitimately within 24 hours, sometimes faster. I can't honestly believe you guys are complaining about that. Also, if what Matthew said in the post linked above about Custom Images requiring server access is true and unchangeable, then you'll have to settle with that not being a lower tier administrator accessible thing. Server access isn't given to administrators and in the past has only been granted to Sythe, Matthew and for a VERY BRIEF period of time, Govind. It's a security issue, and it's as simple as that.

My case specifically is custom ranks/Donor Status to be honest, but before User Titles And Images took very very long aswell a few months ago

 

[Moes]

Yes it takes ages to get a new custom rank. The problem is that it currently requires server access like Dave said and on top of that Matthew has to create each custom rank via a PSD template. It shouldn't be too hard to make this process easier. I hope Matthew fixes this when xen goes live.

 

[Brendan]

Yes it takes ages to get a new custom rank. The problem is that it currently requires server access like Dave said and on top of that Matthew has to create each custom rank via a PSD template. It shouldn't be too hard to make this process easier. I hope Matthew fixes this when xen goes live.

Is it theoretically possible to create a system that doesn't require server access for uploading these images? I was under the impression that it wasn't, or it's very difficult.

 

[Moes]

The app itself needs server access to upload the images. Not a person. Matthew already fixed the username image system and gave it (partial)server access so that users can upload images and all admins can approve them. He just needs to do exactly the same with the custom rank system.

However the custom rank system is a little more difficult to build because it needs to construct a rank image out of 2 images and the current donation status. But it's certainly possible.

I'm not 100% sure tho I don't have source code access.

 

You guys have to be kidding, n4n0, FireZ, and myself approve UTs and UIs within 24 hours unless they're questionable in which case we consult before accepting/denying.

As for Custom Ranks, I can talk to Matthew about that, but the other two get approved legitimately within 24 hours, sometimes faster. I can't honestly believe you guys are complaining about that. Also, if what Matthew said in the post linked above about Custom Images requiring server access is true and unchangeable, then you'll have to settle with that not being a lower tier administrator accessible thing. Server access isn't given to administrators and in the past has only been granted to Sythe, Matthew and for a VERY BRIEF period of time, Govind. It's a security issue, and it's as simple as that.

I think the issue was it needed to be custom made in a program like photoshop, similarly to how fun ranks are created.

 

[Teller]

Ye, also should put down donation prices like 25$ donor is like 30$?

 

[Brendan]

Ye, also should put down donation prices like 25$ donor is like 30$?

What exactly do you mean? If you're talking about currency conversion, that's unfortunately just going to have to be accepted, as the rates are all in USD.

 

What exactly do you mean? If you're talking about currency conversion, that's unfortunately just going to have to be accepted, as the rates are all in USD.

I think he meant the prices Bogdan charges for his donation service xD.

 

[Brendan]

I think he meant the prices Bogdan charges for his donation service xD.

Ah, well in that case, they are third party businesses that are able to do as they please. Capitalist society y'know?

 

[Admires]

Ah, well in that case, they are third party businesses that are able to do as they please. Capitalist society y'know?

At least Video does donations for free now. Bond holders were charging too much in fees to be honest.

 

From what I understand the custom ranks, etc require server access and can't/won't be added. This has been discussed before. See Brendan's above post.

Denied.