Dial's Feedback for the Community

I was a moderator here on Sythe for about a month and a half (if even). I resigned due to many reasons, some of which I will outline below (others are unrelated so I won't touch upon those).

Sythe is full of corruption and unfairness, and is ultimately leading to it's decline in popularity. You can look Sythe.org up on any site that shows traffic trends, and it will prove that statement is true. Some people think that Sythe follows the Runescape trend, and that's why it's slowing down. If that's true, then why the fuck aren't we trying to change it? We all know that Runescape is dying, so you're admitting that Sythe will die with it.

Moderators are chosen based on popularity and who they know, and not based on helpfulness. I'll use myself as an example, because I'm a great example of this. I was a nobody, hell, I still probably am. I donated $200 basically throughout a week time, I spent weeks straight on IRC, and I befriended some globals, which led to my promotion. Although I like to think I did a great job, lots of people who get promoted don't, which leads to the laziness amongst the staff team. I've tried to get staff back after resigning, and honestly think I can't get it back because of some hatred for me among some members of upper staff because I was honest and told it how it was during my time as staff.

People who want to be promoted and ask about it (even if they'd be good for the job) are usually told that they've been added to a "do not promote" list. How does this make any fucking sense? People should be promoted based on how much they help and contribute, not who they know. People who don't care are promoted, and that leads to a staff team that doesn't care.

Another thing is suggestions and feedback. People like x339 who honestly want to help the site are denied and rejected because of their negative reputation among the site, yet their ideas are actually good. Also, things like a messaging system has been suggested countless times by people who have no reputation, all shot down because of the "do not suggest" list. Mohtasa comes right out and makes the suggestion, and it's been supported and has been ongoing, but will probably get added. Same with a feedback system, it's on this "do not suggest" list and is suggested countless times and rejected, yet it came up recently and it's actually being talked about because it was globals who brought it up.

Then there's innovation and updates as well, holy shit. What kind of site who honestly wants to succeed even has a do not suggest list? If someone can back up their argument, you should hear them out. Don't just shut it down and link them to this bull shit list. vB4 has probably been talked about for a year or so now, where is it? The site is DDoSed a shit load, where's our protection? Richard makes so much from donations and still can't upgrade stuff? This site just refuses to innovate by shutting down ideas, not upgrading the software, and not upgrading the hosting.

I'll add more to this later, as well as individual staff feedback. I'm in class now so cbf.

 

Just going to touch on the VB4, I agree there, and I agree that it should have been implemented a while ago. I realise there is alot of custom coding needed to be done by sythe/govind/others, but it should have been completed months ago. Yes, everyone has IRL priorities, and I'm not arguing that, however all the talk of VB4 for the past months-year seems to be as if it will never become reality. If there are reasons unknown to the public regarding VB4 and it's delay, than I apologise.

 

I'd also like to add to this (whether it holds any validity or not I'm not sure) that people who are friends with n4n0 seem to be promoted.

Dave told people he was trying to get closer to n4n0 by playing RotMG and stuff with him so he could get OMM, and he was handed moderator instead. I'm not saying it was a bad decision, I'm just stating an observation. Dave is obviously doing an amazing job.

Frenzy got promoted to global after not doing much, and she deals with n4n0 in Dragon Dyce and they're friends.

DJWeasel is only active rarely, and most of his posts are him explaining that he has no computer. He's friends with n4n0 so he's kept.

N4n0 doesn't particularly like me because I talked shit about him and told people things I didn't like, and now he says I got denied to come back to staff.

Whether it's something important, I'm not sure. But last thing we need is another Finn if that's what is going on.

 

alluding to the bit about my suggestion, resolve on refusing to have an official sythe chat system has been eroding lately, Richard even stipulated guidelines he'd like followed in order for the "Sythe IRC" to keep being called the "Sythe IRC" somewhere in the spam forum. I only took advantage of the opportunity. Plus, the reason of the suggestion wasn't easier chatting amongst users, and it wasn't a suggestion for a shoutbox (which is specifically the DNS subject). It's sole purpose is for a safer market, and you'd have to be communist to turn down a suggestion to further user safety!! a-ha...ha. anyway that's all I had time to read because you mentioned it on MSN, so I came to take a quick look.

 

Read my other points Moh. Why do we have a DNS list if people can back shit up? Let them suggest stuff, deny it if it makes no sense. But if they have good reasons and can back it up (like yours), then take it into account.

 

This x100 + 1000000^2 , out of every site I've been on, this is the site with the most controversy and drama. Especially out of a Runescape/MMO market, I mean it should be pretty straight forward.

 

One more thing too while I think of it.

Mohtasa was promoted to global immediately after he requested to be removed as a market moderator because he was too busy to be a moderator. He wanted a break and only wanted graphics. I asked a global about it, and he mentioned that globals don't need to do as much work so it's fine.

The fuck is that? You promote inactive people?

Again, not a personal hit against Moh, he does a great job. It's the situation.

 

Agree with everything you say, Glad to see someone had the balls to resign and talk out, It's all about who you know not what you do.. And people wonder why activity is in Decline lol...

 

You missed my point that my suggestion isn't a shoutbox, and that's what's specifically mentioned in the DNS list

Instant private messaging is different from a community-wide clusterfuck of chatting that is a shoutbox.

I think the purpose of the DNS list is to save the staff time when they deny suggestions that have been agreed upon would never happen (colored names for people outside staff, for example). It allows us to simply say "DNS" and lock, instead of having to retype and retype and repost and repost and rereason all of the reasons for denial of said suggestion with every Nancy newcomer who wants-- again for example-- colored names outside of the staff. Maybe instead of doing away with DNS, it could be elaborated with all of the counter-arguments to the suggestions we auto-deny so users can get an idea of what's disallowed, what won't be implemented, and what constitutes association with DNS items

 

Alright so. Myself and n4n0 had been playing RoTMG with Ollie for months before he was given HMM or Adminitrator. Also, I was friends with n4n0 way before he was granted either position as well, and we had frequently conversed on Skype before the RoTMG market on Sythe begun or anything else. I'm not too big on you calling me out on something that's obviously not true because if this was the case, wouldn't I have befriended Nick if I was sucking up for the position.

Also, I'm happy to state that my denial reason was that my trades weren't big enough. It had nothing to do with my being friends with a member of staff. Unless you're going to say that staff members shouldn't have on-site friends?

DJ works his ass of, and you know calling him out is crap. You were staff and you saw mod-logs. You know DJ passed his quota and he worked well as global and to say he's safe because he's friends with n4n0 is absurd.

Also, regarding the topic as a whole. X339's idea of Com Dev, wasn't it accepted? His advertising ideas, haven't a lot of them been positively re-enforced by users and staff members? It's not like suggestions are shut down because of the poster. However to see a thread named "...." and have a picture of the active users with no staff online saying omg the staff is a useless suggestion and will no doubt lead to flame. With the restitution system release and the new pardon system, didn't x339 have a full blown argument with Govind until something was agreed on and Govind changed the system with a lot of x399's critiques being placed.

It's not like his suggestions are bad. X339 is smart, he's got some great ideas but he's also got some crappy ones. The way he handles some of those aren't too great.

The only thing I agree with you on is the vb4 stuff. As many people know there has been a lot "when vb4 comes out" which is annoying to hear.

tl;dr You could have handled this in a lot more maturely. I'm not sure what this thread is meant to be about because if it was about denial of suggestions and such, you wouldn't be calling out n4n0 and anyone close to him. However I'll say that I do agree about some of the things regarding suggestions and vb4.

 

I didn't know any of the staff before I was promoted, I also made hardly any trades to get my name out there.

/argument

 

Even a few years ago, I wouldn't say Sythe was corrupt, but it had it's problems. I was there for it. It has drastically changed, there's a great staff team, and people actually take accountability for their actions.

Getting staff isn't based on popularity, and you completely contradicted yourself. "I was a no-body/still am" yet you were promoted? How is a Global suppose to suggest someone for staff who they've never had a conversation with? IRC definitely helps people getting to know staff, but it doesn't take the cake for why someone is promoted. Talking to someone doesn't get you moderator, the upper staff votes on it and your trustworthiness, character, and various other factors come into play.

You did a shitload of mod logs when you were a mod, but didn't you resign because N4n0 became Admin? I for one will say I didn't support you coming back due to the huge high-horse mentality that you had during your entire time on staff. Not counting the immaturity that took place when you decided you wanted to leave since Ryan was promoted(which he definitely earned.)

There is no "Do not Promote" list. If there was one, trust me when I say people like Marrow and myself would be on it.

It seems as if the entire reason for you posting this is because of spite. You were denied mod, now you're like "Hey, lets see if I can stir some shit up."
Classy.

 

+1 to you for speaking your mind rather than holding a grudge on them, now that you've spoken your mind you could get an explanation.

Corruption and unfairness, yes, I'll have to agree with you on that one. If someone has the power to do something, it usually changes them. But you have to realize that a lot of others things IRL are corrupted as well, so it's fairly common. But the solution is, if it isn't brought up, that they should set aside their differences in order to help Sythe grow. You were a heck of a moderator, I don't see how you would have been rejected, unless they had a good reason (which I hope they do). The whole corruption thing was included in cosrob's guide to becoming a mod, if you want to become one you had to befriend staff, be in the IRC etc.

And the DNP thing, I had the impression that it was about when I was trolling in the Spam Forums. I believe N4n0 was joking or trolling me back, but either way it doesn't really bother me. I do understand I already ruined my chances at mod anyway, I knew what I'd get into when I went full on troll mode that time.

x339 is persistent, which is good, but he was just too persistent. His argument wasn't good enough imo, and he just looked like a pest to the people that gave him a good argument and denied it. Still, differences aside, he was trying to help and didn't give up after being shut down several times.

I think the DNS list should have its own reasons for each suggestion why it shouldn't be suggested. At least then people who knows about it could argue why it could be a good suggestion. It's sort of a turn off when people tries to help and get their threads locked saying it's in the DNS list. Course this isn't the place to say it or suggest it.

A small number of people got promoted without this happening, guess you can base it on their helpfulness (Shoop) or just posts on Sythe. Still a valid point, and it can give others an upperhand. You can't wait for them to look for you, so knowing them can increase your chances.

 

So me getting 400+ Modscore already this month and I always get more than required means that I'm not a good global. I do mostly bans, disputes and such. Oh and just because I'm friends with Ryan has nothing to do with me staying a global. I feel your just sour about your recent request. Also you know that I've been working my ass off irl and on sythe recently as Dave said.

I spent 4 years here coming up in the Xbox section and finally got a chance.

 

Kinda figured you would all think this. I don't care, let the site fucking die. I asked for staff back so I could help out.

My resignation reason was never completely about n4n0. I told Laptop that and he spread it.

I'm not sore about anything. This is to help the site.

 

I know several people who have been promoted which n4n0 didn't like, me being one of them I'm pretty sure at the time. BSGP was being considered for promotions even when I was staff.

just saying.

N4n0 does play a heavy role in choosing mods though I can say that much but so do all the globals and admins and when I was mod I know n4n0 was more involved than others in staff selection but I know for a fact his selections are most of the time very good. He never influences anyone else to support his votes, I know this because when there was heavy opposition against his pick for mod he would reasonably listen to them and not follow up on his initial pick until they fixed some things up with themselves.

Its always been you will trust someone you get to know over someone who you have never spoke to. Also that DNP list is a joke its not even real.

I agree with you about x339 he does have good ideas, but what he has to realize is his intentions for the site may not be the same as Sythe's. He is a good member and it feels like some mods are putting personal grudges against him rather than listening to his reasoning. x339s problem is when he takes a stance on staff activity or staff feedback he makes it personal.

Also you stated you were only noticed after you donated $200 but this isn't the truth, the staff notice people who you wouldn't even think would ever get promoted or haven't ever heard of. The problem though is those members are sometimes lacking a trait which appeals to the staff. I can name loads of people who were recommended for staff who you never thought would get promoted or you have never heard of and they were denied based on certain traits they displayed. You aren't being denied your staff position based on some hatred, to me it seems its more because you have become a lot less mature than you were when you were promoted.

I just noticed you mentioned a messaging system as well, the problem with this is which was explained to me was it is open to abuse. There are a lot more ways to abuse a real time messaging system than there is to abuse a private message system. Also with the messaging system I'm pretty sure the site could not hold it, I know several large forums one which has 2k people on at any given time and they still can not handle the stress of a messaging system.

 

I'm not less mature, I just screw around in the spam forum now, and that started after I figured out I was denied from n4n0.

It's pretty crazy that staff are teaming up on me, yet I have all this support from users. Open your fucking eyes people.

 

Just thought I'd put this out there, Dialatic's OP is mostly correct. People are just getting overly defensive.

 

It's only staff getting defensive because they want to protect the site against bad mouthing. You all need to open your eyes and help change stuff or this site will die.

You're part of the very small few people who I think got promoted for the right reasons.

 

All of the OP is spot on, especially the VB4 part, it does NOT take any capable web admin over a year to update forum software that supports the old database. Yes, there may be a lot of custom code, but seriously, a year? You might as well code a new forum software in that time.

Anyway, people are going to get butthurt in this thread, especially mods. Good on you Dialatic, for calling out the bullshit.