#pokebeach

[DNA]

(with poking. Yes, nameless member, I'm looking at you).

We actually passed a law that was passed unanimously that banned said member from poking ever again. rofl

~~~
Seeing as someone who has a bit of clout on the chatroom, I'd like to say what I think.

I use the chatroom a lot, as most of you may know, primarily to keep in touch with certain people. I find that the whole point of the chat is to be informal, to just kick back and relax, and not have to worry so much about formalities that forums and topics require. I know the Chillax Zone from long ago was deleted primarily for the reason because the chat exists.

I am not sure why anyone would even want to get rid of the chatroom; it's a great place for anyone to hang out. I know that most people who go on it use mIRC, and like Zyflair said, most of the younger people here don't take the initiative to go there, possibly because we don't advertise it all that well, but oh well. (Or, more likely, it is because the younger people are usually not allowed on chatrooms by their parents. I've talked to several people who have told me this is the case.)

I always am open to hearing new suggestions about the chatroom and how it can be improved; having op status there has given me a sense of duty to protect it and make it nicer for everybody. Granted PMJ runs it, but I want to make it better as well.

Long story short - The chat is fine, it's a place to kick back and relax; it should stay. I know a lot of people just want to unwind after a long day and the chat is a great place to do that.

 

[CMP]

To be honest, when the idea was originally brought up, I really didn't care one way or another. However, after reading the pretty unanimous opposition in its deletion, I agree that it should stay.

 

[PMJ]

I don't complain about the chat, but I don't really like it. It feels like an exclusive club kinda, and you are only really talked to if you're a regular. Granted, I don't make much of an effort to go there, but it doesn't feel very welcoming.

Hooray for anonymity!

Does anyone else feel this way? I can understand how someone might be turned off from visiting the chat room for this reason, and I imagine in most cases that's all the reason one needs.

While it is true that the majority of chat room users are regulars, it's not like we're going to shun you if you're new around town. As a matter of fact, Shadow Scyther joined the chat (something he has rarely, if ever, has done) and me, Pride, DNA, and him had a nice conversation. No shunning involved.

It might be a little awkward, admittedly, if you don't _know_ anyone (Shadow Scyther frequents PO chat so he's at least seen me and Pride there), but as long as you're kind towards others, we will be kind towards you. I have a pretty low tolerance level for trolling and general stupidity though so all we ask is that you don't act like a moron and you should find your chat experience to be a pleasant one.

If all else fails, go the smogon route and just lurk. There's no shame in lurking until you feel comfortable talking. We hardly ever actually talk about Pokemon, so don't hesitate to jump in a conversation. Just be respectful! ^_^

 

[King Arceus]

Promotion of the unofficial skype channel might be needed and, imo, a better alternative to java.

Absolutely not. I have seen many quotes that were flaming at me or pb in general. I don't have any power there etehr so I can't even do anything about it.

@PMJ: I don't feel as welcome as I once did. That's part of the reason I'm not on every day like I used to be.

 

[Professor Palutena]

Absolutely not. I have seen many quotes that were flaming at me or PokéBeach in general.

Yeah, totally this. Its just pathetic.

To be honest, when the idea was originally brought up, I really didn't care one way or another. However, after reading the pretty unanimous opposition in its deletion, I agree that it should stay.

This is my stance right now. I'm on chat all the often, so I don't gravitate towards either side. But if there's this many people that want it to stay, then it should stay.

 

[PMJ]

Beach-flavored chat-thingies should be kept in the control of beach staff.

 

[PMJ]

So the chat room is staying. Thank you to everyone who gave input. I will still take comments about your concerns, however.

I'd like to ask for your input in updating the rules for the chat room. As they are now they are extremely generalized and do not even take nightbeach into account (something that exists and will exist whether we want it to or not). This will not fix all the problems, but it's a start, and that's something.

Here's what the "rules" look like now:

No cussing.
No sexual comments.
No advertising of other Pokemon websites.
No spamming.
Overall, treat others with respect and “be nice.”
The chat is “rated” PG, so keep it that way.
Use your head and act like a decent human being.

 

[Juliacoolo]

Wait, so are trading/battling requests now allowed, or is it just not mentioned in that list?

 

[Zenith]

remove all of the rules except the last one. CENTRALIZATION OF POWER

 

[Zero]

Absolutely not. I have seen many quotes that were flaming at me or PokéBeach in general. I don't have any power there etehr so I can't even do anything about it.

@PMJ: I don't feel as welcome as I once did. That's part of the reason I'm not on every day like I used to be.

So? As long as that group is explicit that they are negative and will probably swear, I see no problem with associating with them. Poor you... you can't control what they say. While First Amendment rights do not explicitly apply to the internet, many social groups are still found on those same concepts. In PBChat, we often make fun of many mods and what makes them tick. We have a running joke about who the new Bela is going to be. We all try to harass Lenny. Running jokes will be running jokes. It may be hurtful to some people, but that is just how life is. We joke in good humor, but the skype chat may not. Same concept, though.

Having no chain of power is a very good idea. I personally object to showing who is in charge. Having a single anonymous bot can be very powerful for the chat. Giving privilages to using that bot to specific members can actually be very helpful. It sets no visible chain of command, so new members are less intimidated by the sight of us already having a chain of command. The bot sees all, and there is a chain of command in the background, but it isn't as explicit. This system has worked in many examples, such as THF (a forum I visit mildly often), The Dollars (see who gets the joke here), and even Anonymous. While these three examples aren't the same as our chat, they still prove that having no visible chain of command can help create a very successful website.


We may as well revise the rules. Lenny's existance violates most of them anyways. We rarely keep the chat PG, and many of us (including Rocket) make mildly sexual slurs. Advertising of Pokemon websites is fairly moot... it is almost always to prove a point, and when it isn't, it is spam. Besides, who cares when people advertise? We usually troll their websites anyways... so no harm done to our playerbase. Basically, the only rule that we 100% follow is "no spamming"... we may as well get rid of the other ones and expand more on that one a bit more. MAYBE "use your head" is a good one, but most violations of "use your head" would fall under spamming anyways... and the other violations are too funny to kick/ban for.

 

[Guts]

So? As long as that group is explicit that they are negative and will probably swear, I see no problem with associating with them. Poor you... you can't control what they say. While First Amendment rights do not explicitly apply to the internet, many social groups are still found on those same concepts. In PBChat, we often make fun of many mods and what makes them tick.

If there is a PokeBeach chatroom/skype, it should be controlled by those who own/moderate Pokebeach. It's that simple. We're not jerks about profanity, because like many have said, there's nightbeach. But when it gets to the point to where you are consistently causing trouble and deliberately bashing this site and it's moderators, it becomes a problem.

 

[Zero]

Zero for qops 2012.

I like the bot idea. Programming it so various members on the access list can have different privileges through the bot might work.

I'd prefer to run for Supreme Leader of the World, but qops sounds good for 2012. You have to start somewhere

I have a casino bot where multiple people can set the odds on the slots and those people can also anonymously cheat at black jack. Setting it so that they can kick people can't be too hard

 

[DNA]

I'd prefer to run for Supreme Leader of the World, but qops sounds good for 2012. You have to start somewhere

get in line, bub

The Skype chat is a lot different than the PB chat, but I think that is primarily because of the people there, and also what they say. (I mean, PDC is in it frequently.) Like Zero said, in #pokebeach all the jokes are in good humor. I can personally attest to this. In the Skype one...not so much. I'm not on there as often, but still, I know flaming exists in there, and it's a pity.

On PB chat we tend to be very welcoming - like PMJ said, Shadow Scyther popped in (which I've never seen him do before) and he had a great time chatting. Sometimes a conversation might be going on at the time if you're a newbie and you pop in, but we aren't trying to ignore you. If you want to say hi and want to talk to people, you will be noticed. We like gaining regulars.

As for having the command invisible...I know on Java that the symbols aren't put next to anyone's names in the actual chat window but they're still visible on the side. I think that's just a side effect of how IRC works, although I wonder if a Java applet could be programmed to not view each person's level.
But then again, it is helpful to know who to talk to (the guy in charge) when there's a problem.

As for revising the rules, I'd totally help to craft that...with input, of course.

 

[Zero]

But then again, it is helpful to know who to talk to (the guy in charge) when there's a problem.

As for revising the rules, I'd totally help to craft that...with input, of course.

PM the bot and it'll forward to an owner. It makes the process fairly easy.

 

[Juliacoolo]

While an unofficial skype is very healthy for a community, It's understandable why it would not be promoted on Pokebeach officially. I'd be all for people putting it in their sigs though.

 

[King Arceus]

While First Amendment rights do not explicitly apply to the internet, many social groups are still found on those same concepts. In PBChat, we often make fun of many mods and what makes them tick. We have a running joke about who the new Bela is going to be. We all try to harass Lenny. Running jokes will be running jokes. It may be hurtful to some people, but that is just how life is. We joke in good humor, but the skype chat may not. Same concept, though.

By joining a forum you agree to follow its rules if you read the fine print. Rule 1 is a big one. With how bad one member was, they were very lucky to not get banned by me for what they posted. I'm not going to reveal their identity, but that person knows who they are. If you have a problem with 1 or more of the moderators talk with us and we can try and work something out. Likewise if you don't like the way the site is being run, we want to be talked to about it, not bashed behind our back.

The chat rules I am currently working on. Once they are finished and approved by the staff, they will get posted here.