New Management Structure

[Doorman]

that what i was thinking as well, apart form nit picking, do we need to carry this thread on?

Until all the nits have been picked or people are bored with picking nits it should stay open. Closing threads because someone thinks it should be closed smacks of Stalinism.




IMHO.  

[TeaLeaf]

I don't think anyone closed the thread Ron.  But I'm just nit-picking. :whistle:

[smilodon]

I think it might be an idea to move this on in other threads? If someone has an idea about how we might boost membership to the community a fresh thread might be the best way to go. Otherwise IMHO this thread is going to get very bloated with several competing discussions bogging down the conversation.

This thread was supposed to be about the new community admin role. So in that vein -I think it's a solid idea.

Plus points -

It creates additional roles that give more of us a chance to become active participants. The statement said at least three community admins, which suggests there may be the opportunity for more to be added?

It separates the running of a game server, which is a largely technical job to be honest, from looking after a group of players and their interests, which is more of a facilitating job.

And I think it should make bringing new games online a quicker process.

Minus points -

It was a big step change and it seems some of the former Section Heads might have not been aware of or that pleased aboutwhat they perceive as being a cut to their role?

Some community members would appreciate a more inclusive process where new ideas are floated first and then adopted after some feedback. The community is still run and effectively owned by the Head Admins, so although there would be the chance of discussion ultimate control would still lie with them.

[Doorman]

I don't think anyone closed the thread Ron.  But I'm just nit-picking. :whistle:

Here's another nit. I know no-one closed the thread, but it was suggested. :winkiss:

[Penfold]

It was a big step change and it seems some of the former Section Heads might have not been aware of or that pleased aboutwhat they perceive as being a cut to their role?

Not being aware about something and not being pleased about something are two very distinct things.

As for the former, the proposed structure change has been openly posted in Section Admin thread for more than two months so I defy any Section Head which says they haven't seen it or been aware of the suggested restructure. In fact most SH's posted in the thread (and those that didn't are not claiming it was sprung upon them).

As for closing this thread I agree with Doors (crickey! :wink:) . Whilst it's serving a purpose, ideas are being generated and whilst is free from mud-slinging and other crap then it's worth leaving open.

[Gone_Away]

All I have to say is WOW (not the fairy type either).
 
Just back from holiday.. (crap weather, never stopped raining - thanks for asking)...
 
Apart from some of the earlier jabs back and forth from my initial post I've seen a significant number of good, constructive posts. It's a credit to all of us for sticking this thread out. I also agree that this thread should be taken to supporting members and anyone interested should be able so subscribe out of interest and in the guise of visablity.
 
.... Well, this is evolution in the making now isn't it? ....
 
I've seen a lot of critical comments on my initial post and then suprisingly it later refered to as "constructive" by the same individuals that criticised me in the first place...
 
As Oldie mentioned that he's taking notes here's my recount of some of the comments and ideas:
 
1. Transparency - I think this is a common theme that the community is asking for. Transparency in the fiscal or financial running of the community but also inclusion in the decisions taken on the structure changes.
 
This can come in many forms but I was suprised to hear that the (some?) section heads didn't know the changes were coming. Might I suggest that the supporting members be involved in the process? As Smilo has said, at least giving us a voice would keep things in order.
 
2. Recruitment - We all agree that we need a little more effort or perhaps structure in the way we go about recruiting or publicising dMw.
 
I'd like to suggest that the community appoint someone for this role.
 
3. Relaxed Rules Pubs - This is a debating point as I've seen some that support the idea as through patience it can increase our numbers. The contrast however is that it goes against our ehos as a community.
 
Two things to consider.. 1. There's no rules in competitions. Relaxed rules sharpen our ability to compete.. 2. Ever notice how if we "clan-stack" that the "dMw way" tends to pwn pubbies?
 
4. We all love this place and want to make it better. ...
 
 
 
All in all this is good stuff and I don't regret what I've started here. In addition I would like to see:
 
1. Proper business like approach to the structure of the community. Should we consider the creation of a Board with TL or OB as Chair to ensure that through the growth the ethos remains? Perhaps consider elected officers to that board?
 
2. Preparation and submission of an annual budget that is visable to the Supporting Members. I think that it's important for transparency purposes to see where the community's money is spent. As a qualified accountant I'd be happy to sit as treasurer and prepare the budget for the community (with the help of OB and TL of course).
 
I look forward to the summary response from TL and OB.

[Doorman]

As for closing this thread I agree with Doors (crickey! :wink:) .

That's it! You've gone too far this time...Outside!

[Sparko]

can we please close this at put it all behind us? :crying: there isnt anything wrong with the way things are going!

[smilodon]

can we please close this at put it all behind us? :crying: there isnt anything wrong with the way things are going!

Again I'd ask why? I'm beginning to sound like a Ninja Freak fan boy, but this is good stuff (I'll admit it but the tattoos make me hot :wink: ). Again I don't agree with every point and I think the comments about the subscribers contributions were not that relevant but this is for the most part very constructive stuff. Yes we've moved a bit off the original topic and there is an argument that says we could have spun this off into several other more focused threads, but as has been mentioned this is all being noted and hopefully acted upon.

I've the benefit of having had the opportunity of chatting about this at the recent BBQ, and real conversations beats forum posts hands down. So I understand what Oldie and TL are trying to do here and it's 100% a sensible idea. As are almost all of the suggestions and comments raised.

So I'd suggest we don't put things behind us but keep exploring what we can do to support the drive for expansion and a solid future for the community.

Sparko why is this thread something we should drop? I'm keen to know?  Agreed a few people have used it as an excuse to simply slag us all off but in the main we've been respectful and offered constructibe critisms.

I'm a member of many forums and there are very few that could have raised the sort of topics we've discussed here without it descending into flame wars. That's a testimony to the sort of people we have and the contribution they make.

[Gone_Away]

I have to agree (again) with Smilo.. Until this has run it's course there's no reason to close it down. Just my opinion so feel free to disagree... :/

[FrEnZy]

All I have to say is WOW (not the fairy type either).
 
Just back from holiday.. (crap weather, never stopped raining - thanks for asking)...

 .

   Sorry Ninja, but to me what you suggesting sounds like bureaucracy for the sake of bureaucracy.

This isn't a business, and the fact that you've chosen to make a voluntary donation doesn't entitle you (or me) to say how it's spent.

I agree that it's nice to think that as members of this community that our opinion counts, however I think it's entirely unfair to ask people who work unpaid for our enjoyment to start running dMw like some form of corporation and report to us as shareholders.  
  In my years playing with dMw Iââ,¬â,,¢ve lost track of the amount of times Iââ,¬â,,¢ve been playing on our servers, while Oldieââ,¬â,,¢s been sitting next to me on his pc dealing with some form of issue instead of playing, let alone doing things like using his days off to go and install a new server. I think you should remember the amount of work that goes into running this community before you start making demands of those who provided it.

[Snokio]

I can't see the problem with the accounts side :g:, Isn't it already transparent in terms of income, outgoings etc? and posted on a regular basis for all (members) to see? with the monies spent on new kit, replacing redundant / broken kit etc etc? There is a similar setup on the Alfa community I'm a member of and this has no details on their accounts whatsoever, so I was amazed at how transparent dMw was!
 
Or am I missing something here? (it is way past my bed time after all
 
Pen's already mentioned about the SH's knowing about the changes in advance.

[Sparko]

Sparko why is this thread something we should drop? I'm keen to know?  Agreed a few people have used it as an excuse to simply slag us all off but in the main we've been respectful and offered constructibe critisms.

i just feel its all going to "end in tears", some of the posts that people have posted seem to forget that this is an online gaming community and not a business. I just cant see why we all cant just play the games we play and get on with it....., im not saying there is anything wrong with discussing the direction in which the community is going but at the end of the day what is it we want to accomplish?.....certainly not fall out between us all!!.  

i can imagine TL and OB are quite stressed about this thread and all they want to do is provide gamers, like ourselves, with reliable and enjoyable online gaming facilities (which they do, for free!!). They choose to do this, and do it in their own time, the last thing they need (this includes the section heads, admins etc) is a thread like this hovering over their heads.

Please dont take this as a rant, i just want things to get back to normal, because at the minute it doesnt feel like it :sad:

[Snokio]

You know Sparko, I think you speak more sense than all of us put together!

[smite]

:withstupid:
 
Agree with Sparko and Snokio.