We should address this question:

"What should we do when the moderator of a story, disappears without word?"

The participants are kind of left wondering what road to take and consequently are forced to write their own story which may not comply with the agenda of the moderator.

We should have some rules in place to deal with this. I understand that we have the Comings and Goings sections that a moderator can leave directions and apprise everyone of their schedule, but in those cases where a moderator may vanish, we have to establish a protocol that would be in the best interests of the moderator and the writers.

I asume we are speaking of the thread creator as oppossed to us who are acting as general moderators. Perhaps a designation like SCModerator ( Story Creator Moderator ) should apply to the thread creator?

And should a time limit be placed upon the length of unannounced or unscheduled absence be placed. We must take into account computer break down, internet connection problems eccetara, eccetara, eccetara. I think.

I agree with both of you. If the moderator, or creator of the story, simply disappears, we need to be able to do something to keep the story from just dying, as Black Door did.

I agree that a SCM should be created and that person has moderation abilities over just the story or thread they have created. If that person disappears for a month, a notification should be sent to the creator to see if there is some form of communication still available. If no response is received, a second attempt is done five days later and a third five days after the second. Or what ever time frame we agree on the notifications and attempts to contact the creator are set to.

After that, I'm not sure how we would handle it other than taking over the moderation of the story and moving it in the direction we see the story is going on its own. When and if the moderator comes back and sees the story has progressed in a direction they didn't want it to go, we will simply explain to them attempts were made to contact them and after three unsuccessful attempts, we, as the forum Veterans and Administrators, took the abandoned story over to keep it active. The story creator then has the option of reclaiming the story and moving it along and guiding the writers BACK to where they want it to go, moving it in the direction it's currently moving in or abandoning the story for good. In that case, the story will be archived after the participants have been properly notified so they can make a choice of what to do with their character.

I don't think we could ever move a story in a direction the creator didn't want it to go in. Usually the creator sets the course of direction they want in the introduction of the story. However, I've learned to never say never.

Just my thoughts on this.

I agree RP with the caveate that we as Administators, Moderators and participants have the ability to take over the thread and move it along, if the creator chooses to abandon the story. Then a new creator is apointed, elected or what ever.

I agree with Lac and RPM. I think attempts should be made but I like to think that after 3 it is safe to assume we can take it over. I'd hate to see a thread die because the creator wants to abandon it. Maybe they could also have the option of starting up a similar one that WOULD go in the direction they wanted (assuming they stick around)? Maybe this is showing my age, but it seems like most people would be able to find internet access at least long enough to communicate about internet issues, etc. at least within 3 weeks time.

Just my 2 cents

I overall agree, although I think the first query should be sent sooner than a month out, or the story will already be in danger of dying. I say two or three weeks of absence without word warrants sending the first query. Then wait a week and send the second query. Then wait one more week and send not a query but a "We assume you are gone and the thread will proceed based on player vote," or something, as well as something like, "we hope you will return soon and participate in this democratic process."

Agreed

What about if we do manage to make contact with someone and it's some hard situation like their computer died inexplicably and they aren't able to respond to such a message in a timely manner? Like they just so happened to get our "we're voting on the thread's future" message on one of their very rare times when they have access. Does that make sense or is that just too far fetched to really matter?

Good point, I would say until we have actaully taken the vote and it has been decided then they can reclaim the thread. However, after the vote has been taken, the decission has been made, and posted, then the vote stands.
Thoughts.

I have to agree with Amanda on this one. In todays technology age, they have to be able to get access to a computer SOMEWHERE. Even if it's just enough time at a library to send us a quick blip that they are having computer issues (or any other issue for that matter). There is access to the 'net everywhere now. Even on cell phones.

We're giving them ample time to respond to the inquiries we're making and if they can't find the time to respond by then, then it's safe to say they aren't coming back. Even the people in the armed forces get notification before they are deployed anywhere.

The only thing I can think of that will keep a person from the computer and internet is a catastrophic accident, illness or event in their lives. In that case, they wouldn't be able to make it to a computer but if they come back after that, a clear understanding of circumstances would surely help put the issues to ease between the creator and those who took the story over in their absence.

Besides, we get used to each others writing enough that we can more or less move things along the way the creator would like to see. Maybe a few minor things were different than they had envisioned, but over all things should be as they would like.

I like everything that has been said.

Of course, this is just a plan to deal with a sudden disappearance of a Story Moderator.

Hopefully with this plan in place any new members to the site who decide to take on the responsibility of having 'sole' control over a story will realize that there is more to it than just popping by once in a while and adjusting the rudder.

The way I see it, once writers join a story and commit themselves to it some will eventually surpass the creator in the development of the world. The story essentially becomes the property of the entire group and the 'creator' retains the right to steer the ship but no decommission it. For one person to hold such power over thread, is personally to me, ludicrous. Why would anyone want to become part of a story to be dictated to?

The point I am making is that the participants of the story, whether they be Users or Veterans are completely within their right to perpetuate the story, and anyone who creates one should be aware of that. It's that simple. Should anyone feel this is usurping their power, then I am curious of their reason for beginning the story in the first place. Is it to be in power or to create something to be shared with the community?

I don't really see the point of all this.

I think all of this depends.

Most of our stories are free form without any single person pulling the strings. I think right now its just NMD where I pull at least some of the strings, but even it is not heavily moderated. I personally don't think we'll often host stories which depend on a "game master" or some such, who is integral to the operating of the story at almost every level.

For the first kind this whole issue doesn't even arise, the second will no doubt drift into a different direction then the creator might have wanted but it might very well still be alive even after weeks of absence where the writers who are left are chasing side stories or something.

The heroes thread is probably a good example of how taking over a thread would work. Sure, there was some stagnation due to Subbears absence but eventually we simply continued on the course we were on and then it sort of started leading a life of its own. In fact, Subbear could come back tomorrow and he'd be able to reintegrate without too much trouble I think.

When a more closely moderated story finds itself without this central figure it will most likely die, unless someone is willing and able to take up the opened up position and continue in the same fashion as before. At least, that's what I'd assume, they're not my style anyway.

I don't see the point for any set of rules for every single possible event. The thing is, it always depends on the situation. It depends on the story, it depends on the moderator, it depends on whether or not my testicles itch, etc.

IT DEPENDS.

I suggest consulting common sense and continue as we have done so far, because I don't see anyone complaining.

Point well taken, Socks.

IF....IF we should ever have a moderated story, such as Cthulu in the future, then the topic discussed in this thread would become relevent. Until then, you're 100% right.

We keep doing as welre doing and let the stories develope as they will. It seems to do well that way which is what I think makes our site unique to other sites out there.

I don't need to wear 'Depends' yet, Socks. We're just trying to get by without them right now.

It doesn't hurt to have some plan to handle the scenario, to avert a stagnant storyline. Believe me I have seen it happen plenty of times in other sites, even those as tightly knit as this one.

Unfortunately my utopian nature always comes out. A pipe dream yes, but nonetheless I strive for it.

Seriously though, it is good to have everyone on the same page, when dealing with a moderator's disappearance. We all can't rely upon our itchy nuts to make these decisions. And really, this is a concern for new Users who may and will enter this site in the future. The last thing anyone wants here are stagnating threads cluttering up the forum, with a few people wasting their time trying to infuse life into them with no direction.

If this is the extent that we need to cover the issue then that's just dandy with me. And yes any adventures that require a Game Master are reliant upon that person to guide people through what is a pre-designed scenario. Story threads are free-form within the parameters of a pre-set universe and thus can be perpetuated by the imagination, which is why they are so much fun.

Do I hear another "Moses" quote coming forth?



(and just fer the record, we dun wanna know anything about yer sun light free anatomy, Sockies)