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23:16, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

New Guy Question.

Posted by Ski-Bird
LonePaladin
member, 815 posts
Creator of HeroForge
Wed 10 Apr 2019
at 18:12
  • msg #6

Re: New Guy Question

Ski-Bird:
Can someone shed some light on the numbered groups?

Groups can also be useful as an organizational tool.

For instance, you can use the lettered groups for specific purposes. You might make posts that explain game rules in Group R (for "Rules") and player-owned threads for notes in Group N. You'll be able to see everything, but players will only be able to see posts in the groups you give them, and they can only post in non-Closed threads.

For instance, if you posts threads for your own notes in Group U, just don't give any players access to that group. If you make a thread for a player to use for listing spells, you might put it in Group S, then only give that player access to that group. No one else needs it, so they don't need to see it.

Any threads you make in Group 0 are visible to users who aren't players in your game. You can use this to make introductory posts (like explaining the setting, or what you want in an RTJ). Some GMs here keep the main story thread, and/or the OOC thread, in Group 0 so that outsiders can follow along.
praguepride
member, 1379 posts
"Hugs for the Hugs God!"
- Warhammer Fluffy-K
Thu 11 Apr 2019
at 19:52
  • msg #7

Re: New Guy Question

DaCuseFrog:
I've also seen GMs use Group Z as an archiving tool, for completed threads to be saved but not seen by the players.


Group Z is also very helpful for games with multiple GMs to have a private "GM Only chat".

I have also used it to put players in "time out" to keep them from posting so that they can cool off for awhile.
NowhereMan
member, 300 posts
Fri 12 Apr 2019
at 00:00
  • msg #8

Re: New Guy Question

I use Z for players who have gone dark for a while, but not long enough to justify deleting them.
facemaker329
member, 7080 posts
Gaming for over 30
years, and counting!
Fri 12 Apr 2019
at 07:06
  • msg #9

Re: New Guy Question

I'm hazy on how to describe a lurker from a prospective GM point of view, but I've been one...

Basically, the individual is added to the game with enough access to read stuff, but they can't post anything except PMs to the GM.  They don't have a character, so they don't appear on the cast list--nobody else knows they're there, and I think they have the same restrictions with regards to what groups they can read (you have to add them to the group).

I only run one game on here, and we've never had lurkers in it, so I've never had to figure it all out.
donsr
member, 1555 posts
Fri 12 Apr 2019
at 12:23
  • msg #10

Re: New Guy Question

  For my part, I try to have a 'interview' of sorts  with a player, to see if  he/she  will fit the game...of course, I am not always  right  when I accept someone.. so I imagine I am also wrong , now and then, when I do not.

 I do not use  lurkers, nor  will I.  YOu either   want to play or not. so.. that is  , to be , the best way to handle that problem.

 use the groups as tools  for  separate story lines  that do not involve your whole cast, But being in a RP  heavy game, I think its neat to see what's goign on,  with one  tream of players, while you are doing yours...like a good TV show or Movie..not everyone is in the same scene
bigbadron
moderator, 15716 posts
He's big, he's bad,
but mostly he's Ron.
Fri 12 Apr 2019
at 13:35

Re: New Guy Question

In reply to donsr (msg # 10):

You can use Groups to keep things secret from characters who aren't involved in a scene.

Then, later, after the characters meet up, change the Group numbers of the threads so that everybody can see what happened (saves a lot of posts of the "First we went here and spoke to X.  Then we went there and did this thing.  And after that, we went to... " variety).
facemaker329
member, 7081 posts
Gaming for over 30
years, and counting!
Fri 12 Apr 2019
at 16:40
  • msg #12

Re: New Guy Question

Yeah, the very first game I was in on here, the GM used different groups for the different teams of characters (it was  Star Wars game, and there were numerous times where the group split to try and achieve specific tactical objectives).  Once the action was resolved, he'd either archive those threads, or change group settings (depending on whether it was a thread we were likely to revisit), so everyone could read up on what the other team did during the operation.  He would also cross-post if, for instance, a character on one team made a commlink call to a character on the other, or would throw in 'color commentary' when one team's actions had observable results that the other team would notice...stuff blowing up, building a collapsing, etc.  I think he had six or seven players, several with two characters, so it was a large enough group of characters to sustain that kind of action.
horus
member, 685 posts
Wayfarer of the
Western Wastes
Fri 12 Apr 2019
at 20:04
  • msg #13

Re: New Guy Question

donsr:
I do not use  lurkers, nor  will I.  YOu either   want to play or not. so.. that is  , to be , the best way to handle that problem.


I don't want to tell you how to do your thing, but some of the best learning experiences I've had here were from GMs who allowed me to lurk in their games.  I like to think I"m a better GM for these experiences.
donsr
member, 1556 posts
Fri 12 Apr 2019
at 20:12
  • msg #14

Re: New Guy Question

there is that, Horus. But I am liucky ebough  to have  good vets in  my game who  help the rookies   get settled. I just feel like , you play or  you don't?
Brianna
member, 2178 posts
Sun 14 Apr 2019
at 00:51
  • msg #15

Re: New Guy Question

Lurkers can be handy if you need to add new players to replace dead characters and/or players who leave/disappear.  Then you have some people who are familiar with your game, and probably have a better idea than average whether it is to their taste.
SunRuanEr
member, 75 posts
Sun 14 Apr 2019
at 01:41
  • msg #16

Re: New Guy Question

I know Lurkers are kind of a thing that a lot of GMs use, but I have to say that as a player the whole idea always skeeved me out. There's something about knowing who you're interacting with when playing a game, and having some faceless, nameless people watching... *shudders* It feels as wrong to me as if people I didn't know were standing outside my open windows listening in on my friends and I while we played a tabletop game.

I don't mind people that don't play watching a game - half the fun of RP is putting on a show for the crowd - but I want to know they're watching it. Being watched without my knowledge is just plain disconcerting. Thankfully, I trust my GMs when they say 'No, I don't allow Lurkers'. Even if that hasn't always been 100% true, it makes me feel a lot better about things.
DarkLightHitomi
member, 1520 posts
Sun 14 Apr 2019
at 02:11
  • msg #17

Re: New Guy Question

Lurkers are just audience, much like the people who watch Critical Role. Lurkers lets you have an audience when you can't or shouldn't make threads public due to being a mature or adult game.

I have thoroughly enjoyed watching Critical Role, so I can understand wanting to lurk on good games.

I can understand wanting to know about lurkers though, but I find it odd to have a distaste for them in an online text game. It isn't like they can see you sitting around in your underwear while ypu type.
SunRuanEr
member, 76 posts
Sun 14 Apr 2019
at 02:16
  • msg #18

Re: New Guy Question

I think it's more that sometimes I have found myself in games that have extremely personal conversations in their OOC channels (which aren't Group 0, and wouldn't otherwise be public) and things like that, where there's an expectation of knowing who the people are that you're sharing said conversation with.

I dunno. I acknowledge that it's a weird thing to be bothered by, but all the same it's always bothered me.
donsr
member, 1557 posts
Sun 14 Apr 2019
at 02:46
  • msg #19

Re: New Guy Question

  each DM  has thier  own  ways and  favorite things to do...I don't discount any of those , for any of them..each to his own, as they say.

  for me?.. I take some time in an interview to see  if the  player  will fit the game..let's face it.. we're supposed to have fun here.. if you don't like the game..I don't want you there..nor?  should you be there  is you don't  'fit in'.

   my games lean heavy to RP..and are   'worlds' created  for the genre  with some of the RL  pushed  to the side to make the game more enjoyable for   anyone..not just those who are highly focused   on  bits and pieces.

  that said? Sunrauner has a point about to OOC stuff... the player  that stay in my games   become  a  group..a  family as it were.. they share some stuff that bothers  then, vents.. funny stuff  , sad  stuff.. Ect.

 its like a football team..or a crew of a ship.. you don't want folks there   who aren't sharing the load.
horus
member, 686 posts
Wayfarer of the
Western Wastes
Mon 15 Apr 2019
at 04:03
  • msg #20

Re: New Guy Question

donsr:
there is that, Horus. But I am liucky ebough  to have  good vets in  my game who  help the rookies   get settled. I just feel like , you play or  you don't?


Sure.  We all have our own unique ways of doing things, and if what you're doing works for you, why ever change it?  I'll catch you later.  Go have fun!
facemaker329
member, 7082 posts
Gaming for over 30
years, and counting!
Mon 15 Apr 2019
at 05:49
  • msg #21

Re: New Guy Question

This all highlights the 'GMs run their games THEIR way' policy that RPOL has always followed.  If it works for you, don't fix it.  If it doesn't work, look at some other options.

To the best of my knowledge, none of the games that I've played in have had lurkers, but I've also never asked and most of the GMs have not had any sort of explicit statement about it, one way or the other.  Obviously, I'm not opposed to them, having been one myself on a couple of occasions...but I can also get why some people would not want them around.  One of the attractions of PBP games, for some people, is the fact that any social interaction is limited to what they choose to engage in.  Rarely, if ever, do GMs make posting in the OOC threads a requirement for the game, so they can stay silent until they feel comfortable with everyone in the game...and if you have any sort of social anxiety, the thought of what you're posting being visible to persons completely unknown to you can be unsettling.

So, to me, lurkers are just like another GM preference for the game...if you're going to do it, players should know about it, so those who don't like that concept know that this is not the game for them.  Beyond that?  Do it however you prefer it to be done...use them or don't use them.
Starchaser
member, 591 posts
GMT+0
http://bit.ly/2NvdzWG
Mon 15 Apr 2019
at 07:46
  • msg #22

Re: New Guy Question

Ive only ever had one person request to be a lurker. That was in a (now defunct) call of cthulhu game (I over complicated it and am now running a much simpler version of it)

I made them a player with the idea that if they wanted to actually play I could get them started quite quickly.
horus
member, 689 posts
Wayfarer of the
Western Wastes
Mon 15 Apr 2019
at 15:27
  • msg #23

Re: New Guy Question

Both of the GMs that have allowed me to lurk did inform their players I was there, if that's any solace to anyone.  I'm glad they did that - it's only common courtesy.
NowhereMan
member, 303 posts
Mon 15 Apr 2019
at 23:13
  • msg #24

Re: New Guy Question

I've had lurkers occasionally. I can see the appeal to a prospective GM or player, as being able to watch a game without having the commitment of contributing to it could be a great way to familiarize yourself with a new system or setting, kind of like those painfully-contrived "examples of play" in many rulebooks, but altogether more useful.

I generally let players know if we've got a lurker, but it hasn't been really out of a sense of necessary courtesy so much as general excitement that the game is garnering outside interest.
Ski-Bird
member, 6 posts
Sat 27 Apr 2019
at 20:31
  • msg #25

Re: New Guy Question

Same new guy ... new 'new guy' question.

Hey gang, is there a way to merge threads after they've been completed?  I'd like to string some threads together in some sort of sequence and then have a 'master archive' of the game I am hosting.  Hope that makes sense.
Shannara
moderator, 3813 posts
Keep calm, drink more
COFFEE!!!!
Sat 27 Apr 2019
at 20:41

Re: New Guy Question

There is no way, unfortunately, other than manually copying/pasting the posts from one thread into another.
Ski-Bird
member, 7 posts
Sat 27 Apr 2019
at 20:48
  • msg #27

Re: New Guy Question

^^ Cool, thanks.  Is it difficult to pull threads out and convert them to .txt files or something?  I might be able to skin this cat another way.
DarkLightHitomi
member, 1546 posts
Sat 27 Apr 2019
at 20:56
  • msg #28

Re: New Guy Question

If you are gm, there is a link to download the thread. It'll be a standard html file, which can be read as normal, or it's source accessed in wordpad (not notepad, the file is likely to be long enough that notepad will break).

If you have any programming skills, it'd be easy to whip up a quick program to strip the html from the text and save as a text file.
Ski-Bird
member, 8 posts
Sat 27 Apr 2019
at 20:56
  • msg #29

Re: New Guy Question

This is exactly what I'm after, thanks!
Warrax
member, 208 posts
Sat 27 Apr 2019
at 22:28
  • msg #30

Re: New Guy Question

Shannara:
There is no way, unfortunately, other than manually copying/pasting the posts from one thread into another.


Secondary to the posts which followed this, however, it isn't so bad to turn them all into one single post which isn't too hard to read. You won't have the smooth RPOL interface with avatars and poster titles and shit all conveniently on the left side, but if all you're looking for is an archive,it can be done. The formatting will be standard, so as DarkLight mentioned, you could write (or beg someone to write) a little script which can take those files, strip out the garbage and merge them.
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