Hyellow, I recently came to a point in my EU existence where I can say I'm really happy with myself - I have a plan which seems to be both enjoyable and (slightly) profitable, I have the consistency I always dreamed about and the safety that as long as I stick with the plan I can't go on red. (I mentioned all these just so it is clear to anyone that this is not a rage quit post or anything like that) YET, I also started to be more and more disappointed about what's happening (or not happening) on the forums (including, but not resuming, to this one), so before I'll turn myself to "lurker mode" (aka just reading, no more posting) I wanted to make this (last) post to point some things. 1. I saw some really great and informative tutorials, posts, logs, etc from which we all could learn quite a bit, yet (almost) none of them was made sticky by admins, they have only a couple of positive (like, informative or useful) ratings and even less positive comments. Really, when someone is spending his or her time to post some informative content that can help others, I think it deserves a bit of appreciations; if not, they're unlikely to post again. 2. On the same note, if you asked a question and someone spent their time answering your question, is not so hard to positively rank their replay and even post a thank you message (either in the thread or as a PM); noone is owing you an answer, and if they still did it, you can at least show some appreciation for that, which will probably also encourage them to answer again in the future. 3. People may have different opinions other things and guess what - that's OK (or as Nietzsche used to say "You have your way, I have my way, and about the one and only way it just doesn't exists."); there is no need to take it personally and eventually get down to personal attacks against someone, just because they don't agree with you. Wouldn't it be better and wiser to just state your position then agree to disagree and move on. 4. The negative ratings we choose to give to the other people are a permanent bad mark on their profile; some people care about that, some people don't, but just in case the other person may care about it, maybe think twice before using a bad rating (like the disagree one); maybe instead post a replay by yourself in which you explain why you disagree - this may help turn a potential fight/argument, in a constructive discussion. For myself, I only used them when someone made personal remarks at my person, never for just an idea I don't agree with. 5. On the same note, if someone gave you a bad rating or countered your idea/argument, don't necessarily take it personally and jump on retaliating with another (or more) bad ratings by yourself or start insulting them, since in most cases this will only make things worse and cut off any bridge for a constructive discussion. Try to think that maybe they just didn't agreed with said idea and nothing more; try to take a deep breath, see what they post, see things from their perspective and only act after that. As a general idea... just think that everyone posting on forums is sacrificing their time to do so... so show a bit of appreciation and try to create constructive discussions, not arguments. For myself I decided to stop sacrificing that time and instead spend that time in game for the simple reasons that I no longer feel that my efforts are given enough appreciation. I just wonder how many other people silently did that and EU forums are getting more and more deserted every passing month? Disclaimer: I'm not pointing fingers at anyone; I'm pointing fingers at everyone (maybe even at myself too). Farewell, Alex
You make a good (if a bit ironic) point. Please allow me to make one in return. If people want things made sticky, then use some initiative and PM one of the staff and say something......I find it amusing that some people can use the reporting system to complain about posts and threads, yet can't do the same thing to praise and request something be made sticky. ***************************** On a personal note, I won't apologise for not reading every single post on the forum like I used to...I simply don't have the time to devote to something that doesn't provide me an income when I am working all hours I can on a RL business. I know the other mods and admins are in similar boats; that the forum (whilst official) is not high on a list of priorities.....game content, economy (and RL) etc is. Truth be told, the forums count for a FRACTION of the overall players of EU and making sure things work in the game will always take precedence over day to day tinkering on the forums. That is why we rely on you, the "senior" players and forum users, to be our eyes and ears both here on the forum and in game. The system isn't perfect by any measure, but we have to work with the tools, systems and TIME that we have. Expecting anything more is, quite frankly, unfair at best and delusional at worst.
An oft made mistake is the failure to properly identify the source of your unhappiness and then to circumnavigate it. In any community, some members will rub you the wrong way. It is as inevitable as the laws of statistics. And totally subjective, of course. Sometimes there is a right and a wrong side, sometimes there isn't. But this is not the same as when the house itself makes you feel unwelcome and chops your efforts every which way you turn. That would be a time to withdraw and seek greener pastures. But doing so prematurely or for the wrong reasons will make you just stumble again and again, subject to the actions of others and not your own free will. PS- Maybe a little detail which could be looked at, time permitting: That a disagree rating implies a neg rep is often not helpful.
Will you reincarnate again? Maybe back to Lovefall? Hope to see some incarnation of you in the future!
