The Twilight Mexican
Ex-SeeD-ingly good
- AKA
- TresDias
Obsidian, that is just all kinds of excellent.
Site Staff Revamp/ Restructuring
- Thread starter Lex
- Start date
Lex
Administrator
OK, I think it's time to move ahead with some of these changes in the coming week. The following will happen:
Creation of the Community Manager title, which is going to Flintlock. The community manager is in charge of organising community playthroughs and various other things. The community manager is also responsible for publicising these events on the front page, be that by delegation to Writers/ Site Authors or by his own hand (i've been playing a lot of dragon age, forgive the ye olde speech).
Creation of a title for Shademp - FFVII Excavator, Senior FFVII Editor, Senior Compilation editor, Compilation of FFVII Editor - proposals? Shademp's job will be exactly the same as it is now, and he is able to delegate front page news post regarding his publications as well as new FFVII content that arises.
Creation of a title for Lic - Fan Works Editor. Not much to say about that one, Lic is 100% built for the job. In charge of publicising and organising pages and newsposts regarding fan works, from fanart to fanfiction to speedruns. Expansion of our current section of "Fan Works" is imminent. Delegation of publicising posts on the front page as well as writing should the need arise.
Creation of the "FFVII Merchandise Editor" Role - this one is up for grab. In charge of publicising articles and content related to new FF merchandise.
Creation of a title for Avec - Would you like to have a specific role like above, or maybe just stick with "Site Editor" and edit and check all articles as they are published? Keep in mind that the editors of each section are also in charge of this, so you may be left with nothing to really do. Maybe "General FF Editor" since the results of our poll mean we are now covering all FF related newsposts? What about "Final Fantasy Editor"?
This "miscellaneous FFVII" title thing re: kingdom hearts etc., I feel this role should be incorporated into "General FF Editor".
Fangu - Site Programmer? I know you've indicated you don't have much time or motivation to continue working on the site, but you've been actively discussing site stuff in the site design thread and you know we'd all love you to stick around. Even if you really don't want to do it anymore I think you should have this title until someone else wants to fire away at the code <3
Pixel: Site Designer?
Obs: Are you also wanting to come on board as a site designer?
Gabe: You're good with graphics too, what say you chum? (ye olde, forgive etc)
^It can't hurt to have three, but if all three are willing to contribute you are more than welcome and Obs has already produced that lovely chart which I love. Maybe one of you should be "senior" designer, and it would be really cool to see the three of you scrum together to create some really unique stuff. Like a creative team kind of thing, if you're all willing.
All other site contributors currently on staff will bear the new title "Site Author" or "Site Writer" or something along those lines. Every 3 months we'll have a review by opening a discussion thread in the staff forum, or things can be discussed in private if someone indicates this. Anyone is welcome to submit an article to the appropriate editor, which will be reviewed, and at the discretion of both the specific editor and myself said person can become a site author.
All staff members have access to the staff forum.
Question: Should site editors be given moderator privileges on the forum? Not Super Mod as they need to be elected, but perhaps we should consider that Flint for example would be in charge of all threads related to community playthroughs etc, and might need the permissions to moderate them without speaking to staff. I'm thinking along the lines of Ghost being the Creativity Director (Lic would then also moderate, add to and publicise the content that Ghost has driven in the past), I think this kind of system would work really well and should be the goal. Restricted forum mod access, allowed to weigh in on SMod discussions but not to give warnings, infract etc? This needs discussion. Perhaps we should consider further forum division for these specific editor roles? i.e. Someone becomes the mod of General FF, can then mod all FF-related forums aside from the Compilation etc. I like this idea.
I can very easily create these titles with the permissions while I'm creating the roles, I'm clear on how it works in the backend, it's pretty simple.
What we need to nail down immediately is:
Iron clad titles
Iron clad editors taking the titles
Iron clad decision on moderation permissions
All changes begin/ take place on Halloween. I'm choosing Halloween because we lock our house down, close the blinds and sit with candles so the kids don't bother us, so movement is quite limited anyway. That's two days away, so plenty of time to nail down these decisions. This allows us to end 2014 the way we mean to go on in 2015, with the quarterly review timescale beginning in January. Novermber/ December is our teething period for these changes.
PUREASE DISCUSSURU
Creation of the Community Manager title, which is going to Flintlock. The community manager is in charge of organising community playthroughs and various other things. The community manager is also responsible for publicising these events on the front page, be that by delegation to Writers/ Site Authors or by his own hand (i've been playing a lot of dragon age, forgive the ye olde speech).
Creation of a title for Shademp - FFVII Excavator, Senior FFVII Editor, Senior Compilation editor, Compilation of FFVII Editor - proposals? Shademp's job will be exactly the same as it is now, and he is able to delegate front page news post regarding his publications as well as new FFVII content that arises.
Creation of a title for Lic - Fan Works Editor. Not much to say about that one, Lic is 100% built for the job. In charge of publicising and organising pages and newsposts regarding fan works, from fanart to fanfiction to speedruns. Expansion of our current section of "Fan Works" is imminent. Delegation of publicising posts on the front page as well as writing should the need arise.
Creation of the "FFVII Merchandise Editor" Role - this one is up for grab. In charge of publicising articles and content related to new FF merchandise.
Creation of a title for Avec - Would you like to have a specific role like above, or maybe just stick with "Site Editor" and edit and check all articles as they are published? Keep in mind that the editors of each section are also in charge of this, so you may be left with nothing to really do. Maybe "General FF Editor" since the results of our poll mean we are now covering all FF related newsposts? What about "Final Fantasy Editor"?
This "miscellaneous FFVII" title thing re: kingdom hearts etc., I feel this role should be incorporated into "General FF Editor".
Fangu - Site Programmer? I know you've indicated you don't have much time or motivation to continue working on the site, but you've been actively discussing site stuff in the site design thread and you know we'd all love you to stick around. Even if you really don't want to do it anymore I think you should have this title until someone else wants to fire away at the code <3
Pixel: Site Designer?
Obs: Are you also wanting to come on board as a site designer?
Gabe: You're good with graphics too, what say you chum? (ye olde, forgive etc)
^It can't hurt to have three, but if all three are willing to contribute you are more than welcome and Obs has already produced that lovely chart which I love. Maybe one of you should be "senior" designer, and it would be really cool to see the three of you scrum together to create some really unique stuff. Like a creative team kind of thing, if you're all willing.
All other site contributors currently on staff will bear the new title "Site Author" or "Site Writer" or something along those lines. Every 3 months we'll have a review by opening a discussion thread in the staff forum, or things can be discussed in private if someone indicates this. Anyone is welcome to submit an article to the appropriate editor, which will be reviewed, and at the discretion of both the specific editor and myself said person can become a site author.
All staff members have access to the staff forum.
Question: Should site editors be given moderator privileges on the forum? Not Super Mod as they need to be elected, but perhaps we should consider that Flint for example would be in charge of all threads related to community playthroughs etc, and might need the permissions to moderate them without speaking to staff. I'm thinking along the lines of Ghost being the Creativity Director (Lic would then also moderate, add to and publicise the content that Ghost has driven in the past), I think this kind of system would work really well and should be the goal. Restricted forum mod access, allowed to weigh in on SMod discussions but not to give warnings, infract etc? This needs discussion. Perhaps we should consider further forum division for these specific editor roles? i.e. Someone becomes the mod of General FF, can then mod all FF-related forums aside from the Compilation etc. I like this idea.
I can very easily create these titles with the permissions while I'm creating the roles, I'm clear on how it works in the backend, it's pretty simple.
What we need to nail down immediately is:
Iron clad titles
Iron clad editors taking the titles
Iron clad decision on moderation permissions
All changes begin/ take place on Halloween. I'm choosing Halloween because we lock our house down, close the blinds and sit with candles so the kids don't bother us, so movement is quite limited anyway. That's two days away, so plenty of time to nail down these decisions. This allows us to end 2014 the way we mean to go on in 2015, with the quarterly review timescale beginning in January. Novermber/ December is our teething period for these changes.
PUREASE DISCUSSURU
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Flintlock
Pro Adventurer
That's pretty good, Lex. As well as nailing down what each role is called, we should also establish exactly what they entail. Then all we really need is someone with enthusiasm for the whole series to step forward and take on the Final Fantasy Editor's role. I don't know what the etiquette is regarding nominations, but I wonder if Tetsujin would consider taking it on? He's already a site contributor and has written about a diverse range of subjects. He also seems very knowledgeable about lots of games in the series.
Looking back at the list of positions I originally suggested, I think we'll be fine without separate Final Fantasy VII Editor and Compilation Editor roles, as per the discussion with Shademp. I suppose we can also live without a Translation Manager, as each translation will, due to the structure we're putting in place, fall under the scope of another editor. The only position that I'd still like to see filled which you didn't mention is Audiovisual Editor. Pixel is basically doing that job already, buthe's posted so little in these discussions that I have no idea if he wants to continue.
Edit: I must have missed this.
Also, I'm not sure which direction we're taking with social media. You didn't mention it in your post. My vote would be to make a Social Media Manager position and give it to someone like Gabe, if he wants it.
Looking back at the list of positions I originally suggested, I think we'll be fine without separate Final Fantasy VII Editor and Compilation Editor roles, as per the discussion with Shademp. I suppose we can also live without a Translation Manager, as each translation will, due to the structure we're putting in place, fall under the scope of another editor. The only position that I'd still like to see filled which you didn't mention is Audiovisual Editor. Pixel is basically doing that job already, but
Edit: I must have missed this.
Pixel, are you still willing to work on audio content as well?
Also, I'm not sure which direction we're taking with social media. You didn't mention it in your post. My vote would be to make a Social Media Manager position and give it to someone like Gabe, if he wants it.
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Lex
Administrator
So Social Media Manager (possibly Gabe) and Audiovisual Editor (possibly Pixel) - the audiovisual editor will also be in charge of the podcast publications, yes? Or at least they should be.
Anyone currently on Staff who wants to take care of Final Fantasy Editor (noted in my post as General FF Editor) needs to post now. If there is more than one candidate we can put it to a vote. My initial thought was Avec since she posted here that she wants to be an editor, but really anyone who's written for the site so far would be suitable.
The same goes for the other two posts, but Gabe is probably the most suited that I'm so far aware of for Social Media Manager.
Anyone currently on Staff who wants to take care of Final Fantasy Editor (noted in my post as General FF Editor) needs to post now. If there is more than one candidate we can put it to a vote. My initial thought was Avec since she posted here that she wants to be an editor, but really anyone who's written for the site so far would be suitable.
The same goes for the other two posts, but Gabe is probably the most suited that I'm so far aware of for Social Media Manager.
Tetsujin
he/they
- AKA
- Tets
What exactly would that entail?
General FF or KH news could be my thing, got the Square Enix press site news feed RSS'd and stuff.
Flintlock
Pro Adventurer
Not only publishing, but organising and producing as well. They can delegate, of course, but that's up to them as well. I know I just put a lot of ideas forward in the podcast thread, but if it's not my job, then I'm not the one making decisions. The AV Editor should also curate video content for our Youtube channel.
I like the idea of having multiple graphic designers on the team. When we make front page posts which aren't time-critical, we can say tell the designers what graphics we need, and they should get it done. As much as I enjoy making graphics, I used to spend longer on making them than I did writing articles sometimes. The more we can divide our work up into small chunks, the more we can publish.
Lex
Administrator
I kind of thought my descriptions were specific enough? I'm not sure what else you can say to ensure they describe what a role "exactly" entails, but here's how I see it:
An editor is responsible for ensuring that the content they are in charge of is reported on. In the case of General FF Editor - this is going to be news based since we don't have a lot of content that is non-compilation. So this role would involve keeping up to date with all FF news, writing news posts about it as it becomes available, or tasking others (authors) with writing the news posts and reviewing all the articles before they are published. The main thing I think is important for this role is to be quick about publishing this news, because as soon as that SE blog is updated it appears on about 20 different sites, so our goal should be to either beat them to it or provide unique content (such as forum posts about the news within the article and opinion pieces).
Don't forget that as the number one site for Compilation of FFVII, our opinion matters a bit more than a random gaming site when talking about FF.
An editor is responsible for ensuring that the content they are in charge of is reported on. In the case of General FF Editor - this is going to be news based since we don't have a lot of content that is non-compilation. So this role would involve keeping up to date with all FF news, writing news posts about it as it becomes available, or tasking others (authors) with writing the news posts and reviewing all the articles before they are published. The main thing I think is important for this role is to be quick about publishing this news, because as soon as that SE blog is updated it appears on about 20 different sites, so our goal should be to either beat them to it or provide unique content (such as forum posts about the news within the article and opinion pieces).
Don't forget that as the number one site for Compilation of FFVII, our opinion matters a bit more than a random gaming site when talking about FF.
Flintlock
Pro Adventurer
Edit: what Lex said 
Basically what you said:What exactly would that entail?
For example:General FF or KH news could be my thing, got the Square Enix press site news feed RSS'd and stuff.
- News about upcoming Final Fantasy games, ports and remakes.
- Anything you can come up with about the previous games in the series, like this, for example
- Things which are related to Final Fantasy, like Kingdom Hearts (but not in as much detail as the two items above)
- Square Enix news (not for every game they publish, but changes they make to their management, financial results, and so on)
Lex
Administrator
Also regarding that graphic you produced Airling, I don't want to limit authors to a specific section. Or are we introducing these new titles with "Author" instead of "Editor" now too? I don't know if that's a good idea or not. I was thinking Site Authors could just be site authors, and that way if they find an article they want to publish they can go and do it and just discuss it with the appropriate editor. Editors would then be able to delegate to any author.
Tetsujin
he/they
- AKA
- Tets
Yeah, this. I think a lot of fansites basically seem content to just report what another site has already reported even though you can go directly to the press site.
The press site also usually posts assets for articles; screenshots and trailers (actual video file for download).
When they post trailers to download, would that mean we can just upload them to our own channel? Otherwise we'd have to wait for somebody else to post it somewhere after all.
.
Cthulhu
Administrator
- AKA
- Yop
Re: moderator privileges for site staff, have the relevant people been asked whether they actually want this added (albeit shared) responsibility?
Giving individuals moderator access to specific forums isn't a problem, it's mostly a matter of deciding what level of access they get - whether they can ban people or not, or whether it's more of a 'curator' role where they can move threads and edit titles and the occasional post and whatnot. IDK myself.
I also don't know for sure about giving them access to the moderator subforum; there has been some discussion about 'moderator talk' going on in the private staff section. (TBF anything non-moderator talk should just go in public IMHO, but I've rambled about that a few times now) Just saying, some people may or even should not have access to that section despite their position as moderator. Make sure they agree to it and shit first.
Giving individuals moderator access to specific forums isn't a problem, it's mostly a matter of deciding what level of access they get - whether they can ban people or not, or whether it's more of a 'curator' role where they can move threads and edit titles and the occasional post and whatnot. IDK myself.
I also don't know for sure about giving them access to the moderator subforum; there has been some discussion about 'moderator talk' going on in the private staff section. (TBF anything non-moderator talk should just go in public IMHO, but I've rambled about that a few times now) Just saying, some people may or even should not have access to that section despite their position as moderator. Make sure they agree to it and shit first.
AvecAloes
Donator
Sorry yous gaiz, kinda got caught up in real life and ghosted during important discussions! Absolutely my bad, and I will be around now, promise.
As far as my Editor title goes - Can it even just be something as general as Content Editor? Obviously there are specific editing roles in place for the other things, but as a general content editor I could easily jump in and fill any gaps if someone is away, etc.? I mean, I am ok with the other options laid forth as well, I'm just tossing my (very late) ideas around.
As far as my Editor title goes - Can it even just be something as general as Content Editor? Obviously there are specific editing roles in place for the other things, but as a general content editor I could easily jump in and fill any gaps if someone is away, etc.? I mean, I am ok with the other options laid forth as well, I'm just tossing my (very late) ideas around.
Lex
Administrator
All of this I agree with. My idea was to give site editors mod privileges for the appropriate subforums that they are reporting for, in order to move content around etc. should they see fit. I don't think anyone would have a problem with that.
What I'm most concerned with is whether or not they should have access to the actual mod forum where reports etc. are discussed. They wouldn't have banning powers or be allowed to give warnings, infractions etc. but as "curators" of their respective sections would be able to chip in if there's ever a problem because they're going to be most active in those sections and may likely have valuable knowledge if a situation ever arises.
If we don't, then I think the time might be ripe to remove Ghost's permissions to see/ comment on that stuff, because essentially Site Editors are going to be at the same level forum wise.
I know we have other stuff to discuss, but I think this is the most important thing right now. I find it hard to focus on other stuff when there are questions like that that may or may not affect the civility of the board.
Flintlock
Pro Adventurer
If I am going to be running community events, it would be handy to be able to moderate the Active Projects forum, which I think ought to be renamed "Projects and Events", or something like that. There are six-year-old threads in there that can't possibly be described as active, after all. But I don't think I need to be able to see reports. My use of the moderating tools would be to organise threads and not really to enforce the rules of the board. When posts get reported it's because there has been an infringement of the rules, and I'd be happy to leave it up to the S-mods to take care of it.
My two cents. I don't know how the other new team members feel about it.
My two cents. I don't know how the other new team members feel about it.
Tetsujin
he/they
- AKA
- Tets
This would be my stance basically.
Claymore
3x3 Eyes
I mentioned it a while back, but I'm up for either helping Pixel out in that role, or just on the Visual Editor side of things.
AvecAloes
Donator
I can fulfill the role of whatever editor is needed, really, which is why I figured I could just have a generic "editor" title. If you want me on a specific task, like just general FF stuff as you mentioned in that previous post, that's fine, but I don't know if any of us REALLY need to have our "editor" titles be so specific, do we? If we all know what sort of stuff we're generally in charge of, does it matter? And that way, if someone is unable to do whatever editing job that needs done, someone else could easily step in and take on the task rather than think "well, it's not really my area...". Just my two cents. I know my opinions are rather late to the game, so I understand if they don't really carry any weight anymore. 
Flintlock
Pro Adventurer
Avec, are you referring to editing in the spelling*-and-grammar sense? That's what I got from your first post, at least. We're also using Editor as a term for someone responsible for a specific content area, so maybe there's some confusion.
* My phone suggested "spanking", haha. But that's Lex's job if we step out of line :p
* My phone suggested "spanking", haha. But that's Lex's job if we step out of line :p