Forum and Organizational Changes

[TAfirehawk]

Forum and Organizational Changes
Communications Department

The SWGEmu PreCU Emulator Project has been Open Source since 2007, and in that time we've seen over a dozen developers use that open door to contribute their visions to the game and its code. We now recognise that while the project's code has been open to change, the project as a body - as a community - has been less open to change. This is a situation that the Team is committed to fixing.

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Voicing Your Concerns

We welcome your advice, your ideas and a wider community consensus. By opening up the concerns@swgemu.com email address for concerns about staff or management issues, we are hoping to resolve isolated incidents before they become real issues. Eventually a web based form will be implemented to direct concerns to the appropriate people. Emails about support issues will not be answered from this email address. Threads discussing the overall nature, direction or history of the project are permitted within the revised Forum Rules and the revised Infraction system.

The concerns@swgemu.com email address goes to the Communications Director and Manager only as those positions are serving in a Human Resources role as well as official communications. We hope this provides an efficient means for concerns about staff or management issues, but please continue to use support email addresses. For those cases when the concern is directed at the Communications Department, the comms-concerns@swgemu.com email address goes to the President and Test Center Director only. The use of these two email addresses will allow the person submitting the concern to have anonymity when requested, while still providing a means to convey all the details to the right people on Staff.

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Forum Rules and Infraction System

The Forum Rules have been updated to clarify them for everybody. Each rule now has an assigned infraction point value and duration. With the updated Infraction System, infractions will only be lifted when the infraction time has expired, ban only removed when the ban period is completed, and permanent bans are in fact permanent and final. This system will be applied to ALL members of the Community and Staff. Please read through the rules and infraction system carefully as this is in effect immediately.

Forum Rules Update Highlights

• Item 1.1 has a link for help with account issues and requests for multiple accounts.
• Item 2.4 has been updated, "Troll posts or threads. We define troll posts and threads as those which knowingly lead to inflammatory or off-topic messages with the intent of A) provoking other users into a desired emotional response or B) disrupting normal on-topic discussion."
• Some guidelines/rules were removed.

Infraction System Update Highlights

• New point levels and durations for each rule
• Removal of 0 point warnings, they are now 1 demerit point
• New punishment levels based on accumulated points: warning (1 point), 3 day ban (2 points), 3 week ban (3 points), 3 month ban (4 points) and permanent ban (5 points)

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Test Center Exploit Testing Policy

The Test Center rules pertaining to testing, reporting and use of exploits has been updated. We hope to make it clear that we want to get all exploits reported and as long as you report them without further use, there will be no penalty or infraction points given.

3.12 The SWGEmu Team encourages the reporting of any and all exploits. You are required to immediately report and discontinue use of all discovered exploits or face disciplinary action listed below.

• 3.12.1 Exploits include, but are not limited to; all forms of hacking, exploiting and all other actions intended to break, bend or in anyway alter the SWGEmu gameplay experience in favor of one player or against another player.
• 3.12.2 Report all exploits to the Quality Assurance department at http://www.swgemu.com/bugs using the Exploit category or send to quality@swgemu.com
• 3.12.3 As a first offence, there will be a warning issued directing the guilty party to the Quality Assurance department. Offenders are required to immediately disclose all known information about the exploit. Failure to comply with this policy will result in an immediate permanent ban from all SWGEmu services. This ban will include the immediate deletion of all known characters, items, disbanding of guilds if guild leader, and removal of all items being sold by the user on the marketplace.

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Official Communications

Official Communications

The official announcement banner above will be used on all official communications at the top of the post. This will help clarify "official" vs. "non-official" posting by Staff members.

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The Object Restructure and New Website are Coming

As stated in the End of Summer Update, the long awaited Object Restructure code is coming to TC: Nova soon. As often happens with volunteer projects, SWGEmu is no exception, we are behind on our projected goals for releasing the OR. Our staff can only volunteer so much time, and non-development issues have occupied a substantial amount of that time in recent weeks. Our efforts have been refocused and the Developers are pushing to get you the best testing experience in the shortest amount of time for the OR to be put full time on TC: Nova. We truly wish we had a good estimate but as has been stated many times, estimated times are very difficult in a volunteer project.

We have more in store than the OR code on TC: Nova, work has made significant progress towards a single account management system that registers in all SWGEmu services. This means you will have to register just once to gain access to TC: Nova, forums, IRC and the bug tracker.

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Wiping the Slate Clean

The new account management system and new forum software means a complete reset on your accounts. The new registration page will check the old forum database for names and passwords so your unique name will be reserved just for you, but you can also choose a new name if you wish.

For the community, there is also an unexpected benefit from our infrastructure upgrade. We will not be transferring any of the bans or infractions to the new forums or IRC server. This means that everyone gets a final chance to start fresh in being a valuable contributor to help us bring back the game that was taken away. This will be the last time we wipe our infractions before the eventual release of 1.0 and your infractions and bans may carry over to SunCrusher.

Please be aware that the updated Forum Rules and Infraction System will be used on the new forums and this will be STRONGLY and FAIRLY enforced.

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Organizational Changes

The organizational chart has been updated to better reflect the structure and chain of command for the SWGEmu Team. The major changes include the position of the Founders being added and the moving of the Communications Department out from the Test Center division.

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[TAfirehawk]

SWGEmu Website Terms of Service
Updated September 12, 2010
Communications Department

1. ACCOUNT GUIDELINES

SWGEmu Accounts are used to access the SWGEmu Network, including but not limited to: the SWGEmu Forums, Website, Test Center(s), Bug Tracker and IRC Server. All SWGEmu Users must follow the following rules in respect to their SWGEmu Account:

• 1.1 Multiple SWGEmu Accounts are not permitted. Each user may only have one account. Measures are incorporated to detect multiple user accounts. Please see the Account Issues Policy for help. 3 points, never expires
• 1.2 SWGEmu Accounts are non-transferable. Registered users are responsible for any actions that take place on their accounts or private messaging systems. 2 points, never expires
• 1.3 If you are banned, it is not permitted to get back to the SWGEmu Network on an alternate account. You may contact an SWGEmu Community Manager to discuss the nature of your ban and its duration via email or private message. Email community@swgemu.com if you feel a ban has been issue unfairly.
• 1.4 You may not attempt to acquire a password, other account information, or other private information from a Member or any other user on the SWGEmu Network. Remember: SWGEmu staff members will NEVER ask for your password. Do not give out your password to anyone. 4 points, never expires
• 1.5 Users under the age of 13 may only create an account to access the SWGEmu Network with the expressed permission of their Parent / Guardian under the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act 1998.
• 1.6 Account names and all subsequent user names must be appropriate and must not conflict with the Conduct Guidelines or Use Policy of the service in which the user name is involved. Inappropriate naming conventions are covered in, but not limited to, the subjects mentioned in section 2.7 of this document. 1 point, expires in 12 months
• 1.7 All account and hence user activity on the SWGEmu Test Center(s) are subject to the SWGEmu Test Center Rules and Policies, not transcribed in this document. Please view our rules portal at http://www.swgemu.com/rules to view the said document.

2. WEBSITE AND FORUM CONDUCT GUIDELINES

In the interest of maintaining a constructive and equal environment for everyone, all users of the SWGEmu Forums and Website may not:

• 2.1 Post, transmit, promote, or distribute Content that is illegal. 3 points, never expires
• 2.2 Harass, threaten, or making personal attacks against another Member or guest. This includes: repeatedly sending them unwanted messages, attacking their race, sexual orientation, religion, heritage, and cussing or insulting them personally. 1 point, expires in 6 months
• 2.3 Transmit or facilitate distribution of Content (including images or videos) that is harmful, abusive, racially or ethnically offensive, or overtly sexual. 2 points, expires in 24 months
• 2.4 Troll posts or threads. We define troll posts and threads as those which knowingly lead to inflammatory or off-topic messages with the intent of A) provoking other users into a desired emotional response or B) disrupting normal on-topic discussion. 1 point, expires in 9 months
• 2.5 Posts that have been removed are not to be reposted. 2 points, expires in 12 months
• 2.6 Impersonate another person (including celebrities), indicate falsely that you are a SWGEmu Staff Member or a representative of any other community, or attempt to mislead users by indicating that you represent SWGEmu or any of SWGEmu's affiliates. 3 points, expires in 24 months
• 2.7 Upload any software or Content that you do not own or have permission to freely distribute. 3 points, expires in 24 months
• 2.8 Promote or encourage any illegal activity including hacking, "web raiding" or distribution of counterfeit software. 3 points, expires in 24 months
• 2.9 Upload files that contain a virus or corrupted data. 5 points, never expires
• 2.10 Modify any part of the SWGEmu Network Service or any SWGEmu website that the SWGEmu Team does not specifically authorize you to modify. 5 points, never expires
• 2.11 Post any user’s real-world personal information without his or her expressed permission. 3 points, expires in 18 months
• 2.12 Attempt to interfere with, hack into to or disrupt functionality from the servers which contribute to the SWGEmu Network. 5 points, never expires
• 2.13 Spam, defined as the re-posting of content repeatedly. 1 point, expires in 2 weeks
• 2.14 Advertise or attempt to sell products for profit. Only products authorised by SWGEmu may be advertised for sale. 1 point, expires in 3 months
• 2.15 Modify, Copy, Rerelease, Edit or Change the Design, Content or Imagery featured on the SWGEmu Website and Forums. The code base for the SWGEmu Website is the proprietary property of the WiseMon Team. The SWGEmu Forum code base is the proprietary property of Jellsoft Enterprises Ltd. 3 points, expires in 24 months
• 2.16 Promote, Advise the use of or use yourself the Star Wars Galaxies Trial Client, Digital Download, or any other illegal client versions, to connect to the SWGEmu Test Centre(s). Only legitimate, physical commercial versions of Star Wars Galaxies may be used. 3 points, expires in 24 months

[TAfirehawk]

SWGEmu Infraction System
Updated September 12, 2010
Communications Department

Free speech and the necessity of fair discussion are held in the highest regard, however when the line between debate and brawl is crossed, it is the job of the Staff to regulate so that the standards of the community are maintained for all. At times, anybody can "get off track" so we have to make sure the primary focus is for Development to return to us the game we love, Star Wars Galaxies Pre-Combat Upgrade.


The SWGEmu Infraction System is a system employed by SWGEmu to keep track of trouble makers and alert them that their actions are inappropriate. It is used for infractions on the Forums and TC, or occasionally on IRC.

The system operates based on a tally of demerit points. Each user has a personal point count (beginning at 0 upon registration). Points are global across all networks: a point awarded for a forum flame war has the same weight as a point awarded for abusing a Test Center player, and they contribute to the same total.

The infraction system incorporates three key elements:

• Infractions are given for violating any of the listed Website Terms of Service. These are worth specific points assigned by the system automatically. Each rule lists the associated point value and duration to expiration of that incident's points. They are also archived for reference.
• Bans are not simply handed out by Staff but are done automatically by the system. Once it has been determined that a rule has been broken, then there is no choice but to assign the associated infraction points. Only when the tally of demerit points equals a Ban level will a person receive a ban.
• As points accumulate, bans are imposed by the system automatically. The first point has no ban associated with it and should be treated as a warning. A total of 2 points incurs a 3 day ban. As points increase beyond 2, so does the ban length. 3 points equal a 3 week ban and 4 points equal a 3 month ban. When 5 points has been accumulated, expired points do not count in the total, a permanent ban is given that will never expire.

The Moderator staff that can give infractions can't set the number of points or duration. They only may choose from a pre-determined list where each rule violation comes with just one point value and duration option. The points or duration will ONLY be changed by official changes to this document and not for personal reasons. This is done to make the Infraction System clear and fair for everybody.

On the forums, infractions aren't given for things like swearing in one post, making a thread answered in the FAQ, or any of the other countless daily mistakes made by young and old: rather infractions are more commonly awarded for continuous negativity, personal attacks, "flame wars", and cross-thread brawling.
The Test Center follows the same philosophy. For most minor TC rule offenses - improper names, spamming etc warnings are given. It is uncommon for infractions to be given in response to IRC behavior.

Each infraction has an expiry date set by the system automatically. Generally infractions have a 3-12 month expiry. After an infraction has expired, the point(s) no longer count towards a users tally of demerit points. When an infraction is awarded, a Private Message is sent to the User explaining the reason for the infraction, as well as stipulating if the user was awarded a ban with that infraction.

We hope this allows everyone to be on the same page. We don't go around banning people willy nilly at a whim, and 95% of people will never need to know what an infraction is. But for the sake of clarity and transparency we felt it was important to let everyone know how we deal with trouble makers.

[Max]

Forum and Organizational Changes
Clarification Points
Communications Department

Revisions

• 2.13 Spam, defined as the re-posting of content repeatedly. Spam includes QFE's without explanation, +1's, Bumps, blatantly off topic posts and "In Before Lock"s. 1 point, expires in 2 weeks has been revised to 2.13 Spam, defined as the re-posting of content repeatedly. 1 point, expires in 2 weeks. All infractions given based on the old incarnation of this rule have been reversed.

Points of Clarification:

• The new account management system comes along with new versions of all our services.
• The new account management system will allow the separation of infraction points so all our services will have their own, independent tally of demerit points and independent bans.
• The old forums will be archived so useful posts can be brought into the new forum easily by Staff.
• Those that currently have multiple accounts at the same location, we don't have it tested yet, but you will eventually be able to continue with approved multiple accounts.
• "Impersonate another person (including celebrities)" is so people don't hide behind a name or account that is not their own.
• The policies and rules listed in this announcement are effective immediately to all users registered on this site.
• Your account name can only be changed when the new site is released. This will likely be with the release of the OR to TC: Nova but we will not hold up the OR release waiting on the site to be finished.

Originally Posted by TAfirehawk

We welcome everybody's comments and feedback, but as the first item in the Announcement says, "concerns" are to be handled through concerns@swgemu.com and not on this forum.

The good questions to clarify things will be posted back into the "reserved" posts so it is easier for everybody to see the answers.


Everything we are trying to do is to help development bring back the game that was taken away from us. The choice is yours and yours alone to choose if you want to contribute in a positive manner or wish to be hurtful to the Development Project. Anything from anybody that detracts from the best environment for development, like trolling or any other rule breaking, will not be tolerated because we will not be losing more development time to forum or TC drama again. And YES, anybody includes all Staff, every single person registered on this forum.


The rules are set and apply immediately to this forum and TC: Nova (IRC rules have not been updated yet). Because this is a change in policy for Staff too, there may be some inconsistency for a few days. I ask you to be patient and please bring up any issues in a professional manner and any wrongs will be corrected.

Please follow the rules in all threads and be responsible in reporting possible rule violations. We don't have a staff large enough to patrol every single thread on this forum so we all have to work together to make this a better place for development.

[bazweller]

Nice, I like the new ideas and additions!

[Vlada]

Interesting.

One question...

The new account management system and new forum software

Means just that or new forums too?

[Joshino]

2.13 Spam, defined as the re-posting of content repeatedly. Spam includes QFE's without explanation, +1's, Bumps, blatantly off topic posts and "In Before Lock"s.

No way these are the corner stones to a healthy forum.

2.16 Promote, Advise the use of or use yourself the Digital Download

This ones a bit harsh? An instant ban for advising to use the digital client... its a commen mistake to think that its ok.

Also all the expiry dates are out of wack, half a year for reposting something? I lol'd.

Impersonate another person (including celebrities)

lol what is this?

2.14 Advertise or attempt to sell products for profit. Only products authorised by SWGEmu may be advertised for sale. 1 point, expires in 3 months

Why does this have a longer expiry time than harassment or reposting deleted messages?

[Max]

Originally Posted by Vlada

Interesting.

One question...



Means just that or new forums too?

Vlada,

We're upgrading to vBulletin 4. We thought that would be a good opportunity to advance our plans for a central account management system. Unfortunately it is simply too hard (and potentially unstable) to migrate the whole forums from the current v3 to v4, hence we have to take what we need and archive the rest.

You will have to register again at the new site, but when you register as Vlada it will ask for your old password and copy all your old info over. This way, no one will lose their name in the move.

So in one line: both. Hope that answers your question.

Cheers

[Vlada]

Originally Posted by Max

Vlada,

We're upgrading to vBulletin 4. We thought that would be a good opportunity to advance our plans for a central account management system. Unfortunately it is simply too hard (and potentially unstable) to migrate the whole forums from the current v3 to v4, hence we have to take what we need and archive the rest.

You will have to register again at the new site, but when you register as Vlada it will ask for your old password and copy all your old info over. This way, no one will lose their name in the move.

So in one line: both. Hope that answers your question.

Cheers

What about old guides, profession section, screenshots etc? There is a lot of knowledge not to mention memories there, it would be a shame to lose all that.

You will archive old forums, but what about re-posting those threads? Would that be an option later?

[Max]

Originally Posted by Vlada

What about old guides, profession section, screenshots etc? There is a lot of knowledge not to mention memories there, it would be a shame to lose all that.

You will archive old forums, but what about re-posting those threads? Would that be an option later?

Yes, that's the plan. We'll have an archive of the forums so you can repost anything we need (which is obviously a lot - guides, info, collaborations etc).

I don't know if an automatic mechanism is possible, but you'll certainly be able to copy/paste. Its a pain to be sure, but it may just be a technical concern.

[Vlada]

Originally Posted by Max

Yes, that's the plan. We'll have an archive of the forums so you can repost anything we need (which is obviously a lot - guides, info, collaborations etc).

Great, thanks.

That's all i needed to know.

[Elvaron]

Be honest Vlada, the Don Quijote of Don Quijotes, you cant wait to have to write new guides and stuff! I bet it's getting boring to just have a repertoire of replies and links for each and every request on the forums?

@Joshino: On 2.16: Don't take my word on this (notice the missing official comm banner? ), but I would assume there's a difference between a new member asking whether it was allowed, and, let's say, Vlada deciding that he would from now on tell everyone who asks to use the digital download version. There's a legal issue involved, I believe. On your other concerns I can't really commit, because I dont know, and I don't think fighting over infraction expiry periods is worth more than fighting windmills. Most people will never experience expiry periods to be an issue for them.

[reelforjake]

If we decide to change our account name, will the system still be able to transfer old info or will it essentially be creating a new account from scratch?

[Max]

Originally Posted by reelforjake

If we decide to change our account name, will the system still be able to transfer old info or will it essentially be creating a new account from scratch?

If you change your accout name, it won't be able to transfer over the old info, but considering you're after a new account name - is this really an issue? All you would be missing would be profile info, join date etc.

Sorry if i missed it but i could not find when it was going into effect. Is this going to be around the same time as the OR?