Category talk:Recruitment

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question

how do i join a group do thay meet you i need help on the game am a newbie—The preceding unsigned comment was added by Jose (talk • contribs) at an unknown time.

Basically, just contact the group via their wiki page and they should be happy to give you further instructions. Most of the time you'll travel to their location within the game if you're interested in joining the group, since most of the groups are local to a specific region or suburb of the game. For the nomadic groups, they'll give you information on where to meet them at the moment. In the meantime, you should be fine to survive in the game as a newbie for as long as you need to. I started off alone in the game with all of my characters for at least their first few weeks, and had no issues making due. —Aichon— 03:17, 10 April 2010 (BST)

Aesthetics

Looking over the big ol' block of text at the start of the category, I get the feeling that improperly-formatted ads crop up so often due to the imposing nature of so much rules text. I'll probably knock up a more user-friendly approach to the rules tonight, provided I'm not shouted down. Anyone else feel this page could do with a sprucing up? 14:10, 2 April 2010 (BST)

Yep, spruce the shit out of it. It's ugly. --  ▧  ^{: : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :} 16:19, 2 April 2010 (BST)

Agreed. It's extremely imposing for newbies and throws them for a loop (or else puts them off entirely) quite often. If we can provide just a simple block of text to copy/paste here, some simple instructions for what to do on their template recruit page, and a few other guidelines for what is allowed in terms of height/width, etc., then we'll be good. Right now though, it's monstrous. —Aichon— 22:47, 2 April 2010 (BST)

While you're at it, move the contents list lower. Makes it more readable. --Rosslessness^{Want a Location Image?} 22:49, 2 April 2010 (BST)

How does that look? I tried using the colour progression from my previous rehash of the SugHead template, though I think the bottom one is a little off. I might try it with all of the contents of the recruitment page as well, see how it stacks with the table of contents. 01:12, 3 April 2010 (BST)

The color progression is fine, but the text needs cleaning up (looks like you just copied what we had, which gives us a good starting place, but it still needs work). For instance, in the second box, all of the italicized stuff should go (you wouldn't believe how much it confuses newbies), and it really should be just a block of code that they can copy/paste and swap out a few keywords for. The third block of text needs cleaning up as well, in terms of what all it says. Right now, it's too wordy and too "wall o' text". If we could condense it down, that'd be nice. As for the fourth box, I really don't like the phrasing that some of it uses (e.g. "as a rough guideline"). Make it a concrete statement or else don't have it at all.

As far as the changes you made though, I like them. And in response to Ross, I'd keep the TOC where it is. Bumping it down would bump into some ads and would also detract from the point of the page by making the entire top part being about the rules of the place. I'm almost tempted to suggest we pull the guidelines out to a separate page where we provide full instructions. —Aichon— 05:09, 3 April 2010 (BST)

Condensed. 20:34, 3 April 2010 (BST)

You mind if I tweak a few things with it? I really like the way it's looking, but there are a few grammar/typo issues, as well as some other stuff I'd shift around a bit (e.g. the info about categories needs to mention <noinclude> and should probably be in its own code box as well; I have some ideas for how it could be done). —Aichon— 22:10, 3 April 2010 (BST)

Sure, work away. Don't you be stealing my European vowels though! 22:12, 3 April 2010 (BST)

Actually, as I started working on it, I realized I had a lot of ideas for changes, some of which kinda contradict what I was saying earlier, in fact, so I'm setting it up in my own Sandbox and should have an example up in a bit. It's a bit longer than what you have, but gives them a step-by-step set of instructions broken down similarly to how you did it...kinda. —Aichon— 02:40, 4 April 2010 (BST)

Make it pretty. 02:42, 4 April 2010 (BST)

Here. It's not any prettier than yours, but I tried to give comprehensive instructions while making them approachable and clear. A few issues I saw people having before were confusing what code goes where and forgetting to put the categories on their recruit page. By providing a clear delineation between the instructions that apply to the recruit page and those that apply to the Recruitment page, I'm hoping we won't have as many mistakes of that sort. It's definitely longer than your idea, Mis, but I'm hoping it makes up for it by having instructions that are spelled out a bit more (especially when it comes to the categories). Thoughts? Parts that can be cut? Bad ideas? —Aichon— 05:49, 4 April 2010 (BST)

Few spelling mistakes is all, otherwise perfect. 05:54, 4 April 2010 (BST)

Feel free to correct my "mistakes" if you'd like. :P I didn't see any American English spelling mistakes, nor did my spell-checker alert me to any as I was typing it up, but if there are any, or if you just want to add the extra vowels you folks use, feel free to do so. I've got no problems with that. Before we go changing things, any other opinions from the peanut gallery? —Aichon— 06:41, 4 April 2010 (BST)

Yeah, Aichon, that looks good. - Goribus 04:12, 15 April 2010 (BST)

Magic Words for timestamps

I just now noticed that a few groups were using the {{CURRENTMONTH}}, {{CURRENTDAY}}, and {{CURRENTTIME}} magic words in their templates so that they could circumvent having to update their timestamp. The rules for the page say no included templates, but the magic words are not technically templates, yet they still are handled like an inclusion and require processing by the server. Plus, they clearly circumvent the spirit of the guidelines by allowing the ads to be posted ad infinitum, even if the groups go bust. I was thinking it might be prudent to contact the groups and ask that they update by hand instead. Thoughts? —Aichon— 09:27, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

Wipe their ads, and tell them to re-add them without the magic words. As you tell them, they're templates in all but name, and are a pretty blatant circumvention of the guidelines. Linkthewindow  Talk  10:11, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

Awwwwww. :( 22:21, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

Pull 'em. --Papa Johnny 22:40, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

Since all three of the groups are updated by wiki regulars, I'll be nice and get in contact with them and give 'em a week to change them, rather than deleting them outright with no notice. Misanthropy, consider this me contacting you. :P —Aichon— 03:30, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

Consider it changed as of several hours ago. :P 03:41, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

You people suck. Moreover, this is in breach of no rules and I maintain that we have every right to use this method.

Format for Posting Adverts:
It is the group’s responsibility to update the timestamp to prevent the advert being deleted. Updating the timestamp may and should be done at any time while the group is still recruiting.

We're still recruiting and will be recruiting until such time as we or (more likely) the game are no longer around. I instituted this update method because I didn't want to have to make some bullshit form-stamping edit every so often for absolutely no useful reason. The timestamp is being updated, why should you care what method we use? Answer: You shouldn't.

Format for Advert Content:
No templates are allowed in your advert for technical reasons.

The "technical reasons" alluded to would be the template inclusion limit. The variables used are not expensive and are subject to no such limit, thus this does not apply. Nice try though. ᚱᛁᚹᛖᚾᚨᚾᛏ 08:29, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

While perhaps not in the spirit of the rules, I see no harm in the use of the magic words as long as the group is still active. A messege on the group's talk page (similar to the current Recruitment page warnings) every 3 months I think wouldn't be too much hassle. --Maverick ^{Talk - OBR 404} 08:45, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

I disagree Revenant, you lack a timestamp entirely. Displaying the current time and date in no way replicates the function of a timestamp, which is used to record specific dates. Further, if we're going to play "abuse the wording" I would argue you don't meet this part either: It is the group’s responsibility to update the timestamp... since it's automated and requires no edits by the group. --  RoosterDragon  17:16, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

Splitting up Recruitment

At the moment, Recruitment is so big it's unwieldy. It takes close to twenty seconds to load on my 1.5mbs broadband, and it would be unfair to assume that everyone has this internet. Also, with groups spread across different letters of the alphabet, it's difficult to find a group for a particular type of character.

I'm proposing that we turn this page into a disambig for three new pages:

• Survivor Group Recruitment
• Zombie Group Recruitment
• Pker Group Recruitment

Rules, etc, will remain on the main Category:Recruitment page. A reminder will be on all of it's subpages to check the rules.

This should make load times a bit more reasonable and make it easier for new players to find a group. Also, thanks to SA for providing the motivation to write this post :D. Linkthewindow  Talk  10:25, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

I like this idea. But I'd propose that death cult-type groups go in both Zombie Groups and PKer Groups. 13:57, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

Letting them double up is effectively extra/unfair advertising. We need to set up the disambig pages so that it's clear which one each group should fall under. —Aichon— 22:41, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

It used to be like this! I didn't like it when it was changed to the current mess and definitely support changing it back :D --Karloth Vois ^¯\(°_o)/¯ 15:50, 3 January 2010 (UTC)

Better. Do eet. Do eet naow. -- Rahrah doesn't remember the age of blinking text. 17:32, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

As Aichon. Most death-cultists seek out life on purpose so much they're pretty much the same as "ordinary" PKers anyway.--Thadeous Oakley 18:03, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

Vouch - :D --Haliman - Talk 17:56, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

Going off what I was saying earlier, I'd just make it "Survivor", "Zombie", and "Other", and define the first two as groups who fight for and exist almost always as that side (e.g. traditional survivor and zombie groups, while death cultists are out, since they play as humans sometimes but fight for zombies). The third category would be for everyone else, such as PKers, death cultists, life cultists, dual nature, etc. I think that would fall in line with most people's expectations better, and it should deal with almost all of the fringe cases. —Aichon— 18:41, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

For On the condition that Aichon's idea is what happens.-- Adward  18:44, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

Not actually a voting section, oh ze whoomanneeteee, get zis up for voting -- Adward  18:47, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

Voting on mundane stuff like this is stupid. I've never seen the point for pages like this, Suggestions, etc. Consensus is a much better system.

That said, Aichon's idea is much better then mine. Linkthewindow  Talk  05:26, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

What he said. -- Rahrah doesn't remember the age of blinking text. 18:44, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

What about dual nature groups? Zombie groups that also pk when alive? Groups that claim to be survivors but PK (Like The Barrciade Enforcement Patrol?) We have 31 adverts. Thats not a huge amount. Why make the system more confusing for newbs? --Rosslessness^{Want a Location Image?} 20:10, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

Groups that claim to be survivors but pk will be allowed to list themselves as survivor groups - we don't need the unnecessary drama. 31 ads is still a massive scroll bar, and I don't see how changing this will make it too more confusing. I'm assuming a noob knows that a "survivor group" is. Linkthewindow  Talk  05:26, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

1. Keep <Is this how we should vote? I agree with the idea, as it will better organize the recruitment page. My reccomendation, add an Other page or separately add the PKer-zombie, Zker, and so on. An other page would be nice.--Supercohboy 15:34, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

hELP REINSTATING?

Hi,

Just wanted to put the DK13 advertisement baqck in place now that i have internet again :) Can someone please help me? Im sure last time i edited the page i got a slapped wrist, so if someone could put the advert i8n place for me, i can just keep it updated!

http://wiki.urbandead.com/index.php/DELTA_KILO_ONE_THREE/recruit

Thanks guys!!! --T13 01:53, 31 March 2010 (BST)

If you can add a signature to your recruit page, I'll go ahead and post it for you. Just edit the page you linked and add in your signature there. I'd prefer not to post an ad that doesn't have a signature at all, even if you have plans to fix it later. —Aichon— 04:28, 31 March 2010 (BST)

Thankyou Aichon!!! I presume by signature you meant timestamp? So i put one in :) I will check back here later this evening, see if the advert is in place, and then presumably delete this series of posts? Cheers! --T13 19:21, 31 March 2010 (BST)

Category:Recruitment Rules Voting

Amendment to Page Rules

Given the relatively low traffic of the game overall now compared to its heyday, individuals now seem to spend a lot more time on maintenance and appearance on their groups' wiki sections, including recruitment ads. Couple this with the relatively high rate of groups crashing and burning quickly, and this page is often full of a mix of well-pruned ads for active groups, and dead ads for groups that haven't yet expired for a full two months, but inevitably will. I propose reducing the linger time from two months since the last timestamp down to one month from the last timestamp, before an ad is removed. This will have minimal effect on active groups, due to both their activity keeping the ad alive, and their ability to re-add it if it's removed, due to the fact that, well, they're still active. This will only have a genuine effect on housekeeping as it will allow for the pruning of ads sooner, rather than waiting for them to hit the two-month mark when it's clear they won't be updated. No other inclusion rules will be amended by this, simply the length of time a timestamp will keep an ad on the page for. Just a cursory vote should settle this, there's no need to go to A/PD for it.

For

1. That Misanthropy guy makes sense to me. 03:54, 24 July 2010 (BST)

   I'd never known this to be a problem,... and had never really thought about it. Perhaps, instead, we could do away with the two month period, and timestamps altogethor,.... and do a once a month cleanup, like the Great Suburb Massacre,... just for ads instead. And I'd be willing to oversee that myself if people are interested, and once it's hashed out.... -_∞ Poodle of Doom _∞ 04:01, 24 July 2010 (BST)

   Way too complicated, the timestamp method is nice and simple. 04:03, 24 July 2010 (BST)

   Wouldn't you have to check the space somewhat regularly to verify the timestamps, and remove the outdated ads? My suggetion requires this to be done not necessarily more than once a month. My suggestion seems to save time, not add to a burden... -_∞ Poodle of Doom _∞ 04:06, 24 July 2010 (BST)

   Aich and I tend to check it regularly anyway. Your way would require contacting groups and waiting for replies, the current system is instantaneous. 04:08, 24 July 2010 (BST)

   Yeah, Mis, myself, and sometimes a few others (Rooster sometimes, when he's around) keep it tidy on a regular basis. Adding extra overhead just creates more work. It's not so much a matter of doing the work of cleaning, as much as it is being allowed to clean them out regularly. Two months leaves us with a lot of groups that only lasted for two weeks at a time. —Aichon— 04:18, 24 July 2010 (BST)

   Well, one month is still two weeks to long isn't it? -_∞ Poodle of Doom _∞ 04:24, 24 July 2010 (BST)

   It's all about striking a balance between getting rid of inactive groups, and not having to constantly hassle groups about their status in-game. A month is ideal for this. Linkthewindow  Talk  13:04, 24 July 2010 (BST)

2. As Misanthropy. —Aichon— 03:57, 24 July 2010 (BST)
3. I'm pretty sure I suggested a one-month period last time we did this. Still a good idea. Linkthewindow  Talk  06:44, 24 July 2010 (BST)
4. As Link. --Maverick ^{Talk - OBR 404} 09:08, 24 July 2010 (BST)
5. As Misanthropy. That guy really do make sense. Technical Pacifist 11:41, 24 July 2010 (BST)
6. For it, provided all currently listed groups are notified on their talk page, as not everyone is going to catch the subtle difference in the small print. -- Spiderzed▋ 14:39, 24 July 2010 (BST)

   Out of about 40 groups currently advertising, only 11 would be affected if we enacted it right now. Looking at those 11, I can tell you right now that none of them have a great track record of maintaining their own ads. Five of the groups are veteran groups that regularly let their ads expire and then simply repost them sometime later, four of them are veteran groups that let them expire about as often as they remember to renew them, and two of the groups are brand new and have never renewed their ads. —Aichon— 00:07, 25 July 2010 (BST)

   If this is this is something this user is interested in seeing happen, I'd be willing to contact all the groups currently advertising. Otherwise, slap a notice on the front of the recruitment page, and be done with it? -_∞ Poodle of Doom _∞ 00:14, 25 July 2010 (BST)

   I'd probably contact them myself when it comes up - it's 15 minutes of work to C&P some notice on ~40 group talk pages, and that's taking the time for the original write-up into account. -- Spiderzed▋ 00:22, 25 July 2010 (BST)

   At that, I'd be willing to make your job easier. A-M and N-Z. You take one set, I'll take the other. -_∞ Poodle of Doom _∞ 00:30, 25 July 2010 (BST)

   I'll take N-Z. That way I don't have to contact my own groups, which would be... bizzarre. -- Spiderzed▋ 00:42, 25 July 2010 (BST)

7. -_∞ Poodle of Doom _∞ 22:59, 24 July 2010 (BST)

Against

1. Hmm. I'm not big on recruitment page but I like 2 months cause it means less hassle for groups that don't like going on the wiki. Maybe change the rules to say that groups may have their recruitments removed without notice if they aren't on the stats page? --
    
    
    
    
   06:56, 24 July 2010 (BST)

   Wouldn't that mean that the groups most in need of recruiting are effectively not allowed to recruit? —Aichon— 08:44, 24 July 2010 (BST)

   Well, that's the reason why I said may, hopefully if it happened it would be used with more tact than to just kill the recruitment if it's been a week since signing. Ah well. --

    

    

    

    

   08:52, 24 July 2010 (BST)

   Also, lol @ this vote! --

    

    

    

    

   08:58, 24 July 2010 (BST)

   It doesn't get much more definitive than that! —Aichon— 09:12, 24 July 2010 (BST)

   Is it possable to put these kind of votes on the wiki news template? -_∞ Poodle of Doom _∞ 22:57, 24 July 2010 (BST)

   I don't see a reason to, honestly, since any involved parties would have this page watched already, and this voting isn't governed by any policies. It's more or less just tradition. If we wanted to get technical, aside from the concern that people would get upset over it and try to start an A/VB case, there's really nothing to stop us from just changing the guidelines unilaterally and then acting on the new guidelines as such. —Aichon— 23:53, 24 July 2010 (BST)

   I see. Like in the case DDR presented, it seems foolish to have it decided by one person. Whatever though... -_∞ Poodle of Doom _∞ 00:32, 25 July 2010 (BST)