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Broad server reforms

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Broad server reforms Empty Broad server reforms

Post  SovietReunion Thu Feb 14, 2013 5:33 pm

As I've begun to construct the Exchange and decipher what kind of polices to put in place, I've had a concern about exactly how the Exchange will be governed as Econicraft matures and inevitably gains more users. After having a discussion with spacekitsch, we've really come to the conclusion that there need to be major reforms and changes in ways that we all go about managing the server. Not just for right now, but as we gain more users, mature, and build a lasting community.

While our thinking might be somewhat different on how to go about changes, we all agree that something needs to be done and it isn't. So below will be a wall of text, but I highly encourage all of you to read it, as it will be a significant discussion on how Econicraft will be ran in the future.

COMMANDS --
This is a fairly simple one. A while ago, I believe it was suggested that the administration compile a list of all available commands on the server. This has yet to be done, and combined with how ambiguous our permissions system is, I don't know probably 90% of all the commands I can do.

While I understand /help exists in its many pages, I don't know what among those I'm allowed to do -- or for that matter really what they do in the first place. And you know what, I don't know even what plugins we do or do not have.

ADMINISTRATION AND PERMISSIONS --
The bulk of what I want to talk about: there is no way to organize staff, nothing to hold them accountable to, and no way to understand the ranking system implemented here on Econicraft.

I'm extremely concerned that as we mature as a server, that there will be such disorganization among our staff and permissions system that Econicraft becomes an unrecognizable jumble of ranks and people asking for ranks. Not just that, but also a rules and governance system where there is no formality or precedent set on how to go about being a moderator or administrator. Here's what I propose:

A populist administration, chosen and ran by regular users. I'm tired of seeing people beg for ranks and others apply for a rank without really any protocol to follow. Sure, I can post a topic saying I want this or that rank, but there's nothing saying really what that rank does, how it's chosen, and who decides it (other than Ender, it seems).

Administrator (any amount)
Let's do away with the owner rank and create a sole administrator rank. The administrator will have control over all plugins and will effectively govern both the server and forum. An executor of rules and laws, the administrators are mainly tasked with the upkeep of plugins, permission settings, and the like aside from moderating duties.

Ender should be the only permanent admin, all others should receive popular support. I think it would be best that all new admins be nominated by Ender and then approved by a majority of users here on Econicraft. If a majority of users don't like an admin, they should have the right to recall them. More on that below.

Moderator (no more than five)
Moderators need to be elected. Both to maintain accountability and activity, elections will provide for a sure method for many to attain the rank without having to beg an admin for it. Elections would be held at the end of every month with anyone being eligible to run. Admins may bar any person from running to become a moderator. As with admins, users should be able to democratically recall any moderator they deem unable to fulfill the responsibilities of their position.

Moderators are enforcers of the rules (admins take care of behind-the-scenes server stuff). They make sure that people abide by the rules and set good examples for others to follow.

Governor of the Exchange (one)
The Governor of the Exchange would be similar to a moderator position, but only having authority over economic matters. That is, making sure inflation is kept low, the price guide is adjusted regularly, and the Exchange is kept properly stocked full of items. Governors would be appointed by a concensus of the administrators, but could also be recalled by users.

General Congress (all users)
The General Congress would be made up of everyone. Mayors and residents alike. The General Congress would have the most political authority in Econicraft with the ability to:
Create new rules, abolish or change existing laws, elect moderators/admins, recall moderators/admins

Such legislation would require a majority (50%+1) to enact. However, recalling mods/admins would require two-thirds or greater.

...
...

You might notice there are a few exclusions in this organization than what we have now:
No builders. No assistants. No weird ranks, like Chief of Staff.
Econicraft must keep its ranking system clear and simple, otherwise we don't know what half of our users really are supposed to do or represent. This also means no more creative mode rank, a permissions system that must be fixed. Only admins should have creative mode, no one else. Creative gravely endangers our fragile economy.

I would enumerate what commands each of those above ranks would have access to, but alas, we have no index or explanation of what all our plugins are.

TOWNS AND NATIONS
Read my lips: no more ₢50,000 towns or nations.
Towns have gotten out of control, and we now have areas that are considered towns but only have a person or two as a resident (that is, if they're still active). We must eliminate the ₢50,000 requirement for towns and implement a new policy:

• There must be a constructed village with shops and at least three residents to be considered a town.
• There must be a group of at least three towns to form a nation.

Players can submit a request to admins to have them create a town or nation for them. I don't know how we expect to function if we have a fragmented server full of towns.

TAKING ACTION
Sadly, I know a lot of these things will be slow to put in place. I don't know if some admins are more focused on having their rank and Minecrafting, or are actually committed to administrating the server -- I can think of a couple off the top of my head. It must change, otherwise lest we see Econicraft crumble as it gets older and bigger.

I can tell there has been resistance to a formal constitutionalism here on Econicraft, but I know that it would perform so much good in getting things straight and organized here. Below is a spoiler that has the full text of the rules and laws that I had for another server. I definitely think it's worth the read. (click the white box)

Spoiler:
SovietReunion
SovietReunion

Posts : 51
Join date : 2013-02-02
Age : 30
Location : Seattle, WA

http://karpelman.com

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