Author Topic: AMBROSIA UPDATE WAVE #2 (Read 952 times)

Rawrplus · « **on:** June 06, 2015, 06:42:09 pm »

Hey there all you lovely people, we've got a wave (I'm not even kidding) of updates coming your way. Generally we announce every update one by one, but there would be so many of these, that I'd probably turn into a meaningful candidate for "Most posts on forums" again. Therefore, we've decided to pack everything into one tasty bunch, all for you to read. So grab a bag of popcorn (if that's what you're into) and get ready to read... because there's a lot of reading ahead.

So this is a plan that might seem a bit out of the ordinary for many of you. For the longest time Ambrosia has been associated with the term "Quality over Quantity". Right now we feel like the quality is at acceptable pace and there's nothing really meaningful to upgrade. We like our philosophy of maintaining the servers of highest quality standards with great staff teams looking over them, but at the same time we seem to lack a little kick, some driving force - so here's what we're thinking: In the future days, weeks and months we're looking for an influx of CS:GO servers and possibly for even other games. This doesn't mean we're looking to be re-leasing servers of bad quality, ultimately what it all comes down to, we expect to release a relatively big amounts of server, basically experimenting which ones will be successful and which will not. So expect many servers to be added and many potentially removed. We can host servers, for essentially free - so it doesn't hurt us to experiment, worst case scenario we'll remove the server, best case scenario it will be a successful server. We've got nothing to lose with trying, so why not do it?

Does this mean you'll be closing 1.6 servers?

Well... Yes and no. We are looking to keep our 1.6 playerbase, it's essentially something we've built our legacy on. We do not really see a reason to remove our 1.6 servers and it's nice to see that even after all these years we've got so many dedicated members playing on our servers.. The only server we're removing for 100% is the Deathrun server, due to lack of activity and playerbase on it. For the rest, they will stay for now (There's currently discussion about the Public server, but rest is staying with no plans of future removal). So, don't worry, your beloved servers will stay.

So we've recently done a Forum Overhaul. That's just one of the small changes though. We obviously wanted to improve the quality of browsing the Forums, but that's not the only Forum-related change we've got in store for you. In the recent days we've been experiment with new looks and plugins, although we're not really going to comment on that, don't want to promise anything unless we're 100% sure we can keep our promise, though if we add any exciting features, it shouldn't come off as a surprise. More importantly though, Forum is not the only thing with .. uhhh... Forum in it's name, that got an overhaul.

That's right, we're doing an overhaul on our Forum Moderation as well. How does it work? Basically Forum Moderators will be doing the job they are doing so far, plus they will be supervising Board Moderators and controlling their actions. We hope this will increase the quality of our Forum Moderation. Furthermore, @Popay will from now on act as Head Forum Moderator - in charge of current Forum Moderators. If any of the Board Moderators feel unjust or any of the Forum Moderators have concerns about any matter, they've got somebody to consult with. We feel like this is a very deserved position to one of our longest standing Forum Moderators and we sincerely hope you will enjoy this brand new system. Generally we believe this will make browsing forums much more pleasant experience with proper moderation and less shitposting.

This also means we're in look for much more Forum & Board Moderators than there were before. That is why we have also recently re-done the Recruitment for these positions. Until now, you could apply for Board & Forum Moderator positions only through scarcely-appearing Application topics. Now you can apply for the positions at newly re-done "Recruitment Corner".

One last thing worth mentioning, we've done slight CSS upgrade to various new BBCode functions to style up your posts. They're definitely worth checking out. Here's the list:

Code: [Select]

[catbar]Text[/catbar]
[titlebar]Text[/titlebar]
[info]Text[/info]
[warn]Text[/warn]
[plainbox]Text[/plainbox]
[roundframe]Text[/roundframe] 
[menu][button active=true/false url=link]Text[/button][/menu]
[buttonlist][button]Text[/button][/buttonlist]
[width=<number>px]Text[/width] or [width=<number>%]Text[/width]

Not gonna showcase them in this particular post, but if you want to make your posts look like the fanciest stuff on forums, make sure to play around with some of these. Really fun little things and look pretty cool.

This topic is not only about changes that are taking place, but also that will take place. What we've got in store for you is the revamped Awards system. Well that's the reason you've also probably seen the peculiar Awards Application Board in Recruitment corner. Currently the system is not ready for release but we're working on it. What we've got are more meaningful awards, with a lot bigger quantity to showcase on your profile. Some of them will not only be for show though (will actually have practical use) - for example - Trusted Trader award will be marked for other people on forums as a person it's worth trading with, hence increasing your chance. Also it's a nice little competition, to see who will have the most awards ;-)

I already have some awards. Will I be able to keep my current awards?

Chances are - yes. Pretty much any meaningful award will stay. We'll only remove some awards that didn't really make sense. Generally we want to make awards prestigious and some looked more like a joke. but don't worry, we'll not rob you of awards saying you've won a tournament or anything of importance. After all, the change is to make the Awards better and more enjoyable, not to ruin everyone's mood.

So yeah, at the moment this is still a thing under development, but just letting you know what we're working on.

So here's the thing. Officially from today, Unban panel is autonomous part of Ambrosia. That probably doesn't say much to you, does it? In other words, unban panel starting today is a collective group of people who will be a self-functioning and self-sustaining part of Ambrosia - this means they will be functioning on their own with no direct influence of High Staff.

Is this really a good idea? Won't this turn into chaos without Highstaff control? How on earth will this even work?

Quite the contrary. What many of you probably don't know, actually highstaff team had very little to none interference with unban panel in recent months (unless it came to very important cases). We believe this is the best idea - often we have to lead with a lot of autocracy. In other words, we - Highstaff - enforce our decision onto our members. This is a way of the members themselves to contribute and regulate the community. This means, members decide who will be in charge of what. Unban panelists themselves decide onto cases (majority wins, as in democracy) - basically the side over 50% wins the vote. This also however means that Unban Panelists themselves get to choose what panelists to accept - once again through voting. Ultimately, Unban panel is fully independent from Highstaff and their interest, it's the people who should decide about fate of other people, not any leadership figure. Members will choose who will represent them in an unban panel and members vote on those who have misbehaved, cheated et cetera. Only time we will interfere is, when it comes to conflict of interest or unjust decision. If we see the system fails to work and the decision will be degraded on quality, we will change back to old ways, but we sincerely feel like that our current members in unban panel are just, fair and dedicate enough to be able to operate on their own - after all this should only shorten the process of how long it takes for a case to be resolved.

Will report panel change to this system as well?

No. Report Panel will operate just like it used to. Report Panel needs to operate quicker and doesn't usually need democratic way of solving things. This is more direct approach but ultimately we feel like Report Panel is better left the way it is. This of course may be subject to change, but for now only Unban Panel will be different in how it operates.Report Panel itself never required High Staff input, that's the main reason why we do not see any particular reason to change.

In order to facilitate both Unban & Report Panel we're adding new members to both:
1) Unban Panel will be joined by @Legion & @Ray
2) While the Report Panel will enjoy the assistance of @|B|urN and @CoiN

Just like the 5% of community that probably got the pun and the picture attached to this section, the remaining 95% will probably be in equal or worse shock once they hear the horrifying news. So we've summoned @Pim back from the land of dead and after some negotiations we've came to conclusion, that he will not steal our soul and will not haunt our dreams with his terrifying looks if we promote him back to UC. So.. that's what we did, we're really sorry but we had to. You don't know the terror we had to go through.

But in all seriousness, before this gets to be more cheesy than an article from theOnion, we're promoting Pim back to the UC rank. He is fit for the position with technical capabilities and we'd like to think mental fortitude (although the latter is disputably doubtful) to return back to the UC position. He'll be helping us with servers, plugins, forums, you name it. So please welcome him back to the team. We're happy to have him back on board.

As a sidenote, this also means we're actively looking for Head Admin and Head Admin Assistant positions for CS:GO servers, not to mention we've got more servers coming up. So stay active, friendly and be an all around nice chap (or lady?) if you wish to get the spot. We'll be looking just for you!

tajski · « **Reply #1 on:** June 06, 2015, 06:49:27 pm »

Upcoming Rank *teaser*

stfu Rawr, pls

supertomi · « **Reply #2 on:** June 06, 2015, 06:53:51 pm »

Nice..
Congrats Pim, Popay and the rest

|B|urN · « **Reply #3 on:** June 06, 2015, 07:01:25 pm »

Thanks for giving a chance and congrats to others

Ray · « **Reply #4 on:** June 06, 2015, 07:05:29 pm »

Thanks again :p
I'm still learning how to be an admin and i'm unban panelist :p
Trial logic

Gratz pim!!! And gratz popay!!!
Since you guys will be looking for FMs now, lemme just post my app just in case i'm lucky .-.

'PL' · « **Reply #5 on:** June 06, 2015, 07:19:48 pm »

Congratulation to Popay(nice birthday present for him) and Pim

Same as for Ray.

I just wonder what will awards get removed and added.

AND PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF AMBROSIA
PUT KAPPA

SilverQuick · « **Reply #6 on:** June 06, 2015, 07:31:25 pm »

Congratulations pals, and thanks for giving these chances.

Koray · « **Reply #7 on:** June 06, 2015, 07:59:29 pm »

TOO MANY UPDATES RAWR, GODDANGIT!

Goodluck to you pimito and poppito !!

Thanks for everything to everyone :3!

CoiNNN · « **Reply #8 on:** June 06, 2015, 08:28:48 pm »

Nice updates!

[Thanks for accepting me to the report panel team again!]

Looking forward for the new rewards.

P o p a y · « **Reply #9 on:** June 06, 2015, 08:41:18 pm »

I am very proud and thankful to be still part of the Ambrosia Family.

This today came as an early present for my birthday. Thank you very much and I am 100% sure I will not let you down.

Congratulations to everyone who got a new position: Pim, Ray, Legion, Burn and Coin.

#LongLiveAmbrosia

Cheers,
Poapy

Ray · « **Reply #10 on:** June 06, 2015, 09:15:53 pm »

Quote from: P o p a y on June 06, 2015, 08:41:18 pm

I am very proud and thankful to be still part of the Ambrosia Family.

This today came as an early present for my birthday. Thank you very much and I am 100% sure I will not let you down.

Congratulations to everyone who got a new position: Pim, Ray, Legion, Burn and Coin.

#LongLiveAmbrosia

Cheers,
Poapy

Happy birthday and gratz my dear friend

Pringles · « **Reply #11 on:** June 06, 2015, 09:19:50 pm »

Gratz Popay (HBD too) and gratz to everyone involved by this thread

almighty DomiNic · « **Reply #12 on:** June 06, 2015, 09:37:30 pm »

Congratulations Popay, screw you Pim

Santa · « **Reply #13 on:** June 06, 2015, 09:40:21 pm »

Pim i knew it ! popay , u deserve that man !
rawr, You are just amazing with announcement

bucK · « **Reply #14 on:** June 06, 2015, 09:41:52 pm »

gratz to all
Popay well deserved and everyone
Good luck with the new positions

long live ambrosia

Chris · « **Reply #15 on:** June 06, 2015, 10:05:34 pm »

Congratulations yall

X-KilleR · « **Reply #16 on:** June 06, 2015, 10:07:49 pm »

Congatz guys
Pim again? he is too old......

don't resign ,we need you GeekMaster
Special welcome to @Legion my noob, and @Ray (you are still in orange?!!)

Ray · « **Reply #17 on:** June 06, 2015, 10:16:55 pm »

Quote from: X-KilleR on June 06, 2015, 10:07:49 pm

@Ray (you are still in orange?!!)

It's okay.. No rush..
It's just a matter of time until i learn how to be full admin :/

Fry · « **Reply #18 on:** June 06, 2015, 10:20:10 pm »

Quote

1) Unban Panel will be joined by @Legion & @Ray

Ok... Guess that me and other applicants have to wait another one year *coughs*

Congratz to everyone

Fisu · « **Reply #19 on:** June 06, 2015, 10:23:03 pm »

Well if 2 of the candidates would be interested and in which I see are at the moment active on forum and aswell good csgo players, I personanly would suggest Dominic and "...!!Fragment!!..." -fy though as they're both very skilled and have knowledge in the CSGO section, not to mention frags UC-Skills, server skills - so csgo servers would be in good hands.

Very nice changes to see here

Always nice to see positive things going on here in Ambrosia