No Thanks Suggestion: It should be against the rules for staff to be invisible.

I'm fine with this if we can get a clear cut definition of what counts as a good reason. And way to show staff will enforce this instead of just saying yes to butter us up.

 

Well, they're still staff and in charge of their own section. I just went back and checked and the invisi-staff are part of the ones who, like I said, are a bit more...difficult to approach than others. They're also some of the ones that are seen posting less than others (at least in my experience). We have plenty of approachable staff and most of them are visible. 1/3 is still the minority. Honestly, if we're considering making invisible-mode off-limits to staff (or even just "recommended"), then I'd rather vote for disable the feature for everyone altogether.

 

Sorry, missed this when posting before.

The difference here is that we're not on this site just to work. We're also here to socialize and post and enjoy the forums. How we divvy up our time is our own business, and as long as work is being done, I don't care how the individual team members do it either.

The night he IMed me I passed out from menstrual cramps. I had about three IMs that went unanswered. I wasn't trying to take personal stands against people by being ill.

I keep my email open whenever I'm on the computer. The report button is not at all impersonal, you can leave a message within it and it records your username. It's about the same as a private message--which you can also use, if you lack messengers. Beyond handing out my phone number and street address, I'm not sure how much more personal things can get.

If there's a dire situation and you want to make sure that someone gets to it as soon as possible?

 

Actually it's about 1/4 if you weren't to count the reporters. Even less if you do count them.

>ignoring the fact that there are other firemen to put out the fire just like there are other staff members that can put out a "virtual" fire

I personally see that as more of the exception than the rule. You even stated the reason for why they possibly ignored him in the first place. But does that happen with everybody?

And I personally think that's more the fault of the user than the staff, no? They have these various methods of contacting them yet they don't use them at all? If a person is being bullied and a staff member isn't on to resolve the problem, then they could easily send any of them a VM/PM and then ignore the bullies until they were dealt with.

I don't understand where you're coming from with this. Elaborate.

 

First of all, I applaud you for having those habits. You love this site, much like the rest of us. But just because you have those habits, that doesn't mean other members of staff do. You might be easy to contact, when you're online. But if you're not on, it becomes difficult for those who are having issues. And you cannot be the only one to take care of every issue because you're the easiest to contact. It should be easy to contact ALL staff members, not just yourself.

 

Alright, I'm still counting reporters, so that's 19/24 (unless I counted wrong) that are visible. That seems like a pretty decently sized number. Without reporters, I guess that'd be 17/20?

 

I bring your attention here. Please reread this with a different mentality. Remember, we're just regular users thinking objectively about the entire site. We do not have a team to consider. Unfortunately for your side of this discussion (debate... argument... It's getting there...), that is who this site is for. If it means sacrificing privacy (OMG THEY CAN SEE I'M ONLINE! NEXT THEY'LL SEE ME NAKED!!! I'M SURE OF IT!!!!) for their convenience and the relationship with them, that shouldn't be a hard decision to make.

Unfortunately Misty, I'm unawkwardable :P Menstrual cramps will not make me bat an eye. Still, there's no reason you couldn't have responded to him the next day during your free time.

The report button lacks an answer button, just sayin'. It also lacks discussion value. And why would I private message someone if I think they're not coming back for eight hours?!?! That's the entire point here, and you missed it Mist :P

Yes, that would be ideal. Still, here we are, in a situation that basically is Users vs Staff. I'd just love to have one of those on a private message where I can get grouped on because a few think my opinion is wrong.

Was waiting for you to post this. Agreed on Skype, agreeing here.

Even if it's just one staff, it's wrong. I said that to GS earlier, I'm saying it now.

 

Hello bonjour, I am bringing this compromise to the attention of others specifically staff again (since reply messages drowned it out), since if the staff do agree as SJ has, we would at least be able to progress forward and decide on what constitutes reasons of invisibility.

*returns to hide behind pillar and watch debate unfurl*

 

This is why you're the staff member our group likes....

Hm, this slowed down. Either consideration is going on, or timeouts all around.

 

I was about to post the same sort of thing as What? did. It's good that this is being discussed at all. I never thought it warranted a full on rule so much as an official preference of state that kind of brings everyone together a bit more. I know I'm a bad person to be talking about togetherness given how much I've distanced myself in the past, but this is something to pull together over, not polarize and split up over.

 

I fail to see what is wrong with other staff.

Especially since this is slowing down some anyway I would like to suggest that we wait and let other people chime in during the day, it is the middle of the might for most of us and as we've learned before that isn't always the most representative sample.

 

Nope.

And there are some who are very.... unsociable with our group. It comes off as judgmental and elitist. I can only name two staff members who associate with us commoners. But that's not today's discussion. Still, if this interests you, take an initiative to change it. Suggest during your staff meetings maybe a staff should try to associate with a different group on the site for once. Or a week of socializing with premiums and partaking in our social antics.

Now then, you're also ignoring this thread hit 3 pages with a f*ck ton of views in this "middle of the night" you speak of.

Will you marry me?

 

So the truth comes ou- *shot*

I can't speak or decide for the other staff members. It's their choice whether they want be visible or not, as it is with anyone else.

The main reason I'm invisible is because I have become one of those people who just leaves their computer on 24/7, even if I'm not around or sleeping. I have a bad habit of leaving my browser minimized with tabs like KHV open. I was getting a lot of messages asking to do things when I wasn't even around, so I felt it would be best start staying invisible to avoid confusion.

It's the same way with my Skype, it always says I'm on but I'm really not. It's just because my computer stays on.

Like Misty said, if you need to report something in a thread, the report feature really is the best way to get the staff to act on it. If you need to contact me personally, just shoot me a pm or a skype message and I'll try to get back to you when I can. Just know I might be at work or something if I don't answer right away. All the staff have ways of contacting them, so there really isn't an issue in my opinion.

 

>Post straight up ignoring people who're saying there's an issue

No offense bro, but that is straight up making excuses. I could name five people right now actually legitimately disgusted by the fact only one admin, the person with the ability to most anything, is ever "online."

 

Now now, SJ.
One is not to blame all of the staff for this (who by the way are all wonderful people as Mixt said).
If this is to be done then efforts from both sides should be made, as harsh generalizations from both sides, though perhaps made within observation, are what would prevent both sides from stepping out to each other.
But that is not the point of this.

As Jiku said, it should be a preference thing.
It would be preferable if the reasons were as flexible and appropriate as possible, if the proposition is to be agreed on. In preference the reasons would satisfy staff liberties while it would be easier to contact the staff in this. Though it must be said the staff are human as well, and also wish to have fun here, but an easier method of contact would be lovely.
That being said, the staff nor the members contacting them should be antagonized. Really, this should be less of a suggestion dealing with picking and defending sides like partisan politics and coming to a mutual agreement - really, similar to how a suggestion dealing with more togetherness should be.

 

If it really upsets "5" people that much, then I'm sorry? Doesn't mean I'm going to change my mind. I have a right to be invisible just like anyone else.

If we're saying random numbers, I can probably name about 30 who are wondering why this is even an issue.

 

I read about the first paragraph before I felt inclined to say this:

We generally invite all staff to our group conversations.

Also, I can think of another specific example:

Axis's graphics shop was left open for days after PM'ing multiple staff. If we were able to locate an online staffer with the ability to aid the locking, no one would've had posts deleted that day.

 

You account for a full one of those pages by yourself, and as much as this might be getting attention now most of the site's demographic resides in time zones -8 to 0 making this 10PM to 6AM, I can virtually guarantee you that people who would want to chime in are sleeping. Regardless I'm going to sleep now so you all behave yourselves.

 

I will admit it's not really an issue, but I do believe it is a topic that deserves some consideration. From my perspective, this is mostly a matter of appearances. Correct me if I'm wrong, but seeing people online is more reassuring and fosters a more ready connection with people than kind of just throwing yourself out there and hoping there's a response. I'm sometimes almost cripplingly shy in real life and in the past I had huge problems with addressing authority figures because I viewed them as ominous and detached from myself, like a huge shadow entity. Something to be feared and avoided when possible. Even if this seems insignificant and tiny or like nothing at all to you, I feel like a certain level of interpersonal connection even if it is something as simple as a little green dot next to your name occasionally might be what some people need to feel a little more comfortable and safe. I feel like forums are a place to feel a little bit of that sometimes. I know it sounds absolutely stupid and ridiculous, but I've been there and small things like that can help. I've spoken my piece and I'm gonna leave before I get straight up maudlin with you.

 

Aren't the ones who are mostly active, don't have the invisible function on? Okay, I did put myself on invisible before but that was for personal reasons. I still wanted to do my job by filtering spam and dealing with problems when i was on invisible. As you can see right now, I don't have that on. A good chunk of you have me on msn or skype.

so what I'm saying is... a good majority of us are shown as online. what's the deal? I think this is just out of proportion.