Communication (or lack thereof)

[apis]

The way I read it was the threads were locked when people started getting abusive to the devs and/or mods. I think that that is fair enough.
I almost felt ashamed of the community at some points, there is no need to talk like that to anyone, especially people that make your fun time fun by producing PS for us.

[Anumesa]

* Anumesa grins at Lolitra's comment

I can sort of understand why patience is considered a "virtue" now. Must be a rare one

[Mathy Stockington]

I can see both sides of this issue. My thoughts are nothing ever gets done in anger or with cutting words. I have learned this lesson the hard way. I ask that everyone here think of this: we are on the same team. We need to work together. If there is tension among the ranks the whole thing will fall apart. Let us all speak kindly to each other and have some patience.

Once I took my PC to a tech to get fixed because it would not work. I called him everyday and all he could do was tell me that he was trying to find out what was wrong. In the end I got my computer back good as new though it took two weeks for him to fix the problem. I am sure that all that needs to be done is being done. The last thing we need to hear is that the server cannot be fixed and we have to wait for a new one. I say let them do their work. We can only hope that all will be well when the time comes. (BTW, I also think it is better they fix all the problems, rather then the server being unstable.) So as I said before Chill!! This time I ask that everyone be polite also.

[Mordraugion]

Then a post was made that the server was up and the thread is locked. Well, as we all know now, the server wasn't "up" at that time or stable. But the thread remained locked, and the mods seemed to get frustrated that people were still wanting to know what happened...

I am getting a little frustrated too, with the continual misinformation being spread, the server was up and had been stable for at least 15-20 minutes when I posted that it was up, ask any of the dozen or so who logged in, as soon as I realised it wasnt stable I also posted that information.

As for the 4 days without an update, they were given when info was available, I really dont see the point of an hourly report saying there's nothing to report.

The thread was locked because it had got to 11 pages of similar posts and suggestions all of which have been mentioned before numerous times both in that thread and others.

[Crj]

I don't think the problem is lack of information, its just not visible enough. Its there, just buried under a pile of uninformative posts. People in flame mode wont go looking trough the forums for some info they don't really care about. Crash and burn until the server is up again(bad music reference intended).

And the guys from Fragnetics are great. Permanently moving the server just because of this issue would be stupid.

[Edig]

Then a post was made that the server was up and the thread is locked. Well, as we all know now, the server wasn't "up" at that time or stable. But the thread remained locked, and the mods seemed to get frustrated that people were still wanting to know what happened...

As for the 4 days without an update, they were given when info was available, I really dont see the point of an hourly report saying there's nothing to report.

The thread was locked because it had got to 11 pages of similar posts and suggestions all of which have been mentioned before numerous times both in that thread and others.

Mordraugion has a good point, And yet the same thing is happening here.  This is just the same thread with a different name and same attitude.

The thing is, there are other "free" games.  Sure they aren't like PS, but they are free none the less.  This kind of thread isn't even tolerated on the forums for those other games.
The person making such posts are often banned both in the forums and in the games.  BANNED.

To date the Mods and everyone else have been quite patient with the naysayers.  I believe that's something worth thinking about when you make your posts bashing them.  And you are bashing them.  Kicking someone when they are down with unrealistic expectations is bashing someone.

Perhaps Mathy's analogy of the computer at the fix it place is the best...  There are often days that can go by with no information about a given situation.  To expect someone to give information when none exists is... ludicrous.... and to suggest they know more than they are saying is at best slanderous.  Do you have proof they know more?  If not then BACK OFF.  If you do, then how about confronting them personally so the rest of us don't have to deal with the anger and crud that goes along with these types of posts.

This is all part of that I want it now because I am owed something by everyone in the world mentality.  No you are not!

There's a wonderful quote I heard many many (many) years ago....  "Get the hell off the cross, we need the wood."  If you are done playing the martyr, I think everyone here would appreciate having the wood back to build a better what-ever.

[Eloras]

I am getting a little frustrated too, with the continual misinformation being spread, the server was up and had been stable for at least 15-20 minutes when I posted that it was up, ask any of the dozen or so who logged in, as soon as I realised it wasnt stable I also posted that information.

As for the 4 days without an update, they were given when info was available, I really dont see the point of an hourly report saying there's nothing to report.

I confirm this as i got on PS for 20 minutes and am glad to say that everything was exactly how i left the game when the server went off so people should stop worrying/speculating  that anything is lost or whatever.

Im grateful to Xordan (i think it was) too who explained whats happened. Every hour that passes is one less till we get the game back right so lets be patient

[Xordan]

I've already stated back when the problems started that -worst case- very little is lost. Now it's almost certain that nothing is lost.

[Paldorin]

Hmm, the situation reminds me of this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raNM0UvR_Bo

[Xanthan]

Perhaps we as a community should consider this a learning experience.  I believe it's possible to improve things greatly with a very simple change, just making the current status more prominent.  Here's what I suggest:

Make the first (sticky) thread in the Server Status forum the authoritative one.  Lock it so that it doesn't fill up with pages of commentary, and update as often as something is known.  Move the Server Status forum up into the Announcements section of the forums.  When things are running normally, change the post to say that this is where the latest info will be posted in the event of extended outages.

[Sen]

[...]
To expect someone to give information when none exists is... ludicrous....
[...]

*sadly necessary disclaimer* This is a completely unemotional post that is not against anyone

Please just note that informing also when there are no news is not ludicrous but - as I stated in the other post (yes, Im just repeating) - good and professional behaviour.

Not each 10 minutes and not every hour (maybe not even once a day as wished though this would certainly be a very good thing).
You can decide that you don't do that (and actually I read that of other posts) but there is a reason why also informing when there are no news has been learnt to be a good thing: It prevents people from getting nervous, angry and ugly.

If the server stays down for weeks it is fine for me. If I know that no one will give information when there is no news I can accept it - Im just trying to state a few facts that I hope will help (as the original poster Im sure). This is no critique.

Sen

[Edig]

[...]
To expect someone to give information when none exists is... ludicrous....
[...]

*sadly necessary disclaimer* This is a completely unemotional post that is not against anyone

Please just note that informing also when there are no news is not ludicrous but - as I stated in the other post (yes, Im just repeating) - good and professional behaviour.

Agreed, but it was done, so I'm really getting confused here...  Where is the problem?  Is it that people can't be bothered to use the search function or is it that people chose not to read and post anyway?

There must be self responsibility on both sides, not just one.

With that said, I'm off to surgery and won't be back.  I'll think twice before poking my head into the forums after I'm sure I'm not doped up on anesthesia...

[Mythryndel]

Of the comments posted... I think that there were two suggestions I feel are worth repeating and suggesting:

1. Make the status more visible. I would prefer the, currently unused, "News Box", but visibility is key here.

2. Make the "sticky" thread locked so that only PS officials can post. This keeps things uncluttered and official announcements easier to see.

Also, as much as you are tired of hearing from me and others, NO ONE IS ASKING FOR UPDATES EVERY 10 MINUTES. Yes, I am getting tired of being told I am asking for something unreasonable. Daily updates of some kind is nothing short of reasonable and professional.

Before you start slamming me about how much time it takes and whatever... I am a IT professional who deals with servers and users on a daily basis. I know what you are dealing with here. Those on the PS team that doubt my credentials, PM me for a copy of my resume (and yes, you can verify it if you like).

And since so many people are missing the point here, let me restate it... I DO NOT think that ANYONE on the PS team is slacking off and not trying to fix things as quickly and thoroughly as possible. I DO feel that the community should be kept better informed of the status of things.

[Caarrie]

remember very few devs considering the total size of the dev team have power over this forum or anything that goes on here. most devs can not admin this forum to do the requested items. also most devs are not forum moderators so they can post to locked threads.

[neko kyouran]

remember very few devs considering the total size of the dev team have power over this forum or anything that goes on here. most devs can not admin this forum to do the requested items. also most devs are not forum moderators so they can post to locked threads.

but they do all have the ability to nudge someone like myself who does.