Good to see this thread going in a positive, forward direction, as opposed to a wistful, man-walking-backwards one. Rose colored glasses are a bit like Jim Butcher's vampires- blissfully numbing and narcotic. Nostalgia has its place, but its usually far better to just say no to that perfect drug.
Bella Sara Charter Superscriber
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Sheesh. I haven't even been posting much lately. I find there are five groups to be wary of:
1. The extreme members of the I-hate-4e crowd. The more extreme members (*cough* rhymes with Jazz *cough*) have largely migrated to greener pastures, but there's still a handful. They tend to threadjack anything about 4e into the latest and greatest hatefest or post new threads about how 4e is just like WoW.
2. The extreme members of the I-love-4e crowd. I probably am guilty of this from time to time, but the problem members tend to be those with a "you'll convert eventually" mentality or those who start new threads just for the sake of refuting some imaginary argument against 4e. They're particularly problematic when combined with Group 1 or when responding to less-than extreme posters that just don't like 4e and occassionally post an off-hand comment that feeds into one of the imaginary arguments. Unfortunately, there seems to be a slight uptick in these posters lately.
3. The Gaming Den crowd. They wouldn't be so bad if they had any humility, but they post with an arrogance that makes me blanche. Somehow they seem to believe that hanging out on a website devoted to discussing game design actually makes them experts on game design and that their opinions should carry greater weight. They're the ones really running rampant these days.
4. Anyone on my enemies list, including without limitation, Heathansson, Fatespinner, Karelzarath, Sharoth, Cosmo, Court Fool, and Daigle.
5. Anyone that refuses to acknowledge the glory and perfection of Bella Sara.
Sheesh. I haven't even been posting much lately. I find there are five groups to be wary of:
1. The extreme members of the I-hate-4e crowd. The more extreme members (*cough* rhymes with Jazz *cough*) have largely migrated to greener pastures, but there's still a handful. They tend to threadjack anything about 4e into the latest and greatest hatefest or post new threads about how 4e is just like WoW.
2. The extreme members of the I-love-4e crowd. I probably am guilty of this from time to time, but the problem members tend to be those with a "you'll convert eventually" mentality or those who start new threads just for the sake of refuting some imaginary argument against 4e. They're particularly problematic when combined with Group 1 or when responding to less-than extreme posters that just don't like 4e and occassionally post an off-hand comment that feeds into one of the imaginary arguments. Unfortunately, there seems to be a slight uptick in these posters lately.
3. The Gaming Den crowd. They wouldn't be so bad if they had any humility, but they post with an arrogance that makes me blanche. Somehow they seem to believe that hanging out on a website devoted to discussing game design actually makes them experts on game design and that their opinions should carry greater weight. They're the ones really running rampant these days.
4. Anyone on my enemies list, including without limitation, Heathansson, Fatespinner, Karelzarath, Sharoth, Cosmo, Court Fool, and Daigle.
5. Anyone that refuses to acknowledge the glory and perfection of Bella Sara.
See everyone, Sebastian DOES love me! There is a heart inside that Bella Sara rules lawyer Fanboi afterall!
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I came here from the WotC boards because they were making me unhappy. If I wanted more hostility in my life, I'd talk to my wife about her mother-in-law.
When I discovered these boards I was amazed at the humour, warmth, generosity, and intelligence. I was also surprised at the number of people saying "When did these boards get so hostile?" at that time.
It seems to have gone through a number of ups and downs since then.
So, my amazingly humourous, warm, generous, and intelligent friends, what are we going to do about it?
And please don't suggest tighter moderation ... that just calls out the secret police in all of us.
Well, this thread is a good start. The best advice I can give is to just be ourselves and not get pulled into the muck. The "friendly neighbourhood Paizo posters" should serve as beacons of light for others to emulate. We should be striving to give Paizo and the Paizo messageboards a good name.
I don't mean any hubris by including myself in this group, it just seems like the majority of people active in this thread have been around for a while or really care about the community.
Oh, Sebastian, I don't think I have ever been put off by one of your 4th Edition posts. I wish more of the pro-4E crowd could be as eloquent as you. I'd rather have stern cohorence than blatant insulting ramblings.
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Sebastian just has a low tolerance for idiocracy is all…
Some time back, probably a little before the magazine cancellation, Vic posted a thread asking people why they came to Paizo’s website. There were a myriad of reasons, but an overwhelming number of the responses focused on the sense of community, the politeness etc.
Several people have mentioned that despite things perhaps sliding down hill a bit here, it’s still better than a lot of places on the internet. That’s great, but it’s not good enough for me – I want this to be THE BEST place on the internet (even better than Big Ted In The News).
RPG Superstar 2009 Top 8
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If it makes you feel better, you can be my hated enemy.:-(
I didn't make Sebastian's enemies list. ... I've gotten off some zingers at his expense but he's never around to see them.
This makes me sad.
:-((
I was hoping to be a favoured enemy. You'd get a +2 bonus to tracking me. That would make me feel loved.
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 8
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Sebastian just has a low tolerance for idiocracy is all…
Some time back, probably a little before the magazine cancellation, Vic posted a thread asking people why they came to Paizo’s website. There were a myriad of reasons, but an overwhelming number of the responses focused on the sense of community, the politeness etc.
Several people have mentioned that despite things perhaps sliding down hill a bit here, it’s still better than a lot of places on the internet. That’s great, but it’s not good enough for me – I want this to be THE BEST place on the internet (even better than Big Ted In The News).
That's why I come here. There are a lot of wonderful people in this space. I do find myself getting snarky when the talk of banning and locking threads start because (a) as a teacher, I'm scared of institutional responses replacing conversation and debate (if a student finds something I say offensive and lives in a world where it is okay for them to file a complaint before they even talk to me about it, that scares me); (b) I value the conversation about what we expect from each other; (c) some really good people hide behind s#*~ty and abrasive attitudes because they're scared of being honest and sincere.
When these conversations start, I find myself sometimes disagreeing with some of my favourite people around here.
Don't worry - I'll kick Sharoth off the list and put you on in his place.:-(
I didn't make Sebastian's enemies list. ... I've gotten off some zingers at his expense but he's never around to see them.
This makes me sad.
:-((
Would this "kicking him off" be a euphamism for "terminate?" ;)
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 8
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as a teacherI knew there was a reason I liked you! We can spot our own I guess.
There are a lot of teachers on this board. I think DMing and teaching have a lot in common, and, for me, being a dungeon master gave me both confidence and ability to teach.
For example, in both DMing and teaching you need to get a sense of what students/PCs know, what they want to know, what they need to know, what you need them to know, how best to present the information so they listen, what manipulatives (handouts, blocks, maps) will facilitate their comprehension, and how to break the information down into steps so you don't overload them. That's just a start.
Well, this thread is a good start. The best advice I can give is to just be ourselves and not get pulled into the muck. The "friendly neighbourhood Paizo posters" should serve as beacons of light for others to emulate. We should be striving to give Paizo and the Paizo messageboards a good name.
Agreed, in Internet conversations some problems really do go away if you ignore them long enough...I am against tighter moderation and the best thing to do is indeed to write good posts and engage in meaningful conversations (oh, what a drag that is).
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Sheesh. I haven't even been posting much lately. I find there are five groups to be wary of:
1. The extreme members of the I-hate-4e crowd. The more extreme members (*cough* rhymes with Jazz *cough*) have largely migrated to greener pastures, but there's still a handful. They tend to threadjack anything about 4e into the latest and greatest hatefest or post new threads about how 4e is just like WoW.
2. The extreme members of the I-love-4e crowd. I probably am guilty of this from time to time, but the problem members tend to be those with a "you'll convert eventually" mentality or those who start new threads just for the sake of refuting some imaginary argument against 4e. They're particularly problematic when combined with Group 1 or when responding to less-than extreme posters that just don't like 4e and occassionally post an off-hand comment that feeds into one of the imaginary arguments. Unfortunately, there seems to be a slight uptick in these posters lately.
3. The Gaming Den crowd. They wouldn't be so bad if they had any humility, but they post with an arrogance that makes me blanche. Somehow they seem to believe that hanging out on a website devoted to discussing game design actually makes them experts on game design and that their opinions should carry greater weight. They're the ones really running rampant these days.
4. Anyone on my enemies list, including without limitation, Heathansson, Fatespinner, Karelzarath, Sharoth, Cosmo, Court Fool, and Daigle.
5. Anyone that refuses to acknowledge the glory and perfection of Bella Sara.
Wouldn't it be easier to list those who aren't your enemies?
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Wouldn't it be easier to list those who aren't your enemies?Sheesh. I haven't even been posting much lately. I find there are five groups to be wary of:
1. The extreme members of the I-hate-4e crowd. The more extreme members (*cough* rhymes with Jazz *cough*) have largely migrated to greener pastures, but there's still a handful. They tend to threadjack anything about 4e into the latest and greatest hatefest or post new threads about how 4e is just like WoW.
2. The extreme members of the I-love-4e crowd. I probably am guilty of this from time to time, but the problem members tend to be those with a "you'll convert eventually" mentality or those who start new threads just for the sake of refuting some imaginary argument against 4e. They're particularly problematic when combined with Group 1 or when responding to less-than extreme posters that just don't like 4e and occassionally post an off-hand comment that feeds into one of the imaginary arguments. Unfortunately, there seems to be a slight uptick in these posters lately.
3. The Gaming Den crowd. They wouldn't be so bad if they had any humility, but they post with an arrogance that makes me blanche. Somehow they seem to believe that hanging out on a website devoted to discussing game design actually makes them experts on game design and that their opinions should carry greater weight. They're the ones really running rampant these days.
4. Anyone on my enemies list, including without limitation, Heathansson, Fatespinner, Karelzarath, Sharoth, Cosmo, Court Fool, and Daigle.
5. Anyone that refuses to acknowledge the glory and perfection of Bella Sara.
That depends. There are probably many people who consider Sebastian their enemy who are unworthy of his attention. Thus it would be pointless to list them. His enemies list is only for those who have managed to attract his attention in their vain attempts to annoy him.
I just perused this, and I have to say, I feel that overall this forum seems to be fairly well-mannered. Perhaps I am biased since it is the only forum I post on but for the most part everyone is articulate and fairly respectful (with of course a few glaring exceptions).
Recently I got in a bit of a spat with someone coming over from another forum extolling their self-appointed community monitoring action group. I personally found the concept mind-numbing, but having no real knowledge other than anecdotal of how the other gaming boards are going these days I took a look around the main ones people mention.
What an eye opener. We may have some bad threads here, but if we were 1/2 as virtriolic and disrespectful on these boards as people are on those other ones I for one would not be posting here. It brings me back to my MMORPG days and the level of discourse you would find in OOC chat there. Petty, mindless, insulting don't even start to cover it.
I'm sure as distance builds from the 3E/4E split and people calm down a bit more the level of anger will fade. I will always be happy I came to these forums, even if it was the cancellation of my magazines that led me here. Any refugee tide will bring in the good and the bad. The worst will find no traction here and will eventually seek 'greener' pastures.
5. Anyone that refuses to acknowledge the glory and perfection of Bella Sara.All hail Bella Sara.
Bella Sara FTW.
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 8
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Recently I got in a bit of a spat with someone coming over from another forum extolling their self-appointed community monitoring action group. I personally found the concept mind-numbing, but having no real knowledge other than anecdotal of how the other gaming boards are going these days I took a look around the main ones people mention.
I agree with you. That was a little frightening. I also agree with Mikaze. We respond to these people by doing what we do best: continuing to reflect the attitude these boards have fostered.
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Earlier today I finally closed the 4th Edition Forum in my account. Since I don't play 4th Edition, I have nothing constructive to add to rules discussions. Once in a while I might check in for something interesting about DMing or characters, but it is easier to just stay away.
I edited it for size...but what a wonderful idea and I am going to implement it right after this post! I can't believe I didn't think of it before!
Darn teachers and lawyers everywhere! Where have I landed?! lol.
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There are a lot of teachers on this board. I think DMing and teaching have a lot in common, and, for me, being a dungeon master gave me both confidence and ability to teach.
For example, in both DMing and teaching you need to get a sense of what students/PCs know, what they want to know, what they need to know, what you need them to know, how best to present the information so they listen, what manipulatives (handouts, blocks, maps) will facilitate their comprehension, and how to break the information down into steps so you don't overload them. That's just a start.
I couldn't agree more. Sometimes, when I felt down going into the classroom, I just think to a time when I had to solve a similar problem as a DM, and I feel pretty good about myself. Vice versa, going to Teacher's College, I learned a bunch of nifty strategies that apply equally to being a DM as they do to teaching. Extra value, right there!
Rolling Beard (Ex): The nerd gains a beard bonus to her Armor Class equal to 1/2 her nerd level for 1 round against ranged attacks. (2 rage points)I just had to point this out cause i thought it was great
There are a few little easter eggs splattered throughout, though you probably caught the most important one. It came about as I was editing the PRPG text, and realized the entire barbarian entry was in the feminine, as I got to that one I decided to just leave it intentionally.
Sheesh. I haven't even been posting much lately. I find there are five groups to be wary of:
1. The extreme members of the I-hate-4e crowd. The more extreme members (*cough* rhymes with Jazz *cough*) have largely migrated to greener pastures, but there's still a handful. They tend to threadjack anything about 4e into the latest and greatest hatefest or post new threads about how 4e is just like WoW.
2. The extreme members of the I-love-4e crowd. I probably am guilty of this from time to time, but the problem members tend to be those with a "you'll convert eventually" mentality or those who start new threads just for the sake of refuting some imaginary argument against 4e. They're particularly problematic when combined with Group 1 or when responding to less-than extreme posters that just don't like 4e and occassionally post an off-hand comment that feeds into one of the imaginary arguments. Unfortunately, there seems to be a slight uptick in these posters lately.
3. The Gaming Den crowd. They wouldn't be so bad if they had any humility, but they post with an arrogance that makes me blanche. Somehow they seem to believe that hanging out on a website devoted to discussing game design actually makes them experts on game design and that their opinions should carry greater weight. They're the ones really running rampant these days.
4. Anyone on my enemies list, including without limitation, Heathansson, Fatespinner, Karelzarath, Sharoth, Cosmo, Court Fool, and Daigle.
5. Anyone that refuses to acknowledge the glory and perfection of Bella Sara.
All praise the Magnificent and Just Sebastian, who's justice is only riveled by his magnificence! Revel in the beauty of Bella Sera! Join me in the poodle hunt!
Bella Sara ponies make glorious and perfect glue. Oh, and doggy kibble.
5. Anyone that refuses to acknowledge the glory and perfection of Bella Sara.
See? Bella Sera is so perfect that even when they live out their long and happy lives, prancing and free in our imaginations, and the inevitable happens, they're still perfect!
Now bow and give praise!
There are a few little easter eggs splattered throughout, though you probably caught the most important one. It came about as I was editing the PRPG text, and realized the entire barbarian entry was in the feminine, as I got to that one I decided to just leave it intentionally.
Phrasing everything in the masculine or in generic terms gets too bland. Mixing it up a bit is good writing style, and relects diverse characters. Not all fighters are men, etc.
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There are a few little easter eggs splattered throughout, though you probably caught the most important one. It came about as I was editing the PRPG text, and realized the entire barbarian entry was in the feminine, as I got to that one I decided to just leave it intentionally. Phrasing everything in the masculine or in generic terms gets too bland. Mixing it up a bit is good writing style, and relects diverse characters. Not all fighters are men, etc.
True. I wasn't complaining about the feminine use, I was just pointing out that it created a humourous conflict when I made my "beard" power.
I've always been an advocate for the English language getting over its snooty attitude and just accepting the use of "they" in place of "he/she" as a neutral pronoun. I know "he" is technically neutral according to etymologists, but clearly it hasn't been for some time or they wouldn't have to defend it.
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River Tam. Hotter than any Trek, Galactica, or Babylon chick. Ever.
Are you crazy, Kaylee was way hotter then River. Not only that but she is hooking up with Rodney McKay over on Stargate Atlantis, which proves two things. 1) The Stargate franchise is the new home for out of work sci-fi actors, and 2) nerds like me write the show.
Edit: My second point is reinforced by the fact that Robert Picardo and Nicole De Boer are both reoccuring characters on the show.
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[Are you crazy, Kaylee was way hotter then River.
Don't get me wrong, Kaylee can tinker with my engine anytime.
But River...she's got TALENT!
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Come on, I want a nemesis too.If it makes you feel better, you can be my hated enemy.:-(
I didn't make Sebastian's enemies list. ... I've gotten off some zingers at his expense but he's never around to see them.
This makes me sad.
:-((
I'd be your nemesis, but as a Canadian, i'm predisposed to avoiding conflict and as a Quebecois I'm predispodes to ignoring you, being arrogant and aloof and in any confrontation confuse you with a mess of words in a language you barely understand then retreat while you try to figure out what i said. well, that and turn every argument into one about being (or not being) a seperatist.
Phrasing everything in the masculine or in generic terms gets too bland. Mixing it up a bit is good writing style, and relects diverse characters. Not all fighters are men, etc.There are a few little easter eggs splattered throughout, though you probably caught the most important one. It came about as I was editing the PRPG text, and realized the entire barbarian entry was in the feminine, as I got to that one I decided to just leave it intentionally.
True. I wasn't complaining about the feminine use, I was just pointing out that it created a humourous conflict when I made my "beard" power.
I've always been an advocate for the English language getting over its snooty attitude and just accepting the use of "they" in place of "he/she" as a neutral pronoun. I know "he" is technically neutral according to etymologists, but clearly it hasn't been for some time or they wouldn't have to defend it.
Doh! Missed your inference completely. Maybe I can blame my miss on some-timers? That IS funny! Now I have to go easter egg hunting.
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It was like that in the 3x books as well, IIRC. I think it corresponds to the 'iconic' that is being used for the class.
I'm still a little pissed that there are no half-orc iconics in the PF, though. But that's one of my biggest complaints so far, so not really even remotely close to being an issue.
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I'd be your nemesis, but as a Canadian, i'm predisposed to avoiding conflict and as a Quebecois I'm predispodes to ignoring you, being arrogant and aloof and in any confrontation confuse you with a mess of words in a language you barely understand then retreat while you try to figure out what i said. well, that and turn every argument into one about being (or not being) a seperatist.
I've been to Paris, there is nothing that you can do to me that I cannot withstand.
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I'd be your nemesis, but as a Canadian, i'm predisposed to avoiding conflict and as a Quebecois I'm predispodes to ignoring you, being arrogant and aloof and in any confrontation confuse you with a mess of words in a language you barely understand then retreat while you try to figure out what i said. well, that and turn every argument into one about being (or not being) a seperatist.I've been to Paris, there is nothing that you can do to me that I cannot withstand.
good point. they take arrogance and running away to an art form. i think we still have them beat in the misunderstanding languages catagory though.
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Something that gets me is all these guys that spend all there time on one forum bad mouthing pathfinder and the Paizo staff thinking no one here looks at there bords then they come over demanding there suggestions be heard and ordering other people not to post or not to post certain types of reply or suggestions.
