http://www.theoldergamers.com/forum/blogs/adminblog/ Online Gaming for Mature PC and Console Gamers en Sun, 26 May 2013 06:42:37 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.theoldergamers.com/forum/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.theoldergamers.com/forum/blogs/adminblog/ http://www.theoldergamers.com/forum/blogs/adminblog/63-recent-private-message-spam-attack-tog-members.html Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:43:42 GMT A few TOG members, possibly quite a few, received a private message (PM) from a spammer a week or so ago. The account was a sleeper; it had sat... A few TOG members, possibly quite a few, received a private message (PM) from a spammer a week or so ago. The account was a sleeper; it had sat inactive since its creation in May 2008 and then was suddenly used for this mail out.

This account has since been deactivated, and cannot send PMs anymore. It was one of those odd ones that defied logic, but what we've done is to restrict the number of recipients that a NON-member of TOG can send down to two at a time. We are also investigating putting a lockdown on the number of PMs that can be sent by a non-member account within a given period, although this has the potential to disrupt legitimate back-and-forth between TOG members and say a visiting team captain.

Anyway, if you've received one of these PMs, don't worry, you won't be getting another one from that person any time soon. If you receive another one, please let us know and we'll take the "remedial" action on their ars account. ]]> AdminBlog http://www.theoldergamers.com/forum/blogs/adminblog/63-recent-private-message-spam-attack-tog-members.html http://www.theoldergamers.com/forum/blogs/adminblog/61-basie-returns-active-duty-lead-engineer.html Wed, 20 Jan 2010 06:10:43 GMT It is a great pleasure to announce that Basie, our beloved Kiwi Admin, has strapped on the red wings once again and has rejoined the ranks of active... It is a great pleasure to announce that Basie, our beloved Kiwi Admin, has strapped on the red wings once again and has rejoined the ranks of active TOG Administrators.

It was many moons ago that Basie first stepped up to become an Admin, and he is a real asset to the team, and I personally am looking forward to working with him again. I've played several games with him along the way as well, the most memorable would have to be Planetside. Man, we had some fun wiping ourselves out with all sorts of impossible odds and plain bad piloting. Go the Gecko!

Basie will be taking over the role of Lead Engineer, a role I was keeping the seat warm for while finding a suitable replacement. He is a highly technical and skilled system administrator and the TOG infrastructure couldn't be in safer hands. He will be overseeing the upgrade of the TOG backend to the later version of vBulletin, and any issues with the site.

Thanks mate! ]]> AdminBlog http://www.theoldergamers.com/forum/blogs/adminblog/61-basie-returns-active-duty-lead-engineer.html http://www.theoldergamers.com/forum/blogs/adminblog/59-happy-holidays-admin-team.html Wed, 23 Dec 2009 03:20:50 GMT On behalf of the TOG Admin team, I'd like to wish all of our members a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Holidays or whatever else you'd like to celebrate at this time of year!

It's our members that make TOG what it is, and we'd like to thank you all for your support, contribution and general TOG'ishness over this year, and hope we have many more to come.

Cheers,
Cailith

TOG Lead Administrator ]]> AdminBlog http://www.theoldergamers.com/forum/blogs/adminblog/59-happy-holidays-admin-team.html http://www.theoldergamers.com/forum/blogs/adminblog/56-new-lead-engineer.html Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:39:05 GMT Now that things have had a chance to settle down a little with our admin role restructure, we've finally managed to appoint a new lead engineer to head the TOG Engineering team.

And the lucky person is....me! :eek:

My credentials: I come from a highly technical background. I'm an IT degree qualified professional programmer with around 20 years experience, and in my time I've had various roles including applications programmer, senior analyst/programmer, technical team leader, technical architect and software development manager. I've worked on, designed and managed a very wide range of projects from small interfaces, client-server, multi-tiered and web based applications in many compiled and interpreted languages across the entire development life cycle for large and small companies, various industry sectors and all levels of government.

So hopefully I can help keep things ticking over with the rest of the engineering team, and that we can work together to continue improving and maintaining the TOG site!

I will continue to operate in my role as Lead Admin as well, which will be my primary duty. We'll probably review the lead engy role in future and see where it goes. ]]> AdminBlog http://www.theoldergamers.com/forum/blogs/adminblog/56-new-lead-engineer.html http://www.theoldergamers.com/forum/blogs/adminblog/54-ashin-nestaron-retiring-active-duty.html Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:29:30 GMT Ashin, our MMO Admin, and Nestaron, our Lead Engineering Admin, have both decided to step down as active admins and take a break. Both have been... Ashin, our MMO Admin, and Nestaron, our Lead Engineering Admin, have both decided to step down as active admins and take a break. Both have been working EXTREMELY hard for extended periods and have pushed TOG forward by their efforts. They have earned a break from active duty.

So what does this mean for the Admin team? Well, we've now changed roles around a little bit, with three admins taking MMO duties (Ashin's plate was more than a tad full!). Bayland, Ryo and myself will be handling the MMO Divisions, although I will also be retaining the Lead Admin position. We've also changed the priorities for the Moderators so they now report directly to a specific Admin, and their region of responsibility. Of course, do feel free to contact any Admin or Moderator if you have any issues. ]]> AdminBlog http://www.theoldergamers.com/forum/blogs/adminblog/54-ashin-nestaron-retiring-active-duty.html http://www.theoldergamers.com/forum/blogs/adminblog/49-ladder-there-yet.html Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:25:40 GMT Some of you may have noticed the new TOG ladder site - affectionately called TOGGLe by some (TOG Gaming Ladder). I thought I'd write a brief article into what is involved in setting up such a site. If you're watching the progress on the ladder site and you're curious about why things are happening and when, then you might be interested to know what is happening behind the scene's. :)

The ladder site is a commercial product that was bought from the internet. It wasn't home grown or developed by any TOG programmer. As with any purchase of any product the TOG ladder team did some research on the product and looked at the demo's available. I personally emailed some existing clients and we compared the list of functions the software can do against the list of functions we were hoping to make available to you - the TOG members. Some call this a gap analysis or a fitness test to make sure we didn't buy a lemon.

The decision to buy the product was made and Nestaron installed the ladder. Easy as that - hurrah!! Actually, no - its not that easy. The product did - and still does - have software bugs in it right from day 1. :( These bugs were discovered through testing and trialing the ladder s'ware. The ladder committee and the ladder managers tested the more obvious ladder functions and we compiled a list of problems with the software. The committee then had to prioritise those bugs and work out which problems would annoy our members the most. We got to work on fixing those bugs!

While that was happening the team started discussing graphics we can insert into the site. We have looked at the current TOG site and considered adopting the same theme. We've looked at banners and discussed where the famous TOG cross-hairs should be placed. And I'll give you a warning - there will probably be a google ad so be ready for that one too!! :cool: All this needs to be planned out and decided on.

Nestaron has spent a large portion of his time rewriting a lot of the code and changing the ladder database so it can better integrate with the TOG database. If you check the ladder site today you'll see every TOG member has instantly become a LADDER member as well! That didn't happen out-of-the-box but a little bit of forethought has made this aspect straight forward for our members.

The graphic artists are a very important part of the ladder site and hopefully we'll see some new and fresh images appearing on the ladder site in weeks to come. Those images need to be discussed, drafted and changed and then checked for presentation with the rest of the site.

TOG journalists have an important part to play with writing articles about the ladder site and keeping TOG and the greater community informed. TOG has large and long term plans for this ladder site and it has caused quite a few raised eyebrows. The ladder committee need to work with journalists to ensure the public-relations side of the ladder goes as planned.

Last but certainly not least are the ladder managers. These people are at the coal face - they're dealing with the DC's and the members and working with the community to ensure ladders are set up correctly and assistance is available when required. There will be sticky threads and user guides available to help gamers get the most from this investment and all this is done by the Ladder Managers or by the Ladder Committee.

I think its been 4 weeks since the purchase of this version of the ladder software and its still not ready to go live. It's very close - but we still have a little work to do. We don't want to be too over enthusiastic and disappoint our fan-base with empty promises.

So you can see the size of the team required to put such a project together - System Administrators, software coders, graphical wizzes, journalists, Ladder Managers and Division Captains. Everyone on the ladder team is excited about the future of the ladder and the size of TOG and its combined resources make this project possible.

In a few weeks time, when you're enjoying the presentation of the site and recording your latest victory against your opponent, you'll have a better understanding of how it all came to be. :)

Stay tuned for more communications in coming weeks! ]]> AdminBlog http://www.theoldergamers.com/forum/blogs/adminblog/49-ladder-there-yet.html http://www.theoldergamers.com/forum/blogs/adminblog/41-bumbee-takes-break-active-admin-duty.html Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:31:55 GMT Our Moderator Liaison Administrator, Bumbee, has been fortunate enough to be shifting for his work to a fantastic new location. While this is great... Our Moderator Liaison Administrator, Bumbee, has been fortunate enough to be shifting for his work to a fantastic new location. While this is great news, it means that he will have very little time to devote to TOG for the next few months, so he has decided to retire from active Admin status for the time being.

We thank him for all his efforts to date, and look forward to when we can staple his Admin wings back on again when real life settles down for him again! ]]> AdminBlog http://www.theoldergamers.com/forum/blogs/adminblog/41-bumbee-takes-break-active-admin-duty.html http://www.theoldergamers.com/forum/blogs/adminblog/37-busy-weeks-ahead-indeed.html Fri, 18 Sep 2009 01:47:20 GMT With the end of Summer in the northern hemisphere we can expect to see the new releases hitting us in the next few months. The next COD game... With the end of Summer in the northern hemisphere we can expect to see the new releases hitting us in the next few months.

The next COD game will no doubt cause a lot of activity on the FPS front. Left for dead 2 got banned in Australia, thank God (read atkinson) for that.
The violence is just excessive and I'm glad to see that the AU police state is using our tax dollars to do something about fake unrealistic and humor filled violence.

Gotta think about the Children off course, maybe someone think of the adults too and last time I remember adults can take care of their own children, we don't need the government for that. Let Australian parents make an "educated decision"!

Off course this is not just bad news for l4d players here in TOG, but this is bad news for gamers in Australia period!

Ash and I will be discussing this extensively on our next podcast Episode 9 as well! ]]> AdminBlog http://www.theoldergamers.com/forum/blogs/adminblog/37-busy-weeks-ahead-indeed.html http://www.theoldergamers.com/forum/blogs/adminblog/33-busy-couple-weeks-ahead.html Sun, 13 Sep 2009 08:34:28 GMT Ashin, our MMO Admin, is off on a "road trip" for a couple of weeks, so the rest of us will be trying to fill the void for the duration. Please feel free to contact any of us in his absence if you have any problems.

As far as the trip goes, our advice to Ashin is to drive the Trans Am, not the truck (gets more girls), and to avoid any Sheriff whose name starts with "Buford J". Have fun, Bandit!

:D ]]> AdminBlog http://www.theoldergamers.com/forum/blogs/adminblog/33-busy-couple-weeks-ahead.html http://www.theoldergamers.com/forum/blogs/adminblog/31-administrator-moderator-tasks-responsibilities.html Tue, 08 Sep 2009 08:19:48 GMT The following outlines administrator and moderator tasks and responsibilities. As with all roles and responsibilities within TOG, each group will as...

The following outlines administrator and moderator tasks and responsibilities. As with all roles and responsibilities within TOG, each group will as best as possible work within their respective framework. Administrators will still exercise the right to have final say should there be an issue or contention.

Administrators
Responsible for:

• Organising and leading the various departments such as Engineering, Journalism, Advisor's, etc
• Dispute resolution
• Final call on Moderator staff selection
• Final call on DC selection
• Final call on Advisor Selection
  
• Extra-site dispute resolution (other websites)
• Web site hosting, back end site management
• Final policy resolution
• Veto powers across the whole of TOG in any issue
• Administrative requests:
  • wings additions/removals
  • forum access / removal
  • forum creation / archival
  • usergroup management
  • other
    
• Community programs
  • Community polling
  • Site suggestions forum (should be more active within)
  • Random private polling of divisional members
  • Topical discussion with the community
  • Study of other online communities (both gaming and non gaming)
  • Take part in brainstorming with the PR department (apparent lack of interest hurts this area)
  • More as things evolve from these areas
• Enact bans
  
• Issue Infractions
• Delete Accounts on request

Moderators
Responsible for:

Primary Function / Role

• New user authorisation (Barracks management)
• Forum patrolling (including the removal of "spam bots" and associated posts)
  
• For non-gaming forums - Dispute resolution by initial action on issues then report post(s) for records (Admin only to be called if an issue cannot be resolved by a Mod).
• For gaming forums - notifying the DC of issues for their attention and / or to work under DC guidance for issue resolution if called on.
  
• Signature and avatar violations
• Issue Infractions (up to a combined total of 6 points)

Secondary Function / Role (if time permits)

• Administrative requests (The Desk / The Office):
  • wings additions/removals (except DC)
  • forum access / removal (goes hand in hand with wings usually)
• Personnel advice
• Policy advice to TOG members
  
• Lead initiatives with respective Portfolio Admins approval
• Study of other online communities (both gaming and non gaming)
• When account deletion requests are made, to lock the thread, report it and request Administrator attention
• Assist Administrators in determining which new games have gravitas/following for division status

]]> AdminBlog http://www.theoldergamers.com/forum/blogs/adminblog/31-administrator-moderator-tasks-responsibilities.html http://www.theoldergamers.com/forum/blogs/adminblog/30-itunes-vs-tog.html Mon, 07 Sep 2009 23:07:11 GMT As many know Ashlann and I have been doing a podcast for quite a few weeks now. The problem is that getting our itunes feed to work has proven an... As many know Ashlann and I have been doing a podcast for quite a few weeks now. The problem is that getting our itunes feed to work has proven an absolute pain in the @$@#$.

So last night Nestaron and I have been going through things extensively via MSN and this morning we have finally one podcast showing on itunes. We should be able to get these settings going on the rest of the casts and we can make some official announcements to the whole of TOG about this. ]]> AdminBlog http://www.theoldergamers.com/forum/blogs/adminblog/30-itunes-vs-tog.html http://www.theoldergamers.com/forum/blogs/adminblog/29-sir-fitz-retiring-active-service.html Fri, 04 Sep 2009 23:55:13 GMT One of our quiet achievers, Sir Fitz, retired this week from active service as an Admin. He's taking a hard earned break to try a bit of "real life", whatever that is. When he's had enough of "sunlight" and "outside", he can come back to active duty at any time. :)

Needless to say his departure from our ranks has left a bit of a void, so we're doing a bit of a shuffle of duties around to make sure that we're covering everything off. ]]> AdminBlog http://www.theoldergamers.com/forum/blogs/adminblog/29-sir-fitz-retiring-active-service.html http://www.theoldergamers.com/forum/blogs/adminblog/27-site-improvements.html Mon, 31 Aug 2009 16:04:42 GMT TOG Engineering is always looking for ways to improve the look, feel and functionality of the TOG Site. *~Game Divisions Page Addition*~ ... TOG Engineering is always looking for ways to improve the look, feel and functionality of the TOG Site.

~Game Divisions Page Addition~

Recently Ulric took on the task of revamping the Journalist department and improving the visibility of our Division pages. Ulric request a page that would list all TOG Divisions and a little information about the division.

This project was assigned to MrWizard, and with help from Father and Ulric he was able to come up with this great design: Game Divisions. We are still in the process of adding divisions to this page, so if you don't see yours check back soon.

~My TOG~
Another project that MrWizard, Father and theZee worked on was the redesign of the My TOG page.

~Suggesting Changes~
If you would like to suggest new features or changes to the site please use the Site Suggestion / Problem forum. ]]> AdminBlog http://www.theoldergamers.com/forum/blogs/adminblog/27-site-improvements.html http://www.theoldergamers.com/forum/blogs/adminblog/26-case-you-missed-old-blog-new-ts-channel.html Sat, 29 Aug 2009 23:27:47 GMT For those of you who may have missed it in the old blog, we have set up a new TS channel. It is called the Bat Cave and is a place where the... For those of you who may have missed it in the old blog, we have set up a new TS channel.

It is called the Bat Cave and is a place where the Admins and Mods hang out in a social setting.

Feel free to stop by and say hello any time. ]]> AdminBlog http://www.theoldergamers.com/forum/blogs/adminblog/26-case-you-missed-old-blog-new-ts-channel.html http://www.theoldergamers.com/forum/blogs/adminblog/25-admin-voice-meeting-scoobs-really-john-laws.html Sat, 29 Aug 2009 10:40:10 GMT As Father said earlier, we had our Admin voice meeting today, and it was very successful. Apart from BattleScoob having had laryngitis which made... As Father said earlier, we had our Admin voice meeting today, and it was very successful. Apart from BattleScoob having had laryngitis which made his voice sound more or less exactly like John Laws. He even gave us a rendition or two of "Valvoline, you know what I mean."

After scouring that disturbing image from our mind, we went through a number of agenda items. You'll see some changes over the next little while with regard to the Division Captain selection process, making it more visible. We will also be making the role descriptions for DCs, Moderators and Admins more accessible so people know firstly what we do, and secondly who's the right person to go talk to if they have a problem. ]]> AdminBlog http://www.theoldergamers.com/forum/blogs/adminblog/25-admin-voice-meeting-scoobs-really-john-laws.html http://www.theoldergamers.com/forum/blogs/adminblog/24-hello-all.html Sat, 29 Aug 2009 02:41:03 GMT Just a big hello to all readers. :) Just a big hello to all readers. :) ]]> AdminBlog http://www.theoldergamers.com/forum/blogs/adminblog/24-hello-all.html