Need to revise our admins/donators policies

[Megiddo]

It's pretty obvious now that our current donator/admin policies aren't working. We don't have enough admins around often enough, and not enough donators. However, donators might be more frequent if we increase our number of regulars, and our regulars might be increased if we have more admins...

We need a way to change the donator policy so donators still feel like they're really getting something special out of their time on the server, but at the same time allow us to bring in volunteer admins.

One idea is to give donators a little ability or "something cool" on all servers running ulx, as we talked about in this thread.

Another idea would be that volunteer admins lose their abilities as soon as a donator/superadmin comes in... though that seems a little cheap.

Anyone else have some thoughts to throw into the ring?

[JamminR]

Though I've slept on this...I really don't have much idea.

Yes, I agree it would be good to have some admins.
However, I can't wrap my mind around any revision ideas at this point in time.

Sorry. Work and personal life have put my problem solving skills at bay.
Hopefully near future will come full swing again.

[Stickly Man!]

I don't have many ideas either... although, we still haven't some addons like stargate admin only yet. . However, we could somehow try and do a bit more advertising of our server, maybe invite friends to come, and try to get their friends to come... etc.. some people don't like going into servers unless they're surrounded by friends. We also could find some gmod clans (if there are any) looking for servers, we could invite them to make their "home" the ulysses server maybe?

EDIT: Maybe start a [ULX] Clan? They don't have to be admins, so we could just have a group of regulars around..
ANOTHER EDIT: We could try to find out what servers people keep going to and WHY. Maybe we can put in what other servers have into our server... I know spacebuild is popular, but how would work that in to what we have already?

[Megiddo]

Maybe we could do some sort of referral system? Though I can't really think of any incentives they should get (since donators should get all of 'em).

Here's my current ideas for the new donator policies:
1. Cut off the 'admin - donator' thing. That was a horrible idea I wish I had never done. Instead, we'll use this group for elected admins who are donators too. This means current admin donators will get a few more privileges, so I'm sure they won't have any problem with it . The price for this would drop to $20/year $4/mo and only be available for elected admins.

2. Strip back ULX access for donators (without admin). (Or is it stripped back enough as is? I don't remember)

3. Double the limits on everything for all donators and superadmins. (Note this would not apply to elected admins that aren't donators)

4. Get some cool (but not something you'd use every day) addons for donator and superadmin use only. IE, malaware's stuff, stargate spawning, etc. (Note this would not apply to elected admins that aren't donators)

This way, current donators are mostly happy, we can elect new admins, and there's still incentive for even elected admins to become admins.

Thoughts?

[Megiddo]

Bump. Don't be hatin' any new policy we put in place if you don't comment.

[JamminR]

Please, in ONE place, post what you want to do. I don't want to look at 3 different forum threads, and to be honest, I rarely remember while playing what donators get, and its difficult to advertise if you can't remember what they get, especially when its been changed several times.

<Elected/sponsored/suggested admins who DONATE>
Get blah blah blah

<admins>
blah blah blah

<Donators>
Blah blah blah

Place a link in the public that we can reference. Heck, place it in a advert on the server.

[Megiddo]

Basically, any donator, admin or not, would get doubled limits and access to exclusive tools.

[WildWill]

On the BBS server to up the client base Spbogie and I added in the member group. As a "member" you really don't get squat, but it gives the people a feeling of belonging so they like it. It's one of the things that has really worked in boosting the numbers. And as you were saying, the more traffic the more donations. Also I am going to be doing another version of the TT25 map soon and I can change the letters in the  logo up top for you guys if you like to say ULX. Helps them remember where it was that they had a good time.   

[Megiddo]

Thanks wildwill!

I really like your idea of "member". We can do that here with how we have the forum<->server connectivity set up. I had thought about this before but didn't think people would go for it if they didn't get any benefits. But if it's working for you...

[WildWill]

Why go to any other server out there, if you are a member here on this one? That is the psychology behind it. It is important that you congratulate them on being a member too!   "Congratulations! You are now a member of the Ulysses Headquarters Server!!"

The one thing that happened with the member status is it has flooded the server with all sorts of people, some that we want to get rid of. I was handing out member left and right to anyone that asked for it. I have slowed down on that a bit. Now that we have enough members I am going to start a ProServer. To get on the ProServer you will have to pass several tests of building skills. This too will push the numbers up on there because people are going to be flooding in trying to pass the tests to get on this elite server. Another thing that I did was put a simple "time spent" script on there. People seems to want to rack up their times? 

The problem that I have found with the rapid growth is that the server can become a bit unruly and people start to run a bit rampant. Me and my admins are going to have to get in there and make some tough decisions, banning people and what not to get things back on track. Also I intend on skimming the group of the better builders for the new ProServer.

 I have been wanting to start the ProServer for a while now but I simply did not have enough members that had the skill to pass the tests to fill another server. The ProServer will not replace the Beast server at any time but it will do two things. Inspire the members of the Beast to develop better building skills and give the better builders a bit more room to make their stuff.

I know it may sound like I'm nuts but I really do have a plan and in the end I hope it all works out for building a great community!