frogbear wrote:
I cannot fathom why discussions should not open as the past has shown that positions (ACs for major lists in this case) are just nominated and people just go from there. What this does is not provide a voice to people (as no offer was made to have a voice either in the list or in private), and this fractures the community. I know for a fact that there has been a few discussions and scratching of heads in past placements of positions.
As for discussions being 'counter-productive and fractionary', this is only the case if people resort to personal name calling, over-reacting or take items out of context and make them personal.
So will there be a time where people can make nominations? Will these nominations be public? It is not a popularity contest - I understand that and I do not want it to become that, however it certainly needs to get away from also being considered a niche secular group (which I for one believe it is at present - perception is everything). At the end of the day, I keep stressing the same point in regards to this decision and many others: "transparency and accountability is what is needed".
Positions are appointed, generally by the outgoing AC, in consultation with the NetERC and the community. Technically, the NetERC have final say in the appointment of an AC role, but they take a lead from the AC and players, in general. I have not known a case where the NetERC have gone against the wishes of the wider player base (although there have not been that many changes - Tau and Tyranids being the most swapped roles). I fully intend all opinions to be voiced, when we are on to the situation of appointing new ACs. However, the main priority is the NetERC now, as the new member will be involved in further structure changes. This entire process is based on a community effort - despite the additional difficulties that this may include, and the fact that we have all at one time or another just wanted a 'friendly dictator'.
It is not a popularity contest, however we must acknowledge that community popularity is one factor in a good AC. If people dont like them, they wont get involved in the first place. When the time comes, nominations will be opened up to anyone interested and capable.
Dobbsy wrote:
I don't have any ideas just yet on how to organise it but I'm happy to write up the info if it can be decided what we want included in a starter's guide. Maybe Elsmore and I can collaborate (I have no internets skillz) but I can put out them-there-word-thingamies if'n we wan' 'em
I just need some direction on where to take it.
Web skills are not required to submit resources. I can accept most formats, with Word or rtf being preferred, and I will need to format any submissions to meet the general site structure anyway. I think that I will need to start a thread with a list of resource material and article requests.
zombocom wrote:
Mephiston wrote:
zombocom wrote:
Frogbear: as the owner and runner of this site, CS created and appointed the netERC.
Really? Not quite how I remember it when it all started on the specialist games forum but my memory must be faulty. Seem to remember the community annointing Nealhunt and he picking his fellow members
, but that is a long time ago.
Have to say I too never really thought CS was a formal part of the netERC, just that they were a willing tenant of his fantastic forum!
The netERC is different to the old ERC from the fanatic days. The netERC was only set up about 2 or 3 years ago here on this site, due largely to the ending of support from GW's end and the closure of the specialist games site and fanatic articles.
Nealhunt was a member of the old ERC too, and the netERC was appointed around him by CS as an attempt to rejuvenate epic by creating netEA.
Do not look behind the curtain!!!
A brief history and explanation, as I think that it is important that people know the various roles to enhance understanding and trust in the system.
In the beginning, the SG was created, and it was good. Jervis appointed an ERC (Epic Rules Committee) consisting of three prominant players and members. This site predated the SG site, and while official work was moved to the SG boards to complete the first phase of army lists (IG, Marines, Orks, Eldar) the other lists were given a home here, under Jervis' approval, to allow development to go on in preparation to them being 'loaded' for official publication.
When SG was dropped, it was felt that the system worked well enough, and that it should be resurected. Therefore, the NetERC was implemented here. As admin here, it is necessary that I administrate this process (giving ACs mod permission on development boards, setting up discussion groups, etc). However, I dont have the time or knowledge to be a NetERC member, or playtesting resources. Before the end of SG, two of the ERC had become less active, while Neal had been a lead figure both on the SG site and here, and had become the 'de facto' Epic co-ordinator. I chatted with him, and we came up a short list of potential NetERC members, and nominations and opinions were put to the community here. From this process, the NetERC as it has been, emerged.
I see my role as facilitator. I am not here to make Epic decisions (I have not and will not directly shape the game more than any other player/AC here), but to make it as easy as possible for the NetERC and the ACs to do what they need to do. I see the limit of my involvement as keeping the NetERC running, on the basis that we all want the game to grow and develop. Discussions about the rules, armies, and even ACs are left to the NetERC. If all else fails, I will be the last one standing at this site - as I have to be here to keep it running
- and therefore I will be able to pick up any pieces as required.
In other news.... I do feel that it is time that we, as a community, took more ownership of the game. In the past, I admit that I have been a little slow to pick up responsibility, partially because I hoped that GW would do so, and partically because I dont want new players and players who are not members here to get confused by the status of the game. However, it is now undeniable that if someone doesnt pick it up, it will die, and GW arent interested.
