I agree. If nobody objects, I suggest DwarfLord make this change.DwarfLord wrote:This is really great work! I have two comments -- a simple one, and one less simple.
The simple comment -- I would suggest using the word "avatar" instead of "icon" when referring to the hard-hat image representing an editor on the WME map. "Icon" is not wrong but "avatar" specifically means an image that represents a person. This could help reduce confusion because there are other icons (like the Rank Cone for example) but only one avatar.
This is a good topic to consider. I have seen discussion elsewhere about this (in fleeting chat areas!) so others are concerned too. These issues you point out are inevitable with addition of WME Chat. I think some people are drawn to interact there due to style while others are not, so not everyone is going to do these things. All we can do is post process or etiquette that these things happen and to beware of them. Via my last edit/addition in "disadvantages" from my post above, I think we're starting to address this. I will enter something based upon your ideas above and you can all look at it and edit as needed. I added it to the Etiquette section because that seemed most relevant. Her is what I added:DwarfLord wrote:The less simple comment involves an aspect of the WME chat I didn't see discussed clearly: I worry that the chat "steals fire" from the forums, in two ways.
First, it sometimes appears that many newer editors see the chat as an easier alternative to searching the forums (not to mention the wikis). If there are other editors present who are happy to help, no problem. But if the questioner receives a frosty response or no response at all, having had the bad luck to be the 1,536th person to ask why his editing points aren't updating, the unmet expectation of cheery help could lead to hard feelings. Should it be stated (in red boldface perhaps!) that the chat is not a substitute for searching the forums and wikis?
Second, if a junior editor wants to do something odd or questionable and has found one or two more senior editors who agree with his/her plan, it's hard to resist the temptation to forge ahead without any mention in the forums. Since the chats themselves are not saved, much less archived where they are visible to all, that leaves no record of the plan or the thought process for other editors (both present and future) to learn from. I am not sure how to address this, but it worries me.
That being said, again, this is great stuff, thanks for the good work.
- The rapid-pace, real-time nature of WME Chat may sometimes cause those few participating there to make decisions on specific edits and editing policy that are not shared or socialized with others as they normally would be in the Forum and Wiki. There is no record of WME Chat available to the general editor population. While this can be good to make things move fast, it can also lead to conflict with others who may feel a need to know about what you've done or decided.
- Each time something significant occurs in WME Chat that could breach Wiki or Forum Etiquette, make sure to follow up later by posting in the Forum, suggesting a change to the Wiki, or sending Private Messages (PMs) to other editors that may have interest.
Re: [New Page] WME Chat