I would've announced this earlier, but my internet went down for about 2 days. It seems like I've missed a lot...so I'll be around catching up on all the events. I left and everything was peaceful and quiet...and then when I come back I hear I missed some things. Oh dear.
But anyways, let gets on to the announcement, which I'm sure many of you are already aware of or have some idea at least.
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As many of you know, there has been much discussion about ways to change and improve the Foundry and its workings. Coleman and I have been listening and discussing and we've got a few announcements to make. This really shouldn't be too much of a surprise.
To better keep maps moving through the Foundry we've decided to add two more additonal C.A.'s. Along with these additions, the workload will also be split up into certain "Departments" (for lack of a better word). Each Dept. will have a respective C.A. who oversees the area. This will be explained in more detail below.
But first I'd like you all to welcome Gimil and Oaktown, new Cartography Assistants in the Foundry. Coleman will also continue his C.A. post as before.
Now in regards to the workload as mentioned earlier, each C.A. has specific roles they are in charge of in the Foundry.
- Coleman will continue to be the Early Development/XML C.A.. Coleman will be in charge of the Map Ideas essentially (as before), and will also be in charge of making sure the final XML is in proper and working order. Of course all C.A.'s will share a number of duties, mostly general moderation (I.E. Keeping order, poll removal, moving threads, keeping the Dev. Atlas up-to-date, etc).
Gimil will be the Graphics C.A. (This includes any REVAMPs or map TOUCH-UPs). Gimil's main focus as a C.A. will be REVAMPs and map TOUCH-UPs. In addition to this, he will also ensure that all 'Active Maps' are up to the current graphical standards of the Foundry (this will most likely be expanded upon by him later). Gimil will also share the above mentioned general moderation duties.
Oaktown will be the Game Play C.A.. Oaktown's main focus as a C.A. will be ensuring that all 'Active Maps' have game play that is balanced and not faulty or broken (this will most likely be expanded upon by him later). Oaktown will also share the above mentioned general moderation duties.
Me -- And of course I'll remain around to do a little bit of everything and make sure the Foundry is working, and to push the Final Buttons.
In addition to Gimil and Oaktown becoming C.A.'s, the Foundry team will start to use 'Stamps' to denote when a map has reached appropriate certifcation for something. I long ago wanted to do something like this, but had no means to create beautiful stamps so I just used words (and basically we're just switching from a word system to a graphic system for clarity and fun:)). Many thanks to Oaktown for helping expand upon an original idea, and Gimil for providing the graphics. The stamps are pretty self-explanatory, and will be given out by the respective C.A.'s once a map has reached the specified stage/certification.
**Please note that receiving a STAMP does NOT mean that you cleared from making any changes if something comes up.**
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Sound good everyone? Lets get back to making maps. Lets all place, and remember to smile and eat a banana.
--Andy
Ireland is the greatest country on the planet
