MelodicVoid Interview

FlamingoToday at 11:11 AM
For the record, will you state your Ckey for me?
Indeed.

PostyToday at 11:11 AM
MelodicVoid

FlamingoToday at 11:12 AM
Excellent. The interview will consist of two parts.
The first part is a series of scenario questions. They’ll offer you a couple of common issues you might run into on server and you’ll walk me through how you’d handle them.
The second part is a number of personal questions related to your time on server.

PostyToday at 11:14 AM
Okay. Sounds good to me

FlamingoToday at 11:22 AM
Apologies my internet died.

PostyToday at 11:23 AM
Ah fair, I was about to ask if I didn't receive the message for some reason.

FlamingoToday at 11:25 AM
First I’ll give you a quick list of powers you’ll have on server. For the purposes of the interview we’ll be assuming you’re a fully fledged moderator with all of the powers that entails.

1. The ability to admin-ghost (aghost). It works identically to the ghost command but allows you to re-enter your body on command.
2. Access to Moderator Chat (Msay), which allows you to communicate privately with other moderators and administrators.
3. The ability to open tickets on any player on the server, by ckey. Doing this sends them a private message (bwoink).
4. The ability to wind players, freezing them in place. You can also mute them from various channels from another window (for example of spammers).
5. The ability to kick players with an optional disconnect message. Useful for getting people’s attention or removing people to have them cryo’d.
6. The ability to place notes, which are staff-only messages used to keep tabs on a player.
7. The ability to place warnings, which are able to be seen and acknowledged by players. They can be optionally made “severe”, which makes them expire in 4 months as opposed to the standard 3 months.
8. The ability to ban, with an optional time length and message which is viewable to the banned player. There is also an option to ban by job, for offenses which are specifically related to a job, but when a player is otherwise capable of continuing to play.
9. Access to ingame logs. You have view of Deadchat, ALL Local OOC, Antagonist OOC, and are able to view all ongoing attack logs, as well as some administrative logs (people opening atmospherics valves, etc).
Before I send you the first question do you have any questions about the list of powers?

PostyToday at 11:27 AM
I believe I understand them. Thank you for the offer however.

FlamingoToday at 11:29 AM
Good. First question:

You’re ingame when you see the announcement system say:

“Donald J. Trump, Atmospherics Technician, is inbound from NTCC Odin!”
Oops I forgot to add: what would you like to do?

PostyToday at 11:32 AM
Well that name is not permitted. I would contact the person VIA Ckey and inform them that the chosen name is not permitted. I would then tell them to Cyro and see about getting them respawned without the 20 min delay. it might be something that is needed to be listed as a warning as well. to be sure I could Mchat.
assuming they cooperate.
and its a first time offence

FlamingoToday at 11:34 AM
Administrators can actually rename characters without having to redo ask them.

However, in this case, the character doesn’t respond. They seem to be wandering about the arrivals area, opening an O2 locker and pulling out an emergency toolbox.

PostyToday at 11:36 AM
I send another Ckey message, and Aghost over to LOOC if a response is not heard.

FlamingoToday at 11:37 AM
They don’t seem to be responding. They start shouting:

“I’M GONNA BUILD A WALL!”

As a security officer spots them, an admin help pops up:

“Hey, this guy is shouting he’s gonna build a wall as Donald Trump”

PostyToday at 11:40 AM
I would take the Ahelp and inform the officer that it is being dealt with, but thank you for informing us. I then believe that I should attempt to kick the individual from the round due to no communication. I would also add a warning to the players account stating what they had done  and that they were ignoring my attempts to communicate

FlamingoToday at 11:43 AM
The security officer responds “ok”.

You boot him from the server, however after a short while he pops back up, having reconnected.

PostyToday at 11:43 AM
Is there a chance we was Cyroed? or just SSD in the hallway?
like is this a new character or the same one

FlamingoToday at 11:44 AM
Same one. It takes about 10 minutes for someone to enter cryo.

PostyToday at 11:44 AM
Got you, thank you.

FlamingoToday at 11:44 AM
Kicking then doesn’t actually cryo them. You just can’t cryo someone if they’re connected.

PostyToday at 11:45 AM
Yeah, it would make them SSD.  okay.
Alright then, What I probably should have done before kicking but didnt. I mute and exhaust them, and do another Ckey communication.
I ask them what they would like their name changed to, and if they are ready to be serious.

FlamingoToday at 11:47 AM
Sure. It takes them a moment, but they finally respond: “wtf do u want?? cant u see im rping??!”

PostyToday at 11:49 AM
I respond "This is not the quality of Roleplay we use on this server, if you wish to roleplay  a made up character I will be more then happy to get your name changed to something suitable for the server rules."

FlamingoToday at 11:51 AM
He responds: “fine rename me to hannibal lecter and let me get back to it”

PostyToday at 11:53 AM
I respond "The name has to be something that is not notable from any famous character. Sorry I was unclear before."

FlamingoToday at 11:53 AM
He responds: “y r u losers so fkn serious all the time just let me rp?!”

PostyToday at 11:54 AM
I respond "this is a Serious Roleplay server, Of course we are serious. Now please choose a name that is appropriate and not notable . "

FlamingoToday at 11:55 AM
With that, he just disconnects, apparently not interested in continuing.

PostyToday at 11:55 AM
I put his body into Cyro IC.

FlamingoToday at 11:56 AM
Excellent. Anything else or are you ready for the next question?

PostyToday at 11:56 AM
I do have one question, SHould I have exhausted and muted before kicking?
I feel like I made the wrong choice up there

FlamingoToday at 11:57 AM
It’s generally up to the moderator. Depends on the situation, really.
I usually kick when people fail to respond, and wind when they are causing trouble.

PostyToday at 11:58 AM
I found it sort of obvious he wasn't there to RP properly.

FlamingoToday at 11:58 AM
A lot of people will respond when winded if they weren’t already.

PostyToday at 11:58 AM
Fair, thank you. No further questions your honor.
sits

FlamingoToday at 12:01 PM
Excellent. On to the next question:

You’re hanging out alone on server, in the lobby when you see a flood of attack logs. You observe and hop over to see a miner in a combat rig shooting at a team of mercenaries, and he’s winning. The miner is armed with some pretty serious firepower, including a laser rifle and automatic pistol. Seconds later you get two ahelps from the mercenaries “wtf this guy is powergaming” What do you do?

PostyToday at 12:02 PM
I check to see if the miner is Antag or not
im not sure if traitor plus merc is a thing, I think ive seen it before

FlamingoToday at 12:04 PM
(It is, though I forget the name of the game mode). In this case the miner is not an antag. He’s currently downed two of the mercenaries, who are completely dead. Another is injured and retreating, and the last is only lightly injured and fighting back.

PostyToday at 12:05 PM
I attempt to stop the fighting and pause the situation
By say Ckeying the miner to stop
I also respond to the Merc Ahelps and inform them I am on i t

FlamingoToday at 12:06 PM
He responds “what? im winning though”

PostyToday at 12:07 PM
I reply "There is no way a single miner could take on all of these highly trained mercenaries. Cease the hostilities and tell me where you got that equipment."

FlamingoToday at 12:10 PM
He backs off and the mercs retreat. He responds “i found the rig in a crate in space and i ordered the guns from cargo when i heard there were bad guys”

PostyToday at 12:10 PM
I respond "How did you gain access to the shipping computer? only Cargo techs should have access."

FlamingoToday at 12:11 PM
He responds “the ai helped me”

PostyToday at 12:11 PM
I Ckey the AI "Did you process an order for weapons for the miner?"

FlamingoToday at 12:12 PM
the ai responds “Yeah”

PostyToday at 12:12 PM
I respond to the AI "thank you. Ill be in touch."
I send a Ckey to the miner "Does your character have proper training to use those rifles and combat suit?"
while waiting for a response I check the charter skills and employment record (If I can).

FlamingoToday at 12:13 PM
he responds “well im a miner so i know how to use rigs and i use ka’s all the time and its basically a gun”
You can. Their skills are unset and their records are blank.

PostyToday at 12:14 PM
Thank you.
I respond to the miner "A miner is tough yes, but a KA and a gun are not too similar. someone who just picks up a rifle wont be able to take down 3 highly trained mercenaries, even if they know how to use a KA, let alone risk their life to take on highly trained mercenaries, if you were a officer it would be believable. I am going to have to ask you to put the weapon away. You can keep the combat suit."
I Msay and ask if anything should be done about the AI who permitted the ordering of weapons, I believe that giving weapons to a untrained crew member would conflict with the keeping crew from harm law.

FlamingoToday at 12:18 PM
Unfortunately you’re alone at the time.

PostyToday at 12:18 PM
Ah yes, sorry I forgot

FlamingoToday at 12:19 PM
The miner responds “ok” and throws the gun onto a table before running off from the mercenaries.

PostyToday at 12:19 PM
I ckey the miner "I will be adding a warning to your account for Powergaming, please remember to act the way your character would if you were them and not as a player of the character, don't worry it will disappear after a little time.".
(Can I revive anyone?)

FlamingoToday at 12:22 PM
he responds “ok” again.

You can’t revive people unfortunately. An administrator can. In this situation you’d make a call on whether it’s necessary or not and then message staff chat that you need admin assistance.

PostyToday at 12:22 PM
but I am alone

FlamingoToday at 12:22 PM
Staff chat meaning the discord
Usually used to call for backup

PostyToday at 12:22 PM
so, I check to see if the AI is Antag or not.

FlamingoToday at 12:22 PM
They’re not

PostyToday at 12:23 PM
Ah, okay I use staff chat to ask a admin if they believe a revival would be right in the situation and if they can do it.

FlamingoToday at 12:23 PM
An admin says they’ll come on in a little bit and look over it.

PostyToday at 12:25 PM
I ckey the AI and say "Okay, sorry for the delay. I just wanted to let you know that crew members with no security back ground or training should not be permitted to order weapons. I wont be issuing a warning but read over the corporate regulations, an AI should follow it roughly ."
and to wrap up I tell the Mercs that the miner has been delt with.

FlamingoToday at 12:25 PM
The AI responds “ok sounds good sorry”
Anything else you’d like to do with this scenario?

PostyToday at 12:27 PM
Other then check in and advice the admin when they get on. I think that probably covers it
and if I missed something please let me know, better to learn after all.
Unless I should despawn the gun or something..

FlamingoToday at 12:30 PM
Cool. Some helpful advice is to always question people for all of the facts. For example if I were handling this ticket I’d ask the ai why they helped the miner, then make a determination as to what course you want to take. I’d also recommend placing a note (at least) for any significant staff interaction. You don’t need one if they did nothing wrong but it’s good to have a record. Also you can check people’s notes to see their ‘record’.

PostyToday at 12:30 PM
Got it, Place a note. and ask why, Thank you
That does make sense.
and I should have checked if the miner had a history I suppose.

FlamingoToday at 12:31 PM
Just good to have a record. For example if you have to poke someone about a bad name, you note it so the next guy knows they were already spoken to about it.
That way repeat offenses can be escalated accordingly

PostyToday at 12:31 PM
Makes sense.

FlamingoToday at 12:31 PM
Let’s move on to the second portion of the interview. The personal questions.

PostyToday at 12:32 PM
sure

FlamingoToday at 12:34 PM
If you could change one thing on the server, whether it be policy, rules, or otherwise, what would it be?

PostyToday at 12:35 PM
I would fix the nymph lunch boxes
That was a joke

FlamingoToday at 12:35 PM
Don’t you like rainbows?

PostyToday at 12:35 PM
I do.. by I like Nymphs better!
they are like tree kitties

FlamingoToday at 12:36 PM
(For the record, you can spawn with a nymph lunchbox if you reset it every time you spawn in!)

PostyToday at 12:37 PM
I find the way the server is running o be relatively efficient. I think some new game modes might be fun however. I find Auto traitor gets picked too much, it has the highest chance.
You could spin something like Vamps and Changelings spawn like Heist, but are given some DNA and Blood. they then both fight over the "Hunting Grounds"
do I need to list some more ideas? I know its probably not exactly the answer you were after. I find the policies in place to be good enough if enforced properly.

FlamingoToday at 12:40 PM
A good response. More variety is always good for server health. Perhaps the suggestion forum for that one. Sounds interesting.

Another question: You’ve been around for some time now. How has your perspective shifted since you became more acquainted with the server and it’s community?
Nope that’s just fine.
They’re open ended. You can answer however you like.

PostyToday at 12:44 PM
When I first joined I was like a lost puppy, I literally got locked in maint on surface looking for elevators. Spent ten mins in there before I ahelped because I didn't know how to comms or anything. as time grew it was a huge experience learning new things and controls, but mostly RP.. I hadn't RPed much before the server. I became more attached to the community, learning regulars and character personalities of other players.  I find the Aurora a good place to waste your life away.
I started off very skeptical about the entire situation, having only done CWRP on Gmod

FlamingoToday at 12:46 PM
Excellent. A more personal question this time around.

A couple of months ago you were spoken to about a gank situation where you threw an EMP grenade at an IPC after running into the room with them. How do you view that event looking back and how have you changed since then?

PostyToday at 12:49 PM
That entire event was a gimmick gone wrong, I was trying to kidnap the IPC but sec came out of no where guns pointed so I panicked. I have changed the way I antag quite a bit since then. I have focused more on RP approaches as well as not attacking in the open. I understand that could have ruined the round for the IPC if  it killed them. I wouldn't attempt something like that now, If I have guns pointed at me I'm not going to be stupid and toss a grenade as my character doesn't want to be hurt, especially when at most its jail time of about 15.
so I guess the best explanation is I take a more RP approach to Antaging now
and try to make the round fun, Not impulsive.

FlamingoToday at 12:51 PM
Excellent. Just a couple more.

How do you feel staff as a whole could improve?

Don’t be shy, you won’t lose points for answers here.

PostyToday at 12:52 PM
I personally haven't found any real issues with staff. you can tell when someone is a new staff member and I respect that its a learning curve, If I don't agree with what they say due to them being new then that's okay. with time they will improve. That's my personal interaction with staff
Although what your doing now and improving numbers is super helpful, ive waited entire rounds witha  open Ahelp
OH! and responding to my situational reports would be nice, haha.

FlamingoToday at 12:54 PM
Cool. This one also somewhat serves as a heads up:

As a member of the moderation team, you’ll sometimes be put in uncomfortable situations where you may have to speak to or even punish people you consider to be friends. In some cases it can even lead to friendships deteriorating. Is this something you’d be able to handle if your trial is accepted?
Ah yes.
That’s CCIA’s job.
Though sometimes admins will help out.

PostyToday at 12:55 PM
ah, you have to apply to be CCIA

FlamingoToday at 12:56 PM
Also as a note, we know that people are uncomfortable dealing with friends. It’s okay to take a step back and let someone else handle a ticket which may make you uncomfortable or which you might be involved in. Sometimes there’s no choice however.

PostyToday at 12:56 PM
and I am okay with that. I would hope in time they would understand. but as a moderator I am a mediator. I can't be biased in any way.

FlamingoToday at 12:56 PM
Cool. Final question:
Are you comfortable with this being posted on the forums?

PostyToday at 12:57 PM
Of course. Can I ask some questions?