What keeps you coming back? What keeps you away? What would you like to see?

[Ishmayl-Retired]

I was originally going to find a way to post this as a poll, but there are simply too many scenarios and possibilities.  So instead, I'm opening up for discussion.  However, I want to preface with a few things.

Currently, I'm feeling a lot of lag around the site, both in terms of the amount of activity on the site from the fine patrons (you guys), as well as the amount of time I personally am willing to put into the site.  It seems that there are a lot of people with ideas on this site, but those people rarely follow through and turn those ideas into realities.  

For instance, for months, there were discussions about bringing back the Campaign Setting Showcase.  The Opal Council decided not to for the longest time, because of the lack of participation in it the previous time.  Then, we came up with a way to make the Showcase interesting, exciting, and worthwhile.  We posted, I left the news up for almost a month (total), and we got a total of five submissions.  Now, we're going to go ahead and move on with those, and hopefully more will come along, but I can't help but think that there are a few more people on the site who clamored for the revivification of Showcase.

For another instance, there are the monthly contests.  Contest participation is pretty low around here, and when I ask why, I got specific reasons.  When I tried to change the contests to be more accommodating, there was still no participation.  In the last contest, there were complaints and statements to the effect of, "I'm not touching this contest," but when I asked why, I got absolutely no response.  When you're willing to complain about something, but then not willing to back it up and explain why, it makes it really hard for me to put the effort into fixing things.

Right now, I and brainface, as well as a few secret volunteers around the site, are working on getting the CBG 2.0 up and running.  We've been needing to upgrade for way too long, and we're almost there, and personally, I believe things are going to be better than ever.  However, I am a bit concerned that once the change is made, there will be yet more complaints without any sort of support to help fix the problems.

This is where you guys come in.  I'm posting this not for my benefit (solely), but for yours.  I'm trying to make the site something that everyone here will enjoy, not just the 10 people or so who are actually regularly posting nowadays.  You guys can have a part in the future of this site, if you choose.  If you answer these questions, then I will be taking into account anything you say, positive or negative, to help make the site better.  However, if you don't like where the site is currently heading, or if you find yourself getting bored with the site, but still don't answer these questions, then there's nothing I can do about it.  

These questions are not all-inclusive to what is important around here, feel free to expand as you will.

*What is the most important aspect of this site that keeps you coming back?

*What is the most unique feature of this site?

*What is the most interesting conversation you've ever had on this site?

*What has been your favorite contest or event on this site?

*How have you benefited the site since you became a member?

*How many times have you participated in a unique CBG feature (Showcase, the Guide, CeBeGia, etc)?  How did you contribute?

*If you have never contributed to a unique CBG feature, is there a particular reason why?

*Have you ever said you were going to contribute in some way to the Guide, CeBeGia, or Showcase, and then never followed through?

*As a best guess, what percentage of your posts do you believe is asking for help on your personal campaign setting?

*As a best guess, what percentage of your posts do you believe is helping other CBGers with their personal campaign setting?

*Do you visit the other Alliance sites (PlotStorming.com, CartographersGuild.com)?

*Do you use another site for most of your campaign setting needs (WotC, gleemax, rpgspaces, eruvian, etc)?

*If so, what features do those sites have that the CBG doesn't have?

*If you were part of the Opal Council, what ideas would you have for making the site more interesting?

*If you were part of the Opal Council, what site features would you do away with or just put aside as unimportant?

*Have you ever had a contest idea that you wish the CBG would do?

*Have you ever had what you thought of as a great conversation starter, and started a new thread only to find no one interested?

*Have you ever been really mad at the site, the Opal Council, or the other members of the CBG, in such a way that you didn't come back for awhile?

*Have you ever gone away from the site for months at a time, then returned to posting normally?

*Have you ever seen any unfair rulings of any sort on the site (threads being moved or removed, moderators stepping in when they shouldn't, etc)?

*If you could pick one thing on the site that should be expanded on and made more important, what would it be?

*What do you think of the look of the site?[/list]

That's all I have.  If you answer even some of these questions for me, you can help out a lot.  If you have other questions you think should be listed that I forgot about, just send me a PM and I'll include them.  You can email me your answers if you want to keep it personal (fallen_ishmayl{at}yahoo{dot}com), or you can just post here.  There will be no hard feelings.

I hope to hear from some of you guys.

Cheers!
-Ish
[/size]

[Lmns Crn]

Oh man. The tough questions.

Answers are spoilered, because they are loooong. [spoiler=Would you like to take a survey?]

*What is the most important aspect of this site that keeps you coming back?[/list]

so ridiculous[/i] at times. It makes this community comfortable as well as useful.

*What is the most unique feature of this site?[/list]

*What is the most interesting conversation you've ever had on this site?[/list][/quote]

*What has been your favorite contest or event on this site?[/list][/quote]

*How have you benefited the site since you became a member?[/list][/quote]* Comedy answer (arrogant) : "I've graced you all with my majestic presence, haven't I?"
* Comedy answer (self-deprecating) : "Posting. If you can call that a benefit, I mean."
* Serious answer : "I've been around, and I guess I've posted some things and done some reviews here and there. It's weird to try to evaluate your own community contributions in that kind of way (which may put some potential respondents off your survey, really.) I never really did anything particularly significant or altruistic for the site, I don't think."[/list]

*How many times have you participated in a unique CBG feature (Showcase, the Guide, CeBeGia, etc)?  How did you contribute?[/list]

*If you have never contributed to a unique CBG feature, is there a particular reason why?[/list][/quote]

*Have you ever said you were going to contribute in some way to the Guide, CeBeGia, or Showcase, and then never followed through?[/list][/quote]

*As a best guess, what percentage of your posts do you believe is asking for help on your personal campaign setting?

*As a best guess, what percentage of your posts do you believe is helping other CBGers with their personal campaign setting?[/list][/quote]

*Do you visit the other Alliance sites (PlotStorming.com, CartographersGuild.com)?[/list][/quote]

*Do you use another site for most of your campaign setting needs (WotC, gleemax, rpgspaces, eruvian, etc)?[/list][/quote]

*If you were part of the Opal Council, what ideas would you have for making the site more interesting?

*If you were part of the Opal Council, what site features would you do away with or just put aside as unimportant?[/list][/quote]

*Have you ever had a contest idea that you wish the CBG would do?[/list][/quote]

*Have you ever had what you thought of as a great conversation starter, and started a new thread only to find no one interested?[/list][/quote]

*Have you ever been really mad at the site, the Opal Council, or the other members of the CBG, in such a way that you didn't come back for awhile?

*Have you ever gone away from the site for months at a time, then returned to posting normally?[/list][/quote]

*Have you ever seen any unfair rulings of any sort on the site (threads being moved or removed, moderators stepping in when they shouldn't, etc)?[/list][/quote]inaction[/i] when action was required. I suppose I can't remember any examples of moderator intervention at all, which I assume must mean that the people here get along well enough to make that kind of policing unnecessary. (Which is ideal.)

I guess I don't think of the Opal Council as enforcers or regulators of forum behavior, but as people who keep the site up and running and facilitate new projects. Engineers, not police. Which is fine with me.

*If you could pick one thing on the site that should be expanded on and made more important, what would it be?[/list]

*What do you think of the look of the site?[/list][/quote]Though I think it might be slightly improved by a bolder color scheme, maybe with a little more gunmetal grey sort of theme, and perhaps some sort of new logo....[/spoiler][/spoiler]

[Jharviss]

What is the most important aspect of this site that keeps you coming back?
I love this site's community and overall intelligence.  I'm here almost constantly; I'm checking the Tavern, new forum games (the World at Dawn is a breathtaking game that puts all of our good world-building skills into an interactive game, and I think that's marvelous), and any new worlds that pop up.  Every once in a while I even go through and look over a world.  I'm consistently impressed by everyone here.

*What is the most unique feature of this site?
The community and its intelligence.  The CBG would be nothing without the people that form its membership.

*What is the most interesting conversation you've ever had on this site?
I don't know personally, but I really enjoyed looking over the DivSet vs. Ethocentric debates.

*How have you benefited from the site since you became a member?
It's interesting being able to compare and grab ideas and inspiration from other settings.  In a way, the CBG is my muse.

*How many times have you participated in a unique CBG feature (Showcase, the Guide, CeBeGia, etc)?  How did you contribute?
I think I've written one article for the Guide and not sure what happened to it, but otherwise I just watch the projects.  I've been meaning to enter one of the contests, but the deadline keeps escaping me.

*If you have never contributed to a unique CBG feature, is there a particular reason why?
I'm somewhat single-minded, and I find it hard to work on a single aspect of a world that can't be brought into my world without some tweaking.  I have really wanted to participate in some of the contests in the past and I really do just forget.  If a contest came around that gave me something that I could also put in my world, that'd be grand.  On a side-note, I'm not a fan of adventure design.  Oh well!

*Have you ever said you were going to contribute in some way to the Guide, CeBeGia, or Showcase, and then never followed through?
I think I say that I want to participate in about every contest.  I'm still quite excited about the Showcase, but my world is going through huge changes right now (I just cut out dwarves completely out last week, so yes, huge changes), so I didn't feel right about submitting to be showcased when even I don't know what's going on in my world.  I really do plan on critiquing the worlds that become the Showcase.  I read up on a good amount of the worlds and don't say anything about them; with the showcase, I think I'll be able to focus my comments.

*As a best guess, what percentage of your posts do you believe is asking for help on your personal campaign setting?
20% -- I only post stuff on my setting every once in a while, though I admittedly don't post too often.

*As a best guess, what percentage of your posts do you believe is helping other CBGers with their personal campaign setting?
30% -- Honestly, I'm not sure.  This is probably a shot in the dark.

*Do you visit the other Alliance sites (PlotStorming.com, CartographersGuild.com)?
I visit the Cartographers Guild almost as much as the CBG; I love mapping!  They do some amazing work there.  I was frequenting Plotstorming.com, but I lost interest there.  

*Do you use another site for most of your campaign setting needs (WotC, gleemax, rpgspaces, eruvian, etc)?
I have my own site for my setting, which is now a rather defunct site, but otherwise no.  It's the CBG all the way (especially when y'all get those amazing hosting features up!).

*If so, what features do those sites have that the CBG doesn't have?
N/A

*If you were part of the Opal Council, what site features would you do away with or just put aside as unimportant?
None of them.

*Have you ever had what you thought of as a great conversation starter, and started a new thread only to find no one interested?
Nope.  I typically get a pretty good response to anything I post.

*Have you ever been really mad at the site, the Opal Council, or the other members of the CBG, in such a way that you didn't come back for awhile?
Nope.

*Have you ever gone away from the site for months at a time, then returned to posting normally?
I've gone away for up to two weeks at a time, but I can't say I've ever "posted normally."

*Have you ever seen any unfair rulings of any sort on the site (threads being moved or removed, moderators stepping in when they shouldn't, etc)?
Nope.

*If you could pick one thing on the site that should be expanded on and made more important, what would it be?
I'm just waiting for the Showcase and the Hosting.  Those will make me happy.

*What do you think of the look of the site?
I think it looks really good.  It's pretty easy to navigate and I love the front page with the Tavern, news, the poll, and the recent forum posts.  That makes the CBG so easy to use![/list]

[Moniker]

Without detracting entirely too far from the original intent of the topic, I am a newer member here at the CBG. I love coming here, bouncing ideas off of everyone and getting inspiration from fellow world-creators.

However, I see a huge, HUGE disproportionate representation of the settings folks have painstakingly written, unless they're bumped often in the threads. Personally, I'd love to see a blurb written about every setting and have the thread in Homebrews rotate on a daily basis on the front page in a window, preferably at the top of Latest Forum Posts. Raising the visibility of campaign settings to casual visitors by rotating through the settings (perhaps even on a refresh) would be more preferable to me as a newcomer than seeing 1 Campaign Showcase a month.

Why not just cycle through ALL of the campaign settings a day as a Daily Campaign Showcase?

[Matt Larkin (author)]

[spoiler=Answers]
    * What is the most important aspect of this site that keeps you coming back?

Tough one first, huh? I suppose fellowship and community, in a much greater sense than what was ever achieved on WotC boards. I feel like I actually know many of the regular posters, though I haven't met most face to face.

    * What is the most unique feature of this site?

If by unique you mean unique and desirous, I'd say the hosting/wiki availability. If you mean just unusual, I'd say the whole cabbage obsession.

    * What is the most interesting conversation you've ever had on this site?

Maybe Theme Wars?

    * What has been your favorite contest or event on this site?

Favorite contest: gag gift (the only one I entered). Setting Showcase was cool for events (what other events were there?)

    * How have you benefited the site since you became a member?

I'd like to think members benefit from comments on their settings/ideas, though my interest in reviewing settings is less than it used to be.

    * How many times have you participated in a unique CBG feature (Showcase, the Guide, CeBeGia, etc)? How did you contribute?

I tried to review most of the Showcase settings, and contributed to one contest.

    * If you have never contributed to a unique CBG feature, is there a particular reason why?

While I think contests are great ideas for the site, they're not really my thing. I've considered writing for the guide, but never got around to it because of real-life time issues.
The idea of a collectively built world like CeBeGia is nice but not something I'd be interest in.

    * Have you ever said you were going to contribute in some way to the Guide, CeBeGia, or Showcase, and then never followed through?

Not that I recall.

    * As a best guess, what percentage of your posts do you believe is asking for help on your personal campaign setting?

Probably 10%

    * As a best guess, what percentage of your posts do you believe is helping other CBGers with their personal campaign setting?

10-15%?

    * Do you visit the other Alliance sites (PlotStorming.com, CartographersGuild.com)?

I've visited Cartographer's Guild, but not on a regular basis.

    * Do you use another site for most of your campaign setting needs (WotC, gleemax, rpgspaces, eruvian, etc)?

Nope. I have never posted anything about my settings on any other site, other than my personal website (prior to hosting here at the CBG).

    * If so, what features do those sites have that the CBG doesn't have?

I actually switched mainly because the CBG offered PHP support.

    * If you were part of the Opal Council, what ideas would you have for making the site more interesting?

I'd have to spend a lot more time thinking on it than I can right this second, but it seems like the CBG 2.0 is going to be very exciting.

One thing that might be neat is to feature a gaming resource or product every couple of weeks. This seemed like something we tried with the Post, but it didn't get off the ground. But we could get people to talk about favorite Indy RPGs, helpful books, and the like.

    * If you were part of the Opal Council, what site features would you do away with or just put aside as unimportant?

I might consider breaking PbP into some kind of separate wing rather than part of the core site. Something like what little I've read of "game table" for WotC.

    * Have you ever had a contest idea that you wish the CBG would do?

No.

    * Have you ever had what you thought of as a great conversation starter, and started a new thread only to find no one interested?

On occasion, though I'd say it more often that merely it gets a minor response and dies, than doesn't get any response.

    * Have you ever been really mad at the site, the Opal Council, or the other members of the CBG, in such a way that you didn't come back for awhile?

No. The only time I don't come around at least every few days for a peek is when I'm traveling.

    * Have you ever gone away from the site for months at a time, then returned to posting normally?

Only when traveling, and the longest was for a month (though I've got another coming up).

    * Have you ever seen any unfair rulings of any sort on the site (threads being moved or removed, moderators stepping in when they shouldn't, etc)?

No. Mods are very lenient here, and most posters adhere pretty close to the CoC.

    * If you could pick one thing on the site that should be expanded on and made more important, what would it be?

I'm very much looking forward to the expanded Wiki project.

    * What do you think of the look of the site?

Weren't we supposed to have changing themes sometimes? Like a winter theme, or a Halloween border or something? That'd be cool once in a while.
[/spoiler]

@Ish,
In response to the Campaign Setting Showcase lacking entries, I would say I do intend to submit Kishar, just not right away. I have to leave for a month mid-November and won't be back until late December, which makes featuring my setting in the first two months impractical. It is also for this reason I couldn't offer to help with editing submissions, though I might have liked to do so.

[Matt Larkin (author)]

Actually, Ish, I have another idea for the site I'll sound off, and that is allowing CBG settings to become "signature settings" (probably needs a better name).

When a setting (such as Jade Stage or Dystopia) continues to grow, it reaches a kind of critical mass. Everyone that's been around for a while has heard of the setting, even if not everyone has read it.

This would not be for settings in the planning stages, though they could still be undergoing updates and revisions.

Instead of being scattered around the forums, hosting, and so forth, it'd be kind of cool if everything for these sites could be collected into a mini-site.

For example, a link on a side bar for Jade Stage, you could click on. Then you could see all the Jade Stage PbP games, the hosted site, all the threads, collected in one place.

If there were several, the most recently updated setting could get bumped to the top, like the forums work now.

Anyway, this idea is just in the brainstorming stage, but I've often wished that these critical settings could each have their own section and link. Whereas the regular forums would still be for developing/brainstorming settings, as well as everything in Dragons Den, Crossroads, Elements & Design, etc.

[Darkxarth]

*What is the most important aspect of this site that keeps you coming back? The people. I enjoy listening (or watching technically) ElDo, Ishy, LC, and others argue and discuss everything from RPG Magic to MEAT.  You guys are smart and amusing and always have good insights.

*What is the most unique feature of this site?  I'm gonna go with the Tavern.  I know, other places have shoutboxes, but The Tavern is by far the best of all of them!  I don't know why.  Maybe it's because it's on the front page, easily seen.  Maybe because you can open it full screen and trail back weeks and weeks into chat.  Maybe because people actually use it here.

*What is the most interesting conversation you've ever had on this site?  Hmm... I've indulged in discussions of meat, cabbages, superheroes, anthropomorphic turtles, webcomics, ninjas, pirates, robots, zombies, wizards, movies, books, music, teh intarweb, etc., ad nauseum.  I can't really pick a favorite conversation...

*What has been your favorite contest or event on this site?  I've like most of the contests, but my favorite would be the only one (I thinK) I managed so submit an entry for.  The Inn/Tavern one.  I didn't win, but I had fun posting and reading others' posts.

*How have you benefited the site since you became a member? I've gotten assistance on world building, campaign building, adventure buildign, race building, class building, and character building.  I've gotten (and given) advice on DMing, roleplaying, romance, school, writing, cooking, and more.  I've heard stories and jokes, gotten links to great websites, and been made a part of this community.  Yeah, I'd say I benefited.

EDIT: Benefited the site, not benefited from the site... er.... Probably not much, though I did come up with our unofficial Welcome Song!

*How many times have you participated in a unique CBG feature (Showcase, the Guide, CeBeGia, etc)?  How did you contribute?  I entered one Contest, but haven't really been much help otherwise.

*If you have never contributed to a unique CBG feature, is there a particular reason why? Well, I always want to submit something for the guide, but I don't feel I've got the follow-through to make something submittable.

*Have you ever said you were going to contribute in some way to the Guide, CeBeGia, or Showcase, and then never followed through? I've never promised something like that, no.

*As a best guess, what percentage of your posts do you believe is asking for help on your personal campaign setting? 15%

*As a best guess, what percentage of your posts do you believe is helping other CBGers with their personal campaign setting? 10%

*Do you visit the other Alliance sites (PlotStorming.com, CartographersGuild.com)? I've been to PlotStorming once or twice, but don't have the initiative to submit something myself or comment on someone else's work.

*Do you use another site for most of your campaign setting needs (WotC, gleemax, rpgspaces, eruvian, etc)?  I haven't been to Wizards in months, but I do post at Giantitp.com occasionally.  They've got a pretty decent Game forum, and I don't want to feel like I'm doing nothing but asking for help here.

*If so, what features do those sites have that the CBG doesn't have? Nothing, just more members.

*If you were part of the Opal Council, what ideas would you have for making the site more interesting?  Hmm... I got nothing.

*If you were part of the Opal Council, what site features would you do away with or just put aside as unimportant? I don't use the Wiki or Hosting, but plenty of people do.  Other than that, I've got nothing again.

*Have you ever had a contest idea that you wish the CBG would do?  Well, I enjoy creating magic items and unique NPCs, but those don't generally work well as cross-alliance contests.

*Have you ever had what you thought of as a great conversation starter, and started a new thread only to find no one interested?  Hmm... not really.  I try to start threads only if I've got something that I'm sure will get someone's attention.

*Have you ever been really mad at the site, the Opal Council, or the other members of the CBG, in such a way that you didn't come back for awhile? Nope.  I did take a hiatus, but only because I was trying to stay away from excessive internet use.

*Have you ever gone away from the site for months at a time, then returned to posting normally?  Yes, at least I think I'm back to posting normally.  For me anyway.

*Have you ever seen any unfair rulings of any sort on the site (threads being moved or removed, moderators stepping in when they shouldn't, etc)?  I've never experienced any problems with mods or admins doing something like that, no.

*If you could pick one thing on the site that should be expanded on and made more important, what would it be?  I'd have to say we need an obvious section on the front page that explains cabbages.  Maybe a big link near the top that says "Wonder what the deal with cabbages is?  Click here."  And leads to the FAQ section on cabbages.  Also, on a more serious note, I think (if it is at all possible) emails might be sent out to accounts to ask for submissions on the CBGuide, or Contests.  Some people might find this a little annoying, but it would probably help me.

*What do you think of the look of the site? Well, I love the Tavern on the front page, and the main page in general.  But I think maybe the Forums tab could use some tweaking.  I don't know if this would be possible but it would be more visually appealing to me to have the forums tab open to a list of the forums, instead of sub-forums.  Example:
1. Forums Tab
A. Campaign Creation
B. Community Projects
C. Everything Else (For Now)
You could click A, B, or C, and then be directed to that forum's subforums, maybe saying which topic is most recent in each subforum?  This is all purely visual, and would probably take more work than it's worth, but that's just my thought.[/list]

[Eclipse]

Like LC, spoiled because of size:

[spoiler]

What is the most important aspect of this site that keeps you coming back?

What is the most unique feature of this site?[/quote]What is the most interesting conversation you've ever had on this site?[/quote]What has been your favorite contest or event on this site?[/quote]How have you benefited the site since you became a member?[/quote]How many times have you participated in a unique CBG feature (Showcase, the Guide, CeBeGia, etc)? How did you contribute?[/quote]If you have never contributed to a unique CBG feature, is there a particular reason why?[/quote]Have you ever said you were going to contribute in some way to the Guide, CeBeGia, or Showcase, and then never followed through?[/quote]As a best guess, what percentage of your posts do you believe is asking for help on your personal campaign setting?[/quote]As a best guess, what percentage of your posts do you believe is helping other CBGers with their personal campaign setting?[/quote]Do you visit the other Alliance sites (PlotStorming.com, CartographersGuild.com)?[/quote]Do you use another site for most of your campaign setting needs (WotC, gleemax, rpgspaces, eruvian, etc)?

If so, what features do those sites have that the CBG doesn't have?[/quote]If you were part of the Opal Council, what ideas would you have for making the site more interesting?

If you were part of the Opal Council, what site features would you do away with or just put aside as unimportant?[/quote]Have you ever had a contest idea that you wish the CBG would do?[/quote]Have you ever had what you thought of as a great conversation starter, and started a new thread only to find no one interested?[/quote]Have you ever been really mad at the site, the Opal Council, or the other members of the CBG, in such a way that you didn't come back for awhile?[/quote]Have you ever gone away from the site for months at a time, then returned to posting normally?[/quote]Have you ever seen any unfair rulings of any sort on the site (threads being moved or removed, moderators stepping in when they shouldn't, etc)?[/quote]If you could pick one thing on the site that should be expanded on and made more important, what would it be?[/quote]What do you think of the look of the site?

I like it. It's highly intuitive and easy to use, and the color scheme is interesting without being eye-bleeding. (Orange and blue sights drive me crazy, as do any with a black background)[/spoiler]

[Poseptune]

*What is the most important aspect of this site that keeps you coming back?

The friendly community. Arguments here are kept civil, the atmosphere is friendly.

*What is the most unique feature of this site?

The Tavern

*What is the most interesting conversation you've ever had on this site?

I think Xathan's random think tank conversations.

*What has been your favorite contest or event on this site?

What is this creature.

*How have you benefited the site since you became a member?

I started and got help on a setting I never knew I wanted to make. I originally came here strictly to play in Raelifin's PbP.

*How many times have you participated in a unique CBG feature (Showcase, the Guide, CeBeGia, etc)?  How did you contribute?

Showcase = Once maybe twice.
The Guide = Never on my own only as part of helping someone else.
Cebegia = Too Numerous to count. I am still watching Cebegia, so if anyone has something they want to ask or discuss. I'm still here for it.

*Have you ever said you were going to contribute in some way to the Guide, CeBeGia, or Showcase, and then never followed through?

Yes... but ElDo would never review the article. It's not my fault!(except for some of the Showcases those were my fault)

*As a best guess, what percentage of your posts do you believe is asking for help on your personal campaign setting?

35% (That may be high too, I don't like asking for help, but I have)

*As a best guess, what percentage of your posts do you believe is helping other CBGers with their personal campaign setting?

45%

The rest are silly posts, Cebegia or helping people with bbcode.

*Do you visit the other Alliance sites (PlotStorming.com, CartographersGuild.com)?

Plotstorming: No, I'm not much of a writer.

Cartographer's Guild: Quite a few times, but never resgistered.

*Do you use another site for most of your campaign setting needs (WotC, gleemax, rpgspaces, eruvian, etc)?

Once, but that was to ask about a race and it's balance (something that was only partially answered here)

*If so, what features do those sites have that the CBG doesn't have?

Termites (or so I've heard)

*If you were part of the Opal Council, what ideas would you have for making the site more interesting?

Daily floggings and keelhaulings.

*If you were part of the Opal Council, what site features would you do away with or just put aside as unimportant?

I duhnno

*Have you ever had a contest idea that you wish the CBG would do?

Ideas aren't really hitting nowadays, so no.

*Have you ever had what you thought of as a great conversation starter, and started a new thread only to find no one interested?

No, but I don't start many threads.

*Have you ever been really mad at the site, the Opal Council, or the other members of the CBG, in such a way that you didn't come back for awhile?

Nope

*Have you ever gone away from the site for months at a time, then returned to posting normally?

Nope

*Have you ever seen any unfair rulings of any sort on the site (threads being moved or removed, moderators stepping in when they shouldn't, etc)?

Nope

*If you could pick one thing on the site that should be expanded on and made more important, what would it be?

I duhnno

*What do you think of the look of the site?

I like it. It's simple.

[Stargate525]

What is the most important aspect of this site that keeps you coming back?
I love the community. Everyone here is very friendly, and the joking atmosphere is something that I've not been able to find on other forums. The fact that I can expect intelligent, thoughtful critique, rather than 'omg 3lves should PNZ!!!one11!' is a nice plus too.

*What is the most unique feature of this site?
I'm gonna have to say the tags, to be honest. I haven't found anything near as cool as the tag setup we've got here, especially the table and class lists.

*What is the most interesting conversation you've ever had on this site?
Oh jeez... too many to recall.

*How have you benefited from the site since you became a member?
Steal... er... BORROWING others ideas and adapting them to my setting, as well as being able to have a public place to store my setting without worrying about theft *cough* WIZARDS *cough*

*How many times have you participated in a unique CBG feature (Showcase, the Guide, CeBeGia, etc)?  How did you contribute?
I've written articles for the guide (need to finish them, actually), and won every contest I've participated in.

*If you have never contributed to a unique CBG feature, is there a particular reason why?
The contests were fun, and the guide allowed me to keep my writing muscles keen over the summer.

*Have you ever said you were going to contribute in some way to the Guide, CeBeGia, or Showcase, and then never followed through?
Border Patrol, part 5.

*As a best guess, what percentage of your posts do you believe is asking for help on your personal campaign setting?
<10%, I don't solicit aid for my setting that often; most of my posts are to build on my setting, not ask for help with it.

*As a best guess, what percentage of your posts do you believe is helping other CBGers with their personal campaign setting?
10-30%, Like Jharviss, I really am not sure.

*Do you visit the other Alliance sites (PlotStorming.com, CartographersGuild.com)?
The cartographer's guild occasionally, but only for how-to guides or for reference.

*Do you use another site for most of your campaign setting needs (WotC, gleemax, rpgspaces, eruvian, etc)?
UGH. Go CABBAGES!

*If so, what features do those sites have that the CBG doesn't have?
N/A

*If you were part of the Opal Council, what site features would you do away with or just put aside as unimportant?
nothing. I'd add more!

*Have you ever had what you thought of as a great conversation starter, and started a new thread only to find no one interested?
Not really. But then again, I don't start many threads.

*Have you ever been really mad at the site, the Opal Council, or the other members of the CBG, in such a way that you didn't come back for awhile?
Nope.

*Have you ever gone away from the site for months at a time, then returned to posting normally?
Nope. The longest I've been away was three weeks, becuase I had no computer access.

*Have you ever seen any unfair rulings of any sort on the site (threads being moved or removed, moderators stepping in when they shouldn't, etc)?
Nope.

*If you could pick one thing on the site that should be expanded on and made more important, what would it be?
The Settings. I almost wish there was... I'd describe it like a lazy susan of settings, that I could browse through and pluck out when I wanted to reveiw them.

*What do you think of the look of the site?
Bloody sweet! I'm a little bit disillusioned at the recent posts block, becuase I hardly ever use anything else to navigate the forums![/list]


One comment on the contests. I've decided not to enter another contest here until I receive the prize for the last one that I won. The prizes are, for me, a large motivation, and since I haven't gotten the other one, who's to know if I'll get the new one, should I win?

[beejazz]

*What is the most unique feature of this site?

*What has been your favorite contest or event on this site?[/quote]*How many times have you participated in a unique CBG feature (Showcase, the Guide, CeBeGia, etc)?  How did you contribute?[/quote]*As a best guess, what percentage of your posts do you believe is asking for help on your personal campaign setting?[/quote]*Do you visit the other Alliance sites (PlotStorming.com, CartographersGuild.com)?[/quote]*If you were part of the Opal Council, what ideas would you have for making the site more interesting?[/quote]*If you were part of the Opal Council, what site features would you do away with or just put aside as unimportant?[/quote]*Have you ever had a contest idea that you wish the CBG would do?[/quote]*Have you ever had what you thought of as a great conversation starter, and started a new thread only to find no one interested?[/quote]*Have you ever been really mad at the site, the Opal Council, or the other members of the CBG, in such a way that you didn't come back for awhile?[/quote]*Have you ever gone away from the site for months at a time, then returned to posting normally?[/quote]*Have you ever seen any unfair rulings of any sort on the site (threads being moved or removed, moderators stepping in when they shouldn't, etc)?[/quote]*If you could pick one thing on the site that should be expanded on and made more important, what would it be?[/quote]*What do you think of the look of the site?[/quote]
It's a good look, I think.

[LordVreeg]

Am about to leave on busniess, but here is a quick version

What is the most important aspect of this site that keeps you coming back?

[/b]
I enjoy 'being around' other creative people with a simialr passion.  Also, for me, it allows me to get into a retro mindset, when gaming was allowed to matter in my life.

What is the most unique feature of this site?

[/b]
See above.  he amount of creativiety that shows up sometimes is another.  The give and take that those with a clue contribute with is another unique feature.

What is the most interesting conversation you've ever had on this site?

[/b]
If I ever wondered if being head of the Opal Circle of Doom made you insane, now I know.  I cannot dissect that kind of data, and data-acquisition is in my job description.  I can only say that when CeBeGia was in full swing, and we had maybe 10 people weighing in on the Alcan empire...now, that was cool.
Shouts out to Tybalt and LC for some very inspired conversation.

How have you benefited the site since you became a member?

[/b]
I am richer in many ways for my time here.  No BS. My setting and myself both.

How many times have you participated in a unique CBG feature (Showcase, the Guide, CeBeGia, etc)? How did you contribute?

[/b]
As before, CeBeGia was my main contribution.  I still have a few pages of notes and ideas about saint worship and the Alcan Empire, and have taken the time to commit thread necromancy twice on that particular line of conversation.

Have you ever said you were going to contribute in some way to the Guide, CeBeGia, or Showcase, and then never followed through?

[/b]
Nyet.

As a best guess, what percentage of your posts do you believe is asking for help on your personal campaign setting?

[/b]
if you mean how often do I post for myself on my own threads, 25-30%

As a best guess, what percentage of your posts do you believe is helping other CBGers with their personal campaign setting?

[/b]
60-70% of the posts i make are trying to be helpful, and are made on other people's setting threads, if that is what you are asking.  Though I do commit thread murder often...

Do you visit the other Alliance sites (PlotStorming.com,

CartographersGuild.com)?[/list][/b]
The CartographersGuild  I enjoy.

Do you use another site for most of your campaign setting needs (WotC, gleemax, rpgspaces, eruvian, etc)?

[/b]
Please.  Cabbage is my world.  

If so, what features do those sites have that the CBG doesn't have?

[/b]
n/a

If you were part of the Opal Council, what ideas would you have for making the site more interesting?

[/b]
This si difficult.  I don't want to tell people to police anything, because of how cool and low-key things are.  But communities like this need something more of a contract.  

Have you ever had what you thought of as a great conversation starter, and started a new thread only to find no one interested?

[/b]  That somewhat desribes my relaunch of Celtricia.  

Have you ever been really mad at the site, the Opal Council, or the other members of the CBG, in such a way that you didn't come back for awhile?

[/b]
Never.  The people and the Council have been nothing but top-notch.

Have you ever gone away from the site for months at a time, then returned to posting normally?

[/b]
Work takes me way for days, but not any longer.  I'll be gone in about an hour.

Have you ever seen any unfair rulings of any sort on the site (threads being moved or removed, moderators stepping in when they shouldn't, etc)?

[/b]
Never.

If you could pick one thing on the site that should be expanded on and made more important, what would it be?

[/b]
I think that the moves yuo are making to improve the hosting capabilities cover this.

What do you think of the look of the site?

[/b]
I'm not a visual person.  But I like the layout a lot.  

[Epic Meepo]

What is the most important aspect of this site that keeps you coming back?
The people.

The least important: threads about new, setting-neutral game systems. There's nothing wrong with them, per se, and asking the community its thoughts on this or that new rule is a worthy endeavor. But after the umpteenth "here's my game system" thread, I'm starting to get the impression that the whole goal of campaign-building is sometimes lost in the crowd.

(The previous paragraph is meant to be commentary on a long-standing trend, not a specific member or thread.)

Likewise, I think PbP and forum games should have their own separate list of recent posts. PbP is important to the concept of campaign-building, forum games less so, but both frequently generate more recent posts than other content. This gives PbP and forum games the potential to regularly bump non-PbP, non-forum-game content off the main page.

What is the most unique feature of this site?
The links to cabbage.net. Though the wikifarm has serious potential.

What is the most interesting conversation you've ever had on this site?
That's a tough one; possibly Theme Wars.

What has been your favorite contest or event on this site?
Does my old Recycle Bin thread count as an event? I really enjoyed building a community world for the CBG from fragments offered by nearly a dozen contributors, and I'm pretty sure Cebexia got further along in development than CeBeGia did.

How have you benefited from the site since you became a member?
It's been a great sounding board, and helps me figure out when I'm on the right track during the development of an idea.

How many times have you participated in a unique CBG feature?  How did you contribute?
I worked on the first few issues of the Guide, and I plan on helping out with the new Setting Showcase.

If you have never contributed to a unique CBG feature, is there a particular reason why?

The wiki. I don't understand why more people don't use it, because it has so much potential...

Have you ever said you were going to contribute in some way, and then never followed through?[/b]
I intended to write a 10-level adventure path for the CBG a while back, but haven't yet found the time to finish it. Not to mention the fact that 4e is looming on the horizon, threatening to render anything I develop today completely obsolete.

Do you visit the other Alliance sites (PlotStorming.com, CartographersGuild.com)?
I've stopped by the Cartographer's Guild once or twice, but generally lack the mapping skills to contribute. I haven't yet stopped by Plot Storming because I don't generally need help developing plotlines. I would be more likely to visit other Alliance sites if there were links somewhere showcasing specific, interesting threads on those other sites.

What ideas would you have for making the site more interesting?
If not for the whole wiki copyleft issue, I'd say someone should use the CBG wiki to create an encyclopedia detailing the features of various CBG campaign settings. For example, hyperlinked "Races of the CBG" wiki pages, each detailing a different race from a setting posted at the CBG. The entries would be in a standardized format, and would allow readers to compare and contrast elements of various campaign settings.

What site features would you do away with or just put aside as unimportant?
The calendar doesn't seem to see enough use to warrant its inclusion on the main page.

Have you ever seen any unfair rulings of any sort on the site?
The only two times I can remember threads being removed, I supported the decision all the way. (One thread contained inappropriate sexual content. The other was promoting a real-world political movement. Each had the potential to create headaches for the CBG admins.) The language used in explaining why those threads were removed might have been a bit more conciliatory towards the authors, but the decision to remove each of those threads was, in my opinion, a reasonable one.

If you could pick one thing on the site that should be expanded on and made more important, what would it be?
The "Vote for the CBG" button could be in a more prominent location, I suppose.

What do you think of the look of the site?
It could use some random graphics or artwork to liven things up. Maybe showcase an artist from another site on a monthly basis, displaying a professional-quality work of fantasy art on our main page in exchange for a blurb about the artist and a link to his gallery.

[Elven Doritos]

Granted, I'm not likely the "target audience" of the questionnaire, but here I go:

[spoiler]What is the most important aspect of this site that keeps you coming back?
Originally, it was the concept. The fact that worldbuilders were gathering and attempting to discuss the craft, albeit amidst Adam West jokes and the occasional foray into confused philosophy. It evolved into an obsession, and my setting(s) became far less important than the atmosphere. Hell, I wasn't really helping very many people with their settings, I was just hanging around and cracking jokes. I'm like the annoying guy making wisecracks in the back of the movie theater that you can't help but like.

What is the most unique feature of this site?
As far as site features, I'd have to say the--- well, actually, I'd better keep that under my hat, as it's 2.0.

What is the most interesting conversation you've ever had on this site?
Seraphine Harmonium and I playing Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, respectively. I can't even remember what we were arguing about, but it was a classic.

What has been your favorite contest or event on this site?
All the ones I thought up.

How have you benefited the site since you became a member?
How have I benefited the site? I think I occasionally say something that makes somebody think or laugh or at least have to stop and reread. My job is to perplex and titillate. Really, I just like the word titillate.

How many times have you participated in a unique CBG feature (Showcase, the Guide, CeBeGia, etc)? How did you contribute?
I came up with a couple of the ideas, or at least help develop them, but my actual participation has been restricted to management (*cough*delegating authority*cough*).

If you have never contributed to a unique CBG feature, is there a particular reason why?
Since I've never done a lot of work associated with the features, I'd say it's because I'm mostly lazy. Mostly.

Have you ever said you were going to contribute in some way to the Guide, CeBeGia, or Showcase, and then never followed through?
It's like you wrote this question with me in mind. :(
;)

As a best guess, what percentage of your posts do you believe is asking for help on your personal campaign setting?
0.1%.

As a best guess, what percentage of your posts do you believe is helping other CBGers with their personal campaign setting?
0.001%.

Do you visit the other Alliance sites (PlotStorming.com, CartographersGuild.com)?
I lurk at CG once in a while. Plotstorming, I always mean to go... But I can't remember my daggum password. (See above: laziness)

Do you use another site for most of your campaign setting needs (WotC, gleemax, rpgspaces, eruvian, etc)?
Psssssshhhh. Nobody else would tolerate my big bowl of crazy.

If so, what features do those sites have that the CBG doesn't have?
Assorted fruit baskets. Yum.

If you were part of the Opal Council, what ideas would you have for making the site more interesting?
First thing I'd do as part of the Opal Council would be to kick that Elven Doritos guy off. Assuming that was in my jurisdiction. What a bum!

If you were part of the Opal Council, what site features would you do away with or just put aside as unimportant?
Elven Doritos' account is a site feature, right? Ban him.

Have you ever had a contest idea that you wish the CBG would do?
Yes. And then we did it. :D

Have you ever had what you thought of as a great conversation starter, and started a new thread only to find no one interested?
Remember that thread about who would win in a fight, Prince or Vegeta? And everyone voted Jar Jar? That hurt.

Have you ever been really mad at the site, the Opal Council, or the other members of the CBG, in such a way that you didn't come back for awhile?
Only that ElDo guy.

Have you ever gone away from the site for months at a time, then returned to posting normally?
I couldn't live for more than a week without at least lurking around the Tavern. I would die from the withdrawal, seriously. I should go to CBGAnon.
(Kids, alcoholism and other addictions are serious diseases, and if you think a friend or family member may be afflicted, don't come to me for advice.)

Have you ever seen any unfair rulings of any sort on the site (threads being moved or removed, moderators stepping in when they shouldn't, etc)?
Yeah, whoever decided to promote that ElDo guy over me...
The multiple personality shtick isn't funny any more, is it?

If you could pick one thing on the site that should be expanded on and made more important, what would it be?
Eh, beats me.

What do you think of the look of the site?
It needs more cow bell.[/spoiler]

[Lmns Crn]

What do you think of the look of the site?
It needs more cow bell.

[spoiler=I do what I can to help][/spoiler]