Post by Gog Admin on Jun 25, 2015 1:15:46 GMT -4
Frequently Asked Questions
These are the most common questions. If you have a question and can't find the answer here, please post the question in a new thread in this forum.
Q. What is this this group about?
A. Pædagog is based on an old role play group. This group first formed through a PBEM game. Some of its members later joined NationStates and engaged in nation RP in the Nation States subforum. The five founding members realized that their group could be useful for supporting storytelling role players on NS. Each founding member worked in a professional capacity within the scientific community and freely offered their informal advice to those players that requested help in adding a science edge to their stories without having to learn medicine, astronomy, aviation, biochemical engineering and other disciplines. Its members also lent their talents towards world building, forum coding, conlang, time line development, sociology, anthropology, alternate history, etc. Members offered advice to those seeking to improve character development, story development, nuances to GMing (serving as OP for) your own game, and other skills. This help was limited to only those the members routinely gamed with. (Note: it did not function as an official Mentoring group and, more often than not, players were urged to contact appointed NS Mentors. Some of Pædagog's members were part of NationStates, but the group remained private and off site because it was still primarily part of the PBEM game.)
We have revived this old group and opened membership up to the general public. It is no longer affiliated with the PBEM. The majority of its new members, and some of its new founders, come from the P2TM community.
P2TM's Pædagog is a group dedicated to helping people improve skills such writing, world building, OPing, game design, etc. Like it's predecessor, it does not replace the Mentor system already in place on NS.
Q. What's the meaning of Pædagog?
A. Pædagog is a Danish word meaning "teacher" or "educator".
Q. What if I don't know how to roleplay, or I'm new to online PBP stuff?
A. You deserve a chance to learn in a positive environment.
Q. So how do you teach stuff?
A. We're not a school. Players learn by immersing themselves into a game. They're exposed to more experienced players thus the get a taste for various writing styles. Members offer positive critique to gently guide them regarding structure, verbiage, pacing. We believe in praising as well. Every Gog member, regardless of experience level, is in a constant state of growth and learning.
That said, we also offer one-on-one mentoring via the IRC channels, Google docs, or other medium. Our membership currently boasts four official NationStates Mentors and they can assist you regarding NationStates game play. Plus we are not exclusive. Our membership networks with other gaming groups. We have no problems with referring our members to those groups. Some of our members are networked with International Incidents RP Mentors (MT and FT) as well.
Q. So can I join?
A. You (anyone) can apply to become a member.
Q. What's the determination process?
A. Someone fills out an application. Founders and Echelon review it and vote. Membership is based on meeting the following criteria:
- nominee has some writing proficiency (basic grasp of grammar, spelling);
- nominee does not have a poor track record in Moderation (unsportsmanlike conduct, harassing, griefing etc);
- a minimum of three links to the nominee's posts must be provided. These are direct links to the player's post and not links to the RP itself;
- other criteria.
Q. Is there a difference in membership levels?
A. Yes. There are three levels: Founder, Echelon, General Membership.
- Founder: these people either founded the original Pædagog or else helped refound this current incarnation.
- Echelon: these people assist the Founders in running the organization; they're happy flunkies that have extra time to dedicate towards mailing lists, moderating (not Moderating!) discussions/debates, neatening OSF code, etc.
- Member: general membership. General membership includes both experienced RPers and beginners alike.
Q. Is this a social club?
A. Not really. We do socialize and goof off at times, but we ask that the primary Pædagog thread in P2TM revolve around "business" rather than nonsense or asterisk play. We have an IRC for chat in order to keep that thread free of it.
Q. Is it a clique?
A. Nope. Our membership is open to players provided they fit the really basic criteria. We welcome players from other subforums as well, including the NS Diplomacy forums.
Q. Is everything on this forum about teaching? Do you do other stuff?
A. We have a general discussion forum, a foodie forum, a philosophy forum, the NaNoWriMo Group forum, and a forum dedicated to roleplay games. Sure, we teach, but we also like to unwind.
Q. Can I use a swastika on the OSF?
A. Pædagog is a privately owned organization. As such, it does not have to recognize freedom of speech or freedom of expression. Posting on our OSF is a privilege, as is membership. Pædagog elects to exercise its right of ownership by adopting NationStates policies regarding the restriction of swastikas as avatars or in signatures or in any area where the symbol can not be discussed. Likewise, do not post links to hate group sites such as Stormfront. Period. Failure to comply will result in the immediate loss of membership. And we will laugh at you. Uproariously. You'll be the butt of our jokes for years to come. Don't do it man! Don't do it! You can use a swastika in an OSF forum when it pertains to a discussion topic such as alternate history, your NS nation history, other discussion, etc.
Q. Can I use slurs?
A. If used IC in dialog - yes. If used to describe a group (nigger, kebab, spik, kike, gyp, jap, cracker, fag, tranny, etc) - no.
Q. Can I use swear words?
A. We don't give a fuck. Look, keep it PG 13, don't do things in excess, and behave with some politeness and you'll be fine.
Q. Pertaining to the four answers above... Why?
A. Because Ren is an asshole... as well as our oldest living Founder.