New Chat Site?

[WotC_Mel]

I believe that I have addressed all the questions/requests about chat functionality as of this point with either can't do/will find out/can achieve result in X way. Feel free to PM me if I did not address a feature you are concerned about and I usually check those about every three days, or drop me a line at boards@wizards.com which gets checked every business day.

-Melanie

 

[Cystuni]

Before I go on to address the new questions/reguest that people have listed, I'll attempt to clarify my last statement "Please understand that I am not here to try and "convince" people to stay or to continually argue why the decision to change software--and to this software in particular--was not an idiotic move made by a company that is bent on spending time and money dedicated to expunging IC roleplay on thier site."

It was meant drily, and I agree that does not always come through in typed posts.

My point was that I do intend to argue over an underlying belief that Wizards as a company has an agenda of wanting to "kill" ISRP.

The dry part comes in at the pointing out that if Wizards *did* want to "kill ISRP" then they certainly have a funny way of spending lots of time and money to do it when, surely, it would be much more simple to go in without notice and remove those rooms, end of story.

-Mel

met I don't think anyone of us really think wizards is trying to KILL ISRP. we all know how easy it is. I think some us are just thinking the ISRP aspect wasn't given proper weight. and we're not blaming you personally. I myself don't know what's goign on in your head or what's on your plate. if you were given then impression we thought wizards was attacking us or trying to "kill" ISRP I extend my personal apology.

 

[Eddie_Hawkins]

Return policies.

7) 5) Concerns about the fact that Wizards kept software that was promised to do things it turned out it can't rather than sending it back and looking for better software

Okay, Mel, I have to ask. Please forgive me for doing so and for expecting an answer.

Is this true? Because if it is, well, I'd have to believe that I'm not the only one who will lose a lot of respect and trust in Wizards for it. I mean, what is the problem with returning a product that was misrepresented or that Wizards just isn't satisfied with? If some ignorant, moron has no problem returning something that they paid next to nothing for, or a fraction of the suggested retail price for, to any store for a reason not allowed under the store's return policy, why is it that a successful business, that wants us to believe that they are more intelligent than said morons, has a hard time returning something that they have a legitimate reason to return, and that they paid a proverbial "arm and a leg" for?

I apologize for sounding harsh, but I'm not being so. I'm just stating a fact. I have worked in the retail industry for my entire working life. And I am well aware of the fact that most retail businesses would rather bow to the moron than create a scene, especially if they can give store credit instead of a full refund. Thing is, Wizards has a legitimate complaint. If Wizards is unsatisfied that the product doesn't meet the agreed upon specifications, the logical, intelligent thing to do, if I'm not mistaken, is to avail one's self of the return policy of the product's company. Not to mention the legal and binding contract that both sides signed.

I guess another concern, if this is indeed true, also falls into the "trust" issue. If we can't trust Wizards to take care of themselves, how can we trust them to take care of us? Using my extensive retail background, I know that such waste -- and paying for something you don't like, actually want, and/or need, without returning it is indeed waste -- has a way of increasing product costs. That doesn't sound like taking care of us to me.

Just my concerns. And thank you in advance for answering me. You're doing a great job addressing everyone's concerns. Doing that is slowing the diminish in trust in Wizards.

 

[Qijdi_Goldwing]

* Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap *

So far so good... Thank you Krystal for the summation, and my thanks to you Mel for your continued patience and hard work... WE do indeed love our special getaway and it pleases me to no end to see everyone really taking up the banner... I AM glad to hear about GlobalChat still supporting the iChat software and again note that the msjava install file can be found and hosted for those who have SP2 and above; I would be willing to forward my copy is necessary, but it's out there all the same. The IP address is indeed an important issue as are all the others... As you see Mel... there are MANY diadvantages to this new software with only a modicum of advantages... The note of " The Return Policy " is very valid and restated in short. Continuity and Flow and Environment are indeed three of the more critical issues concerning the chat. If you can somehow incorporate cheeta it's great as there ARE many who use it, though I still say stick with iChat. I know I know... the Punn-Jokie, ChatMace software is already purchased, but look how much hassle it is... The removal of the direct IP reporting is most critical to me though - I don't mind the admin's knowing, as they should, but not any joe with a scanner. Keep it up folks... ISRP is important to us all...

Qij.

 

[WotC_Mel]

There seems to be a persistant belief that *which* software Wizards is implementing is up for debate. It isn't. Chatspace will be implemented sometime late this summer.

 

[Dragona Nightsky]

There seems to be a persistant belief that *which* software Wizards is implementing is up for debate. It isn't. Chatspace will be implemented sometime late this summer.

While it has been made perfectly clear that this is the case, there's still one issue which thus far seems to have been avoided like the plague and I firmly believe needs to be addressed.

Why is Wizards keeping and implementing software that didn't deliver what it promised? This issue hasn't even been touched upon since you made your statement about the chat not living up to what was promised when it was purchased, as quoted below:

This is the item I mentioned I'd be getting back to. There are three or so serious disappointments for me in terms of what was promised for the chat before purchase and not delivered. I knew that the description field was inadequate when I saw the test version. I discussed custome work to the code being done to expand it and was told that, yes, that could be done. Well, after purchase when we get down to it, in fact it can not.

I know I'm not the only one who has a BIG issue with this. It would be alot different if the software has been bought and the coding done to expand the field as promised. I could even understand it (or at least understand it more) if you'd bought the software knowing that the description field wouldn't be adequate enough and couldn't be fixed. [highlight]But the fact is that Wizards of the Coast kept the software even -after- they knew Akiva hadn't lived up to their end of the bargain.[/highlight] Promises were obviously made to Wizards when they bought this software that Akiva failed to keep, [highlight]and yet Wizards not only -kept- the software, but now is, to all appearances, avoiding the subject![/highlight] So please, Mel...I don't mean this to come across as attacking you, but I, and I'm sure many others, want an answer on this: Why isn't this software being returned if Akiva didn't deliver on their promises?

Please don't avoid this question any longer. I would at least rather hear "I can't comment on that subject" than for it to be ignored when so many have showed their concerns about it.

 

[Jardel]

Since we must face envitiable, let us at least know what the inevitable is.

My point was that I do intend to argue over an underlying belief that Wizards as a company has an agenda of wanting to "kill" ISRP.

The dry part comes in at the pointing out that if Wizards *did* want to "kill ISRP" then they certainly have a funny way of spending lots of time and money to do it when, surely, it would be much more simple to go in without notice and remove those rooms, end of story.

Well, I'm afriad to say Mel that from our perspective it doesn't look like Wizards has particular desire to keep ISRP and that they could consider the loss of ISRP to be a nice side benefit of the new software.

After all, look at it this way:

Live, TCG, etc all got: A chat software which is closer to the standard and more familiar to them.

ISRP got: A chat software that doesn't have all their favourite features and feels like the software used by dozens of other RP places we choose not to be at.

We're not feeling loved.

As for trying to convince people to stay, I am not going to insult people's intelligence with smooth words and promises. I can only say that I care about our chat users, and thus I will tweek what I can to preserve or emulate functionality that is of concern, and be up front when I know something can't be done.

Unfortunately there are some of us who consider being told that there's a change happening and we just have to like it because the company said so to be just as insulting. It is because of things like this that people here get the impression they are no wanted but rather tolerated as a necessary evil.

Consider the comparison of this software change, which we don't want. To the creation of the D20 Modern room, which many patrons did want.

New chat:

We will be switching chats in Summer, whether the software is ready or not, whether we like it or not, this is not negotiable and all we can do is ask for things to be fixed and pray they might be if it is indeed possible for them to be.

New room:

After months and months of planning the new room on the old software doesn't even have the Alleyway (combat room), is hosted two nights a week, has an image for the top frame rather than links and blurbs like the old rooms used to have and has been pretty much ignored past being created.

That doesn't make us feel wanted and being told that you're not going to try to dupe us with honeyed words doesn't help much either. And now I've got that off my rather opinionated chest, a couple of concerns that I couldn't find the answers for, so I'll repost them in nicer and politer format and hope they dont' get consumed in a fearsome debate again.

1. What sort of end product is planned for ISRP? By this I mean once we've finished with open days and the chat is pushed up on the schedule will we be stuck with whatever it happens to be like then or does Wizards Online have plans to continue improving it until it reaches a certain level? If so what level?

2. [borrowed from Rhane, hopefully she won't mind] "Also the fact that it no longer says "rhane says,"hi!" " but "<rhane> hi!" instead makes it seem just like every other chat room."

Any chance/plans we can get the new chat to return to the look that makes it feel like a story being written rather than an IRC chat room full of strange screen names?

3. Since there seems to be a lack of bubbling enthuasism for the new chat software is it planned to be linked to any sort of special event or incentive event to encourage people to at least trial it out despite all the bad press? If so, what sort of event.

 

[Qijdi_Goldwing]

Indeed.... Personally meant it is not, yet our querey is under subtonal concensus. We follow you that the implementation is certified currently - the debate continues though.

I do have a few remarks for you Mel.
The GUI is looking a touch better, room listing needs to list members after room names then the topic.

When I open the options panel I see checkboxes with no visible text after them - the whole area --- a white field with only one box checked.

Buttons are viewable for:
your profile
view a profile
memos
message
controls
quit
float
close
Username is populated as is room listing, but nothing more.




As to another part of a comment afore, though slightly off topic ( please excuse ) an addendum to the list of stories that continue. The interplay between Than, Siani and Company has continued for years. * notes he knows this was not a necessary addendum but prefers to have ducks in a row, and this adendum was not instigated by words from another. *

Qij,

 

[Cystuni]

here;s a suggestion...

how about getting rid of the cookie that remember you're last log in? as far as chat goes? I don't want to be logging out, then back in as someone else. it's rather annoying.

 

[Kovoo]

You ppl...

Some of you people(lets not name any names) are like...like blood sucking TICKS! Complains...I want this...I want that...I want I want I want! I WANT YOU TO STOP COMPLAINING! Its not going to help. Yeah It may give them ideas in improvements but your just not helping with half the crap you guys are saying. If you dont like it then leave! We're not stopping you! But if you would just open your eyes maybe you would see that you could get use to it. I mean just imagine, If Galilaiuo didnt invent the telescope then we would have space travel. If many of our famous leaders in tecnology didnt invent the internet then where would we be. Change ppl. Like the post by the staff member up the line said The ichat needs to be replaced. Now it you would be helpful and just accept the fact that your not going to stop production and suport the moderaters that you might see improvements. Words never win a war...its the actions ppl take to win it. Just give them a chance! please