What improvements would you like to see for GE&T?

[Kyrusia]

This might not be workable, but:
Whenever you open GE&T, all you see is military threads, and if not all you see is Civilian Airport/Airline threads

I woild like to see both catagories seperated so that
a) It can give non-military, non-Civilian airport/airline threads a chance
b) Customers don't have to search through 15 pages to find them

Unfortunately, that would require coding changes, and I don't see that happening.

Indeed. As mentioned on page one of this thread, there will be no new (sub-)boards created. A sticky where players voluntarily submit their storefronts into appropriate categories kept-up by the OP would be far more workable, and I imagine it'll be something the Mentors discuss.

[Crookfur]

Unfortunately, that would require coding changes, and I don't see that happening.

Indeed. As mentioned on page one of this thread, there will be no new (sub-)boards created. A sticky where players voluntarily submit their storefronts into appropriate categories kept-up by the OP would be far more workable, and I imagine it'll be something the Mentors discuss.

Not supporting the idea of sub forums but it does have to be pointed out that storefront list threads both stickied and otherwise have been an integral part of GE&T since the beginning and despite the best efforts of several well meaning individuals they have all fallen by the wayside over time. Maybe it would last longer with dedicated mentor support...

[The Technocratic Syndicalists]

How about having a stickyed catalog of sorts that lists storefronts by category (ie defense, automotive, airline, etc). The storefront's owner would submit their storefronts name (maybe logo as well) and a quick summary including the storefronts tech level which would then get posted to the OP. If your storefront also has any ratings or accreditation or whatever (like a star rating from GE&T AA) those could also be listed along with the name and description of your storefront.

[Cirdia]

How about having a stickyed catalog of sorts that lists storefronts by category (ie defense, automotive, airline, etc). The storefront's owner would submit their storefronts name (maybe logo as well) and a quick summary including the storefronts tech level which would then get posted to the OP. If your storefront also has any ratings or accreditation or whatever (like a star rating from GE&T AA) those could also be listed along with the name and description of your storefront.

I think Yohannes already something along the lines of that. I would do away with the logos though. Not all storefronts have them and it would be unnecessary effort on the part of the OP to collect, resize, and code those images into the list. Alternatively, the OP could ask the storefront owners to do the resizing and just send the links to the logos, but not everyone reads instructions either.

[Yohannes]

How about having a stickyed catalog of sorts that lists storefronts by category (ie defense, automotive, airline, etc). The storefront's owner would submit their storefronts name (maybe logo as well) and a quick summary including the storefronts tech level which would then get posted to the OP. If your storefront also has any ratings or accreditation or whatever (like a star rating from GE&T AA) those could also be listed along with the name and description of your storefront.

I think Yohannes already something along the lines of that. I would do away with the logos though. Not all storefronts have them and it would be unnecessary effort on the part of the OP to collect, resize, and code those images into the list. Alternatively, the OP could ask the storefront owners to do the resizing and just send the links to the logos, but not everyone reads instructions either.

The history of this account (shared by my old real life friends, and even some acquaintances in NationStates too, as well as the hubbub caused when this account was a Mentor in 2011-2012) meant that I am probably not the ideal person to be opening poster for such a thread. A new thread, containing the many storefronts of this sub forum, must be led by someone connected with a site staff or volunteer, preferably a historically proven neutral senior mentor of this sub forum, such as Maltropia, or a roleplay focused moderator such as Kyrusia. History has proven (since 2009, you can check if you want! Aha) that such a list cannot and must not be maintained by a regular user, in a sub forum such as the Global Economics & Trade

[Gandoor]

Honestly I think I have to mirror the comments about having a stickied thread listing active storefronts under different categories

Like I'm not super active in Ge&T anymore (outside of my own storefronts), but that's mostly because whenever I visit this board, I mostly see military or airport storefronts and it's hard to find storefronts that I personally would be interested in. Now sure, I have posted in airport threads, but I'm not gonna do it 100 times, you know?

But as others have said, a stickied thread would be an easier way for people to find storefronts other than the mass of military and airport ones without requiring them to start digging deep into GE&T.

[Ximea]

I recall that at various times there have been compilations of active storefronts, arranged by goods/services or by quality or by both. Currently, I don't think any are actively maintained. I don't blame anyone for that. I know it's quite an undertaking to rank or categorize active storefronts, and to keep them current. But if you're asking for recommendations, that's my #1.

[Norvegien]

I hope all thread maker most to be creative and helper. Only that.

[Lamoni]

ATTENTION

We (the Mentors) are working on the suggestions given in this thread. We are still welcoming more suggestions as well.

Stay tuned.

[Human people federation]

I kind of wish the nation state tracker or nation state economy sites for working again I've been doing rping on nation-states since 2012 and micromanaging helps with the economy

[Lamoni]

I kind of wish the nation state tracker or nation state economy sites for working again I've been doing rping on nation-states since 2012 and micromanaging helps with the economy

Those are off-site problems, and not something that we can fix.

[Libraria and Ausitoria]

What if we had a system of organization in place? A catalogue, so to speak, in which each different category would have a sub folder to help keep it organized....

for Example:

1. Military
2. Transportation
3. Electronics
4. Clothing
5. Food and Beverages
6. Entertainment
7. Financial, Realty and Organizations
8. General Sales
9. OTHER // MISC

This might not be workable, but:
Whenever you open GE&T, all you see is military threads, and if not all you see is Civilian Airport/Airline threads

I woild like to see both catagories seperated so that
a) It can give non-military, non-Civilian airport/airline threads a chance
b) Customers don't have to search through 15 pages to find them

Honestly I think I have to mirror the comments about having a stickied thread listing active storefronts under different categories

Like I'm not super active in Ge&T anymore (outside of my own storefronts), but that's mostly because whenever I visit this board, I mostly see military or airport storefronts and it's hard to find storefronts that I personally would be interested in. Now sure, I have posted in airport threads, but I'm not gonna do it 100 times, you know?

This is also the first problem I thought of when I saw this thread - it's one of the reasons why I haven't really bothered here much for the last three years, because I'm not really into military businesses, which means people would never be able to find many of my storefronts (as I'm not able to commit to fast responses). Personally I'd strongly recommend dividing up the forum into subforums by business area, as it would be self-organized and (probably) not require much intervention (as would be the case with trying to maintain a thread, which could end up with thousands of defunct storefronts).

I don't know whether we might also like to entertain the idea of dividing up forums by technology level - it might be helpful for non-MT RPers, who can also get rather lost in the churn. The other possibility would be for storefronts to be able to tag themselves with a number, which could make them searchable by business area. We could even use patent classifications to tag products, and add one (say Z) for businesses.

Certainly something should be done, although working out which solution is the best may only be reached by experimentation.

Also, for what's it worth, I think Yohannes draftroom idea would be rather useful - it could also probably give some advice on technology classifications of products. I also agree with his point about the problems of offsite forums and cliques - people don't realize the extent of the problem until they come up against it: you can be inside a clique and not actually notice, because it's all you experience. It's the biggest problem society has with the internet...

[Yohannes]

This is also the first problem I thought of when I saw this thread - it's one of the reasons why I haven't really bothered here much for the last three years, because I'm not really into military businesses, which means people would never be able to find many of my storefronts (as I'm not able to commit to fast responses). Personally I'd strongly recommend dividing up the forum into subforums by business area, as it would be self-organized and (probably) not require much intervention (as would be the case with trying to maintain a thread, which could end up with thousands of defunct storefronts).

The Macabees and Lamoni said that the N&I RP Mentors are currently looking at ways to explore this, with one being an improved (and more democratic) variation of the rating agency storefront.

I don't know whether we might also like to entertain the idea of dividing up forums by technology level - it might be helpful for non-MT RPers, who can also get rather lost in the churn.

Kyrusia and Lamoni said that that is an absolute no no. Uhm, yeah. Aha (and I personally agree with Kyrusia)

The other possibility would be for storefronts to be able to tag themselves with a number, which could make them searchable by business area. We could even use patent classifications to tag products, and add one (say Z) for businesses.

This is what Kyrusia did with the whole '911' mentor emergency thingy, where the mentors look up calls from players by searching for 911 (or something like that) calls in forum. I personally think that that is too complicated and unnecessary (for Global Economics & Trade). People browsing need something that is one-click-one-go solution, otherwise from reading people's habit (historically), they are too lazy to do it (which is understandable)

CAlso, for what's it worth, I think Yohannes draftroom idea would be rather useful - it could also probably give some advice on technology classifications of products.

The Macabees and Maltropia liked that idea too (by the way, that was originally Crookfur's idea, not mine, I am pretty sure, aha) and at the moment Lamoni says he's going to release something good for the community (relating to that)

I also agree with his point about the problems of offsite forums and cliques - people don't realize the extent of the problem until they come up against it: you can be inside a clique and not actually notice, because it's all you experience. It's the biggest problem society has with the internet...

Yes. Aha, although that's not the main reason I don't bother with Discord or Internet Relay Chat. I am here to storytell (or more often than not browsing) on NationStates. I am interested in nation states matters, not getting into out of character social situation with other players, unless through telegrams (or when necessary). Although, uhm, of course there is nothing wrong with socialising with others. Aha

[Lamoni]

The Macabees and Maltropia liked that idea too (by the way, that was originally Crookfur's idea, not mine, I am pretty sure, aha) and at the moment Lamoni says he's going to release something good for the community (relating to that)

We (at least I am, at least one other mentor who is important to the project has RL obligations) are working on things for GE&T.

[Catlander]

I would like see that every nation could to invest a 10% of national GDP to start up any storefront they wants, however this storefront should be endorsed in some top 10% national industries.

In my own case, I could to start up a business about furniture

[Lamoni]

I would like see that every nation could to invest a 10% of national GDP to start up any storefront they wants, however this storefront should be endorsed in some top 10% national industries.

In my own case, I could to start up a business about furniture

That would likely require a coding change, so I would have to say no.

[Kyrusia]

I would like see that every nation could to invest a 10% of national GDP to start up any storefront they wants, however this storefront should be endorsed in some top 10% national industries.

In my own case, I could to start up a business about furniture

That would likely require a coding change, so I would have to say no.

What Lamoni said. Admin has a lot on their collective plate; somehow figuring a way to factor a roleplay mechanic into a gameside economic system really isn't anywhere on that list.

[Catlander]

That would likely require a coding change, so I would have to say no.

What Lamoni said. Admin has a lot on their collective plate; somehow figuring a way to factor a roleplay mechanic into a gameside economic system really isn't anywhere on that list.

Ok. Thanks to both.

[Jinwoy]

I think its important for people to feel rewarded for their work, so it should be obvious that we need to find a way to promote people for their hard work while at the same time leaving the system open to newcomers.

A vote up system works, similar to the way factbooks work now, but have the threads ordered on that percentage. Of course, have the regular "post to bump" system for people to browse for new appearing threads.

Also, having a hard coded "categories" system might work, similar to the way regions work now - have people tag what they are trying to sell so its easier to find what you're looking for.

[Lamoni]

Again, this would likely require a coding change, and the mods have already said no to those.

[Libraria and Ausitoria]

Yohannes - sorry for my delay in replying, and thank you in general for your reply. About this point of mine though:

The other possibility would be for storefronts to be able to tag themselves with a number, which could make them searchable by business area. We could even use patent classifications to tag products, and add one (say Z) for businesses.

This is what Kyrusia did with the whole '911' mentor emergency thingy, where the mentors look up calls from players by searching for 911 (or something like that) calls in forum. I personally think that that is too complicated and unnecessary (for Global Economics & Trade). People browsing need something that is one-click-one-go solution, otherwise from reading people's habit (historically), they are too lazy to do it (which is understandable)

That wasn't quite what I meant - what I mean is that if people voluntarily inserted some sort of hashtag code into their storefronts, other users would be able to pick them out by simply searching for that tag code - without any moderator intervention required, which would obviously be way too onerous. For instance if Lyran Arms and Halcyon Arms and Joe Blogg's Arms and all the other tank manufacturers all used a code-word in their main storefront, e.g. tankstorefront then people would be able to search for all tank sellers very easily. In practice it could work quite straightforwardly if moderation (or someone, even me if you like) put together a stickied list of storefront tag-codes for people to use if they wanted their storefronts to be easily found.

But of course, I don't know how many storefront owners and how many searchers (other than me) would use it - and apologies if this idea has also been discussed and rejected ad nauseum!

[Lamoni]

A tag system might well be a good idea. Thank you, L&A. We'll look into making a list of tags that can be used, without creating so many tags that the system itself would become meaningless.

[Maltropia]

If anyone suggested "more Maltropia, less thesis-writing" as a forum improvement, your wishes have been granted.

[Westwickport]

That wasn't quite what I meant - what I mean is that if people voluntarily inserted some sort of hashtag code into their storefronts, other users would be able to pick them out by simply searching for that tag code - without any moderator intervention required, which would obviously be way too onerous.

Oops. Sorry for that, my mistake

Edit: that's actually an interesting idea. Wonder what's Lamoni goin' do do now aha

If anyone suggested "more Maltropia, less thesis-writing" as a forum improvement, your wishes have been granted.

Forget NationStates. Thesis and late night coffee (or energy drinks. Ugh) all the way. We will do just fine without you Ugh these mentors always having real life I am busy excuses yeah right..........

[Maltropia]

I'm submitting it today; I'm free again.