IC site

[Aloys]

Choosing what to display on this list is indeed a bit delicate. If we want to be fair we should list all Ages, but the UAM list already does that. And many (the majority?) of the released Ages are essentially abandonned or were merely test works.. I agree listing only 'recent and active' Ages is a good start as we can set specific metrics for those, to avoid subjective selections.

Also, wouldn't it be better if the Ages descriptions were not filled by us (as in 'the people doing the site') but rather either by the authors themselves, or by one of the oter Guilds (Archivists and/or Maintainters) ? It would make for a nice collective work and a good occasion to foster Guild interactions...

[Trylon]

Also, wouldn't it be better if the Ages descriptions were not filled by us (as in 'the people doing the site') but rather either by the authors themselves, or by one of the oter Guilds (Archivists and/or Maintainters) ? It would make for a nice collective work and a good occasion to foster Guild interactions...

I basically agree, though I would phrase "not filled by us" as "not JUST filled by us".
In my experience it's often a good idea to make a start writing something, and then let the people who should have written it fix your mistakes.

At least we should make a start filling it in, just to give the others an idea what it is that should be filled in. Ofcourse, it would be best if we did that by filling in info on our own ages first

[diafero]

Using the Alcugs data, you could easily just use some of the ages, not all. And if the information there is not sufficient, why not extend it, so that there is one set of good information (perhaps available through two sites) instead of two incomplete/minimalistic sets?

I mean, if you want to do it yet again, I won't be able to stop you anyway, but I don't get the point.

[Trylon]

Because I see a fundamental difference between OOC information and IC information.

But same as you don't get my point, I don't get your point, so how about we just agree to disagree, ok
It's not worth having a fight over anyway.

[diafero]

So true, that's definitely not worth it. After all, I won't have the additional work, you will have it . Just don't expect any mercy when you are unable to follow the stream of age updates

[BAD]

Fero,

It's not about following age updates, it's about creating a narrative for ages that either the authors of the ages or the groups who are RPing at the GOW site feel should have a description and notes on the site. No one is trying to compete with the Alcugs list. This is a strictly for IC sub plots, not in anyway going to interfere or replace a repository for all of the ages released, as the Alcugs page is.

It's not about keeping an updated list, it's about facilitating peoples IC stories. I have to agree that the Alcugs list has OOC qualities that may not be well suited for certain peoples stories.

[JWPlatt]

As I mentioned in the thread which then got split off. Wordpress has a Multi-user mechanism called WordPress MU. Allows for a single installation of Wordpress with multiple blogs for users.

http://mu.wordpress.org/

WordPress 3.0 (now in beta) finally merges WordPress and WordPress MU. OpenURU.org has been using WordPress MU and this news is welcome. Also, besides going fancy with something like LDAP, there are other products which can integrate various web app authentication and user accounts.

[Aloys]

I have made a first draft of the pages that need the most text. Here it is.
This is still a draft, so comments and critiques are welcome. -– I think the 'About' section is a bit long.

The Home page

Home Page Show Spoiler

Welcome to the Guild of Writers’ website!
Ever since the Cavern was first closed after the Call, the Guild’s mission is to study, develop, and most of all share the knowledge of the D’ni Art.
Through this site, and our other online resources, we share and discuss the intricate skills of Writing, Book & Ink making, and more. With our resources and the help of the other Guilds, we are happy and proud to produce new Ages and help all aspiring explorers learn how to do it.

Make yourself at home!

'About' page

'About' Show Spoiler

“The Guild of Writers, studying the Art and producing Ages since 2004”

Formed the year following the first closure of the Cavern the Guild is an ever-evolving team with a mission. Although we follow the steps of the D’ni the structure of the Guild is very different from the defunct D’ni Guild of Writers. In fact we do not really see ourselves has a traditional Guild but rather as an open university: studying, producing, and sharing what we have to whoever is interested.

Who is the GoW?
The Guild is totally open: anyone is free to join at any time. We do not have a hierarchy, we do not have rules, and we do not have a fixed team – although we do have many people who have been here ever since the Cavern first opened. At any time the Guild is composed of several dozens of Explorers, with a core group of old-timers.
Anyone is welcome to participate: there is enough work for all good wills; and people from all horizons are always welcome.

What we do exactly?
Quite simple we study all fields of the Art: Writing, Book & Ink Making.
Our goal is not really to produce working Books and Ages (although that is the most visible part of our work), but rather to study and share the knowledge. What people do with that knowledge, and what are the Ages they produce (or restore) is not under our control – We think it is everyone’s role in the Cavern to act responsibly.
Also, as part of our study of the D’ni history, many of us also help to restore historical D’ni Ages and various place through the Cavern. There isn’t a guild of ‘Restorers’, but people wanting to feel that need came to the GoW.
If you want to learn more about the Ages we write (or restore) have a look at our Ages archives list.

How do we do it?
Many of us started studying the Art several years ago when we first got our hands on actual D’ni Books. With patience, careful exploration of the Cavern, and a few lucky discoveries we have been able to slowly decipher and reproduce the many facets of the complex Art of Writing.
If you are interested in the Art have a look at our Ages Writing FAQ.

What is the GoW relation with the other Guilds?
Each of the 5 ‘official’ guilds (as defined by the DRC) has a specific role. The production of Ages is a complex enterprise and the GoW is only the first link in the chain. After an Age is Written is has to be approved, mapped out, published, and even publicized. Those are the role of the Maintainers, Cartographers, Messengers and Greeters. (Along with a healthy dose of non-Guilded individuals, and non-official Guilds like the Archivists)

Age creation FAQ

FAQ Show Spoiler

Is your work ‘evil’, or disrespectful of the D’ni heritage?
Above all the members of the Guild are respectful of the Cavern heritage and the wonderful gift the D’ni gave us with the Art.
That being said the history of our guild has gone through some difficult paths over the years and has not always been understood by everyone. Our goal is only to share knowledge about the Art, and to allow all interested people to participate in the great D’ni restoration.

How do you write Ages?
With the right tools, the right knowledge, and lots of patience…
If you want to learn more about the Age creation process have a look at our documentation section.

Is it easy to write Ages?
The D’ni Guild apprentices studied for several years before being allowed to write their first linking Book. Since we have studied the D’ni Art for a while we have acquired quite a bit of knowledge and everyone is free to learn Writing at their own pace. Still you should not expect to be able to write a new Book overnight. Writing Ages is difficult.
People with different skills will progress at different speeds, with more or less ease, but those who work consistently will succeed.

Should I try to write Ages?
This is up to you. It is a long and difficult process, but it is certainly worth it: when you will walk for the
first time in your own Age you will know you have done the right choice.
Also, writing Ages is a complex task, involving diversified skills; as a result it is often the work of a whole team rather than individuals. If you do not want to, or cannot, try writing a whole Age by yourself you can look for people able to help you on some specific points. The community of Explorers is filled of talented and helpful people.
Evaluate whether you have the time and energy to learn Writing, and if you want to give it a try you are sure to find helping hands in the Guild.

Why do you restore D’ni areas?
Following the path set by the DRC many people would like to see the numerous D’ni places alive again. As many guild members were hard at work restoring their own Ages; it seemed natural to also work on the numerous D’ni Ages and Cavern areas. The Guild is happy to help not only create new Ages but also restore existing ones, including actual Cavern areas.

'Contact' page

Contact Show Spoiler

The Guild of Writers doesn’t have a formal structure like the other Guilds; as such we do not have an official ‘contact person’. That being said we are very easy to contact: If you want to talk to anyone in the Guild about any subject the best is way is simply to go to our forums (our OOC forum is here) and give us a shout. You are sure to get a quick response.
Alternatively if you are in the Cavern you can visit our Guild Pub or our ‘Hood.

If you want to notify us of a problem with our website you can contact our webmaster here: dictator@hoikas.com.

[Aloys]

Following some of the latest comments about guilds on the MOUL forums I've made this small update to the 'About' Page:

Who is the GoW?
The Guild is totally open: anyone is free to join at any time. There is no hierarchy, no structure of any kind, no 'rules', and there isn't really a fixed team – although we do have many veteran people who have been here ever since the Cavern first opened. At any time the Guild is composed of several dozens of Explorers, with a core group of old-timers and highly contributing people.
In fact the Guild of Writers is not really a guild. The GoW is an open space, not an ivory tower; people come and go and anyone is welcome to participate. There is enough work for all good wills and people from all horizons are welcome. Some people participate more than others,
There is no real membership status, if you want to 'join' the GoW come to our forums see what's going on, and if you like it just stick around.

To me this paragraph is one of the most important part (and the most difficult one to get right) of the IC site. Although we could (should?) totally copy/paste it word for word on the OOC site.

[diafero]

I like that description