Question regarding GDT (Global Development Team)
 

I've been wondering this for quite some time now. Are GDTs actually hire-able? The reason I ask this is become when I first heard about GDT, I figured that you could hire them for development on your server. But then later I read their job description (I think it was on an application) and figured "Oh, theyre just pretty much off-forum help." Figuring that all they do is answer potential questions regarding, say, scripting. Or say, just helping to fix a few script errors here and there. Not actually for the development of something from scratch. I hate to say I'm a bit-.. Actually, terribly confused on what exactly their job really is. Like how involved with development do they actually get?

On a semi-related note: I'm pretty much refusing to hire players unless we get a better backup method. All these stories I've heard about such as: newly hired scripters being able to take over servers through abuse of something like a level editor weapon (to somehow alter rights) have me quite a bit too paranoid to hire anyone that does not have a symbol of their trustworthiness (the GDT tag being a related example).

The GDT hasn't really done anything yet, so it's not surprising you're confused about how they work.

I really like you Chris

Personally I've found the GDT to be more of a directory of developers who may be able to help you out. Here's an example where it was successful:

Recently sssssssssss Forum PM'd me requesting help (mention for his server, I helped him out by finishing a couple of his requests and taught him a few things to make development easier on himself.

If you have a plan for your server, and know exactly what you want done then the GDT can be a great help to you.

Now, not hiring people because you not might be able to get a backup isn't a good reason. All kinds of the abuse you listed can be prevented by only giving people rights they actually need, and making them go through a small interview to make sure they're not an idiot.

Since your server is UC, you don't have to worry about account data at all unlike Era, UN, and Zodiac. You can use the File Browser and make script backups with these folder rights:

I personally just create a folder name it "NC Backup - MMDDYYYY", create the weapons, npcs, and script folders to mimic the folder structure, then drag-n-drop them, zip it up, and place it in my DropBox (Great Backup / Group File Sharing program).

Since Ben and I just took it over, we are organizing a few things and discussing ideas and plans to work on with the team. When our stuff is in one sock, so to speak, we will be making announcements for projects.

As for help, feel free to ask any of the GDT for help, but we aren't slave labor. All of the GDT should be happy to find errors, give pointers, and guide you.