1) Introduce yourself. Who are you?
Hello! I am Door and probably not all that well known. If you do know me, don’t feel too proud or anything. I am not exactly a master of evasion or a ninja, but that's okay because I am a girl so technically on the Internet I am treated as both.
-What do you do?
For a living I go to college and surf the Internet. That is basically my life.
-Where are you known?
I am a Classic girl! To quote the eternally wise Sue, "I thought you were a permanent fixture of Classic!" Ah, poignance at its best. I also play Zodiac, and sometimes I can be seen on UN losing countless spars, or sunbathing on Zenkou.
-Why do you play Graal?
I play Graal to socialize for the most part, but it is also nice to see the game grow and to contribute something to it every so often.
2) Experience with "online-only" staff teams, including playerworld work here on Graal.
I have been FAQ on Classic twice, and GP once. I have learned a lot from these staff positions, even though they seem rather scarce. Working with players first hand is the best way to understand their stances and what their goals might be. In the same sense, being able to see through the eyes of both an administrator and a player is a necessary skill in all staff positions, but especially in one that both critiques and supervises the work of players.
I have also worked alongside a few developers like Tom, Crono, and Rufus here and there, on small projects (most of which I was not officially contributing too, but my word was appreciated). In addition, I have made a few graphics for Classic and Bomy Island, but I am still very much learning how to make pixels look good.
And this is not an "online-only" staff position, but I think I should mention it nonetheless. I was an administrator of the Zodiac Forum (which exists no longer due to unfortunate circumstances). It was a very popular place for Zodiac players--and others--to hang out and socialize, as well as receive and offer help, get graphics uploaded, and show off development and receive constructive criticism, among other things. As in all places there were a select few troublemakers, but it was otherwise a very successful place, and many Zodiac players have fond memories of it; I’m glad to have been a part of it.
3) Assuming you have piqued our interest with your qualifications, what makes you stand out as an applicant?
I may not have piqued your interest, but I do believe I can still stand out. My social skills and lightheartedness are notable I think; if I do say so myself, I am very good with people. Negotiating is very often replaced with force on Graal, or so I have noticed, yet sometimes a light brush can be more powerful than a shove. Regardless of thinking this way, however, I value honesty to a great extent. Don’t expect me to lie just to make someone feel better!
One of my favorite hobbies is writing, and while I am not exactly an avid reviewer, I did write up a review of one of my now favorite servers back when I first started playing. I think creating these reviews would be my favorite part of being PWA. My Newbie's Review to Zodiac is located
here if you would like to read it. If not, that's okay. No harm done. Except to my feelings. ..
In addition to all of this, I am currently studying to be a high school teacher, and since an education minor is basically all psychology, I am fairly well versed in how the developing mind works, at least for someone of my age and experience. Also, I think that I articulate myself well with the English language. This is super important when it comes to communication!
4) What is your education level?
I am currently a second year college student working toward a Bachelor's degree in History/Education. I have made the Dean's list (high honors) all three semesters so far. This semester’s classes are a bit harder though!
-Are you employed?
I am currently not employed, but I plan to be over the summer. I need the cash, yo.
-What amount of time can you dedicate to Graal-related duties each day?
Daily, even with work and school, I would make sure I’d get a minimum of 3 hours on Graal. If I become PWA, I will dedicate all three of these hours to Graal. As of now, I have waaayyy more time than that daily, so I doubt there is any concern.
5) What do you see that needs changing in Graal's playerworld policies?
Consolidating skilled developers--or at least encouraging them to work together for a common goal--seems very important at this time. One of the biggest problems is that people are in development for the glory, or simply do not get along with others when they could really help one another.
Expanding on that, PWAs could act as mediators between developers who do not get along. Perhaps some people would see it as degrading to act as a messenger between two others, but if it would help get the work done, I would be honored to do it. Coordinating projects might solve some issues too. If developers do not agree with their manager or administrator, perhaps a PWA could help to compromise or at least ease any tension present. This is not necessarily something that PWAs can remedy, as some personalities will always conflict, but I think it should at least be attempted.
6) Show us some examples of your good judgment in certain situations.
When I was FAQ on Classic, I moved (in real life) for the first time in 15 years. It was a big deal and I did not have much time for Graal, so I quit my position. I know that sometimes staff members go on hiatus for their reasons, but I figured hiring an active FAQ to fill my slot would help the team more than sitting around waiting for me to get on 5 minutes a week.
While playing Zodiac last year, I discovered a very attractive bug that could illegitimately produce TOOONNNSSS of money. Staff at the time knew something was up, but did not know specifically about the bug (that many players were happily abusing). I reported it immediately, and consequently there was a server rollback!
This does not really count as a specific situation, but one of my strongest beliefs is that people can change. Some people have very bad attitudes and give a horrible first impression, but that does not mean that you have to treat them the same way. Many of the friends I have made on Graal were initially people I did not get along with, simply because I gained their respect by treating them with kindness even after they were mean. That is not to say I am constantly nice to people, however. Everyone has their breaking points.. plus sometimes people need to be given a good kick in the pants.
PS I love Lufish Darkmane. 
03-15-2008, 12:17 AM
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