Subject: Excessive programmer privileges

From: "I don't want the world, I just want your half" <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 29 Apr 1992 13:25:38 -0700

The inclusion of a class `midway' between $player and $prog seems like a
reasonable idea to me. I've never been entirely happy with the current system
of "hand a prog bit to anyone who asks". When I first started playing Lambda,
I was at least asked what I was planning on building and whether I felt I could
contribute anything of worth to the game. The threat of not having rooms linked
to the main house seemed to _mean_ something then.

Now, prog bits are handed out almost the instant the new player steps out of
the closet. I understand and empathise with the problems associated;  wizards
just _don't_ have the time to interrogate every new player who hassles them
for a programmer bit. However, there are a large number of players who are
given these bits when they haven't even fleshed out their characters...
descriptions and genders are left unset, several junk items are created, then
the character disappears, never to be heard from again. Groups of people get
together and build their only little mini-areas, with no concern for the main
theme at all. People will be requesting prog bits now just to gain more quota
(I could be talking through my hat here...I'm assuming that players are
granted more quota once they've been given programmer status).

Having a programmer bit signifies nothing anymore. Do not misinterpret me, I'm
not suggesting that prog bits become an `elitist' symbol. I just feel that 
having a programmer bit should indicate a willingness to contribute worthwhile
areas to Lambda, to aid in making grow. Interest in Lambda seems to wane very
quickly merely because nothing _ever_ changes...

Lambda lacks direction, more now that it ever did before. Theme issues seem to 
be entirely forgotten. Growth has practically ceased. In my opinion, a small
core of programmers with a clear idea of what can be accomplished within theme
would be infinitely more benefitial than a multitude of people all thrusting
their chaotic concepts into the house.

Morpheus

---

From: Clay Luther <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 29 Apr 1992 08:51:31 -0700

> their chaotic concepts into the house.

On the GodNet, we originally removed the concept of players having programmer
bits (aka Lambda) precisely because we didn't want people coming in, making
buggy junk, and leaving us with a handful of worthless objects and a bloated
database.

However, as our opinions mellowed, it became somewhat clear that a good reward
for players would be having a builder level, where the player gets a programming
bit.  This would not use the $prog, but rather, just allow the builder player
to build and program a small collection of objects.  They still would not get
"magical" abilties like being able to teleport or see and get things from 
afar.  The, would, however, have status in the GodNet, whether they be clergy,
canon officals, experienced hackers, whatever.

Lastly, if your tired of Lambda and its themelessness, let me plug the GodNet
here, which is going to open RSN (yes yes, I know we *always* say RSN, but
we mean it ;)).  Definitely a strongly themed mud/moo, and we have no
sympathy or empathy for players who can't live within that theme.

-- 
Clay W. Luther                  [email-masked]
System Manager                  Center for Network Neuroscience
University of North Texas       PO Box 5218 Denton, Texas 76203
817/565-3896,3472               aka. Malraux@GodNet (Bushashuru!)