Hmmmm...it was pretty hard pressing the submit button about this.
Sorry, I was writing this, then I read two posts above me again...and again...and again clearly and realized what a waste of time this has been to think and write about xD TL:DR I agree, removing the awkwardness of joining is a good idea, through streamlining people's browsing movements by making it easy on finding what they need to find. I guess for proofreaders, and checkers, basically fresh eyes, it still kinda applies. Kinda.
Oh, hi. Just lurking around, don't mind me...but aren't they tagged with EHCOVE in the galleries?
Or is it that not
all of the EHCOVE-commissioned work are tagged as such?
I'm now talking as a newb of these forums, knowing not much about the philosophy of EHCOVE, and how it's perceived to be different, and hopefully (arguably) better than others.
Also, I agree. Take translator, called X. Translator sees your message, registers, then signs up, and heads to the Cove of Translators. He takes a look at the stickies, as if he takes it for a summary, and he sees:
- Japanese Slang
- editor/translator roll call
- EHCOVE releases
- Bounty Etiquette
- Useful tips and guidance
Nothing about introducing themselves, or EHCOVE for that matter. Nothing about a how-to on how to join. Translator/editor roll call sounds like a list of who
already works for EHCOVE. I would second the idea of a stickied thread of a clear way to tell people: "Look, this is who we are and how we do things". I know there's an introduction page at the front of the forums - would a bounty translator really care? Not sure, probably not so much.
So, yes, a secondary thread, stickied, as Red said, would be useful. I'm not sure how other people managed to find EHCOVE and get in, but I'm thinking of those who found it through the gallery and wanted to join. Maybe they're not native speakers. But as someone who proofread, I can't speak for the visiting experience of a potential translator/editor, but as a proofreader. And the only option I actually saw was, "Make a thread and offer myself, because I read the stickies and I'm no editor or translator. I also bothered to scroll down after reading stickied "Translator and Editor Roll Call" and saw only trans/edit (not sure if anyone would scroll down)."
I understand there is no central command, and it's a bounty-reliant group - I've no experience with scanlation groups at all. But there must be at least a
centre for those you're trying to attract. And I don't mean "Cove of Translators" - to talk in metaphors, that's like entering an industrial estate, or a shopping mall, or something similar. You did not enter the recruiting office - personally, I had to ask a passing member. Only about 110(?) listened to me, 2 of which are the right people.
So, again speaking metaphorically, make a signpost in your village/organization. A big massive signpost that you can see from the entrance, not just by walking up to it. I saw that Sherlockian's been added to the list in the roll call thread. I just wonder if the more casual pontentials only took, say, 30 seconds to browse through the forums, and if you are indeed catching them at the "Do I really want to join?" Question rather than the "Errr....how do I join?" Question. If they take too long at that second question, they'll say "nevermind, I'll just do bounty translations at g.e-hentai instead", instead of looking more. Yes, you get them to check around sub thread "Translation Bounties" (What about editor bounties?), but that doesn't tell people how to
join. Freelancers won't believe they're part of a group. I'll admit though, I'm seriously impressed by how this group works. No, seriously. You actually made an economy out of this? Holy shit...
At least there's a core of translators and editors in EHCOVE. At least...I hope there is. Is there? Or am I just barking the wrong things, and EHCOVE is simply a group of commissioners who, due to the nature of the site, started as workers until they could afford to be superiors and could hire their own workforce? Ended up having more superiors than workers, so they started hiring passing opportunists.
Ooh, an About page. That's also something to think about.
Anyway, enough of my rant. I might be hitting the mark, I might be barking the wrong things, I might even be suggesting something not compatible with EHCOVE's philosophy. I tend to have a habit of suggesting things that don't make sense. These are just some thoughts I'd thought I'll share
because I saw it become the thread most recently posted on. Yep, the suggestion box seemed hard to find as well. It only lights up and becomes easy to see when someone puts a new suggestion into it.
To end on that note... *bumps thread back up there*
Oh, and Red_Piotrus, that's an amazing idea. Shit, I should have read much closely - see what You actually posted. See what I mean about me and suggestions? But I've just said a mind of a person who rarely ever participates in any forum. Also, I'll suggest calling the thread you mentioned as "About Us" or "About EHCOVE". Take some pride being a part of EHCOVE. I've made guilds before in games, and I've found that
people stick around longer and work harder if they see that the leader has pride in the guild, and is active. Show off that pride - I'll look forward to that thread you mentioned, Red. Even if it doesn't help, at least the existing members will know exactly what legacy they're a part of.
EHCOVE discussion thread, Help improve EHCove
Dec 10 2014, 03:38
