Second Life Wiki - User contributions [en]

User:Zai Lynch/Buddy Panel

2008-06-05T15:30:13Z

Sumar Morgan: Sumar Morgan

__NOTOC__ {{Multi-lang}}

This is a manual for the Buddy Panels at the [http://slurl.com/secondlife/SLVEC/149/58/22 Buddy Center] of the '''S'''econd '''L'''ife '''V'''olunteers '''E'''ducation '''C'''enter ([[SL_Volunteer_Education_Center|SLVEC]]).

== Manual For Visitors ==

[[Image:Stay_puft_buddy.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Example Panel]]
It might be best to explain the functions of the panel with an example. So what can you see at the picture on the right?

The Buddy...
* ...seems to be the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stay_Puft_Marshmallow_Man Stay Puft Marshmallow Man] - so we got a profile picture.
* ...is <span style="color: #00ff00;">'''ONLINE'''</span> (bold green writing on the bottom). In case he would be offline, it would say <span style="color: #ff0000;">'''OFFLINE'''</span>.
* ...speaks English as native language and German (Deutsch) as 1st additional language.
* ...doesn't speak a 2nd or 3rd additional language (empty fields beneath the ''Deutsch'' field).
* ...is an ''Apprentice Buddy'' as well, so he can do ''[[Buddy Shadowing]]'' (shown by the icon above the profile picture).
* ...got time for a shadowing session right now - ''woot!'' -. This is shown by the icon in the upper right corner. In case it is not there, it does not neccessarily mean that the Buddy got ''no time'' for shadowing. Just write an IM and ask.

So in case you would like to get in contact with the ''Marshmallow Buddy'', you can simply click his panel and take a look at your ''Chat History''. There will be two clickable links displayed. One working in ''Windlight'' and one in the regular viewers. Just try which one works for you. It will open up the Buddys profile and you can send an IM with your request. Please provide all necessary informations (if possible) and don't just write "Hi" or something similar. This way, you won't confuse the Buddy and will speed up the process of getting an answer to your question.

There might be also some panels with huge questionmarks instead of profile pictures and a hovering text saying who's panel it is and that the Buddy got no profile picture added to it by now. These panels are nevertheless fully functional for you so you can contact these buddies as well (if they are online).

== Manual For Buddies ==

[[Image:Find_a_Buddy.jpg|right]]
So you're a Buddy and you just received a message that your new Buddy Panel is set up on SLVEC's Buddy Center? ''Congratulations''! So what is next? Go to the Buddy Center and enter the left hut if your first name begins with a letter from A to L or to the right hut for names starting with letters M to Z. Have a look if you can spot your profile picture. If so, go to the panel and click it. If not, have a look at a panel with a huge questionmark on it and your name in the hovering text. Once you found it, click it. [[User:Nava Muni|Nava Muni]] scripted a neat tool in case you can't find your panel. Just click the sign saying "Find a Buddy" (displayed on the right) and type your full name in open chat. A particle beam will guide you to your panel which you're now able to customize.

==== Pic UUID ====

You can add a picture of your choice to the panel. However, it should relate to you in some way or another. So I think a picture of yourself would fit best. But that's up to you. After clicking this button, the panel will ask you to send the pictures UUID to channel 44. To get the UUID, go to your inventory, search for the texture or snapshot, make a right click on it and select ''Copy Asset UUID''. You can now paste the UUID with ''CTRL'' and ''V'' on a PC or ''CMD'' and ''V'' on a Mac. So it would look somehow similar to<br>
<code style="border:1px dashed grey;font-size:125%;padding:0.2em 0.5em">/44 dc291084-0f6c-4301-796f-3a50e209c2f8</code>
<br>
That's it. Your panel should now display the desired picture.

==== Pic Profile ====

You'd like to change the picture back to your profile picture? No prob. Just click this button and if you a) got a profile picture up and b) aren't hidden from the search, it should be displayed afterwards.

==== AvShadow ====

Ok, this button won't do anything as long as you're not an ''Apprentice Buddy'' as well. But in case you '''are''' an apprentice Buddy, it will show you as available for a shadowing session. So only activate it when you know you got at least between 30mins and one hour of time to shadow some apprentices. The ''available for shadowing'' icon will be automatically switched off once you went offline. How ever, the panel will need up to 5 minutes to detect that you're offline. (Have a look at the [[User:Zai_Lynch/Buddy_Panel#Shadowing_Remote_HUD|Shadowing remote HUD]] as well.)

==== UnavShado ====

Again, this button won't do anything unless you're an ''Apprentice Buddy'' and got the icon displayed, that you'd be available for shadowing. It will switch the Icon off. So this does '''not''' necessarily mean that you're unavailable for shadowing, since no one can expect you to always update your panel. But it also won't attract more apprentices then usual that way. (Have a look at the [[User:Zai_Lynch/Buddy_Panel#Shadowing_Remote_HUD|Shadowing remote HUD]] as well.)

==== Native Lang ====

Ok, this should explain itself... Click it and a new menu will pop up. So you can set your native language out of one of the following languages:

Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish or Swedish.

I can't provide all languages spoken worldwide... but I tried to catch the ones spoken by SL Mentor Buddies so far. How ever: If you're a Buddy and your native language is missing, please forward it to Mia Linden or myself (Zai Lynch) so i can script it in.

==== Add Lang 1..3 ====

Here you can add up to three additional languages that you're able to speak. ''Please'' add only those languages that you're really able to understand and in which you're able to give advice. If you're able to say ''Hello'' and ''Goodbye'' in Swahili this is indeed very kewl but also not really helpful in this context.

==== Get Key ====

This will give you the UUID of your Buddy Panel. What for? Continue reading at the [[User:Zai_Lynch/Buddy_Panel#Shadowing_Remote_HUD|Shadowing Remote HUD]].

=== Shadowing Remote HUD ===

So you read thrice about this Shadowing Remote thingy and now you finally reached the point where I'm going to explain it. It's a simple HUD that just provides one button. On/Off. In case you got a brand new one, you'll need to initialize it. So ''wear'' it (it will attach to the upper left spot of your HUD by default) and click it once. It will ask you about the key of your Buddy Panel. You can get that key by clicking at the "Get Key" button of your panel (of course). So just copy it and paste it when the remote asks for it. It is now connected to your Buddy Panel and you can toggle the ''Available for shadowing'' icon on and off, no matter where you are on the Grid, since it works with llEmail. In case you provided a wrong key, got the HUD from someone else who already initilized it or what ever: You can set a new key to it by clicking '''and''' holding it clicked for about 3 or 4 seconds. If you stop clicking after that, it will ask again for a new key. To obtain the HUD, please go to the fireplace at the Buddy Center in SLVEC and say ''HUD'' in open chat. ''Chatmaster Bud'' will give you one =)

The HUD and the scripts inside are full perms. So in case you don't like it the way it is or say ''OMG I ALMOST GOT EVERY SPOT ON MY HUD TAKEN!!!'': You can mod it. You can link it to your ZHAO or build an own HUD or what ever. So what would it have to do? It just sends emails to the panel with ether "available" or "unavailable" in the subject. That's all. But the panel tests if the one who owns the HUD is the same person the panel is connected to. So it should be kinda save that no one else toggles your panel on/off.
The Panel checks for new mails every minute, so give it some time to update. After checking, it looks at the queue and fetches the other waiting mails until it returns to the 1 minute cycle. How ever, it does not send some kind of response. So make sure your own script works with the panel before handing it out to your fellow Mentors.

== Manual For Admins ==

So in case you're a VTeam Linden, this paragraph might be interesting for you. First of all: If you set a new panel up, please make sure you set it to the VTeam group! This is '''very''' important since otherwise, everyone would be able to access the admin menu, add Buddys etc. and no mentor clicking it would get the profile links. OK, rez the Panel in world. If you can not see it, please rotate your camera 180° or activate ''Highlight Transparent'' (''CTRL'' + ''ALT'' + ''T'') since the backs of the panels are see-through. Once rezzed in world, you can click the panel and start:

==== Add Name ====

Click this button and say the name of the Buddy you'd like to connect to the panel. The panel will try to find the Buddy's key and display the profile picture. If the profile picture isn't available, it will show a texture with a huge questionmark instead and it will display a hovering text saying the Buddys name and that no picture is added to the panel yet. The function also renames the Buddy Panel to ''Buddyname's Buddy Panel'' (For example: ''Marshmallow Man's Buddy Panel''). If you're interested in the technique used, please continue reading this note. Otherwise you can skip the rest of the text and continue at the [[User:Zai_Lynch/Buddy_Panel#Set_App|next topic]].

While there is no llName2Key in SL, the panel tries to find the Buddy in [http://w-hat.com/name2key the w-hat database]. Since this database only covers about 20% of the SL Residents (also these seem to be most of the active ones) it might be that there is a Buddy who's not within this database. So if the search with w-hat fails, it connects the Second Life search via http request with a relay over Bablefish. (No, this wasn't my idea... But it's a great one.) So we'll be able to get most of the keys available and hopefully every Buddys key. Afterwards, the script uses the key to connect the http profile page and grabs the profile pic if available, using [http://lslwiki.net/lslwiki/wakka.php?wakka=LibraryDisplayProfilePic this method].

==== Set App ====

This will give a Buddy the status of an ''Apprentice Buddy'' and enable the option to toggle availability for shadowing.

==== Revoke App ====

Well... this one revokes the Buddy from the ''Apprentice Buddy'' role.

==== Buddy Menu ====

Clicking this button will show you all the features listed in the [[User:Zai_Lynch/Buddy_Panel#Manual_For_Buddys|Buddy Menu describtion]].

==== Inform ====

This will send an IM to the Buddy, stating out that the panel is now set up and ready for costumization. It also provides the name of the SIM where it is located and the coordinates with a telport link. So I suggest to press "Inform" after you added a new name so the Buddy knows that everything is ready.

==== Reset ====

Like the name says, it will reset everything to an uninitialized empty panel.

==== // & /// etc. ====

If a normal user clicks the panel, the connected Buddy's profile links are displayed. Since there are different viewers released and since these are acting differently on the links, I provided both versions, so everyone will be able to open the profile, without the need for a special viewer. However, if there will be an agreement for one of the versions (ether with two slashes // or three /// ) as well as a forced update so everyone got a viewer who's able to parse the code, an admin can set the panels, so they only display the right version. So in case the two slash version is right, click // and in case three slashes is right, click ///. If it is still undecided, click // & /// for both versions (this is the default setting).

=== Buddy Apprentice Remote ===

The ''Buddy Apprentice Remote'' will give you the possibility to set a Buddy as ''Apprentice Buddy'' / revoke the Buddy from the Apprentice Buddy role or even Reset a Buddy Panel without the need to run all over the place, searching for the profile pic fitting to the name on your list. To use it, you got to be in the same Sim as the Buddy Panel (since it uses llRegionSay). If you are not the owner of the Panel, you got to activate the group tag the panels are set to. Click "[[User:Zai_Lynch/Buddy_Panel#Set_App|Set App]]", "[[User:Zai_Lynch/Buddy_Panel#Revoke_App|Revoke App]]" or "[[User:Zai_Lynch/Buddy_Panel#Reset|Reset]]" and enter the name of the Buddy. The remote will let you know if the command was received by the panel.

[[Category:SL Mentor Buddy| ]]
[[Category:Apprentice Buddies| ]]

== Credits ==
Since this is my first real script, I'd like to thank the ones who were available to me for help and suggestions:
* [[User:Kuraiko_Yoshikawa|Kuraiko Yoshikawa]] for testing, patience, lsl advice and texturing help.
* [[User:Trinity_Coulter|Trinity Coulter]] for Name2Key help, testing and a wonderful design for the Buddy Village.
* [[User:Nava_Muni|Nava Muni]] for the Buddy Finder.
* [[User:Shiva_Aabye|Shiva Aabye]] for an introduction to lsl and the llListen() function.
* [[User:Lum_Pfohl|Lum Pfohl]] for scripting advice and encouragement.
* [http://www.lslwiki.net lsl wiki] for helpful resources =)

== Related Links ==

*[[SL Apprentice Mentors]]
*[[SL Volunteer Mentor Buddies]]
*[[Buddy Shadowing]]
*[[Introduction to Shadowing for Apprentices]]

Buddy Shadowing

2008-06-05T15:08:33Z

Sumar Morgan: /* How To Submit Your Voucher */

{{Multi-lang}}

''Apprentice Mentors are required to receive a voucher from a Apprentice Buddy in order to be placed into the Second Life Mentors group. The role of Apprentice Buddy in the Mentor Apprentices group make up volunteers from the official Mentor group who are able to offer 'shadowing experiences' to Apprentices to provide a layer of experience prior to entering the official Mentor group. Once the shadowing experience is completed, the Apprentice Buddy sends a voucher to VTeam reflecting the Apprentice's completion of the shadowing experience. The Apprentice Buddy role is an entirely opt-in role offered to Buddies within the official Mentor group.''

==Nitty Gritty Information About Shadowing Experiences==

*Shadowing Experiences may only be offered by Mentors who are also Apprentice Buddies in the Second Life Apprentices group.

*Apprentices should take the one hour Orientation session ''before'' shadowing a Apprentice Buddy.

*Criteria for completion of the shadowing experience MUST be explained to the Apprentice by the Apprentice Buddy before the shadowing experience begins.

*A shadowing experience may '''NOT''' last longer than one hour.

*Terms of Service and Community Standards must be obeyed during the shadowing experience. This should be relatively easy--watch for PG regions and be mindful of your surroundings!

*When the criteria for the shadowing experience is met by the Apprentice, the Apprentice Buddy should send a notecard to the Voucher Kiosk at SLVEC as soon as possible. The notecard, or otherwise known as the "voucher" should include the Apprentice Buddy and the Apprentice's name. This is all that is necessary to provide a voucher. Please let the Apprentice know when you have submitted a voucher.

*Once the voucher is sent, please give VTeam one week to process the Apprentice into the official Mentor group.

*Ultimately, the Apprentice Buddy is responsible for providing VTeam with a voucher for the Apprentice which will show VTeam that the Apprentice has met the shadowing experience criteria the Apprentice Buddy has set. Apprentice Buddies may be responsible for providing VTeam with their defined criteria at any given time for monitoring or dispute resolution purposes. Finally, remember the Shadow Experience's purpose: to provide a degree of hands-on experience for the Apprentice with the help of an experienced Mentor before entering the program. No Boot Camp experiences!

*In the event of a dispute or a delay in processing, please contact a VTeam member.

*Shadowing Experiences should be a nice blend of fun and function. Have a good time getting to know your Apprentice Buddy!

*Focus on teamwork rather than measuring the Apprentice's abilities. Shadowing should focus on building teamwork and welcoming the Apprentice into the program; shadowing should NOT be boot camp, a test of endurance or strength, or a personality quiz. When in doubt: ERR ON THE SIDE OF THE APPRENTICE. If you feel they need more private training, consider ways to encourage development that will help the volunteer reach his or her potential.

==For Apprentice Buddies: Criteria For Shadowing Experience Completion==

*Shadowing Experiences may not exceed one hour of participation.

*Terms of Service and Community Standards should be followed for the duration of the shadowing experience.

*The Tao of Volunteers also must be followed during the shadowing experience.

*The Apprentice should be aware of the criteria for completion of the shadowing experience prior to the session.

*Shadowing Experiences may be done one-on-one or in small groups. 'Small groups' is intentionally not defined with a number as shadowing experiences may vary in style--however, please take care in transporting multiple Apprentices to various locations around Second Life, as the number of agents in a region can affect simulator performance and degrade the value of the shadowing experience. Remember: quality over quantity!

*Ultimately, the Apprentice Buddy is responsible for providing VTeam with a voucher for the Apprentice which will show VTeam that the Apprentice has met the shadowing experience criteria the Apprentice Buddy has set. Apprentice Buddies may be responsible for providing VTeam with their defined criteria at any given time for monitoring or dispute resolution purposes.

*A description of the Apprentice's strengths and weaknesses is not required when passing along the voucher.

*If time constraints, region performance, or external circumstances prevent the criteria from being met, consider erring on the side of the Apprentice when considering vouching for them--remember, these extraneous circumstances are a major part of the learning/volunteering experience as well.

*If the criteria for successful completion of the shadowing experience are not met without clear justification, please respectfully decline providing a voucher for the Apprentice and contact a VTeam Linden at your earliest convenience with reasoning. If criteria is not met due to time constraints (shadowing experiences may last no longer than one hour) please err on the side of the Apprentice. If able, let the Apprentice know that he or she can shadow another Apprentice Buddy and still receive a voucher.

*Finally, another reminder about the Shadow Experience's purpose: to provide a degree of hands-on experience for the Apprentice with the help of an experienced Mentor before entering the program. No Boot Camp experiences! Have FUN, and get to know your Apprentice!

==Shadow Experience Criteria Models==

''Below are some models/suggestions for shadowing experiences and criteria that may be met before providing a voucher to the Apprentice. You are welcome to make your own so long as your criteria for completing the experience is defined in some measurable way.''

'' Reminder: Shadowing experiences may last no longer than one hour. You may wish to supplement your shadowing experience with materials or conversation that points to relevant resources or tips on social etiquette that you feel all Mentors should be aware of.''

"THE GRAND TOUR"

Time Frame: 60 minutes

Criteria: The Apprentice must tag along with the Apprentice Buddy to visit five Infohubs in Second Life. (Calleta, Hyles, Braunworth, Miramare, Isabel.) The Apprentice Buddy will give examples through these visits on how to address questions that arise. By the end of the shadowing experience, the Apprentice should offer help to at least one resident with a question or direct their query to the appropriate support resource. The Apprentice Buddy will offer support in answering or directing the resident's query, similar to how Mentors utilize the Q&A group as a resource.

"CROWDSURFING 101"

Time Frame: 30-60 minutes

Criteria: The Apprentice must tag along with a Buddy and visit three Welcome Areas/public help areas (Ahern, Help Island Public, Waterhead). The Apprentice Buddy will explain common trials and tribulations of these locations and offer tips on which resources or methods to use when faced with these circumstances. With help from the Buddy, the Apprentice must find at least one resident who needs or could benefit from an inventory drop--be it a freebie primhair, a new gesture, or a notecard with advice.

"SANDBOX SHADOWS"

Time Frame: 30-60 minutes

Criteria: The Apprentice Buddy will provide an example of a standard inventory or object creation feature, such as placing objects into a box or rezzing a vehicle from inventory. Then, the Apprentice Buddy must guide the Apprentice in finding a new resident who they can pass this information on to. By showing the new resident how to find the vehicle / sandbox regions and how to utilize the selected inventory feature, the criteria for shadowing will be met.

"THE CONVERSATIONALIST"

Time Frame: 30 minutes
*Best in small groups.

Criteria: The Apprentice Buddy will provide a series of popular questions and create a mock scenario of what it could be like to address a new resident who is dying to figure out just what Second Life is. As the questions are answered, the Apprentice Buddy will provide the Apprentice with tips in developing their answers more fully when necessary. If a question cannot be answered, the Buddy will provide advice or point to a resource list where they can find the answer to the question posed. Criteria is met when the time period expires.

[[Apprentice Buddy Shadowing Models For ABs By ABs]]

*Check this link for models and advice from Apprentice Buddies who have been shadowing. The information therein is not monitored by VTeam. Apprentice Buddy contributions are to be used at your discretion. Please remember to have all shadowing examples meet the requirements for an official shadowing session!

==How To Submit Your Voucher==

*When the criteria for the shadowing experience is met by the Apprentice, the Apprentice Buddy should send a notecard to the Voucher Kiosk at SLVEC as soon as possible. The notecard, otherwise known as the "voucher", should include the Apprentice Buddy and the Apprentice's name. This is all that is necessary to provide a voucher. Please let the Apprentice know when you have submitted a voucher. If there are any questions about entry from the Apprentice, have the Apprentice contact a VTeam member.

Sumar Morgan
IM in world
during most days

==How To Sign Up==

*This role is only available to official Mentors who are already in the Buddy role. Please view [[SL_Volunteer_Mentor_Buddies|the corresponding article]] about entering the Buddy role for details.

*If you have not heard back about your application in over a week, please contact George Linden.

[http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Tu7Q1S_2f6It7pLoXWB9z8jQ_3d_3d Sign Up!]

(''This link might cause problems in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safari_%28web_browser%29 Safari web browser]. If you experience these problems, please consider a temporarily use of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firefox Firefox browser] instead.'')

[[Category:Second_Life_Volunteers]]
[[Category:Second_Life_Mentors| ]]
[[Category:SL_Mentor_Buddy| ]]
[[Category:Apprentice_Buddies| ]]

Basic Questions and Answers for Volunteer Candidates

2008-03-03T20:15:18Z

Sumar Morgan: /* Questions and Answers */

*This page will be a collaborative effort from Second Life Mentors to possibly help raise the bar on acceptance in the Second Life Volunteer Program. If enough input is gathered here this may become a good ''basic FAQ'' resource also.

'''Second Life Mentors: Please add ''basic'' questions and answers that you think a resident should already know, prior to acceptance into Second Life Volunteers.

==Questions and Answers==

* You are a member of a group. How do you leave that group?
* How do you use group chat?
* How do you edit your appearance? Also how can you completely change outfits at once?
* How do you find an Event in SL?
* How do you "rebake" or solve other "ruthing" or appearance problems?
* What is lag?
* Where can you set your "home" location in SL?
* When a "griefer" attacks, do you:
** (a) run screaming and yelling and shooting?
** (b) round up people and explain how to deal with it?
** (c) IM Torley Linden to see if he has a tutorial video on it?
** (d) what's a griefer?
** (e) calmly file an AR and get on with your day.
* Given the location name "SLVEC" alone, what tools might you use to find it?
* How do you search for the items you are wearing currently?
* What is a HUD?
* Where have you helped people before?
* What is the difference between a prim and an object?
* What SL or RL skills do you feel you can bring to the Mentor/Volunteer group?
* How do you disable particles?
* What is a Linden?
* What is "orbiting" and when is it OK to orbit people?
* How do you find help and answers in Second Life?
* WHY do you want to be a Mentor/Volunteer?
* What is a SLURL and how do you create one?
* Do you need to do anything if you see a child avatar on the grid?
* Do you know and understand the Big Six - Community Standards??
* Have you carefully read the TOS?
* Do you know the function and possibilities of F1?
* How can you fly higher than 250 metres?
* Clicking the danceball to stop dancing didn't work - how else can you stop any / all animations?
* How do you upgrade your account from basic to premium?
* What is the difference between No Copy and No Transfer on an item?
* Where can you do Orientation tutorials once you have left your first Orientation Island?
* If you have a basic account, can you own land? can you rent it?
* How do you clear your cache?
* What are Picks? How can you view another resident's picks and why would you want to?
* If you see something cool, how can you look to see who made it? Why would you want to?
* What is the Knowledge Base and where is it?
* What is the SL Wiki and where is it?
* What are the SL Forums and where are they?
* What are ten awesome things to do in SL that don't require money?
* What can a newbie do to educate themselves about cool places to see and reputable merchants to shop with? (ie, checking picks and searching for blogs)
* How can a newbie protect themselves from scams? (ie, don't say YES when an object asks for access to your lindens, beware of BIAB, etc.)
* Where can a resident go to take classes in SL, and how can they find them in events?
* What would you do if you felt another resident was harassing you?
* Do you know how to file an AR?
* What is JIRA?
* What is the difference between Mainland and Private Islands?
* Where do you go to get up to the minute information about grid outages, current known issues and other important things? (blog)
* If you look at your friendslist you see four toggable icons for each friend. What do they do?
* How can you send an IM to more than one friend?
* What's the easiest way to protect yourself against objects being thrown or shot at you?
* What does CTRL-ALT-V do?
* How do you change your clothing without getting naked?
* If a URL is being said in public chat in the main window, how do you click on it to launch the web browser?
* Why some Residents look like animal characters, teddy bears or robots?
* How do you add a picture to your in-world profile?
* What are the two ways to give someone something from your inventory?

[[Category:Second Life Mentors]]

Kiss-a-Linden

2008-02-12T18:50:17Z

Sumar Morgan:

*Nitram Foden
*Emily Darrow
*Suz Bumbo
*Doctor Gascoigne
*Firehorse Whiplash
*Redbeard McCellan
*Thalia Tal
*Norelen Carter
*Flux Woyseck
*Dirk Talamasca
*Jezzie McCellan
*Rock Paderborn
*Jaclyn Iredell
*Orlandoo Habercom
*Bulli Schumann
*Jesica Homewood
*Monalisa Robbiani
*Joslyn Bonetto
*Moon Nikolaidis
*Yoko Beaumont
*Lowri Mills
*Tonya Petrov
*Deanna Sukra
*Lum Pfohl
*aRa Sheridan
*Thely Anansi
*Kimber Enoch
*Roenik Newell
*Jurin Juran
*Lozzie Lowe
*miki22 Voom
*Ramona Forcella
*Kryptonia Paperdoll
*Michel Lemmon
*Aliceinwire Bleac
*Shania Humphreys
*Kwant Capalini
*Johnny Rambler
*Helmer Holmer
*Sylvana Huet
*Pompeja Rossini
*Furo Lane
*Igel Hawks
*Shinya Tandino
*Luna Larsen
*Pumpkin Zenovka
*Ludmilia Zapedzki
*CallieDel Boa
*Marisa Naheed
*Petronilla Paperdoll
*Stacy Maracas
*Brock Fabre
*Elvis Ireton
*NorgeTroll Fredriksson
*Geordie Superior
*Yukarikat Benelli
*BeccaLynn Montgomery
*Grianne Oyen
*Kati Voss
*elmiguel Ricardo
*Dawson "Lips" Murphy
*RB Vostok
*Tatanya Dawn
*Giovannigino Qinan
*Poppa Heron
*NABU Dabu
*IaoNeedle Mayo
*Meghan Dench
*Renisenb Beresford
*Skye Galileo
*Ryder Dryke
*Funn Jewell
*Moira Seelowe
*Rachel Howey
*Celadori Sakai
*Sumar Morgan

Mentor Q&A Discussion

2008-02-03T01:36:12Z

Sumar Morgan:

== Please add your thoughts on the Mentor Q&A test group down below! ==

<div id="box">Please place your comment below the latest comment in this paragraph and sign it with four tildes <nowiki>~~~~</nowiki> (or the signature button [[image:Button_sig.png]]). To write a direct response to one of the comments, move below that particular comment and start your entry with a colon. It will be displayed as an intended line then. Thank you :-) --[[User:Zai Lynch|Zai Lynch]] 02:10, 18 January 2008 (PST) </div>

From ASCIIrider Hailey: Only thing I can point out is the 1:1 question/answer ratio. That only should apply with a complete or correct answer as some may give wrong info, thinking it's correct. {{unsigned|ASCIIrider Hailey|02:13, 17. Jan. 2008}}

<nowiki>*Comment From Kitty Tandino*</nowiki>
I think this is a good step foward..
A Q&A channel would be alot better then people spaming main channel
"Mentors can join if they wish to help and those who don't want to don't have to"
<nowiki>:D</nowiki> i will love to see where this all leads :D! Heres to one more Step foward!!!!!<br>
WooT!<br>
-Kitty {{unsigned|Kitty Tandino|02:28, 17. Jan. 2008}}

I am invited to the group at 01/16/2008, and I hope that this group will be kept to the elite of the Mentors, so that Group Channel Spamming is kept to a minimum, and no-nonsense.
I am pleased to be one of this group.
Neovo {{unsigned|Neovo Geesink|07:55, 17. Jan. 2008}}

I am slightly sceptic as to the impact of this on the general mentor population. Right now, I tend toward the position that anything less than a mandatory membership by mentors (or just turning the mentor channel into a q&a channel) will not be widespread enough to be effective; however, I'm keeping an open mind and the testing shall give more info.
Also, a 1:1 ratio will not be effective; some answers will be wrong, others may require elaboration or explanation as to the why; without the reason *why* something is behaving the way it is, the q&a channel will miss its target of educating newer mentors.
[[User:Will Webb|Will Webb]] 15:54, 21 January 2008 (PST)

The Q&A Group I am hoping will provide me with serious answers/solutions to serious questions I pose. To be honest only die hard mentors are going to join the Q&A group, and contribute. I dont understand why the official channel cant be used for serious questions and concerns. I understand there are upwards of 2k of members in the Official mentors group BUT arent we all suppose to be working, and contributing? AND as such the official mentor channel should be utilised ligitimately, as an Q&A assistance channel.
A discussion was started recently where a mentals member stated that in the mentors group approx 1/3 were there and wanted to be active, 1/3 were there for the kudos and didnt plan on doing any work and 1/3 were inactive accounts. I would concur with the sub-categories but not necessarily the 1/3 break down. Having said that what should have occured before creating another group for mentors was to CULL the current crop and remove any accounts not been logged into for 2 mths, or move into a inactive mentors group and when and if they return to SL they can choose to move back into the main group, after 6 mths all accounts in the inactive mentors group be removed completely. The 3k amount of mentors currently give an inaccurate count of mentors working and providing support for new accounts and residents.

What concerns me about creating ANOTHER mentor group is the same old group of people are going to join and be active contributors, and the "for the kudos" members will once again slip through the cracks and still remain inactive.

With the Q&A group I hope it doesnt turn into another mental mentors full of larking about and nonsense. I enjoy being in the mentals BUT most of my questions go unanswered or mocked, I am not against the mentals at all it provides me with some entertainment BUT when I ask a serious question or voice concerns I expect frivolity to be left at the IM door. I hope that the Q&A group will be professional and respectful in its approach.

I also believe LIVE help should be bought back and instead of lindens being utilised in this support role, more experienced mentors should be given this duty (BUT that might be for another forum).
[[User:Sierra Larsen|Sierra Larsen]] 18:16, 1 February 2008 (PST)

I like the idea, and have answered a few questions already. However, I'm skeptical that it will eliminate the larger issue of questions in the main mentor channel. I believe we will see mostly "answerers" join the Q&A channel. Fewer "Questioners" will join because they may not have many answers, and may not plan for the ability to ask questions by joining the Q&A group. So, a mentor will have a question, yet no way to get into the Q&A group quickly enough to ask it. And if I'm wrong, and everyone joins the Q&A group, then we'll have what we have now, with a different group name. [[User:DoteDote Edison|DoteDote Edison]] 18:42, 1 February 2008 (PST)

The Q & A is serving the purpose of learning from each other when a question is raised. The more we tell each other about the group the more all of us will use it. The Mentals get a little rowdy and some people are not interested in listening through that. The Q & A serves a valid purpose by providing a less chattering channel where everyone can feel comfortable posing questions. If the discussion in the Q & A gets too lengthy (some consider this spam, some consider it learning) then those who don't want to continue listening merely have to click the X on the window. I'm not sure what the relevance of inactive group members has to do with any of it. --[[User:Jon Ree|Jon Ree]] 19:03, 1 February 2008 (PST)

At this point the new Q and A group, is in my humble opinion, nothing more that the SLM group, but with a different name. Of late there has been some really horrendous comments made in it, that dont do any mentor any justice, and to my mind reflects badly on all of us. It badly needs some form of monitoring to stop the horrendous comments from some. [[User:Rails Bailey|Rails]] 23:46, 1 February 2008 (PST)

I like what I've seen so far, but it is early days yet and I believe it needs a little time to "bed in" properly. But certainly, the opportunity to be able to ask a question and choose from a variety of responses, or to learn from the answers to someone else's question, is a very helpful asset. I have an idea about how this and the main channel could co-exist side by side? If this channel was used to learn or advise via Q&A, then the main channel could be reserved only for requests for Mentors to come and help in a particular situation (e.g. a language speaker for Orientation Islands). Both types of request COULD live in the same channel, but splitting them would avoid the complaints so often seen. [[User:Tid Kidd|Tid Kidd]] 05:53, 2 February 2008 (PST)

What I like most about the new group is the fact you get the SLVolunteer Digests in your mail. I'm learning all the time this way...--[[User:Yock Yifu|Yock Yifu]] 08:19, 2 February 2008 (PST)

== Suggestion about FAQs ==
Might be a good idea to collect common questions and store them in an FAQ for new Mentors. [[User:Zai_Lynch/wmsk|Just started with a first draft]]. Feel free to add / change. --[[User:Zai Lynch|Zai Lynch]] 18:58, 16 January 2008 (PST)

[[User:Jane2 McMahon|Jane2 McMahon]] 16:52, 1 February 2008 (PST)I like this channel better than the "official" one as a) there is room for discussion about issues that more than one person might find of value; and b) the unofficial SL mentor police don't clog up the channel complaining about people posting questions. I've found the discussions quite good, and am pleased it does not descend into chattiness. -- Jane2

I love the New Q&A group I am sure it will build and be better than now With new and old mentors we all have questions that need to be answered. This can be a way to reach out to not only learn but help others if we ourselves dont know the answer. The more we know the more we can help.[[User:Doctordaffy Cure|Doctordaffy Cure]] 17:02, 1 February 2008 (PST)

--[[User:Del Harrop|Del Harrop]] 02:28, 2 February 2008 (PST)Hello I don`t know how much it is being used at the moment but Q & A needs time to grow and develop. It is exactly what new.....and not so new, mentors need. I felt srongly about the fact that when a question was posted in the main channel EVERYONE should have had the opportunity to see the answers.....what an absolute waste of an opportunity to learn by only being able to reply in IM`s. I think Q&A is the solution....it will also (tongue in cheek LOL) prevent the `SL Mentor police` from spamming with unhelpful comments and complaints..I like, very much, the idea of the FAQ being built up too. I know there is a Knowledge base etc but they are not the easiest to access when you have an impatient Newbie snapping at your ankles and raring to go. Del Harrop

[[User:Sumar Morgan|Sumar Morgan]] 17:36, 2 February 2008 (PST) I enjoy the Q&A area and think it is a super place for people to discuss how to do things.
There was an incident the other night that should not be allowed. One mentor was inconsiderent and demeaning to the legimate question of another mentore. If we as a mentor cannot be kind and helpful to each other, I do question how they treat new and confused newbies. This kind of behaviour is obnoxious and something needs to be done to stop it.

I think this is a place that where questions can let others who are interested help discuss and solve. This should open up the Mentor IM for emergiencies.