Hello Mark, I really do hope you get a chance to read this, and possibly let me know what you think about it.
About 7 or 8 Years ago I took part in an online game, it was one of those web based space battle games, and one of the things I loved most about it was that once per month, there was a creators hour, in essence, some of the creators sat in IRC, and took and answered questions, for 1 hour.
Since then I have been lucky to get into the closed beta test of a few AA titles, and a good few Indie and normal low budget games, and I have noticed that more and more of them where small development teams are involved, have or held these 1hour Q&A sessions.
I know that some people will reply to this saying that you dont have to answer this, because people who use c++ or VB dont get that with their respective creators. well this isnt c++, and its not VB, its blitz, its a small team and a very small and tight nit community, and I think this one on one situation could really help, not only your community, but yourself by allowing you in a structured manner to find out what your users are looking for, or what our fears and concerns are.
What I propose is that 1 hour per month, on a fixed day, and fixed hour, you create a post called "Siblys Hour" or something, During which time you sit down, have a coffee, and answer and reply to as many questions as you can preferably in the order in which they are posted.
1 Hour from your month is a very small amount to ask for, I know that you could find yourself in a situation where you are asked a hard question, tell the truth, were all adults I think we can handle it, if your asked about Max3D then answer as best you can, if your really unsure of the answer then just say that. don't suger coat it for us just give us your thoughts unedited. we know your human, we know your not perfect, none of us are.
My rant is now officially over. I only hope you read and reply before the hordes of negative posters get here.
About 7 or 8 Years ago I took part in an online game, it was one of those web based space battle games, and one of the things I loved most about it was that once per month, there was a creators hour, in essence, some of the creators sat in IRC, and took and answered questions, for 1 hour.
Since then I have been lucky to get into the closed beta test of a few AA titles, and a good few Indie and normal low budget games, and I have noticed that more and more of them where small development teams are involved, have or held these 1hour Q&A sessions.
I know that some people will reply to this saying that you dont have to answer this, because people who use c++ or VB dont get that with their respective creators. well this isnt c++, and its not VB, its blitz, its a small team and a very small and tight nit community, and I think this one on one situation could really help, not only your community, but yourself by allowing you in a structured manner to find out what your users are looking for, or what our fears and concerns are.
What I propose is that 1 hour per month, on a fixed day, and fixed hour, you create a post called "Siblys Hour" or something, During which time you sit down, have a coffee, and answer and reply to as many questions as you can preferably in the order in which they are posted.
1 Hour from your month is a very small amount to ask for, I know that you could find yourself in a situation where you are asked a hard question, tell the truth, were all adults I think we can handle it, if your asked about Max3D then answer as best you can, if your really unsure of the answer then just say that. don't suger coat it for us just give us your thoughts unedited. we know your human, we know your not perfect, none of us are.
My rant is now officially over. I only hope you read and reply before the hordes of negative posters get here.