Words from the Streetz: Another letter from the Guild... - by Streetz

[Streetz]

This thread is reserved for the dicussion of the following article:

http://www.magicdeckvortex.com/mdvarticle0311.htm

Please read it, enjoy it and discuss it here.

What did you like about the article? Was it inspiring, informational, ingenius? Was it inappropriate? Was there anything you really liked or didn't like about it?

Let the author know here!

Thanks!

**NOTE: This thread is posted before the article goes live. If the article isn't up yet, please check back later.

[Barachem]

So the writers guild is continuing the strike?

They might as well quit altogether while they're at it.
No, i really mean it.
As i have advocated several times now, this strike will most likely have a temporary big effect and a permanent small effect on the responses of the readers.

Yes, it's true that these articles about the strike generate responses, because it affects all of MDV, and is not like most articles, pointed towards a niche audience.
And honestly, i concur with you, Streetz, as i did before, in fact you're being punished because the writers guild thinks you can change the readers and have a simple job.
Guys, Streetz is the core keg here, without him, there's no more MDV, no articles, no forum, etc.
He keeps things up to date, publishes your articles, opens the possibility for responses and feedback.
Lay off him, he doesn't deserve this.

I appreciate what you guys did too.
But please let's get this over with, it's hurting Streetz more than it is hurting you or the readers.
In fact the readers can and will move to other sites if MDV bellyflops.
In the end you are hurting your own cause with this.

If you want feedback, ask readers give feedback to those articles they found useful.
I'm sure a little poll put in by Streetz or you is not much work.
Maybe it's a good thing to have week long polls where readers decide the topic for one article in the next week and that any writer in the guild can pick it up if he likes the topic.

You want feedback to your articles?
No problem, but start writing already.
I'm also considering to occasionally write an article.

Anyway, good luck people.

[FuDaWg45]

"Having read the initial responses of the readers, it has become clear to us that our initial suspicions are true; that you would win the sympathy of the general public. Congratulations. However, we managed to get our issue out there and the public is now aware of what has been kept behind closed doors up to this point; to stop our strike now would validate the opinion that we are just here to get attention and we both know that's not what's on the table here. We will continue this strike, but we will keep it fair and amicable until some consideration is made to our requests...

...True, your readers can’t be forced into reading our articles. So I give you our first demand: Provide us another way of determining whether or not we actually have a reader base, and not just a group of guys that play in the forums."

So you start by saying you aren't striking to get more attention, then your first demand is for more attention?

Here's a newsflash for you. You are striking because you want more attention.

Streetz, put up that hit counter for the writer's guild.

Done.

[Barachem]

Fudawg, they do want attention, but attention in the sense that they can tune their future articles to the readers.
A noble cause.

But the strike is getting no one anywhere.
And i concur with you, Fudawg: Streetz, they want a hit counter, so hit each of their countless articles with one of those!

[hamsandwich]

lame carck on dazboot. his article offered a great point of view which i'm sure is shared by many of mdv's readers. i find it interesting that you are placing all of the responsibility of your own popularity onto streetz. yeah, a poll at the end of each article would help you gauge your own impact, but it would have to be something the reader actually interacts with, the mtg website has many of these in the form of questions. if you want this site to be the best out there then get back to work. streetz is not a miracle worker and the only persons responsible for your popularity are yourselves. i agree that the strike is now hurting your cause. even though you deny it, you did did this for attention. and its what you got. you can't force people to respond to your articles, perhaps a more interactive approach to your writing is appropriate. Maybe streetz could send out threatening e-mails to entice your readers. Maybe you could have your pictures posted next to your article titles(like on mtg), (word up ferret for havin' the sweetest pic!) or... maybe you could get back to work and show us that you really care about this site and making it the best site on the web. you have my attention. inspire me.

[DazBoot]

I just want to clarify a few points concerning the posting of my writing. I wrote that piece before I was aware that streetz was going to put it up. I wrote it more an article format as a tribute to the writers, because I wanted to see what it was like to do something like that. It was only after completing the piece that I contacted streetz about possibly putting it somewhere so that it could be read by people who didn't have time to scroll through the multitude of comments on some of the earler articles. So Tynion, if you and the guild think that the posting of my work was out of line, then please know that it was me that you should direct that response at. If you are upset with the quality of the work itself, please direct that response at me.

I know that in your letter you speculated that we (the readers) have fallen in line to sympathize with and support streetz. I would like to just clarify my own status here: I do NOT write anything here in sympathy to John. I write in sympathy for the loss of the connection between the writers of the articles and their readers. I understand that the bond between those two parties had problems before the strike, but I hope that you can see now that while your readers didn't comment, you did have readers. That bond is something that, quite frankly, didn't involve streetz at all. I can see why you would address your strike letter to him, as he does have some effects on that bond (such as hit counts, and getting the articles up) but really, the people you need to address is your readers, not him. For you have to realize, even if you guys went back to writhing now and nothing changed, that bond would still be better than the one we have during this strike. I think your message has been made clear, and people have responded. I don't ask you to go back to writhing, as I see now (after doing it myself) that it is a large commitment and each writer will have to ask himself (or herself) whether they are willing to continue to make that commitment. What I DO ask is that you lift the universal ban here, since the message has been spoken and replied to, there is no need to speak with a united voice. It is time for everyone to make their own choices, and if you decide to discontinue your writing (I would be saddened by MDV's loss, but would underestand) I only ask that you step aside so that those who want to try to continue to make this work are able to do so. The reason I asked you not to attack streetz for putting up my piece is not beceause I don't want him to take any hits, but because I want it to be known that this is MY attempt to move forward and it is ME advocating for each INDIVIDUAL to make their own choice to join me in that attempt or not. I would like to be a writer, and part of that is taking responsibility in what you write and accepting the consequences of your work. So please everyone think carefully about what YOU believe is imporant here, and then act accordingly.

PS: I apologize for my lack of formatting here, but I am writing this from my cell phone so it is a little bit difficult.

[Death_By_Beebles]

For the record, John and I have had some talks. We're trying to get things worked out.

Dazboot, as a personal aside, your article was a wonderful piece. When this whole thing is done and over with, I'd be delighted if you'd consider doing some more writing.

[death by aggro]

Man, I barely remember writing that e-mail...

I had a bad feeling this might happen. I think Tynion's a little more ambitious than the rest of us. Of course, he's been here since the beginning, so I guess that's his right, but I still think that response was a little overboard. And regarding Streetz' offer, yes, I would be very happy to see a hit counter, so long as I could tell what the articles were.

[DazBoot]

@ DBA: if you look at the URL of each article you can see its "article number", it is tedious, but it does work.

As for your comment concerning Tynions desire to have this site be all that can be, I not only understand that desire, I strongly agree with it. I love MDV and the more it is used the better I feel. The point I was trying to make in my above clarification was not that I disagree, just that I believe we need to start moving foreward somewhere, and stopping the writing of articles is not the place to start.

[Luthervamplord]

Guys, there are talks going on behind the scenes that obviously you aren't aware of but the sentiment if pretty universal - we want an end to; we just need to be sure that everything is done fair and with consideration given on both sides

[DazBoot]

Originally Posted by Luthervamplord

Guys, there are talks going on behind the scenes that obviously you aren't aware of but the sentiment if pretty universal - we want an end to; we just need to be sure that everything is done fair and with consideration given on both sides

Of course, I don't mean to sound angry about any of this. MDV is just my greatest source of much Magic information so I am particularly active and vocal in its future. I assumed that you guys have been talking and I hope through my ignorance of that discussion I have not said anything to offend someone unjustly.

[§cIoN]

Ok well Ive stayed out of this discussion until now, but:

The reason I don't respond to articles is because I've never really felt the need.

I have yet to read an article on mdv that pulls me in enough to warrant me writing a response.

Every article Ive read has never asked me what my opinion on a certain situation is...except the ones about the strike.

It's always..."hey lets talk about a card...then make a deck around it..."
OR
"Here is a new set...This is why I think each card is good or not."
(and honestly...ALL of the "new impressions" should be done from an objective point of view...maybe get 2-3 people to do each color simultaneously.
like one person gives their thoughts of a card, then the other gives theirs, instead of only one person's views as it could be subject to biased.
More opinions means more chances that someone might disagree with the writer's opinion...and If the reader feels like reading the article was like being in a debate, then the reader might be more inclined to give their own point of view.) ---{Hell I don't write much, but I'd be willing to help with this if the need be,}

When a new set comes out, instead of just giving your views on each card, maybe do a top 10 card list of predictions for multiplayer and a top 10 card list of predictions for tournaments.

Or even for some articles, maybe a thread could be made in the forums where everyone discusses the topic. Later when the writer starts writing the article, some of the other members' views could be used to strengthen a point, bring up different points of view... etc etc. (It would help the users feel more involved with the articles, and possibly make them more inclined to respond.)

Maybe have more "debate" articles...Find two writers that have a different point of view on a certain topic, and have them debate for the article.
I've read one or two of this type of article on mdv before...and these were some of the best I ever read. They kept me interested. (then again I personally love debating/arguing)
but alas I did not respond...and for that I apologize. If we could go back in time...I would...
but we can't...so instead we need to look towards the future.

We need more interactivity. (and I don't mean on the Blogs...
The forum is busy...so Advertise, market, get the user involved in the creation of the article. get the opinions of the user as to which topic should be used, then get their opinions on that topic.
the more you interact with the members of mdv. The more people WANT to read the articles, and the more responses you will have. Make a thread with a list of topics for upcoming articles, and hold a voting session.

Then there's the fact that a newer member does feel a it like an outsider. (and I know...I felt it)
When you don't feel like "one of the gang" then you're naturally less inclined to tell someone what you didn't like about the article they wrote...
especially when the person who wrote the article is someone like Tynion. (A well known and well liked veteran around these parts... thats like telling Steven Spielberg you didn't like Schindler's List.)

Then theres the possibility that the reader doesn't want to say something that might offend the writer by telling them what they didnt like. (also fits in with the newer users not feeling as welcome.)

honestly to a certain degree I understand exactly why this strike is happening...
but to another degree...I believe this is for attention.
Hell I don't get that many responses for my art, or my decks that I post...(I have two deck threads that no one ever posted in at all.)...but you don't see me calling it quits and making a big fuss about it?

My little brother used to do stuff like this...
My bro- "look at my picture...look at my picture"
Me- "No... "
My Bro- "...aw...you suck...I'm never gonna color again!!!!"
Me- "fine show me the picture."
My Bro- " NO...you didnt look before... now I'm not coloring anymore!!!... NOBODY LOVES ME!!!"
(sound familiar?)



Then again...we could always "cross the picket line" and hire some Scabs...

[Planeswalker]

As you may have probably already guessed, I am not a frequent poster on these forums.

I am, however, a fervent visitor to MDV. I haven't been apart of this group for very long, and my interaction with it is rather limited, but I can say a few things about what this website can seem like to an ''outsider'' who is new to the scene.

I'll be the first to admit that the articles are brilliant when it comes to the science and theory behind Magic, and many of the people who post here are high caliber players. I personally appreciate both of these groups for their contributions to us little guys on how to become better players. On the other hand, I have noticed that there is a very strong sense of elitism with some of the people that post in the forums, and even some of the writers. There are the guild groups, which I personally have no interest in joining at this point, because I have posted some combos and even a deck idea or two and had them torn apart unmercifully by some of these people. Theres almost an exclusive feel around here to someone who just wants to be apart of the discussions, and I decided I didnt want to be apart of that anymore. At one point I had considered just not coming to this site anymore... but I changed my mind.

Why?

Because of all of the websites I have looked at as a Magic, the Gathering player, Magic Deck Vortex is by far the best I have ever encountered. This is the most well put together and informative site out there in my opinion. If I want to know what cards best play with Dark Suspicions, I look here. If I want to know what combo ideas are floating around in a new set, I come here. If I want to see whats in the new set before it even gets completely spoiled out, this is the first and only place I come to. The writing quality and the resources make it easier to improve my game and stay informed.

I especially enjoy reading the articles about metagaming and how to improve multiplayer play, because my multiplayer skills are horrible. LOL. I was in limbo during the whole virus ordeal, cause when I get online, I always end up here. Like I said, I'm not a regular around here. Most of the time I'm just passing through, but I just felt like I should say something to all of you about what its like as a new guy who nobody knows their name.

So to the Writers and to the Administration of Magic Deck Vortex: I hope you all can straighten this out, and soon, because I really do like this site. You might not see me in the forums, but I'm always here.
~Piece~

[Friend Mairsil]

ok i been gone for a bit, but have finally seen and read all the crap that is going on and well this is what i have to say: you want to be noticed, you want to know that your work has been seen, you want just in general. but homie, everyone wants, even streetz. im sure he wants his writers to shut up and write. hell i want the writers to shut up and write, you know seeing as they were the reason i joined the site. but wanting doesnt do anything. instead you work for what you want. you want to know that your work has been seen, and im sure streetz already fixed that with the hit count. you want to feel as though your work means something, and im guessing that could only be done through feedback...so push for it. allow the reader more choices, like scion said set up week long polls for article ideas that people want to read. hell or just write better articles. people respond to change, so maybe change the format of your writing and see if that gets a response then do it. if it doesnt then think of something else, cause frankly this is your problem, not his. you want stuff, plain and simple. now go out and get what you want, without hurting the people that you want to comment on your work, and the friends that you have made within this community. cause if this lasts any longer, i call that a new guild be made, you know maybe the scab writers of MDV.

[edit notes]
just read through it and found a few mistakes, but the point is there, so yeah...

[Death_By_Beebles]

Originally Posted by Friend Mairsil

hell i want the writers to shut up and write[...]

As a few people have already said, shut up and sing or your life will be over, right? I mean, it's not my "job" to have opinions, to want feedback to better serve the reader, correct? It's not my "job" to enjoy my writing, and the writing process. It's just something I do because I do it. I derive pleasure from writing the article, so I have no right to ask for something more than what I have now?

How about this. How about YOU shut up and sing. Let me know how it turns out.

Originally Posted by Friend Mairsil

i call that a new guild be made, you know maybe the scab writers of MDV.

How insulting.