Proposal:Rules of Newcomers' Plots

Mails

From:	1F616EMO
To:	RelaxingPlay, y5nw, HelenasaurusRex, mary4, Elementalcraft, jingkaimori, Vedu_0825
Date:	2024-12-16 14:12:31
Subject:	Draft of Rules of Newcomers' Plots
(Sending to all helpers and moderators, sorry if I missed anyone) I drafted the Rules of Newcomers' Plots (https://wiki-twi.1f616emo.xyz/s/S). It aimed to simplify and replace regional rules that implement regulations on newcomers' plots. There is one practical change between the old rules and the new rules. Under the old rules (for both Spawn South and SmushyVille), if all buildings on a plot are left unfinished for 30 consecutive days, the plot can be taken back (which I never exercised). Under the new rules, this is done if the builds are apparently unfinished and if the owner hasn't logged in for 30 days. The word "apparently" was added to exclude plots having an acceptable look and practical functions but not yet finished, but the definition of "apparently unfinished" is debatable. For example, builds on 6E Sakura Road, Spawn South by Ezra (only having a basic frame) are apparently unfinished, but it would be hard to determine whether builds on 2E Spawn Avenue South, Spawn South by Kiki1 (with a seemingly finished front door but unfinished as a whole) are apparently unfinished. May I hear your opinions on this?

From:	y5nw
To:	1F616EMO, RelaxingPlay, HelenasaurusRex, mary4, Elementalcraft, jingkaimori, Vedu_0825
Date:	2024-12-16 21:30:08
Subject:	Re: Draft of Rules of Newcomers' Plots
I drafted the Rules of Newcomers' Plots (https://wiki-twi.1f616emo.xyz/s/S). It aimed to simplify and replace regional rules that implement regulations on newcomers' plots. There is one practical change between the old rules and the new rules. Under the old rules (for both Spawn South and SmushyVille), if all buildings on a plot are left unfinished for 30 consecutive days, the plot can be taken back (which I never exercised). Under the new rules, this is done if the builds are apparently unfinished and if the owner hasn't logged in for 30 days. There is a minor issue in the draft: in 1.2 of "Taking back unused plots", "and the owner (or any co-owners) hasn't been online for 30 days" looks problematic IMO: a plot owned by two players could potentially be taken back if one of the two players becomes inactive, even if the other continues to actively play on the server. IMO "the owner (and every co-owner) hasn't been online for 30 days" would be better. The word "apparently" was added to exclude plots having an acceptable look and practical functions but not yet finished, but the definition of "apparently unfinished" is debatable. For example, builds on 6E Sakura Road, Spawn South by Ezra (only having a basic frame) are apparently unfinished, but it would be hard to determine whether builds on 2E Spawn Avenue South, Spawn South by Kiki1 (with a seemingly finished front door but unfinished as a whole) are apparently unfinished. IMO we can keep some cases as examples of what would (or would not) qualify as appearing to be (partially) finished. Some other ideas: An additional period could be introduced to allow players to respond to the oncoming eviction. The eviciton [sic] can then be re-evaluated if the player resumes work on the building (e.g. after having forgotten about the building or due to inactivity for other reasons, see below). The plot is taken back only after this period expires. The eviction/tolerance can be extended (i.e. the player can keep the plot for longer) if the player can sufficiently explain the inactivity and show that they are able to complete the project, such as by showing plans (and, importantly, proving their ability to carry out the plan) for the building as well as when the construction can appear to be (sufficiently) completed; by showing that the project is delayed due to unavoidable external factors in the 30-day period that the player have little influence over (e.g. RL issues); or by showing that the player has (in the given period) a different focus that is relevant to the completion or the function of a building.

From:	1F616EMO
To:	y5nw, RelaxingPlay, HelenasaurusRex, mary4, Elementalcraft, jingkaimori, Vedu_0825
Date:	2024-12-16 22:53:38
Subject:	Re: Re: Draft of Rules of Newcomers' Plots
I drafted the Rules of Newcomers' Plots ... There is one practical change ... There is a minor issue in the draft: in 1.2 of "Taking back unused plots", "and the owner (or any co-owners) hasn't been online for 30 days" looks problematic IMO: a plot owned by two players could potentially be taken back if one of the two players becomes inactive, even if the other continues to actively play on the server. IMO "the owner (and every co-owner) hasn't been online for 30 days" would be better. Thank you for the correction. Applied in revision 4150 (https://wiki-twi.1f616emo.xyz/s/T). The word "apparently" was added ... IMO we can keep some cases as examples of what would (or would not) qualify as appearing to be (partially) finished. I'd prefer recording down every plot revocation (like what we do for rules violations) and judging in a loose "case law" system, i.e. it's not necessary to 100% follow precedents, but they are strong references. I am not writing statutes because I can only act according to them, but (1) to prevent me from abusing my power (kinda like constitutional monarchy, but I reserve the right to be absolute) and (2) to properly grant moderators rights and guide them how to exercise their rights. That's why I prefer case law over in-detail statutory law. Some other ideas: An additional period could be introduced to allow players to respond to the oncoming eviction. The eviciton [sic] can then be re-evaluated if the player resumes work on the building (e.g. after having forgotten about the building or due to inactivity for other reasons, see below). The plot is taken back only after this period expires. This is why I wrote "A warning email shall be sent at least 2 days before taking back a plot." If the player resumes working on the building, the prerequisites of taking back the plot vanishes. The eviction/tolerance can be extended (i.e. the player can keep the plot for longer) if the player can sufficiently explain the inactivity and show that they are able to complete the project, such as by showing plans (and, importantly, proving their ability to carry out the plan) for the building as well as when the construction can appear to be (sufficiently) completed; by showing that the project is delayed due to unavoidable external factors in the 30-day period that the player have little influence over (e.g. RL issues); or by showing that the player has (in the given period) a different focus that is relevant to the completion or the function of a building. In precedents, I am not always taking back a plot immediately when I could (mainly because I forgot but anyways), showing that whether taking back plots or not is a discretion. To clarify, I added "Moderators have a discretion to postpone taking back a plot" in the draft. (https://wiki-twi.1f616emo.xyz/s/U)

From:	HelenasaurusRex
To:	1F616EMO
Forwarded:	y5nw, RelaxingPlay, HelenasaurusRex, mary4, Elementalcraft, jingkaimori, Vedu_0825
Date:	2024-12-18 15:09:52
Subject:	Re: Draft of Rules of Newcomers' Plots
(Sending to all helpers and moderators, sorry if I missed anyone) I drafted ... I think however you go about defining "unfinished", that should be documented, but erm... I'm not sure about applying the same rules for a more unfinished building to less unfinished buildings, for example, if a building is say missing a door, I don't think the matter should be dealt with in the exact same way as someone who for example only placed a block down or whatever. I think if a player looks to have put some effort in, there's a higher probability they'll be back compared to a player that hasn't.

From:	1F616EMO
To:	y5nw, RelaxingPlay, HelenasaurusRex, mary4, Elementalcraft, jingkaimori, Vedu_0825
Date:	2024-12-18 15:09:52
Subject:	Re: Draft of Rules of Newcomers' Plots
(Sending to all helpers and moderators, sorry if I missed anyone) I drafted ... I think however you go about defining "unfinished" ... I intended to use the term "apparently" to exclude buildings that are decently looking yet unfinished. Perhaps I should use a more specific term, which I haven't come up with. Also, precedents would be the key to handling unoccupied / semi-occupied plots (and all other judgments). Check my reply to y5nw's mail for more on this.

From:	y5nw
To:	1F616EMO, RelaxingPlay, HelenasaurusRex, mary4, Elementalcraft, jingkaimori, Vedu_0825
Date:	2024-12-18 23:45:53
Subject:	Re: Re: Re: Draft of Rules of Newcomers' Plots
That's why I prefer case law over in-detail statutory law. IMO we will need a mix in the long term, where there is a basic set of criteria/patterns for being "apparently unfinished" which is supplemented by the case law. This is partly also why I suggested situations in which the warning period can be extended. This is why I wrote "A warning email shall be sent at least 2 days before taking back a plot." If the player resumes working on the building, the prerequisites of taking back the plot vanishes. Ah, I missed that. However, a warning period of two days is IMO somewhat short. Extending it to something like two weeks would be better. On a less related note, it would also make sense to keep track of such warnings that are issued. This would help complement the case system and also make it easier to keep track of things.

From:	Elementalcraft
To:	1F616EMO, RelaxingPlay, y5nw, HelenasaurusRex, mary4, jingkaimori, Vedu_0825
Date:	2024-12-19 09:33:04
Subject:	Re: Draft of Rules of Newcomers' Plots
(Sending to all helpers and moderators, sorry if I missed anyone) I drafted the Rules of Newcomers' Plots (https://wiki-twi.1f616emo.xyz/s/S). It aimed to simplify and replace regional rules that implement regulations on newcomers' plots. There is one practical change between the old rules and the new rules. Under the old rules (for both Spawn South and SmushyVille), if all buildings on a plot are left unfinished for 30 consecutive days, the plot can be taken back (which I never exercised). Under the new rules, this is done if the builds are apparently unfinished and if the owner hasn't logged in for 30 days. The word "apparently" was added to exclude plots having an acceptable look and practical functions but not yet finished, but the definition of "apparently unfinished" is debatable. For example, builds on 6E Sakura Road, Spawn South by Ezra (only having a basic frame) are apparently unfinished, but it would be hard to determine whether builds on 2E Spawn Avenue South, Spawn South by Kiki1 (with a seemingly finished front door but unfinished as a whole) are apparently unfinished. May I hear your opinions on this? Seems like a worthwile change to me, and I have nothing to add or detract.

From:	1F616EMO
To:	additional_role:helper
Date:	2024-12-20 22:36:38
Subject:	[2] Draft of Rules of Newcomers' Plots
(I have been using additional_role:helper since this mail so that I won't miss any helpers.) I wrote a plot action document at https://wiki-twi.1f616emo.xyz/s/V. This will be the template for future records. Please check it out and give comments.

From:	1F616EMO
To:	additional_role:helper
Date:	2024-12-20 23:05:16
Subject:	[3] Draft of Rules of Newcomers' Plots
I changed the wording of the draft of Rules of Newcomers' Plots, so "ownership transfers" under the old rules and drafts are transformed into leases. This would allow the use of less ambiguous wordings. Such change should have no practical impact on tenants, as they have full access to their plots anyway, and owners are banned from building on or destroying a leased plot. That's said, the change is still huge and I want to hear your opinions.

From:	1F616EMO
To:	y5nw, additional_role:helper
Date:	2024-12-21 09:21:27
Subject:	Re: Re: Re: Re: Draft of Rules of Newcomers' Plots
Ah, I forgot to reply to the warning period thing: Ah, I missed that. However, a warning period of two days is IMO somewhat short. Extending it to something like two weeks would be better. I agree that 2 days is too short (and maybe the overall 4-day period, too). I am changing it to 2 weeks (including a one-week warning) in revision 4272 (https://wiki-twi.1f616emo.xyz/s/X).