<!--QuoteBegin--RhoadsToNowhere+Oct. 01 2002,19:31--></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td><b>Quote</b> (RhoadsToNowhere @ Oct. 01 2002,19:31)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"><!--QuoteEBegin-->How did I get PT? Very simple.
NS_itsame
(I'm sure the dev team had far better reasons to pick me than my making a ridiculous Flaytona map set in Super Mario World, but you can't say it didn't help)<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> I must note to you all that this is the single best map ever in all of HL's mapping. Rhoads is my role model.
Step 1: Come up with an interesting and witty catch phrase. 'Bah!' is taken. Step 2: jIRC your way into the #ns room at a time when Flay and MonsE come in regularly. These days, it tends to be 8 months ago. Step 3: Begin making insightful and witty posts that most people read. It helps if there's only about 10-20 topics that get posted on each day. On the whole forums. Step 4: Make an original avatar to use on the forums. Even if the forums don't have avatar support. These forums do. Step 5: Coin the phrase 'Flaytona' to describe the NSTR2 races. Please note that the phrase 'Flaytona' is already coined. Step 6: Don't complain when playtesters are chosen and you are not. Don't ask to be included, don't cry that a game you've been following for many months has been given to people you don't even know. Just accept it. This step is key, because it's supposed to shut everyone up. Step 7: Get an e-mail a few weeks after playtesters were chosen and a few days before playtesting starts saying that you will be playtesting. Call a doctor and ask about getting your heart started again, and your mouth fixed so it isn't permanently stuck in a smile.
I'm sure its the same for most, if not all the other playtesters, but I didnt start posting here expecting to get a PT slot. That was the farthest from the truth. I honestly have very bad luck and never even considered it a possibility.
Therefor, I didn't have my mind set on impressing anyone. I was just being myself and doing what comes naturaly. One day I went to check my e-mail, but decided to check up on the forums in a new window. I'm browsing the forums and I notice the little title under my name I about fainted. Then, I switch to IRC and I see a PM telling me to check my e-mail (and this was said like ... I dunno, 3 or 4 hours before I even noticed it). I then switch over and my mom keeps asking me whats wrong because my face was completely red and I was smiling more then I think I ever had in my whole life.
Just be your selves. You dont need to post here with the thoughts of impressing someone. I think when that happens, people can spot it pretty easily ...
I cant even remember when I signed up on the ns forums, but I know it was before Valves mod show, before the forum move and before RR.org I think. When Monse was just talking to Flayra about the idea. I didnt even become a PT till well after the forums move and when alot of the major stuff was already included in NS. That it self proves that time on the forums means little. I wont lie, I'm sure its some what important when Flayra desides, but its not a desiding factor I think.
I can't even tell you how I got here. I think I may have seen a link on another forum or something, but I'm damned happy I stayed. PT or no PT and I'll believe that to the day I die.
I came to the boards, made about three idea posts, learned every last detail about the mod, set about becoming the fastest question answerer on it, and ended up becoming a moderator.
At about the time of the fourth playtest build (not RC4, but NSPT4, the predecessor to the RC series) I became a playtester along with Spyder Monkey, the other moderator at the time.
Very nice... some excellent posts in there guys, much appreciated. Also thanks for the tasteful editing to my original post Fam, I'm pretty tasteless and I need constant reminders... at least thats what my friends, co-workers, and parents tell me...
<!--QuoteBegin--TychoCelchuuu+Oct. 01 2002,11:41--></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td><b>Quote</b> (TychoCelchuuu @ Oct. 01 2002,11:41)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"><!--QuoteEBegin--><!--QuoteBegin--TychoCelchuuu+Oct. 01 2002,19:19--></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td><b>Quote</b> (TychoCelchuuu @ Oct. 01 2002,19:19)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"><!--QuoteEBegin-->And for Spyder Monkey, it wasn't luck. 'Twas karma.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> <!--QuoteBegin--Cyanide+Oct 01 2002, no:idea--></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td><b>Quote</b> (Cyanide @ Oct 01 2002, no:idea)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"><!--QuoteEBegin-->Eh, sort of, spyder really wasn't known at all in the community at the time of his moderator position he really wasn't a part of the community, just to show.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Right, 'nide. See, he wasn't known very well, but Karma shone through and got him a'picked as a mod.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> heh, hardly. I'm probably one of the very few who took the time to write up a resume... and at the time, I was at the peak of my intelligent posting abilities... following around Moleculor on the forums until the -wee- hours of the mornings. Later on, BOOM! We're Moderators... couple months later BOOM! We're playtesters.
I originally was going to apply for moderator, but Flayra had mentioned that above 18 criteria, and being just over 17 at the time, I decided to not even bother as I wasn't that well known at the time. (Still am 17, and a moderator now.. hmm )
Also, I originally came to the forums after being blown away by some readyroom shots of NS_Bast. First thing I did was offer a mirror for a large download at the time, as I knew how hard getting good mirrors was. Already being a mIRC nut, I came onto IRC when there was oly one actual person there besides me. I quickly rose to a co-owner of the #naturalselection IRC channel, under the power of Hectate. He dropped in IRC one day, mumbling something about a mission for god, and not sitting around a computer all day, handed me owner to the channel and quickly vanished on his mission, never to be seen again.
NS became popular, I became an active forum goer/IRC admin and soon some odd-ball named Monse decided he should start up an NS Fan site. Good idea, bad execution <!--emo&:p--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'><!--endemo--> An amazing coder, with worse web skills than me at commanding, I caught a glimpse of his intended design, and kindly asked if he would like some help. Staying as close as possible to his original design, <a href="http://www.readyroom.org" target="_blank">http://www.readyroom.org</a> was born and became the premier place for NS related news. I just continued to be an active and friendly member in the community.
Only around PT time, and mentioned of Flayra choosing the first playtesters did I think about becoming one. Being helpful to Monse (now the PR dude), I think he felt sympathy on the "poor Canadian" and decided to let try and let me play <!--emo&:p--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'><!--endemo--> Anyways, that's my story of how I came into NS (playtester).
coilAmateur pirate. Professional monkey. All pance.Join Date: 2002-04-12Member: 424Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor
I'm still waiting for my Op-ship and Moderator-ship. But PT's ok, I guess. <!--emo&:D--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'><!--endemo-->
when you mean insightful topics, do you mean intelligent posts and lots of other forum stalkers (lol, stalkers :}) look at? also quote "Damn Comp you ForumMod/OpOperater/Playtester " LOL!
<!--QuoteBegin--Cyanide+Oct. 01 2002,19:55--></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td><b>Quote</b> (Cyanide @ Oct. 01 2002,19:55)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"><!--QuoteEBegin-->most of us playtesters have been here for over 6 months<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> im pretty sure ive been here over 6 months <!--emo&:(--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('><!--endemo-->
<!--QuoteBegin--Greedo386+Oct. 01 2002,14:16--></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td><b>Quote</b> (Greedo386 @ Oct. 01 2002,14:16)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"><!--QuoteEBegin-->Step 3: Begin making insightful and witty posts that most people read. It helps if there's only about 10-20 topics that get posted on each day. On the whole forums.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> Hah, true enough Greedo. It's no good if you only are witty occasionly and the post ends up getting buried. <!--emo&;)--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'><!--endemo-->
6 months is nothing, the time has just blinked past. Seph, its jsut about 6 months for you if you started at the very beginning of april.
The trick is to be talented, helpful, friendly and dedicated. My problem is no talent <!--emo&:D--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'><!--endemo-->
I've been around since last... September, so over a year now. these things take time, and a heck of lot of effort on each persons part. You have to be active all the time ad helping out every moment. Like right now, school starts in 20 minutes, and I am still posting this <!--emo&:)--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'><!--endemo--> *runs off*
<!--QuoteBegin--Comprox+Oct. 02 2002,00:35--></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td><b>Quote</b> (Comprox @ Oct. 02 2002,00:35)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"><!--QuoteEBegin-->NS became popular, I became an active forum goer/IRC admin and soon some odd-ball named Monse decided he should start up an NS Fan site. Good idea, bad execution <!--emo&:p--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'><!--endemo--> An amazing coder, with worse web skills than me at commanding, I caught a glimpse of his intended design, and kindly asked if he would like some help. Staying as close as possible to his original design, <a href="http://www.readyroom.org" target="_blank">http://www.readyroom.org</a> was born and became the premier place for NS related news.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> He understates just how bad my web design skills are. Truly bottom of the barrel. Kindly asking if I needed some help was my first impression of him - when he should have been saying 'WTF n00b, y0ur s1te l00ks like t3h 4ss!'. I hired him on the spot and he got his first paying gig...
coilAmateur pirate. Professional monkey. All pance.Join Date: 2002-04-12Member: 424Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor
For the record, time on the boards doesn't mean anything. I've know about Natural Selection only 5 months, and was asked to playtest less that 3 months after arriving.
Some people, unfortunately, are very bitter about this. ):
Been here since it was announced, give or take a day. Guess I just grew to Flayras heart <!--emo&:)--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'><!--endemo-->
Plus, Freestyler and I were working on a map that could've made it to official status at the time. It didn't, we'll release it as communitymap, but still we can play the game before anyone else, so I mark it as success.
I got an anonymous letter in the mail that said <!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td><b>Quote</b> </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"><!--QuoteEBegin--> <b>YOU NOW HAVE THE NS.
DEATH TO DOD. DEATH TO CS. BOB IS GREAT.</b> <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> and the rest is history!
I even offered to try my hand at a GOOD version of the site, for free (I was paid for that POS I think), so I thought he deserved a good site for his money. He rejected, so I won..errr <!--emo&;)--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'><!--endemo-->
Pfft, coil, you chose your path! We join the same day, you get your PT, I get my op. Fair's fair <!--emo&;)--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'><!--endemo-->
<!--QuoteBegin--Comprox+Oct. 02 2002,18:10--></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td><b>Quote</b> (Comprox @ Oct. 02 2002,18:10)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"><!--QuoteEBegin-->I even offered to try my hand at a GOOD version of the site, for free (I was paid for that POS I think), so I thought he deserved a good site for his money. He rejected, so I won..errr <!--emo&;)--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'><!--endemo--><!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> Well get hot making one, if you're so fired up about it! Wppppssshh!
Comments
NS_itsame
(I'm sure the dev team had far better reasons to pick me than my making a ridiculous Flaytona map set in Super Mario World, but you can't say it didn't help)<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I must note to you all that this is the single best map ever in all of HL's mapping. Rhoads is my role model.
Nevermind.
Step 2: jIRC your way into the #ns room at a time when Flay and MonsE come in regularly. These days, it tends to be 8 months ago.
Step 3: Begin making insightful and witty posts that most people read. It helps if there's only about 10-20 topics that get posted on each day. On the whole forums.
Step 4: Make an original avatar to use on the forums. Even if the forums don't have avatar support. These forums do.
Step 5: Coin the phrase 'Flaytona' to describe the NSTR2 races. Please note that the phrase 'Flaytona' is already coined.
Step 6: Don't complain when playtesters are chosen and you are not. Don't ask to be included, don't cry that a game you've been following for many months has been given to people you don't even know. Just accept it. This step is key, because it's supposed to shut everyone up.
Step 7: Get an e-mail a few weeks after playtesters were chosen and a few days before playtesting starts saying that you will be playtesting. Call a doctor and ask about getting your heart started again, and your mouth fixed so it isn't permanently stuck in a smile.
Therefor, I didn't have my mind set on impressing anyone. I was just being myself and doing what comes naturaly. One day I went to check my e-mail, but decided to check up on the forums in a new window. I'm browsing the forums and I notice the little title under my name I about fainted. Then, I switch to IRC and I see a PM telling me to check my e-mail (and this was said like ... I dunno, 3 or 4 hours before I even noticed it). I then switch over and my mom keeps asking me whats wrong because my face was completely red and I was smiling more then I think I ever had in my whole life.
Just be your selves. You dont need to post here with the thoughts of impressing someone. I think when that happens, people can spot it pretty easily ...
I cant even remember when I signed up on the ns forums, but I know it was before Valves mod show, before the forum move and before RR.org I think. When Monse was just talking to Flayra about the idea. I didnt even become a PT till well after the forums move and when alot of the major stuff was already included in NS. That it self proves that time on the forums means little. I wont lie, I'm sure its some what important when Flayra desides, but its not a desiding factor I think.
I can't even tell you how I got here. I think I may have seen a link on another forum or something, but I'm damned happy I stayed. PT or no PT and I'll believe that to the day I die.
At about the time of the fourth playtest build (not RC4, but NSPT4, the predecessor to the RC series) I became a playtester along with Spyder Monkey, the other moderator at the time.
I also named Bob. My pet LVL1.
<!--QuoteBegin--Cyanide+Oct 01 2002, no:idea--></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td><b>Quote</b> (Cyanide @ Oct 01 2002, no:idea)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"><!--QuoteEBegin-->Eh, sort of, spyder really wasn't known at all in the community at the time of his moderator position he really wasn't a part of the community, just to show.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Right, 'nide. See, he wasn't known very well, but Karma shone through and got him a'picked as a mod.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
heh, hardly. I'm probably one of the very few who took the time to write up a resume... and at the time, I was at the peak of my intelligent posting abilities... following around Moleculor on the forums until the -wee- hours of the mornings. Later on, BOOM! We're Moderators... couple months later BOOM! We're playtesters.
Sure, I have no previous experience, but I do a [censored] good job at it!
See? I can even censor my own posts before anyone sees them!
Also, I originally came to the forums after being blown away by some readyroom shots of NS_Bast. First thing I did was offer a mirror for a large download at the time, as I knew how hard getting good mirrors was. Already being a mIRC nut, I came onto IRC when there was oly one actual person there besides me. I quickly rose to a co-owner of the #naturalselection IRC channel, under the power of Hectate. He dropped in IRC one day, mumbling something about a mission for god, and not sitting around a computer all day, handed me owner to the channel and quickly vanished on his mission, never to be seen again.
NS became popular, I became an active forum goer/IRC admin and soon some odd-ball named Monse decided he should start up an NS Fan site. Good idea, bad execution <!--emo&:p--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'><!--endemo--> An amazing coder, with worse web skills than me at commanding, I caught a glimpse of his intended design, and kindly asked if he would like some help. Staying as close as possible to his original design, <a href="http://www.readyroom.org" target="_blank">http://www.readyroom.org</a> was born and became the premier place for NS related news. I just continued to be an active and friendly member in the community.
Only around PT time, and mentioned of Flayra choosing the first playtesters did I think about becoming one. Being helpful to Monse (now the PR dude), I think he felt sympathy on the "poor Canadian" and decided to let try and let me play <!--emo&:p--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'><!--endemo--> Anyways, that's my story of how I came into NS (playtester).
<!--EDIT|Comprox|Oct. 01 2002,22:36-->
also quote "Damn Comp you ForumMod/OpOperater/Playtester "
LOL!
ive been here for atleast a year D:
im pretty sure ive been here over 6 months <!--emo&:(--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('><!--endemo-->
Hah, true enough Greedo. It's no good if you only are witty occasionly and the post ends up getting buried. <!--emo&;)--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'><!--endemo-->
Seph, its jsut about 6 months for you if you started at the very beginning of april.
The trick is to be talented, helpful, friendly and dedicated.
My problem is no talent <!--emo&:D--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'><!--endemo-->
Greedo:In other words, Step 8: Be Greedo
He understates just how bad my web design skills are. Truly bottom of the barrel. Kindly asking if I needed some help was my first impression of him - when he should have been saying 'WTF n00b, y0ur s1te l00ks like t3h 4ss!'. I hired him on the spot and he got his first paying gig...
<!--emo&:p--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'><!--endemo-->
Some people, unfortunately, are very bitter about this. ):
<!--emo&;)--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'><!--endemo-->
Plus, Freestyler and I were working on a map that could've made it to official status at the time. It didn't, we'll release it as communitymap, but still we can play the game before anyone else, so I mark it as success.
<!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td><b>Quote</b> </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"><!--QuoteEBegin-->
<b>YOU NOW HAVE THE NS.
DEATH TO DOD. DEATH TO CS. BOB IS GREAT.</b>
<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
and the rest is history!
<!--EDIT|DOOManiac|Oct. 02 2002,18:08-->
We join the same day, you get your PT, I get my op.
Fair's fair <!--emo&;)--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'><!--endemo-->
Well get hot making one, if you're so fired up about it! Wppppssshh!
<!--emo&;)--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'><!--endemo-->