[Euan]

As some of you may know, I had a little debate with Chuddy and Allen about the website on Monday, or it may have even been last night. I just think, although it's nice to see new additions like flashchat and 'shoutboards', there are deeper things which need to be addressed at TDS. Please do not think I am speaking out of turn - I may be rather forceful but I'm only doing it for the best of TDS - and that I am power hungry, I'm not. I just think there are better ways of working things. I think the mods and admins do a good job and are cool people, but I think they could be doing alot more a job (mods could, read on to moderator section to find out why).

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Review system

My biggest gripe with the whole system is the review system. Actually, it's basically the only argument, with one or two other more minor points. I think this is one of the worst points of the system - but it seems the admins are willing to change it, which is positive. It can be improved.

Allen's money - how he would spend it in Euan's perfect world

I suggested that Allen could subsidise some games for members to review - he quickly turned it down. That's fine I thought, but what should he do when has has money? Of course, it's his money and however he spends it is his choice, but he could spend it in a better way (damn, it doesn't sound right... but I am speaking what I think). So far, he has bought two or three BIG games, which would pretty much have been bought by the members who reviewed them. I gather that Mormon loves Advance Wars, a sweet present from Allen yes, but in the same breath it's one less review on the site. If and when he does, why doesn't he buy something like Pheonix Wright? Basically 50% of people on here will or do own Advance Wars, it could be reviewed by any of them - I can't see many owning Pheonix Wright. That would mean one extra review on the website. I'm sure anyone would appreciate recieving a game - well, maybe not if it was Sprung. (I realise that games are only for mods, do not worry Allen, I'm not asking for games, but if you do buy them for Chuddy etc, this, in my opinion, is how you should do it...)

Official reviewers - what the hell is the harm?

Another point is regarding just who are reviewers and who are not. I think TouchDS would be much better off if they appoint a couple more reviewers. From what I have seen, I think Shadowmarth and BigNDS could write reviews for this site pretty easily. They are also active members. Without sounding like a big headed *INSERT SWEAR WORD*, I also think that I could do it. Now it's no secret that I've always wanted to be a reviewer for the site, so just why not? Why not make us official?

How to get people to write reviews

Chuddy etc say that you can easily 'submit reviews' for DS games, but to be honest, I think they should be a little more forceful (in the nicest sense). I think, personally, there should be a topic with the latest games being released in various regions (Australia, Europe and USA are the three regions I can think of that TouchDS have) and see if anyone is buying the games out this month. Then ask if they are willing enough to do a review - many people take pride in seeing themselves have an 'official review', rather than just writing a members review and perhaps submitting it. Although some may not like the pressure, having a goal to aim for would also be nice for some reviewers. I think with a topic up, giving chances to do reviews will raise the amount of reviews. If it doesn't, it's only a few minutes of your life wasted, and at least you tried, eh?

Review length and quality

I, for one, am pretty upset (loosest meaning of the word) at seeing some top games like Yoshi's Touch and Go not being on the website. This, in some cases, is down to "reviewers quality". I just think this is totally wrong. Although we can't have the website filled with "yes, this game is good... er... the graphics are good, I'd give it 7/10 overall. Good game", a decent review would be suffice, AND CERTAINLY BETTER THAN NOTHING, as many games, which could have been reviewed, currently have. TouchDS also seem to have some sort of issue with review length - although for the bigger games it's nice to be able to read more indepth and indepth, even to have a small, ten paragraph summary of the game modes, graphics etc would be much better than having a blank space. Even if nobody had the bloody game - why not have at least some of the simple gameplay modes collected from various other reviews? It wouldn't take long, I would be willing to do it, plus it at least fills something of a gap. Maybe not the best suggestion in the world, but hey!

Summary of reviews

I may have some more to say in the future and I will be sure to fill you in. This is all I can think of at the current time. I think being asked to do reviews should be an import part of the way it works, making sure that any good reviewers who have games that haven't been reviewed are at least asked if they can do a review (politely, we're not going to force) and you never know, we could end up with two or three more reviews than we normally would end up with. Lunar:Dragon Song (which two members own), Trauma Centre (which I'm sure one or two will own in the future) etc could quite easily be reviewed I believe, and why not try to get them up? Also, maybe one thing to do would be to fill a few gaps... try and see if anyone has some games that haven't in the past been reviewed, but can be done now - Polarium for example? A few I know have that game, and yet, still no review.

Overall, come on guys, this is supposed to a website with lots of members contributions - why isn't there so many contributions from non-members of staff in the reviews section. There's talent out there, find it.

Suggestion for Moderators

This is only going to be one paragraph long, as I've only found one major 'bad point' regarding the mods. Today LKR spammed. Everyone knows about it. DSD, a moderator of the forum, pointed out that he was spamming and told him to stop it ... just why wasn't the topic or the posts at fault deleted? The answer? " I'm not allowed to go on a deletion spree, I would have to discuss with my fellow moderators." DSD was just doing his job, but that shouldn't be the job. Just why oh why does he have moderator powers when all he's basically doing is contacting the heirachys instead of making his own decisions? If he's good enough to be a mod, why can't he make his own judgements to posts and spamming? At the current rate, there's no point in them being mods - 'scouts' almost, who report wrong doings to the admins. Another suggesting is that there is a secret moderators forums - if mods aren't allowed to do what they wish, then why not make a secret board where they came move topics to, and then the mods can deliberate whether or not they should be re-released to the public? Certainly would be better than having spamming spilt to the public, maybe a new member would not join because of the amount of spamming, if this was his first day on the board, that he saw today.

Final Note

I don't mean to be so forceful etc like I say, I have no problems with anyone here on TouchDS and like you all. I know some will say "it's too long", but any member who wants to have their say on possible improvements should have a look. These are my opinions on matters, what are yours?