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State of the Academy (Spring Cleaning part 2) -doobie - Apr 17 12:56am |
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I’ll get right to it. DJ and I started this academy almost three years ago as a place to play the Jedi Knight games in a fun, civil way, and to teach others to do the same. We never expected to have as many members as we do and to have the incredible social community that we now have. We’ve added amazing Council members and staff, taught great things, made the transition from JK2 to JK:JA, and continue to go strong. However, all is not well within the Academy. We have lost our focus. A lot of things are much better than they used to be (like, me not having to add all applicants by hand!)… but I’ll be honest, some things have slipped as we’ve grown. In fact, the JAC feel we’ve gotten off course. We’ve moved away from our role as an academy and from our jobs as teachers. We need to get back to basics. That’s why we’re blowing this place up and starting over. WHAT???? You read that correctly. As of April 23, 2005, the Jedi Academy will consist solely of student and Council members. All JAKs, JATs, and staff will have their accounts set to students. We will be introducing new trials, trials that are hard and will make sure that we truly have the best of the best in the upper ranks. This means some of our beloved JAKs and JATs will no longer have their positions. WHY??? Many of our JAK+ are inactive completely or active only on forums or IRC. We also have noticed a disturbing trend of students regularly destroying our staff in battle. The upper ranks of the Academy require three things: Gaming Skill, Activity, and most importantly Attitude. We feel that our ranked members as a whole need to be more skilled and more active. They need to be teaching regular classes, available for help and to take care of difficult situations. They need to have the composure and maturity to handle anything and everything. We want to make this place special again, and make the ranks mean something again, not just have us give out titles and expect to keep them forever. That’s why we cleaned out the Hall of Fame and why we’re cleaning out the ranks. Now, current JAK+, if you are doing your job as a ranked member, you have nothing to worry about. Shortly after the cleaning takes place we’ll be retoggling those who we feel meet our higher standards, including toggling students who did not previously hold ranks but we feel should be either a JAK or a JAT. If you’re one of the current JAK+ not retoggled, don’t take it personally at all. We want to you stay. We’re all friends around here and while we appreciate all the work you have given us, we feel it’s time to move in a different direction. Plus, as a student you get to have lots more fun without people harassing you about random stuff . I hope this is making it clear that our ranked members need to be at the TOP of their line in what they do and that the ENTIRE ranked members without doubt are the people everyone should look up to. Once this is done, we already have a plan in place to rebuild the ranks. Until then, for obvious reasons all classes will be cancelled and we ask that you keep your behavior under control on the servers as well. Along the same lines, we’ll be running a system purge of all inactive members dating back to the first of the year. If you’re a member who hasn’t logged in for a while but are still reading the news page, log in! We’ll be running the purge next week sometime. Now to wrap up, a few other things: We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again… we have no tolerance for swearing. This goes DOUBLE for ranked members, who need to set a good example. If you swear you get warned, if you continue you get tempbanned, if you come back and do it again we’d rather not have you around. Just stop. I don’t care if you think swearing is ok. Do it somewhere else please or there will be consequences. The servers, as we’ve mentioned, are moving to New York, which means there will be east coast pings, which will hopefully be a happy medium for the Euros and the Yanks, as well as everyone else. Also, the server OS will be changing from FreeBSD to linux as part of the transition. There’s a chance the mail server will be down during this transition, so if you need to get in touch with one of us via email, we’ll post alternate email addresses shortly. The website should be unaffected by the move though. Finally, I want to mention that Virtue is working on the schedule for JA Radio DJs, and if any more people wish to apply, please E-MAIL him. DO NOT, under any circumstances PM him on IRC or the servers. If you do, you’ll face the wrath of Virtue, which doesn’t sound very scary but it is. The Academy is a trememdous success. We have a community that I feel is unequaled on the internet. Everything the Council does is done in the hope that we continue to keep it that way, that we can continue to improve the nature of gamers on the internet, that we can continue to gain friendships, and that we can continue to show the rest of the internet how it should be done. Please join us in this quest and live up to your end of the deal. We provide the tools, but it’s the students and ranked members who do the work. Make sure your work is up to standard and that you deserve to be in such a special place as the Jedi Academy. VIVA LA ACADEMIA!!!! |
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| Comments |
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Plo Koon - Student 
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Quote:
Quote: Now I've been here for a while...and observing this place, when JK3 came out it all went down hill. It lost it's...honorable jedi style. Finally this got noticed by our boys up in council room. I think this will bring back a time that the JA felt like the JA! that's long about the time i showed up. i have to say i've got to know some very honorable people here. 90% or more i would dare say even of everyone i spend much time around. but since i never see you on the server Plo maybe we experience two very different JA's, quite possible with 24 hours in the day and more than one server  this should be good for everyone though in the end.  What I ment 3th was practicly respect, back two years ago everyone bowed, to everyone, every three seconds you'd stop  . im not saying there aren't Honorable people here but read this address again... _______________ Free Tibet! Click this link,and learn Here too |
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DJK - Student 
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...I dont know what to say excactly here, just that you can try to make the academy as it was before but you just wont be able to. Maybe you will be able to make it look alike it. Removing some of the JAK seems a bit rough, I suppose. But then again if they are just inactive its not really worth it. Nevertheless, should be interresting to see what it ends out with. |
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Thomasooo - Student 
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Oh holy cow!!! Talk about changes!!  This should be exciting. The removal of (some of) the JAK+ sounds a bit rough, but I trust the council in its decision. Edit: Hehehe, what a way to mark newspost #800! _______________ In the navy and LOVING it! 
Recipient of comment no. 1000 and heart-warming words from Ataris!
This comment was edited by Thomasooo on Apr 17 2005 12:05pm. |
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PheoSoL - Student 
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lol ken i <3 u man. but yea, i think the JA needs it reali -SoL- _______________ RaiN!+ThundeR! http://www.myspace.com/solomongrist |
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Mookie - Ex-Student 
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Quote: that's long about the time i showed up. i have to say i've got to know some very honorable people here. Yeah, ditto, I showed up when JK3 came out as well. It's not exactly the moment the Academy lost its touch, but it was the moment it started drifting off course. A drastic decision Doobie, but I think you're doing the right thing. Hey, if we're doing a fresh start, can I have a haircut? |
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Gilan Jinn - Student 
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This are indeed a lot of changes, but what must be done has to be done I gues. _______________ My allie is the force , and a powerfull allie it is.{Yoda} -Proud padawan of Gradius -Grandfather to Quigon Jinn |
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ozzcoz - Cosplay Nerd 
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Ah, ok. _______________ A wizard did it. |
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Buzz - Student 
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Quote: Well, it's autumn here. And no matter where you put a server, some people are going to have high pings, and some people are going to have low pings. I know there aren't enough australians to warrant anyone caring, but making the american servers east coast to please the Euros (who already have wireplay by the way) is going to increase the ping of those routed from the west by about 50ms or so. 300ms is about my limit of tolerance, I don't think I could tolerate playing and learning on 350. That said, if they have to move, then they have to move. And appart from my own selfish gripe, I think this is a bold new plan that may just put some extra life into the academy. Mad props to the council, and see you all on the other side.  *salutes* aye aye capn' doob I'm pretty sure the move is the decision of Huxley, and I don't think he took what anyone's new ping will be into consideration for this. He's got his reasons for making the move, and we'll just have to go with it. _______________ When you are going through Hell, keep going. -Sir Winston Churchill. Those who seek power and control of others, no matter the level, no matter the intentions, should never be given it. |
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3th - Retired 
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Quote: Now I've been here for a while...and observing this place, when JK3 came out it all went down hill. It lost it's...honorable jedi style. Finally this got noticed by our boys up in council room. I think this will bring back a time that the JA felt like the JA! that's long about the time i showed up. i have to say i've got to know some very honorable people here. 90% or more i would dare say even of everyone i spend much time around. but since i never see you on the server Plo maybe we experience two very different JA's, quite possible with 24 hours in the day and more than one server this should be good for everyone though in the end. _______________ this is the internet, be serious damn it! |
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Refl3x - Student 
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Wow these are some major changes. But i feel that they had to be done sooner or later. So i guess now was a good time to do it. _______________ "The only child ever to survive a roundhouse kick by Chuck Norris was Gary Coleman. He has not grown since." Whachoo talkin bout Willis? Go Sox baby. |
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ozzcoz - Cosplay Nerd
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Well, it's autumn here. And no matter where you put a server, some people are going to have high pings, and some people are going to have low pings. I know there aren't enough australians to warrant anyone caring, but making the american servers east coast to please the Euros (who already have wireplay by the way) is going to increase the ping of those routed from the west by about 50ms or so. 300ms is about my limit of tolerance, I don't think I could tolerate playing and learning on 350. That said, if they have to move, then they have to move. And appart from my own selfish gripe, I think this is a bold new plan that may just put some extra life into the academy. Mad props to the council, and see you all on the other side. *salutes* aye aye capn' doob _______________ A wizard did it. |
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Tigerclaw - Student 
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I like this place, and I like most of the people. But too many changes at once may not be a good thing. I'm not privvy to the information the JAK+ have, so all I can do is hope that not too many JAK+ lose their status here in the academy. The council must know what they are doing, and I must trust their judgment. But I have a message for all the current JAK+ You will always have my respect, no matter what happens! I will always honour the fact that you are still JAK+ in my eyes! _______________ Geriatric single User, with a touch of Staff now and again. Influenced by Dash Starlight, Jaina. Janus, and Gradius in staff. And in yellow stance. Jaina D'Kana, who really helped me when I first joined the Academy and Jaiko D'Kana, who's classes I took in the begining. Proud owner of _Muro_'s 400th ACK! comment. Avatar by the one and only Majno . Padawan to Dash Starlight |
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Garos - Student 
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We love you Academy! Quote: ...we're blowing this place up and starting over I can't wait until the explosion O_O *whips out a pair of viewing goggles* |
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JK13 /// jaws. - Student 
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Woah, thats serious, but yeah it should solve the problem, GO Jedi Academy! VIVA!!! _______________ It's a false hologram, it IS artificial... |
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Rinzler - Student 
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</insert lil jon impersonation here> _______________ I fite for teh usars!1 |
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 - Student |
It took you twelve months just to write that, doobie? |
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Lithaerien - Student 
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Go Jedi Academy!!! _______________ "The Dark Side? I've been there... Do your worst!" ~Kyle Katarn "Don't force it" ~GeForce |
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Phantom - Student 
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Been waiting a lil while for this to stop all the inactivity and rule problems. But did you have to do it now I was gonna take a lot of classes because of passover vacation  _______________ -Phantom Ex-Master to Threat. Proud owner of Sazabi's 1500th comment! And Threats 50th comment "Insanity: a perfect rational adjustment to an insane world" |
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R2D2 - Staff 
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Sure is spring cleaning time at the JA. Nice address as well _______________ "Do or do not, there is no try" Jedi Master Yoda Dual Saberist |
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Plo Koon - Student 
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Now I've been here for a while...and observing this place, when JK3 came out it all went down hill. It lost it's...honorable jedi style. Finally this got noticed by our boys up in council room. I think this will bring back a time that the JA felt like the JA! and plus its been like a year since the last State of the Academy Adress. Viva baby, Viva La Academia! _______________ Free Tibet! Click this link,and learn Here too |
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Masta - Jedi Council 
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Wow...now thats some drastical changes. Well written text too. <3 =D _______________ Find out more about the Jedi Academy Aurochs here and more about Masta here! Married to Kain. |
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solitude - Jedi Council 
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Great, a step in teh right direction Things may improve now. /me wonders...will teh be a spring cleaning part 3, and if so, what will it be? _______________ Joined 16 October 2004 | Retired 10 April 2005 | Returned 05 June 2008 | Made Staff 27 June 2008 | Made Council 18 January 2009 Padawan To Odan-Wei Belouve | Adopted into the Belouve family | Twin to xAnAtOs | Owner of the 4th Quesi sexy badge Brother To Roan Belouve, Nomad, Majno, Silkmonkey, Kensei and Jarhok Belouve
Owner Of Virtue's 1000th profile comment, Mr. Doobie's 1000th profile comment, Gradius' 2500th comment, xAnAtOs' 2500th comment, Rosered's 1500th comment, Laziana's 900th comment, Scythus' 500th comment and Echuu's 100th comment |
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Scythus Aratan - Student 
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This is a step I have been waiting for the academy to take for months. I feel a significant part of the ranked members rarely visit the servers, and we need something to boost activity here . _______________ Padawan to the great Jacen Aratan! <Setementor> Scythus is a genius! Claimer of the 5000th post in the Count thread [Solitude] scy rocks [Casual] good point scythus, you're really smart |
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Jacen Aratan - Student |
Awesome! Took its sweet time, but now we're talking. |
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Raider - Student 
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... Woah Well... can't really say i disagree, but I think reseting the ranked members is a little too much, but maybe nessecary, I dunno. Hope it will make the Academy a better place(thou it is tough! ) _______________ Artificial intelligence beats natural stupidity. This comment was edited by Raider on Apr 17 2005 01:09am. |
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