In Game Name: Deinen0
Skype: Deinen0
Teamspeak Username: Deinen0
Mic Use: Yes
Age: 30
Timezone: GMT -5 (EST)
Hours online per weekday: 2+
Hours online per weekend day: 2+
Position Changes: Player (Ultimate) -> Helper
Some of you already know me, and some don't, however I've written an introduction many times, and I don't know how many times I can repeat the same thing in different words. So I will be open, and give you some personal information about me, so you can know who Deinen0 actually is, for good and bad I suppose. My name is Matt Sawyer and as of last week Wednesday have been married for 12 years. I have four children, three girls and a boy, the boy I had the pleasure of delivering myself at home.
When I was seventeen, I began working in the screen print industry, which I've done most of my life for work. I find this a great profession, as it takes a hefty amount of experience to become really good in, and requires intense concentration, but offers a lot of pride of your work; however the cycles of the season are of high and low. Two years ago, trying to avoid the cycle, I moved on screen printing signs instead of textiles. The company, in reducing it's printing department, laid me off which has lead me to enter a third stage of my printing career -- Working from home! I've been able to use the networking I've gained over the years to simply sit at home now by taking orders then contracting a shop to print them for me. Some of you may ask why I decided to give you a tutorial of my work life, but this is my preemptive strike against the "Why are you 30 and still playing Minecraft? (Or Why are you 30 and on MeepCraft so much)
I began using computers at the age of 6, with the help of my father. He introduced me to something called "BBS" which was quite literally formed most of my life, childhood and adult. A BBS was something that primarily existed before the World Wide Web, using a text based platform to offer services such as text rpg games, text games, chat rooms, ftp service, and more. I spent a great deal of my child-hood on BBS, until I found MUD. A Mud is another text based (Generally RPG) game that came into occurrence during the early days of the web. This offered a greater player base (400-1000) and a different play on classic games. I have spent many years playing different games, all with great communities, and gameplays. However MeepCraft is something that I've discovered is entirely different. This community ends up turning into a psuedo-family, where most communities I've left I've never retained friends from. MeepCraft I've met many players that I truly consider my friend, and I hold a special place in my heart for them. MeepCraft, and it's community is special.
I feel I am qualified for the helper position because of my experience, which starts back at MeepNetworks. During that era, I learned how to become a brilliant helper with a combination of patience, professionalism and dedication. I pride myself on the way I handle modreqs, because I believe this is fundamental to the entire ideology of being staff; good customer service. I think a modreq should be done in an efficient manner, yet comprehensive, and ultimately making the player (customer) walk away with a smile on their face, glad that you were the one to answer their modreq. Often times a helper has to deal with issues that aren't immediately solvable, I have a superb record on being able to put down an issue for a time being, while waiting for information or additional help, and returning to the issue and player in a timely manner.
I have in depth experience with hawkeye, and many of it's subtle ways of searching. When I have to deal with issues such as theft, or grief, I don't solve it like a problem, but treat it like a case. What I mean is that I not only check what is in front of me, but I will search the surroundings, to find clues, to be able to give some sort of reliable, and honest answer.
I am comfortable reading the chat, and can quickly identify and react to offensive/illegal statements in a fair, and impartial way. Impartial for me is that even though I might disagree with a policy, I understand what having a job is, and I will enforce the policy as long as it is one. This goes for any policy, not only those regarding chat offenses.
During my admin, I specialized in the role of public relations more than anything else. This meant I dealt with any number of things, from angry players to bad issues in-game. I did this by talking with a player, explaining our position, and listening to these. While I was not always able to solve every one of these issues, I took their words with me, and did what I could with them. The most important factor I think to doing this well, is to not take their frustration personally, or getting offended by them if they become discontent, or insultive. I have many examples of me being able to become quite good pals with the very people who hurled the insults. As well as I've been able to end player's feuds and begin working on a more jovial relationship. I believe this is also a good thing, because in-fighting in the community poisons the greatest thing about this server, the less there is the better for everyone.
During my time, I have learned a great deal about the server, and it's commands. With this I am able to troubleshoot many problems quickly and efficiently. If the answer is not immediate, I have no qualms with taking the time to research the problem to get to a solution.
Most importantly, I understand that moderation isn't just kicking and banning, but trying to form behavior. While I will issue a ban if someone clearly commits an offense, if there is any way to prevent it from happening, I will always try this first and foremost. I find working with someone creates respect between the two, player and staff. Respect is the number one tool, in my opinion, in the job of moderation. If a player respects you and who you are, they are more prone to listen and heed your suggestions.
On my first application I remember, I wrote, "I am many weaknesses, but none that would effect in game." That was a naive thought at the time, I soon discovered, too many times. I'm a human, and I'm not the best human. Just recently I lost my temper at two players, UglyUnicorn and Krazycat. It's not something I am proud of, but it led me to a lesson. The lesson taught me to consider age much more often, as I don't consider age immediately when I see a screen-name, I wrongly assume we're kinda all the same, in many ways.
On top of considering age, I still need to work on the way I write, or express myself. This at times often comes out more blunt or rude than I intend it to. Where in real life, I often talk to people differently, kids I use a softer voice or adult I use my more normal voice. On the internet, I tend to forget those nuanced niceties. This leads to situations where I can be more frank to other eyes than my own, and this is something I have worked on, and will continue to do so.
I am lacking in teamspeak, because of several reasons. While I am on for anything needed, I do lack in activity because my house is a loud, and busy place. It's quite hard to have many conversations going at a time, and to add that to many teamspeak conversations is that much harder. Once at night and it's much quieter, I like to listen to music, watch a movie, and that is hindered by teamspeak. Most of all, though, I just enjoy text communication more-so than voice, it's more suited to my needs and more orderly.
I can be considered critical, and while I always try to be respectful, weakness 1 and 2 most likely hinder this effort. If I disagree with something I will make it known, and encourage debate with the issue. I feel that lengthy discussions are always a productive endeavour, but I can take it a bit too far or write one too many essays. Some in the past have called this anti-staff, but it is truly not, I never sit and bash on a member, or mistakes they make, because we all make them and it's how they learn. I understand how hard it is to be staff, and to deal with it daily. But I also remember when I was staff, and when I messed up Notchbeard would almost always take me to task, this made me a better staff.
The biggest error in my staff career is one I will never hide, I was caught spawning in 30 million meebles in gold. This happened last December, and it is something that will always cause me regret. However I feel it is regret that I've earned, and all I can try to do is prove myself otherwise. This is an error that I will never make again, nor any other error of this severity, or type.
My last stint as helper ended rather shortly, this was because I wasn't on MeepCraft as much as I felt that a staff member should be on. This seemed unfair to the others at the time and I felt it was best to leave staff service to make room for someone else that could be online as much as would needed.
With the staff numbers shrinking, I've decided to apply because I feel they could use the help, and because I want to help. I require very little training, and I feel I can impact the server in the most direct way, modreqs and customer service.
~ @Deinen
