The Foundry FAQ

[TaCktiX]

Prompted by the questions posed in this other topic of mine here, I'd like to start compiling an FAQ for the Foundry. I'd like some help determining categories and possible questions, but here's a primer list from the topic aforementioned.

Categories:
Foundry Staff - Who does what in the Foundry
Stamping - The stamps and their requirements
Starting a Map - What a map needs to get started
Map Development - The ongoing process of improving a map
"I don't know how to..." - Whatever doesn't fit in the above

Foundry Staff

Stamping

Q: I think my map is ready to get a stamp (Idea, Gameplay, Graphics, XML), but none of the foundry staff has come and commented on my map. What do I do to get that stamp?
A: Don't worry, the CAs haven't forgotten about you. They are just very busy all the time and might have not checked on your map in a few days.
First, read this page. It includes information about every stamp:
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=40463
If your map fits all the requirements listed for the stamp, send a PM to one of the foundry staff members that is responsible for giving that stamp and ask them to take a look at your map (or send it to more than one if you can't figure out who gives the stamp you are asking for). They will come and either:
A. give you a stamp.
B. give you some suggestions that you need to do before you get the stamp.

Starting a Map

Q: I've got a map idea, but I'm not sure where to post it.
A: If you have a draft (i.e., a specific map, showing the territories and continents), start a new topic in the Map Ideas forum. If you don't have a draft, post it as a reply in the New Map Ideas thread in the Map Ideas forum.

Map Development

Q: I posted my map and am waiting for feedback. What is the typical time period within which new maps typically get preliminary feedbacK?
A: That depends on the map. Some maps are slow to get feedback, some get it faster than the creator can respond to it. A starting idea from an unestablished mapmaker typically takes 24 hours to get good starting feedback. Typically, the more novel and well-executed a map idea is, the faster and more numerous the feedback.

Q: What happens if my map gets support but little feedback on its components? Will my map be held up because of this?
A: People who frequent the Foundry know that a map dies without feedback. A map rarely gets pure support and no feedback, it will either get support and a good amount of feedback, or very little of either. A map may be held back at the Idea stage if there is not enough "support" (a blanket term which includes feedback, support for the idea, and other factors), but that's about it.

Q: OK I got feedback, made fixes and I'm liking how my map looks. What do I do next?
A: Wait for more feedback, make fixes, rinse and repeat. The Foundry at its core is a constant peer review process. Expect many revisions, many updates, and don't be surprised if your map ends up looking completely different from the first version.

"I don't know how to..."

[gimil]

I have a better idea, why dont you churn out a few issues of the newsletter before moving onto something else? Your trying to do far, far to much. I dont care what you say or feel. Your going to burn yourself out and leave with a whole bunch of half finished work.

[bryguy]

I have a better idea, why dont you churn out a few issues of the newsletter before moving onto something else? Your trying to do far, far to much. I dont care what you say or feel. Your going to burn yourself out and leave with a whole bunch of half finished work.

agreed. Tac, your already working on 2 maps, the newsletter, and a ton of other stuff. Dont add anything else to that list yet, other wise your gonna go from this: to this: (the shock smiley is because your gonna be so tired and such that your gonna have to force your eyes to stay open, trust me from experience)

[pepperonibread]

Dont add anything else to that list yet, other wise your gonna go from this: to this: (the shock smiley is because your gonna be so tired and such that your gonna have to force your eyes to stay open, trust me from experience)

? I was thinking more along the lines of (maniacal laughter after he goes mad from the workload).

[TaCktiX]

I appreciate the concern, but how at any point have I let active projects go to crap when adding another? Same people said the same thing when I was doing Map Stats, and that's now complete and updated every 3-4 days. Also consider that once a good FAQ is compiled, more questions will be very slow in coming. That and crafting FAQ answers is a piece of cake when you're familiar with the area, I just need questions to answer!

[bryguy]

Question 1) Are you gonna overwork yourself?

Answer 1) Yes

[TaCktiX]

Q: I've got a map idea, but I'm not sure where to post it.
A: If you have a draft (i.e., a specific map, showing the territories and continents), start a new topic in the Map Ideas forum. If you don't have a draft, post it as a reply in the New Map Ideas thread in the Map Ideas forum.

Q: I posted my map and am waiting for feedback. What is the typical time period within which new maps typically get preliminary feedbacK?
A: That depends on the map. Some maps are slow to get feedback, some get it faster than the creator can respond to it. A starting idea from an unestablished mapmaker typically takes 24 hours to get good starting feedback. Typically, the more novel and well-executed a map idea is, the faster and more numerous the feedback.

Q: What happens if my map gets support but little feedback on its components? Will my map be held up because of this?
A: People who frequent the Foundry know that a map dies without feedback. A map rarely gets pure support and no feedback, it will either get support and a good amount of feedback, or very little of either. A map may be held back at the Idea stage if there is not enough "support" (a blanket term which includes feedback, support for the idea, and other factors), but that's about it.

Q: OK I got feedback, made fixes and I'm liking how my map looks. What do I do next?
A: Wait for more feedback, make fixes, rinse and repeat. The Foundry at its core is a constant peer review process. Expect many revisions, many updates, and don't be surprised if your map ends up looking completely different from the first version.

EDIT: Oh yeah, that took me 8 minutes, and I was rewriting and editing in the same period. Excuse me while I go overload and burnout.

Now let's think outside of me. Currently the Foundry is not something you can read about and truly know what you're getting into when you start a map, make comments, etc. It must be "experienced". For something as well-documented as the Foundry, that's rather stupid. What we're missing is something to translate what all the regulars have already experienced into something that a newcomer can look at and have a fairly good idea what's up. An FAQ would address this easily, you know it, I know it, we all know it. For all the complaining and angst over not being able to "bring more into the Foundry", I find it rather sad that all of you are naysaying something that could assist greatly, especially considering how much input work will be required (not much at all).

[InkL0sed]

I agree with you Tack, it doesn't seem very hard or time-consuming at all... Just make sure you actually finish everything you're working on, alright?

Some more suggestions for questions:

Q: How does the Foundry process work?
A: <link to "How to Make a Map" thread>

What image-editing program should I use?
A: Most users either use Adobe Photoshop or GIMP, but other programs are acceptable. Maps cannot be made in MS Paint.

See the bottom of this thread <link to "Map Makers Tools> for a full list of suggested programs.

Q: I don't know how to code XML at all, but I want to make a map. What should I do?
A: XML is a fairly easy language to learn. This thread <link to XML Tutorial> is a tutorial for beginners.

If you still can't figure out how to do the code on your own, you can also ask the help of several Foundry regulars who may do it for you.

[gimil]

If you guys are gonna do it, you need to do it properly. First you need to have a list of categories that covers most areas but keeping the list as short as possible. Then you can start adding Q&A's in an organised manner, rather than randomly firing blanks everywhere like a compulsive adolesent

[bryguy]

eh ive got one


Q: About how long does it take a map to progress through the foundry?
A: It varies. Most maps take 4-10 months, while others can take 3 months or less, or in some rare cases, 11 months or more.

[TaCktiX]

If you guys are gonna do it, you need to do it properly. First you need to have a list of categories that covers most areas but keeping the list as short as possible.

Funny, I'm getting deja vu.

...but I need help on some questions, categories, and related things. Thanks in advance for the help.

[fireedud]

If you guys are gonna do it, you need to do it properly. First you need to have a list of categories that covers most areas but keeping the list as short as possible. Then you can start adding Q&A's in an organised manner, rather than randomly firing blanks everywhere like a compulsive adolesent

I think it's better this way; if anyone gets an idea, they can contribute. After there is enough questions, then an official thread would be made.

[Kaplowitz]

Why are some maps stickied?
If you see a map development thread in Map Ideas that is sticky, that means that it is considered an Advanced Idea. This is to help differentiate the early maps, between the map ideas and maps without commitment. The only requirement to have your map development thread stickied in the Map Ideas sub-forum is to show commitment and support. Usually if you post a few updates, and people give support and feedback, your thread will become a sticky.

If you see a map development thread in the main Map Foundry forum that is sticky, that means that is has received the Idea [I] stamp, the Game-Play [GP] stamp, and the Graphics stamp [Gr]. This map is very close to entering the Final Forge stage, and the Cartography Assistants are determining whether or not this map has enough support. Very few maps do not reach Final Forge once they are in this stage of map development.

[gimil]

If you guys are gonna do it, you need to do it properly. First you need to have a list of categories that covers most areas but keeping the list as short as possible.

Funny, I'm getting deja vu.

...but I need help on some questions, categories, and related things. Thanks in advance for the help.

I know you said that. But your firing out questions without categories. That means you have no real structure to what your doing.

[AndyDufresne]

Q: Who's in charge? To whom do I need to talk to get some damn service around here?




--Andy

[gimil]

Q: Who's in charge? To whom do I need to talk to get some damn service around here?




--Andy

Make sure you got a banana first!

[TaCktiX]

Okay, did some brainstorming, here's some categories for ya.

- Stamping
- Starting a Map
- Foundry Staff
- "I don't know how to..."

I think there should be a couple more, but my mind goes blank.

[seamusk]

I'll try to think of some more questions that took me longer to figure out than they might have with a FAQ. This is a great start and I think that it will hopefully facilitate new map makers like myself into understanding how things work around here. And edited to add what i hit reply to say in the first place - thanks for doing this!

[AndyDufresne]

What one should consider doing...instead of conjuring up what a Foundry newbie might think...why not go out and recruit some Foundry newbies from around the forum, or from games...have them look around, and then have them submit questions they came across.


--Andy

[InkL0sed]

What one should consider doing...instead of conjuring up what a Foundry newbie might think...why not go out and recruit some Foundry newbies from around the forum, or from games...have them look around, and then have them submit questions they came across.


--Andy

Now THAT's a good idea...

[t-o-m]

get people from live chat, although last time someone from live chat came to the foundry, he spammed my thread completely double posting and poting an image is what i will say.

but people on live chat are generally not too busy and im sure that they will volenteer

[TaCktiX]

Already handled it. I asked the guy who gave me the inspiration to do an FAQ (seamusk) to replicate the questions he had when he first entered the Foundry. I'm awaiting a few question lists from him, and any "holes" any of you all may see, ask the "hole" question and I'll answer it too.

[AndyDufresne]

I suggest more than one "newbie." In a fact, the larger the number, the better always.


--Andy

[RjBeals]

Q: Who's in charge? To whom do I need to talk to get some damn service around here?

Yes Yes Andy - we all know your the alpha monkey around here

[TaCktiX]

Well, I'm posed with a small conundrum that is specific to me: I don't frequent GD (nor have the time to), I do not know people who are interested and "new" to the Foundry, and I don't want to post an open topic that will invite gobs of spam. If you can find me more newbiesto get in contact with, I will be happy to get their questions, but as it stands I am incapable of doing more on the "newbie" front.