Welcome to Gaia! ::

There are a number of changes we can make to the way we work to make it work better.

State our purpose in the main thread. We should make clear what kind of roleplay group we are, what kind of behavior we expect, and what kind of roleplaying we are capable of producing.

Cross-link all network threads. Have a miniature Mainframe inside the main roleplay thread to link it to the complete network. Network threads should also link to the main thread and the Mainframe. Location threads should give priority to other locations in proximity, to help visitors explore the network. Heavy cross-linking creates visibility and information much faster than centralization can; just look at Wikipedia!
ALSO: If possible, link ALL subsidiary and private threads that are relevant to OVR! and its characters. Visitors will be able to learn more about OVR! the deeper they are allowed to go without having to commit themselves to participating (and the more they learn, the more they'll be likely to commit).

Eliminate or revise redundant or useless threads. Hickfield Clinic and the Detention Center are important places, but serve no purpose as far as roleplaying goes. We should make sure that every part of our network contributes to overall activity; for example, the proposed additions in EINSPRUCH! seek to add activities and events to existing threads or create threads for the purpose of hosting specific types of activities and events.

Link to profiles in the Mainframe character list. Naturally, this will require the permission of the respective owners. This will help visitors learn about the group and track individual characters. We could also...

Create a Profile List that is linked to the Mainframe. This acts as a publicly available repository for all applications approved by The Mason System. Players may also submit additional information to be posted here for visitors.

List the reasons for player absences. Information at a glance helps create a reasonable estimate for the player's return.

We can make use of more moderators. Even with three group moderators, time is at a premium, particularly with everyone in different time-zones and with increasingly busy schedules. The moderator group could be expanded to relieve pressure on our current moderators.

The time-warp needs to be explained. As of writing, not only are advanced-timeline characters allowed, but duplicates as well. There is currently no justification for this. It has to be explicitly and clearly explained why we allow this, so we can more effectively roleplay around or about it (especially in resolving duplicate and AU characters). It is highly inadvisable to remove this aspect of OVR!, as it affords us flexibility in character creation and interaction that forms a large part of our charm.
NOTE: Pie had a good explanation for this, though as of writing I cannot remember what it was nor why it hasn't been inducted into OVR! canon.
NOTE: Decisions about this aspect of OVR! should be reflected in Rules #9 and #10 (see below).

The Cafe A La Mode has provided a pleasant crossroads for outsiders and OVR! players alike, however its placement outside of the official network and environment means that OVR! proper lacks a distinct PW/AA restaurant location such as Borscht Bowl or the Wonder Bar.

Adapting or absorbing CALM as a true part of OVR! will help give both CALM and OVR! a distinct identity, as it is something that is near and dear to the hearts of OVR! players and even despite its lack of PW/AA canon, a deeper level of endorsement and involvement with CALM would make it a part of the group.

It is this fact that makes BBC/WB a tertiary option when addressing the question of creating a casual hangout for the OVR! network. Other PW/AA groups can be expected to have a BBC or WB environment, while CALM is an OVR! entity through-and-through.

Note: Pie has given support to the adoption of CALM, but aside from re-titling and cross-linking, the exact terms of this absorption are yet to be settled. Naturally, CALM Manager will continue to moderate the CALM thread, instead of The Mason System. It has also been proposed that the CALM staff be registered as OCs in the Mainframe.

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The restaurant acts as an entertainment venue with a variety of activities centered around character interaction.

Olga Orly features! Card games, poker competitions, and more.

Troupe Gramarye: The New Generation - with Trucy Wright and her handsome assistant Valant Gramarye?

While Gourd Lake is a nice public space (and is a better random hangout spot than poor Phoenix's office), it lacks stuff to do.

A weekly or monthly art jam could be held there, featuring local produce, fishing, floristry, and the arts. The key thing here should be to actually produce something; at the very least we could share pretty pictures or doodles, even if they were produced at the very last minute.

Create a fishing game based on dice-rolling, similar to dice-rolling contests in the Chatterbox. To discourage abuse, only registered characters who have obtained a "fishing license" from the police department will be rewarded accordingly. The process of getting such a license should be roleplayed out in the department itself, of course!

A venue for television productions of all kinds, from the latest weather updates to the Steel Samurai franchise.

This can be adapted to be a personal thread, but would have more potential if made a part of OVR's network. (pun intended)