STEP:State of STEP/2016-08-13: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 17:32, August 18, 2016

Template:State of STEP

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 {{State of STEP
 |SoSversion=August 2016
-|SoSnews=Welcome back to the second release of the State of STEP article! There have been some happenings in the community since our last article so lets just jump right in!
+|SoSnews=Welcome back to the second release of the State of STEP article! There have been some happenings in the community since our last article so lets jump right into it!
 === STEP Mod Testing ===
-We'd like to take a moment to talk about mod testing for STEP and the process around this. It's come to our attention that many users are not aware of how it works so this will be a good opportunity for us to discuss this.
+First, we'd like to take a moment to talk about mod testing for STEP and the process around this. It's come to our attention that many users are not aware of how we test mods for STEP so this will be a good opportunity for us to discuss this topic.
-Mod testing starts with the users posting mod topics. Within each topic tags can be added by users which relate to the mod. This is where the community can submit mod suggestions to the STEP staff which could be a good fit for the Guide. It's as simple as adding a 'testing' tag to the topic's list of tags. Doing so allows the mod's topic to be filtered into our testing group. From that point a STEP Staff team member or above will evaluate the mod against the STEP Mandate. If it fits, the mod is added to official testing by receiving a yellow "Testing" prefix. If the mod does not meet the mandate, the Staff member will post as to why and drop the testing tag from the list of tags which removes it from our "mod pool".
+Mod testing starts with members posting mod topics. Within each topic, tags can be added by members that relate to the mod. This is where and how the community can suggest mods for testing that they think could be a good fit for the STEP Guide. It's as simple as adding a 'testing' tag to the topic's list of tags. Doing this allows the mod's topic to be filtered into our testing group. From that point a STEP Staff team member or above will evaluate the mod against the STEP Mandate. If the mod fits, the mod is added to official testing by receiving a yellow "Testing" prefix. If the mod does not meet the mandate, the staff member will post the reasons why and then remove the testing tag from the list of tags which removes it from our "testing pool".
-Once a mod has been added into official testing, it will eventually be evaluated by the staff. A common misconception here is that normal community members are not involved in official testing. That's simply not the case. We encourage all users to try out the mods being tested and provide us with their feedback! The more feedback we have from the community, the more informed our decision will be for our own evaluations. During evaluations STEP staff are required to have used and tested the mod in-game. No staff member should be casting a vote without having used the mod in the game!
+Once a mod has been added into official testing, it will eventually be evaluated by the staff. It's good to note here that simply because a mod is marked for testing, doesn't mean it will be tested for the next release. It simply means the mod is in our "testing pool" and will eventually be tested. Another common misconception here is that normal community members are not involved in official testing. This is simply not the case. We encourage all users to try out the mods being tested and provide us with their feedback! The more feedback we have from the community, the more informed our decision will be for our own evaluations. Sometimes community members will find issues or raise concerns which we didn't find or think of. During evaluations staff members are also required to have used and tested the mod in-game. No staff member should cast a vote without having used the mod. Finally, while evaluations are on-going anywhere between a lot to very little debating may take place for the mods being tested. Recently we have started to invite mod authors into the fold of discussion for their mods. We are a passionate lot so these discussions can get fairly in-depth at times. We encourage all users to take up a role in any and all discussions for mods.
-During this time anywhere between a lot to very little debating may take place over the mods being tested. Recently we have started to invite mod authors into the fold of discussion for their mods. We are a passionate lot so these discussions can get fairly in-depth at times. We encourage all users to take up a role in any and all discussions for mods.
+Eventually a count of votes will be taken. This is the only step in which staff's votes are weighted more than that of normal members. The reasons for this is because the Staff are held at higher standards to have properly tested the mod against a complete STEP install before casting their views from their evaluations. Once enough votes are posted, a tally is taken and the mod is either accepted or rejected based on the majority rule. However, there may be times will staff are not available to test and vote, due to real life situations. During such times a "rule of two" takes over. This rule is an internal one for the STEP team which means for mods to be accepted at least two STEP Staff group members or Admins must agree on the ruling for the mod. This rule filters into all that we do at STEP, as well. Nothing is done without at least two sub-admin (STEP Staff group) or admin agreeing upon it.
-Eventually a count of votes will be taken. This is the only step in which staff's votes are weighted more than that of normal members. The reasons for this is because the Staff are held at higher standards to have properly test the mod against a complete STEP install before casting their views from their evaluations. Once enough votes are in a tally is taken and the mod is either accepted or rejected.
-The criteria for acceptance usually majority rules. However, there may be times will staff are not available due to real life. During such times the rule of two is takes over. This rule is an internal one for the STEP staff which means for mods to be accepted at least two STEP Staff members or Admin must agree on the ruling for the mod. This rule filters into all that we do at STEP, as well. Nothing is done without at least two sub-admin (STEP Staff group) or admin agreeing upon it.
+=== STEP and Open Modding ===
+One subject that seems to be coming up more, as of  late, is Open Modding. STEP's stance on open modding is simply that we agree with it and support open modding efforts. We have been working on an Open Modding Agreement (OMA) which we'll eventually release for community use. The core of the OMA is Wyre's Open Modding notes, however, we've built upon it and re-worked areas that didn't mesh well for a large community. More on that in the future.
+Since we believe in open modding, all assets which are produced by STEP or for STEP are or must be released under open modding concepts. Over time several mod authors have also discussed with us about taking over their assets when they retire from modding. We will happily do this for any mod authors, but those authors must be okay with their assets being converted to over to open modding once they are within our hands and our control. We don't believe in holding back assets from the community due to personal ideals, pride, or ownership rights. Modding has always been and should always be free and open.
+With this said, STEP supports the entire community as a whole. Authors who do not support open modding have the right to do so and we respect their decisions.
-=== STEP and Open Modding ===
+=== STEP v2.10.0 ===
-One subject that seems to be coming up more, as of  late, is Open Modding. STEP's stance on open modding is simply that we agree with it and support open modding efforts. We have been working on an Open Modding Agreement which we'll eventually release for community use. At it's base is Wyre's Open Modding notes. We've built upon and re-worked areas that didn't mesh well for a large community. More on that in the future.
+Members keep asking for an ETA for the next release (v2.10.0). Unfortunately we don't have one. Life is busy for us all and with the holidays knocking at our doors, we'll likely be even more busy with our real lives soon. The only answer we can provide is the one we always provide, "There is no ETA. It'll be ready when it's ready." I can say that a few of the staff have completed some testing and some mods have already been accepted. Other mods will be dropped. For more information, visit our public development topic here: http://forum.step-project.com/topic/9374-step-v2100-development/
+=== STEP is always free ===
+STEP is and always will be a free modding source for the community. We have some ideas we're discussing to help solidify our presence within the community, but we'll discuss that when the time is more appropriate. However, like any web-based entity, STEP has hosting and software costs which sums up to around $65 (US) per month. Currently donations cover approximately 75% of the costs and the rest is paid for by staff.
-Since we believe in open modding, all assets which are produced by STEP or for STEP are or must be released under open modding concepts. Over time several mod authors have also discussed with us about taking over their assets when they retire from modding. We will happily do this for any mod authors, but those authors must be okay with their assets being converted to over to open modding once they are within our hands and our control. We don't believe in holding back assets from the community due to personal pride/ownership ideals/rights.
+We have never done a donation campaign because we feel if modders enjoy the STEP Guide or find the support we provide or any of our various modding guides helpful, they will donate what they feel comfortable with. This is why we allow donations of any amount by way of our Paypal option.
-With this said, STEP supports the entire community as a whole. Authors who do not support open modding have the right to do so and we respect their decisions.
+We don't do this enough so we would like to take a moment to thank everyone who has helped support the our project in the past! Without your support, the project may not have lasted as long as it has. If you would like to donate to the project you may do so via Paypal:  https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=GURM44ASJUM2Q
-|SoSstaff=Who are these mythical creatures running this project? Gods? Angels? No, we're just human. Here's what we've been up to since the last State of STEP article.
+|SoSstaff=Who are these mythical creatures running this project? Gods? Angels? No, we're just human! Here's what we've been up to since the last State of STEP article.
 ;Z929669 (Z)
-: Insert info here
+: Z is stuck between a rock and a hard place.
 ;Stoppingby4now (s4n)
-: S4N stopped the zombie apocalypse and stopped in to apply some upgrades to how the wiki is handled so that it wouldn't be moving along at a turtle's pace anymore. We're still holding out on that elusive wiki software update he keeps mentioning.
+: S4N stopped the zombie apocalypse and popped in to apply some upgrades to how the wiki is handled. It's now longer moving along at a turtle's pace anymore. We're still holding out on that elusive wiki software update he keeps mentioning. But he seems to have disappeared into the void again to seek wisdom.
 ;TechAngel85 (Tech)
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 ;EssArrBee (SRB)
 : SRB ran off and got married. We all congratulate him and may they both have Mara's blessing!
 ;DoubleYou (DY)