On Contacting Staff...
Greetings!
I've had a couple of people ask recently how to contact staff (and prominent NPCs). I know that quite often staff don't appear to be online. Sometimes we are, but we're set DARK. This is ~not~ because we're hiding from people or spying on people, so let me alleviate that fear right off the bat. ;) In fact, what is usually the case is we're working on things in the background (e.g. building, coding, reviewing applications, etc.) or might be logged on from work or logged on from home and not at the keys, etc.
Let me start with one important question that I've been asked a couple of times since we reopened the game: Why do we prefer not to be paged if we're set DARK, especially if we're always dark? The answer to that is simple: if we're dark, it means that (as stated) we're either working on something in the background or we're not truly 100% at the keys. Either way, we can't guarantee that we'll be able to devote our attention 100% to the individual paging or pages might get lost in code, building or application spam. By @mailing us instead, it allows us to get back to you at a time when we ~can~ devote our full attentions to you and your request or issue (either via @mail or page). :)
So, this also begs the question of if this is the case, how do you get in touch with us? Simple. @mail is the best choice. For lengthier communications, you can e-mail us (xmrstaff@debbo.org), but we do prefer the on-game @mail.
Here are the available staff-based maliases you can write to:
*STAFF - All staff receive the mail.
*BUILD - Only those responsible for building receive the mail.
*PLOT - Only those responsible for plot receive the mail.
*APPS - Only those responsible for applications receive the mail.
*EDITOR - Only those involved in the newsletter receive the mail.
To contact Xavier or Magneto at any time, @mail them and @mail/cc *STAFF as well.
It should be noted that plotstaff also use the +request system for official plot requests.
General turn-around for responses is up to 72 hours (3 days) unless extenuating circumstances arise (e.g. exams, vacation, illness, etc.). If you don't hear from us after the three days are up, it's acceptable to @mail one of the appropriate maliases to ask if your request was received, of course. All we ask for is patience, however, as many of us have full time employment and families in some cases, so RL might put a strain on some of the response times without warning. :)
The exceptions to the @mailing, e-mailing or +request rules would be if you see us visible on the WHO list or the Guest channel (Guests can't @mail, so they may ask on the Guest channel if any staff are around -- though we would suggest if no one answers after ten minutes or so to try e-mailing us instead).
And finally, if the situation deals with a complaint, @mailing *STAFF, using +complaint or e-mailing xmrstaff@debbo.org are all just fine.
Well, I do hope that this explains things a little bit and helps you all keep in touch with us when you need to even if we don't seem to be around (we are, but we're a small staff, so we're almost ~always~ busy here!). Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns, as always.
Happy RPing! :D
Alice