USS Darwin-A SIM Handbook: Difference between revisions

Jump to navigation Jump to search

USS Darwin-A SIM Handbook (view source)

Revision as of 16:39, 25 February 2015

4,426 bytes added ,  25 February 2015
Update part 1
No edit summary
(Update part 1)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Template:UnderConstruction|Nicu Icavoc}}
{{Template:UnderConstruction|Nicu Icavoc}}
{{LCARS-bar-nolink|USS Darwin-A Guidebook|300|COLOR=#339933}}
{{Template:Darwin_Side_Old}}
{{Template:Darwin_Side_Old}}
Welcome aboard the [[USS Darwin-A]]! This document is designed to function as a guide for newly arriving SIMmers who are joining the ranks of the [[USS Darwin-A|Darwin]] crew. It is our aim to bring every member of our crew up to the highest possible standards of SIMming while achieving a uniform standard of presentation across all posts on the ship. As some ships have different conventions in certain areas (usually down to CO preference), this document is also designed to serve as a framework for established members of the fleet who are transferring from other vessels.


[[File:USSDarwin-AHandbook.jpg|right]]
[[File:DarwinHandbook.png|200px|left]]
'''Welcome aboard the [[USS Darwin-A]]! ''' We have a lot of truly outstanding and inspirational players and an experienced, passionate staff who take great pride in our crew and what we do.
 
 
UFOP: Starbase 118 prides itself on its focus on writing and we believe in supporting our crew via mentoring and providing the right resources to enable everyone to develop their writing skills.  It is our aim to bring every member of our crew up to the highest possible standards of simming while achieving a uniform standard of presentation across all posts on the ship. This guidebook is designed to function as a complete resource for new and experienced simmers alike, whether coming aboard the Darwin crew as a fresh new Ensign, transferring in as an experienced veteran simmer and as a reminder for the rest of us. As some ships have different conventions in certain areas (usually down to CO preference), this document also serves as a comprehensive framework that can be referred to any time whether looking formatting tips, information about how we view promotions or something else.
 
 
If you have a question that isn't answered by our guidebook please do not hesitate to contact the Commanding Officer, First Officer of your mentor -  we're all very friendly and happy to help.
 
 
{{Heading|The Basics of simming|#339933}}
 
When you came through the academy, you were given a good comprehensive course on the mechanics of simming and you honestly don't need more than that to put a sim in the right format. As you sim with us you'll continuously learn how to improve the content that sites between the symbols. The [[USS Darwin-A|Darwin]] SIM format corresponds closely with that used in the academy and detailed in [http://www.starbase118.net/cadets/training-area/where-do-i-go-from-here/ Tutorial #1].
 
 
There is one notable difference and that is that '''the Darwin crew do not capitalise the last name of their character when putting together tags.


==Mentors==


All graduates from the Starbase 118 Academy will be assigned a mentor on arrival aboard the [[USS Darwin-A]]. The responsibility of a mentor is to act as first point of contact for a new player, to help them to settle in with the crew and to take an active interest in ensuring that they meet all of the requirements for [http://www.starbase118.net/members/personnel/promotions/ promotion], providing support where necessary. In many cases, new arrivals may be self sufficient, in which case their mentors may be in contact on a less frequent basis. In other cases a mentor may be assigned to an officer who has been a member of the fleet for a considerable period of time if there is a need for specific support to be provided to meet promotion requirements, or for any other reason. All mentor assignments are made at the discretion of the CO.
{| style="background:#F5FFFA;" class="toccolours" align=center width="50%"
|style="margin:0; background:#cef2e0; font-size:120%; font-weight:bold; border:1px solid #a3b0bf; text-align:left; color:#000; padding:0.2em 0.4em;"|Reminder of Basic Formatting Symbols
|-
|- align="center"
| :: (Double Colon) - Encloses written description and content of a sim.  
|- align="center"
| =/\=  - Denotes commbadge in use.
|- align="center"
| ~ (tilde) - Telepathic communication.
|- align="center"
| (( )) (double parathesis) - Location Header
|- align="center"
| oO Oo (little o, big o)  - Internal Thoughts
|}


Once a player reaches full Lieutenant, they may continue to be mentored or their mentor may be reassigned and replaced by a member of the command staff in order to guide further efforts for promotion.


==Mission Staff==
{| style="background:#F5FFFA; " class="toccolours" align=center width="90%"
|style="margin:0; background:#cef2e0; font-size:120%; font-weight:bold; border:1px solid #a3b0bf; text-align:left; color:#000; padding:0.2em 0.4em;" colspan="3"|Helpful Tips
|- align="left" valign="top"
|style="background:#b6e8cf;" width="40%"| '''Talking to the computer:''' <br>
''When talking to the computer there's no need to use =/\= if you're in the same room:-''


Each mission on the [[USS Darwin-A|Darwin]] will be facilitated by a group of officers (usually including the mission author, the writers behind any of the MSNPCs involved and the command staff). Those officers will be responsible for guiding the mission towards a conclusion within the usual 6-week operating period, assisting with the incorporation of any plot twists that may have been dreamed up by participants among the crew and keeping things as exciting as possible for all involved.
'''Chen:''' Computer, what was the last known location of the Darwin?


==Mission Submission==
'''Computer:''' The USS Darwin-A was last detected in orbit of this system's fourth moon.


If you have any ideas for a mission that you would like to run, follow the steps below:-
''However, where a character is on the surface of a planet and communicating with the ship's computer over a comm-line, =/\= becomes necessary, purely due to the use of the comm'':-


* Ask yourself whether or not the mission is relevant to the [[Zeta Gelis Region]]. If not, could it be adapted to be relevant, or is there a good reason for the [[USS Darwin-A|Darwin]] to be diverting away from the region it has been assigned to by Starfleet?
'''Chen:''' =/\= Computer, lock onto my location and beam me back aboard the ship. =/\= 
|style="background:#b6dee8;" width="30%" | '''Descriptive Text:''' <br>
''All non-dialogue descriptive text should be marked with two colons (::) at the beginning and end of each paragraph'':-


* What will all of the departments be doing during the mission? Preferably they should have something to do other than just their 'default' level of operation (i.e. having a security department just standing guard over a diplomatic talk is not necessarily going to provide a huge amount for those writers to do without a little further thought). If you're short of things for one of the departments to do, can another dimension be added to the mission? Or do the existing members of that department have secondary skills which they could put to good use (training as a field medic, expert in subspace warp fields etc?)
<nowiki>::</nowiki>He climbed up to the top of the ladder with his eyes closed. On opening them, he immediately regretted it.::
|style="background:#bce8b6;" width="30%"| '''OOC Notes:''' <br>
''OOC communication should be surrounded by double brackets. If you have an OOC question or sizable OOC comment, consider using the ship's OOC mailing list rather than posting it as part of an IC SIM'':-


* When you're happy with you submission and you have checked the following two points, email your mission idea to the CO. Please be aware that the mission timetable may have a few missions queued ahead of your submission, so waiting a few months before it is put in to place is not a sign that you're being ignored!
((OOC: This takes place before the JP, "Profit and Pancakes"))
|- align="left" valign="top"
|style="background:#bce8b6;" width="40%"|'''Stage Directions and Leaving Tags:'''<br>
''In some cases, you may wish to combine speech and 'stage directions' or 'in-line actions'. In this case, simply use the symbols to indicate descriptive text to surround the actions your character is taking or anything that is not dialogue'':-


==OOC Communication==
'''Perring''': ::Sarcastically:: Oh, well that's just great isn't it. ::Waving the acrid smoke out of his face and coughing:: I suppose I'll have to get a repair team to fix that. <br>
-----
''To leave a tag for another character, simply write their name as if you were going to fill in a line of dialogue for them, but instead write the word 'Response' '':-


From time to time, you may be contacted by your mentor, a member of the command staff, or another member of the crew on 'official business', or for a JP request. While you are under no obligation to write a JP with another member of the crew, please try to answer all OOC communication if possible to avoid ill feeling.
'''Leigh''': I think it's broken, Doctor...


==Plot Twists==
'''T'Ril''': Response
|style="background:#b6d2e8;" width="30%" |'''Telepathy and Thoughts''': <br>
''Where a character has a thought mid-sentence, the thought tags can be included in-line rather than starting a new script entry, as follows'':-


Creativity in SIMming is encouraged and the general rule of thumb for plot twists is to use your common sense. If the twist you're going to put in provides you and your fellow SIMmers with something interesting or exciting to do then it's likely to be a worthwhile addition to the plot. However, it would be worth contacting the CO or a member of the mission staff if you think your plot twist may have a major or serious effect on how the mission would turn out. Examples of this may include (but are not limited to):-
'''Rascon''': Yeah, this has to rank up there with the best receptions I've ever been to. oO It still royally sucks, but hey, at least I'm not lying as its the only one I've attended. Oo Hold that thought, I think I'm gonna get some more watered down blood wine...
|style="background:#b6e8cf;" width="30%"|'''Thoughts: To remove or not remove, that is the question... <br>
''When replying to sims where someone has used telepathy (but not directly with your character) or expressed a thought, even in the middle of a sentence, remember to remove it from your sim - most characters are not telepathic and wouldn't hear it.


* The addition of a brand new alien race that has not yet been involved in the mission. (Sir, Romulan Warbird decloaking!)
Even if your character is telepathic, ask yourself whether they would have been eavesdropping at that moment and picked up the thought? Even if you ''can'' hear a thought, it doesn't mean you should - pick your moments and make them count. ''
* Relocation of another group of SIMmers other than your own.
* Destruction of an important building or ship.


Small twists, such as locked doors, system malfunctions or personal injury can be used at writer's discretion.
|- align="left" valign="top"
|style="background:#b6e8cf;" width="40%" |'''Subject Lines''': <br>
''Email subject lines should follow the format below'':-


==PNPC Creation==
'''Rank and Name, "Custom Post Title" '''


If you're intending to create a PNPC, drop the captain an email with a short bio including species and intended rank and duty post. If a department is getting flooded with too many PNPCs then you may be asked to reconsider where your PNPC will be placed. It is not the intention of the CO to deny permission for new PNPCs without due cause, but remember that your PC is the most important characters that you write for on the ship.
e.g.:-


==Posting Requirements==
'''Commander Greir Reinard, "In At the Deep End." '''


The [[USS Darwin-A|Darwin]]'s posting requirements are concurrent with Fleet full time requirements - all SIMmers are required to post 3 times per week, preferably for their main character.
''We do not include the names of characters tagged in the subject line. Everyone should be reading all of the posts and there are various methods of marking emails you need to return to to collect tags from depending on your email provider including: flagging/starring/marking as unread/putting a tag on them etc. If you are writing a JP, use this format'':-


==Promotions (Player Characters)==
'''JP: Rank and Name 1, Rank and Name 2, "Custom Title" '''


Promotions occur at the end of missions, during Shore Leave. While mid-mission promotions may occur from time to time, such circumstances are extremely rare. All promotions will be awarded according to the [http://www.starbase118.net/members/personnel/promotions/ promotions guide]. Please feel free to keep an open dialogue with your mentor if you unsure what to do in order to achieve your next promotion!
''PNPCs, MSNPCs and NPCs should be indicated as such by using those abbreviations before their names.''


In many cases, service ribbons and awards will be awarded during the same ceremony. On receiving a fleet award, you are encouraged to add the corresponding image to your wiki profile.
''As a general formatting point, make sure no "Re:" text strings appear in your title. Also, there is no need to manually type in [sb118-darwin] - the group list will do that for you! ''
|style="background:#b6dee8;" width="30%" |'''Rank Abbreviations''': <br>
''Ranks in subject titles may be abbreviated or written in full. Abbreviated ranks are as follows'':-


==Promotions (PNPCs)==
* Ens (Ensign)


PNPC promotions are awarded at the same time as PC promotions by command staff only. Department heads are responsible for nominating PNPCs in their department for promotion by emailing command staff, who will discuss it amongst themselves before making a decision on whether or not to add that PNPC to the promotions list. PNPC promotions are different from PC promotions in that PNPCs should be rewarded for in character actions, rather than being promoted according to the requirements on the promotion guide on the main website. All such promotions will take place during end of mission award ceremonies.
* Lt. JG / LtJG (Lieutenant Junior Grade)


==Shore Leave==
* Lt (Lieutenant)


Under normal circumstances, Shore Leave will take place at the end of each 6 week mission cycle and run for 2 weeks. The length of Shore Leave may vary depending on general fleetwide circumstances and may be extended or curtailed in order to provide opportunities to take part in the annual blockbuster or joint missions with another ship.
* LtCmdr (Lieutenant Commander)


During Shore Leave, standard posting requirements still apply, but SIMmers have the opportunity to further develop their characters with a little more freedom. This is an ideal time for characters to make friends, pursue romantic relationships or interact with other members of the crew and for their writers to give us insights into their past or inner thoughts. The galaxy is your oyster!
* Cmdr (Commander)


==SIM Format==
* Cpt (Captain)


The [[USS Darwin-A|Darwin]] SIM format corresponds with that used in the academy and detailed in Tutorial #1, as follows:-
|style="background:#bce8b6;" width="30%" |'''Signatures''':


===Comm-Links===
Signatures should be placed at the end of your SIM and follow the format below:-


When conversing over a comm-link of any kind, the following set of symbols is used: =/\= (equals, forward slash, back slash, equals), e.g.:-
<nowiki>=========================================================== </nowiki>
Rank Surname  - Duty Post, USS Darwin NCC-99312-A<br>
(Second character if applicable)<br>
(Name of OOC activities involved with if applicable)<br>
(contact details: email | gchat | yahoo etc
<nowiki>=========================================================== </nowiki>


Hanson: =/\= Engage the second ship! =/\=


===Talking to the Computer===
e.g.:-


When talking to the computer there is no need to use =/\= if you are in the same room:-


Chen: Computer, what was the last known location of the Darwin?
<nowiki>=========================================================== </nowiki>
Commander Renos  - Commanding Officer, USS Darwin NCC-99312-A<br>
Also simming:- Ensign Janel Tarna, MO, USS Victory NCC-362447<br>
FWPA Co-Facilitator | Chat Facilitator | Publicity Team Member<br>
Contact: (email)
<nowiki>=========================================================== </nowiki>
|}


Computer: The USS Darwin-A was last detected in orbit of this system's fourth moon.


However, where a character is on the surface of a planet and communicating with the ship's computer over a comm-line, =/\= becomes necessary, purely due to the use of the comm:-
<div style="background:#cef2e0; border: 1px solid black; margin: 1em auto; padding: 0 10px; width: 90%; align: left; text-align: left;">


Chen: =/\= Computer, lock onto my location and beam me back aboard the runabout. =/\=
'''To:''' sb118-darwin@googlegroups.com <br>
'''Subject:''' Ensign Maxwell - Not a morning person <br>
'''Message Body:'''<br>


===Descriptive Text===
(( Ensign Maxwell's Quarters, USS Darwin ))


All non-dialogue descriptive text should be marked with two colons (::) at the beginning and end of each paragraph, e.g.:-
<nowiki>:: Ensign Maxwell brought the lights up slowly and lethargically swung his legs out of bed before hoisting the rest of himself up into a sitting position. He hunched over, shielding his eyes from the too bright light before letting his hand travel down and over his rough chin ::</nowiki>


<nowiki>::</nowiki>He climbed up to the top of the ladder with his eyes closed. On opening them, he immediately regretted it.::
Ricky: Urgh! Maybe I shouldn't have had that last drink or two or three.  


===OOC===
<nowiki>:: After dragging himself out of bed, he got dressed and left his quarters, heading to the bridge. :: </nowiki>


OOC communication should be surrounded by doubled brackets. If you have an OOC question or a sizeable OOC comment, consider using the ship's OOC mailing list rather than posting it as part of an IC SIM. E.g.:-
Maxwell: oO That ale sure was the real deal last night. Who knew it would have such a kick! Oo


((OOC: This takes place before the JP, "Profit and Pancakes"))
<nowiki>:: On the way, he saw another crew member. He smiled wearily, waving his hand. ::</nowiki>


===Speech===
Maxwell: Crewman Anders, right? You're Commander Thomas's assistant aren't you?


To introduce speech, use your character's surname (lower case) followed by a colon (standard script form), e.g.:-
T'tala: Response


Picard: The line must be drawn here! This far, no further!
Maxwell: Great. Hey, I'm new to the department... what can you tell me about the boss?


====Stage Directions====
T'tala: Response


In some cases, you may wish to combine speech and 'stage directions' or 'in-line actions'. In this case, simply use the symbols to indicate descriptive text to surround the actions your character is taking or anything that is not dialogue. E.g.:-


Perring: ::Sarcastically:: Oh, well that's just great isn't it. ::Waving the acrid smoke out of his face and coughing:: I suppose I'll have to get a repair team to fix that.
<nowiki>=========================================================== </nowiki><br>
Ensign Maxwell  - Engineering Officer, USS Darwin NCC-99312-A<br>
<nowiki>=========================================================== </nowiki>


===Tags===
</div>


To leave a tag for another character, simply write their name as if you were going to fill in a line of dialogue for them, but instead write the word 'Response', e.g.:-


Leigh: I think it's broken, Doctor...
==Mentors==


T'Ril: Response
All graduates from the Starbase 118 Academy will be assigned a mentor on arrival aboard the [[USS Darwin-A]]. The responsibility of a mentor is to act as first point of contact for a new player, to help them to settle in with the crew and to take an active interest in ensuring that they meet all of the requirements for [http://www.starbase118.net/members/personnel/promotions/ promotion], providing support where necessary. In many cases, new arrivals may be self sufficient, in which case their mentors may be in contact on a less frequent basis. In other cases a mentor may be assigned to an officer who has been a member of the fleet for a considerable period of time if there is a need for specific support to be provided to meet promotion requirements, or for any other reason. All mentor assignments are made at the discretion of the CO.


===Telepathy===
Once a player reaches full Lieutenant, they may continue to be mentored or their mentor may be reassigned and replaced by a member of the command staff in order to guide further efforts for promotion.


Telepathic speech should be symbolised in the script style, similar to speech, but surrounded by tildas (~). E.g.:-
==Mission Staff==


Grax: ~Don't be alarmed. I'm a Betazoid. I'm here to help you escape.~
Each mission on the [[USS Darwin-A|Darwin]] will be facilitated by a group of officers (usually including the mission author, the writers behind any of the MSNPCs involved and the command staff). Those officers will be responsible for guiding the mission towards a conclusion within the usual 6-week operating period, assisting with the incorporation of any plot twists that may have been dreamed up by participants among the crew and keeping things as exciting as possible for all involved.


===Thoughts===
==Mission Submission==


Thoughts should also be symbolised in the script style, similar to speech, but opened with 'oO' and closed with 'Oo'. E.g.:-
If you have any ideas for a mission that you would like to run, follow the steps below:-


Weyoun: oO If they're not going to agree to allow us a presence on this planet then we'll just have to take it from them by force. Oo
* Ask yourself whether or not the mission is relevant to the [[Zeta Gelis Region]]. If not, could it be adapted to be relevant, or is there a good reason for the [[USS Darwin-A|Darwin]] to be diverting away from the region it has been assigned to by Starfleet?


Where a character has a thought mid-sentence, the thought tags can be included in-line rather than starting a new script entry, as follows:-
* What will all of the departments be doing during the mission? Preferably they should have something to do other than just their 'default' level of operation (i.e. having a security department just standing guard over a diplomatic talk is not necessarily going to provide a huge amount for those writers to do without a little further thought). If you're short of things for one of the departments to do, can another dimension be added to the mission? Or do the existing members of that department have secondary skills which they could put to good use (training as a field medic, expert in subspace warp fields etc?)


Rascon: Yeah, this has to rank up there with the best receptions I've ever been to. oO It still royally sucks, but hey, at least I'm not lying because this is the only one I've ever attended. Oo Hold that thought, I think I'm gonna get some more watered down blood wine...
* When you're happy with you submission and you have checked the following two points, email your mission idea to the CO. Please be aware that the mission timetable may have a few missions queued ahead of your submission, so waiting a few months before it is put in to place is not a sign that you're being ignored!


==SIM Format Supplemental==
==OOC Communication==
===Displaying Locations===


For the purpose of clarity, all SIMs should start with the location of your character, surrounded by OOC double brackets. E.g.:-
From time to time, you may be contacted by your mentor, a member of the command staff, or another member of the crew on 'official business', or for a JP request. While you are under no obligation to write a JP with another member of the crew, please try to answer all OOC communication if possible to avoid ill feeling.


((USS Darwin, Deck 1: Bridge))
==Plot Twists==


or
Creativity in SIMming is encouraged and the general rule of thumb for plot twists is to use your common sense. If the twist you're going to put in provides you and your fellow SIMmers with something interesting or exciting to do then it's likely to be a worthwhile addition to the plot. However, it would be worth contacting the CO or a member of the mission staff if you think your plot twist may have a major or serious effect on how the mission would turn out. Examples of this may include (but are not limited to):-


((Prak Zel, Zakdorn IV))
* The addition of a brand new alien race that has not yet been involved in the mission. (Sir, Romulan Warbird decloaking!)
* Relocation of another group of SIMmers other than your own.
* Destruction of an important building or ship.


===Signatures===
Small twists, such as locked doors, system malfunctions or personal injury can be used at writer's discretion.


Signatures should be placed at the end of your SIM, and should follow the format below:-
==PNPC Creation==


Rank and Full Name<br>
If you're intending to create a PNPC, drop the captain an email with a short bio including species and intended rank and duty post. If a department is getting flooded with too many PNPCs then you may be asked to reconsider where your PNPC will be placed. It is not the intention of the CO to deny permission for new PNPCs without due cause, but remember that your PC is the most important characters that you write for on the ship.
Duty Post<br>
Ship Assignment


e.g.:-
==Posting Requirements==


Commander Greir Reinard<br>
The [[USS Darwin-A|Darwin]]'s posting requirements are concurrent with Fleet full time requirements - all SIMmers are required to post 3 times per week, preferably for their main character.
Commanding Officer<br>
USS Darwin<br>
NCC-99312-A


===Subject Lines===
==Promotions (Player Characters)==


Email subject lines should follow the format below:-
Promotions occur at the end of missions, during Shore Leave. While mid-mission promotions may occur from time to time, such circumstances are extremely rare. All promotions will be awarded according to the [http://www.starbase118.net/members/personnel/promotions/ promotions guide]. Please feel free to keep an open dialogue with your mentor if you unsure what to do in order to achieve your next promotion!


Rank and Name, "Custom Post Title" (who are you tagging?)
In many cases, service ribbons and awards will be awarded during the same ceremony. On receiving a fleet award, you are encouraged to add the corresponding image to your wiki profile.


e.g.:-
==Promotions (PNPCs)==


Commander Greir Reinard, "In At the Deep End." (Tags Orrey, Malcolm)
PNPC promotions are awarded at the same time as PC promotions by command staff only. Department heads are responsible for nominating PNPCs in their department for promotion by emailing command staff, who will discuss it amongst themselves before making a decision on whether or not to add that PNPC to the promotions list. PNPC promotions are different from PC promotions in that PNPCs should be rewarded for in character actions, rather than being promoted according to the requirements on the promotion guide on the main website. All such promotions will take place during end of mission award ceremonies.


If you are writing a JP, use this format:-
==Shore Leave==


JP: Rank and Name 1, Rank and Name 2, "Custom Title" (who are you tagging? If no-one, feel free to omit this part)
Under normal circumstances, Shore Leave will take place at the end of each 6 week mission cycle and run for 2 weeks. The length of Shore Leave may vary depending on general fleetwide circumstances and may be extended or curtailed in order to provide opportunities to take part in the annual blockbuster or joint missions with another ship.


PNPCs, MSNPCs and NPCs should be indicated as such by using those abbreviations before their names.
During Shore Leave, standard posting requirements still apply, but SIMmers have the opportunity to further develop their characters with a little more freedom. This is an ideal time for characters to make friends, pursue romantic relationships or interact with other members of the crew and for their writers to give us insights into their past or inner thoughts. The galaxy is your oyster!


As a general formatting point, make sure no "Re:" text strings appear in your title. Also, there is no need to manually type in [sb118-darwin] - the group list will do that for you!


===Rank Abbreviations===


Ranks in subject titles may be abbreviated or written in full. Abbreviated ranks are as follows:-


* Ens (Ensign)
* Lt (j.g.) / Lt(jg) / Lt. JG / LtJG / Ltjg (Lieutenant Junior Grade)
* Lt (Lieutenant)
* LtCmdr (Lieutenant Commander)
* Cmdr (Commander)
* Cpt (Captain)


==The USS Darwin-A==
==The USS Darwin-A==
Ren Wei
2,820

edits

Retrieved from "https://wiki.starbase118.net/wiki/index.php?title=Special:MobileDiff/177833"

Navigation menu