Shinohara.... on OOC Questions and Comments

DH Skies

October 05, 2014 1:37 AM

Other by DH Skies

This section is to post questions and comments that don't pertain to any of the categories below, including notices of absence.

Subthreads:

OOC layout by DH Skies

Webpage Maintenaince by Nathan Xavier

Yearbook Survey by Yearbook Staff with Carrie O'Malley, Effie Arbon, Neeka Campbell and Arnold Manger, Joella Curtis

Computer Issues by Brockerts with

Concerning Quidditch overlap. by Rupert Princeton with Headmaster Brockert

Current Quidditch Match - scoring by DH Skies with Coach Olivers

ADVERTISING by DH Skies

Staff vacancies by DH Skies

Jay and Anthony... by Francesca and Effie with Careys

Fond Farewell by Daphne/Jera with Pierces, et al, Selina etc, Wendy Canterbury & co., Julian and Company

Yearbook! by Yearbook Staff with Brockerts, Pierces & Dill, Joella Curtis

Shinohara.... by Jamie with Uzume Shinohara

Head student voting - tiebreak!! by DH Skies

0 DH Skies Other 26 DH Skies 1 5

DH Skies

October 05, 2014 1:41 AM

OOC layout by DH Skies

Thanks everyone for sticking with the new format we tried out last term. I felt it was helpful in some ways (easy to find all posts) but still a bit chaotic and messy in others (the class and other announcements thread dominated, and pushed everything else out of sight and potentially out of mind).

This term, I've tried reversing the order, so that the less used topics are at the top, to increase their visibility when things are posted under them, and split the announcements thread in two to try to stop it becoming unwieldy.

If anyone has any further feedback on this way of doing things, including other subheadings they feel would help, I welcome your feedback.

0 DH Skies OOC layout 26 DH Skies 0 5

Nathan Xavier

October 27, 2014 10:43 PM

Webpage Maintenaince by Nathan Xavier

I am working on making some changes to the pages to make them easier to maintain. This may have affected some people's ability to view the page titles and descriptions over the past day, particularly on the non-class pages. I believe those issues are now resolved. If anyone is having problems with that sort of thing, please let me know so I can address it.

Also, I know some people have said they have problems with their backgrounds and/or other styles on some of their devices. Please let me know which pages are giving you the most problems and what device you are using so I can try to get that sorted while I'm doing this.

Thank you so much for your patience and assistance,
Nathan Xavier
Groundskeeper

1 Nathan Xavier Webpage Maintenaince 28 Nathan Xavier 0 5

Yearbook Staff

October 29, 2014 8:00 PM

Yearbook Survey by Yearbook Staff

Hey Everyone!

It's been a while since I have been able to take the time for the yearbook and have you all involved by completing the surveys. For those of you who are new, the yearbook is something that I do as a side project for the site. It is not maintained by the staff, so questions should be directed to me or my email, sonorarpkids@gmail.com.

Every term when the Midsummer event takes place, a yearbook is provided to the students as a 'thanks for the year' treat. The students participate with the yearbook by providing surveys for the award section of the book. You, as the author, will complete the forms for each of your characters as best as you can. This will get easier each year as you begin to develop relationships with your character's peers.

I am asking for all surveys to be completed by November 21st as this will give me time to tally them and complete the yearbook by the time the Ball rolls around. Please email them to me at the email address provided above.

Here is the most current active list to base your answers on (please remember that this list is for characters who have actively posted since the Opening Feast or have been seen in the chatzy recently. If you have posted and are not on the list, please let me know)

Active List

Here is the link to the survey:

Survey

Any questions, please do not hesitate to email at sonorarpkids@gmail.com.

I apprecaite everyone who helps me with this portion of the yearbook!

6 Yearbook Staff Yearbook Survey 0 Yearbook Staff 0 5

Carrie O'Malley

October 29, 2014 10:12 PM

Posted by Carrie O'Malley

In transfig right before midterm.

11 Carrie O'Malley Posted 230 Carrie O'Malley 0 5

Effie Arbon

October 30, 2014 10:57 AM

OOC vote by Effie Arbon

I noticed there's a new category of the 'OOC' vote on the survey. As it's OOC, is it voted for per author rather than per character? I.e. you only vote for it on the first survey that you submit, or do you submit a vote (either for the same or different people!) with each character?

13 Effie Arbon OOC vote 238 Effie Arbon 0 5

Yearbook Moderator

October 30, 2014 11:31 AM

Answer by Yearbook Moderator

Yes, there is a new category. I wanted to see if authors would get a kick out of it.

If you have more than 1 character that you enjoy reading, then you can spread it out over your various surveys. But if you plan on only voting for 1, then only putting it on one survey is fine.

If I see an author putting the same character down on all their surveys, I'll only mark it one time to be fair to everyone.

0 Yearbook Moderator Answer 0 Yearbook Moderator 0 5

Neeka Campbell and Arnold Manger

October 30, 2014 4:40 PM

We're still here! by Neeka Campbell and Arnold Manger

I haven't had a lot of chances to post thus far this term, but I'm trying! You have the rest of my characters down, but these two are here too! Please add them to the list!

0 Neeka Campbell and Arnold Manger We're still here! 0 Neeka Campbell and Arnold Manger 0 5

Yearbook Staff

October 30, 2014 8:08 PM

added (nm) by Yearbook Staff

0 Yearbook Staff added (nm) 0 Yearbook Staff 0 5

Joella Curtis

November 06, 2014 4:44 PM

Class question. by Joella Curtis

By first year class do you mean that we put names of only first years or can they also be those of second years as their classes are shared?

8 Joella Curtis Class question. 295 Joella Curtis 0 5

Yearbook Staff

November 06, 2014 6:39 PM

Answer by Yearbook Staff

The first 14 questions are specific to the people in your year. So, 1st years vote for 1st years. The next grouping of questions is for school wide votes. You can vote for anyone in that section.

0 Yearbook Staff Answer 0 Yearbook Staff 0 5

Brockerts

November 07, 2014 4:21 PM

Computer Issues by Brockerts

My computer is...dead. The kind where it would cost as much to fix it as to just get a new one. I do not know when that will be happening but my mom, grandma and I will be trying to work something out and hopefully I'll be back ASAP.

Keme and Effie, I'll still try to at least do those two replies on the computer down here in the lobby.

11 Brockerts Computer Issues 0 Brockerts 0 5

Rupert Princeton

November 08, 2014 1:46 PM

Concerning Quidditch overlap. by Rupert Princeton

If someone can delete my previous post on the pitch, "Coming to your rescue." I'll reply to Leo's since he posted before me. Hope that's all right.

40 Rupert Princeton Concerning Quidditch overlap. 248 Rupert Princeton 0 5

DH Skies

November 09, 2014 10:19 AM

Current Quidditch Match - scoring by DH Skies

As usual, the winner of the Quidditch match will be decided on OOC points scored by the quality of the writing. If Pecari win, the overall season winner will be decided by who has the most points.

Obviously, to explain this IC, it will be decided on 'goal difference.' However, Keepers should not feel pressured to save every goal, lest writing one going in affects the outcome of the match. It won't. It will be decided OOC on points, and a suitable goal difference will be stated IC if need be. Write realistically - save or don't save as you see fit.

It has always been my assumption that Sonora matches last for longer than is covered by the writing in the matches, as these tend to cover what would realistically take a few minutes, just in a lot of detail.

0 DH Skies Current Quidditch Match - scoring 26 DH Skies 0 5

Brockerts

November 09, 2014 9:26 PM

Fixed! by Brockerts

I got my new computer!

11 Brockerts Fixed! 0 Brockerts 0 5

Yearbook Staff

November 10, 2014 2:56 PM

Less than 2 weeks! by Yearbook Staff

Hey,

This is a reminder that you have less than 2 weeks to send in the surveys to me. Thank you to everyone who got a jump start on them and sent their completed ones to me. I still need a lot more though to make these viable for the awards section of the yearbook.

Please be sure to get yours in to sonorarpkids@gmail.com to help make that section of the yearbook complete!

0 Yearbook Staff Less than 2 weeks! 0 Yearbook Staff 0 5

Headmaster Brockert

November 12, 2014 11:17 PM

Done! (nm) by Headmaster Brockert

11 Headmaster Brockert Done! (nm) 6 Headmaster Brockert 0 5

Coach Olivers

November 13, 2014 8:50 PM

Quidditch game ends this Sunday! (nm) by Coach Olivers

0 Coach Olivers Quidditch game ends this Sunday! (nm) 0 Coach Olivers 0 5

DH Skies

November 14, 2014 11:57 PM

ADVERTISING by DH Skies

Advertising season is upon us once again! So, here is how to spread the word about Sonora.

We do most of our advertising through fanfiction.net, though obviously if you are part of other communities who are happy for you to advertise there, or have any friends you think would be interested, explore those avenues too.

Reviews MUST:

- Be on good quality stories. If they are riddled with grammar errors or unrealistic characters, move on

- Contain feedback on the story. No one wants to be spammed with adverts that make them feel like you didn't even read what they'd written, so before plugging Sonora, be sure to talk about the story. At the very least, mention specific things you enjoyed about it (detailed descriptions, good characterisation etc). If there is anything you didn't like, mention this too in the form of constructive criticism. I received a PM back from an author the other day thanking me for leaving this kind of review (including criticisms) rather than making a bland comment like 'Great job.'

- Advertise Sonora! Give a brief explanation of the site and the address, with a break in it to get through ff's filtering systems. I usually go with 'I'm from a creative writing RPG which involves all original characters and I feel you'd fit in well. Our applications are currently open or you can play on our 'sandbox' page to get a feel for it. It's sonora. terragenaonline. net (without the space) and I hope you'll check us out. Please message me if you have any questions.'

Obviously, the last it only applies if you have an ff account, which brings me onto...

Things to consider:

- We don't insist on you having an ff.net acount to review. However, I have found authors often message me with further questions about the site, and it can be useful for them to have a personal contact to talk it through with

- Consider searching for fics with OCs (original characters) as these people are already stepping slightly further away from the core HP-verse and thus might be more interested in a site like Sonora

When you have done reviews, add them to the counter to the top of the page. It can't do maths, so put in the UPDATED TOTAL. E.g. if it says '5' and you've done 3, enter '8.' We got to the mid sixties last year and our site record is seventy, so let's try to beat it! It really only takes a few reviews from each author and then it all adds up!

13 DH Skies ADVERTISING 26 DH Skies 0 5

DH Skies

November 15, 2014 12:52 AM

Staff vacancies by DH Skies

We are recruiting to Sonora staff!

Currently we need a DADA Professor and a Quidditch Coach.

The responsibilities are as follows:

DADA: posting 2-3 lessons in each half of the year and marking these.

Quidditch Coach: posting and marking one flying lesson at the start of the year. Posting, moderating and marking Quidditch matches.

All staff are asked to keep an eye on the site and post notices if they see a student breaking rules, as well as contribute to discussions on plots, and generally be nice, useful people.

If you are interested, please follow the application link on the home page. If you are unsure about what the roles entail and would like further information, please email the headmaster via the link on the homepage.

0 DH Skies Staff vacancies 26 DH Skies 0 5

Francesca and Effie

December 06, 2014 9:33 AM

Jay and Anthony... by Francesca and Effie

Jay, the first post will probably be in the hall, so may I assume they have met in the common room and that generic pleasantries are exchanged (or specific ones if you wish to fill them in).

Anthony, I assume a suitable meeting point such as the main staircase will have been established and posting can begin there, or they can assume to have met there (how I am posting Effie may depend on what Araceli ends up doing, so may start on the stairs or inside the Hall).

0 Francesca and Effie Jay and Anthony... 0 Francesca and Effie 0 5

Careys

December 08, 2014 12:41 AM

Here! by Careys

That all sounds fine! Hopefully I'll have posting time later this week.

0 Careys Here! 0 Careys 0 5

Daphne/Jera

December 09, 2014 2:22 PM

Fond Farewell by Daphne/Jera

I meant to post this a few weeks ago, so that's an indication of what follows; I am reluctantly leaving Sonora due to huge lack of free time. I didn't want to just disappear without a word, so I have opted for a self-indulgent OOC.

I joined Sonora in June 2006 as a fresh, newbie firstie. Since then I have written the first (and only?) Ancient Runes professor, been the first Head of Sonora to start paying for the site (cheers for closing, geocities), and even built a spin-off university site for Sonora students... Which failed abysmally, but hey. I've written at four other, similar sites I discovered through Sonora, have had a total of 6 staff characters and written over 200 lessons. At Sonora alone I have written 15 students, including 5 Quidditch captains, 1 Head Boy and 3 Head Girls. I have never had a student in Teppenpaw.

I have crossed the ocean to meet fellow authors, and welcomed them into my home when they have been nearby. At my wedding in 2010, 4 of the guests had written at Sonora, and 2 of these I met through the site. It has been awesome, and I will miss everyone: characters and authors, past and present. So farewell from Sadi, DiAnna, Elly, Oliver, Charlotte, Cynthia, Jethro, Cecily, Amelia, Dana, Jera, Samantha, James, Josephine, Jade, Linus and Daphne.

0 Daphne/Jera Fond Farewell 0 Daphne/Jera 0 5

Pierces, et al

December 09, 2014 7:25 PM

We will miss you by Pierces, et al

Good bye and good luck! It was fantastic writing with you as your classmate, friend, boyfriend (I think I was always the boy when we dated), and colleague since you joined! We'll miss you greatly! We wish you the very best in your future endeavors!

0 Pierces, et al We will miss you 0 Pierces, et al 0 5

Selina etc

December 09, 2014 8:18 PM

Fond so long by Selina etc

Well, reading through your list, it's suddenly striking me how ridiculously little we've posted together over the years! I guess our busy periods have fallen in sequence or something... I'm kind of sad about this but I have always enjoyed reading your writing, and hope I'll get to share whatever creative endeavours you come up with in your free time. I'm very glad Sonora brought us into each other's lives and that we took the plunge to meet up (and that neither of us turned out to be a crazy axe murderer). See you not soon enough, xx

13 Selina etc Fond so long 26 Selina etc 0 5

Yearbook Staff

December 09, 2014 10:25 PM

Yearbook! by Yearbook Staff

Hey Everyone,

Sorry for the massive delay but life is currently incredibly hectic and I've had some personal things to deal with these last couple of weeks.

There may be some mistakes, so I apologize if that's the case. Please note that I did not get as many surveys as I had hoped that would have made for a more 'majority' vote, so I did the best that I could. Thank you again to everyone who did complete those.

Remember, please view the yearbook in google chrome and at the default 100% or else nothing will line up.

Enjoy!

yearbook

0 Yearbook Staff Yearbook! 0 Yearbook Staff 0 5

Brockerts

December 09, 2014 10:47 PM

Omg! by Brockerts

It looks amazing! So well worth the wait!

11 Brockerts Omg! 0 Brockerts 0 5

Wendy Canterbury & co.

December 10, 2014 3:39 AM

Best wishes! by Wendy Canterbury & co.

You will be missed! It was wonderful writing with you (has it really been years?), and I wish you the best of luck in the future. I sincerely hope that someday time will work its magic to allow you to return! :)

0 Wendy Canterbury & co. Best wishes! 0 Wendy Canterbury & co. 0 5

Pierces & Dill

December 10, 2014 9:10 PM

Yay! (nm) by Pierces & Dill

0 Pierces & Dill Yay! (nm) 0 Pierces & Dill 0 5

Joella Curtis

December 11, 2014 9:15 AM

Brilliant! by Joella Curtis

It's really good - well done!

8 Joella Curtis Brilliant! 295 Joella Curtis 0 5

Jamie

December 13, 2014 11:48 PM

Shinohara.... by Jamie

Would Shino have noticed his little bit of linguistic trickery ('agreeing' that he would go with her as his sidekick)? If not, he would have been sure to rub it into her face once the moment for her objecting was past. If she did notice, perhaps they could agree that whoever pulls the best prank is the leader and the other is sidekick?

0 Jamie Shinohara.... 0 Jamie 0 5

Uzume Shinohara

December 14, 2014 4:06 PM

Sorry for the late reply by Uzume Shinohara

She probably wouldn't have noticed, and would have agreeded after a moments hesitation. Her english still isn't perfect. Sorry I haven't had the chance to respond with RL getting in the way.

0 Uzume Shinohara Sorry for the late reply 292 Uzume Shinohara 0 5

Jamie

December 15, 2014 5:20 AM

Mwa ha ha ha ha ha by Jamie

... ha ha ha ha ha ha SIDEKICK.

Ok, I have most of a Jamie post written, which I will email you and we can discuss how collaborative vs competitive they're being.

0 Jamie Mwa ha ha ha ha ha 0 Jamie 0 5

DH Skies

December 22, 2014 1:37 AM

Head student voting - tiebreak!! by DH Skies

We currently have a tie in the votes for head girl. If you are eligible and have not yet voted, please do so as soon as possible. Every vote counts!

0 DH Skies Head student voting - tiebreak!! 26 DH Skies 0 5

Julian and Company

December 25, 2014 2:45 PM

So long, farewell.... by Julian and Company

A lot of good characters and a lot of good times. Always enjoyed writing and chatting with you. You'll be missed! - Umlands, Layne-Bauer-Douglases, etc.

16 Julian and Company So long, farewell.... 254 Julian and Company 0 5