Quote by Hiraku-sanit looks
like some of the wonderful stuff of the former minitokyo has been discarded...Why is that so?
There
wasn't a whole lot of wonderful stuff back then in Minitokyo Version 2, just a "better" community in my
eyes, through my very own opinion. The third Version failed to tweak some other problems that already had existed
before. Not only that, nothing was done to make Minitokyo a much more appealing place. The ease of functionality for
once was removed, and many little things were taken away as a result. On top of that, little improvements were switched
back in, but not to the point where members would feel happy overall with such changes in the factor.
Several people would have liked Minitokyo to start off with a whole brand new look. Avatars enlargened, the layout fun
and alluring. Visually, little seemed to change.
I never actually had the chance to witness Minitokyo Version 3 transform personally myself, only the aftermath being
away for so long, and also apparently missed out on the validated responses from its former community members that were
actually stated afterwards, so I'll leave that personal question for somebody else to answer here in due
time.
I can, however, briefly recall how Minitokyo was when I last been there nearly over a year ago.
A Little History
+ MT ran under a "level system" based upon how "committed" a member is towards its community, and
normally by figuring statistics, defined the ranking and veteran status each member had generally represented
overall.
However, [due to my recollection of the past] by unfortunate standards, several individuals found a way to
"cheat" with this system, being able to inflate their level experience as a whole. This not only provided
incentive for many newcomers to post up their artwork in dramatic fashion, but the "quality" that was attached
to it by uploading consistently time and time again over a shorter time frame became far lower than its previous
predecessors as a result.
Others may claim that the level system brought a "popularity" issue going on; the higher your level, the more
"popular" you seemed to be. Not only that, several members opposed that such levels truly reflected how
skilled one artist is in the artwork submitting process. As such, biased views were claimed over specific individuals,
attacks were secretly to be made and a form of elitism was designed separating parts of the community from seemingly
coming together.
Although there were negative impacts to manipulating the level system, the good part about it was that several talented
artists would increase their competitiveness in order to try and reach to the top. Without a level system, many
don't feel compelled to stay, and what's the point of staying without some form of actual recognition for
once?
There are many other views I could have brought, but that would pretty much end up being a waste of time, and so I will
drop this topic here in particular.
+ Friendlist
Before, there was only one way to add a member on in specifics, and that was by adding them through a friendlist option.
That's about it. The friendlist event actually posed a greater problem, not only because it would present
wallpapers that could be arguably declared as questionable submission material, but that others had found a way to
"mass support their own friends" in order to draw off instant favorites towards any random member, no matter
how skilled they may seem.
With that being said, its funny to mention the fact: the more friends you have, the better your chances to have your
artwork submissions "fav'd," and in turn a greater possibility to be able to have it shown on the weekly
favorite submissions due to the number of favorites that were to be accumulated and obtained that very week. Not only
has it stirred up a major disagreement upon fellow veteran members, and "elitists" themselves, but created a
rift of quality distribution that arguably could be noted of extreme controversy. The issues that landed in the
favorites weekly submission was not hand picked back then by the moderators or through a judging panel, believe it or
not. As long as you scored the most favorites that week, your artwork submission [aside from a scan] would automatically
be displayed on top. This in turn leads to more favs., and more views because they would be presented clear right up on
the very front page. It would then be proven that friends would tie into this entire faving equation, and as such,
alongside with several key members reducing the meaning of "friendlist" because of the uncertainty of having
"actual friends" in the picture, broke off into three smaller separate categories. Friendlist, Watchlist,
Hotlist. Watchlist now replaced the once known Friends in the past. Friendlists just take the whole Friends definition a
whole lot further.
+ Shoutbox
Back when the level system was implemented, once you reached Level 50, you could be able to access the shoutbox upon the
bottom-right corner of the webpage interface. I'm not going to mention how it goes on from there, but you get the
big picture.
+ Download Limits
If you wish to hear a little bit of humor, back then, Minitokyo had no restrictions for downloading limits. You could
download as much as you want, whenever you want, slap as many favs as you wish, grow a signature as big as your backyard
tree for all you cared, and yes, there were no such thing as credits back in the
past. I could see the benefits of placing restrictions on most of these affected areas nowadays, but back then in
Minitokyo, you could do anything. Well, almost. **Snickers**
In conclusion, the only things I really liked about MT3's latest improvements is the quick switch to using other
member's customized skins. That idea was brilliant, but otherwise nothing else seemed too tacky or fancy. **Chugs
on some root beer** Okay, I'm done with this random babbling going on. Whew!
Quote by MordinWow, I see people
I have no seen in a long while. Hey shin! Hey princess! Hey Mel! Just like the great sages returning from the mountain
after long meditiation :D The sign of disllusionment hits you when you start to want the good old days. It is hard to
find good discussion without any pitiful dispute over pride in a difference of opinion. That sense of community back
then is long dead, and the current fourm is no longer for us old timers, it is for the new blood, let them decide its
faith.
Off topic: Mr. Mordin, as always, your presence is very welcomed here. **Bows in respect**
Yes, the precious Princess is back! **Waves** Alo! Hello! Hi, did you miss me?
Anyways, I'm glad you took the time to post your very own thoughts. I appreciate the fact to see the Wise One back in action... I just feel sorry that you felt this very way and finalized
your decision.
Personally, I too have moved on myself [I so love my office job, yes!], but since some ex-members of the community
hinted me to come back to this site, and forcible dragged me here by awkward constant
agitation, its fairly ironic yet fortunate enough to see you here standing on this very stage with the great
sages of our time, once more. Before I wrap this whole subject up, I have one final thing to point out. I just
can't help it, silly enough.
In my mind, I'm feeling some kind of new suggestion taking place. The ability to choose which pictures you wish to
show up on your "main gallery" userpage? I already see problems just occurring from this suggestion as a
result, but I highly doubt people will only just look at the top favorites alone.
What am I saying? I must apologize that I shouldn't be here, so you must forgive me. It's been a pleasure.
Take care, Mordin. Hopefully we can settle the absent score with a cup of tea. **Giggles** Or perhaps even invent random
words writing backwards and daring enough, forming it up on Wikipedia.
