Idea for a pinned thread for mods are orphaned/modder is quitting

[kelticpete]

I originally thought of this for Fallout New Vegas Mods/Boards but I think this applies to any mod forum on nexus.

 

[FYI: the concept of abandonware is in this link here | Quick definition: Abandonware is a product, typically software, ignored by its owner and manufacturer, and for which no product support is available. Although such software is usually still under copyright, the owner may not be tracking or enforcing copyright violation.

 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

I have been kicking around the concept of a pinned thread for mod authors to post when they officially decided they no longer have time to work on a mod or have decided to move on, with the idea that

other people can contact them about taking over the mod. (EDIT: this means that the mod author is stating they WANT someone to take it over.)

 

This is what I think happens:

 

Someone gets pumped about modding. If they find they have a gift/knack it quickly can become popular. They are now busy and have fans. This is cool but a responsibility. Eventually some of them will:

 

a) Realize they are good at modding but don't want to do it

b) Like modding but don't like to deal with negative feedback or whatever, for social reasons get tired of modding

c) Love modding but get Significant other, new job, school change, etc that means they no longer have the time

d) For other reason they just no longer have time

 

Modders tell themselves "Hey I will get back to it." They see posts asking about updates but don't answer or answer but then two years later nothing has happened.

 

I can't tell you how many threads I have seen where a mod author replies to requests for updates with "I plan on doing this soon." and I see the post was made in 2012 and that was his/her last post.

 

Perhaps subconscious anxiety keeps former modders from going to forums and answering or dealing with their old mods, in my opinion lets not debate. Others might not care.

 

But I think that this happens largely because there is currently no mechanism/protocol for what do when a modder decides to quit a mod.

 

If a modder has formed ties to other modders or has modder fans, then sometimes a modder volunteers to take on mod. But often that does not happen.

 

If we created a PINNED THREAD for modders to announce they are leaving their mod up and will allow other people to take it over, then I think some people's favorite old mods will be able to continue on.

 

Is this a silly idea? Comments? Feedback? Flames? :pirate:

 

[Oubliette]

But I think that this happens largely because there is currently no mechanism/protocol for what do when a modder decides to quit a mod.

 

Yeah there is. If a modder is open to letting other people continue their work and are abandoning their mods they can post that in the mod description and readme.

 

If they're not - then they don't post that in their descriptions or readme.

 

What I think is happening is a lot of people are seeing others hard work and thinking they'd like to use it but the modder has already left the scene and made no mention of allowing others to continue where they left off, so people get frustrated (or greedy) and want a way to get around these modders wishes. Which is unlikely to ever happen here.

Edited March 8, 2014 by Oubliette

[kelticpete]

point in fact:

 

I recently saw a very large alpha mod. about 20 posts in last 2 years asked "when is this going to be updated?"

 

The mod author's last post was "I will get around to updating it." That was two years ago.

 

I sent him a very nice private message and asked him if he was going to continue with mod and if not, if someone else could.

 

His reply was as follows:

 

"Anyone may take over it anytime they want. It is free to be used by anyone, in any way they wish.

:smile: "

 

 

So here is the deal.

do you think he did not KNOW he could post in the readme section?

do you think he did not know that people wanted it updated?

maybe he never thought about letting someone else take over.

this thread would help put that idea out there.

 

 

 

my whole point is that if there is created, apart from the mod itself, a SPACE for abandonware, it raises the profile of the issue.

 

"Hmm. I have not gotten around to do updating my mod. I will put a short post on that pinned thread"

 

Why is this different than putting it on their own mod?

 

I think it IS different to decide to drop a note on a public thread than to decide to put it up on your own mod. also, only people that currently know about your mod will then see it.

 

I think it is having the redundancy of a pinned thread as a second place is a good idea.

secondly, when a modder decides to drop his mod you have to Go There To Find It Out. . whereas if a person was looking to jigger around with a mod, they could go to that thread and see what mods were there.

 

I can't think of how many really good mods have just been left on the side of the road in a ditch. of course, some of those mod owners, even though they have decided to no longer update or work on their mods (which often were not finished)

 

will decide they don't want to reliquish it. fine. then the pinned thread is not for them.

Edited March 8, 2014 by kelticpete