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Essential Writing Books for Every PR Pro
Posted by Tom Gable
Gable PR has been working with a rapidly growing mortgage broker company on building its national image and reputation. The program components include media relations, community relations, awards programs, social media, video and other tools, tactics and channels to reach their different audiences with good news about the company, its people and quality, which is in abundance.
The company differentiates itself based on its entrepreneurial culture, quality people and commitment to unparalleled customer service. Its leaders urge everyone in the organization to communicate its values well and deliver on all promises, to build credibility and trust – and loyal customers that keep coming back.
The leadership team has taken the quality communications theme even deeper by creating a continuous internal education program to improve writing at all levels. They started by giving several hundred team members copies of The Associated Press Stylebook and Stephen King on Writing. They provided classes and guidelines on blogging and social media. The next stage: establishing an ongoing series of tips on how to improve writing skills at every level.
Gable PR, with former journalists aboard and team members who teach at the university level and write and lecture for national audiences, was asked to create the series. As with any program, we started with research to find compelling ideas from outside experts to share with the company's internal audiences.
We started with some old friends, such as Strunk and White (Elements of Style), then searched more broadly. We are still reading and looking to quote more sources, which is great fun. We also get smacked in the frontal lobe on occasion when we find an obvious shortcoming in our own work. The quest goes on and we have a growing bibliography shown below. Out of all this, we did find four seemingly universal truths to good writing:
1. Use short sentences and one idea per sentence.
2. Avoid jargon, acronyms, and clichés.
3. Use active verbs and the active voice; not the passive voice. Choose positive language versus negative.
4. Use definite, specific, concrete language.
That's a start. Now, for your ongoing reading pleasures, some of our favorite resources:
- "25 editing tips for your writer's toolbox," Leah McClellan. Ragan.com, July 5, 2013.
- Business Communication: Building Critical Skills, Kitty Locker. McGraw-Hill, 2010.
- Eats, Shoots and Leaves – The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation, Lynne Truss. Gotham Books, 2003.
- Fresh Passion: Get A Brand Or Die A Generic, Michael D. Brown. Greenleaf Book Group Press, 2013.
- How to Write Short, Word Craft for Fast Times, Roy Peter Clark. Little Brown and Co., 2013.
- It Was the Best of Sentences, It Was the Worst of Sentences, June Casagrande. Ten Speed Press (Crown Publishing), New York, 2003.
- On Writing Well, William Zinsser. HarperCollins Publishers, 1990.
- Stein on Writing, Sol Stein. St. Martin's Griffin, 1995.
- The Associated Press Stylebook, Perseus Publishing, 2013.
- The Book on Writing: The Ultimate Guide to Writing Well, Paula LaRocque. Grey and Guvner Press, 2003.
- The Careful Writer, Theodore M. Bernstein. Free Press, 2005
- The Classic Guide to Better Writing, Rudolf Flesch and A.H. Lass. HarperCollins Publishers, 1996.
- The Elements of Business Writing, Gary Blake and Robert W. Bly. Macmillan Publishing Company, 1991.
- The Elements of Style, William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White. Allyn and Bacon, 2000 (earlier editions, 1959 and 1972 by McMillan Publishing Co.).
- Weinberg on Writing: The Fieldstone Method, Gerald M. Weinberg. Dorset House, 2005.
- Writing Tools, Roy Peter Clark. Little, Brown and Company, 2006.
Twitter and FB Flame Wars: Knocking Down the Big Ones in Crisis PR
Posted by Tom Gable
When the flame wars break out on Facebook and Twitter, don't you wish you could call in the air tankers and dump chemical retardants on the perpetrators?
We have had several recent crisis PR challenges at Gable PR where clients wanted to go to war. Being of a competitive nature, they envisioned blowing away the critics with nuclear twitter attacks from all angles. Keep the miscreants on the defensive. Show them the error of the ways. Prove that we are right.
Unfortunately, experience shows that dueling vitriol and aggression only perpetuate the madness. New critics jump aboard. The snarkiest and most clever attacks go viral, attracting new garrisons of hostile forces. Gable PR had one technology client who kept arguing against online critics for a week, only to see the ratio of bad comments to good rise faster than floodwaters during a tsunami. When he set ego aside and stopped debating, the tides of criticism receded rapidly. He moved the conversation into calmer waters with updates on popular programs and future plans.
A financial client came under the gun after a marketing person erred in posting a joke rather than a typical inspirational quote on the company's digital billboard on a main city intersection. The joke made fun of the traits of a certain breed of animal. A lover of the breed saw the billboard, took a photo and shared on the institution's Facebook page, Twitter and several special interest websites. The photo went viral and critics chimed in from all over the country in the first 24 hours.
The client responded quickly, taking down the joke, issuing an apology and pledging funds to support a foundation related to the animal's care. The institution then initiated a series of positive Facebook posts about community activities, awards programs, pending charitable events and other news that reinforced its long-time values of community service. Support came in from customers and the community. Within 72 hours, the negative had disappeared and all was good again in banker land.
You can fight most negative conflagrations with facts. Keep up a steady stream of positive information. Redirect the debate with new evidence and provide links to impartial outside sources and experts wherever possible. If you've erred, apologize as soon as possible, provide a plan to right the wrong and then carry out the plan, with regular reports of progress.
There are other nuances to consider. We blogged earlier about the half-life of a Tweet – the rapid decline in commentary when facts prevail and nasty exchanges stop – and responding immediately in what we classified as a social media "lightning round."
Bottom line:
- Don't stoke the flames
- Cut a fire break (apologize, provide a new direction)
- Bring in the air tankers (bombard them with facts)
- Congratulate yourself for knocking down a big one
Creating Great Content: Five PR Research Tips for Starting Right
Posted by Paige Nordeen
One of the daily challenges and adventures for PR professionals is helping our clients break out of the clutter of competing messages. What are the anecdotes, case histories, cultural attributes and other credentials to help bring their stories to life? How do we create great content to show what may be different or compelling about each on a continuous basis?
We interact with media specialists with expertise in many areas, making it our duty to be prepared to speak and write intelligently on a wide range of topics. From representing a biotechnology company to promoting an up-and-coming chocolatier, PR pros are responsible for translating their client's desired message to connect with different audiences, often in a short time frame. How does one effectively conquer this communications challenge? Research, research, research!
The process can be daunting. But if you approach it with a plan and then just chunk away, you will soon find yourself amassing potentially great content to use in your work. Here are five tips for building your own database of information for creating brilliant client content.
Use all Media Outlets and Channels
In addition to your favorite search engines, check out every available online channel. Track the company's Twitter feed to look for potential interesting anecdotes, insights and links to intriguing facts. Delve deeper into their voice, vision and personality by following the client's Facebook page or Google+ account. Check LinkedIn for details on the leadership team that go beyond what is found in a standard executive biography. Use the same approaches to learn more about a specific journalist before making the big pitch. Listen to the online conversations. Get a feeling for tone.
Add Facts from Credible Sources, Remove Jargon
In the PR world, we translate company and industry jargon into more precise and interesting language to connect with outside audiences. This isn't always an easy task; especially when working with clients in complex fields such as the life sciences, technology and law. Searching for terms with Answers.com is a quick way to find more information and links to other resources. Lexis/Nexis and industry websites can provide exquisite detail and precise definitions if needed. Wikipedia can be a useful starting point as well by looking for additional resources in the footnotes. Also, keep in mind that Wikipedia should be considered a tertiary source of information and not to be cited.
Slice and Dice, Chunk Away
Chopping up a huge research task into smaller, individual categories will help keep you organized, on track and not let those daunting research projects get the best of you. Try dividing the main assignment into little research buckets, such as people, products and points of differentiation. Be journalistic and research who, what, when, where and why. Pursue a chunk or two at a time.
Keep plugging away at the task at hand. Look at each topic as a separate task and you'll avoid an information overload.
Take 5
A small break here and there will keep you focused and your eyes and mind fresh while you work your way through your research. Keep a few pieces of candy in another room; step away for a moment and have a little dose of sugar. Watching calories? Take a short walk around the office or an outside break to stretch those legs and the mind. Read something different. Alternate between different projects to stimulate the mind in different ways.
Fact Check
Make sure that whatever you deliver to your client and the media is stellar and error-free. PR professionals need to be diligent, obsessive fact-checkers. Don't rely on automated spell-checkers or just reading documents on a computer screen. Scrutinize a printed copy, update and then share with a colleague. Anyone can miss little things, if they have been with a document too long. Outside eyes (and brains!) can help ensure that you have turned your research into clear, fact-filled and compelling content to delight the client, the media and the ultimate target audience.
Happy researching and best of success telling those exciting new client stories!
Are your pitches newsworthy or snooze-worthy?
By Anna Crowe
When I first moved into the public relations profession from marketing, one of my biggest challenges (opportunities) was thinking like a journalist. This notion resonated everywhere I turned – from PR blogs and the Twittersphere, to media and colleagues. Having no experience as a reporter (nor a journalism degree), I was now asked to identify what made my clients compelling (people, products, services, technology), write the story in journalistic style (huh?!) without hype and then pitch with all my might in hopes of securing coverage. I needed to quickly perfect my storytelling skills and be able to continuously identify the news over the snooze.
Back in one of my first jobs, in auditing, I did my share of 'investigative' work but the resulting working papers weren't exactly stories and although some of my findings may have been compelling, I never had to sell the information to anyone for promotional purposes. I just documented with my #2 red pencil and moved along to another financial statement.
Then, having spent nearly a decade in a traditional marketing environment, my brain was accustomed to jumping on the latest product development, bonus feature or upgrade as if it were breaking news. Although I was used to selling the 'value,' I was also accustomed to selling the features of my clients' products and brands. Another brand attribute meant more bullet points on a sell sheet, ammunition for sales reps and potential enhancement to an existing marketing campaign.
Journalists (and readers) don't care much for bullet points unless those bullet points can relay the benefits of a product or service and demonstrate that something had occurred or changed. The attribute may not be a factor in a compelling story but the life-changing nature of that added benefit can mean the world to a reader if properly conveyed. I quickly learned that the capability to sniff out the news is both a creative talent and a procedural skill.
If 80 percent of writing is reporting (and generating media interest and resulting coverage), we need to continuously be asking ourselves – what does the product or service do that people would care about? Does it solve a common or important problem? Does it improve health, appearance, love life or save time and money? Does it help one's career, a business or investment? Is it informative, poignant, humorous, sexy, provocative or inspiring? Of course this takes us back to that critical 'so what?' question, which editors aren't afraid to ask when pitched with a potential story.
Facts are essential – we can't overhype or oversell the story. But unless we're dealing with breaking news, facts are not always enough. What's the story and is that story interesting, compelling and of interest to anyone other than the client, or snooze-worthy? Working hard to tell a good story will be much more likely to generate coverage. The snooze-worthy, superficial approach will likely go directly into the reporter's trash folder, among all other underwhelming, inferior and misspelled or overcapitalized pitches. That's my story, anyway.
See Anna's post on Ragan's PR Daily.
From the Pinnacle to Pariah? Crisis PR and San Diego Mayor Bob Filner
Posted by Tom Gable
Within a few days, San Diego Mayor Bob Filner had gone from the pinnacle of power to operating from a communications bunker, charged with many instances of sexual harassment and watching his power wane all around.
The story broke with KPBS where three of his key long-time supporters and fellow Democrats submitted letters asking for his resignation. The next day, his chief of staff resigned, followed by a steady stream of fellow Democrats piling on with calls for his resignation, as further documented by KPBS.
He issued an apology by means of a video (with no opportunity for Q&A), said he needed help, said he wasn't resigning and characterized some of the problems as being changes in society. At age 70 and a veteran of politics, community service and a position of fighting for the underdog, Filner may have trouble making the case for somehow missing the women's movement of the past few decades.
KOGO radio (AM 600) approached Gable PR on deadline Friday to talk about the key issues and what could be done from a crisis PR standpoint. Chris Merrill, talk show host, thought the video and CD approach was ludicrous. He asked for a fast analysis of what Filner had done and how it compared to standard approaches.
Gable PR has an essential crisis and risk communications check list. We have covered breaking crisis news many times, the most recently with President Obama and the IRS scrutiny of his political enemies.
The basic elements of facing the public when a crisis hits:
- Recognize the issue; admit to the transgression
- Apologize when necessary
- Provide a solution
- Set a vision for next steps and how the solution will be achieved
- Perform as promised
The first four steps are almost always done in public, where those presenting allow for questions. When organizations have issues with services and products, or even aberrant behavior by the leadership, image and reputation can be regained over time. The length of time is directly related to an organization's accumulated goodwill, the magnitude of the crisis and the honest commitment the organization or individual makes to performing as promised. Those with the best reputations are given the benefit of the doubt in most cases.
Our previous blog on the Obama-IRS crisis offers links to many other resources as background for consideration. Organizations and individuals who have built up goodwill among many constituencies over the long term are more likely to recover than those with less goodwill (or more bad will) in the bank.
Can he recover? Can he change? Can he move reputation in a positive direction? Chip Merrill asked a great question: does he care?
Filner has a well-reported reputation for being a couple of different parts of the male anatomy in his dealings with people. He has been ecumenical, though, doling out the vitriol regardless of race, color, creed or national origin. Detractors from all stripes have provided testimony to his running government with unfettered arrogance, bullying and confrontational behavior. The alleged attacks on women, which may be made public soon, have created a new level of outrage and could bankrupt whatever remained in his goodwill bank.
(July 21 Update: UT San Diego offered Filner a crisis PR playbook, quoting Sitrick, Dezenhall, yours truly and others from throughout the country.)
PR Professionals: the new chief relationship and reputation officers
Posted by Tom Gable
According to Dr. Glen M. Broom, author of the definitive university textbook on strategic public relations, the role of the PR professional has evolved radically in the past two decades from being focused on communications to that of the more strategic role of chief relationship officer (CRO).
This evolution into trusted counselor to the most senior executives and managers was chronicled by Dr. Glen M. Broom, retired head of the public relations school at San Diego State University, during a recent presentation to the San Diego and Imperial County chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). He said the role of PR has gone through three stages:
- In the old journalism model, it used to be: 'How do we say it?'
- As PR evolved into a more strategic role, it became: 'What do we say?'
- Now, as PR works directly with CEOs and senior management: 'What do we do?'
Broom, co-author and author of the last five editions of Effective Public Relations, the comprehensive, case-rich textbook used in public relations classrooms worldwide, said PR combines the conceptual, creative, communications and critical thinking skills that can help change perceptions and behaviors for the long term.
As covered here many times, PR professionals should become chief reputation officers (CRO-2), providing strategic counsel to build reputation and image with all audiences for the long term as a part of organizational strategy. Click here for a piece from PRSA Strategist on the topic. The key elements:
- What do you stand for? What are your core values? Can you walk the talk over time?
Only PR is capable of advising individuals and organizations of all sizes on doing this because of its role in building and maintaining relationships for the long term. Its professionals have become the masters of all the relationship-based communications channels and tools. PR professionals routinely manage complex programs using a mix of media relations, community relations, social media channels, trade relations and ensuring that organizations maintain a sensitivity to all of its constituencies and their communications needs.
Broom said that in the current era PR is being approached as a strategic component of organizational growth and not part of the traditional marketing functions. PR is driving the creation of content for all relationship-oriented channels. The same key values-based, non-marketing themes and core values can be adapted into paid channels, such as advertising, marketing and sales.
Broom advised that as chief relationship officer, each PR professional should be looking at the big picture, keeping public and client interest in mind at all times and using a wide-angle lens to view all audiences, not just the customer. We learn in marketing that customer is No. 1 but it's not just the customer.
"Relationships are key," Broom said. "Build and maintain relationships with all audiences to help organizations achieve their goals."
Crisis PR: Fundamental Change First, then Pro-Active Reputation Management
Posted by Tom Gable
NBC reported that the White House is facing a major PR crisis related to the IRS and other recent issues that have rocketed to the top of news coverage globally. As noted by many PR gurus over the years, this isn't a PR problem. It is a management problem and deals with the fundamental values of any organization, its operating culture and ability to commit to change, then achieve it.
In crisis PR, the correct approach starts with introspection, critical analysis and long-range thinking. In the short term, recognize the problem, apologize if necessary, pledge to make changes to right the current wrong and prevent its occurring in the future, set a vision for where the changes will go, and then deliver on the promises.
We've covered many transgressions in the past two years that provide good lessons for any organization, individual or institution dealing with a management crisis. As referenced in an earlier blog on crisis PR, the concept is simple.
As management guru Peter Drucker noted decades ago: "Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things."
The lessons come from TEPCO and the Fukushima Daiichi Plant in Japan, BP oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, Penn State and its molestation scandal, a surge in Toyota recalls, HP management and market turmoil and Tiger Woods, among others, with the classic case being Tylenol. Here are links to the previous posts, which carry a common theme based on the Drucker teachings and sage advice from crisis PR luminaries all over the globe that real values, mission, organizational culture drive crisis PR. Get it right internally, then tell the world.
- Real values, mission, organizational culture drive crisis PR
- Think real values, mission and culture
- Japan nuclear plant and organizational changes needed
- Managing crisis PR in the social media age
- The half life of a Tweet or comment in crisis PR
- The lightning round in dealing with a badly babbling blogosphere
- Three questions to ask at the beginning of every crisis PR program
PRSA Silver Anvil Competition – Ideas for Improving Your Next PR Plan, Program
Posted by Tom Gable
The judges in the 2013 Silver Anvil competition were faced with a plethora of programs built on using the latest and hottest tool or distribution channel available. Beyond the fluff, we often found a spectacular lack of substance. This leads to sharing a compelling truth that runs through the heart of every winning Silver Anvil entry and may benefit all PR professionals: good research provides the foundation for smart strategic planning, brilliant creative and precise execution toward achieving measurable objectives that matter.
The PR tool kit has expanded considerably over the past two decades of my judging Silver Anvil entries (done in years when Gable PR didn't enter). But are we using the tools in an integrated and strategic fashion? Will the results drive anything meaningful? Are we just having fun playing with things that don't really drive sales, help achieve marketing goals or turn around an image?
The annual competition can feel like the classic movie, Groundhog Day. The same fuzzy-edged little critters keep popping up each year and in every category (usually chirping about media hits). In reviewing results with other veteran judges from the Counselors Academy and College of Fellows after this year's recent session, I found a universal impression that some of the entrants hadn't read the rules or bothered to check out past winners on the PRSA website. The latter exercise would have saved several hundred of the 847 entrants from wasting their entry fees.
The judging criteria are straightforward: 10 points maximum in each category of research, planning, implementation and evaluation, or 40 points total. Sadly, we had many entries that didn't hit double digits.
I delved deeper in last year's Silver Anvil coverage. This year, I asked some fellow judges for insights they felt were worth sharing. Here are the highlights:
Top Five Winning Program Essentials
- Solid research to establish a baseline for measurement and evaluation (this can be both secondary and primary; polling; online surveys; crunching one year of social media data to find trends that could lead to a new position for a client; use of psychographics, demographics and other findings that would help in the positioning and planning).
- Setting measurable objectives (e.g. turning around image from 3-to-1 against the company to 2-to-1 favorable within one year; successfully introduce the new family of mobile applications, build market awareness to X percent within six months, generate reviews in the top ten media, grow subscribers by Y percent within one year, introduce one cause marketing program that adds another Z subscribers in one year and generates $X for the cause).
- Implementing strategically through all channels that can help drive a result (print, broadcast, social media, local events, direct mail, contests, guerrilla marketing, promotions, conference programs, and cause marketing).
- For evaluation, the best programs set measurable objectives in many categories. As noted last year, the top programs included achievements in: meetings and special events held, increased attendance, better product reviews, increased distribution, doubling social media likes and followers, winning design awards, expanding promotional program results by a certain percentage, improving share of voice, launching a cause marketing program that raised X dollars, doubling the number of analysts following the company, increasing stock volume, improving internal communications globally as measured by continuous progress in online surveys among all employees on impressions of quality, using social media to drive more hits and qualified leads to the company website, reducing calls to the 800 number in favor of website conversations and increasing sales and market share.
- Always keep the results-oriented continuum in mind: great research drives new creativity and smart planning; the detailed planning across all channels helps set measurable objectives and guides precise implementation; and evaluation ties back into all your brilliant work in research and planning.
Ten Biggest Shortcomings
- Poor or missing research (e.g. one entry noted that they conducted research by interviewing the client contacts; another cited research in the executive summary about consumer motivations but didn't include anything in the Research section for validation; some didn't have a Research section)
- Not setting measurable objectives
- Setting objectives based solely on amount of media coverage
- Setting vague objectives, such as building brand image, but with no means of measurement (the winners documented how they conducted research on baseline consumer awareness, and then built their programs to drive awareness, which was measured at the end, along with metrics)
- Developing one-dimensional plans, such as just having a social media strategy
- Not outlining the rationale behind strategies and plans (e.g. one judge called this "doing a lot of stuff because the tools were exciting")
- Relying on huge budgets and spectacular events to carry the day (fellow judges shared background on several entries where the scope of the program was impressive but the results weren't)
- Not having a precise plan for implementation
- Providing numbers on media hits, Twitter followers and other metrics but without tying them back into the research and planning
- And the number one shortcoming: not turning in an entry that covered each of the four areas being judged: research, planning, implementation and evaluation
Beyond the transgressions, there was agreement that the PR profession is continuing to raise the overall quality of all programs. We are being given more opportunities to conceive, create and implement complex and strategic programs that are out of the purview of most marketing, advertising and other consulting companies. We are becoming more trusted advisors in the C-suite and included in company-wide long-range strategic planning. But the bar needs to be raised another notch. These ideas may help.
Ultimate Sequester PR Strategy: the White House as content creator, channel master
Case histories will be written and studied for years on how the Obama White House has found new tools and tactics for connecting at the local level, while marginalizing major national media.
As covered in Politico in a piece called "Obama the puppet master," the Obama White House has developed its own content creation machine to feed all channels of communication with tightly crafted messages that build the Obama brand. It chooses the channels with surgical precision. Why interview with The New York Times beat reporter who knows the issues and risk facing tough questions, Politico notes, when one can dominate local media through strategically scheduled interviews with friendly anchormen and women who may not be up on the issues? The cumulative effect can be bigger than scoring a national media hit, as covered in depth by Politico.
The orchestration of coverage of potential economic Armageddon from the automatic budget cuts scheduled for March 1 (called Sequester) is the latest and most complex example of a local-national strategy. From the Secretary of Transportation setting the stage with future delays at major airports because of fewer air traffic controllers, to interviews in local markets with data on the anticipated loss of jobs (e.g. underway Feb. 26 in military towns in Virginia), the PR efforts are carrying consistent messages carefully chosen to appeal to each audience. How does it work?
Politico and a follow up piece by the Poynter Organization ("The dangerous delusions of the White House press corps and the president") provided details. To summarize the key elements of the Obama White House approach and one that can work for brands, organizations, political candidates, new product introductions, crisis PR and other PR campaigns:
- Develop a comprehensive, cohesive message strategy with consistent themes and supporting evidence;
- Be precise in targeting and masterful in scheduling and orchestrating the individual parts of the program;
- Go for local issues, with local examples;
- The White House (or any brand) becomes the ultimate publisher (print, broadcast, photography, video, Twitter, Facebook, blogs, YouTube and more);
- Every appearance or event needs to support the brand, to include great photo opportunities with locals for driving local coverage;
- Control the content and flow through all channels by picking the media carefully;
- Stage events to focus on the big messages and memorable lines and don't allow time at the end for random media questions that might delve into negative territory and take the candidate, CEO or other luminary off-message;
- Go for easy wins at the local level, then build regionally;
- Ignore the major media unless they are friendly;
- Produce your own photography and video rather than allow media coverage (local outlets are always looking for free content);
- Shun those who have produced or written anything that would be considered negative;
- Pound away at key messages through major pieces with the friendly media and TV personalities and support with social barrages to hit every target relentlessly;
- Use the classic "weekend document dump" to avoid negative coverage and "minimize attention to embarrassing or messy facts";
- And orchestrate all the elements to ramp up for strategically and with surgical precision for maximum impact at a pre-designated date, such as an election or the day before the so-called fiscal cliff.
The latter – strategic planning of all elements for total control – represents the biggest challenge. Many organizations, brands and individuals can master parts of integrated campaigns. Few would have the budget, the talent, the discipline and the power even close to that of the Obama White House to succeed on all fronts.
The bottom line, according to Politico:
"With more technology, and fewer resources at many media companies, the balance of power between the White House and press has tipped unmistakably toward the government. This is an arguably dangerous development, and one that the Obama White House — fluent in digital media and no fan of the mainstream press — has exploited cleverly and ruthlessly."
Hot Dog on a Stick: Sticking a Smile on a Gable PR Employee for 20 Years
Posted by Katelyn O'Riordan
The red, white, blue and yellow colors light up the food court, beckoning mall visitors with the bright and inviting façade. The friendly employees clad in uniforms in company colors and matching chapeau catch my eye. I immediately picture them handing over a paper boat filled with a crispy, golden-brown treat – the iconic Southern California Hot Dog on a Stick, with a cup of fresh lemonade. It was one reward my mom would offer my brother and me for our patience after dragging us elementary school kids around to stores like Ann Taylor and Crate & Barrel.
To this day, every time I visit the Fashion Valley mall, near our office in San Diego, I visit my old friends at Hot Dog on a Stick and indulge in an ice-cold fresh lemonade. Memories of my childhood always come rushing back and now I have a greater understanding of the work and passion that go into each store location.
It wasn't until working for Gable PR that I got the rare opportunity to learn about Hot Dog on a Stick's brand and the company culture behind the menu items and colorful uniforms. Gable PR was retained to promote the company as it expanded nationally through franchising and a new drive-thru concept. Our research and working directly with their passionate team afforded me the chance to build on a fun family memory that has endured for years and continues to make me smile (proving that the Hotdoggers behind the counter really do live up to their mission, "to stick a smile on your face!").
For me, a remarkable trait of working in public relations is you are given ongoing opportunities to learn about a company or brand that you may have only known superficially. In preparing to launch a creative, strategic PR program, you discover a wealth of information: the company's history, mission, vision, inner workings, team ethic, culture, history and personality.
Here are 10 interesting facts about Hot Dog on a Stick:
- Hot Dog on a Stick started in 1946 next to the sandy beaches of Santa Monica, Calif., and was originally called Party Puffs. Founder Dave Barham changed its name to Hot Dog on a Stick in 1948, and the company has since flourished into 100 stores, spread throughout 12 states and three countries.
- Employees have a vested interest in company success; Hot Dog on a Stick is actually a 100 percent employee owned company!
- Hot Dog on a Stick's leadership team has as an average tenure of more than 19 years with the company; several started as Hotdoggers and worked their way up.
- Founder Dave Barham used to call the signature uniforms "red, white and blue, with a splash of lemonade!"
- Past celeb Hotdoggers include actress Eva Mendez and singer Sara Bareilles.
- Dave Barham created Hot Dog on a Stick's "Party Batter" using his mom's delicious cornbread recipe inspired from his childhood on his family's Missouri farm.
- The employee uniform has changed over the years from polka dots and berets, straw hats and knee-length shorts to the catchy striped uniform and hats worn today.
- The lemonade is made fresh every two hours, and all menu items are made-to-order using fresh ingredients.
- Hot Dog on a Stick has new growth initiatives that include franchising and opening more drive-thru restaurants away from the traditional malls.
- If all the fresh lemons used in one year by Hot Dog on a Stick (more than 6 million) were laid end to end, they would reach from Los Angeles to Monterey!
The knowledge gained from research, interviews, writing, and ongoing involvement in new client activities gives the PR team priceless insights to help plan community events, drive media coverage of a new store, and land a print article or a broadcast segment for a company or brand that you believe in. The results bring a special joy and sense of accomplishment that I hadn't found in other industries, putting another smile on my face!


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7635 State Route 96, Victor
When I went to TGI Fridays last night with my son I had to wait about 6-7 minutes. Then the nice friendly host took me to our booth. As I come out of the bathroom I walk right…
100 Cobblecreek Rd, Victor
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I joined the RAC a couple months ago and go a couple times a week. i love it, very friendly staff and awesome classes. An awesome environment and would recommend it to anyone!…
585 Moseley Rd, Fairport
In ShortA low-key, friendly environment attracts plenty of families to this reliable chain. Kids in the big booths--often clutching free balloons and crayons--usually outnumber…
7491 State Route 96, Victor
675 Championship Dr, Victor
5280 Emerson Rd, Canandaigua

subset: commoncrawl


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Expert on energy-efficient buildings at GJ conference
An authority on energy- efficient construction techniques will speak Friday in Grand Junction. Joseph Lstiburek is a principal of Building Science Corp. and a forensic engineer. He heads one…
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Python Audio Tools is a collection of audio handling programs that work from the command line. These include programs for CD extraction, track conversion from one audio format to another, track renaming and retagging, track identification, CD burning from tracks, and more. It supports internationalized track filenames and metadata using Unicode. It works with high-definition, multi-channel audio as well as CD-quality. Track conversion uses multiple CPUs or CPU cores if available to greatly speed the transcoding process. Track metadata can be retrieved from MusicBrainz, FreeDB, or compatible servers. Audio formats supported are WAV, FLAC, WavPack, MP3, Ogg Vorbis, M4A, Apple Lossless, and more.
xhtml2pdf converts HTML/XHTML/XHML to PDF using the ReportLab Toolkit, the HTML5lib, and pyPdf. It supports HTML 5 and CSS 2.1 (and some of CSS 3). The main benefit of this tool that a user with Web skills like HTML and CSS is able to generate PDF templates very quickly without learning new technologies.
CmDO (pronounced "commando") is a tool that makes it easier to build other tools. It selectively exposes Python modules and functions as a complete command line interface. Specifically, CmDO finds modules in standard locations, interprets command line arguments, invokes functions, imports modules on demand, and supplies help. It also manages documentation resources containing structured text.
EZ Reusable Objects (EZRO) is a Web application that can be used by non-technical staff to manage content as "objects." Content objects containing text, video, and audio can be shared, modified, and re-styled to appear via a traditional Web site, an on-line course, an innovative "Coach," or as a community of interest site. It is highly scalable and can be used for public Web sites, secure environments, and private intra/extranets.
The sourcecode XML metadata extraction tools are intended to be used for extracting and transforming XML-like markup embedded in source code comments into syntactically correct external entities or well-formed XML files. This can be used for JavaDoc-like code annotation, providing structured comments, or even embedding metadata used by the build process or configuration management tools.
A Razer device configuration tool.
A high-speed and full-stack C++ framework for Web applications.


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April 25, 2014
March 7, 2013
Albemarle County Supervisor Chris Dumler will start serving his 30-day jail sentence on Friday, but it won't be 30 days straight.
Dumler will be a weekend inmate, which allows him to go home during the week. While at the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail, he will be separated from the general population.
Jail officials say weekend inmates are not uncommon. They currently have about 30 of them at the jail. It is typically an option for people convicted of misdemeanors who hold down a job during the week.
Jail officials say Dumler is not getting special treatment because of his position on the board.
"We don't know who the person is or what they do when they apply for weekends at the jail," said Martin Kumer, the deputy superintendent. "We simply look at the sentence you were granted, the permission you were granted to serve your time on weekends, and your ability to pay and abide by the rules and regulations."
In January, Dumler pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of sexual battery.
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Silly me, I read that you can safely upgrade to 2.1 using iTunes on a previously pwnaged 2.0.2 phone.
Actually, I was on ziphone 1.1.4 and then shift-restore to 2.0 and upgraded to 2.0.2 while retaining the unlock and activate.
Now, I'm on iTunes8.0 and upgraded to 2.1. I can see the new Edge icon, but it says incompatible SIM card and only slide for emergency.
What do I do now?


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Ms. Elaine Kneeous
Jennifer is a one in a million stay-at-home mom. (More like one OF a million stay at home moms!) She graduated from a liberal arts college but there is nothing liberal OR artsy about her. She is married to Kevin Fischer of This Just In, and together they have a beautiful young daughter Kyla Audrey. In no particular order she loves dogs, wine, a good bargain, her family, pizza, and entertaining. Follow her blog of all things miscellaneous including but not limited to cooking and baking, entertaining and party planning, being a mommy, and homekeeping.
Now, THAT'S a quote from a mom...
From proud moms of Olympians… to asinine statements of other Olympian moms.
UPDATE: Now THAT'S a quote from a mom...
Previously, I wrote about my disappointment in Ryan Lochte's mom telling the world about his one night stands.
May I Help You With Your Bags, Miss?
When I was a Girl Scout Brownie I distinctly remember the planned camping trip. Actually what I distinctly remember is BEGGING my mother not to allow me to go. Even in second grade my idea of roughing it was staying in a hotel that didn't offer turn-down service. The thought of sharing my sleeping quarters with any creature that had more than two legs was clearly not my idea of a good time. Fortunately my mom shared my feelings and didn't force me to join the others in what was sure to be a disaster for me. To this day, I am proud to say that the only time I have spent in a sleeping bag was on my friend Tracey's living room floor in Junior High.
Raising a God-loving Patriot
As I'm sure other three-year-olds do, Kyla has many "obsessions." They currently include ballet, Irish dance, Kipper The Dog, pizza, flowers and the American Flag. I bet I had most of you nodding your heads in agreement until the American Flag part.
Might have to change the "O" in GOP to something else...
For the most part, I keep away from political analysis on Ms. Elaine Kneeous. As my readers know, I like to keep things light and fun. I enjoy being informative of course but mostly from a domestic perspective. You are far more likely to find a link from Confessions of a Cookbook Queen than you are from Townhall. That's not to say that I don't have strong opinions, I just generally keep them in conversations with my husband and best friend.
A Most Delicious Reason to Celebrate
A few years ago I read My Life in France by Julia Child. I thoroughly, immensely, completely LOVED every page. (I would gladly re-read it if I didn't have 98 other titles waiting for me but that's a future blog.) I was actually sad when I was done with it because I found it so entertaining. Naturally I thought if I enjoyed THAT book so much, I would equally fall in love with As Always, Julia: The Letters of Julia Child and Avis DeVoto. Um, not so. Pages upon pages of letters between Julia and Avis discussing the merits of a sharp boning knife is not my idea of riveting reading. That's just me. I actually returned the book to the library WITHOUT finishing it.
You CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE with this recipe
Almost instantly after we began dating, Kevin turned me into an Elvis fan. It didn't take much persuading of course, as I had always liked the King's music. But soon I was reciting trivia, watching movies, and singing along to the more obscure tunes as easily as most others hum "Hound Dog."
Kyla's Kwips
I told Kyla she could have a cupcake since she ate her dinner so nicely.
Gee, so glad we registered on the Do Not Call list...
Despite registering consistently on the Do Not Call list, some how ridiculous telemarketing calls still get through to us.
A Little Irish Angel
We had an incredible day today at Irish Fest. The weather was perfect. Kyla had an opportunity to watch Cashel Dennehy Irish dancers in the first row at the Aer Lingus stage. We ate delicious corned beef sandwiches from our favorite vendor, McBob's. We saw old friends and made new ones. Kyla had her photo taken with Paddy and Molly McFest. We met Irish Setters and Irish terriers. Kevin had a fabulous time emceeing the children's freckle contest. Most importantly, Kyla was especially proud because this was her very first time wearing her Claddagh ring from Grandma Audrey. Her "baby" ring finally fit her slender little finger.
A recipe for WHAT???
There is one occasion when I read the Journal Sentinel's Sunday Crossroads section: when I want to irritate myself. The nauseatingly one-sided liberal bash of conservatives is generally more than I can bear. Like I said, I read it for a chance to shake my head at "the other side's" opinions but usually I can't make it through an entire column. It's either set the paper down or have my head explode.
Irish Eyes Just Keep Smiling...
The third weekend in August is ALWAYS scheduled for us… it's Irish Fest, the best and I do mean BEST Irish celebration anywhere. Even folks who visit from the Emerald Isle itself agree with that description.
A Lesson Plan???!!!
As a first-time mom, I must admit I was pretty clueless. That first month (from what I can barely remember) was rough. We had a VERY easy-going newborn who ate and slept beautifully and had a wonderful disposition. Still, everything was so new… I'm an only child; I never even babysat for a newborn! I was in the hospital two days and they sent me home with a pink bundle of amazingness, no instructions included.


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Debra and Russell Fine pose for a photo Sunday, June 9, 2013 in Santa Monica, Calif. Debra Fine, who was wounded Friday when shooting suspect John Zawahri went on a deadly rampage in Santa Monica, was released in good condition late Saturday from Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, according to a hospital statement. Bullets missed his wife's vital organs by inches, Russell Fine told the AP Sunday. (AP Photo/Tami Abdollah)
Read the article: Victim recalls facing gunman in California rampage


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This is the new and improved 'Survive The Lava Wave!'
The game has been completeley re-scripted and comes with a ton of new features.
There is a new shop format, a view map option, option to turn music off and on, spectate option, can vote on maps every other round, and a custom chat interface.
Processing Transaction
ROBLOX, "Online Building Toy", characters, logos, names, and all related indicia are trademarks of ROBLOX Corporation, ©2014. Patents pending.
ROBLOX is not sponsored, authorized or endorsed by any producer of plastic building bricks, including The LEGO Group, MEGA Brands, and K'Nex, and no resemblance to the products of these companies is intended. Use of this site signifies your acceptance of the Terms and Conditions.


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Rearview mirror: A decade's worth of random "celebrity" encounters
My friends over at Trumbull Island are putting together a pretty extensive and highly entertaining collection of Top Ten lists for the decade, and for the year. As I helped them save Christmas this year, they asked me if I had any contributions, and then suggested "Top random people I met in the '00's." In truth, I'm sort of like Forrest Gump: I run a lot, I'm decent at ping-pong and I often find myself meeting a lot of random "famous" people.
I think this is supposed to be a Top 10 list, but it looks like that's not a hard and fast rule for Trumbull, as someone had a Top 71 list. So, I'm offering a Top 16 list. This is in no particular order. Most of them are athletes, but not all of them. Also, I have pictures with most of these people, but I don't like anyone to know what I look like, so you won't see any here.


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Protecting the planet
Catharine "Cassie" Conley has the coolest job title at NASA: She's the agency's planetary protection officer. (The best title used to be "director of the universe," but a reconfiguration a few years back eliminated that job description, she says.)
Since 2006, Conley (right) has been charged with preventing Earth from being overrun by extraterrestrial microbes or other contaminants brought back by NASA explorers. She also makes sure spacecraft don't carry stowaways that could spread to other planets or later be mistaken for E.T. "I'm a policeman, basically," she says.
Only one other person in the world — her counterpart at the European Space Agency — has full-time responsibility for guarding planets, moons and other celestial bodies from contamination. "It's unfortunately a very small police force," Conley says.
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Figheadh Yarnworks Red Rover Cable Socks
Sorry, this is not currently available.
Previously $7.00 each.
- Pattern Type
- All Knitted
- Socks
The cable pattern in these lively socks effortlessly emerges from 2/2 rib. It gives the look of little elbows linked to play Red Rover. So, Red Rover, send a knitter right over to knit these fun socks!
SIZING: Adult (size may be varied by making foot longer or shorter to fit).
MATERIALS: ·Cascade Yarns Heritage Sock Yarn (75% Superwash Merino Wool / 25% Nylon): 437 yds/100 g, one skein, color #5611 shown ·US size 2 (2.75 mm) circular needles (2) ·Cable needle ·Stitch markers ·Darning needle
GAUGE: 30 sts & 40 rnds = 4"/10 cm in St st.
We do not currently have this available — we first started selling this in July 2008.


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National Alliance on Mental Illness
page printed from
(800) 950-NAMI; email@example.com
NAMI | Job Description
NAMI Public Policy and Advocacy Internships - Arlington VA
Job Description
NAMI's policy team is looking for computer savvy, inquisitive and dedicated interns to assist with a variety of projects key to the success of our organization.
What's in it for me?
Interns will have the opportunity to: work on a multi-disciplinary team of national mental health policy experts; be exposed to a variety of mental health policy issues and have a key role in a project that will make a difference for NAMI's members.
Who would you be working with?
NAMI is the largest grassroots organization focused on improving the lives of millions of Americans affected by mental illness. These unpaid internships would work with NAMI's policy team, which advocates at the federal and state levels on issues of importance to people living with mental illness and their families across the life span. The team works on children's issues, criminalization of mental illness, veterans issues, federal advocacy and provides policy and advocacy support to NAMI State Organizations and NAMI Affiliates nationwide.
Interns will be expected to commit to 10 weeks, at least 10-20 hours/week. Actual days and times are flexible to meet the intern's schedule.
Young Adults and Mental Health.
This intern will assist with StrengthofUs.org, NAMI's online resource center and social networking website for young adults, and NAMI on Campus, NAMI's program for college students. The intern will be responsible for helping to create new resources and materials for NAMI on Campus and updating the program. The intern will also work on promoting StrengthofUs.org and posting content on the site. This exciting internship offers the opportunity to learn about the lived experience of young adults and to truly make a difference in their lives by providing resources, support, hope and strength. The ideal candidate will have extensive social networking knowledge, strong writing skills, creative talents and a passion for mental health.
Criminal Justice Resources Development:
This intern will focus on developing written resources for individuals with mental illness and their families who caught up in the justice system. Tasks may include conducting phone interviews, researching collaborating with and writing. This intern should be able to synthesize complex issues for a lay audience. Familiarity with the justice system is a plus.
Military and Veterans Policy and Support Web Content Intern.
This intern will audit the Veterans and Military Resource Center website audit aimed at optimizing web content and web experience. This intern will be responsible for helping to update web content, as well as adding/removing/editing content. Some editing and proofreading of will be necessary. The ideal candidate will have strong communication skills and an ability to interface with the content provider. Tasks require strong attention to detail.
Send cover letter, resume and one-page writing sample to
with the subject heading
"policy internship."
Please specify in your cover letter one or two of the projects below that are of greatest interest to you and tailor your letter to that project.
Job Specifications
Position Type:
Policy & Legal Affairs
Contact Information
Contact Name:
Laura Usher
Contact E-mail:


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Angel Ornament
Courtesy of Coats & Clark®
Material List
- J.& P. Coats® Royale Metallic Crochet Thread™, Silver/Silver, Size 10, 2 Balls
- Bead, 12mm-Diameter, 1
- Silver Cord for Hanger, 12-inch Length
- Silver-tone Ring for Halo
- Wired Ribbon, 1½-inch Wide, 18-inch Length for Wings
- Ribbon Rose,15mm
- Cardboard, 2 x 5-inches
- Hot Glue Gun & Glue Sticks
- Scissors
- Ruler
Project Instructions
Step: 1
Note: Hold 2 strands together as one through the pattern. The quantity in the materials list will make two angels.
Step: 2
Step: 2: Cut four 12-inch lengths of thread for ties and set aside.
Step: 3
Step: 3: Wrap thread 125 times around the 5-inch side of cardboard. Cut wraps at one edge and tie tightly at the center of the wraps with a precut length of thread.
Step: 4
Step: 4: Slip the bead onto the tied ends and knot with the other tie end to secure the bead within the head. Fold the threads over the bead to cover; with a 2nd precut length, tie tightly under the bead to form the head and neck.
Step: 5
Step: 2: Wrap thread 80 times around the 2-inch width of cardboard. Slip all wraps off the cardboard without cutting. Insert a 3rd precut length into the circle of wraps and tie tightly to form the wrist areas.
Step: 6
Step: 3: Divide the body threads in half, slip the circle of arm threads over one half of those threads and up close to the head, being sure to leave the wrist at the center front. With body threads together again, tie tightly around the body immediately below the arm circle with a 4th precut length for the waist. Smooth threads of the skirt by combing with a knitting needle or other blunt implement. Trim.
Step: 7
Glue ribbon rose to wrist area. Glue halo in place. Tie ribbon into a bow; glue to back of torso. Trim ribbon ends. Add a hanging cord to the head.
Angel measures 5-inches long.
Refer to photo to complete project.


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"Ham Solo's" co-pilot and mechanic "Terebacca" seems to be emotionless and communicates only by grunting and staring. "Ham Solo" seems to be the only one who understands him.
These cute and cuddly plush toys are perfect for Angry Birds fans.
Washing instructions:
5", 8" and 12": Gently hand wash separately for 2 minutes using warm soapy water. Do not twist or wring. Rinse thoroughly with clean water. Hang to dry. When completely dry, fluff back to shape.
16": Surface washable. Wipe toy with a damp cloth


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Breast Reconstruction
Confronting Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer
This FORCE-endorsed book was written by founder and Executive Director Sue Friedman; geneticist Rebecca Sutphen, MD; and health writer, Kathy Steligo. This book is a comprehensive resource on all topics related to hereditary cancer, genetic testing, and risk-management.
Reconstruction Photo Gallery
Secure site with images of women after mastectomy and reconstruction. These photos were submitted by our members to help other women who need to make decisions about mastectomy and reconstruction
Patient Experience Contact Tool
The Patient Experience Contact Tool is a searchable database of surgeons and related health-care providers that have been used by members of our community. The tool is provided to allow patients to connect one to one and share their experiences about their experiences.
Mastectomy Surgery Checklist
FORCE has compiled this list of suggestions from volunteers to help women prepare for mastectomy surgery.
Reconstruction Panel Q & A Webcast
Webcast from 2011 Joining FORCEs Conference of reconstruction panel discussion featuring several plastic surgeons discussing different types of reconstruction.
Picture of a surgical drain
Surgical drains are plastic devices used whenever surgery leaves the opportunity for fluid build-up, which could delay healing, cause discomfort or invite infection.
Disclaimer: Health links are made available for educational purposes only. This information should not be interpreted as medical advice. All health information should be discussed with your health care provider. Please read our full disclaimer for more information.
This site has been made possible by a generous grant from Morphotek.


text:
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Score big with Packers Checking true green-and-gold perks...
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MasterCard and the MasterCard Brand Mark are registered trademarks of MasterCard International Incorporated. Green Bay Packers, Packers and logos are registered trademarks of Green Bay Packers, Inc.


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Thread: If/how to impliment OOC points
Wednesday, 13th August, 2008, 04:32 AM #1
Acolyte (Lvl 2)
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If/how to impliment OOC points
For reference I looked at the Guide to Living Eberron's DM credits as far as I can tell it's identical to the LEW (3.x living game)'s implementation.
Originally Posted by LEB
Personally I feel that we should reward DMs in a similar manner. However there are several areas where I think we may consider doing things differently.
Implementation of DM rewards
I think we should give out one OOC point for each experience generating encounter (combat, skill challenge) that a DM runs.
Currently the system rewards people at the end of their adventure based on how long it was.
The implementation I'm suggesting would more directly reward DMs for pushing their games forward and having things happen. A DM who manages to run two exciting fights in a month will be rewarded more than someone who's running a lot of games, gets busy and winds up posting once a week.
A DM feels a sense of accomplishment each time they finish an encounter.
Also, it's easy to keep track of. Instead of looking at post stamps and so forth you can just look at the xp handouts for that adventure to double check the DM points.
If a DMs adventure must be picked up by a judge they forfeit all points received for that adventure.
This will produce lots more ooc points, but that's fine, we don't have to have 1 ooc point = 1 DM credit.
- faster more tightly linked rewards to DMs for having things happen in their games
- easier to check
- more points
- equality between shorter and longer adventures
- better segmentation
Rewarding good play
However I'd also like to consider the possibly of rewarding players for regular consistent good posting (at a much lower rate). Without, as coviathe has pointed out, having judges sit around judging people.
I suggest the following:
Every time a DM receives 4 OOC points for a game they are running they may also give a player in that game a point.
This will encourage and reward good/regular play. While most players won't get a lot of points; they will be able to get a few.
Rewarding helpful OOC activityThere are certain things that we'd like to see the community help in and which could be rewarded.
DMing related
- If you run a game that addresses a character's kickers or hooks you get an extra point when that game completes.
- If you run a "requested" game, where you're creating a new game in response to a request from a group of players (of which at least 2 are not currently in any games) you get a +25% point bump when the game completes
For Players
- Catching a mistake in an approved player characters's character sheet. (1 point per mistake?)
- Drawing maps
- judging characters for approval (1 point per five sheets approved - you can lose the point if too many errors are discovered later)
- creating new regions that are approved (?)
- drawing character porterates (1 per character)
- playing a "preferred race/class/region" combo (1 point at creation + 1 point per level gained)- Teifling Warlock from the Jade Empire, Eladrin Wizard from the Imperium
just thinking out loud for some of this ...
Spending points
In addition to buffing your character it seems to me that we could use points to fulfill other things as well
Charge to play unusual charactersRequiring a one time point expenditure (5 points) to play a non-core + MM character. So you want to play a genasi or a swordmage? 5 points.
Allowing "illegal improvements"Purchasing extra feats for your character?
Others?Nothing specific springs to mind but...
Last edited by Graf; Wednesday, 13th August, 2008 at 05:46 AM.Interested in playing 4th edition online? The Living 4th EnWorld Campaign is open! [character creation wiki forum]I am in an interesting period of my life; I will post in games that I run three times a week (M,W,F); and try to maintain obligations in existing games.
...disquieting...There was no end to his patience and endurance. He played day and night, his obsession was somewhat disquieting. It was less as if he were playing to dispel gloom or beguile tedium than as if he were giving himself up to the fangs of gaming devils."
Kawabata Yasunari - The Master of Go
- EN World
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Defender (Lvl 8)
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Thanks for starting this discussion, Graf.
As I've hinted at elsewhere, I have fairly strong feelings about this. I'll try to outline my objections as best I can, starting with the general and working towards the specific.
As far as general objections to the concept of in-game rewards for out-of-game events, two points. First, playing the game is its own reward. It's fun; that's why we're here. As long as the game is fun, people will play it, and DM it, and judge it, without further incentives. And if it's not fun, no incentives we can provide will get them to participate. Second, it's really hard to provide targeted incentives in a productive way. In software development, there are a million stories about managers who try to improve quality by offering $5 for every bug fixed, only to find that the software gets worse, because people create more bugs so that they can fix them for the bounty. These things backfire. People find ways to game the system.
Now for specific proposals:
DM credits as in LEW or LEB are well enough established that they are the unlikely to cause huge problems. In LEW, they seem to be ignored most of the time, but there have been occasional excesses: people spending 20 points at once to skip an entire level and that sort of thing. I personally would prefer us to try not having DM points at all, but I suspect that won't be a popular opinion. I think at the very least, we should put some kind of cap on the number of points that can be spent in a given calendar month.
Regarding changing DM points (or OOC points or whatever) to encourage DMs to push games forward instead of letting them drag: I have some sympathy with this. Letting games drag is the way to cheat the system if points are awarded by elapsed real time. If we instead award points based on number of experience generating encounters, we need to think about how the system will get cheated in that case, because it will. Lots of easy quick little encounters? Awarding experience for every successful skill check? Also, this system effectively penalizes DMs who run extended, difficult encounters. Which are often the interesting ones. Graf, your KK1 Grotto encounter wouldn't score nearly as well as the encounter I just ran in LEW against 8 tiny monstrous centipedes that blindly attacked and got killed in two rounds. I think it took two days real time. But the KK1 encounter is clearly better, in my opinion. Also, what about roleplaying "encounters"? When there's no skill challenge involved, but players overcome some obstacle through simple persuasion rather than killing everyone in sight and taking their stuff? If DMs award experience for that -- which I prefer to do -- do they get a point for it?
Regarding allowing DMs to give points to players: I'm not very comfortable with this, as stated. Do they only get to give one point? What if they've got two "good" players? Or three or four? What if they have none? It puts the DM in the awkward position of having to declare that Player A is a better player than Player B. I'd much rather simply leave this to the DM's discretion to award roleplaying experience as they see fit. Regular participation seems pretty likely to be necessary to achieve good roleplaying.
About rewarding other helpful ooc activity... LEW has kicked the topic around a few times, and the only proposal that I know of that ever got implemented was to allow DMs one or two extra points for posting a detailed summary of their adventure to the wiki after it was finished, with judges to decide whether it was detailed enough. Here are some links to existing summaries: 1 2. (I'm writing this from memory rather than looking for the thread, so I may have some details wrong.) That was put in place to address the specific problem that a lot of the nice content put in place for specific adventures was getting overlooked and forgotten. Has it worked? Eh.... to some extent. We've gotten some good summaries, but it's not clear whether the information is readily accessible. What's really needed is some kind of secretary / historian / archivist who would pay attention to the adventures and maintain the wiki. But that's a huge job. The only way I can see it getting done is if everyone pitches in whenever they can.
LEW has several times rejected the notion of awarding points to judges. I think that's wise. It's not just the conflict of interest; judges need to avoid even the perception that there could be a conflict of interest between judging and playing.
So, bottom line, since I've spent too long typing this post already: I think OOC points of any kind create more problems than they solve. We're only just getting started with this living world, let's not create any more problems for ourselves.
My games
Check out Living 4th Edition, a community-run 4e D&D living world open to all. Now open for character and adventure submissions!
Acolyte (Lvl 2)
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Hm. I confess to being fairly unpersuaded by the "LEW doesn't do this so we shouldn't even consider it" argument.
In the best of all possible worlds people do exactly what you want them to do without any encouragement.
But this world is not that one; people respond to mild encouragement.
I'm not saying everything should be implemented. I don't necessarily like everything that I suggested.
But I'm not really sure what your objections are...
You seem to have decided you don't like it, and marshaled objections (some are self contradictory; some are already addressed above) without really thinking about the existing problems OOC points could potentially solve.
RE: DMs judging players. You seem to be simultaneously suggesting that DMs shouldn't judge players and that they should.
I think you can't have it both ways. Either you want no judgment or you want judgment but you can't say "we shouldn't judge people" and "dms do a good job of judging people already on a completely unstructured basis so we shouldn't judge people".
it's illogical.
Since you're not really reading it closely (I said "may" so there's no problem with no-good players) I have the feeling that you're trying to stop the conversation without actually conversing about it.
Rewarding people for historical/archiving/note taking, as you've pointed out, is something that
1. Is a problem with LEW/LEB
2. We could do something about with OOC points
so why try to cut off debate without thinking about it?
Interested in playing 4th edition online? The Living 4th EnWorld Campaign is open! [character creation wiki forum]I am in an interesting period of my life; I will post in games that I run three times a week (M,W,F); and try to maintain obligations in existing games.
...disquieting...There was no end to his patience and endurance. He played day and night, his obsession was somewhat disquieting. It was less as if he were playing to dispel gloom or beguile tedium than as if he were giving himself up to the fangs of gaming devils."
Kawabata Yasunari - The Master of Go
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ø Ignore covaithe
Ok, I seem to be failing at communicating effectively this morning. Let's try this again. Taking things slightly out of order
Not even close to what I'm doing. We should continue to discuss this. I'm discussing it, in the only way I know how, by explaining my opinions. It so happens that I have some fairly strong opinions on this subject. I believe I have good reasons behind my opinions. I'm trying my best to express those reasons civilly. I encourage everyone else to post their opinions, and I hope they will do me the courtesy of reading and considering mine, as I will do theirs.Originally Posted by Graf
I would be unpersuaded, too, if someone were attempting to make that argument. I'm not. I do, however, suggest that when other smart people have debated a question before, come to a conclusion, and had some experience with the results in practice, it would be foolish to ignore all of that. If we look at it and decide that our circumstances are different and we should make a different decision, so be it. But we shouldn't be ignorant of it.Originally Posted by Graf
So you believe. I believe that when presented with a metric, people will try to optimize it. If that metric is "most wiki articles edited", then people will edit lots of wiki articles. But editing wiki articles isn't the goal. The goal is to have a helpful, informative wiki. Having lots of edits may or may not lead towards the goal. Having a policy in place to reward wiki editing -- and this should be understood as just an example that is symbolic of the whole idea of OOC rewards -- may be helpful, but it may also be harmful in surprising ways. I've seen the latter far too many times not to be very wary of it.Originally Posted by Graf
Well, you brought them up for discussion. I'm trying to discuss them. I really do appreciate your bringing them up; it's helpful. Maybe you could indicate which of your ideas you think we should consider implementing, and why? That would be helpful, too.I'm not saying everything should be implemented. I don't necessarily like everything that I suggested.
I'm sorry, I seem to have failed to explain effectively. To summarize, I think the following things:But I'm not really sure what your objections are...
- We don't yet have the kind of problems that OOC rewards are supposed to fix. We may never have them.
- OOC rewards don't actually fix the kinds of problems they are supposed to fix, because they reward things that can be easily measured rather than things that directly contribute to fixing the problem.
- OOC rewards can actually be harmful, because they create the possibility of exploitation and imbalance.
The rest of my excessive verbiage has been an attempt to explain and substantiate those points.
Could you please rephrase this in a way that doesn't make it sound like you're accusing me of arguing in bad faith? I find that I'm not able to respond to it civilly in its currently stated form.Originally Posted by Graf
DMs do judge players: they award experience and treasure. This is part of the basic mechanics of D&D, and I don't propose to change it. What I think we should avoid doing is creating a situation where DMs are forced to single out a single specific player as being superior to the others, not at playing D&D, but at participating in the L4W forum. Let's stick to D&D.Originally Posted by Graf
Again, I can't respond to this as stated.Since you're not really reading it closely (I said "may" so there's no problem with no-good players) I have the feeling that you're trying to stop the conversation without actually conversing about it.
Close. What I pointed out is that in LEW, they have already tried to address the problem with OOC points, with only minimal success.Originally Posted by Graf
Last edited by covaithe; Wednesday, 13th August, 2008 at 11:46 AM. Reason: tags
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Acolyte (Lvl 2)
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ø Ignore Graf
Look I think you're doing a great job. I'm sorry if what was intended as friendly criticism came off as something else.
You have some negative experiences with this sort of thing from LEW/LEB and youre passionate. I love passionate. I love that you're sharing your experiences.
Here's what we agree on
- we're going to have some sort of system (maybe just the LEW/LEB system of DM credits)
- the current LEW/LEB systems don't work as well as we'd like them to
- reward systems can have unintended and adverse consiquences
Given all that I think a serious, thoughful and wide ranging discussion is called for.
I pulled the emergency brake on the whole race/class thing because it had been discussed for pages, voted on and then discussed all over again. We haven't talked about OOC points yet. We haven't voted on it.
So I think it's a bit premature for me, as a facilitator to be saying "I think we should do only A and B; don't talk about anything else".
I also think that facilitators saying things like "this idea is DnD" or "this idea isn't DnD" in a lead off on the thread is also a bit heavy handed.
So I'm not going to call out the one or two ideas that happen to have really captured my eye. I want to see what other members of the community, or at least the other facilitators, have to say.
Then we'll draw up a big poll.
Just like all my other polls it'll include a broad a spectrum of choices as reasonably possible (including a few extreme ones that I personally don't like).
And the community will decide.
Maybe we'll wind up with the exact same system as LEW/LEB; maybe we won't. But I don't think it hurts us to talk about this new topic in a broad fashion.
I have to finish up the Transitive Isles.
You're working on the charter, tick boxes for settings (with gary) and lots of other stuff.
renau1g is doing the character sheet (I think)
None of that requires a decision on "OOC points" before it can move forward so I think we've got some time to let the community stew and see if any great ideas come out. It won't stop us from going forward, unless we choose to let it.
Interested in playing 4th edition online? The Living 4th EnWorld Campaign is open! [character creation wiki forum]I am in an interesting period of my life; I will post in games that I run three times a week (M,W,F); and try to maintain obligations in existing games.
...disquieting...There was no end to his patience and endurance. He played day and night, his obsession was somewhat disquieting. It was less as if he were playing to dispel gloom or beguile tedium than as if he were giving himself up to the fangs of gaming devils."
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Waghalter (Lvl 7)
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ø Ignore garyh
Thanks for getting this discussion going, guys. Here are my initial thoughts after reading what's been said so far. I'm open to being convinced to change any of these thoughts if someone has a good reason.
- I like the idea (and I have no experience with the implementation, so I appreciate you sharing, covaithe) of rewarding DM's for running good games.
- I do not want to place DM's in a position where they're singling out players for perks. That way lies discord.
- Judges should not get any points for judging. I do think they should get points for DMing their own games or taking over for a missing DM.
- I think the arguments against rewarding bug fixes are compelling.
- I'd like to encourage wiki updating, but I'm not sure yet if I think we should do that with points, or just let it go and hope.
- One final thought on rewarding DM's for pushing games forward... instead of basing it on real time or per encounter, how about some ratio of XP awarded to PCs / DM points to DM. These means that DM's whose games move fast will gain points as fast as the PC's earn XP, so there's no incentive for dragging things out in real time or for lots of little easy encounters over large tough enounters. The biggest issue would be to make sure the DM only awards XP for reasonable things (mostly sticking to RAW, I'd think), but I would assume the Judge tracking the game would already be making sure of that, so I don't think there'd be extra work there.
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Waghalter (Lvl 7)
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ø Ignore garyh
Gary Hoggatt - www.garyh.net
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The Great Druid (Lvl 17)
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ø Ignore renau1g
I've read through the posts so far and there are indeed items to be considered on both sides of the discussion.
This is my opinion, I also am not crazy about the idea of awarding individual PC's a bonus at the DM's discretion, due to the potential for upset feelings. In order to ensure that the game's as easy to judge as possible (and open to as many members as possible) I'm inclined to leave this part out.
As for DM credits, it's nice to see that there is a reward that the DM's receive for spending a lot of time prepping and running a game. There should be a limit imposed on how many points they can use for a given character maybe? or at least a max/level.
Also, I like gary's idea about how to offer the points, it combines Graf's ideas with Covaithe's concerns, that way I can't just run a bunch of battles against minions and gain a bunch of points, but if the group powers ahead at breakneck pace and smashes through the adventure because they're posting very frequently, I'm going to receive the same reward that I would have if I slowed the game down to a leisurely pace...
Cutpurse (Lvl 5)
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ø Ignore nerdytenor
Points, shmoints
Disclaimer - I'm a PbP newbie.
I think covaithe hit the nail on the head: "playing the game is its own reward. It's fun; that's why we're here."
I'd go a step further and say that anyone playing in a PbP game really, really wants to play because frankly, it's quite a bit of work to play via forums (I'm enjoying it so far, don't get me wrong). This goes double for DMs, I'd imagine.
Given that, I don't think any kind of point reward system will be worth the effort in administrating it - I know in my case, no amount of points will change the number of games I attempt to play in. Furthermore, point rewards seem like the kind of thing that mostly a powergamer would really want, and from the games I've browsed, PbP doesn't seem to attract that type of player much anyway. Just my take - I suppose another poll could be run ("Would adding reward points change your PbP habits?")
I have another suggestion - some kind of Wall of Fame, perhaps on the wiki, where people can post the games they have run/played in and other players can leave their appreciative comments (criticisms can go elsewhere). I like the idea of recognizing effort, just not tying it into the game mechanics.
P.S. Thanks for all your work on living worlds, folks - I definitely plan to participate in some fashion.
Defender (Lvl 8)
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ø Ignore covaithe
Hiya, nerdytenor. Good to see you here and interested! Welcome.
This has promise. The only ways I can think of to exploit it are to run lots of encounters that are easier than their experience budget suggests, which I think would get pretty boring long before it had an unbalancing effect, or to award really excessive amounts of roleplaying experience. Which, as you point out, judges are already watching out for.Originally Posted by garyh
One thing to address, though, is how to scale it by level. I assume you wouldn't award ten times as many DM points to a someone running an adventure for level ten characters as someone running level one characters. How would that work?
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Lil' Sibs Weekend, titled Sibs in Space, will be held from Friday, April 25, through Sunday, April 27. It is open to little siblings (or cousins or family friends) of students, as well as children of Kent State University faculty and staff members.
The 20th anniversary of FlashFest is set for Thursday, April 24, beginning at 3 p.m. on the Student Green. This annual Kent State University tradition features live performances, food, games and prizes.
Kent State University faculty, staff and students will notice a new building on the Kent Campus this fall when the university welcomes the College of Applied Engineering, Sustainability and Technology to the Science Mall. A midpoint construction event, themed "Science Springs Forward," took place Wednesday, April 23, on the Science Mall in front of Henderson Hall and the construction site of the new building.
Brock Bernholtz, Kent State University junior entrepreneurship major, is the CEO and founder of InCheck Services LLC, a drop-off tracking application that allows customers to stay in touch with items that are dropped off for repairs, changes and more.
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Four creative groups across Kent State University earned 10 awards at the 2014 Akron ADDY Award ceremony, hosted by the American Advertising Federation-Akron (AAF-Akron).
A reception and celebration to honor Kent State University President Lester A. Lefton was held Friday, April 4, from 4-5:30 p.m. at the Kent Student Center Ballroom. The event, hosted by the Kent State Board of Trustees, was open to all faculty, staff, students, alumni and members of the community.
Kent State University undergraduate student Jean Wilson Mutambuze and Jean Engohang-Ndong, Ph.D., assistant professor of biological sciences at Kent State University at Tuscarawas, are conducting a research project that has found a promising new alternative to manage a skin disease called Buruli Ulcer.
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Kent State University hosted a one-day conference bringing together 300 community organizations and leaders to discuss ways to increase college enrollment and graduation of first-generation and academically motivated students in Northeast Ohio. The See You @ College conference took place on Thursday, Feb. 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Kent Student Center Ballroom. The conference was free and was open to high school and college educators and administrators, community leaders, educational organizations and more.
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D.H. Lawrence Heritage Centre and Birthplace Museum
D.H. Lawrence Heritage Centre and Birthplace Museum
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D.H. Lawrence Heritage is a multi-award winning visitor attraction celebrating one of the greatest writers of the 20th Century.
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Summer (April - Sept) 10.00 - 17.00, Heritage Centre. Museum open from 11.00
Winter (Oct - March) 11.00 - 16.00, Heritage Centre. Museum open from 11.00
£5.00 Adults, £3.50 Under 16's, under 5's free
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Heritage exhibition on D.H. Lawrence's early life in the town of Eastwood.
Birthplace Museum - Tour of Lawrence's Birthplace set out with Victorian room settings.
Blue Line Trail - disocver the town of Eastwood and its many Lawrence connections.
Rainbow Gallery - a range of exhibitions throughout the year.
The Colliery Bistro - serving light lunches, daily hot meals, sunday lunches, cakes and refreshments.
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My sister-in-law had very artsy pictures
of her family taken within a few weeks of both of her children's birth.
The photos were beautiful and will certainly be a wonderful keepsake
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I had pictures taken of my little girl at all most a month old and when she was 2 months old we had family potrait taken both done at portrait studios but we take alot of digital photos. I think I may have another picture taken when she is 6 months & 1 year old at the portrait studios.
I have portraits of my older daughter from 3 months, 8 months, 13 months, and 24 months. With my younger daughter, however, we only got portraits at 8 months. I'm planning on taking her this week to get pictures done, but I feel guilty for not documenting her development as extensively as I did with her sister.
jnjfischer, I totally do the same thing. My baby books are filled with hospital bracelets, hand prints, first scribbles, first haircut certificate, pictures from daycare, etc. Even if I'm not so good at writing everything down, these little mementos are just as precious.
I don't think my digital camera is ever out of my reach...just in case my 10 week old does something just too cute to pass up on a picture. I think that my husband and I will starting taking a yearly family shoto session in the fall.
We just had our family pictures taken at J C Penney today! We're planning on going back again after the baby comes. I figure it would be nice to have family pictures before and after as well as some with just the kids and some of each of them on their own. I went ahead and bought the club membership they offer too. I think it was a really good deal. It was on sale for $19.99 down from a regular price of $39.99. Very good deal considering the sitting fee for each person would be $9.99 per visit. I figure that after that first photo session with baby we'll probably go back about every 3 months (or close to holidays) for the first year. He's due in June, so we'll go in July, probably October, December, around Easter, and then for his birthday. After that I don't know how often I'll take them, I guess it just depends on how they act. Today my 4 year old did GREAT with the actual picture taking, but she was horrible when it came time to order.
I just got pics from JC Penny for my two-year-old, too. A good friend of mine is a photgrapher there and she got the most beautiful pictures of my daughter. Funny thing is that I had bought some colorful silk flowers for her to use in her pictures. Wouldn't you know it, she threw them in the garbage before we left! When I asked her where they were later that evening, she was so proud to tell me that she threw them out. All I could do was laugh.
I have my digital camera for day-to-day shots. I am extremely lucky that a friend of mine is a professional photographer and takes photos of Korbyn and Mommy and Daddy. At the beginning of each month, we go somewhere new (we like outdoor shots) and take pictures. Nothing beats the candid shots with the digital camera, but the professional photos are in a league of their own!
A lot of the time these days we end up using our cellphone cameras because they are handy. Its part of the reason when I upgrade my phone in a few more months I'm making sure it has a really good camera on it!
When my baby was born I wanted the annoucement pictures done by the hospital but their machine was down so I went to Wal-Mart. I was so disappointed by those pictures but thought I was just a new mommy and no one can do right by my child so I purchased the annoucements there. After leaving Wal-Mart my husband let me know that he was not real happy with the pictures either.
A month later it was my birthday and my husband purchased me a Nikon D60 camera and I am taking beautiful pictures of my son at home. I personally think that digital pics taken at home are better than those taken at the studio since you have to make an appointment at the studio's and who knows how your child is going to be feeling on that day and at that time.
I used a disposable camera until my daughter was 3 months old. Then my boyfriend bought me a digital camera for Valentine's day, so I use it constantly to take pictures of my baby girl. When my daughter was a month old we took her to wal-mart to get christmas pictures. I saved her I.D. braclet and her outfit that she came home in from the hospital, and her blankets.
My digital camera is always close by, and I use the camera on my cell phone a lot because Thomas has lots of family out of town who love to get picture messages. We are fortunate that we've got a photagrapher in the family as well, so as soon as he's big enough (he was 8 weeks early) we're going to start taking family shots on a monthly basis too. It's amazing how much and how quickly they change and grow!
We haven't had a family photo (other than a snapshot) taken since October of 2005! How sad is that? I keep thinking about it, but never get around to setting a date. I am getting so behind. I didn't even have Easter or Christmas photos taken.
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