I want to start by saying that this post is in response to the comments we've been receiving, as well as a post made by the newest Stardoll anonymous blogger.
If you haven't read the comments or the post, feel free to do so before continuing to read this post.
It has come to my attention that some readers may be displeased with the work Deidra and I have been doing for MDM. Whether it be the makeover delay, the graphic designer we're using, who's to blame for the delay, selection of writers based on social status, or Dei and myself being "stiff necks". Some of our readers are clearly not happy. So I'm using this post to explain all the issues that have surfaced in recent days, as well as, give you a chance, as readers, to voice your opinion.
The paragraphs below are a collaboration of Dei's opinions edits, as well as my own opinions.
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MDM Makeover
Before Noelle took a break from Stardoll, Deidra and I spoke to her over Skype about the results of the Writer's Poll and how to proceed.
Main Parts of Conversation:
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With all of the ideas we had for the blog, Noelle decided to make us admin so that we could freely express those ideas. That's one thing I've always loved about this blog. Noelle didn't restrict us. Shortly afterwards, Noelle disappeared; and after not hearing from her for months, we decided to take our makeover ideas to the next step. And constantly, we reiterated that we were not the new owners of MDM. We were just keeping it up and running while Noelle was away.
Dei's Edit: Here is part of a conversation I had with Noelle when she came on Skype after her hiatus.
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Choosing a Graphic Designer
Chace is a great designer. And I really enjoy seeing his work in POSH. Why else would I have asked him to do the graphics for MDM? I'm not going to ask someone to let me pay them for something if I don't believe they have the potential to do well. When Chace showed me my banner, I was pleased overall and I did say it looked great, despite having a few issues with the graphic. It wasn't until I talked with Deidra about the banners he made, that we decided to take a different route. That's when we decided to hire Nika. Unfortunately, with all the chaos, I neglected to tell Chace that we had hired someone else.
Here are the messages Chace and I(Aislin) exchanged about the banners:
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Dei's edit: I didn't see the banners he made up until right before we decided on another, before he posted the one for Lia. After we talked about them, Aislin started to not grow found of them, and I thought they looked nice as well, but I didn't favor Chace's style for them for the banners, and we decided to find a different graphic designer, and silly Aislin, after I told her to, forgot to tell him otherwise but eventually did.
These next messages are what Aislin showed me of her and Chace's personal conversation from the last 2 days when Aislin talked to him about Chace's post on his graphics blog.
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When I mailed Nika about doing the graphics for MDM, she seemed very pleasant and happy to do them. We worked out prices and she told me that she had a couple of things to do before starting the banners. She told Deidra the same thing, but promised that she would start within a week. That was in December of 2011.
Dei's Edit: We asked her to in the beginning of of December, around the 5th-10?
Here are some snippets from the conversation(s):
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Nika, as I've said over a thousand times, failed in multiple instances to keep in contact with us. And believe me, we tried more than several times to talk to her. She just failed to respond. We are not blaming her for the makeover not being completed. However, I do believe that it's her fault that the banners weren't completed. Simply because we gave her several opportunities to tell us that she wouldn't be able to do them. It was her choice to wait until mid-January to let us know. And as I've said before, we didn't want to create MDM's new layout until we had the banners, so that the layout would be cohesive with the banners.
After that, Deidra and I were frustrated to a point because Nika waited so long to tell us that she couldn't finish the banners, after she told us that she was working on them. So I thought of the most reliable graphic designer, with the best work. Having worked with Lana before, I knew that she was the person for the job. I contacted her and she said she'd do the banners. So that's that. I'm sorry if you guys are "bored" with her work, but she's a great designer, who just so happens to be very reliable and pleasant to work with. I understand everyone wanting a say in what happens during the makeover; and I am more that willing to listen. But when it comes to graphic designers, I think we all know how sketchy they can be. And at the end of the day, It's Dei and I who have to deal with designers flaking out. Which is why I didn't care that a couple of readers were "bored" with Lana's work.
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Choosing the Writers
When we started thinking about who we'd like to write for MDM, we didn't run to our friends list and pick out the people we talk to the most (Dei's Edit: Quite frankly, after we chose the majority of them was the first time I really talked to most of them.), or the people with the highest social standings. We weighed our options and chose a few people(who shall remain nameless until the makeover is completed) whom we thought had great writing skills and an equally great personality. Before we chose these people we had decided that we would only use the applications to fill the last spot. When reviewing the applications, we didn't just hastily make a decision; we read over the applications, checked out their previous work, and even interviewed the candidates. I would provide links to these conversations, but they would reveal the writers we've chosen. And we'd like it to be a surprise.
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"Stiff Necks"
I had to include this since I don't believe it's true. I don't believe that spelling correctly, using proper punctuation, and forming proper paragraphs makes us 'stiff necks'. Also, never have I looked down on anyone who wanted to be a part of MDM. And neither has Deidra. We don't believe that we are better than anyone else. And we don't hold ourselves on pedestals. If conveying intelligence through writing makes anyone think that, I am sorry.
The last thing we'd want to do is displease all of our readers. However, we all know it's impossible to please everyone. But at the end of the day, I'd like to know that at least the majority of our readers are completely happy. If ever you thought that I was neglecting your opinions, I'm sorry. It was never my intention to do so. Though we may not follow through with all of your suggestions, we do value them, and take them into strong consideration when making blog decisions.
I hope that this post has helped ease some of the confusion and frustration, concerning the makeover and other issues. Feel free to express any other opinions or questions you might have, and Deidra and myself will do our best to respond to them in a timely manner.
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Dei's Edit: I am just sad that people think we are this and we are that and yet we didn't even have a chance to answer if those statements are true or not.
We don't believe in 'elites'. We don't believe we are better.
We are just normal people. End of story.
I'm sorry for saying this, but is any of this necessary? You don't have to point fingers, just step up and take it I mean God. Don't you guys have stuff to do in RL to? I mean Nika couldn't do it because she had exams and something else VERY important relying on her to just live (not going to say what because that would be intruding on her privacy). It's just annoying and frankly, no one really cares. Just get it done!!!
ReplyDelete--Patrick
Too long, just read a few, I bet in a few months either of you would leave stardoll because it's too time consuming as other bloggers have done. However, I would like to commend the writers of this blog for being so organised, active & consistent inspite of the owners leaving. This hardly happens on other blogs. Congratulations, but spend less time on blogging or you'll get sick of it (like others have done). We don't want you suddenly deleting your accounts.
ReplyDeleteTHIS POST JUST MADE YOUR AND DEI LOOK EVEN MORE STUPID AND LAME.
ReplyDeleteAnd I mean seriously, I NEVER EVER complained about fucking Nika. Why the hell is everyone thinking that. I don't even care anymore!
ReplyDeleteI must of said it like 500 times, I UNDERSTAND! We were more pissed she picked recently to say she was busy, because tbh each time I messaged her was when it said her Skype was online, so I wasn't just randomly messaging her because I was rushing her, I just wanted to ask if she made any progress.
I wasn't even trying to rush her about, me and Aislin both know and understand not everyone has time for Stardoll.
Was the only thing you looked at was what Aislin said about Nika's time with us?
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I haven't tried to talk about the makeover publicly. But all I wanted to do was support Aislin's post clearing things up. But really get your head out of your own ass if you honestly believe we think Nika is our delay.
ITS OWN OUR FAULTS! Happy, oh perfect one?
Ugh why did I even write this long comment, nobody cares what I think anyway.
Woah, I think those first three comments are totally uncalled for! (Except for the first anon which was sorta nicish...) Aislin and Dei could have just pointed fingers and whined with no reasons, but, no they didn't. They took the time to show everyone the truth. How often do you see that around here? I think this post shows that Aislin and Dei actually care. About this blog and about you the readers.
ReplyDeleteTo Patrick, I think this was them steeping up and taking it. They showed the whole story. Their mistakes as well as everyone else's.
I applaud Aislin and Dei. Not that many people have the heart (balls, guts?...why are these all body parts?) to set the story straight.
Sorry Anon!
ReplyDeleteI honestly didn't read that whole thing, I just wanna see the makeover already. Does it really have to be this difficult?? Why not split the work load among different designers? Have one person do the header banner, one person focuses on writer banners and someone else does anything else that needs to be addressed. Putting all the work on one designer never turns out good. Trust me, I've been there before and it's extremely frustrating!
ReplyDelete@Ebony - Its only about the writer banners we are having that issue with.
ReplyDeleteSo technically we are doing just as you said, letting one person focus on one thing.
But I don't think it would be a good idea if 2 or more different people are doing those unless they have similar styles in making bodies/hair/etc.
I know how long these kinds of posts take. I'm the kind of blogger (I write for The Ugly Side of Stardoll on scammers/hackers/creeps) that has to be constantly snipping print screens and stringing a post together that's cohesive and has fluidity.
ReplyDeleteSkimming through Skype conversations that could've lasted for hours and browsing through hundreds of sent messages isn't the easiest thing in the world, nor the most desirable.
Dei and Aislin did this for all of us.
Doesn't it show they care?
Doesn't this mean that they're stepping up to the plate and taking responsibility for their actions?
Graphic designers often flake. It's hard to sit at a desk with Photoshop maximized, attempting to create something out of complete nothingness. These designers have to create 10 full-body poses from a white canvas, clothe them completely from a state of nakedness, and add special effects to 'wow' us.
Personal lives, stiff necks, and sheer boredom can cause them to minimize that tab and perform some more interesting or pressing tasks. If we all tried our hand at making a graphic, we'd understand that sometimes blocking out 4-6 hours of our day to make a virtual image isn't the most convenient thing ever. It's easy to place the blame on the graphic designers, but Dei and Aislin haven't--they said a number of times that they understand. They're not being sarcastic. They're not being rude. They understand why Nika couldn't perform her given duties. Can't we all be satisfied with that?
The other issues that have been brought up in the past few days shouldn't have even been addressed. Proper grammar can make a post seem buttoned up, but consider what you all are asking for: posts from semi-illiterate Stardoll users that are incomprehensible. I would take a well-written 'rant' from Dei or Aislin any day of the week.
The rumor that the mystery writers were only chosen because they had elite status or were friends with either Dei or Aislin is complete hearsay. 'The Stardoll Antagonist' is exactly that--an antagonist. He or she blatantly showed that he or she opposed Dei and Aislin completely. Seeing that they are seemingly nice, talented, educated, and amiable girls, I have reason to believe that this 'anonymous Antagonist' is one of the writers that wasn't chosen by Dei and Aislin. There's a reason why they call jealousy the green monster, folks--it can cause that rumor mill to churn. So, anyone that happens to read this lengthy oration, I have a question for you: Why do you let an anonymous writer deter you from believing what the evidence shows you? He or she turned most of the Stardoll users against Dei and Aislin. Words are a powerful thing; use them wisely.
(continuing)
(cont.)
ReplyDeleteBefore I end this tangent-like collection of ramblings, I'd like to say that I don't believe Aislin and Dei are without fault. I believe that they should have gotten another graphics designer the moment Nika stopped replying to their messages. Being a chronic procrastinator myself, seeming indifferent to the subject or not replying at all is a telltale sign of slacking off. Hiring a back-up graphics designer (like Lana) at that point would have given you a safety net if anything like this was to occur. You would end up paying double the Stardollars if both graphics designers delivered, but you would avoid any cancellations or delays.
I also believe that Aislin and Dei both showed signs of laziness themselves. Besides not finding another graphics designer to either aid Nika or do another set of graphics completely, taking a backseat, they handled the situation with Chase poorly. Dei could've followed up on the situation with Chase, and Aislin could've handled firing him in a much more civilized way. I understand that it's often difficult to break bad news to someone, but let's face it--these tough jobs are something they both indirectly signed up for as soon as they were made admins.
In conclusion, everyone made mistakes. Getting a new layout for a blog and communicating with other human beings over the Internet often creates messy situations. It's easier to dodge someone online than it is in real life--all it takes is a click. You never know what's going on behind that screen. History was made--learn from it. I know that both Dei and Aislin have. I don't believe that the downfalls of MDM will be headlining any time soon, as long as the blog remains in the responsible and firm hands of Dei and Aislin.
Thank you for the post and expressing your appreciation of us readers and our opinions.
-Victoria (Daddysangel02)
All I can say is that I understand a bit better now.
ReplyDeleteI know you said you didn't blame any graphic designers but in their defence and like Victoria said: Graphics are...hard. They're fun to make but when you're pressed for time, you have real life and you want banners to be perfect, it's easy being slow.
I would have asked way earlier for graphics from someone to allow for breathing space and clearness of mind.
Or you could just have never made the announcement or given yourself a deadline and all this tradegy would have been avoided because no one expected anything.
But, yes, I understand. You really took your time and balancing SD with RL is hard so I congratulate you on what you achieved already.
Unrelated, but for the main banner, I think a sort of "family photo" kind of thing might be nice. Like all of the writers posing together in a sort of "Hey, we're friends!" way. Haha, I'm bad at explaining but hopefully you'll get what I mean xD
ReplyDelete'0'
ReplyDeleteChill dudes. The makeover is on its way, it took time, but who cares? Better late than never I suppose. Stop finding trivial matters to just get mad about :s
Again, CHILL.
-Mags :)
There is no need to defend yourself. You all obviously see that you both were wrong in your doings when it came to blaming others for your mishappens. People make mistakes, but for you all to sit around and blame others is very unprofessional. There is nothing professional to this blog really seeing that most of this is based around a game meant to be played by adolecent girls, yet you could try to make something fun out of it instead of defending your "case". There's no need to be mad or even upset about it. However, when you represent something that people oddly enough look up to for some reason, you have to bring everything you planned for to the table like you said. People expect alot out of you people, so live up to the standard for crying out loud. You both represent MDM for crying out loud: act like it. If you have so much experience, don't miss deadlines and don't blame others for your failings.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Maggie, better late than never. There's nothing to be mad about. Personally it just makes me even more excited about the makeover :)
ReplyDeleteGoodness you guys overuse emoticons.
ReplyDelete