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An [[administrator]] is usually an owner of the server, or are trusted friends of the owner who enforce server rules to make the most of the game. They are there to protect the good players, and get rid of rule breakers, depending on the server rules.
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==Overview==
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The term '''Administrator''' or '''Admin''' is commonly used in the BZFlag community. It may refer to a [[BZFS]] Server owner or its associated staff, or one of the Project [[:Category:Developer|Developers]] or administration staff.
  
An [[administrator]] can also mean an adminsistrator on the [http://my.bzflag.org/bb/ forums]. Along with server admins, there are also forum admins which moderate the forums. Most of them are also project admins for the project on sourceforge.net.
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===Server Admins===
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The owner of a server will often empower a group of users to assist in maintaining the desired order and play-style of a server. These users are often called Admins or Administrators. The most common way of identifying these users to the general player-base is to give the users permissions to use the /kick and/or /ban [[Slash_Commands|Commands]]. By default any user that has rights to use these commands will have the '''@''' symbol preceding their call-sign in the scoreboard. There are instances where a server uses a plug-in or is modified to show the '''@''' symbol for different reasons.
  
The [[administrator]] may be able to start/shutdown the server and edit the many options of it, depending on their [[Server Permissions|permissions]].  
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====Common Roles====
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Server admins are commonly tasked with enforcing the specific rules of the server and making sure that the general player-base has an employable time. The most common act of an admin is to kick or ban players that are cheating or are using the chat system inappropriately (verbal abuse, profanity, etc..). These administrators are acting on the behalf of the server owner.
  
==Display==
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====Common Permissions====
On the [[scoreboard]], most admins have an '''@''' sign next to their name. There is a way, through permissions, for an admin to appear as only a regular registered user with a '''+''' and these are called ''Hidden Admins''.
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Many server owners give admins additional [[Server Permissions|permissions]] such as;
For a person to become a ''Hidden Admin'' they must have the "hideAdmin" permission. This can be assigned by the owner in the server's group file. Note that for a person to have an "@" they must have either shortBan or Ban permissions, otherwise they will not have an "@" sign.
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There is also a plugin called [[ShowAdmin]] that allows server owners to show a player as an admin even if they don't have shortBan or Ban.
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==Permissions==
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Administrators can run many [[Slash Commands | commands]] on the server depending on the [[Server Permissions|permissions]] given to them by the server owner, they may include the following:
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*/kick
 
*/kick
 
*/ban
 
*/ban
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*/set
 
*/set
 
*/flag (reset,give/take)
 
*/flag (reset,give/take)
*The list continues... more in [[Slash Commands]]
 
 
Terms have appeared for administrators with various permissions.  In general, ones with only a few permissions are called "cop".  People referred to as cops often don't have permissions such as ban or flagMaster.  Administrators with the hideAdmin permission are often referred as "hidden admin" or "hidden cop".  Administrators with more permissions than cops and hidden admins are normally called simply "admin".  Sometimes, a server owner will reserve certain permissions for himself only, such as shutdownServer, to protect his server from disappearing off the list server.
 
 
Other time server owners will also setup a /password via the -passwd option. This allows them, at any time, to gain full access to the server. If they forget their bzbb password or are using a different account, this can come in handy.
 
  
==Becoming an Admin==
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====Administrator Recruitment====
Perhaps the number one rule of becoming a server admin is to '''never ask to become one'''. Most owners frown upon this and will not consider you for future promotions. You do not need to bring anything to their attention, if they need an admin, they will ask someone if they would like to become one.
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How a server is administered is up to the the server owner. Users that wish to become administrators should talk to the owner in private to see if they are looking for additional staff members. It is common for users who ask to be included in a staff position to be automatically denied, as it is highly likely that the user simply wishes to get the position in order to abuse the permissions that it grants. The most successful server owners choose staff members from the players that they know and trust for a significant time.
  
One way to increase your chances of becoming an admin is to register on the [http://my.bzflag.org/bb/ forums] and participate in the community. Post responses to people's questions. Help out with what you're capable of doing. Getting involved and being noticed as a helpful and good addition to the community is a good way to increase your chances of becoming  an admin.
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====Communication====
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Often the best way to contact a server admin to resolve an issue is to send them a private message on the [http://my.bzflag.org/bb/ BZFlag Project Forums]. Most servers use forum users-names as call-signs so the same name that is seen in game can be used on the forums. If an admin is unresponsive a user may be better served by contacting a server owner via the same system.
  
Trust is also an important value to have in an admin. If you are not trustworthy, then being a server admin probably isn't for you. Server owners usually only let trusted people become server admins. If you do something behind the server owner's back or are always trying to get promoted, chances are you will be removed or possibly even banned.
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==Forum Administrators==
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The [http://my.bzflag.org/bb/ BZFlag Project Forums] maintains a separate administration staff. These admins are tasked with enforcing the [http://my.bzflag.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=890| Forum rules] and maintaining the user group system that is used with [[Global_Registration|Global Registration]].
  
==Being a Good Admin==
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The best way to communicate with these admins is to send them a private message on the forums.
A good admin exhibits several traits. A good admin enforces and follows the rules set by the server owner, and does not interfere with honest game play. They also are always vigilant for [[Known Cheats|cheaters]]. The admin supports the server and promotes good and courteous gameplay. When you find a disruptive player, don't kick or ban right away. If they are using abusive language, then mute them, don't kick them. If they log out, and then back in to avoid the mute, then kick them. Be sure to only kick, mute, or ban someone if they are breaking the specific server rules.
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Being a good admin also means participating in the community! If you have worked hard and participated in the community and are admin on a few servers, don't stop there. Keep participating and help others when you can. Always having a positive attitude can make the difference.
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These administrators have no inherent permissions on any game server, although many do serve as staff on some game servers.
  
==Things to Remember==
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==Project Administrators==
'''One bad decision can stay with you forever.''' Most server owners keep logs of their servers. If they see you repeatedly goofing off, making rash decisions, or supporting rule-breaking behavior, you may be removed as an admin. Make sure that you always do what you think is right. If you're not quite sure, ask the owner.
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The BZFlag open source project on [https://github.com/BZFlag-Dev | Github] has a set of administrators who are tasked with the management of development related issues including, patches, bug fixes, and releases.
  
'''The magic order: warn, kick, short ban, long ban.''' This always comes in handy is usually the way to handle misbehavior. Don't ban them right away if they do something wrong unless it was meaningful and completely rash. Usually giving them a warning will resolve some issues. However, if they continue to misbehave, kick them and let them know it was their final warning. If they continue to do wrong, ban them for a short period of time. If you see them again at a different time performing the same bad behavior, re-do the ban with a longer ban length. If a user is using bad language, mute them and give them a warning.
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Like forum admins these users do not have any inherent permissions on game servers.
  
'''Use common sense.''' Whenever making tough decisions, do what you think is right and go with your gut. If you perform without thinking, you may be making a mistake. If you have to think over banning a person, it may not be the right thing to do. All questions should be directed to the server owner, however, if there is another admin on they may be able to help out.
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Project administrators are often on [[BZFlag_on_IRC|The BZFlag IRC channel]].

Latest revision as of 17:14, 4 July 2016

Overview[edit]

The term Administrator or Admin is commonly used in the BZFlag community. It may refer to a BZFS Server owner or its associated staff, or one of the Project Developers or administration staff.

Server Admins[edit]

The owner of a server will often empower a group of users to assist in maintaining the desired order and play-style of a server. These users are often called Admins or Administrators. The most common way of identifying these users to the general player-base is to give the users permissions to use the /kick and/or /ban Commands. By default any user that has rights to use these commands will have the @ symbol preceding their call-sign in the scoreboard. There are instances where a server uses a plug-in or is modified to show the @ symbol for different reasons.

Common Roles[edit]

Server admins are commonly tasked with enforcing the specific rules of the server and making sure that the general player-base has an employable time. The most common act of an admin is to kick or ban players that are cheating or are using the chat system inappropriately (verbal abuse, profanity, etc..). These administrators are acting on the behalf of the server owner.

Common Permissions[edit]

Many server owners give admins additional permissions such as;

  • /kick
  • /ban
  • /banlist
  • /mute
  • /say
  • /set
  • /flag (reset,give/take)

Administrator Recruitment[edit]

How a server is administered is up to the the server owner. Users that wish to become administrators should talk to the owner in private to see if they are looking for additional staff members. It is common for users who ask to be included in a staff position to be automatically denied, as it is highly likely that the user simply wishes to get the position in order to abuse the permissions that it grants. The most successful server owners choose staff members from the players that they know and trust for a significant time.

Communication[edit]

Often the best way to contact a server admin to resolve an issue is to send them a private message on the BZFlag Project Forums. Most servers use forum users-names as call-signs so the same name that is seen in game can be used on the forums. If an admin is unresponsive a user may be better served by contacting a server owner via the same system.

Forum Administrators[edit]

The BZFlag Project Forums maintains a separate administration staff. These admins are tasked with enforcing the Forum rules and maintaining the user group system that is used with Global Registration.

The best way to communicate with these admins is to send them a private message on the forums.

These administrators have no inherent permissions on any game server, although many do serve as staff on some game servers.

Project Administrators[edit]

The BZFlag open source project on | Github has a set of administrators who are tasked with the management of development related issues including, patches, bug fixes, and releases.

Like forum admins these users do not have any inherent permissions on game servers.

Project administrators are often on The BZFlag IRC channel.