Should We Have A Facebook Page?

[Ricebug]

Has anyone considered setting up a Facebook account for Thief lovers?

I went 2 or 3 days without being able to access TTLG, probably due to the hurricane knocking out power. Got me to thinking that an alternate would be handy. If this site suddenly disappeared, new missions would not get announced, for one thing. The FM community would die a quick death. TTLG is the only thing keeping Thief alive.

[Brethren]

Sounds like a good idea. Not being an active Facebook user though, I'm not sure how this works exactly. I'm assuming we can separate this from our normal everyday Facebook messages somehow? Does someone just start up a "Thief FMs" account and then we all subscribe? Facebook 101 please.

[nickie]

Yes it was storms in Virginia that caused power cuts which caused whatever it was. It's all a bit technical for me. But we are looking into organising back-up servers at the moment. If there are any further disruptions in the meantime, I will post any information I have over at shalebridgecradle.co.uk

For future reference, add the line "74.208.213.90 www.ttlg.com" without quotes to the Hosts file in Windows/System 32/drivers/etc. This may then allow access on its own otherwise, with the line added, try this link http://ttlg.ttlg.mobi/forums/forum.php.

As for a Facebook page, I believe that someone just needs to start a group and send invitations to join the group.

[Brethren]

I think one concern with a Facebook page is that it divides the discussion - some people post there, others post here. I believe Commchat has a FB page, and some there were worried it would actually take away from activity on the forum here. Also, any announcements or similar posts would need to be duplicated (posted in both places), such as FM releases or contests. Just some food for thought there.

That said, I'm still all for it. I plan on doing this thing for many years to come, and I think eventually there's a chance TTLG will fold at some point due to lack of interest from the powers above.

Another plus to a FB group is that we can discuss certain things there that aren't allowed here.

[darthsLair]

There already is this one, which is a ttlg gathering place. http://www.facebook.com/groups/nuthaus/ The name of it is TTLG Nuthaus.
Initially invitations were sent out, and then the word got around, but it seems to be quite active.

[nickie]

That is the 'mostly' CommChatters page. I can't see it being what Thief fans would want. The focus of attention is pretty much on anything other than TTLG-related stuff.

There was another Thief site there somewhere though I can't remember what it was called. I'll have a dig around. Edit. Can't find what I was thinking of but as it was a few years ago, it may have died.

[Yandros]

That is the 'mostly' CommChatters page. I can't see it being what Thief fans would want. The focus of attention is pretty much on anything other than TTLG-related stuff.

There was another Thief site there somewhere though I can't remember what it was called. I'll have a dig around. Edit. Can't find what I was thinking of but as it was a few years ago, it may have died.

Agreed on Nuthaus, it's fun and all but much more like CC than here.

There's also this group, but it's pretty dead: http://www.facebook.com/groups/182534788534/
Me, cardia, BA, Maga, clearing, tdbonko, DarkMax and a few other regulars here are in that group. Seems like the best thing to do is add anyone from here that's on Facebook and wants to join to that group and try to reinvigorate it, if we're looking for a more Thief- and FM-oriented Facebook group.

[intruder]

I don't see much benefit in using Facebook. The main reason why most people (including me) use ttlg is the vast amount of information available. There are help-threads for almost any FMs released since 1998, tons of tips & tricks for DromEd, and whatnot.

How do you want to port that to Facebook?

[Ricebug]

It's my understanding that TTLG is privately owned and partly depends on donations for support. My concern was if the owner decided to kick the bucket or some other event knocks it down, all of us would suddenly be lost to one another.

Brings a tear to me eye jus' thinkin' about it.

[Gloria Creep]

I agree with Intruder. If I need to know something about a FM I always get back here (on a daily basis).
The FB page Nuthaus is very nice, but it's more for chit chat on RL issues. No oiffense meant.
IMHO It's best to not add another FB page.

Ricebug, I'm sure if that happens we'll find a proper solution. This forum hopefully will never end, at least not for a long time.

[nickie]

It's my understanding that TTLG is privately owned and partly depends on donations for support. My concern was if the owner decided to kick the bucket or some other event knocks it down, all of us would suddenly be lost to one another.

Brings a tear to me eye jus' thinkin' about it.

I'm probably not entirely correct about this but I think it was the hosting that needed donations but the server doesn't. We're looking at what needs to be done to make sure we don't lose whatever it was again. Either or both of epithumia's suggestions would seem to be what's needed. I wish someone who knew about these things would explain properly.

For thiefmissions I just use the afraid.org free DNS secondary service. Easy to set up, costs nothing and just works.

I could also just host a DNS secondary if for some reason one of the free services doesn't work.

[gnartsch]

If I understand epithumias quote correct, then the server is a private machine ?
Otherwise I would not understand why an additional DNS service would be required.
That makes it even more complicated.
If it was on a regular server hosted by some provider, then a backup admin might just take over and change the ower including bank-account, etc and everything might go on as before.
But how could you take over the private machine/backup just in case something happened ?
That would be difficult.

Hmmmm... I won't join Facebook. That is for sure.
For announcing new missions or stating on outages one might use the existing Thief Wiki.
It is more or less well known and has a clear structure.
If I imagine the same on Facebook, it would probably look like a mess.

[nickie]

I don't understand this stuff I'm afraid but I believe the server is on a private machine/private company machine.

[nickie]

For those who don't wander to the top half of TTLG.

Thanks to Saam the DNS has now been changed to use an external service which is much more failure tolerant so this problem should now be a thing of the past.

I'm almost tempted to remove ttlg.com from my hosts file

[malau]

Hey yeah ! Get a MySpace too, perhaps an official ICQ page ! And maybe also Komag can release his DVDs on VCD, and Laserdisc !

I suppose there's no harm in having one, but Facebook is yesterday's thing. The only people that use it are unemployed single mothers. If anyone is interested in Thief they Google for it (or perhaps Lycos for it given your love of all things yesterday). Anyone who Facebook searches for Thief is an idiot who shouldn't be let near a PC (or a Commodore PET if you are an ultra modern TTLG mod)

[Brethren]

@malau - not a big Facebook fan myself, but to say its "yesterday's thing" is pretty damn ridiculous. Its maybe not at the height of its popularity, but its close. Even so, I think you completely missed the point - this would be a place for existing TTLGers to hang out when TTLG goes down, not for newbs who are looking to learn more about the games.

[Ricebug]

...shouldn't be let near a PC (or a Commodore PET if you are an ultra modern TTLG mod)

I hate FB, but I still use my trusty Amiga 4000 to run all my MIDI gear.

Seriously, it's like Brethren said. In case we get lost, I'll meet you at the old flagpole. Surely, you've done it once or twice.

[ToadTadWater]

Much like "I don't believe corporations are 'people' (can they vote?, can you open the door for them?, do they breathe? NOT A PERSON!!), ONLY if TTLG has a Face (anyone volunteer? certainly not my uggggly mugg!) should it be on 'Face'Book!

Actually if there is a way to mirror each active Forum, why not, as long as it takes essentially 'no effort' to do it (& bandwidth).

But 'I' will never go there unless TTLG ceases to exist, the interface sucks IMO, & how about advertisements, other interferences?

Simply do not trust FaceBook, history shows!

[Sticky Fingers]

Not saying yay or nay to the idea, but I definitely wouldn't go onto FB - it's just too.....popular in some ways.

But wouldn't Garrett's face be the one to use?

[Ricebug]

...wouldn't Garrett's face be the one to use?

Garrett for the FMs; Viktoria for Dromed-ers (cause she's a bitch--hard to live with and hard to live without).

No offense to the ladies, but we sometimes refer to Dromed in the female sense. Like a car or a ship. The fact that it's difficult, buggy and unpredictable adds to its femme fatale

[Tannar]

... we sometimes refer to Dromed in the female sense. Like a car or a ship.

Or a hurricane.

[itllrun10s]

Or a hurricane.

Or an earthquake.

[rachkmar]

Does TTLG have a face?

But wouldn't Garrett's face be the one to use?

How about the person with the spyglass in the logo?

[Gloria Creep]

I call my car a "HIM" for all the female reasons one can think of: he doesn't let me down and if he does, it isn't his fault, just the battery or something stupid , he takes me wherever I want to go and I can talk to HIM, my car and he's handsome, shiny red, with a great interior design stuff .....
I just love my red car

So you guys, go and love your wifes and think of them as your cars

Off topic, I know, but I couldn't resist. I enjoyed those posts ...