now that i've been on a site that does automatic activity checks, i refuse to join any site that doesn't.

do you know how nice it is to have forum software that automatically checks your activity so you never have to post in some thread with proof that you've posted? it's insanely nice.

Wait, there is? Holy moly! I'd love to know what that is. 

Also, for my own RP thought: either I'm too tired right now from life or what, but my brain wanting to RP has been minimal for a good few weeks. Granted, definitely taking a break from any big RP regardless of where it is outside of a few 1-on-1 discord RPs but that's... it. Thankfully I have the next few days off so that will probably help re-charge the battery.

Automatic activity checks are so ideal to me too. Some forum software have things like this built in but others take some tinkering to make it possible

it’s been a while since I’ve looked at the jcink admin panel but you can automate parts of activity checks even on it

there’s a bunch of scripting things that are capable with the IBStore and the fact that you can make items that switch member groups, therefore making a lot of member group things auto with scripts (I don’t know how to do this since I haven’t tried, just know that it’s possible since I’ve seen it done)

staff could also sort characters into an “inactive group” manually but keep IC board posting permissions and then use the “number of posts” ranking/promotion thing located at the bottom when editing a group to change member group to active as soon as a post is made? I may be remembering this incorrectly, so don’t take my word for it

For MyBB it's possible to do it entirely automated. With Jcink there's a way to create profile flags that indicate when someone is active/inactive that only show to admins and players, thus making activity checks a LOT easier. You can also use Jcink member searches to filter characters that haven't posted in a while.

people still do activity checks...?

scrolling through tumblr rp ads for fun and... sites are still doing gender ratios/gender (or character type) bans? in the year of our lord 2024? please.... i thought we've evolved as a society to just let people write the characters that spark joy............

(and it's almost Always sites wanting more men when they do gender bans, where's the 'more non-binary characters encouraged' when there aren't any onsite.... hm........)

Have to say this to be blunt. I never understood gender bans. Some people have preferences, some people find they can only play certain genders, etc. It started feeling like such an unnecessary wall after I was told once “We have too many female characters, so you cannot be accepted.” Back when I was still learning to RP and found more comfort in playing female characters. I think it is better to say genders with lower counts are encouraged, including non-binary genders. Since I just find it gate-keepy otherwise myself.

Maybe it's just the crowds I run in (animanga offering Ummm Limited diversity of female appearances) but for the most part the sites I've been on have heavily skewed male???

It sucks to pass on a site because it offers only Dark Mode skins, and my dumbass astigmatism causes halation and makes it physically impossible to participate.

perhaps i will get the posts i owe done today. hopefully before we have to go to a meeting .-.

yeah— i think re: what Jenesis said, it's (currently) a bigger problem with rl sites as far as i can tell? but i think there's always been a huge issue with some sites desperately trying to restrict female characters and face claims— i don't think i've ever seen a male-dominated character site with the same bans/rules in play. when sites say they do this because they really care about gender diversity, but there's no transgender characters onsite/nothing encouraging them, too... it's a huuuge side-eye.

on a more positive note, the site i've been playing of as of recent has been such a wonder! i looove seeing trans characters out in the wild. it's been so nice not to have my character be the Only One

it’s all about ships i think. everyone’s gotta be available to someone no matter what, regardless of sexuality. some folks put A LOT of stock into it. not everyone ofc but i feel like thats what it comes down to.

I relate to this so much.

It sucks when I would possibly join a site but there’s just some things about the layout that makes it difficult to do so. It’s great to include as many options as possible, if possible.