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2010-07-28 16:33:43
33 votes, rating 4.5
33 votes, rating 4.5
Why not use the scheduler next time?
I was pleased when the site introduced the scheduler for league games and tournies. Finally, I thought, no more sending pm's back and forth asking for dates, trying to keep track of which opponent was which in which tournament. Alas, I was wrong.
I think the scheduler is an awesome tool that saves a lot of time and effort. Unfortunately, I seem to be pretty much alone thinking this. Since the scheduler was introduced I may have played, wildly guessing here, maybe 40-50 odd league games. Out of these, perhaps three or four have been scheduled using ONLY the scheduler. Most of the time, I suggest a time, the opponent never responds, and when the deadline approaches, I have to send him a pm anyway and plan the match in the old way. This slows down planning and increases the risk of having to ask for extensions.
I'm not sure why a lot of people NEVER seem to take any initiatives when it comes to planning games. But please, next time you log on, if you're in any league or tourney where you have games you need to schedule, just scroll down your teams list and check if you have any 'opponent suggested...' that need responding to. Or perhaps you might even want to suggest a time yourself! If your not sure when you'll be able to play, then pm your opponent and tell him this, don't just leave him waiting without a word. Because it irritates me to see that my opponent has been online several times during the last few days and still hasn't bothered to respond. If people could actually start using the scheduler, it would make a lot of things easier on this site.
Rant over
I think the scheduler is an awesome tool that saves a lot of time and effort. Unfortunately, I seem to be pretty much alone thinking this. Since the scheduler was introduced I may have played, wildly guessing here, maybe 40-50 odd league games. Out of these, perhaps three or four have been scheduled using ONLY the scheduler. Most of the time, I suggest a time, the opponent never responds, and when the deadline approaches, I have to send him a pm anyway and plan the match in the old way. This slows down planning and increases the risk of having to ask for extensions.
I'm not sure why a lot of people NEVER seem to take any initiatives when it comes to planning games. But please, next time you log on, if you're in any league or tourney where you have games you need to schedule, just scroll down your teams list and check if you have any 'opponent suggested...' that need responding to. Or perhaps you might even want to suggest a time yourself! If your not sure when you'll be able to play, then pm your opponent and tell him this, don't just leave him waiting without a word. Because it irritates me to see that my opponent has been online several times during the last few days and still hasn't bothered to respond. If people could actually start using the scheduler, it would make a lot of things easier on this site.
Rant over
Comments
Posted by maysrill on 2010-07-28 18:29:05
I don't play in any leagues, but I use the scheduler regularly for Smacks and majors. I always start with a PM though, otherwise you'll go back and forth for days just trying to get a time set up. Once you agree on something, toss it in the scheduler to remind both parties and make sure there was no misunderstanding of the day/time.
Posted by DukeTyrion on 2010-07-28 18:35:52
I always PM people to arrange the game, then add it to the scheduler when the time and date is agreed.
Several reasons for this;
First off, I find it more polite to say hello and introduce myself before arranging a game, including a wide array of times I am available.
Secondly, people don't always notice they have had a scheduler time sent, especially if they are in multiple leagues.
Finally, if there has been any problems arranging the time and date to play I will want to copy the Admin on the entire thread. The scheduler only shows the last offered time, which isn't a lot for the Admin to go on.
The scheduler certainly has it's place, it's a great reminder and allows other in the league to note upcoming games, but in my mind it will never replace the PM for the best way of organising a match.
Several reasons for this;
First off, I find it more polite to say hello and introduce myself before arranging a game, including a wide array of times I am available.
Secondly, people don't always notice they have had a scheduler time sent, especially if they are in multiple leagues.
Finally, if there has been any problems arranging the time and date to play I will want to copy the Admin on the entire thread. The scheduler only shows the last offered time, which isn't a lot for the Admin to go on.
The scheduler certainly has it's place, it's a great reminder and allows other in the league to note upcoming games, but in my mind it will never replace the PM for the best way of organising a match.
Posted by SeraphimRed on 2010-07-28 18:43:34
The scheduler is far too restrictive to actually arrange a time with an opponent, and provides no useful info to an admin.
Use it to advertise to the group when you plan to play.
This process is endorsed by the OBBA.
Use it to advertise to the group when you plan to play.
This process is endorsed by the OBBA.
Posted by pythrr on 2010-07-28 19:02:59
you're not the boss of me now
Posted by pythrr on 2010-07-28 19:03:39
except you, Sera. you are.
Posted by DaCoach on 2010-07-28 19:39:28
I am with DukeT - I always start with a PM, but will always follow up with a scheduled date afterwards, so the league can spec if they want.
Posted by KJG on 2010-07-28 20:15:10
Thanks guys, you put forward a number of reasonable arguments. I guess the pm has its advantages :D
It still doesn't excuse the people who never bother to either pm you or schedule though >:(
It still doesn't excuse the people who never bother to either pm you or schedule though >:(
Posted by SeraphimRed on 2010-07-28 22:27:08
"It still doesn't excuse the people who never bother to either pm you or schedule though"
Nope. But that's a whole other matter... these people need to be burnt, but not too badly.
Pythrr... go get your lighter!
Nope. But that's a whole other matter... these people need to be burnt, but not too badly.
Pythrr... go get your lighter!
Posted by Cavetroll on 2010-07-28 22:33:41
"It still doesn't excuse the people who never bother to either pm you or schedule though"
Amen, brother. Preach it!
Amen, brother. Preach it!
Posted by Jeffro on 2010-07-28 23:56:12
I'm a notorious "Scheduler Pimp" in the leagues I'm in... and I still say it's best to use PM's for initial contact and in the PM state "I've put a time on the scheduler... feel free to suggest an alternate time."
That typically gets the dance for a common time started. Just the scheduler can't work, though - especially if someone has a wicked busy schedule that week - but I still love it like it was my very own 14 year old street whore.
That typically gets the dance for a common time started. Just the scheduler can't work, though - especially if someone has a wicked busy schedule that week - but I still love it like it was my very own 14 year old street whore.
Posted by Archevol on 2010-07-29 14:17:42
Totally agree. It's an awesome tool and one I use alongside PMs. It's also useful for others in leagues, etc, because it means they know when to log on and watch!
Posted by Wreckage on 2010-07-31 18:05:00
I find the biggest problem about the sceduler that it has a malfunction that auto-scedules all your league games with that team for the same time. This way you have to look very carefully at the date to get if the other side actually offerd something or if it is just a suggestion that was made three opponents ago.