UKBSMC: The Union of Keyboard Stepmania Communities

[Arch0wl]

NOTE: This "union" does not resemble a government, nor is it designed to. The intent of this union is to represent and provide a voice for the community, not regulate people as a moderator does. A "union" is just an alliance between two or more entities on some issue. The language used in this post is purely for the sake of precision.

NOTE2: Historically, the brag board has been one of the main areas for Stepmania discussion, moreso than the actual "Music Game Simulators" board. Thus, I feel it's most appropriate to be posted here.

Introduction

For quite some time during the history of keyboard SM, I've noticed that achieving any sort of goal is a struggle. Even though we put considerable time into SM, it is still regarded as a frivolous waste of time and not a legitimate hobby, and, additionally, as a free open source game, SM is not nearly as popular as it could be.

DDR communities do not have this problem. While DDR communities often overlap, SM communities tend to take a tribal-like stance against eachother, with one community branching off to form another which will eventually have a branch off that forms yet another community. This is an inevitable step in the formation of SM communities, however, I feel that we could achieve more if we were united because despite our differences in humor, perceptions of how intelligent the others may be, or perceptions of what simfiles are or aren't good, we have one common goal--to make SM a better experience for everyone.

Hence, I am proposing The Union of Keyboard Stepmania Communities. This Union allows, for example, FFR and ODI's members to collectively hate each other yet still work together to promote common goals. What common goals should this Union promote? Among others, I suggest:

- Promotion of SM as a legitimate hobby and/or leisure activity
- Proliferation of knowledge about SM
- Further and more rapid advancement of SM content, such as, but not limited to: themes, simfiles, music, and otherwise
- Attracting a greater audience to SM
- Other goals not yet covered

Procedure

Each website will have a total of three representatives: two members that represent the userbase of that website, and one member that represents the administrative base of that website. So, for example, RFraction's representatives may look like this:

Administrative: Rebirth0
User: Necros, Kommisar

From there, each person will have a vote on an action the sites may take collectively, or a position the sites should take towards a given issue. For an example of collective action, if a tournament has recently excluded SM, the UKBSMC could organize an attempt to persuade the tournament staff to run one. Regarding a position, it could be something as simple as "We believe SM is a legitimate form of leisure" to something complex and game-related, such as "We regard double setups as a form of cheating."

Collectively, each member represents their particular division. So, if the concern is administrative--a mass trolling of SM sites, for example--it should be dealt with by the administrative branch, and if it's game related--such as when to hold simfile packs--it can be dealt with by the game branch.

If the Union wants to change something related to the structure of its organization, such as an expansion of the number of representatives, both divisions must cast a vote of approval.

To select representatives, it is suggested, but not required, that each branch of each site vote collectively on their own representatives. Thus, FFR's admins would vote collectively on FFR's administrative division, and FFR's non-admins, particularly those well-versed in the game, would vote on FFR's game division.

If a particular member is disliked enough, the Union may collectively hold a vote to throw out that member, though it requires an 80% vote of approval. Additionally, both members of a site's game division can agree to throw out an administrator. Afterward, the site must cast a re-election for a new administrative replacement.

Criteria for administrative power are: experience with running the website, approval/popularity among site users, and how much that admin represents the website's goals.
Criteria for game power are: knowledge and experience with SM, acceptance within that site's community (will making this person represent this community spark outrage?), and, again, how much that user represents the website's goals relative to SM gameplay.

Given the rapid pace of development in the SM community, terms last for only 3 months. Attempts at re-election may be done an infinite number of times, however.

Finally, no member may represent more than one website. Tsuka, for example, holds authority on both omgdidinsane.com and rfraction.com, but he could only represent one of them.

Potential websites

flashflashrevolution.com
omgdidinsane.com
rfraction.com
stepmaniaonline.com
smgroove.com
smhaven.com
(others?)

Union Membership

Once at least two communities agree that this Union should be formed, it will be. Any site whose community has collectively agreed that they have sufficient signatories to enter the union will. After the Union has at least five sites representing, a site's entrance into the Union must be approved by other Union members.

Sites may be voted out of the Union provided 1) there are at least five members 2) there is an 80% approval vote. If there are not five members, the Union members must vote for a replacement or the member is no longer allowed.

A modification of Union rules can be made by an 80% approval vote of Union members.

The following is a list of those that approve, and the respective website they list their association with:

Signatories

(name goes here) : (associated website goes here)