Introducing myself
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- BfWEthnographer
- Posts: 33
- Joined: November 8th, 2010, 12:39 pm
- Location: Denmark
- Contact:
Introducing myself
Hi everyone!
I just registered to the forum and I thought about introducing myself here.
I'm an Italian PhD student interested in collaborative/distributed efforts and, in particular, in Free Software development communities. My PhD project focuses on mediation between use and development in Free Software and takes Battle for Wesnoth as case study for the research.
I knew BfW since few years (though, I played it only occasionally), but I never thought of it as a potential case for my research, until I started browsing a little more under the surface of the game and got an overview at the underlying community. Afterwards, I changed my mind about it. For instance, I'm fascinated by the whole process of developing, maintaining, and improving UMC, which gives an interesting touch and longevity to the game.
This is why I'd like to stick around here (and in other channels: IRC, MP server) for some time. In order to understand the nuts and bolts of Wesnoth (from the side of gaming experience and of development effort) I would try to engage with the community practices and 'daily life'. i.e. An ethnographic approach to the research.
As a player, I'm still a newbie, but as soon as I get a better grasp of the strategy and units' characteristics, I'll also hang around the MP server for some matches.
Ok, so long for my boring introduction
Cheers!
BfWEthnographer
Just a due clarification: my research will not involve the gathering, moreover, nor the publishing of any sensitive/private data.
If anyone is interested in knowing more about the kind of work I intend to do, feel free to ask (via PM, in this discussion or by other means). Moreover, my signature links to the website/blog, I use to narrate the development of the research, it also includes more details about methodology (which could answer to privacy concerns). You are free to comment and/or contact me there as well. (The blog is rather empty since I just begun the research)
P.S. English is not my mother tongue, so apologies for any unclear statement
I just registered to the forum and I thought about introducing myself here.
I'm an Italian PhD student interested in collaborative/distributed efforts and, in particular, in Free Software development communities. My PhD project focuses on mediation between use and development in Free Software and takes Battle for Wesnoth as case study for the research.
I knew BfW since few years (though, I played it only occasionally), but I never thought of it as a potential case for my research, until I started browsing a little more under the surface of the game and got an overview at the underlying community. Afterwards, I changed my mind about it. For instance, I'm fascinated by the whole process of developing, maintaining, and improving UMC, which gives an interesting touch and longevity to the game.
This is why I'd like to stick around here (and in other channels: IRC, MP server) for some time. In order to understand the nuts and bolts of Wesnoth (from the side of gaming experience and of development effort) I would try to engage with the community practices and 'daily life'. i.e. An ethnographic approach to the research.
As a player, I'm still a newbie, but as soon as I get a better grasp of the strategy and units' characteristics, I'll also hang around the MP server for some matches.
Ok, so long for my boring introduction
Cheers!
BfWEthnographer
Just a due clarification: my research will not involve the gathering, moreover, nor the publishing of any sensitive/private data.
If anyone is interested in knowing more about the kind of work I intend to do, feel free to ask (via PM, in this discussion or by other means). Moreover, my signature links to the website/blog, I use to narrate the development of the research, it also includes more details about methodology (which could answer to privacy concerns). You are free to comment and/or contact me there as well. (The blog is rather empty since I just begun the research)
P.S. English is not my mother tongue, so apologies for any unclear statement
Current research on sustainability of commons (also involving BfW) - ISSP
Old (unmaintained) website used for my PhD research on BfW
Avatar by: PhD Comics
Old (unmaintained) website used for my PhD research on BfW
Avatar by: PhD Comics
- Ken_Oh
- Moderator Emeritus
- Posts: 2178
- Joined: February 6th, 2006, 4:03 am
- Location: Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Re: Introducing myself
Interesting. I also did an ethnography while an undergrad and almost did it on the subject of an online gaming community, but was scared that it would be too difficult.
As far as your subject goes, I'd like to point out that there is more than one type of "user" for Wesnoth. Some of us play the game, some of us use it mainly as a means to develop our own games (most of which end up on the add-ons server, however, there have been more than one project which has specifically stated that it has no plans to distribute content for general use, but will keep the content to themselves since said content infringes on copyright law) and some of us have a balance of both sides.
Anyway, good luck!
As far as your subject goes, I'd like to point out that there is more than one type of "user" for Wesnoth. Some of us play the game, some of us use it mainly as a means to develop our own games (most of which end up on the add-ons server, however, there have been more than one project which has specifically stated that it has no plans to distribute content for general use, but will keep the content to themselves since said content infringes on copyright law) and some of us have a balance of both sides.
Anyway, good luck!
- BfWEthnographer
- Posts: 33
- Joined: November 8th, 2010, 12:39 pm
- Location: Denmark
- Contact:
Re: Introducing myself
what did you turn to, then? Was it difficult?Ken_Oh wrote:Interesting. I also did an ethnography while an undergrad and almost did it on the subject of an online gaming community, but was scared that it would be too difficult.
yes, exactly. It is this kind of heterogeneity of 'usage scenario' and how these connect to the development of the core (so to speak), that I'm interested in.As far as your subject goes, I'd like to point out that there is more than one type of "user" for Wesnoth. Some of us play the game, some of us use it mainly as a means to develop our own games (most of which end up on the add-ons server, however, there have been more than one project which has specifically stated that it has no plans to distribute content for general use, but will keep the content to themselves since said content infringes on copyright law) and some of us have a balance of both sides.
Thank you!Anyway, good luck!
Current research on sustainability of commons (also involving BfW) - ISSP
Old (unmaintained) website used for my PhD research on BfW
Avatar by: PhD Comics
Old (unmaintained) website used for my PhD research on BfW
Avatar by: PhD Comics
- Ken_Oh
- Moderator Emeritus
- Posts: 2178
- Joined: February 6th, 2006, 4:03 am
- Location: Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Re: Introducing myself
I ended up doing the ethnography on the nerd club (fantasy, anime, gaming, sci-fi) on my college's campus. It wasn't very difficult as I ended up hanging out with them a lot later. I definitely took the easy way out. I kind of regret it if just for that. Again, lots of luck with this project.
- Crushmaster
- Posts: 383
- Joined: August 9th, 2008, 3:38 pm
- Location: United States
- Contact:
Re: Introducing myself
Welcome to the forums!
In Christ,
Crushmaster.
In Christ,
Crushmaster.
Re: Introducing myself
May I add those who used to play Wesnoth a lot, but now have time only to browse forums or play Isar's Cross from time to timeKen_Oh wrote:
As far as your subject goes, I'd like to point out that there is more than one type of "user" for Wesnoth. Some of us play the game, some of us use it mainly as a means to develop our own games (most of which end up on the add-ons server, however, there have been more than one project which has specifically stated that it has no plans to distribute content for general use, but will keep the content to themselves since said content infringes on copyright law) and some of us have a balance of both sides.
Oh, I'm sorry, did I break your concentration?
Re: Introducing myself
And some of us browse the forums, play a bit, and help other people with their add-ons. It's a diverse community here.Dunno wrote:May I add those who used to play Wesnoth a lot, but now have time only to browse forums or play Isar's Cross from time to timeKen_Oh wrote:
As far as your subject goes, I'd like to point out that there is more than one type of "user" for Wesnoth. Some of us play the game, some of us use it mainly as a means to develop our own games (most of which end up on the add-ons server, however, there have been more than one project which has specifically stated that it has no plans to distribute content for general use, but will keep the content to themselves since said content infringes on copyright law) and some of us have a balance of both sides.
I'm not really around any more, but you can find me in TvTropes.
Re: Introducing myself
I decided some time ago to have a "Wesbreak" until I finish my diploma thesis, and uninstalled Wesnoth then, but I still regularly come to the forum and comment on diverse threads
Re: Introducing myself
YAY! I'm just here because a friend of mine recomended it! ^^
"It's good for your soul." "I wish I had a piece of cake..." I feel like taking a nap..." "I can sell you that." and "That's epic" are 95% of what I say. Now, I'm going to make some tots and play Pac-Man Marie-out
- TheDreamer
- Posts: 48
- Joined: November 26th, 2010, 3:20 pm
- Location: Land of Illusions
Re: Introducing myself
Welcome here, hope you have a good time. ^^
(Evvai, manco arrivo e trovo un italiano xD)
(Evvai, manco arrivo e trovo un italiano xD)
The Dreamer (a.k.a. KK Slider, KKSlider60)
Author of "Minimalist Era" and "Royal Stickmen" (WIP).
http://kkslider60.newgrounds.com/ - My free audio portal in Newgrounds.com - Free album "Back to Basics" out! :D
Author of "Minimalist Era" and "Royal Stickmen" (WIP).
http://kkslider60.newgrounds.com/ - My free audio portal in Newgrounds.com - Free album "Back to Basics" out! :D
- BfWEthnographer
- Posts: 33
- Joined: November 8th, 2010, 12:39 pm
- Location: Denmark
- Contact:
Re-Introducing myself - New research on BfW
Hi everyone!!
it has been long time since my last interactions here with Wesnoth and Wesnoth community (although I admit, I have continued playing and stumbling upon some forum discussions, occasionally).
Very glad seeing the game continuing to improve and the community thriving!
I update this thread just to say that I am back to do some research on BfW.
This time I'll be focusing more on the long-term sustainability of a digital and collaborative commons, and I believe Wesnoth fits perfectly as one of the cases studies I'll be conducting.
So I will be spending more time reading and participating in the forum discussions, as wll as interviewing some of the community members.
If you want to read more on the research, you can read the blog page on the first link in signature, or feel free to ask in this discussion or via PM.
Cheers!
The same clarification done for my first research also applies here: my research will not involve the gathering, moreover, nor the publishing of any sensitive/private data.
Anonymity of participants will be preserved
it has been long time since my last interactions here with Wesnoth and Wesnoth community (although I admit, I have continued playing and stumbling upon some forum discussions, occasionally).
Very glad seeing the game continuing to improve and the community thriving!
I update this thread just to say that I am back to do some research on BfW.
This time I'll be focusing more on the long-term sustainability of a digital and collaborative commons, and I believe Wesnoth fits perfectly as one of the cases studies I'll be conducting.
So I will be spending more time reading and participating in the forum discussions, as wll as interviewing some of the community members.
If you want to read more on the research, you can read the blog page on the first link in signature, or feel free to ask in this discussion or via PM.
Cheers!
The same clarification done for my first research also applies here: my research will not involve the gathering, moreover, nor the publishing of any sensitive/private data.
Anonymity of participants will be preserved
Current research on sustainability of commons (also involving BfW) - ISSP
Old (unmaintained) website used for my PhD research on BfW
Avatar by: PhD Comics
Old (unmaintained) website used for my PhD research on BfW
Avatar by: PhD Comics
- Pentarctagon
- Project Manager
- Posts: 5564
- Joined: March 22nd, 2009, 10:50 pm
- Location: Earth (occasionally)
Re: Introducing myself
Neat. Welcome back
99 little bugs in the code, 99 little bugs
take one down, patch it around
-2,147,483,648 little bugs in the code
take one down, patch it around
-2,147,483,648 little bugs in the code
- BfWEthnographer
- Posts: 33
- Joined: November 8th, 2010, 12:39 pm
- Location: Denmark
- Contact:
Re: Introducing myself
Thank you!
Current research on sustainability of commons (also involving BfW) - ISSP
Old (unmaintained) website used for my PhD research on BfW
Avatar by: PhD Comics
Old (unmaintained) website used for my PhD research on BfW
Avatar by: PhD Comics