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Hey guys, Solid here.
I'm not really well known by any means in the Starcraft community, I'm not a great player or anything like that. But I really would love more than anything to contribute to this fantastic community. The only real issues are that I don't have as much time as I'd like (I'm in high school, I'm pretty busy a lot of the time) and to be honest I don't really know how to help. I feel like I'm simply taking from the vast offerings of Teamliquid by watching streams and tournaments, and while they are there for the community, I'd love to be able to give back.
So I ask you, people of Teamliquid: do you have anything you'd like to have done? Anything you need help with? Pretty much whatever it is, I'll be willing to help you out. Don't hesitate to ask me if you'd like help on a project, I'd love to help do something for this community after all it has provided for me and others on this site.
Cheers!
 
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United States889 Posts
The trick is to start contributing first, then have the TL staff ask you to help. If you're a good writer, start writing. If you're not a good writer, work really hard. If you're good with graphics, or coding, etc. start doing it and if you do it well enough they'll notice.
As far as being good relates to contributing, all I'll say is that I never broke D+ on ICCUP and I wrote for 2 seasons and 3 TLFEs. Just do your best to understand the game academically if you can't play it very well.
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On January 19 2011 09:53 Arrian wrote:
The trick is to start contributing first, then have the TL staff ask you to help. If you're a good writer, start writing. If you're not a good writer, work really hard. If you're good with graphics, or coding, etc. start doing it and if you do it well enough they'll notice.
As far as being good relates to contributing, all I'll say is that I never broke D+ on ICCUP and I wrote for 2 seasons and 3 TLFEs. Just do your best to understand the game academically if you can't play it very well.
I definitely appreciate the advice. I haven't really delved into everything that this forum has to offer, but is there a dedicated writing forum? I really enjoy it and I don't think I'm too bad at it, it's certainly something that I think I can help out with.
How exactly did you get into writing?
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if you write on some topic like an sc2 tourney, put it in the sc2 tourney forum.
if you write something personal, write in blogs
and so on.  there's writing just about everywhere, because - well - its a forum
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United States889 Posts
What MisterD said. You write and put it where it belongs for people to read it.
I basically just wanted to contribute like you and I had some ideas. I looked at progaming, the game itself, competitions, that sort of stuff. The key is to have something interesting to write about, to investigate it thoroughly, and write about it cogently. If you do that, you're going to do great.
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Just send Manifesto7 a PM and he'll make you a mod then you can start banning people.
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United States17042 Posts
You can edit liquipedia as well, and become a huge contributor. The people who started the fantasy/liquibet stuff basically just put it together through a forum thread, and then eveuentially used the staff help to tie it into tlpd and code it.
Pick an interest, and run with it. You don't need to great at starcraft to become staff; if you want to see how other staff members started, most famously see plexa and ver both in blogs and tfle's if you want to write.
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United States17042 Posts
On January 19 2011 10:20 Lexpar wrote:
Just send Manifesto7 a PM and he'll make you a mod then you can start banning people.
I...doubt it. There are many good things that you can say about the moderators, and many bad things, but one thing that I think that everyone would agree on is that they're a trusted, valuable member of the community; most of us have also contributed to multiple project, and spent hundreds, if not thousands of hours posting, writing and working before we became moderators
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On January 19 2011 10:23 GHOSTCLAW wrote:Show nested quote +On January 19 2011 10:20 Lexpar wrote:
Just send Manifesto7 a PM and he'll make you a mod then you can start banning people. I...doubt it. There are many good things that you can say about the moderators, and many bad things, but one thing that I think that everyone would agree on is that they're a trusted, valuable member of the community; most of us have also contributed to multiple project, and spent hundreds, if not thousands of hours posting, writing and working before we became moderators
Did you actually not realize that was a joke?
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United States7488 Posts
Think of something you'd like to see on Team Liquid that isn't here already (or here in a different form). Find out how to do that thing and bring it to the forums. If it's something you want to watch/read/do/whatever, it's likely others want it to and by putting in the effort and bringing whatever that thing is here, you are contributing to the community and will get noticed.
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United States17042 Posts
On January 19 2011 10:25 Lefnui wrote:Show nested quote +On January 19 2011 10:23 GHOSTCLAW wrote:On January 19 2011 10:20 Lexpar wrote:
Just send Manifesto7 a PM and he'll make you a mod then you can start banning people. I...doubt it. There are many good things that you can say about the moderators, and many bad things, but one thing that I think that everyone would agree on is that they're a trusted, valuable member of the community; most of us have also contributed to multiple project, and spent hundreds, if not thousands of hours posting, writing and working before we became moderators Did you actually not realize that was a joke?
lol sorry 
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Write a how to get girl blog. We need more of those.
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First off imo is that you shouldn't be asking to contribute to help. Just do it. It will get noticed if you do it right.
I try to help everyone who asks me for help. Like when I was in the bronze channel in EU server I played a practice match so others could see live action with commentary from someone else where to focus on the mechanics.
Just help people. It doesn't need to be for TL related or anything.
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I'm not asking for permission to help or anything. I was asking if anyone wanted help doing something like a project, etc. I try to help people as much as I can, seems like you didn't really read the OP =/
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On January 19 2011 09:48 S.O.L.I.D. wrote:
Hey guys, Solid here.
I'm not really well known by any means in the Starcraft community, I'm not a great player or anything like that. But I really would love more than anything to contribute to this fantastic community. The only real issues are that I don't have as much time as I'd like (I'm in high school, I'm pretty busy a lot of the time) and to be honest I don't really know how to help. I feel like I'm simply taking from the vast offerings of Teamliquid by watching streams and tournaments, and while they are there for the community, I'd love to be able to give back.
So I ask you, people of Teamliquid: do you have anything you'd like to have done? Anything you need help with? Pretty much whatever it is, I'll be willing to help you out. Don't hesitate to ask me if you'd like help on a project, I'd love to help do something for this community after all it has provided for me and others on this site.
Cheers!
On January 19 2011 22:14 S.O.L.I.D. wrote:
I'm not asking for permission to help or anything. I was asking if anyone wanted help doing something like a project, etc. I try to help people as much as I can, seems like you didn't really read the OP =/
Maybe my English skills is just bad but your OP implies you want to help TL in any way you can and ask if TL has anything they'd like you (the OP) to do and I am saying you should just volunteer to everything and see where it leads you and you are basically saying the same thing again in your reply which I bolded in the quote which my reply was responding to. So correct me if I'm reading it wrong.
It's a good gesture of course which I am not arguing with but rather my point is in my previous post is: "Just do something". Others have mentioned it too. Just apply if you think you can help Liquipedia or writing stuff etc. Ofcourse if someone needs specific help it's good and better. Just look around and volunteer which I am doing as well (not on TL but ingame).
A mod can ask you to help with sc2 strategy section but you might not like to do this as it may demotivate you if you dislike the sc2 strategy forums.
In summary: Just take the initiative yourself. Doesn't matter what. See what motivates you and what you think is enjoyable to do. It isn't a good thing when you do something you can't and don't like to do.
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I am in a similar situation as this guy. I have some talent in descriptive writing (I think), etc. But don't know what there is to do. They suggest Liquidpedia but I go there and can't exactly get a feel on where to start to contribute, etc.
For now it's just throwing my two cents at every topic I feel I can contribute and redirecting people who may have posted in the wrong forums.
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On January 19 2011 23:49 Torte de Lini wrote:
I am in a similar situation as this guy. I have some talent in descriptive writing (I think), etc. But don't know what there is to do. They suggest Liquidpedia but I go there and can't exactly get a feel on where to start to contribute, etc.
For now it's just throwing my two cents at every topic I feel I can contribute and redirecting people who may have posted in the wrong forums.
This is the main reason why I said just do something which can motivate you to contributing more. Obviously if you don't know what's good for you the chances of someone else be able to tell you is even slighter but they can point you to a good direction though.
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On January 19 2011 23:55 shannn wrote:Show nested quote +On January 19 2011 23:49 Torte de Lini wrote:
I am in a similar situation as this guy. I have some talent in descriptive writing (I think), etc. But don't know what there is to do. They suggest Liquidpedia but I go there and can't exactly get a feel on where to start to contribute, etc.
For now it's just throwing my two cents at every topic I feel I can contribute and redirecting people who may have posted in the wrong forums. This is the main reason why I said just do something which can motivate you to contributing more. Obviously if you don't know what's good for you the chances of someone else be able to tell you is even slighter but they can point you to a good direction though.
That doesn't help.
Let me paint you a different scenario:
- OH MAN, I WANT TO SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT!
-- Then go do it.
- You're right! But... where do I start?
-- Start by taking down those corporations that deforest our great amazon or those companies that shit XYZ chemicals into our air.
- Yeah, I would love to produce some policy-making ideas and present them to our state legislators, etc. But... where would I start? Who can I talk to with similar ideas or interests and have the required skills
-- Just go do it.
You can keep shoving people who want to help in certain directions, but they can't truly do what they feel would be the most use out of their abilities if no one really leads them on somewhere.
Now, let's get back to what I said:
- Oh, the liquidpedia needs more contributors I would love to give that a shot
-- Go do it then!
- Where would I start? What needs to get done? What are some aspects of the Liquidpedia that are in deep and dire need? How can I presume what article is done over another?
-- Just go do it.
I recently wanted to try livecasting and seeing how I would fare in it. I asked where I could start and people were more specific in their suggestions than what you're giving me. I'll link you: http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=182906
Big difference.
As far as I know, people want to help purely to help, not to get noticed. Telling them to wander aimlessly with helpful ideas, suggestions and aspects of the community doesn't really make them feel accomplished or contributory to the community as a whole. The validation of a mod or staff member of course dictates otherwise, but some just want to help, not be validated by another. Perhaps I'm just looking for answers or routes instead of realizing that helping is simply not being detrimental to the quality of the community as a whole. I'll also have a better read on everyone's posts (that tournament-writing sounds interesting!)
That's my understanding. I have a few ideas nonetheless, thanks :3
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On January 20 2011 00:00 Torte de Lini wrote:Show nested quote +On January 19 2011 23:55 shannn wrote:On January 19 2011 23:49 Torte de Lini wrote:
I am in a similar situation as this guy. I have some talent in descriptive writing (I think), etc. But don't know what there is to do. They suggest Liquidpedia but I go there and can't exactly get a feel on where to start to contribute, etc.
For now it's just throwing my two cents at every topic I feel I can contribute and redirecting people who may have posted in the wrong forums. This is the main reason why I said just do something which can motivate you to contributing more. Obviously if you don't know what's good for you the chances of someone else be able to tell you is even slighter but they can point you to a good direction though. That doesn't help. Let me paint you a different scenario: - OH MAN, I WANT TO SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT! -- Then go do it. - You're right! But... where do I start? -- Start by taking down those corporations that deforest our great amazon or those companies that shit XYZ chemicals into our air. - Yeah, I would love to produce some policy-making ideas and present them to our state legislators, etc. But... where would I start? Who can I talk to with similar ideas or interests and have the required skills -- Just go do it. You can keep shoving people who want to help in certain directions, but they can't truly do what they feel would be the most use out of their abilities if no one really leads them on somewhere.
Exactly my point too in my previous comments. You want to help and others (or in this case mods) ask you to write on Liquipedia but if you don't know where or don't feel like to help on Liquipedia then what's the point in asking in the first place on where to help or on what.
That's also what I gather from reading the above comments before my 1st one in this blog.
In the end it's all up to the person himself rather than asking others. Because the person himself (in this case the OP) needs to like doing it first. It'll be pointless for him to do something he can't or doesn't like to do. If he likes something like writing stories but doesn't know where to start then just do it by writing a story. A mod shouldn't be telling the OP what kind of story.
Same case with you. You like to do Liquipedia then just write something useful on Liquipedia. Your question was what should I write and where? My response is just write something contributing to Liquipedia or anything else to TL. As long as it's contributing to the section it is in then does it matter what it is you did?
My own contribution to this is that you should enjoy or be motivated in this part as in you like to contribute by writing a story or just directing people in threads where to post etc.
It seems my point is still not being understood completely by you and the OP. My apologies if I'm not explaining it well because I don't know how to explain it better yet.
Edit:
Since you've edited your post.
With the case of livestreaming this is much more specific. You want to contribute by streaming to the community. The OP's case is he doesn't know where to contribute in the first place. This is the difference in why the answers all above are general directions and not specific like write an article about the gsl finals or write an extended strategy of a FE for Protoss in the Liquipedia.
Hopefully my point is more clear to you now As I'm not trying to demotivate you or the OP in contributing at all even if it may seem like it 
Edit2:
On January 19 2011 10:40 semioldguy wrote:
Think of something you'd like to see on Team Liquid that isn't here already (or here in a different form). Find out how to do that thing and bring it to the forums. If it's something you want to watch/read/do/whatever, it's likely others want it to and by putting in the effort and bringing whatever that thing is here, you are contributing to the community and will get noticed.
This post is probably the closest to how I think about contributing to the community.
Others can't think for you what you should be doing. Instead if you find something you like to see and it hasn't or you think you can do it a better job then start here. This post implies to think / find out what you like to see (motivation to start doing it) and then it will get noticed.
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Yeah, I just don't get it. I think it's mostly on my side than yours.
I get the idea that the best way to help or contribute is to start by finding something you like (let's take writing for example). 1
Then find places where writing would be contributory (Liquipedia, Tournament Section, Blogs). 2
Then just write. 3
It's #3 that really is just like: "Uh... okay. Write... what about?" and your reply runs along the lines of: "Then just write something useful on Liquipedia." "If he likes something like writing stories but doesn't know where to start then just do it by writing a story." "My response is just write something contributing to Liquipedia or anything else to TL. "
Do you see how it's not matching up?
Let's do an analogy: I have a deck of cards of things I like to do: Writing, Math, Programming, etc.
Then there are 4 suits or categories in those cards [like Hearts, Clovers, Diamonds and Spades]: Liquipedia, Map-Making, Mods, Live-Casting.
Now: I have all these cards with my likes, dislikes, my qualities and my defaults and I want to place them in those categories.
How would I do that? How would I place them in those categories?
Edit: don't worry. no offense is taken. If you're taking the time to clarify, I doubt you'd be doing it with a negative intent ;P
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On January 20 2011 00:21 Torte de Lini wrote:
Yeah, I just don't get it. I think it's mostly on my side than yours.
I get the idea that the best way to help or contribute is to start by finding something you like (let's take writing for example). 1
Then find places where writing would be contributory (Liquipedia, Tournament Section, Blogs). 2
Then just write. 3
It's #3 that really is just like: "Uh... okay. Write... what about?" and your reply runs along the lines of: "Then just write something useful on Liquipedia." "If he likes something like writing stories but doesn't know where to start then just do it by writing a story." "My response is just write something contributing to Liquipedia or anything else to TL. "
Do you see how it's not matching up?
Let's do an analogy: I have a deck of cards of things I like to do: Writing, Math, Programming, etc.
Then there are 4 suits or categories in those cards [like Hearts, Clovers, Diamonds and Spades]: Liquipedia, Map-Making, Mods, Live-Casting.
Now: I have all these cards with my likes, dislikes, my qualities and my defaults and I want to place them in those categories.
How would I do that? How would I place them in those categories?
Edit: don't worry. no offense is taken. If you're taking the time to clarify, I doubt you'd be doing it with a negative intent ;P
I tried to say that the best way to contribute in a long term way for TL is in my opinion if you do it with something you like and have quality in. However if you're poor at something you like you can improve so start with something you like to do.
In the case of OP the question was more like I don't know what I like and don't know where the quality is but I want to help.
So In your case the order would be Like - quality - defaults - dislikes. As your liking can improve by doing it a lot just like you can improve in sc by practising more games while quality may not always be something you like.
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On January 19 2011 10:23 GHOSTCLAW wrote:Show nested quote +On January 19 2011 10:20 Lexpar wrote:
Just send Manifesto7 a PM and he'll make you a mod then you can start banning people. I...doubt it. There are many good things that you can say about the moderators, and many bad things, but one thing that I think that everyone would agree on is that they're a trusted, valuable member of the community; most of us have also contributed to multiple project, and spent hundreds, if not thousands of hours posting, writing and working before we became moderators
I can think of a number of banlings I don't think should be moderators. It's an old boys club, which I suppose means they're trusted by the old boys, but there's definitely a lot of them who've never contributed anything positive to this site before, and who make bad calls now. TL had to lower its standards for moderators a lot when they realised they had a deal with a whole new, much larger userbase. Even before that, when all my favourite mods/staff started getting too busy in their real lives, they had to quickly find replacements, half of which turned out to be not very nice people, just kind of friends with the old staff. This isn't being nostalgic about the quality of the forums exactly, but just how personable and inviting I see the staff as.
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This blog really isn't about the staff, I'd prefer we didn't bring that up considering it isn't relevant 
Anyway, shannn, I see what you're saying I suppose, but it basically puts me back where I started. I think I'm going to go ahead and take semioldguy's advice and look around the forums for a while and try to find something that I think is missing from the community or the forums. Thanks a lot for all of the advice, I appreciate it!
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EPT
