| Being A JAK+ | |
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FaDed - Student  |
alrite, with all the discussion about ranks i feel it necessary to explain to the student body what it's really like being a part of the JAK+. this is solely my own point of view and in no way should this statement be used as an official definition of the JAK+ i'll begin with telling you what it's like to go through the process of becoming a JAK. it begins with the very instant that you join the academy and start playing on the game servers or chatting on IRC. you're watched and evaluated, some more than others, depending on how attentive the current JAK+ are and how much you impress them with your attitude. months go by, the typical amount being 5-6. if around that time the academy is in need of more knights, the current JAT+ will begin to toggle (make eligible for knight) a prescribed amount of students using the Knight Recommendation threads located in the Academy Discussion and the private JAK/JAT forums. if toggled, you are allowed to take a written exam. if you pass that and then are nominated by 3 JATs, you are allowed to take the server trial. if you pass that, you are promoted, given the title of Jedi Knight, and are entrusted with the responsibilities that go along with the rank. now that you're a JAK, let's take a look at how you spend your time at the JA. almost everyday you will read up on the forums which now includes the private knight forum. in there you will discuss matters with the other JAK+. you may choose to spend some time mingling with the students on the servers or chatting on IRC as you have always done. only now you have to be on your best behavior at all times because you are now the example, the one that others look up to. you'll also have to be on the lookout for lamers and other rule breakers and have to deal with them accordingly. you'll get countless requests from people asking you to help them, train them, take them as padawans, or they may say nothing and just follow you around. you may choose to take padawans and so then you'll have to take the time to train them, either in a regularly scheduled padawan session or other informal training sessions. also, as a knight, you may have the opportunity to teach and assist classes. lastly, you'll be asked to help out with the other knight trials. eventually you might want to become a trainer, a jedi instructor. you've been teaching your classes and assisting others. you've been doing everything that every JAK should do. so when there is a demand for some new JATs, the current JAT+ will go through a process of recommending who they think will make the best trainers. after the JAT+ have selected whom they want, the knights chosen must go through a series of JAT trials. if passed, the JAK will be promoted, given the title of Jedi Instructor and are then entrusted with all the responsibilities that go along with the rank. as a Jedi Instructor, you do everything that you did as knight, only now more is required of you. you have another forum to keep updated on, the private trainers forum. you now have new admin commands including the student favorite, spawning. so along with the other requests you'll get pleas for you to spawn. you can now create and schedule your own classes (before you had to ask another JAT+ to do it for you.) not only can you create them, but it is required that you teach one class weekly. otherwise, you will return to your rank as a JAK. you do your duties as a JAT and you've been around for a long time. as a gift of gratitude, a sort of thank you for your service, you may be given the title of Jedi Master. that is where the road usually ends for most, but let's say that you are promoted and you join the council. there is no special trial, no official procedure. you are simply given access to everything within the academy and asked to fulfill your responsibilities as a JAC. while on the council you have many new duties to perform, all to make sure that the academy runs properly. depending on what your role is on the council, what you do may differe slightly from the others. but there are some things that all the council members share in doing. student applications, coordinating and discussing with the other JAK+, reading the forums and keeping the content clean and respectful, and administrating to the student body. basically the role of a JAC is mostly administrative. you may, if you wish, teach classes or do anything that the other JAK+ do. you are looked up by all and what you say is law. aside from, but still a part of the JAK+ are the JAStaff. as a staff member you are responsible for one specific area of the academy, i.e. IRC or modding. you are given access to many things that will allow you to fulfill your function. although you are not always directly involved in the enforcing of rules, implementing new ideas, or the aquisition of new knights, you discuss and give input on many of the same things as the rest of the JAK+. on top of everything you do as a JAK+, you still have a real life. you are not paid to be involved in the things that go on here, you freely volunteer your time. and it's a lot of time. being a JAK+ is not for everyone, but if you truly have a desire to serve others, if you feel it is important to give back to the academy, then by all means pursue the goal. it is not my goal to scare people away from wanting to be a JAK+, but i want people to understand the huge time and often emotional committment of being a JAK+. This post was edited by Virtue on Oct 31 2005 04:17am. |
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| Comments |
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3th - Retired 
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see? these guys are on top of sh*t around here!  _______________ this is the internet, be serious damn it! |
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Flash - Student 
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Yes, something like that is in the works. |
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3th - Retired
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if i'm not mistaken Halendor, i think there's something like you descriped currently in process. but you'd have to ask a JAT or JAK for sure. unless what i saw from Aphex was written down for no reason.  _______________ this is the internet, be serious damn it! |
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Halendor - Ex-Student 
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Well, since the teacher won't be explaining alot in the actual class, the students will have to read the notes; e.g. if the teacher described the special CinderellaBarbieSwing in his notes, he isn't going to do that again, but instead say something like: O.K., go ahead and practice the CinderellaBarbieSwing For students: More doing, less listening. For teachers: More teaching, less typing. |
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Bail Hope of Belouve - Student 
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yes! I like that idea, but I doubt many of the students, save the devoted once will actually start reading that... but I know I will... _______________ Visit the Belouve Family Website! Quote: I try to have fun with my friends and try to make a difference as best I can. What does making a difference mean? Well, it can be as simple as saying hello, answering a question that seems obvious or heck, just talking. -- Vladarion
Want to know Vladarion? Read the Article about his life here. |
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Halendor - Ex-Student
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Quote: never stop thinking about how to improve the academy. but instead of thinking about ranks, think of ways to improve classes, promote student to student instruction, or come up with new fun activities. those are the kinds of things we are the most open to. thanks. Well, as you know during classes the teachers have do to alot of chatting, explaining the moves and such. Often his monologue is interrupted by someone saying "LOLOLOLOL!!!" or something, at which point the teacher has to warn the student, lose his concentration and has to start all over again. I was thinking this problem could be avoided by introducing 'Class Literature'. A few days before the class takes place, the teacher writes the basic things what he would normally say in-game down and students can actively prepare for class, by reading the notes. Hopefully, the introduction of Class Literature will save time during the actual class, which allows teachers to do more exercises with the students. It will also make the teacher put more thought into the classes, and the students are more involved and can actively prepare. |
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Wolfwood - Student 
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Besides you dont need to have a rank to share your Knowledge with the people here. A lot of students help eachother out on the servers. Being a very skilled player is not all that matters when it comes to having ranks. I think its even safe to say that Attitude and behavior is more important then being very skilled _______________ ~ Honor is a fool's prize. Glory is of no use to the dead ~ This comment was edited by Wolfwood on Apr 15 2004 08:22am. |
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FaDed - Student 
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your rank/position in the academy isn't based on what part of the game you play. it really doesn't have much to do with it. you are given a position based on your attitude and your ability to help make the academy run. whether that is being an administrator, instructor, or knight. each has a job and that job is seperate from their interests in the game. |
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HooDWinkeR - Ex-Student 
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Well I've got some new ideas, FaDed, [;. I'll start out with a flashback. Years ago, when myself and a few others were avid players of the game Dark Forces II: Jedi Knight, we formed a clan called The Jedi Academy (which was later changed to The Jedi Empire, as we experienced problems registering "The Jedi Academy" at http://www.zone.com/jkdarkforces2/, the main place to play JK1 back then). Basically, the function of our clan was much the same as the function of this Jedi Academy, albeit on a much smaller scale. We had started out as mainly a Sabre only clan (I realize that The Jedi Academy is not a "clan", and for all intents and purposes, neither was The Jedi Empire, but for lack of a better word, I'll use "clan"  and we would take on one Padawan Learner at a time and train them until we decided they had the attitude as well as the skill to become a Jedi Knight and take on a Padawan of their own (a little information tid-bit, I believe the JA Auruchs [SP?] had a TFFA match against The Jedi Order, which, at one point in time during the JK1 era, The Jedi Order had merged with The Jedi Empire [I believe a few of the original Jedi Empire members are currently playing JK3 with The Jedi Order]). This seems to be a scaled-down version of what is currently happening here at The Jedi Academy. Excuse me if that assumption is incorrect, I've only recently been intorduced to this community (it's a bit different since there's a lot more people involved, so you function a lot more like in the movies, I suppose, with the large classes and such).Anyways, as The Jedi Empire had matured through a few years of JK1, a few of us (particularly myself, ;]) began branching out into games with all weapons, and not just the Sabre. A few of us became extremely adept at using weapons, so we decided to branch The Jedi Empire to include training in gametypes that included all the weapons, not just the Sabre. For this, we created additional ranks to go along with those members and trainers of ours that were more interested in learning guns gameplay as opposed to Sabre gameplay. The rank of Jedi Lord we reserved for those adept in both areas of gameplay (the ranking system we originally used was much the same as can be derived from the movies, but we later took the ranks directly from the game Dark Forces II: Jedi Knight, where Jedi Lord was the highest obtainable rank). For the Sabre side of The Jedi Empire, we reserved ranks traditionally used to describe sabre-wielding Jedi (student, padawan learner, apprentice, jedi knight, etc...), and for the guns side, we incorporated a few additional ranks from the game (I believe we started with apprentice, then moved to Journeyman for those that focused on the guns gameplay). Anyways, to get this long-winded post to a point, I think it's safe to say that The Jedi Academy is going through a change where some experienced gunners are coming here willing to share with you their knowledge of that particular field, and I think it can be a positive and rewarding thing to possibly create some new ranks for players with a greater inkling towards learning the gunning aspect of JK3 rather than the Sabre one. I dunno, just my thoughts, [:. This comment was edited by HooDWinkeR on Apr 14 2004 08:52pm. |
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FaDed - Student
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never stop thinking about how to improve the academy. but instead of thinking about ranks, think of ways to improve classes, promote student to student instruction, or come up with new fun activities. those are the kinds of things we are the most open to. thanks. |
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Majno - Padawan 
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Thanks for the comment Kueller. Yeah so I heard Faded, Just thought I could stir things up by making my Idea public. I totally didnt think this thing would be picked up. it was just cool ading an Idea. Take care all see you out there. MtFbWy  _______________ " You've just taken your first steps into a larger world. " - Ben. |
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Kueller - Student 
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Majno, it is my experience from the past that the more ranks there are the harder it becomes to just all be happy and be non-competitive. The less ranks, the better is my personal experience. And I think the minimum of ranks is achieved here, it is all well-balanced and works like a cow So no need to change things and maybe make it unstable. Thanks for your input though New plans are always good to hear, they cause thought on subjects. _______________ Personal sleepness-nights-supporter of Virtue. Owner of the 1000th comment of Daidalus and 1943th comment of Gradius! Owner of the 300th comment of Carda! -Taught Gradius all his laming skills
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FaDed - Student 
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JAKs have no obligation to teach, but may do so if they want to pursue that. we're not going to add anymore ranks. |
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Majno - Padawan 
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Greetings. I humbly ask the counsil to maybe consider a new rank in the Academy:JASe=Jedi Academy Sentinel or JAG=Jedi Academy Guardian. The reason why I ask this is because, well a Sentinel/Guardian could do the Policethings on the server without Beeing asked to teach. But still a person who you could ask questions and Practice with Maybe this wasnt a good idea, maybe it just sounded good in my head anyway food for thought. Take care. *Bows* MtFbWy PS. Maybe it has been my hunt for the JAK-tag that has led to this idea,but I dont seek it anymore and this thought remains so maybe its a good one. PPS.Feel free to share your thoughts with me on this. PPPS.Maybe I just been playing KotOR to much....lol. PPPPS.True you have the Counsil,Knights Instructors and Staff to do this, so maybe this whole thing should be ignored. Still it would be cool to have a middle-rank that you can achive if you arnt intereted in teaching. _______________ " You've just taken your first steps into a larger world. " - Ben. |
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D@RtHM@UL - Student 
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Quote: i would like to be part of this ps. im the leader of a brand new team: The -X- Jedi Team Nice meeting you all Sorry, but this is an explanation of what being a JAK+ is all about, not an invitation or try out |
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-= Strider <-X-> =- - Ex-Student |
i would like to be part of this ps. im the leader of a brand new team: The -X- Jedi Team Nice meeting you all _______________ -= Strider <-X-> =- |
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D@RtHM@UL - Student
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Good idea Ruuk All these permanent threads make me tired, way to much to scroll This comment was edited by D@RtHM@UL on Mar 15 2004 02:46pm. |
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Ruuk Haviser - Retired 
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This should be in the Holocron! (Oh for the love of God, Ruuk, give it a rest...) -rh _______________ Back from the dead... |
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Flash - Student 
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Very good work on enlightening everyone, FaDed. |
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Dan - Student |
yeah i agree with erm... everyone i suppose you did an alright job on this. nah j/k great work -Aiden p.s your pic scares me |
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Roan Belouve - Retired 
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I think ppl are often attracted to the tag rather than the Job. But this is well put and the additional comments are useful too. /bows to all JAK+ keep up the good work _______________ *Bro to Vaxxla,Padawan of FiZZandOdan-Wei Part of the mighty Belouve Dynasty-Knight of Nippledom.Twin of Selphestal!**Proud Master to Kaelis and Acura Friend to anyone who would call me the same . Pic by the amazing Majno (merry)
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DarthRane(JAS) - Ex-Student 
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Hmmm.... the life...By FaDeD it sounds conspicious _______________ Why Don't You tell me who i am [Jedi Academy Student] [Member of the Old Jedi Order] [Married to the lovely Nae-Qwin-U] |
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Achilles - Student 
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Very nice FaDed! _______________ Padawan to the great Katan JA Brother to D@RTHM@ULR.I.P. Vladarion, may he find peace in the afterlife. |
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SilkMonkey - Distributor of Cold Ones 
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Just to add to FaDed's original comment: Meetings: We actually do have these semi-regularly. Every member of staff is invited to come and listen to people talk about their views, and after 20-30 minutes of waiting, you may be permitted to talk. And these are almost always held saturdays or sundays; so if you like having weekend free time, avoid promotion. (Yes I know it sucks, but I really DO hate meetings. I understand that they are needed though) _______________ |-HK-47 -SilkMonkey: You are receiving a warning for being_too_sexy. If you do not stop, action will be taken against you.|| (11:13:43) � Virtue dances for Silk ||Smiling owner of Smilykrazy's 6000th comment =) ||Odan Wei's Proud Big Brother|| Janus is my official TaruTaru Cuddly Animal Type Person. ||(@Virtue) Or you could just be a man and set fire to your genitals.....you won't fall asleep for days after that.......trust me.||Thomas Skywalker er for sexy for sitt eget beste!!!!| Not changing sig until the JA loosens up. (Started: Aug 31, 2005) |
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Sared - Retired 
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Finally took the time to sit down and read all this. Very well done Faded.  _______________ I'm crazy, not stupid. |
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