Post: #1

This post is not a script request, but rather an idea for the sphere community scripting section. If a mod would prefer this post be elsewhere, then by all means, move it.

I love the community feel of these forums. People willingly give help and often share scripts with the public and this is wonderful. However, the saying is true that "you get what you pay for." Free help, even from an expert, is still given only to the extent that the helper finds the assistance worth his own time. That is, fully fleshed out systems and advanced scripts are usually saved for the scripter's own personal collection. This is as it should be. No one should expect intricate and game changing script to be crafted and given away for free. It is the generosity of the scripting community that allows any such scripts to see the light of day. Some shard owners have the dedication (and funds) to hire a full-time scripter to do all the coding for their shard, others do their own scripting with help from these boards, often at the expense of time that should be spent running and managing their own server communities. I suggest a third option.

I think it would be great if the sphere community forums had a place for more professional, advanced, high-quality, contract based, FOR-PAY, script requests. I suggest two forum folders. One for server owners to accept bids on their script request in a freelance scenario and another for scripters to "sell" their more advanced scripts.

Here is how I envision it:

Contract Work:
Server Owner makes a post describing in GREAT detail exactly what they are looking for in a script. Scripters submit bids on a price they are willing to fill the contract for. The owner interviews promising bidders and selects one of them to fill the contract. The scripter creates the script requested to the specifications of the owner and is paid the agreed upon amount. It could even be set up so that Sphere collects a commission. Because the script was contracted, the server owner owns the script and the scripter should not release it to additional parties without the consent of the owner.

The other section would work as follows. A scripter posts a description of their script along with a price. The post explains in detail what it does, perhaps even including a video. Shard owners review these scripts, ask questions of the author to determine if they want the script. Then pay the amount set by the scripter and download the script. Again, Sphere could collect a commission.

I'm sure there are third-party systems that would make this simple to do linked from the forum rather than having to build the infrastructure here within the forums. But I think this type of contract-based freelance scripting would be a major boon for the community here. The same could also be applied to every aspect of running a shard including animation and art patching, world building, etc.

Any thoughts??