Of course, I understand that
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I don’t have any role/rank in IF, but just wanted to say thanks to the volunteers and mods who make this whole community what it is. From the devs that work on the sim itself to the mods and staff who devote countless hours to helping people develop their skills or solve issues, every single one of you is what makes Infinite Flight much more than just a flight simulator.
To be truthful, when I look at titles on the forum I don’t really give it a second thought. I think “Oh that person does something for the community,” and don’t think more of it. But what I have never realised properly is the extraordinary commitment and responsibility you undertake. It’s easier for someone to say “I want to be this and this in the community,” but to dedicate that amount of time some would consider concerning or extraordinary. Regardless if you like it or not however, I do hope the Infinite Flight Team is thankful for your sacrifice and don’t take it for granted. Do what makes you happy in the end.
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You can volunteer and work alot. They do go hand and hand. For example being on a Search and Rescue Team or Disaster Relief can be a Full Time Volunteer effort. Similarly to some of the stuff done within the forum or VA/VO’s you do it because you see the potential in it and have the drive to do it. Same could be said about Volunteer Fire Departments. Your missing the point of Job. The job can be doing work but not being payed but being payed in the satisfaction of others or yourself in doing it. A job should be something you love and enjoy doing.
Hello!
In addition of what’s been said already, you can tell from the timing of my reply that I wasn’t available earlier due to other commitments. Being busy in life doesn’t mean we can’t contribute in our free time, and volunteering a couple of hours doesn’t make it a full time job. Secondly, all mentioned positions weren’t achieved overnight. For example, supervisors were apprenticies once, and trainers were trainees etc. They’ve just decided to share the knowledge and expertise they acquired with the newcomers.
That said, assisting others voluntarily tends to improve own mental health and reduces stress. And working in no pressure environment improves self confidence and positive thinking. That proved to be a major asset in lockdown times when the community came together. So it’s no wonder that everyone is so proud and motivated to assist without any financial incentives. That what makes this community is so great ❤️
-Omar
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FYI, that isn’t healthy. I’ve said similar in VA’s I’ve been with in the past when I’ve seen young kids setting alarms to wake up in the middle of the night to land a flight on a school night. People are people and they can do what they want, but as one of the ‘maturer’ folk, I’d like to see IF do more to educate and encourage a healthy balance of playing a game (which is what this is) and life.
For those of you who question the capacity of the VARB and its support of the VA’s in IF, one event springs to mind that I would refer anyone to where you can see just how VARB isn’t a talking shop for IF.
That event is when the IF devs announced the end of custom callsigns without a real solution for the VA’s to enable users to identify as being part of their organisation. I remember this well: VARB said this wasn’t good enough. The end result was showing VA/VO labels beside usernames within the app. It took some convincing of finding solutions and I remember narking with @schyllberg at the time, but VARB pushed to make sure something happened.
Whether it’s IF or any other game, you will always have people that commit bonkers amounts of time to be part of a community, I did myself 16+ years ago when I first started playing any games online. But I’d encourage IF to promote awareness of not allowing yourself to be too consumed. I know it’s not for IF or VA’s to do so, people can make their own choices, but it’d be nice to see.
The whole premise of this thread is a bit silly. Volunteers have been building game communities and helping developers for donkeys years, to give them a sense of being in a community and for fun/enjoyment.
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Actually quite interesting thought.
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That concludes todays TED talk.
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It was great to listen to, thank you.
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Helping out in the community definitely takes time and motivation out of you. But it can be rewarding and fun in the end, for example seeing your 3D airport being released or getting a trainee through the training phase into IFATC. I’ve had to sacrifice certain roles and re-think my time-management to make sure I’m taking enough time away and not burning out. Remember to take time away for yourself! It’s an easy thing to do, and has happened to myself and others. It’s great fun being part of the Discord moderation and appeals which are my focus, along with other stuff I do here. You’ve just got to find that right balance:)
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this here i think, otherwise you start doing it cuz you “have” to
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You said you’d join. That’s the whole point lol. Loads of people would join it. It would be fun.
Geez, IFC formatting doesn’t like me today lol. Anyways, a VA based off of a meme doesn’t give a professional look. Sure, you guys might want it professional. But when it’s based off of a meme, I can see why it would be declined. I would join personally. Also, I don’t see why this thread has turned into an IFVARB argument.
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Sure.
Same, but there isn’t a rule which it goes against.
The whole aim of the airline is this :)
It’s not an argument, I told a story lmao.
I’m not going to discuss this anymore, because it’s way off topic of what the original post was about. If you have a problem, you should work it out with Thomas rather than having an argument and telling everyone about your problems with IFVARB. Have a good one!
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Trust me, I tried, lol.
He actually told me to publicly reveal the airline, sooo 🤷♂️
Topic deviated. Please reach out to IFVARB directly for any related queries. Thanks!