Other [Issue 59] What Makes the Reporter Job Interesting?

[Flexoo 6,980]

 

I happen to be lucky enough to be able to experience the feeling of being a Reporter who does his bit for the community. This Issue marks six months of my Reportership, more or less. I want to share the stuff that makes it so different, unique and precious in its own way, and maybe even motivate you to apply to join our Newspaper team for the chance to savor all the relishes that come with Reporter position.

 

 

 

Banter

 

Ah, yeah! There's one notorious thing that always spices up the atmosphere in the squad. If I were to choose just one reason why to join the team besides passion for writing, I would go with the ever-present banter coming hand-in-hand with the job. I am convinced that we're a really easy-going bunch who love to throw few jokes around.

 

"Humor is mankind's greatest blessing."

                                                                                                                               Mark Twain

 

Unfortunately, I can't provide an example of the behind-the-scenes banter because I am unable to pick just one (and partly due to my last-second finish!), but I guarantee that good humour reigns over the Reporters. You can join the banter in the group and relax from the starch of real life. It's invaluable to have a place to ease up any tension; a lax place that provokes the discussion and creation of article ideas.

 

Communication

 

The ability to converse fluently with readers, and people in general, is immensely important in both Tanki Online and real life. You can be the smartest person this world ever had, but if you ain't able to arrange a conversation with others, you won't make it very far. You must learn how to present your views and opinions, how to speak to different kind of people, what words to choose in contact and select an adequate approach towards the reader.

 

The Newspaper presented me the opportunity to try and test my English communication skills in a whole lot of different situations. I am naturally an introverted person who has had problems with establishing dialogues in real life. I know this environment can't possibly simulate real world communication, and of course online communication is very different to real personal contact, but I feel that starting here as a Reporter grants me courage to better my linguistic skills in interaction with others.   

 

Decency

 

Long before my Reporter heydays, I used to be a very impulsive person in numerous situations that sprang up while playing Tanki Online. Rarely, when something did not go my way or my belief utterly differed, I switched to semi-rage mode and turned to an arrogant fool who vented his inner frustration on anything that crossed his path without thinking about the consequences. I wouldn't exactly say I was some extreme violator or anything, but there were times I happen to be a bit obnoxious.

 

As time wore on, I learned to control my feelings more precisely and I guess the Reporter job helped me with this. As you may or may not know, being a game representative (a.k.a. Helper) comes with an obligation to behave and act in a certain manner. Obligated to do so, I perceive things differently and look at them from other angles before judging or making rash moves.

 

Enjoyable Pastime Activity

 

I ought to be honest. I never believed the thought that I am destined for the path of a writer. This particular activity wasn't something I would indulge in under normal circumstances - I must say that anything 'essay-like' was always a huge drag in my eyes. However, things changed the minute I stumbled upon the TO Newspaper. I still remember the time when I slowly immersed into its content for the first time. The idea of publishing a written piece coming from longtime TO experience engaged me. 

 

At the beginning, I considered joining the Newspaper team purely as a challenge. Becoming a Helper who writes articles in a foreign language without natural expertise in this department (as English is not my first language) seemed a worthy goal. When I finally got in, this challenge became to transform into a passion, and I fell in love with it. Not only do I get to write articles about the game I like, but also I do things that I really enjoy; things I found myself in.

 

Gradual Evolution and Learning

 

'Mai splling, grammar end overall nowledge of Inglish language improved radikally'

 

On more serious note, one of the things I value the most about the Reporter job is the opportunity to be in permanent contact with English. As someone who was not born a native English speaker, I find writing articles to be immensely helpful for my continuous improvement, 'specially now after graduating and with no other significant contact with English at all.

 

I don't have the nerve to call myself a perfect writer or speaker just because I gained Reporter status. I honestly do not anticipate perfectionism radiating from every single word or sentence I write, but I really am thankful for every small leap towards betterment that I made because of this position.

 

Frankly, being a Reporter does not provide only a footing for improvement in the basics of writing or sentence structuring. There are many more possibilities to grow and develop present here, starting with the game and its mechanics and ending with basis of the teamwork and social interaction. I find this invaluable whether you were born in the US or somewhere in the backwoods of Eastern Europe.

 

 

New Experience

 

At some point in time, my Tanki Online career got into the blind alley. The rank-ups concluded with that famed last kill and I managed to refine my tank shed with decent weaponry. There were a few gaming possibilities lying in the wait, but nothing really piqued my interest. Endless collecting of equipment and micro-upgrading just did not satisfy my needs, which brought about the thought of trying something a bit different.

 

Being an avid reader and frequent contest participant, I deemed this out-of-the-ordinary activity to be at least as challenging as any gaming goals I set before. After all those months of writing articles here in the Newspaper, I still find this job highly inspiring. Taking on the Reporter job opened a considerable number of doors with whole new things to explore, things I would never know about if I was not a member of the Newspaper team.

 

Providing Help and Advice

 

Reality check! It would be exaggerated to call ourselves the ultimate helping force operating in the Tanki Online environment. Still, if at least a few lost souls find our articles somehow useful, it's all worth the effort. It's absolutely amazing through how many forms you can satisfy the reader. Whether it's advice from a good guide, a smirk conjured by awkward joke or that contest winning happiness. It gives that warm feeling of contentment and helpfulness that can't be bought with crystals.

 

In addition, ever since I gained the Reporter status, I noticed an increase in random requests for help. Honestly speaking, it can be annoying at times when players address you with stuff that ain't in your competence. But, if you like to provide help to others, the Reporter team is the place for you!

 

Responsibilities

 

Did I go insane when I considered additional obligations as a positive thing? This question should remain unanswered! The thing is, all of us have to take our lives into our own hands and take on responsibility sooner or later. Whether it's schoolwork, household duties or a job, we gradually gain more and more responsibility in our lives. I believe it's very important to realize we won't stay young, trouble-free children forever.

 

As a Reporter, constancy in topic and article generation, meeting the deadlines, communication with readers and being an all-out creative person who's always ready to come with something new are just few of the responsibilities to name. I don't mean to dissuade, though. Becoming a Reporter won't make you a slave of obligations, but it may help you to grow into a more liable and confident person.

 

Teamwork

 

Another practically essential element, without which we would never be able to create the Newspaper at its current level of quality. Teamwork is the absolutely necessary foundation stone for the continuous creation of the Paper. Every member acts his own important part, but all the magic behind the scenes happens thanks to the co-operation and planning. 

 

I like to think that every article is, to a certain degree, the collective result of multiple teammates starting with the writer and ending with our proofreaders and designer. We always co-operate to bring you the best. There's always someone in the team who's got your back, someone who's always there to discuss, advise and help with any concern. Certainly, I acquired a lot of experience while working with a team consisting of various personalities.

 

Wage and Other Benefits

 

The time has come to uncover the truth about our payments. For every published article, we receive a total of CENSORED crystals.

 

* * *

 

@GoldRock: Sorry guys, I had to step in and hide this highly confidential information. It's for Reporter eyes only and that's how it should remain. As punishment, Flexoo shall be banished to the darkest department of the Newspaper Archives, where he will have the whole room to himself so he can ruminate over his own foolishness!

 

@Flexoo: :c ... At least I tried!

 

Anyways...

 

Crystal pay belongs to a range of the prominent volunteers' benefits. For some tankers, it's an integral part of the job without which they would never apply in the first place - others take it more as a welcome seasoning naturally coming with the status. Truthfully, you can earn a decent amount of crystals doing this job, but I would like to contradict the conviction popular with many tankers that we are millionaires or that we get crystals, paint and avatar just for getting into the team. As long as you perform your role in the team you are adequately rewarded and can use all the benefits offered, but we do have to work for this!

 

---

 

Reporters' Opinions

 

I am really bad at transitions, but in the attempt to provide a broader spectrum of opinions, I asked my colleagues to share their opinion on the matter so that you can weigh in their perspectives. Check out their responses below.

 

What do you consider to be the most interesting about the Reporter job?

 

@GoldRock, Reporter Administrator: I would say that the most interesting aspect of the job is the people I get the opportunity to work with. Teamwork and communication are really important parts of what we do, and the friendships I have established along the way (even having met one former colleague in real life) are perhaps the best thing I'll take away from my involvement in the Newspaper. So yeah, while the job itself is very rewarding and has helped me in developing a wide range of skills, that's probably been the best aspect of my experience with the Newspaper since I first joined over 3.5 years ago.   

 

, EN Reporter: In my opinion, this job has to be the best job, ever. I mean literally, there is so much to do in a very short amount of time. Your fellow Reporters chat, greet and help you in any way they can. Apart from that, and the wage, there are many layers of awesomeness within this job, the likes of which you can't find in any other. Oh, and by the way, we always, always bother Goldi and blame the NS. #Reporter4Ever <33

 

@Shedinja, EN Reporter: One of the key elements that keeps the EN Newspaper position interesting is, obviously, the perpetual happenings of the game itself and how they affect us. From a player's standpoint, one can only participate in said events and changes (be they large or minute) through just Tanki Online and its diverse forums, but for the Newspaper team to construct an article surrounding the items, we must understand every facet of them. This involves rigorous study through standard play, extensive and concise testing, and examination of other players' feedback of their experiences. Not only must we adapt to these through our writings and topic selections, but with some lateral thinking, these developments can branch off and result in some of the most unorthodox but intriguing article concepts. This guarantees that there's never not something for us to write about.

 

, EN Reporter: The most interesting part of being a reporter, for me at least, is twofold (insert trademark bry over-explanation here ©2016). Firstly, the team is great, even Remult isn't as bad as some people say. We have had a recent surge, and everyone has been extremely welcoming to me. Despite the spamchat teasing, the whole community is fantastic. It is always enjoyable to be in conversation with them.

The other major part is, for me, the teamwork that comes with the job. Yes, there is a difference for all you skeptics, and it gives me a reason to write more. I'm a part of three teams on the "job", the main reporter team (duh), the AWC helper team (duhx2), and the proofreading team. Though I'm stuck with both Pdox and Shed on all of them, I enjoy helping out the reporter group as a whole, and doing it with friends makes all the better. Also, ditto to what Shed, Pdox and Goldmult said above, I completely agree with them.

 

Although some of the Reporters did not express their detailed opinion on what makes the job interesting for 'em, they at least left a hint in the form of short messages:

 

Getting hugs from Cedric!

What's not to love in Gold's Newspaper sweatshop?

Who are these two mystery Reporters? Well, I will leave this to your deducing skills and imagination!

 

 

And that's all I, ehm we, have to share on this subject with you tankers! We presented you with the aspects that make our daily Reporter lives interesting, and I hope you found this lil' insight into the job refreshing. We look forward to hearing from you!

 

Edited July 20, 2017 by Hexed

[Blackdrakon30 2,943]

:ph34r:

 

 

Secret peeks into secret lives, I feel super undercover. Being a Reporter does sound quite nice from your views, despite the few drawbacks like time commitment needed.  :P

[Ninja 10,468]

Time to revert to this: 

[Hex 11,520]

'Mai splling, grammar end overall nowledge of Inglish language improved radikally'

 

On more serious note...

I can't stop laughing at this lol...

[TTK_229 1,080]

Being a reporter is interesting I know because i'm...oh wait, I'm not gonna tell anyone. xD

my actual main account is TTK_229. JK above tho

[Vikingsrallentando 3,058]

Not only does your fluency evolve and improve, but so does your content. I originally came on as a reporter with the intentions writing story's and eventually drifted towards uncovering story's through interviews. And as a reporter you naturally find new things to write about.

[tweezers 1,034]

 

 

As punishment, Flexoo shall be banished to the darkest department of the Newspaper Archives, where he will have the whole room to himself 

 

No he won't.

That was my room.

My old socks are still in there.

RUN FLEX RUN

Edited December 6, 2016 by tweezers

[Flexoo 6,980]

I would, but I am in kind of odd position;

 

 

 

 

[bc200214_777 582]

I would, but I am in kind of odd position;

 

 

 

 

You have some hairy legs...

 

Nice article

[NewbieCake 3,067]

I'd like to say that reading the Newspaper has definitely improved my grammar a ton at school, especially with showing possession (e.g. Sarah's bike instead of "Sarahs bike")

[TTK_229 1,080]

Not only does your fluency evolve and improve, but so does your content. I originally came on as a reporter with the intentions writing story's and eventually drifted towards uncovering story's through interviews. And as a reporter you naturally find new things to write about.

very very grammers.