Not sure if this is the right spot to put this, if it's not let me know.

Been working on two different article series here lately. The first is called 'Be A Better Player' and goes against the usual advice columns telling the GM how to run a game. This one offers the advice to the players instead. Some helpful tips on behavior and meshing with the group. Some of it gets a little snarky and I attempt some humor in there also. Currently I just put up the sixth installment and a new one goes up every two weeks. If this interests you please give it a read.

http://trulyrural.com/babp.html

The other series is called 'Cyberpunk Sunday' and while not gaming specific it is of interest to most folks running a near future or cutting edge of cyberpunk game. I watch for articles from around the web for news and technology that is on the verge of the cyberpunk era type stuff. Along with various views of society and crime that seem to fall right into that genre. Every two weeks I put up a few links to sites I have found along with some commentary on each one and how I think some of this fits into Cyberpunk. Currently have four articles up with a new one up every two weeks.

http://trulyrural.com/cpsunday.html

If you decide to check them out let me know what you think. I'm nowhere near a professional at this but it is something I enjoy. All constructive criticism is welcome.

Got Cyberpunk Sunday 005 up, hearts politics and chips. Next week will be a new Be A Better Player.

Be A Better Player installment number seven is up. This time around the title is 'Enough with the Jokes already!' hope you enjoy.

Peter,
I am going to read this today. thanks for posting them.

Good series. I commented on one or two. I found myself wanting to enumerate the various GM techniques to overcome the bad behavior.

I'm glad you like the series so far. Got several more to go and I seem to be thinking of a couple more new things to talk about every week or so.

Any comments are more than welcome, gm advice included. I started this series for a few reasons. One is I'm tired of the GM always being pointed at as the one reason for games failing so there are tons of GM advice articles out there. Two is I'm tired of constantly having to try and 'correct' players in their gaming habits that disrupt play. Next time I start up a game with plans of running it anywhere near long term I will require that all the players read my series so they no what they are getting into and what I expect. Tired of dancing around the issues and being nice and not coming right out and telling somebody what the problem is.

But then again, I'm a bit of a jaded gamers I suppose. Well that and after having a family and lots of other things on my plate I've come to realize how much more precious free time is. No need to waste it.

One thing that I think is a major failing of the hobby is that there is no, absolutely zero, systematized methods of GM mentoring and training, and absolutely no culture by which players can critique and improve their own and each other's play. We're all too caught up in saying "well that's just your playstyle" to say "couldn't you suck less if you did this?"

So good effort. I want to see some organization around these ideas, though, not just writing. (And that's not directed at you, I should also be the change I want in the world!)

Put up a new Cyberpunk Sunday article. This time is a bit different the links are to youtube videos and I'm talking about music and some of the newer technology that surrounds it.

The next installment of Be A Better Player will be a day or two late. Been a busy weekend here and I haven't had much time to set down at the keyboard and finish writing it. Hopefully it will be up sometime tomorrow night or Monday day at the latest.

Be A Better Player part eight is now up. This time it's about multitasking at the game table and how it's a bad idea.