United Engineers of Rubi-Ka (UERK)
United Engineers of Rubi-Ka
The United Engineers of Rubi-Ka (UERK) is a union of engineering professionals. It is an informal, voluntary group organized by players for the purposes of supporting the engineering profession in Anarchy-Online.
Purpose
The primary objective of UERK is to improve the gameplay experience for engineering players. UERK will do this by supporting initiatives and actions organized by its members through improved communication and coordination. Some of the issues UERK members address include:In addition, we hope to have some fun.
- Pet performance issues
- Weaknesses of engineers
- viability of tradeskilling as a career path
Membership
UERK membership is open to any engineer character/player, Omni, Clan, or Neutral, all breeds and levels, and all RK dimensions. There are no membership dues or requirements. Membership is strictly voluntary and members are free to participate in as many or as few UERK activities and campaigns as they wish.
UERK members are strongly encouraged to support the Union in the following ways:
- Use the UERK name or acronym in their pets' names, especially during public UERK gatherings. For example name a pet the following:
"United Engineers of Rubi-Ka"
"Waldo (UERK)"
"UERK Slayerdroid #1293"- Include a link to this thread in your bb/forum signature (official AO forums as well as other AO-related forums/bbs)
- Actively recruit and publicize UERK to orgmates, friends, and other engineers.
- Support/participate in "official" UERK activities listed in the "Activities" section below.
Organization
UERK has no formal leadership structure. However, we look to and rely upon our more senior engineers to lend us the benefit of their experience and insights. All UERK issues, guidelines, and activities are open to input from the entire membership. As a voluntary organization, it is important that we attempt to represent the widest possible range of opinions and achieve consensus whenever possible.
UERK does not have a formal process for organizing activities. We rely upon and encourage motivated, energetic, and outspoken members to take it upon themselves to spearhead specific activities, campaigns, rallies, etc. By organizing and publicizing such activities under the UERK banner, the Union helps direct the energy of members efficiently and effectively for the benefit of all engineers.
See the "Current Activities" and "Launching new activities" sections below for more information.
Methods and Activities
As a voluntary organization, UERK doesn't compel cooperation of its members or require specific actions/behavior on their part. Instead our primary tool will be improved communication, hopefully leading to coordinated voluntary actions. Some of these coordinated activities will include:
- Petitions/letter writing/feedback to Funcom
- Public rallies/marches
- Coodinate pricing for engineering-related items
- Organize raids for engineer-related items
While our primary objective is to improve gameplay for AO engineers, UERK will strive to work respectfully and cooperatively with Funcom and the entire player community.
Launching New Activities
If you want UERK support for a new activity/initiative please keep the following guidelines in mind:
- Be engineer related - Your activity should be of interest to AO engineers in general. It's ok if your activity will primarily benefit you, so long as it's something which is an engineer-specific issue. For example, you want to organize a group to help you get the Disposal Unit Electrical Toolset. Even though you are the only one who might get one, this is something which many engineers will face themselves at some point.
- Be organized - If you want people to help out, make sure your activity is organized and you've provided enough information for people to participate easily. For example, if you want to do an e-mail campaign to Funcom, please provide the e-mail address and write a sample letter which people can use. If you are planning a large activity and need help organizing, then ask for it up front.
- Be respectful and positive - Our goal is getting our gameplay issues addressed not making enemies of Funcom or non-engineer players. Most people are not going to support activities which are viewed as negative or counterproductive.
To publicize an UERK activity simply do the following:
- Start a new thread in the engineer forum and be sure to include "UERK" in the topic.
- Post in this thread with a link to your new thread.
- A link to your new thread, with a brief description and your name will be added to this section
- Remember to update your thread and the initial post with any new information that people may need to participate
Current Activities
(This list is to get us started until we get some actual activity threads. -Tensegra)
The following activities and campaigns are supported by UERK members.
- General gameplay issues
Pet performance
Outside Buff reliance
Difficulty finding teams
Nanos
Perks
Tradeskilling
Pricing for tradeskill items
Tipping for tradeskill services
UERK does not support mandatory pricing/tipping for tradeskill services. UERK members are, of course, free to charge as much or as little as they wish, or nothing at all. We hope that members will support those engineers who do choose to charge reasonable amounts for tradeskilling services (Elbo's price guide being a valuable reference). We can show our support by not undercutting other engineers, and by educating non-engineers about the enormous investments in equipment, implants, and IP required for high-level tradeskilling.
Performance/requirements for tradeskill items
Member assistance
Help UERK members locate/acquire engineer-related items
Volunteer warping service for new dungeon
Check here to find volunteers who can warp you into the new Patch 15.5 dungeon.
Public events/raising awareness
Marches/rallies
Past Activities
Communications
Any communication and input is welcome. Feel free to post to this thread, start new threads (include "UERK" in the topic), PM to Tensegra, or /tell to Tensegra (RK2) or UERK members and UERK activity leaders.
Reply With Quote
Yes. but what is your health insurance policy like?
.. 
So it's impossible to set a price. How, the trick of being a good shopper in our situation is PURE patience... If no one is buying the tradeskilling item, the price will eventually drop.
