I have been OP on a couple big servers for over a month now, and find the available OP commands to be very limited. After lengthy discussions with other OPs and server regulars, and lurking the forums for a while, I compiled a list of suggested features that would make managing servers much easier for OPs.
More user classes / tiers
It would be very handy to add at least one intermediate userclass - something like half-op. Taking away the ability for freshly appointed OPs to op/deop/banip others would be very handy. [1][2][3]
More informative ban list format
Currently the ban list has no additional information about the ban. Undoing IP bans is almost impossible. It would be very useful to add an optional second "reason" parameter to ban/banip commands, and also record additional information to the ban logs. For example:
IP offender_username date_and_time_of_ban op_username reason
12.123.123.1 Notch 2009-07-25 6:10:00 fragmer "Too awesome for this server"
More kinds of /solid blocks
At the very least, it would be useful to add adminsponge and adminglass. This would be great for flood protection and making protected viewing areas or doors. Adding a /solid version for EVERY block would be excessive, but at least a few more special blocks would help. [1][2]
Only allow deletion of solid blocks when /solid is on
This would prevent OPs accidentally messing up something important while spleefing, building or deleting near admincrete buildings, etc. [1]
Spectator mode
Being able to spectate griefers without being seen, or quickly reaching a far-away griefer whose name you can't quite read is currently very hard. Adding a spectate mode - invisible, noclip, unaffected by gravity, no underwater fog - would help SO MUCH. It would probably be wise to disable building/deleting while in spectate mode. [1]
Multiple respawn locations
This shouldn't be hard to implement - in addition to old behavior (Enter/R single respawn), add 10 additional saved respawn locations. Holding down Enter + pressing a number key would save a location, and holding down R + pressing the same number would return to it.
Name autocompletion or partial matching
To avoid having to type out (or click) the names every time, it would be useful to add the following behavior. If a portion of a name is given that matches one username, have the server fill in the rest. For example, if no other user on the server has "not" in their name, I can type "/tp not" and command would work. If more than one username matches the partial name, warn the player with a system message. A dedicated "autocomplete" key has also been suggested.
Distinguish between system messages and /say
This one is real simple - to avoid OPs messing with people by typing "/say You are now an Op!" or "/say Notch joined the server.", change the color of /say messages to something different.
/status command
A command that would show the status of a player: whether they are op/hop/normal tier, how many times they joined the server, how long in total did they stay on a server, and when were they last seen, and whether they are currently banned. For example:
/status Notch
> Notch: op, joined 9 times (for 5h 12m), last seen 2d 14h 1m ago
/status GRIEFINGmofo
> GRIEFINGmofo: joined 1 time (for 10m), banned 14d 10h ago by Notch
/status DunnoWhoThatIs
> DunnoWhoThatIs: no information available
Coordinates
A command (/coords) or persistent HUD display of coordinates (expressed in "blocks" relative to map origin or some corner for instance) would be very helpful. An ability to teleport to a certain coordinate would also come in handy. A common scenario for this is making an underground "secret lair" and not being able to find it later. Of course, this should probably be only allowed for op's (to prevent normal players from infiltrating protected spaces). [1]
Votekick
Adding an ability for users to kick griefers when no Op is present is already implemented on some modded servers. Shouldn't be that hard to add. [1]
Private messages / name highlighting
Prefixing the message with "@playername " (hopefully with autocompletion) could be used to send private messages. It can be useful for admins to exchange information about suspicious players without alerting them, and it would in general remove a lot of clutter from chat. At the very least, it would be helpful to highlight lines containing player's own name, IRC-style. Of course, ideally these should be a different color from other messages.
P.S. Many things on this list have been suggested before in some form already, so I added references to original threads. My motivation for creating this post is to compile all practical Op-related suggestions into one place for convenience.
Name autocompletion or partial matching
To avoid having to type out (or click) the names every time, it would be useful to add the following behavior. If a portion of a name is given that matches one username, have the server fill in the rest. For example, if no other user on the server has "not" in their name, I can type "/tp not" and command would work. If more than one username matches the partial name, warn the player with a system message. A dedicated "autocomplete" key has also been suggested.
Type "/tp " and then hold tab and click on the player's name.
Name autocompletion or partial matching
To avoid having to type out (or click) the names every time, it would be useful to add the following behavior. If a portion of a name is given that matches one username, have the server fill in the rest. For example, if no other user on the server has "not" in their name, I can type "/tp not" and command would work. If more than one username matches the partial name, warn the player with a system message. A dedicated "autocomplete" key has also been suggested.
Type "/tp " and then hold tab and click on the player's name.
@Austin6641
I am well aware of the fact that you can click on the names (it's in my post). I normally type with both hands on the keyboard, so for me the routine is...
- move right hand to kb
- hit T, start typing "/tp " or "/kick " or "/ban "
- move right hand back to mouse
- hold tab, click the name
- move right hand back to the kb
- hit enter
Maybe I'm being picky - I'm do UI programming, among other things, for a living, and I'm a usability nerd. But name autocompletion / partial matching works so well in, for example, SourceMod for Team Fortress 2. Imagine being able to type"/tp ch" instead of "/tp chr0n0s0m3th1ng" or "/kick il" instead of "/kick ililiilililiiliiillllii".
@Zuriki
I could just add these suggestions to the wiki, but noone would notice the changes, and there would be no discussion. I'm trying to start a conversation here and have the list readily visible on the forums. Sorry if it's a bit redundant.
I have been OP on a couple big servers for over a month now, and find the available OP commands to be very limited. After lengthy discussions with other OPs and server regulars, and lurking the forums for a while, I compiled a list of suggested features that would make managing servers much easier for OPs.
More user classes / tiers
It would be very handy to add at least one intermediate userclass - something like half-op. Taking away the ability for freshly appointed OPs to op/deop/banip others would be very handy. [1] [2] [3]
More informative ban list format
Currently the ban list has no additional information about the ban. Undoing IP bans is almost impossible. It would be very useful to add an optional second "reason" parameter to ban/banip commands, and also record additional information to the ban logs. For example:
More kinds of /solid blocks
At the very least, it would be useful to add adminsponge and adminglass. This would be great for flood protection and making protected viewing areas or doors. Adding a /solid version for EVERY block would be excessive, but at least a few more special blocks would help. [1] [2]
Only allow deletion of solid blocks when /solid is on
This would prevent OPs accidentally messing up something important while spleefing, building or deleting near admincrete buildings, etc. [1]
Spectator mode
Being able to spectate griefers without being seen, or quickly reaching a far-away griefer whose name you can't quite read is currently very hard. Adding a spectate mode - invisible, noclip, unaffected by gravity, no underwater fog - would help SO MUCH. It would probably be wise to disable building/deleting while in spectate mode. [1]
Multiple respawn locations
This shouldn't be hard to implement - in addition to old behavior (Enter/R single respawn), add 10 additional saved respawn locations. Holding down Enter + pressing a number key would save a location, and holding down R + pressing the same number would return to it.
Name autocompletion or partial matching
To avoid having to type out (or click) the names every time, it would be useful to add the following behavior. If a portion of a name is given that matches one username, have the server fill in the rest. For example, if no other user on the server has "not" in their name, I can type "/tp not" and command would work. If more than one username matches the partial name, warn the player with a system message. A dedicated "autocomplete" key has also been suggested.
Distinguish between system messages and /say
This one is real simple - to avoid OPs messing with people by typing "/say You are now an Op!" or "/say Notch joined the server.", change the color of /say messages to something different.
/status command
A command that would show the status of a player: whether they are op/hop/normal tier, how many times they joined the server, how long in total did they stay on a server, and when were they last seen, and whether they are currently banned. For example:
Coordinates
A command (/coords) or persistent HUD display of coordinates (expressed in "blocks" relative to map origin or some corner for instance) would be very helpful. An ability to teleport to a certain coordinate would also come in handy. A common scenario for this is making an underground "secret lair" and not being able to find it later. Of course, this should probably be only allowed for op's (to prevent normal players from infiltrating protected spaces). [1]
Votekick
Adding an ability for users to kick griefers when no Op is present is already implemented on some modded servers. Shouldn't be that hard to add. [1]
Private messages / name highlighting
Prefixing the message with "@playername " (hopefully with autocompletion) could be used to send private messages. It can be useful for admins to exchange information about suspicious players without alerting them, and it would in general remove a lot of clutter from chat. At the very least, it would be helpful to highlight lines containing player's own name, IRC-style. Of course, ideally these should be a different color from other messages.
P.S. Many things on this list have been suggested before in some form already, so I added references to original threads. My motivation for creating this post is to compile all practical Op-related suggestions into one place for convenience.
Type "/tp " and then hold tab and click on the player's name.
I am well aware of the fact that you can click on the names (it's in my post). I normally type with both hands on the keyboard, so for me the routine is...
- move right hand to kb
- hit T, start typing "/tp " or "/kick " or "/ban "
- move right hand back to mouse
- hold tab, click the name
- move right hand back to the kb
- hit enter
Maybe I'm being picky - I'm do UI programming, among other things, for a living, and I'm a usability nerd. But name autocompletion / partial matching works so well in, for example, SourceMod for Team Fortress 2. Imagine being able to type"/tp ch" instead of "/tp chr0n0s0m3th1ng" or "/kick il" instead of "/kick ililiilililiiliiillllii".
@Zuriki
I could just add these suggestions to the wiki, but noone would notice the changes, and there would be no discussion. I'm trying to start a conversation here and have the list readily visible on the forums. Sorry if it's a bit redundant.