I usually keep out of discussions like this, but I feel that there is something that needs to be said. (possibly rant)
Taking personal expirience from similar communities that are usually connected by roleplay, there is few things that are repetitive. Main thing is, that there will always be people inept in something at place where others would prefer them to be. That said, lets take this example:
New player joined server. He read those 3 comodity items in cargohold and for once, started to wonder, what in the hell is RP or Roleplay.
Most people who fall out of tight circle of "wierdos that play roleplaying games" will most commonly connect it to either porn, story telling or theatre.
Now, those are actually, in their core same things. Only difference is effect its used for.
Ok, that new person is now aware that there is some sort of open screenplay theatre outside but is not sure how to approach it. Some try to act like its just another online game, some treat it like its chatroom wiht nice graphic and so on.
In time, even most hardcore "l33t wtfpwnzor" will grasp basics of what is going around him and will simply adapt to level HE sees appropriate, but not annoying. For example, they will use minimum of needed, so they can expirience part they are interested in more. To each its own we would say.
Now, where is problem? Actual problem in conclusion are people. Not just those "annoying lolercruisers" but "hardcore roleplayers" as well. Why? Well simply, because each has its own view of game and how it should be approached. Some simply like aspect of starship shooter game with other person, while some like hour long rethorical discussion about politics of system/sector.
I say this because... in my own begining, I wanted just to talk, and guns were simple means of getting more money for nicer looking ship. Fight with another player was both unappealing and frightening aspect to me.
Later, much later, I have learned that roleplay I put on so high pedestal that it seemed divine, is in fact hampered and corrupted without other aspect I despised. Now, only when I have merged both, I can say that its nice and it works.
Now, to me, it took some 4 months to get accustomed to. Some folks take longer, some take shorter. Now, most of people here, who are hanging around for years, seeing whole "learning curve" again and again thousand times over, simply grew annoyed with it. Then, rules were put in, so that people learn faster, even on account of their own loss in gametime (credits/equipment/banned time)
That is double edged sword. As Elgato said, you cannot quantify someting that is based on quality. For one, It was easier when people engaged me just because of fight aspect. Then I know they arent interested in other aspect. But if I see someone trying, I know that person is either interested in aspect, or polite enough to adapt.
Rules as such will never, ever set things straight, they are hampering everyone, but to smallest extent those who do not care. Best example of that was BHG freakout in 84. Rules ruled out everything because of some illusionary balance, and it ended up in people finding simple way around it.
Even if new rules are added, if measures of ensuring rules become more ruthless like of late, it will simply do nothing. All that immense job admin team has now is 70% in vain.
Some might remember that in this very mod number, 84 at spring of last years, it was normal occurance for Corsair fleet to attack manhattan. Noone said anything much besides sore loosers. Nowdays, only few months apart, its seen and treated like witchcraft in medieval times.
I will quote Benjamin Franklin here, because community is society of its own:
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both"
