[Elena]

I like traditional descriptive bio, because it gives both an in depth overview of the character and a hint on the writer's writing style.

Both personality and history are important, and I go in a shuttle between them when writing the bio, because the history has influenced personality and the personality has some roots in history too.

Freeform, to me, has the place in Character extras. It might give depth to a character, but after approval.

[Zozma]

I don't use an application system. I have an audition system, which is really just a formality, considering people can't even sign up their first account (their OOC account) without admin approval. We don't have an app. The profile information itself is directly on the character account, so they just create their sub-account, fill in all the information (history is optional, personality can be a single word, relationships are optional, etc) and then they post the first character in the audition forum. I have people post their very first character in the audition forum to get an idea of whether or not they'll fit into the forum. If they're approved, they are free to make as many characters afterward that they want, filling in information as they see fit, and then they can switch their character to their membergroup themselves and start playing them.

Honestly, I hate reading applications and long profiles. I'm a much bigger fan of creating characters on the fly and playing them when I want to so I feel like other people should be able to do that, too. I don't have time to be micromanaging every little thing and my members don't have time to be writing giant applications. I do have a note in the rules that any character caught breaking setting will be asked to be edited. I personally have better faith in my members than that though and if they are a big doucher, then they'll be asked to leave. Simple as that. (And if they want to throw a dramatic fit, they can be banned. No biggie.)

[Cèi]

I'm most acquainted with traditional style, but I do appreciate free form as well. The only problem with joining a free form site is that I better have a lot to say about a character, otherwise it's not worth it. The site itself has a lot to do with the type of character application.

That being said, I think applications are essential, as they help to really define something about a character. I mean, I don't think I've ever stayed 100% to the character I described in the app, but it's nice to work in little details for them before jumping into a plot.