A SERIOUS forum

[Errdoth]

You're back, Sith?

 

Awesome.

[tripsis]

Instead of staff members monitoring and locking down all "stupid" threads, the users decide what threads to keep alive through bumps and replies.

 

 

 

I agree strongly with that and have tried to work it into my moderating as best I can. I'd love to have all (reasonable) threads judged on a case-by-case basis. If the users seem to like the thread and it strikes a descent discussion, leave it be. If people complain, spam and/or flame, lock it.

 

 

 

I think that's the best way to go about giving users what they want - which is what we should be doing.

[Cruiser]

I did not say it WILL work, only that it CAN. I only ask for a chance.

 

If every request for 'a chance' was granted, the staff wouldn't have time for anything else. Just because it's suggested doesn't mean it gets accepted or even tested.

 

 

 

I'm sure you would know, because you are a moderator here?

 

Being around here for some 5+ years (threw all the major host transitions, so don't bother citing the 2004 join date), knowing many of the staff (and ex-staff) and helping moderate the IRC room is close enough.

 

 

 

Regardless of my mod status, finding and appointing staff to moderate posts fairly is not an easy job for any moderately sized forum. It's common sense if you have any experience with such things. You can't just go grabbing a user with an early join date, or someone with high post count. Personality, maturity and many other factors go into selecting people (this goes for more than just Tip.It too).

 

 

 

I'm not going to bother commenting on the rest since my view on the matter has already been posted.

 

 

 

A bit off topic, but I better see Sithy back on IRC in the near future. :

[no_username4]

To build on what I mentioned just a few lines above, I would like to see quite a few Tip.it rules be removed so the posting environment feels less strict and more enjoyable. While there will always be goofballs on the forums, it is easier for people in a more relaxed environment to create and participate in serious threads rather than forcing rules down their throat. Many people, like the author of this post, have a problem with the extremes on internet communities: intelligent, mature posts versus less thought out, more "post as much as possible" replies. Thinking this way isn't necessarily a bad thing but I don't think the answer is to create a secluded board where people are banned for forgetting to dot their "i's" and cross their "t's."

 

While your concept is easier and more relaxed, it is not really better.

 

Threads move to fast, so serious discussions don't really happen as they get bumped to the nth page in a matter of hours. Like you said, we all have lives and can't live on the forums.

 

 

 

To use the forum where this has worked as an example... This sort of thing does not spread. The serious area is isolated, but it does not segregate the board at all. Most people active in the serious area are active elsewhere, often being the biggest goof balls the forum has. However, the serious area is sacred. No goofing off or anything. A lot of people choose not to go there, but if you want to have a serious discussion, it's always possible.

 

 

 

One last time, I will present my points in the clearest way possible.

 

1. The mods are the sole decision makers on what is or is not idiocy. It is the job of admins to make sure their decisions are reasonable. As long as the appointed mods are reasonable, there will not be a great amount of problems. Some decisions will be controversial, but that is unavoidable.

 

2. This is a mere offset from the rest of the board. Also, because most people will not engage in this sort of discussion, at least not as many as do in other forums, the moderation load will be lighter and easier.

 

3. Nobody who is not a troll will get banned from posting poorly here. Most offenses get a heavy warning. Repeat offenses get short bans and more warnings. That should give them the message.

 

4. This may or may not work. I think it is worth a chance, though.

 

5.

You're back, Sith?

 

Awesome.

See? This is what I'm talking about. I wouldn't mind this in a general discussion forum. However, there is simply no place where this kind of thing isn't allowed. I think there should be one, and if somebody doesn't like it, they don't have to go there!

 

6.

Regardless of my mod status, finding and appointing staff to moderate posts fairly is not an easy job for any moderately sized forum. It's common sense if you have any experience with such things. You can't just go grabbing a user with an early join date, or someone with high post count. Personality, maturity and many other factors go into selecting people (this goes for more than just Tip.It too).

Exactly. Those kind of people will make the ideal mods for this board. While it may be a tough and long time consuming process, it's not impossible. I never said this has to be here tomorrow. Even if it takes months to find them, suitable people are there.

 

7. My final point. This IS possible. Problems can be worked on. Obstacles can be overcome. It's just a matter of working on it.

[Striker6]

Why didn't you address what I wrote? Second comment down.

[The_Sith]

I think it is time for this discussion to be put to rest. no_username, you simply do not understand the biggest point I was trying to make - we can't spare the staff to monitor "your" board 24/7 and ensure that your precise wants/needs are met. There is simply no way I will allow such a board to be created where moderators are to remove ANY sign of being off-topic or comitting some offense. We are stretched thin as it is; the ideas you are discussing would require an entire staff of 20-25 to monitor. I love the idea of a serious forum (and think we have one in the making with the Debate Forum) but creating an oppressive, highly-moderated board is not the answer! As a user, I would not want to participate in this ideal board you have created - a forum is supposed to be fun, not a place where you can pick and choose people with whom you come into contact.

 

 

 

And yes, Errdoth, I am back. :) Thank you for the post. no_username, you say you wouldn't mind such "off-topic" replies in the General forum... but go on to say that there is no place where it should be allowed? Another reason this thread should not continue: perhaps you should gather your thoughts first before posting such vehement responses to people who are providing critical analysis to your ideas.

 

 

 

no_username, you need to seriously rethink what it is you are asking for here. Creating an elitist board where only certain people can respond is silly; that's not the idea of a community. Even though this thread is locked, I will pursue ideas with the other staff about how to improve discussion over the boards - whether or not that means adding or merging boards, I don't know. But I am almost certain that it will entail removing/loosening rules rather than enforcing more stringent ones.