Major Changes To Forum Policy

ThinkingOfLinking

JasonLVC wrote: »

As a result, are the 'Thanks' because the post was informative, interesting or funny or simply becuase the post was made by your best mate/alter-ego/fellow 'believer'.

Well, with all due respect to Martin and the MSE team, I do agree with you that some people will thank their little gang of friends, but it's a shame to tar us all with the same brush and result in none of us being allowed to thank people in this section; I thank people who have either helped me, made me laugh or whose post I agree with. It's not a big drama if they do decide to do away with this though..I just would prefer it if they didn't.;)

mineallmine

Martin and the team,

You have a difficult job juggling the numbers on here, but it's good to see you're striving toward keeping this an approachable place with easy to understand info. I like the changes and so here's my feedback:

-- On MSE official threads (and a post already exists) I can see both sides here. A forum member who found the info and MSE who need to know it's validity and avoid linking to threads which have become "controversial" (through codes or arguments). Why not allow the original poster to be thanked - by putting a Thanks button inside the post. So a little tinkering with this format (or it could be a tool only MSE can provide in posts alongside the Thanks and Quote buttons), eg:
[thanks]Thanks to MoneySaver mustbemoreorganised for this fab spot!
This post has been inserted to give a detailed guide[/thanks][/QUOTE]This can work alongside the linking to their original post.

-- Newbie bubble is great, and should be for say 3 months (or 50 posts as suggested above). Could you set up a flag that comes up before you reply to a newbie - quoting the previous post - It's FREE to be kind to others.

-- If something is reported as Spam, is there a way (if eg a set number of people have reported it as Spam) you can prevent any responses - or have a flag that comes up something like your response will not be published at this time as this post has been flagged as Spam.

-- Like the idea of Q&A for long threads, where appropriate. Perhaps an automatic message to the Original Poster (OP) when creating the thread or when the thread reaches a set size, to prompt them to consider creating Q&A.

:A

Edinburghlass_2

Edinburghlass wrote: »

Please see Martin's addition to the OP regarding the thank button, it won't be removed just any thanks given in certain boards won't count to a user's total.

Flickering_Ember wrote: »

Well, with all due respect to Martin and the MSE team, I do agree with you that some people will thank their little gang of friends, but it's a shame to tar us all with the same brush and result in none of us being allowed to thank people in this section; I thank people who have either helped me, made me laugh or whose post I agree with. It's not a big drama if they do decide to do away with this though..I just would prefer it if they didn't.;)

Its not being done away with, just the thanks won't count towards your total thanks count on some boards.

odowdchr

mewbie wrote: »

One useful purpose of Thanks count is to persuade people to be reasonable. Behave nasty = don't get thanked. Why should it matter less on some boards than others?

They could replace them with anonymous "Smite" and "Exalt" buttons.....and you're only allowed to use it once per hour.
The trick is not to take it seriously

Lokolo

MSE_Martin wrote: »

....
7. As for FAQ in each forum, if people want to put them together great.

Should we just post our FAQ in the forum or what...? As I suspect it will go off the page pretty soon in some places!

I am bored at work so thought I would start making one

bylromarha

I think it's great that these things are being re-looked at. Means the forum continues to grow and hard work is being done to try to maintain the community feel.

Thank you to all the MSE team for this!

my thoughts-as a byl of little brain

1) Newbie bubble- GREAT idea. Is it possible to set up as an either or...I'd suggest the newbie bubble remains for 2 months and/or a 100 posts, whichever takes the longer.

2) When a new thread is started by anyone, after "start new thread" is clicked, can it go to a screen stating something like "Has this information already been shared? Here's a search box - have a look- we suggest these key phrases" and phrases are offered to the user of key words that may help the search which have been taken from the user's own thread title.

3) Maybe a new group of helpers could be set up who aren't BG's, just experts in their chosen field. At the top of each page of long standing threads, under page numbers, there can be a box that the helpers can use to add in answers to FAQs that people consistently ask, or links to posts within the thread to timely deals. many of the Boots/Tesco people are on their thread daily and would probably appreciate the chance to be able to not continually have to nicely answer the same questions or repeat the same link.

MSE_Martin

Ok a fwe clarifications.

1. You WILL still be able to thank every post. Just posts in the MSA, Discusssion time, MS polls, and poss house prices debate boards WONT be added to the thanks count.

2. Why only three posts for newbies. We had a lot of discussion on this. Ultimately the newbie warning is a psychological one, a big bold visual reminder from the MSE team this person is new and not used to what they're doing. Its a piece of voodoo if you like - but often that works - people are generally good and will respect it.

Yet if we extend it too far (ie first 20 posts) it loses its power. Its not that we want to say after 3 posts you can be rude, but that the first three posts are SPECIAL and should be treated as such. Yet there is no way 20 posts can be as special. Hence why its down to three, though if technology allows it may be "3 posts or the first 24 hours whichever is long)

3. As for how the FAQ will work.

This isnt formulated yet, but my idea, roughly is. Someone in a long thread (note for new users a thread is a single topic in a specific board (e.g. old style) that people can reply to) writes a summary of points so far and posts it calling it a summary post.

Then they PM the board guides of that board and say they've done a summary - the board guide can then cut and paste it into the first post in the thread and then add the following above it (and below the OPs post) - we'll add formating though, but words something like this.

"Inserted by Board Guide at time date
The following is summary of info in the thread. Thanks to MoneySaver CheekyChops for writing it.
Please note this is a user summary, MSE cannot take responsibility for the info in it."

jojo2004

bylromarha wrote: »

2) When a new thread is started by anyone, after "start new thread" is clicked, can it go to a screen stating something like "Has this information already been shared? Here's a search box - have a look- we suggest these key phrases" and phrases are offered to the user of key words that may help the search which have been taken from the user's own thread title.

The difficulty being that the Search function as is throws up a LOT when you try it - any search I've ever done requires you to wade through pages of results from the Comp boards, none of which are remotely relevant to your query; I've ended up giving up in disgust and starting a new thread anyway!

Is there a way that the Search function could be made more advanced - i.e. omit blimmin Comps when looking for actual info! Apologies if there is a way to do this already, have never figured it out.

fermi

jojo2004 wrote: »

Is there a way that the Search function could be made more advanced - i.e. omit blimmin Comps when looking for actual info! Apologies if there is a way to do this already, have never figured it out.

You can already do an Advanced Search

Hold down the CTRL key and select just the boards you want to search on.



Or ....

- click on the top board in the list, and while holding down the SHIFT key scroll down and click on the last board. That will select all boards.
- Hold down CTRL and click to deselect the boards you want to exclude.

Bit of a pain I know, but can be done...........

pipkin71

I think these suggestions are a great way forward for the site and agree that the thanks don't need to be added to your count for posts in the arms and discussion - and the way the board is at the moment, also the house price debate section.

I've found many posts on the benefit board stray from advise to personal comments, despite the sticky that it is an advice board only, which is a shame and I do believe it puts people off from posting their queries.

Hopefully the proposed changes will make the boards a friendlier place for people to visit.