Major Changes To Forum Policy

robt_2

IMO, you really NEED for abuse to have an account called "MSE_Abuse' or similar and use it.

Example:

You have a thread where someone has asked where to get Microsoft Office.

Don't just delete a post telling someone to look for illegal torrents. It disrupts the flow of the thread and people wonder what is being talked about. Remove the offending post, post on the thread saying you are not allowed to discuss illegal torrents (in more friendly words referring ppl to the rules) and lock the topic if the thread has run its course.

Alternative - edit the offending post to restate the rule that you are not to discuss torrents.

It is 15 seconds extra work which could potentially save far more work as people won't suggest torrents in the thread again and the rule has been reinforced.

LizzieS_2

AirCooledHeaven wrote: »

Just my 2p worth:

All the stuff that Martin is unhappy about exists on every other forum on the internet. Forum behaviour reflects human nature and the relative anonymity of forums allows the best and worst of people's personalities to be laid bare. Every forum has it's 'types' of poster and they are pretty much universal, as observed here:

http://redwing.hutman.net/~mreed/

Cliques are formed, posters get flamed, posters are offended, posters seek offence, posters are arrogant, posters are knowledgeable, posters are ignorant, posters are intelligent, posters are stupid, posters argue etc etc. It's just life, it can't be changed in reality and it can't be changed on line, it just has to be accepted and managed as best as possible.

I was surprised to discover that board guides are expected to 'look after' multiple forums, I think there should be a board guide for each forum and they should be allowed to apply some level of moderation, but without stifling the thread. Just to weed out the obviously offensive and unhelpful posts, while allowing the thread to develop in the organic way threads do.

I think the 'thanks' system should also be removed because it is not consistently applied by posters. Some people invest time and effort for a really helpful and well researched answer and get no thanks, others post frivolous answers and get thanked. There are people who never thank anything, and people who thank everything. I think people view their status in terms of how many times they've been thanked, but a simple post count, and 'money saving status' should suffice to display their credibility. It's also my experience that those with the highest thanks count don't always post the best answers and can be rather arrogant, but they are held in reverie by newbies. Surely it's thanks enough to know that one has posted a helpful reply without an official pat on the back?

Agree with all you say. I would like to see it taken a step further:

1. Board guides on each part of the forum moderating posters (not the same as moderating posts )

2. Thanks button changed to "agree"

3. Agree only given by board guides - this gives some degree of consistency.

4. Accept DT/Arms "thanks" go, but it would be nice to acknowledge the genuine knowledge people display (can be done by using 3 above).

5. If possible, the "agrees" for each of us are different for each part of the forum.

6. Those who openly admit to working for certain employers - facility there to show it on the user name rather than only after clicking on their name.

7. Post count is irrelevant unless (5) can be done.

alared

magyar wrote: »

The plus side is that if it makes people with attitudes like yours go away, that can only be a good thing. :beer:

Under the proposed new rules,for making the silly,obnoxious remark above,you would have been the first to be awarded at least a yellow card and been reported for abuse.
Start practicing what you preach and stop being a hypocrite. :T:T:T

aliEnRIK

robt wrote: »

IMO, you really NEED for abuse to have an account called "MSE_Abuse' or similar and use it.

Example:

You have a thread where someone has asked where to get Microsoft Office.

Don't just delete a post telling someone to look for illegal torrents. It disrupts the flow of the thread and people wonder what is being talked about. Remove the offending post, post on the thread saying you are not allowed to discuss illegal torrents (in more friendly words referring ppl to the rules) and lock the topic if the thread has run its course.

Alternative - edit the offending post to restate the rule that you are not to discuss torrents.

It is 15 seconds extra work which could potentially save far more work as people won't suggest torrents in the thread again and the rule has been reinforced.

Whats a 'torrent'??

superscaper

aliEnRIK wrote: »

Whats a 'torrent'??

A strong flow of water or other liquid. Or other large outpouring. According to OED.

rmg1

superscaper wrote: »

A strong flow of water or other liquid. Or other large outpouring. According to OED.

Don't think that was quite what he meant! :rolleyes:

treliac

MSE_Martin wrote: »

I called a brainstorm of the team at MSE Towers today, as i've been worried about the forums and what I perceive to be an increase in nastiness.

I agree with any action that will keep nastiness under control. In the end, however, this is your forum Martin and we are all privileged to be able to use it. I have saved / claimed back a considerable sum since joining and learning from the shared wisdom. Thank you!

The 'thanks' facility does contribute to the fun, interest and appreciation though, so I hope we can be allowed to keep as wide a use of this as possible.

pipkin71

Quillion wrote: »

I must admit the sarcastic comment i used to get on the comps board stopped me posting not worth the hassle.

I used to post quite a few posts on the comp board, until someone started playing 'forum police' via pm, so don't really post on there now.

Mind you, I did have a chuckle when one sarcastic 'already posted' was left by someone who then went on to post a comp I had already posted :rotfl:

Bogof_Babe

Blimey I had no idea the Comps board was such a hotbed of antagonism. It puts a whole new meaning into "competitive"!

Errata

BB - we live and learn. I had no idea I could Flylady and get 40 thanks for making the bed :rotfl: