Getting back on topic...

[Yellow Diamond 7,561]

Based on user feedback, we’re implementing alterations regarding how off-topic discussions are handled. In the past, any tangential conversation in a thread was liable to fall under an off-topic rules violation. Now that’s going to change.

 

The off-topic rule will still be applied under four general circumstances:

 

1. Spammy off-topic posts: Posts having absolutely nothing to do with the thread topic. 
E.g.: Someone coming into a conversation about an MLP episode and telling an unrelated knock-knock joke.

 

2. Thread hijacking: Posts that attempt to abruptly change the topic of a thread to something else.

E.g.: Someone coming into a lengthy discussion on an MLP episode and saying “that episode was nice, but it was nowhere near as good as the new Avengers movie.  Let’s talk about that instead.”

 

3. Severely off-topic conversations: When the conversation steers so far from the original discussion topic of the thread it’s unrecognizable as even tangentially related to the OP.

E.g.: Thread about Catholicism turns into thread about religion in general turns into thread about Christian views towards homosexuality turns into thread about homosexuality in general, turns into thread about gay actors, turns into thread about Ellen DeGeneres, turns into thread about talk shows, turns into thread about Oprah’s favorite gifts.  Everything after Christian views towards homosexuality is probably too far off-topic. Acceptable deviation will be at the staff’s discretion.

 

4. Off-topic posting in designated “Mega-Threads”: Threads designated as mega-threads will not allow any off-topic discussion and will be strictly moderated.

 

The fourth and final circumstance is important to note. Mega-threads are typically stickied topics (though not always) in their respective sections. Mega-threads have proven to be so popular and accessible that allowing them to veer off-topic would cause confusion and even hurt feelings. Think of it this way: mega-threads belong to the entire community rather than the OP who made the topic. Share these threads with care!

 

Our goal is to introduce a “Mega-Thread” prefix in the near future. But for now, please refer to the list at the bottom of this post.

 

As for other threads, duplicate topics may exist under reasonable circumstances. We’ll no longer merge or lock duplicate threads, unless the staff deems it a duplicate of an existing mega-thread, or if the duplicate threads are spammed. Whatever the case may be, the staff reserves the right to merge or lock a thread.

 

Off-topic posts are permitted as organic extensions of a conversation, provided they do not fall under the above listed exceptions. The general rule of thumb for everyone is to avoid marching into a thread and abruptly changing the discussion without prior input. If a conversation isn’t going in the direction you’d prefer, consider making your own thread rather than forcing the existing topic to march to your fife.

 

In sum, we hope these changes give you guys more range to chat about various topics without looking over your shoulders for a moderator on the horizon. Even with greater freedom, however, everyone is expected to be polite and respectful. Feel free to contact a staff member if you’re uncertain about the direction a topic is headed.

 

Happy trails!

 

From Jeric: "As an addendum, all Fan Clubs are by default not to be duplicated, so that whole forum is considered a Mega-Thread."

 

---

 

Mega-Thread List

Please note that this list may not include all recognized mega-threads. This remains a work in progress.

 

EDIT: We now have mega-thread tags!

 

Beyond Equestria

 

Media Discussion

• http://mlpforums.com/topic/102928-metal-thread/
• http://mlpforums.com/topic/55344-song-currently-stuck-in-your-head-right-now/
• http://mlpforums.com/topic/343-what-game-are-you-playing-right-now/
• http://mlpforums.com/topic/5848-last-movie-you-watched/
• http://mlpforums.com/topic/163-anime-discussion-thread/
• http://mlpforums.com/topic/11569-champion-rd92s-rock-music-thread/
• http://mlpforums.com/topic/57582-unpopular-music-related-opinions/
• http://mlpforums.com/topic/34622-what-are-your-computer-specs/
• http://mlpforums.com/topic/68519-steamlivepsn3ds-friend-code-central/
• http://mlpforums.com/topic/3189-the-general-video-masterthread/

 

General Discussion

• http://mlpforums.com/topic/18464-tulpa-discussion-thread/
• http://mlpforums.com/topic/5311-whats-your-sexuality/
• http://mlpforums.com/topic/1316-why-did-you-choose-your-username/
• http://mlpforums.com/topic/70580-why-did-you-choose-your-avatarprofile-pic/
• http://mlpforums.com/topic/92228-what-are-you-thinking/
• http://mlpforums.com/topic/21764-whats-your-pet-peeve/
• http://mlpforums.com/topic/44444-christian-bronies-meet-greet-and-mingle/
• http://mlpforums.com/topic/59649-furry-discussion-thread/
• http://mlpforums.com/topic/52992-skype-exchange-masterthread/
• http://mlpforums.com/topic/72627-homework-help/

 

Debate Pit

• http://mlpforums.com/topic/4030-everyponys-religion-and-why/
• http://mlpforums.com/topic/66417-what-do-you-think-of-homosexuality/ http://mlpforums.com/topic/57471-opinions-on-abortion/
• http://mlpforums.com/topic/103064-feminism-how-do-you-feel-about-it/
• http://mlpforums.com/topic/115769-the-clop-thread-read-op-before-posting

 

Lounge

• http://mlpforums.com/topic/103331-feminist-club/
• http://mlpforums.com/topic/56198-general-chat-thread/
• http://mlpforums.com/topic/131-best-cute-pony-pictures/
• http://mlpforums.com/topic/127-post-your-desktop/
• http://mlpforums.com/topic/137-post-a-picture-of-yourself/
• http://mlpforums.com/topic/57952-post-all-of-your-funny-pony-pictures-here/
• http://mlpforums.com/topic/113023-what-are-you-listening-to-right-now/
• http://mlpforums.com/topic/7453-what-are-you-doing-at-this-very-moment/
• http://mlpforums.com/topic/20319-get-banned-by-dissing-the-mods/

 

Forum Games

• http://mlpforums.com/topic/69955-count-to-a-million/
• http://mlpforums.com/topic/300-last-poster-wins/
• http://mlpforums.com/topic/134-rate-the-signature-of-the-user-above-you/
• http://mlpforums.com/topic/39-rate-the-avatar-of-the-user-above-you/
• http://mlpforums.com/topic/13-the-banned-game/

 

FiM

 

Show Discussion

• http://mlpforums.com/topic/31884-your-favorite-episode/
• http://mlpforums.com/topic/112513-mlp-fim-season-5-preview-info-spoilers/
• http://mlpforums.com/topic/90319-your-favourite-pony-and-why/
• http://mlpforums.com/topic/112754-season-5-predictionshopes/

 

Sugarcube Corner

• http://mlpforums.com/topic/4371-favorite-fan-songs/
• http://mlpforums.com/topic/118-how-and-when-did-you-become-a-brony/
• http://mlpforums.com/topic/8438-the-mlp-video-masterthread/

 

Equestria Girls

• http://mlpforums.com/topic/111102-rainbow-rocks-reactionsreviews-spoilers/
• http://mlpforums.com/topic/63800-equestria-girls-reactions-reviews/
• http://mlpforums.com/topic/85630-equestria-girls-rainbow-rocks-discussion-thread/

OH

• http://mlpforums.com/topic/103639-voice-actors-guild/
• http://mlpforums.com/topic/43854-mlp-forums-writing-centre/
• http://mlpforums.com/topic/97940-the-poniverse-authors-helping-authors-group/

 

 

[Jeric 46,834]

As for other threads, duplicate topics may exist under reasonable circumstances. We’ll no longer merge or lock duplicate threads, unless the staff deems it a duplicate of an existing mega-thread, or if the duplicate threads are spammed. Whatever the case may be, the staff reserves the right to merge or lock a thread.

 

 

 

 

Off-topic posts are permitted as organic extensions of a conversation, provided they do not fall under the above listed exceptions. The general rule of thumb for everyone is to avoid marching into a thread and abruptly changing the discussion without prior input. If a conversation isn’t going in the direction you’d prefer, consider making your own thread rather than forcing the existing topic to march to your fife

 

 

On this I have one thing to say. 

 

 

 

I appreciate everyone who pointed this out recently, and these are changes that I personally welcome and hope will make the forums more user friendly and conversational. 

---

 

 

 

As an addendum, all Fan Clubs are, by default, not to be duplicated. So that whole forum is considered a Mega-Thread. 

 

Though if you want to make ten Rarity Fan Clubs I won't mind.

[Lightwing 12,955]

We have been heard, people of MLPForums. We finally have been heard.

 

Now on a more serious topic. This changes are really nice, and I bet that many people will find them a good thing for the sake of a more organic conversation.

And the list of mega threads? The cherry on top of the cake. That will clarify any doubt that users can have about which threads are tagged as "Mega Threads".

 

Hopefuly this change will encourage a more lively discussion and a better and more friendly environment in general.

[DubWolf 16,584]

What has gotten most of my attention is the mega-thread rule (such a cool fitting name ).

 

My interpretation of this is that the count to a million game (or CTAM) and similar games like Last Poster Wins will not have any discussion at all except what the game is about (so in CTAM's case, only the number can be posted and nothing else...although I'm not sure how you can be on-topic in the last poster wins game except "I win", "no I win now!" ).

 

If the new rule is trying to address the difficult ability to moderate such a massive thread, and there is no other way of going about this, then I understand and suggest putting a cap to the number of posts a game can have in a given amount of time (whatever is manageable). This doesn't have to be a built-in auto-lock thread everytime a post count has been reached, but perhaps a moderator could lock the game for a period ranging from an hour to a whole day (or after a certain number of posts have been reached), just to ease the moderation process. Of course this would...definitely take a lot of time for all the mega-threads that exist.... so I'm not sure at the moment the fairest way of going about this.

 

I speak as a user of the forums and not the creator of this game, specifically.

Or simply yet, add more moderators. One must expand in response to growth or the needs of the community.

Edited April 27, 2015 by SparkWolf

[Lightwing 12,955]

Or simply yet, add more moderators. One must expand in response to growth or the needs of the community.

Adding new moderators isn't as easy as it sounds. I wasn't here back then, but there was an ocassion where a boat load of moderators (Spoon's generation) joined the staff,and from 10 people, only one lasted, and even one of them got banned.

 

What am i saying with this? MLPForums want the people thay is truly efficient and is willing to take some of their free time to help the community. It's not an instant nor an easy choice.

 

A few months ago, precisely it started to exist an application for those that wanted to become members of the staff. You wouldn't be chosen instantly even if you made it, but it would actually help to find the people that is truly ready and willing to do the task of a moderator. You could do it if you decided to help, it wouldn't hurt any chances nor cause any problem.

[Jeric 46,834]

What has gotten most of my attention is the mega-thread rule (such a cool fitting name ).

 

My interpretation of this is that the count to a million game (or CTAM) and similar games like Last Poster Wins will not have any discussion at all except what the game is about (so in CTAM's case, only the number can be posted and nothing else...although I'm not sure how you can be on-topic in the last poster wins game except "I win", "no I win now!" ).

 

If the new rule is trying to address the difficult ability to moderate such a massive thread, and there is no other way of going about this, then I understand and suggest putting a cap to the number of posts a game can have in a given amount of time (whatever is manageable). This doesn't have to be a built-in auto-lock thread everytime a post count has been reached, but perhaps a moderator could lock the game for a period ranging from an hour to a whole day (or after a certain number of posts have been reached), just to ease the moderation process. Of course this would...definitely take a lot of time for all the mega-threads that exist.... so I'm not sure at the moment the fairest way of going about this.

 

I speak as a user of the forums and not the creator of this game, specifically.

 

Or simply yet, add more moderators. One must expand in response to growth or the needs of the community.

Both CTAM and LPW are naturally conversational. The new rules are about giving more flexibility to members, and about not over-moderating

 

They are not because topics are hard to moderate.

 

In the end we want members to have a little more comfort in posting but also not wind up with a dozen "Who is your Best Pony?" Topics.

[Shanks 10,811]

Most of the changes here do make sense, a mega thread prefix might also be a good idea as it might make things a bit more clear as to what constitutes a "mega thread".

[The Crimson Cross 7,532]

I think this is a brilliant idea, personally!

I know a number of people expressing concern over the new off-topic discussion rule. But it seems that what actually constitutes an off topic discussion is often pretty extreme and greatly disrupts the thread for most members. As Spoon said, Christianity --> Ellen Degeneres. Nice analogy, but it does happen surprisingly.

Most of all, I like the idea of not locking or deleting the duplicate threads. This forum is a place to encourage discussion, and that's just what it's going to do. We've got a myriad of new members appearing each day, and not everyone gets around to replying to one single thread.

 

On the other hand, I can see some complications happening in the forum games and fan clubs (which has been covered already). Though, from what I've seen it's mostly duplicates of the so called "mega-threads" Well. That eliminates half the problem!

 

I support the idea of mega threads, and look forward to seeing how they're implemented! 

[Yellow Diamond 7,561]

I think this is a brilliant idea, personally!

I know a number of people expressing concern over the new off-topic discussion rule. But it seems that what actually constitutes an off topic discussion is often pretty extreme and greatly disrupts the thread for most members. As Spoon said, Christianity --> Ellen Degeneres. Nice analogy, but it does happen surprisingly.

 

All credit goes to Simon for the examples. Only his twisted mind could connect those topics so succinctly.

[Simon 4,554]

y interpretation of this is that the count to a million game (or CTAM) and similar games like Last Poster Wins will not have any discussion at all except what the game is about (so in CTAM's case, only the number can be posted and nothing else...although I'm not sure how you can be on-topic in the last poster wins game except "I win", "no I win now!" ).

 

Nope, conversations in there are fine.  As a general rule, forum games and lounge are much more liberal with what sort of off-topic is allowed.  Their inclusion on the list is mainly so we don't have 27 CTAM and LPW threads when the ones we already have are massive.

 

To summarize how the mega-thread prefix will work, those are threads that basically will be moderated like we moderated stuff before this rule change went into effect.  All these rule changes do is give more flexibility in what is allowed, not less.

 

 

All credit goes to Simon for the examples. Only his twisted mind could connect those topics so succinctly.

 

*Bows* 

[Batbrony 15,994]

Good stuff, good stuff, monitoring threads as closely as our staff does is a big reason this site remains the premier online brony forum.  Good work admins and mods, and thanks for updating the rest of us! 

 

[Evilshy 5,089]

Posted by Spoon? I was under the impression that there was no spoon.

 

 

 

 

Also, would this count as off-topic, had I not made it on-topic by asking this question?

[Pastel 7,627]

Sorry, but to be honest I don't really like it. :/

It's a bit complicated (I don't think the new members will get it, and it's already a bit difficult to start on this forum) and "unfair" to the other topics.

 

And some of the mega threads lost their original tag (every mega thread in the Media Discussion had another tag before this one)...

 

I guess it's a matter of habit.

Edited April 29, 2015 by Blobulle

[professorsawyer 0]

This, is a very confusing thread.