Let's put some effort in, alright?

[SBaby 660]

Honestly, I really don't see anything wrong with the way this site is moderated.  Not in the abstract, I don't.

 

And are off-topic posts really so much of a site-breaking pandemic that an entire topic had to be made to discuss it?  I don't think so.  When they do crop up (and it isn't nearly as often as this topic makes it out to be; let's not kid ourselves, there's a reason why no examples have yet been provided), people can always just report it if it really interferes with their discussion that much.  Honestly, I don't think it's that big of a deal when compared to other things that show up, like flame wars and personal attacks.  If you want my opinion, I'd rather see that stuff addressed over the minor occasional off-topic posts that aren't really a big deal and as the TC said, can simply be ignored.

 

Of course, if you really have that much of a problem with the way mods here address off-topic posts, there are plenty of sites out there, where you have to walk on eggshells to avoid the banhammer.

Edited December 28, 2013 by SBaby

[Fubz 300]

Honestly, I really don't see anything wrong with the way this site is moderated.  Not in the abstract, I don't.

 

And are off-topic posts really so much of a site-breaking pandemic that an entire topic had to be made to discuss it?  I don't think so.  When they do crop up (and it isn't nearly as often as this topic makes it out to be; let's not kid ourselves, there's a reason why no examples have yet been provided), people can always just report it if it really interferes with their discussion that much.  Honestly, I don't think it's that big of a deal when compared to other things that show up, like flame wars and personal attacks.  If you want my opinion, I'd rather see that stuff addressed over the minor occasional off-topic posts that aren't really a big deal and as the TC said, can simply be ignored.

 

Of course, if you really have that much of a problem with the way mods here address off-topic posts, there are plenty of sites out there, where you have to walk on eggshells to avoid the banhammer.

Hm, it's more of a problem of single members themselves continuously posting low quality and because it's ignored then they'll just end up being ignored by most members forever and continue that low level of posting. It doesn't really affect each single discussion too much but there are always a couple of people each thread whose post is just crap, and that fact needs to be pointed out to them. That's my first concern, if I'm actually allowed to do that or not :T I'm assuming yes for now. I just find it weird that there are people with a thousand posts or so whose posts are still low quality. In fact one of the top posters, Zygen, I don't think has ever seen a shift key in his life and I've ignored all of his posts because they're too annoying to read. He's probably a cool guy and has helpful things to say as well and of course he's not the only poster.

 

New members will tend to type like that as well and I thought that if they weren't 'taught' how to post then they'd post like that forever but I guess leading by example does have its effect. But then again if it is completely ignored it does bring the whole quality of the forums down.

 

I guess you should RIP this thread unless you want 8 pages of long repeats on this matter.

[SBaby 660]

Hm, it's more of a problem of single members themselves continuously posting low quality and because it's ignored then they'll just end up being ignored by most members forever and continue that low level of posting. It doesn't really affect each single discussion too much but there are always a couple of people each thread whose post is just crap, and that fact needs to be pointed out to them. That's my first concern, if I'm actually allowed to do that or not :T I'm assuming yes for now. I just find it weird that there are people with a thousand posts or so whose posts are still low quality. In fact one of the top posters, Zygen, I don't think has ever seen a shift key in his life and I've ignored all of his posts because they're too annoying to read. He's probably a cool guy and has helpful things to say as well and of course he's not the only poster.

 

New members will tend to type like that as well and I thought that if they weren't 'taught' how to post then they'd post like that forever but I guess leading by example does have its effect. But then again if it is completely ignored it does bring the whole quality of the forums down.

 

I guess you should RIP this thread unless you want 8 pages of long repeats on this matter.

 

As I said before, that's why there's a REPORT button.  It's there for a reason.  I honestly don't know what people are expecting if they choose not to use it.

 

I don't know what else I can say here.  I mean, if the people complaining don't want to use the Report feature, that's not my fault.  And it's certainly not the fault of the staff, as this topic seems to imply.

 

But the fact that people AREN'T using it tells me that this isn't as widespread of a problem as the topic makes it out to be.  And mentioning one member doesn't make this a widespread problem.  A widespread problem implies that a majority of the member base does it.  And somehow, I don't think that's the case.

Edited December 28, 2013 by SBaby

[hawkflame 3,310]

Anyone else think that this thread, especially the first post, should be stickied? 

 

I'm personally not one who is for super-strict, proactive moderation.  I personally feel that a forum is best when users are relatively free to speak their mind without fear of the "forum police" getting to them.  I've been to forums where I was afraid to post because I thought the mods were going to do something with what I had to say. 

 

At the same time I see the need to clean up post quality around here, especially in the off topic section.  We are a community, and if we want our community to grow and thrive, we have to keep it clean, so to speak.  Try to engage in and support interesting conversation.  Report posts that clearly violate rules.  Put an effort not only into what you have to say but into the forum on the whole.  And this is directed at everyone including myself, because god knows I haven't been a perfect member either. 

 

But at the same time we can't keep it clean without our local law enforcement, who makes sure everyone follows the rules.  And like with the actual police, I think the best way for mods to go about things is to work with the community.  Encourage the members.  Brohoof quality posts.  And when someone does break a rule, be gentle and helpful, with maybe a smiley or two, while coming down harder on repeat offenses.  You're mods, not robots. 

 

So.. in essence I guess I agree with the general gist of the OP.  Make an effort, but make it with decency and grace and with a smile.  Then we could make this community even better. 

[Fubz 300]

As I said before, that's why there's a REPORT button.  It's there for a reason.  I honestly don't know what people are expecting if they choose not to use it.

 

I don't know what else I can say here.  I mean, if the people complaining don't want to use the Report feature, that's not my fault.  And it's certainly not the fault of the staff, as this topic seems to imply.

But I said before reporting's too harsh and also because you can't really have a rule against it. In the OP I did suggest a rule, but that was only for capitalisation, it seems that is not the right way to go about it. It's something that has to be dealt with in a different way.

Ignoring it leaves us with silly posters.

That's why I made this thread and I suggested a solution.

 

I didn't talk about moderators, or moderation really. I don't even know what proactive moderation is :U but apparently it's a solution and it seems that my post indicates towards this solution as well.

 

 I mean, if the people complaining don't want to use the Report feature, that's not my fault.

What?

 

But the fact that people AREN'T using it tells me that this isn't as widespread of a problem as the topic makes it out to be. And mentioning one member doesn't make this a widespread problem.  A widespread problem implies that a majority of the member base does it.  And somehow, I don't think that's the case.

Honestly, I don't think it's that big of a deal when compared to other things that show up, like flame wars and personal attacks.  If you want my opinion, I'd rather see that stuff addressed over the minor occasional off-topic posts that aren't really a big deal and as the TC said, can simply be ignored.

 

Of course, if you really have that much of a problem with the way mods here address off-topic posts, there are plenty of sites out there, where you have to walk on eggshells to avoid the banhammer.

Firstly, I think it's a big problem and so do many other posters, I don't think I need to give examples. Even if it wasn't a big problem, it doesn't remove my 'right' to have this discussion get this addressed with anyway. It doesn't affect me personally either I just want these forums to be better rather than just leaving. I stressed in the first post, that this is the biggest problem right now in my opinion mainly because there's not a straightforward solution as there is with flame wars and whatnot and also because it does affect and lie within a lot of our members.

 

If you want to deal with other problems you can make another thread if you would like to. Please respect my concern.

 

And mentioning one member doesn't make this a widespread problem. 

I can't tell if this is stupidity or sarcasm. If it was sarcasm it was pretty unnecessary.

I would still like a reply to my comment at the top of page (post #21), from staff hopefully. It seemed at some points in this thread that people did not know that you actually need good quality posts for a forum to work and the reason that off topic sections etc. exist are for socialising and talking about whatever you want at whatever level you want. Everywhere else should really be a discussion. Because then there's no difference between here and Facebook. Use status updates and Cloudsdale and Blogs for that.

 

Or at least, that's what I believe.

Edited December 28, 2013 by Fubz

[Arylett Charnoa 4,919]

I don't even know what proactive moderation is

Just thought I'd pop in quickly to explain what it is.

 

Proactive moderation is when the mods go through the sections, actively looking for trouble and signs of rule-breaking. As opposed to reactive moderation, when they just only react to the reports that are made. To accomplish the former is as simple as participating in the actual community and just dealing with something when you see it yourself. You don't really have to go through every section and just check all threads for rulebreaking. As many times, people don't see things that are wrong, don't care, or do not KNOW what is wrong or right to actually report it, proactive moderation can be very effective. 

 

Anyway, just thought I'd explain that. :3 Continue on with your discussion/debate thing here and don't mind my interruption.

Edited December 29, 2013 by Arylett Dawnsborough

[SBaby 660]

What?

 

Exactly what it means.  If you choose not to use the Report Feature to report a problem post, you have only yourself to blame.  It isn't the fault of any members or any of the staff that you choose not to use something that the staff have in place specifically for the situations you outlined in your first post.  It's a simple click, and a one-sentence post.  

 

 

 

But I said before reporting's too harsh and also because you can't really have a rule against it.

 

What's more harsh, posting a one-sentence report about it that only you and a mod can see, or posting an entire topic devoted to it that everyone on the site can see?

 

And think again.  There is a rule against sending false reports.

 

 

 

Firstly, I think it's a big problem and so do many other posters, I don't think I need to give examples.

 

Examples help the staff to get an idea of how bad the problem is.  If it's really as widespread as you claim it is, then it should be easy to give examples of what is happening.  If you can't do that, it probably means the problem ISN'T as big as this topic makes it out to be, and it probably means the mods don't have to worry too much about it.

 

 

 

I can't tell if this is stupidity or sarcasm. If it was sarcasm it was pretty unnecessary.

 

 

It isn't sarcasm.  It's the truth.  One user does not make a widespread problem.  Instead of posting their name, how about showing examples of what they and other users have done?  That would better illustrate how big the problem is.

Edited December 29, 2013 by SBaby

[Fubz 300]

Thanks for the explanation.

 

Ah, alright. I said it was stupid because I didn't post a single example to prove that exact point there, quite obviously, also because you said 'make' instead of 'prove' which confused me.

 

 

What's more harsh, posting a one-sentence report about it that only you and a mod can see, or posting an entire topic devoted to it that everyone on the site can see?

I doubt anybody cares about that, it's more about the punishment rather than the actual reporting. Ho-hum, okay I guess I'll just report all these people that I see who post silly and I hope they get warning points accordingly. I just think for giving out warning points for people who type like that is a bit far and will end up in a thread here completely against it and the problem for the moderators is this

 

 

As far as the moderation approach to posts that are unsatisfactory in quality goes, there's the "Pointless/Off-Topic" category for warning offending members.  A problem we've been facing more and more as our numbers grow, is that many become completely turned-off when they are mercilessly given warning points for an offence they feel they did not commit - as much of the time, these offences are purely by mistake and without the knowledge that they were doing harm to the thread.  Taking the amount of issues we've been running into regarding this particular offence, we've been mulling over what can be done about the folks who feel wronged too often by our iron-fisted will.

 

And also a lot of other issues brought up in the first page.

 

I hope this thread has been useful in some way, and I still don't know whether you see these forums as forums or as a YouTube comment section and also if I'm allowed to moan at people. Anyways  I guess the rest is up to the staff to discuss in between themselves about the different points brought up throughout here and I hope you take them seriously. I'm done here, I guess I guess I guess I guess.