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Limerick City Forum: Feedback.

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  • 02-01-2011 5:31pm
    #1
    Insect Overlord
    Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 30,858 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    First of all, Happy New Year everyone, and I hope 2011 treats ye all well. :)

    Now, the important stuff. I've said it a few times recently that we (the Midwest moderators) were thinking of re-jigging the Forum Charter. I think now, at the beginning of a new year, is the right time to start the process.

    What I'd like to see is feedback from the user-base to help us shape the new charter. A forum should be defined by the posters who use it. I don't think a major revolution is needed. Site-wide rules will still apply, for one thing. What we really need is consensus about how the rules should be applied here.

    Consistency in what earns a warning/yellow card/red card/ban is a top priority. Best practice for responding to them is out-lined in the DRP, but ideally we'd be looking to shape the forum so that punitive measures can be avoided altogether.

    So, now, the floor is open. What does the Limerick City Forum mean to you?
    What kind of things would you like to see here?
    What should we, the moderators, be doing to make this forum more enjoyable?

    I'll leave this thread open for at least a week, and possibly as long as ten days. The usual rules still apply. This is not a thread for disputing problems that have arisen in the past. Rather, it is to help us prevent such issues from arising again in the future. The usual guidelines about tasteful and respectful posting still apply.

    I'm looking forward to reading what ye have to say. :)


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    #2
    Berty
    Registered Users Posts: 26,149 ✭✭✭✭Berty


    I have used other regional forums and none of the other appear to be frequented as much by their users. They just seems to be a place where people go to ask and answer questions and therefore never evolved.

    People in the Limerick City forum try to have a laugh and sometimes moderators can be laid back and sometimes heavy handed when it comes to "fun".

    BTW - MONORAIL

    I was checking my UserCp earlier and my last "Billy the Squid" was the 08/04/10 for "Insulting another member". I stand by my comment btw. :D

    I don't breach the charter(often) or have any reason to even read it of late so wont be bothered by any changes.


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    #3
    bullets
    Registered Users Posts: 4,612 ✭✭✭bullets


    I'd like to request Rule Number seven to be altered or removed from the charter.

    I don't see the need for it, Most of the other sections on
    boards.ie get along just fine without a rule like this:

    Rule number 7 is this:
    (7) Making smart replies to threads started by people seeking information will result in a banning, If you cannot assist or make a suggestion, then don't reply.

    The Limerick City section of boards tends to be a little
    depressing and miserable a lot of the time, I would like
    to see this section of boards being a bit more relaxed/friendlier and people being able to have a laugh or joke and banter/conversation/discussion within reason.

    Posters should not be punished for light hearted humor
    or for posting something in a fun way or to try and brighten the mood. I dont think moderators here need
    to start issuing infractions or there should be a threat of a ban for anyone that cracks a joke
    unless a post it reported.

    Fair enough if the joke is in bad taste or if a poster feels
    offended in any way they can use the "report post" button
    in order to get a moderator to take action.

    I've been a member of boards.ie since 2001 and in all the
    time I've ever posted on different sections of boards I've never intentionally replied to a post to cause anyone offense or to insult anyone. I've never had an infraction or banning on any sections of boards apart from 2 infractions
    right here on the Limerick City Section for simply making a light hearted non offensive joke.

    The 2 infractions were for "Breech of the Peace" which I thought were farcical! considering one person was asking where they could hire an escort and the other was asking where to buy a knife.

    If we are not allowed have a sense of humor here
    this place will remain depressing/miserable and totally boring.

    This place should be more than just answering peoples questions for information!
    its not an information desk!
    ~B


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    #4
    keane2097
    Registered Users Posts: 17,770 ✭✭✭✭keane2097


    As Berty said this seems to be the best of the regional threads in terms of atmosphere and community spirit.

    It's pretty important in a sub-forum like this where the users have gotten to know one another somewhat that the mods operate with a fairly light touch IMO, and let people have their occasional little tiffs and arguments and come to their own resolutions with them - that's the best way for people to build rapport.

    In fairness, the mods on here do a good job of letting things flow naturally, hope it continues in the same vein.


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    #5
    Berty
    Registered Users Posts: 26,149 ✭✭✭✭Berty


    keane2097 wrote: »
    In fairness, the mods on here do a good job of letting things flow naturally, hope it continues in the same vein.

    Lets be fair. The new and lesser known Clareman is too new to fall into that bracket. I have only seen him once in the forum to prematurely close a thread. Let's hold judgement of the moderation until another day.


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    #6
    keane2097
    Registered Users Posts: 17,770 ✭✭✭✭keane2097


    Berty wrote: »
    Lets be fair. The new and lesser known Clareman is too new to fall into that bracket. I have only seen him once in the forum to prematurely close a thread. Let's hold judgement of the moderation until another day.

    Didn't even know there was a new mod.

    Like I said, light touch is the key - we're mainly grown-ups, we can police ourselves.


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    #7
    Mc Love
    Registered Users Posts: 14,015 ✭✭✭✭Mc Love


    I think there should be a warning system in place 3 strikes and you are banned for a week and every subsequent strike - longer punishment, but banning people never achieves anything.


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    #8
    Limerick_Lass
    Registered Users Posts: 1,033 ✭✭✭Limerick_Lass


    Firstly Id like to wish ye all a very happy new year.
    I suppose Im still considered a newbie but did contribute alot in 2010, and am very proud of my waffle thread, my contribution to the campaign of getting IO be named Limericks sexiest man, plus a few more topics. Made a few friends... and maybe enemies :rolleyes:
    Since moving away I have disappeared a bit but still pop in to see whats bothering everyone in Limerick these days.

    Anyhow, I really enjoy visiting the city forum, it seems to have a regular base of members which brings about a sense of homeyness :)
    I agree with some of the comments about easing off the infractions for the "banter" or just because a moderator has a problem with a poster.
    Consistency in what earns a warning/yellow card/red card/ban should be a top priority.

    Maybe instead of a mod getting offended by a post, it should be let up to anyone else who is offended, by reporting the post then.

    In general, I have had no incidences with mods in my time here (only with other posters!) I salute them for having the patience and commitment.
    Maybe try keeping threads on one topic to a minimal also... who remembers how many tunnel threads were going last year!! :D
    Dentist/restaurant recommendations ect.

    Looking forward to another enjoyable, efficacious and fun year with all ye boardsies.


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    #9
    zuroph
    Registered Users Posts: 11,097 ✭✭✭✭zuroph


    Raiser has to post his pic in the pic thread within a week or face a banning.


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    #10
    TestTransmission
    Registered Users Posts: 19,106 ✭✭✭✭TestTransmission


    zuroph wrote: »
    Raiser has to post his pic in the pic thread within a week or face a banning.

    Never happen!


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    #11
    kilburn
    Registered Users Posts: 3,912 ✭✭✭kilburn


    Agree no sense of humour at all in the Limerick City forum, try to crack a joke or open a humourous thread and you could be banned


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    #12
    zuroph
    Registered Users Posts: 11,097 ✭✭✭✭zuroph


    kilburn wrote: »
    Agree no sense of humour at all in the Limerick City forum, try to crack a joke or open a humourous thread and you could be banned
    ah thats far from true, theres a lot more joking goes on here than on other regional forums, and we're much better off for it. We have a good base of regulars that constantly maintain the forum and keep questions answered while having a bit of banter.
    I know you're annoyed about a certain thread, but if you provided a link to the quote, or pointed out that you were being tongue in cheek I'm sure it would have been fine, its just that the way you said it read as fact to someone who hadnt heard anything else on it. I know it did for me, I took it at face value. Mocking someone for something they said is one thing, mocking someone for something they didnt say is another.


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    #13
    kilburn
    Registered Users Posts: 3,912 ✭✭✭kilburn


    Fair enough but certain mods as mentioned by others are too, how should we put it delicately, hmmmm, easliy upset. The Limerick forum is the only one that certain regular posters get admonished, warned or yellow carded on, as per other comments above also.


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    #14
    RonMexico
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,916 ✭✭✭RonMexico


    Well Squids don't have a skeleton so therefore lack a funny bone.


    :p

    So yeah, I think a certain mod needs to lighten up. Otherwise no complaints really, they all do their fair share around here.


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    #15
    Conor Bourke
    Hosted Moderators Posts: 17,424 ✭✭✭✭Conor Bourke


    This is today's thread of the day! Well done all :D

    I think that this is a reasonably well modded forum , I liked the above suggestions re: warnings, three strikes, etc.

    I've nothing much else to add except that I've always only really been a lurker on the forums of other places I've lived, as there wasn't as much craic but there is definitely a nice little sense of community (without being clannish) here on the Limerick City forum (Oh God, I just threw up a little bit in my mouth, what the hell is wrong with me? ;) )


    EDIT: Actually mods, +1 on Zuroph's motion to make Raiser post in the photo thread! :D


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    #16
    source
    Registered Users Posts: 5,269 ✭✭✭source


    Again I'd echo what others have said, there seems to be a lack of consistency in what earns an infraction or ban. Also would like to see Billy reigning it in a little, a relaxed and humorous atmosphere should be met with light and humorous modding.

    The three strikes idea sound good.


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    #17
    billy the squid
    Registered Users Posts: 12,811 ✭✭✭✭billy the squid


    bullets wrote: »
    I'd like to request Rule Number seven to be altered or removed from the charter.

    I don't see the need for it, Most of the other sections on
    boards.ie get along just fine without a rule like this:

    Rule number 7 is this:
    (7) Making smart replies to threads started by people seeking information will result in a banning, If you cannot assist or make a suggestion, then don't reply.

    The Limerick City section of boards tends to be a little
    depressing and miserable a lot of the time, I would like
    to see this section of boards being a bit more relaxed/friendlier and people being able to have a laugh or joke and banter/conversation/discussion within reason.

    Posters should not be punished for light hearted humor
    or for posting something in a fun way or to try and brighten the mood. I dont think moderators here need
    to start issuing infractions or there should be a threat of a ban for anyone that cracks a joke
    unless a post it reported.

    Fair enough if the joke is in bad taste or if a poster feels
    offended in any way they can use the "report post" button
    in order to get a moderator to take action.

    I've been a member of boards.ie since 2001 and in all the
    time I've ever posted on different sections of boards I've never intentionally replied to a post to cause anyone offense or to insult anyone. I've never had an infraction or banning on any sections of boards apart from 2 infractions
    right here on the Limerick City Section for simply making a light hearted non offensive joke.

    The 2 infractions were for "Breech of the Peace" which I thought were farcical! considering one person was asking where they could hire an escort and the other was asking where to buy a knife.

    If we are not allowed have a sense of humor here
    this place will remain depressing/miserable and totally boring.

    This place should be more than just answering peoples questions for information!
    its not an information desk!
    ~B

    The chances are that by the time someone looks on a message board for information they have looked in all the places that they know for such information. Being replied to with a smart arsed response when seeking help is unhelpful.

    This is the reasoning behind this rule. The fact that you cannot be respectful of those seeking assistance should not be our problem.


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    #18
    keane2097
    Registered Users Posts: 17,770 ✭✭✭✭keane2097


    billy the squid wrote: »
    The chances are that by the time someone looks on a message board for information they have looked in all the places that they know for such information. Being replied to with a smart arsed response when seeking help is unhelpful.

    This is the reasoning behind this rule. The fact that you cannot be respectful of those seeking assistance should not be our problem.

    A forum is supposed to be for the users - you've gotten a fairly clear message about what the users want in this thread IMO.


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    #19
    billy the squid
    Registered Users Posts: 12,811 ✭✭✭✭billy the squid


    I also think that Rule 7 is important because if someone has a good experience without any bull**** when they come here the first time, they are likely to come back.

    This and the treatment of minorities are the only things I will really get a bee up my ass about.


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    #20
    keane2097
    Registered Users Posts: 17,770 ✭✭✭✭keane2097


    billy the squid wrote: »
    I also think that Rule 7 is important because if someone has a good experience without any bull**** when they come here the first time, they are likely to come back.

    This and the treatment of minorities are the only things I will really get a bee up my ass about.

    More people will be turned off a forum by OTT modding than tongue-in-cheek answers to questions and it's not even close.


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    #21
    bullets
    Registered Users Posts: 4,612 ✭✭✭bullets


    billy the squid wrote: »
    The fact that you cannot be respectful of those seeking assistance should not be our problem.

    A lot of the other sections of boards do without this
    rule number 7 in their charters and they are doing just grand.

    Having a sense of humor, being friendly and light hearted.
    is not being dis-respectful to those seeking assistance or any other user/poster

    When most of the regular posters here can help anyone
    with a query for information they can and they do!

    The Fact that people can (or want to) also have a bit of a laugh/tongue in cheek and crack a few funnies creates a better and more positive atmosphere in my opinion and
    will encourage people to come back again.
    And the place might live up to the
    motto "boards.ie -Now Yer're Talkin" that appears when you type the URL into a browser.

    If the atmosphere is like some form of boot camp or school room with a teacher waiting with a meter stick to slap your hands the second you giggle or smile the place will be miserable depressing, boring and not a very welcoming place for a new user to come along and post and return and start discussions.

    Boards.ie was set up to be a discussion board. Its not google so it should be more about just answering peoples
    questions for information.

    If someone cracks a joke, I don't see why a moderator needs to get involved and punish someone for it.
    Fair enough if the OP somehow gets pissed off with a smart reply and decides to report a post then the mod should get involved.

    @billy
    I'd actually quite like you to see you post here more regularly, and cracking joke or giving us your opinion on things/topics/subject matter in a non-moderator capacity.
    most of the time we as users only see your name appear in threads with your only contribution being telling people
    not to be funny and issuing infractions/bans and locking things. I see that as a big negative for the place.
    The Mods are users aswell as moderators and I think
    they should be a part of the sections of boards they
    moderate. [EDIT: its not my intent to cause you any ill feelings/hurt or annoyance
    just want to see you participate in this small section of boards as a person rather
    than only a rule enforcer]


    ~B


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    #22
    RonMexico
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,916 ✭✭✭RonMexico


    Have to agree with what bullets said there.

    I think Insect Overlord has the right mod approach to this forum.

    Billy, no offence man, but the way you mod this place comes across as pretty abrupt and unfriendly. I'm sure that is not an accurate description of you as an individual but that is just how it appears man.

    I can understand your concerns about rule number 7, but I think you enforce it in a manner that is a bit OTT.

    Perhaps the rule could be amended to include that every response must have some helpful information for the poster. That way people could crack a joke and then at the end of their post include a legitimate response. Something along those lines. I think if a question has already been answered to some degree then a joke reply should be overlooked by the mods.


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    #23
    keane2097
    Registered Users Posts: 17,770 ✭✭✭✭keane2097


    Bullet makes a great point - this is a place for talking, discussion and social interaction, not primarily an almanac of local or any other sort of knowledge.

    People can, will and do ask questions all the time, but the remit of the Limerick forum isn't and shouldn't be to be an encyclopedia.

    There are any number of places to look for questions to be answered in a purely informative way - there's always Google - but if you want to see people being themselves, having a bit of banter and showing the type of character Limerick ought to be known for then come here.


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    #24
    billy the squid
    Registered Users Posts: 12,811 ✭✭✭✭billy the squid


    keane2097 wrote: »
    Bullet makes a great point - this is a place for talking, discussion and social interaction, not primarily an almanac of local or any other sort of knowledge.

    People can, will and do ask questions all the time, but the remit of the Limerick forum isn't and shouldn't be to be an encyclopedia.

    There are any number of places to look for questions to be answered in a purely informative way - there's always Google - but if you want to see people being themselves, having a bit of banter and showing the type of character Limerick ought to be known for then come here.

    Who said it should be an encyclopedia, the rule just prevents people from making fun of those who seek information.

    Removal of rule 7 would result in the OP having to scroll through pages of crap to find the information they were seeking,

    If someone is looking for something, they are not looking for a chat. Discussion has never been stifled on here, There are general legal reasons why threads would be shut. but people have been pretty much free to discuss what they want.

    If you want to mock people looking for help with something then I don't think this is the place for you.


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    #25
    Btwndeyes
    Closed Accounts Posts: 462 ✭✭Btwndeyes


    billy the squid wrote: »
    The chances are that by the time someone looks on a message board for information they have looked in all the places that they know for such information. Being replied to with a smart arsed response when seeking help is unhelpful.

    This is the reasoning behind this rule. The fact that you cannot be respectful of those seeking assistance should not be our problem.
    +1
    You need to realise what may seem to be a stupid question to u is a serious question to others, theres having a joke with someone but not offering help is a negative thing,
    E.g
    If someone came and asked,
    Guys is there anywhere in limerick i could buy a packet of sweets?
    this obviuosly is a stupid question but you have remember people ask for a reason, u could make a joke like no there are no sweets in limerick:D but if you visited the following shops you may find something of interest. this is funny but helpful rather then saying no the people of limerick dont eat sweets. just my 2 cents!


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    #26
    osarusan
    Registered Users Posts: 16,561 ✭✭✭✭osarusan


    billy the squid wrote: »
    the rule just prevents people from making fun of those who seek information.

    If you want to mock people looking for help with something then I don't think this is the place for you.

    I've never seen anybody who was seeking information about something (looking for a mechanic, a place that puts soles on shoes, a good place to order flowers etc) made fun of or mocked for asking the question.

    A post that is a joke which contains no useful information for the OP isn't the same thing at all.


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    #27
    source
    Registered Users Posts: 5,269 ✭✭✭source


    Billy i've been a member of boards for a long time and only recently got into posting on a big way. I think I can count on 1 hand the amount of times I've seen a thread in the Limerick forum going completely of the wall..... this isn't after hours and we know it's not.

    there us a different calibre of poster in this forum, and I don't believe we need to be moderated as heavily as we have been.

    we're not going to act like children if you leave us alone for 5 minutes. I think a lot if us here are happy to help people and do on a regular basis but I really don't think injecting a bit of humour into a post is disrespecting a person asking a question.

    as others have said if a direct complaint comes in then by all means deal with it using your judgement, just remember the person making the complaint may not always be in the right. also if no complaint comes in and the op is still participating in the thread, then take it offence hasn't been taken by the op and let the thread run. all we're asking for is a little more discretion in how you enforce the rules.

    take it from someone who enforces rules for a living, rigidly enforcing every rule will not do you any favors, but a little leeway goes a long way.


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    #28
    keane2097
    Registered Users Posts: 17,770 ✭✭✭✭keane2097


    billy the squid wrote: »
    Who said it should be an encyclopedia, the rule just prevents people from making fun of those who seek information.

    Removal of rule 7 would result in the OP having to scroll through pages of crap to find the information they were seeking,

    If someone is looking for something, they are not looking for a chat. Discussion has never been stifled on here, There are general legal reasons why threads would be shut. but people have been pretty much free to discuss what they want.

    If you want to mock people looking for help with something then I don't think this is the place for you.

    The two bits in bold are completely off the wall IMO.

    The first bit is complete nonsense and I'm sure everybody knows it.

    As for the second bit, it's a complete twist of what everybody has been saying. Nobody is looking for free reign to mock new posters and I'm sure you know it.

    There's no point in a feedback thread when the feedback of the vast majority of the users is either ignored or twisted so it can be used as a stick to beat them anyway IMO.


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    #29
    Jumpy
    Registered Users Posts: 7,606 ✭✭✭Jumpy


    billy the squid wrote: »
    I also think that Rule 7 is important because if someone has a good experience without any bull**** when they come here the first time, they are likely to come back.

    This and the treatment of minorities are the only things I will really get a bee up my ass about.

    No offence Billy, but you generally have a bee up there for most things and it isnt minorities, its travellers specifically for you.

    Basically the main trend I see in this thread is the users of the Limerick City forum asking you specifically to lighten up.

    This forum is full of fun people. Let that happen, no one is mocking and if thats the case its fairly obvious to all, the posts get reported and dealt with.

    If it offends someone, we will report it. If its obviously a legal issue then handle it.

    This forum isnt yours. The admins gave you the ability to mod this forum for us. We appreciate the effort as you do this on a volunteer basis, but seriously, listen.


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    #30
    Insect Overlord
    Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 30,858 Mod ✭✭✭✭Insect Overlord


    Let's not turn this thread into a witch-hunt. So far the biggest problem is with how "silly" replies are dealt with. A sense of humour is a great thing, and it's worth keeping that in mind. However, posters should be reminded to treat genuine requests for information with a certain degree of civility. The general site-wide guideline for posting says "don't be a dick"*.

    I think Btwndeyes has touched on the best way to treat those kinds of threads. It goes without saying that an OP is not to be ridiculed. A bit of a joke with a helpful reply would balance the social and the functional sides of the forum. If a reply is totally off-topic it has no business in the thread though.

    The forum has come a long way in the last six and a bit years. Some posters have been here since the beginning, longer than I have myself. Some newer posters might not be familiar with what this site was like before and how it has developed over the last decade. A certain standard had to be set to make this forum attractive to users. Maintaining a high standard is what the mods want to do here.

    One of trickier parts of moderation is differentiating between deliberate trolling and someone "having a laugh". Most of the time it's fairly clear which is which, but not always. Funny pictures would be one example. Some find them hilarious, some don't. I tested the boundary a few times myself with "don't feed the trolls" pictures and the like. They're grand, occasionally, if a thread is clearly beyond redemption, but if they're posted early on then they tend to leave a bad impression! Finding a helpful/happy medium that we can all agree on is my goal here.



    *(That's not the nicest way of putting it, but I think we're all mature enough to get the idea behind it.)


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    #31
    Jumpy
    Registered Users Posts: 7,606 ✭✭✭Jumpy


    Dont be a dick. = perfect.

    Dont. = no so good


This discussion has been closed.
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