Suggestion: limiting Feedback responses

Sleepy

I'm sure lots of posters are gonna think I'm a killjoy for suggesting this (and maybe it's already been shot down) but how about blocking users from replying to posts in this forum? i.e. if someone has feedback, they can create a post which can then only be responded to by Admins, SMods or CMods?

aidan_walsh

Like in the Helpdesk?

ixoy

Isn't this the sort of thread, where you're looking for a discussion on an issue relating to boards, an example of why Feedback threads should be open to all?

projectmayhem

but how will everyone fill the thread up with hilarious cat pictures then?

Karl Hungus

Tar.Aldarion

projectmayhem wrote:

but how will everyone fill the thread up with hilarious cat pictures then?

I wonder how many of them have this already.
http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts/generic/9505/

Villain

I think all threads in feeback should be limited to replies in the form of Cat pictures only, I mean most threads end up like that anyway!

Vegeta

irish1 wrote:

I think all threads in feeback should be limited to replies in the form of Cat pictures only, I mean most threads end up like that anyway!

fully agree

Evil Phil

aidan_walsh wrote:

Like in the Helpdesk?

QFT!

The Sweeper

Sleepy wrote:

I'm sure lots of posters are gonna think I'm a killjoy for suggesting this (and maybe it's already been shot down) but how about blocking users from replying to posts in this forum? i.e. if someone has feedback, they can create a post which can then only be responded to by Admins, SMods or CMods?

amp

Tar.Aldarion wrote:

I wonder how many of them have this already.
http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts/generic/9505/

You see, if it wasn't for the off-topicness I wouldn't be aware of such a product. Boards has once again brought good things to my brane.

WhiteWashMan

Sleepy wrote:

I'm sure lots of posters are gonna think I'm a killjoy for suggesting this (and maybe it's already been shot down) but how about blocking users from replying to posts in this forum? i.e. if someone has feedback, they can create a post which can then only be responded to by Admins, SMods or CMods?

why do you feel that other people shouldnt have a say?

challengemaster

why make feedback the exact same as helpdesk? why dont you just delete one in that case? i mean why have two help desks? pointless. Feedback imo is there so everyone from boards gets their say on the matter - and is for good as for bad. so, for example when something good happens, eg. stuff being brought back to the site due to upgrades.. would you really want 200 threads on the same topic because people cant reply to one nice thread here?

Sully

The only thing about Feedback, is it gets abused completely. Iv never seen it on another forum, if someone didnt reply on topic or started spamming a feedback topic - they would get a right out ban. Here, someone comes offering feedback and soon gets a shower of abuse at him with cat pictures and its just laughed at - which can be pretty frustrating.

Talk the issue out, if solved close the topic. Topics that get way out of hand and cant be pulled back - lock em and discuss the matter with the person over PM.

I dont think it should be anything like Feedback, but a bit more moderation would be great to avoid cat pictures

6th

Sully wrote:

The only thing about Feedback, is it gets abused completely. Iv never seen it on another forum, if someone didnt reply on topic or started spamming a feedback topic - they would get a right out ban. Here, someone comes offering feedback and soon gets a shower of abuse at him with cat pictures and its just laughed at - which can be pretty frustrating.

Talk the issue out, if solved close the topic. Topics that get way out of hand and cant be pulled back - lock em and discuss the matter with the person over PM.

I dont think it should be anything like Feedback, but a bit more moderation would be great to avoid cat pictures

Well said.

Dragan

Cat pictures are awesome. Thats really about the extent of it. I will go so far as to say that the majority of cat pics that get posted give far more to the board than the majority of feedback threads where people simple want to have a ****ing bitch about some minor issue or their banning.

By the way Sleepy, you should be getting better so i can beat you ass all over Westwood, not worrying about Feedback!

Sleepy

I just think something needs to be done about this forum because if I was a n00b, had some feedback and had to put up with the crap you get for posting anything here, I'd leave.

Let's face it, cat pics are lame and abusing n00bs is only useful if you want this forum to become a sad little clique of tired internet clichés.

I guess what I'm saying is I don't see why the forum we use for problem resolution on this site isn't held to the same standards as the other forums. In this thread alone, there's four posts which would get the users banned in at least half the forums on this site.

I understand the reasoning behind leaving this forum unmoderated but surely there's someone in the ranks of the mods that can be trusted with the job?

r3nu4l

Well there is a sticky at the top of this forum saying that this forum is for FEEDBACK and that queries and complaints should be made in the HELPDESK.

So I don't see why all us mods and more experienced users keep telling people to 'bring it to Feedback'

Sparky

Cat pictures can only be posted by cat mods.

It's the reason we are cat mods....duh!!!!

Owen

Cat pictures?

Welcome to the Internet three years ago when cat pics were funny. Population : Boards Mods.

amp

ned78 wrote:

Cat pictures?

Welcome to the Internet three years ago when cat pics were funny. Population : Boards Mods.

Meanwhile here in currently hip land - a user fighting da powa! zzzzzzzzzzzzz

muffler

I dont agree with the OP in relation to restricting the number of users who can post in a thread in Feedback. I think people are entitled to their opinion on topics here but I can see where the OP is coming from.

Sully summed it up fairly well a few posts back. Feedback is probably used for all the wrong reasons and as r3nu4l (christ change that user name ) quite rightly said we mods are as guilty as anyone else for advising users to post here. Genuine complaints, inquiries or appeals against bans etc should go to the Help Desk. Half of the threads started here are complete sh1te and some of them are deliberately started with a view to carry on a war from another forum.

However the other half are genuine and I have to say that I feel sorry for anyone asking a genuine question on this forum. The genuine users can suffer a tirade of abuse from other users and sad to say from mods on occasions. They are set upon, picked on by every tom, dick and harry and then made fun of by the little boys with their sad little cat pics. Posting these pics is contributing nothing at all to the thread and if people find them amusing then they should be deleted and re-posted in the humour forum.

Maybe its time to tighten up a wee bit on the replies that are posted on feedback. Then and only then will a user with a genuine complaint/appeal/query/idea etc etc feel confident enough to post here without the risk of being mocked.

Sparky

The trouble with the helpdesk is that the original poster, Smods and admins only have permission to post there, leaving say a Mod in question without the ability to reply.

Crash

If the sMods would be willing to be more proactive on moving threads to helpdesk it may work out better.

WhiteWashMan

Sleepy wrote:

I just think something needs to be done about this forum because if I was a n00b, had some feedback and had to put up with the crap you get for posting anything here, I'd leave.

Let's face it, cat pics are lame and abusing n00bs is only useful if you want this forum to become a sad little clique of tired internet clichés.

I guess what I'm saying is I don't see why the forum we use for problem resolution on this site isn't held to the same standards as the other forums. In this thread alone, there's four posts which would get the users banned in at least half the forums on this site.

I understand the reasoning behind leaving this forum unmoderated but surely there's someone in the ranks of the mods that can be trusted with the job?

again, i ask, why do you feel the need to limit who should have a say or not?
does everyone not have the right to give their opinion?

perhaps we should just remove the image tags if cat pictures offend people so much?

Hobbes

It's quite simple. If you want a admin only discussion on your case use the helpdesk. Mod abuses then tend to get discussed behind closed doors (normally threads like "OMFG Look at this idiot" threads if that makes you feel better).

Feedback is just for offering feedback where the masses can reply. Too often its used by the "Fight the Powa" type users who have been banned and think getting a public concenus will save them. Only to find they get ridiculed.

Crash

Personally I think helpdesk should be revitalised to an extent. Mods given permissions to post, HOWEVER on a very strict "if its not related to you, you dont post on it" basis. At least it gives a right to reply, because its very irritating having to use an sMod or an admin as a go between if an issue related to the forum you mod is raised on helpdesk to get your point across to a User.

If this is done, a fair few of the open "this ban was wrong blah blah" threads can be shifted from here to helpdesk, and a better service can be provided to users and a fairer one, with both sides allowed some sort of representation without all the random cat pictures being thrown in.

and then on here can be used for actual feedback

InFront

What about banning moderators from feedback? I agree with smashey, some new people get a very hard time for posting threads on here. While their issues are often not spectacularly merited, they're rarely worth the abuse they get. Why not make feedback a sounding board for newer users?

Obviously boards isn't strictly there for profit, and the admins probably don't lose any sleep over attracting new users, but pissing off new people to an unnecessary extent is never going to be a progressive step.

I used to think there was a hidden/ subtle joke to the cat/ owl pictures, but I've yet to come across one. I don't think it's true, but to a new person, I imagine this site does seem a bit cliquey, largely because of how feedback threads go.

muffler

InFront wrote:

I agree with smashey,

When were you talking to him

Creamy Goodness

Tar.Aldarion wrote:

I wonder how many of them have this already.
http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts/generic/9505/

that's as good as bought tbh.

IM in UR feedbackthred posting muh catz

Asok

I agree with crash's suggestion.

SoBe

could a ban appeals forum not be set up for appeals that dont really fall into feed back or help desk and just give access to mods/admins? and just let the original poster post in it along with them?

Sully

I dont see the problem with setting that policy suggested (Mods only reply if the topic is of concern to you) but sometimes topics like "How do I get unbanned? X banned me from forum Y..." - a mod should be permitted, even if its not really related to him, to respond with an answer. Its complaint topics that should have such a policy implemented.

Honestly tho, I think that all complaints topics about mods should be via PM to admin. Ban complaints, probably best in Help Desk. General feedback, in the Feedback forum. Policy needs implementing "If your reply is not on topic, ie cat pictures or general abuse, dont post at all" - I think its frustrating to see the amount of off topic ****e that goes on in these threads, excluding the cat pics.

nesf

SoBe wrote:

could a ban appeals forum not be set up for appeals that dont really fall into feed back or help desk and just give access to mods/admins? and just let the original poster post in it along with them?

There already is a way to appeal but not enough people use it. Most of the time simply PMing the moderator who banned you will solve the issue (either you'll find out exactly why you were banned if you were confused, the moderator reconsiders the ban after chatting to you or you abuse the mod or whatever).

In the rare (and it is rare) instance where a moderator was taking the piss and shouldn't have banned you and won't reconsider the ban after you chatting to them reasonably about it, it should be taken to the helpdesk and the admins will deal with it.


The biggest problem with this forum is that it's used by people to complain about being banned when really there's nothing to complain about. The ridicule/abuse they get might put off people who actually have a genuine complaint.

SoBe

nesf wrote:

There already is a way to appeal but not enough people use it. Most of the time simply PMing the moderator who banned you will solve the issue (either you'll find out exactly why you were banned if you were confused, the moderator reconsiders the ban after chatting to you or you abuse the mod or whatever).

In the rare (and it is rare) instance where a moderator was taking the piss and shouldn't have banned you and won't reconsider the ban after you chatting to them reasonably about it, it should be taken to the helpdesk and the admins will deal with it.


The biggest problem with this forum is that it's used by people to complain about being banned when really there's nothing to complain about. The ridicule/abuse they get might put off people who actually have a genuine complaint.

i understand the ban process and how it should be delt with,i was just suggesting that having a seperate forum would take a lot of the "ive been banned/fight the power" threads away from feedback,and free it up for its proper purpose.

was just a suggestion anyways

aidan_walsh

InFront wrote:

What about banning moderators from feedback?

What about "all mods are regular users outside their own boards"?

InFront wrote:

Why not make feedback a sounding board for newer users?

Which isn't the same thing as non-mods.

crash_000 wrote:

If the sMods would be willing to be more proactive on moving threads to helpdesk it may work out better.

Or if they were allowed to be more proactive on moderating Feedback. I understand why the admins want it the way it is, but I don't think its working. The forum, IMO, is clearly under moderated. This is even represented in the number of reported posts that appear from the Feedback forum on a daily basis - nearly none, in spite of a clear and regularly stated problem on the board. There is no self policing, because there is no visible policing, unlike many of the other forums. It has become accepted that no matter what you post, there is little or no consequence.

Quite a bit of this thread seems to suggest that only mods are to blame for the current state of Feedback. This is quite clearly not so, there are also a number of non-mods whose only contributions to threads consist of a series of cat pics.

All that said, crash does probably have the best suggestion so far.

Crash

aidan_walsh wrote:

All that said, crash does probably have the best suggestion so far.

...Can I get that printed up poster size and framed?

I really do think its the most achievable way of dealing with it, and the fairest to users and mods.

Any mod that replies to a thread they shouldnt, post should be deleted.
If they continue it, then you gotta call into question a number of things.

Sleepy

WhiteWashMan wrote:

again, i ask, why do you feel the need to limit who should have a say or not?
does everyone not have the right to give their opinion?

TBH, I don't, I just think there's a limit to what people should be allowed to say here: i.e. it should be on-topic and non-abusive.

perhaps we should just remove the image tags if cat pictures offend
people so much?

Given that screenshots are pretty helpful in giving feedback, I feel that would be the wrong tack. Simply put, banning people for off-topic crap like would be done on most other forums on this site is the way to go.

Owen

amp wrote:

Meanwhile here in currently hip land - a user fighting da powa! zzzzzzzzzzzzz

God no. Just fighting laziness. There's a diff

The Sweeper

You think that cat picture was lazy?

I'll have you know that's Whitewashman's cat. You have no idea the work that goes into that cat. The feeding. The litter tray cleaning. The construction of cat toys. The picking up of pieces of shredded tissue because the cat toys weren't interesting enough. The cat hair. Let alone installing a wood fired stove so he could stick his head through the stairwell bars and get mesmerised by the warm updraft and fall asleep so the picture could be taken.

Lazy?

Sheesh, I ask ya.

amp

InFront wrote:

What about banning moderators from feedback? I agree with smashey, some new people get a very hard time for posting threads on here. While their issues are often not spectacularly merited, they're rarely worth the abuse they get. Why not make feedback a sounding board for newer users?

I like the way you seem to think that all such "abuse" comes solely from moderators. Why don't newer users post to the newbie board, or if they don't want responses from mods and other users to the helpdesk board? I'll tell you why, because this forum is popular. Why is it popular? Because people enjoy reading it.

Obviously boards isn't strictly there for profit, and the admins probably don't lose any sleep over attracting new users, but pissing off new people to an unnecessary extent is never going to be a progressive step.

I disagree. I think more steps should be taken to prevent stupid people from visiting this site.

I used to think there was a hidden/ subtle joke to the cat/ owl pictures, but I've yet to come across one. I don't think it's true, but to a new person, I imagine this site does seem a bit cliquey, largely because of how feedback threads go.

You call it cliquey, I call it community. Normally the cats and owls arrive when the threads point is finished. If a thread starts off retarded then they arrive quicker. And they are funny.

seamus

InFront wrote:

What about banning moderators from feedback? I agree with smashey, some new people get a very hard time for posting threads on here. While their issues are often not spectacularly merited, they're rarely worth the abuse they get. Why not make feedback a sounding board for newer users?

By the same token, why not make it old-timers only? They're less likely to receive abuse, and are more likely to offer good feedback because they've been around this block a few times.

As amp says, the newbies have a forum - the Newbies forum. You won't receive any abuse for sounding your opinion or questions there. Feedback is for feedback on the site. Although it receives a lot of them, feedback is not for, "Why was I banned?", or "Why can't I...." type threads.

People post them on feedback because they think they're likely to get heard. Think of it as a stupidity filter. People who post these stupid threads on feedback instead of the helpdesk get abused. I'll agree that the level is often unwarranted, but as one of the admins said, "Feedback has always been a bit of a zoo", and I don't think they want to change that.

Mr Magnolia

amp wrote:

Why don't newer users post to the newbie board, or if they don't want responses from mods and other users to the helpdesk board?

Maybe a PM should point Newbies to the 'Newbies & FAQ' board upon registration (maybe it already does?). Also, should newbies be restricted to posting in 'Newbies & FAQ' for maybe 3 days or a week when they register. The may spend some time there and learn how the place works.

Normally the cats and owls arrive when the threads point is finished. If a thread starts off retarded then they arrive quicker. And they are funny.

I think they're an integral part of Feedback. I also think that feedback works fairly well as it is, it's never going to be perfect. Needless abuse = Ban.

nesf

Mr Magnolia wrote:

Also, should newbies be restricted to posting in 'Newbies & FAQ' for maybe 3 days or a week when they register. The may spend some time there and learn how the place works.

No, I imagine most people joined because they wanted to post in a specific thread or forum. Making them wait 3 days or a week in Newbies & FAQ is just going to frustrate people.

ziggy

This post has been deleted.

InFront

I like the way you seem to think that all such "abuse" comes solely from moderators.

You'll notice I didn't actually say that. It's just one possible step towards making feedback appear less cliquey.

amp wrote:

I like the way you seem to think that all such "abuse" comes solely from moderators. Why don't newer users post to the newbie board.

That's not what that forum is for, it's for asking questions, not providing feedback.

or if they don't want responses from mods and other users to the helpdesk board?

The same goes for helpdesk. Also, they're generally told to "take it to feedback".

And they [cats and owls] are funny

Simple, pushy humour - like someone putting on a false nose and speaking in a Borat voice. I think it's fair to say a lot of people don't find those cats very funny, not that it's particularly relevant either way.

InFront

seamus wrote:

By the same token, why not make it old-timers only? They're less likely to receive abuse, and are more likely to offer good feedback because they've been around this block a few times.

I'm not really talking about the site getting good feedback, but riding the backs of newer users in feedback just for laughs. I don't see how anyone can deny that feedback does get very cliquey. Internet snobbery is ridiculous, what's the point?

humbert

I'd agree with amp insofar as what one person calls cliquey another calls community.

What is significant is whether it's welcoming or not and if one were to judge boards by an experience on feed back the prevailing conclusion would, I think, be very unfriendly.

It's the more established users that feel most comfortable deriding "n00bs" and sometimes it really isn't deserved.


Oh and cat pictures were(before I think it was boston's thread) appearing at the first opportunity instead of when there was nothing left to be said on the thread, I don't think that should be condoned, but that's just my two cents.

amp

InFront wrote:

You'll notice I didn't actually say that. It's just one possible step towards making feedback appear less cliquey.

You don't say it but it's inferred by your suggestion that moderators be banned from responding here. Why single out moderators?

That's not what that forum is for, it's for asking questions, not providing feedback.

Well we could rename it New User Feedback and combine both what you want with the original function of the forum. Wow, look at that, I made a helpful suggestion. I guess I better hand in my mod badge.

The same goes for helpdesk. Also, they're generally told to "take it to feedback".

And why would that be? Follow it through InFront.

Simple, pushy humour - like someone putting on a false nose and speaking in a Borat voice. I think it's fair to say a lot of people don't find those cats very funny, not that it's particularly relevant either way.

I think it's also fair to say that a lot of people read Feedback solely for the funniness of the threads, and even the drama created by controversial threads. Maybe people would be far more interested in politics if Bertie Ahern occasionally held up a picture of a cat with the caption I'm in your government makin de laws! I know I'd watch it.

DonkeyStyle \o/

amp wrote:

I think it's also fair to say that a lot of people read Feedback solely for the funniness of the threads, and even the drama created by controversial threads.

Yep, I tune in every week to see how the oul power-fighting is going.
I was actually going to start a new thread complaining about the lack of drama around here lately.

amp wrote:

Maybe people would be far more interested in politics if Bertie Ahern occasionally held up a picture of a cat with the caption I'm in your government makin de laws! I know I'd watch it.

Yeah totally... I'd have voted for him if he'd included ceiling cat in his election poster - "Ceiling cat is watching you walk down the road"... brilliant.

Jesus Wept

amp wrote:

Maybe people would be far more interested in politics if Bertie Ahern occasionally held up a picture of a cat with the caption I'm in your government makin de laws! I know I'd watch it.

:D:D
anyone have photoshop?



I could possibly find an interest in politics if this happened.

It would beat seeing him doing constant photo opportunities with Westlife.