The Thunderdome

6th

Ok first off let me say this is not a rip at the 'Dome or any of its regular users. I'd also like people to read this and give genuine feedback to my suggestions rather than shout "f**k off, we like it how it is".

The thing is, I personally would like to see the Thunderdome become something more than its current incarnation. Having seen it brought up in several threads in the last few months its obvious that many think it has become stall and repetitive and most simply wont go near it.

What I am suggesting is an overhaul that will give it a bit of structure and purpose and open it up to a broader range of Boardsies. I know these suggestions might require a bit more active modding and may not be worth the hassle.

Anyway here are some ideas:

The Thunderdome should be a place where you can rant about a subject. Think about a topic you would like to post in a forum like Humanities, Soccer etc but where you have to keep your brain in check for fear of getting slapped with the ban stick. Sometimes we are just pissed off and need to vent.

With that in mind it might not be a bad thing to actually try to keep threads on topic.

Most current threads should be locked. Obviously there are some that are active and seem to work, the majority though seem to just gathering dust or descending into insults for the sake of insulting.

Personal Abuse/Insult: The insult thread should be kept active but carrying over this style of posting into other threads should be kept to a minimum.

Threads directed at fellow Boardsies: Ok sometimes other members can do something to annoy you ... it happens. In cases where someone wishes to rant or bitch about someone they must *send a PM informing them of the thread. If you want to bitch about someone then have the balls to let them reply. If they dont like it they can request the thread be locked. If they reply to the thread then its fair game. This type of thread should not proceed until the victim/target responds.

Sample PM wrote:

<insert user name>

I have started a thread concerning you in the Thunderdome <insert link>. If you wish to respond please do so in the thread. If you wish to have this thread removed please contact the one of the mods of the forum.

Regards

<insert your name>

When a thread is moved over to the Thunderdome it should continue on topic but with a twist of 'Dome.

A charter would be good. Nothing too heavy, just something to appeal to peoples common sense.

_________________

Ok so thats my suggestions. I think the Thunderdome could be a very active and valuable Forum, almost like an AH where you dont have to bite your tounge. As it stands every thread that ends up there turns into a clone of the Insults Thread e.g. http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055146601 from post 18.

Genuine feedback please.

6th


Edit If some people think that this will water down there ability to abuse each other then I suggest a seperate private forum where people can talk to each other in any fashion they choose..

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

i don't read thunderdome, but this just strikes me as a silly idea

6th

Which bit? Constructive criticism is more than welcome. Also would it make it any worse or better than it is at the moment?

DarkJager

From what I gather, the thunderdome is like the lawless wilderness of boards, and as such it shouldn't be regulated or watered down.

Hitchhiker's Guide to...

Some good ideas there 6th. You are right, that forum could be more than it currently is.

6th

DarkJager wrote:

From what I gather, the thunderdome is like the lawless wilderness of boards, and as such it shouldn't be regulated or watered down.

Thats fine, I am not sugegsting people cant be as nasty as they are, I just think it needs a bit more structure .... to make it better not water it down.

BuffyBot

Basically sounds like AH...so why bother?

6th

Lets say I started a thread about "Parents need to cop the fcuk on" ... should the response I get be "stick it up your ass you fcuking nonce, you fcuk kids".

6th

BuffyBot wrote:

Basically sounds like AH...so why bother?

Cos if I said that Maddies parents are murdering scum in AH i would get banned. AH is great but it definately has its limits. I could get myself banned from AH to prove the point but I really dont see the need.

DarkJager

Well it is a place where anything goes (just look at the insult thread ), so I'd assume thats the same mentality thats adopted for any thread over there.

the_syco

6th wrote:

Think about a topic you would like to post in a forum like Humanities, Soccer etc but where you have to keep your brain in check for fear of getting slapped with the ban stick.

The important word is bolded. The thing is... you can't post there.

6th

the_syco wrote:

The important word is bolded. The thing is... you can't post there.

That can very easily be addressed.

togster

Bad Idea,

6th

togster wrote:

Bad Idea,

Ok I took the time to give my suggestions, would you care to do the same and expand on why its a bad idea?

John Mason

6th, you appear to have an obession with the 'dome, what the real issue here? does it kinda scare you becuase there are no rules? do you want to join in but are afraid of creepy or fattening batter? there is no need to scared you know, sometimes its good to have no rules

6th

irishbird wrote:

6th, you appear to have an obession with the 'dome, what the real issue here? does it kinda scare you becuase there are no rules? do you want to join in but are afraid of creepy or fattening batter? there is no need to scared you know, sometimes its good to have no rules

Can you actually approach the post I have made rather than making up stories in your head about me.

John Mason

6th wrote:

Can you actually approach the post I have made rather than making up stories in your head about me.

you keep coming up withthese threads about the thunderdome, i am just trying to understand why you have such a need to change it, is all

Degsy

irishbird wrote:

6th, you appear to have an obession with the 'dome, what the real issue here? does it kinda scare you becuase there are no rules? do you want to join in but are afraid of creepy or fattening batter? there is no need to scared you know, sometimes its good to have no rules

Lol!He's a like a boy who wants to join a gang in school but is afraid to.

John Mason

i understand what you are saying about not having every thread turn into the insult thead, which has kinda being happeningsince the last rant about the thunderdome but i think when you start having mods, its is going to change the forum. as we know it is being mod'ed to a certain extent, degsy banning and pocari sweats continoues bannings prove this. so i am confused about what you want

6th

Ok so a couple of regulars dont like change. Can you guys not make intelligent comments about the suggestions?

Further comments directed at me rather than the thread will not be welcome.

Degsy

6th wrote:

Ok so a couple of regulars dont like change. Can you guys not make intelligent comments about the suggestions?

Further comments directed at me rather than the thread will not be welcome.

6th

irishbird wrote:

i understand what you are saying about not having every thread turn into the insult thead, which has kinda being happeningsince the last rant about the thunderdome

Ok so you see my point, thats a start.

irishbird wrote:

but i think when you start having mods, its is going to change the forum.

That depends on the mod, there is more than one style of modding.

irishbird wrote:

as we know it is being mod'ed to a certain extent, degsy banning and pocari sweats continoues bannings prove this. so i am confused about what you want

What I want is to have it actually serve a purpose and to be somewhere others users want to visit. As it stands its a playground for about 8 people and when a thread gets moved there (which was the intended purpose of the forum) it gets hit immediately with "fcuk off you kiddy fcuking nonce".

Would you support a private forum where you could post anything you like?

6th

Ok so Degsy you cant make any constructive comments, thats fine.

togster

Yeah i think its a bad idea. Have thought about it long and hard and its a bad idea.

John Mason

I have had rants in the dome about things that have happend the real world and the boards world and so have the regular users, its not all about kiddie fiddlers and dufflecoats, and bedsits. This is all i am going to say on the matter. so best of luck with your Crusade 6th, i hope you get the outcome you are looking for :rolleyes:

_blank_

6th, why don't you ask for a forum that has the things which you outline above?

I never read the 'Dome as it is.

6th

Its an idea but theres no point while the Thunderdome exists in its current form.

I think a new forum and the Dome being made private or some mix of that is a worthy option.

6th

irishbird wrote:

I have had rants in the dome about things that have happend the real world and the boards world and so have the regular users, its not all about kiddie fiddlers and dufflecoats, and bedsits.

Some links to these threads that didnt turn into personal abuse and insults would be nice. I'm sure they might exist but they are rare I am sure.

Degsy

6th wrote:

Its an idea but theres no point while the Thunderdome exists in its current form.

I think a new forum and the Dome being made private or some mix of that is a worthy option.

I really cant see what this obsession is you have with the thunderdome..

6th

If you wish to discuss something then PM me if you wish to discuss this thread then please have a go at responding to any of the points I made .... its not difficult.

faceman

The dome can be borderline hairy at times. I dont agree with your suggestion re starting threads about other boardsies. Similar threads there were recently deleted entirely before they even got in anyway offensive. Could it potentially leave the owners open to litigation? I dont know, havent seen it happen but...

I still reckon the place needs a charter to cover one's rear etc but to set strict OTT rules takes away from what it is.

As for ranting about stuff, sure you can do that anyway?

you mentioned a post above about comments about the mccann's that would see you banned in AH. Are you suggesting that it would/should be ok to post that in the Dome? Maybe i have started to become a bit PC in my old age but it would be highly insensitive and uncalled to lash it in the dome instead. (on that particular topic anyway)

Also im sure the admins have to be careful about what is said in the dome even though its a free-for-all forum. (hence the need for a charter of some sort?) Im sure no judge would accept "ah sure its the thunderdome judge, it doesnt count in the real world" as an excuse for naughtiness!

6th

faceman wrote:

The dome can be borderline hairy at times. I dont agree with your suggestion re starting threads about other boardsies. Similar threads there were recently deleted entirely before they even got in anyway offensive. Could it potentially leave the owners open to litigation? I dont know, havent seen it happen but...

Well I'm sure an Admin could comment on that a bit more. As for threads about other users it was me how reported the previous comments and thread. Its not so much that they where bad but that it was all done behind the persons back. If people are going to bitch then at least give the persona a chance to comment.

faceman wrote:

I still reckon the place needs a charter to cover one's rear etc but to set strict OTT rules takes away from what it is.

I dont think I am suggesting anything strict.

faceman wrote:

As for ranting about stuff, sure you can do that anyway?

You can but if you look at some threads they all turn into clones of the insults threads.

faceman wrote:

you mentioned a post above about comments about the mccann's that would see you banned in AH. Are you suggesting that it would/should be ok to post that in the Dome? Maybe i have started to become a bit PC in my old age but it would be highly insensitive and uncalled to lash it in the dome instead. (on that particular topic anyway)

I chose one example, if you read the Dome you will see regular comments about child abuse, made in a light hearted way, they go unchecked ... I am not saying these commenst are right or wrong.

faceman wrote:

Also im sure the admins have to be careful about what is said in the dome even though its a free-for-all forum. (hence the need for a charter of some sort?) Im sure no judge would accept "ah sure its the thunderdome judge, it doesnt count in the real world" as an excuse for naughtiness!

I regularily see comments suggesting people kill themselves or that they are Pedophiles and the mind set is that anything is ok in the forum?

---

I havent suggested that people cant discuss things and anyone who reads the opening post will see that.

I know some people are attached to the place but surely they arent blind to its faults.

popebenny16

6th wrote:

The Thunderdome should be a place where you can rant about a subject. Think about a topic you would like to post in a forum like Humanities, Soccer etc but where you have to keep your brain in check for fear of getting slapped with the ban stick. Sometimes we are just pissed off and need to vent.

With that in mind it might not be a bad thing to actually try to keep threads on topic.

Most current threads should be locked. Obviously there are some that are active and seem to work, the majority though seem to just gathering dust or descending into insults for the sake of insulting.

Personal Abuse/Insult: The insult thread should be kept active but carrying over this style of posting into other threads should be kept to a minimum.

Threads directed at fellow Boardsies: Ok sometimes other members can do something to annoy you ... it happens.

Edit If some people think that this will water down there ability to abuse each other then I suggest a seperate private forum where people can talk to each other in any fashion they choose..

I bolded the last bit, because that's what I think you can do in the dome anyway. You can start any thread in there, and if you dont like Degsey and the like, just put them on ignore.

Anyway, what you are looking for dont fit for me in boards anyway. The ideas you gave about the mccanns for example, i dont think the mindset of boards and its users will allow you to post that anywhere here (maybe lolocaust but you not making a joke but a point). I dont think any new forum would work, the vast majority of posters would turn it into another AH clone and for me one forum full of jumper wearing right on precious PC gits telling you they dont agree with yourt opinion and therfore you get banned if you defend yourself is enough.

RoundyMooney

Okay, some interesting thoughts here.

6th wrote:

Anyway here are some ideas:

The Thunderdome should be a place where you can rant about a subject. Think about a topic you would like to post in a forum like Humanities, Soccer etc but where you have to keep your brain in check for fear of getting slapped with the ban stick. Sometimes we are just pissed off and need to vent.

With that in mind it might not be a bad thing to actually try to keep threads on topic.

Absolutely. That seems to be the consensus (among other issues) among users as to why the 'dome exists in the first place.

6th wrote:

Personal Abuse/Insult: The insult thread should be kept active but carrying over this style of posting into other threads should be kept to a minimum.

Again, I concur.

6th wrote:

Threads directed at fellow Boardsies: Ok sometimes other members can do something to annoy you ... it happens. In cases where someone wishes to rant or bitch about someone they must *send a PM informing them of the thread. If you want to bitch about someone then have the balls to let them reply. If they dont like it they can request the thread be locked. If they reply to the thread then its fair game. This type of thread should not proceed until the victim/target responds.

The qualification here, as suggested by tbh and myself, is that the thread should not be created (or at least not approved by a mod) until PM agreement is received by both protaganists.

On that note, all threads therein should be moderated at the outset, as happens in other fora at present.

6th wrote:

When a thread is moved over to the Thunderdome it should continue on topic but with a twist of 'Dome.

A charter would be good. Nothing too heavy, just something to appeal to peoples common sense.

I'm still nodding here.

Degsy wrote:

I really cant see what this obsession is you have with the thunderdome.

irishbird wrote:

6th, you appear to have an obession with the 'dome

This from two users who spend little time elsewhere.

6th

RoundyMooney wrote:

The qualification here, as suggested by tbh and myself, is that the thread should not be created (or at least not approved by a mod) until PM agreement is received by both protaganists.

Bingo, otherwise it could be seen as bullying. Noone replies uptil the target does.

John Mason

RoundyMooney wrote:

This from two users who spend little time elsewhere.

emm, i actually spend very little time there, you will usually find me in a the bar :cool:

6th

Irishbird, do you think the Thunderdome could be improved? Serious question.

John Mason

6th wrote:

Irishbird, do you think the Thunderdome could be improved? Serious question.

yes but not by having a charter or mods

RoundyMooney

To add, I feel this thread, although commendable in intent, will achieve little.

I'm not the only one to have banged on about this ad infinitum, with the sole result to date being one admin's response (to their credit) telling us that we were right.

yes

Is that it?

subsequent edit by user wrote:

...but not by having a charter or mods

How then?

As one of the most frequent users, your input interests me.

6th

If people dont want to improve it then why not make it private? Maybe then it would make room for a proper Rant Forum?

6th

irishbird wrote:

yes but not by having a charter or mods

Would you care to make some suggestions?

John Mason

one or two of the guys need to learn a bit of self control, there was one thread there which was going along nicely without too kiddie fiddling business but it has now being hi-jacked

all that sort of stuff should be kept in the insult thread and we should be able to have other threads. tbh this is the reason,i dont spend much time there anymore, i am not angry enough to be in there anymore.

my sense of humour has got me bannings in other forums and i like somewhere where i can say what i like with the risk of being banned.

6th

Then surely by your response my suggestions would suit you?

Would you ever report a post in there for going off topic?

6th

The insult thread would be free to keep going and I'm sure it would be as popular as ever.

AlmightyCushion

irishbird wrote:

one or two of the guys need to learn a bit of self control, there was one thread there which was going along nicely without too kiddie fiddling business but it has now being hi-jacked

all that sort of stuff should be kept in the insult thread and we should be able to have other threads. tbh this is the reason,i dont spend much time there anymore, i am not angry enough to be in there anymore.

my sense of humour has got me bannings in other forums and i like somewhere where i can say what i like with the risk of being banned.

Well a mod would be able to keep it on topic. I don't think 6th is suggesting that the dome should be heavily moderated. Just that whenever a thread gets hi-jacked, the mod can step in and tell them to keep it to the insult thread..

6th

Exactly, some people seem to think that mods all have to follow one set of rules for the hole of Boards .... have they never seen Amp moderate a forum?!

RoundyMooney

irishbird wrote:

one or two of the guys need to learn a bit of self control, there was one thread there which was going along nicely without too kiddie fiddling business but it has now being hi-jacked

all that sort of stuff should be kept in the insult thread and we should be able to have other threads. tbh this is the reason,i dont spend much time there anymore, i am not angry enough to be in there anymore.

my sense of humour has got me bannings in other forums and i like somewhere where i can say what i like with the risk of being banned.

Thank you.

As it happens, I do agree with what you're saying.

However, I don't see a way to make that happen without moderation.

Hence my suggestions.

Moderation does not equal heavy handedness. I don't see much of a workload bar keeping the insult thread to itself, setting up a charter, and approving or rejecting new threads as they arise.

I really think we're all coming at the same ball from different parts of the field.

John Mason

6th wrote:

Then surely by your response my suggestions would suit you?

Would you ever report a post in there for going off topic?

no, i wouldnt

if you are out having a conversation with your mate and go off topic, does your mate punch in you the head and say "off topic posting with get you ban from my friendship list"?

conversations meander, thats a fact. sometimes the best threads come from not being structered. look at the yore ma's - that place is always packed for the simple reason that no one comes in and go - off topic, you're banned.

i just think a certain type of insults should be kept in the insult thread

6th

But its not just a conversation between mates ... all users should be free to post and lets be honest - we dont all have to be friends.

RoundyMooney

6th wrote:

If people dont want to improve it then why not make it private? Maybe then it would make room for a proper Rant Forum?

IMO it's not that users don't want it improved (double negative there, apologies), but rather they fear that any moderation will stifle the forum, which is not, rather would not be the case.

irishbird wrote:

if you are out having a conversation with your mate and go off topic

The point is, there are degrees of OTness.

Meandering discussions are fine.

Insult thread type crap (which has already been defined on this thread by a number of users) isn't.

Simple really.

John Mason

RoundyMooney wrote:

Moderation does not equal heavy handedness. I don't see much of a workload bar keeping the insult thread to itself, setting up a charter, and approving or rejecting new threads as they arise.

if mods are going to be put in, it should be something like fat guts and baldies forum where you never see the mods