How can we improve AH

WhiteWashMan

So, its that time of year again when we ask the punters how they feel we can improve AH as a forum.

This forum is pretty much run as the users have deemed it be run in the past, but as always, we are open to suggestions on what users feel should be improved on.

let me be clear, this is not a thread to moan and complain.
id like constructive feedback. if you want to vent your sleen, head off to feedback or something.
This is also not a mod appreciation thread either. we all know how great we are

and, just to get one item out of the way.

we are not going to start allowing images to be posted.

c - 13

The whole "Yore Ma" thing seems to have blown incredibly out of context in the last few months from what I can see. Its being thrown into threads where it doesn't really have any relevance, repeated countless times and so on.

I do believe it has its place as a part of AH history but would it be possible to curb its use somewhat, keep it for "relevant" threads if that even makes sense ?

IIRC, this was attempted before without much success either late last year or very early this year ?

Other than that I cant think of anything off hand really.

Caoimhín

The "your ma" thing is a tough one. I have seen it used out of context and inappropriately but with hilarious results and used in context but very unfunny and gruff.
It is getting old though, i think its just a post bumper for people who cant add anything substantial (however offensive and rude that may be).

Sherifu

I'd agree on Yore Ma. When it makes it into every thread it gets irritating.

I wasn't going to ask for images so that's ok.

I would like to see threads that fit better in some other forum get locked or booted out of here quicker.

And one final thing, it seems to me you can get away with more in AH before you get banned. Idiots like 2-ShortDa5foot5 should be tasting the pain much sooner.

Abi

I originally thought putting a 'thanks' in AH would be a bad idea, but not so much now. I've seen people quote huge amounts of text just to put +1 after it.

brianthebard

Abigayle wrote: »

I originally thought putting a 'thanks' in AH would be a bad idea, but not so much now. I've seen people quote huge amounts of text just to put +1 after it.

yea i was thinking the same thing,some people just put a full stop in after a quote as a 'reply'.Maybe a +1 button even?

Xavi6

Nothin wrong with a 'Yore Ma' when it's used in a good context. It is used stupidly on numerous occassions though.

'Thanks' should be turned on as well.

DanGerMus

Abigayle wrote: »

I originally thought putting a 'thanks' in AH would be a bad idea, but not so much now. I've seen people quote huge amounts of text just to put +1 after it.

brianthebard wrote: »

yea i was thinking the same thing,some people just put a full stop in after a quote as a 'reply'.Maybe a +1 button even?

Xavi6 wrote: »

Nothin wrong with a 'Yore Ma' when it's used in a good context. It is used stupidly on numerous occassions though.

'Thanks' should be turned on as well.

+1
, sorry
Seriously though its very annoying their have been some extremely long posts quoted for this, i'm constantly wandering to the thanks button only to remember it's not there.

Cokehead Mother

It'd be great if Teach na nGealt and Cool Vids & Pics & Links weren't sub-forums. I just like minimal scrolling...

Black Swan

Xavi6 wrote: »

'Thanks' should be turned on as well.

And maybe also a "thanks...but no thanks" button?

Example: A poster says "Yor Ma"
You push the "Thanks, but no thanks" button.

Abi

Blue_Lagoon wrote: »

And maybe also a "thanks...but no thanks" button?

Example: A poster says "Yor Ma"
You push the "Thanks, but no thanks" button.

Thats a terrible idea. There is no comebackseys for "yore Ma" - and any attempt to do so will only make you look sore and a little bit sad.

Now if you dont mind?

/presses trap-door button

smellslikeshoes

I'd like if that stupid +1 thing was banned outright adds nothing to any discussion.

EamonnKeane

smellslikeshoes wrote: »

I'd like if that stupid +1 thing was banned outright adds nothing to any discussion.

+1

javaboy

brianthebard wrote: »

yea i was thinking the same thing,some people just put a full stop in after a quote as a 'reply'.

That might have been me on International Post Like Pighead Day. I was too lazy to write in third person so I just cheated and "quoted" myself instead.

Sherifu

javaboy wrote: »

That might have been me on International Post Like Pighead Day. I was too lazy to write in third person so I just cheated and "quoted" myself instead.

So that's what that was about. Epic Fail.

chickenhawk

A thank you button is definitely needed.

Karoma

- The whole "yore ma" thing: if it's completely out of context, or think it is used too often by the same poster - report them. We'll look into it. It's not something we want to ban people for, although many of the moderators do share your frustration. Bans are there for those who simply cannot play well with others, not for those who irritate us.

- "Thank you" - first off, the "thank you" system is not a +1. It was confused as such and was removed from AH. I'll ask CuLT whether we can get a "+1" button that isn't tracked, etc. just for AH. If it is feasible are you sure you want it? Would it not just encourage the practice? The whole "+1" thing was raised in the last of these stickies, you can see the previous discussion (*, I think). Again, it's not something we want to ban for unless someone is really taking the piss.

barnacle

More boobies!
Or at least some boobies.

Seriously... Thank You button would be good.

Fighting Irish

Mods shouldn't close threads because they think the users haven't discussed the topic enough already.

With all the sub forums on boards, every single thread in AH could be moved to a sub forum, the majority don't but some threads do, why is this?

AlmightyCushion

Fighting Irish wrote: »

Mods shouldn't close threads because they think the users haven't discussed the topic enough already.

With all the sub forums on boards, every single thread in AH could be moved to a sub forum, the majority don't but some threads do, why is this?

Threads only get moved if they are better suited to another forum. Given the volume of threads we get here, the amount of threads that are moved is relatively low and most of those would be to cool vids and pics.

Karoma

Fighting Irish wrote: »

Mods shouldn't close threads because they think the users haven't discussed the topic enough already.

Try again, or did you mean what you typed?

With all the sub forums on boards, every single thread in AH could be moved to a sub forum, the majority don't but some threads do, why is this?

As AC said, we move relatively few threads - ones that really fit another forum, or if we get the impression that the OP was misguided in posting in AH (And wanted non-AH answers).

As ever, thank you ever so much for your worthwhile contribution to this and every other thread Fighting Irish. You make the world, and our little part of it, what it is. If only there was a Thank You button...

Dord

I think it's fine as is. The whole "Yore Ma" thing seems to have quietened down a good bit lately.

AlmightyCushion

Dord wrote: »

I think it's fine as is. The whole "Yore Ma" thing seems to have quietened down a good bit lately.

Yeah it was a whole lot worse. I've warned users I've seen who use it a lot (one of whom started a thread saying "awaits the stupid yorema jokes" and then litters other threads with them). Like Karoma says, I don't think going down the line of banning users for it would be the way to go.

Earthhorse

Okay, before I begin let me first say I don't really regard all of these as problems (well, the catchprase thing really gets my goat) but in general I think AH is okay though it goes through phases of being complete rubbish. Oh, and I'm posting these because they seem to be the most reoccuring issues with regard to AH.

Problem: Overuse of unfunny, worn out catchphrases, namely "Yore ma" and Atari Jaguar.

Solution: Could we ask CuLT to develop a filter for these?

Yore Ma => "I AM TOO UNFUNNY AND LAZY TO COME UP WITH MY OWN JOKE"
Atari Jaguar => "I DON'T CARE ABOUT THIS ISSUE SO I AM POSTING ABOUT IT"

They wouldn't have to be permanent. We could switch them on and off at will (the mods I mean). For instance, when we get a flood of new users at the start of college term or any other time there's an influx of idiots. The idea is to make people think twice about posting them rather than outright ban them. Similar thing happened when the rolleyes smiley was replaced. I don't feel it's been half as abused since it came back. Might be a lot of work for little gain though.

Problem: No embedded images allowed. If I remember correctly this rule came about because of persistent posting of NSW images, some of them probably pretty gross, that mods were having to clean up. Added now is the fear that people will flood every thread they even mildly dislike with cat macros, though to the best of my knowledge this never actually happened in AH and is only an "issue" on Feedback.

Solution: Okay, I don't know how Flickr groups work but I think you can set one up and moderate the images posted to it. If someone were to do this and ensure that (a) no NWS images were posted and (b) if macros began to be misused would start removing them could we ask CuLT (yeah, I know) to allow images from that group? I'm not sure that's possible as the URL will actually probably lead back to the user's page rather than the group know I think about it.

Anyway, the principle stands. An image hosting site where we (i.e. someone trusted) can moderate the images. Any such moderation would obviously have to be done in conjunction with AH mods so it might be a bit awkward but honestly I think not having embedded images is killing a bit of the fun you can have on a forum.

Problem: No "Thanks" button in AH.

Solution: Honestly, I think this was switched off a little quickly in here. You can be guaranteed that when a button is new and shiny the monkeys are gonna press it but I think it's lost a lot of it's shinyness at this stage. Look at tags. Everyone was tagging everything the first week they were switched on and now it's barely used at all. Switch it back on for a month, if it's abused switch it off again (I don't use the feature and don't really care but a lot of people seem to want it).

Problem: Earthhorse's posts are too long.

Solution: :cool:

Ghost Train

Earthhorse wrote: »

Okay, before I begin let me first say I don't really regard all of these as problems (well, the catchprase thing really gets my goat) but in general I think AH is okay though it goes through phases of being complete rubbish. Oh, and I'm posting these because they seem to be the most reoccuring issues with regard to AH.

Problem: Overuse of unfunny, worn out catchphrases, namely "Yore ma" and Atari Jaguar.......

you lost me at atari jaguar... atari jaguar will never be unfunny or worn out

AlmightyCushion

Your solutions to the first two problems seem like a lot of effort (fortunately all the effoty has to be put in by cult so that doesn't bother me if they get implemented ) for what little benefit they give. Plus they not guaranteed to work. You filter, Yore ma, they'll just say Yorema. You filter that they'll just use Your ma etc. Saying that filtering a word or phrase is simple enough last time I checked so we shouldn't rule that out. I just think people will find away around it so it's not really worth it.

As for the images thing, that sounds like a lot of work. Essentially what you're saying is that images could only be embedded if they were from this group? I don't know if that could even be done and once again if it was I imagine it would be alot of work for what little benefit it gives.

As for the thanks, the measures that have been put in place (limit of 10 thanks per day, removal from users who are abusing it) means that it probably could be implemented here with little problem so I would be in favour of a trial run.

Karoma

Earthhorse wrote: »

Solution: Could we ask CuLT to develop a filter for these?

Yore Ma => "I AM TOO UNFUNNY AND LAZY TO COME UP WITH MY OWN JOKE"
Atari Jaguar => "I DON'T CARE ABOUT THIS ISSUE SO I AM POSTING ABOUT IT"


They wouldn't have to be permanent. We could switch them on and off at will (the mods I mean). ...The idea is to make people think twice about posting them rather than outright ban them. ... Might be a lot of work for little gain though.

We couldn't turn it on / off at will, we'd have to ask CuLT, but that wouldn't be a major issue. I do feel that it'd be a lot of work to implement for little gain. Another phrase will rear its ugly head and another...

Solution: Okay, I don't know how Flickr groups work but I think you can set one up and moderate the images posted to it. If someone were to do this and ensure that (a) no NWS images were posted and (b) if macros began to be misused would start removing them could we ask CuLT (yeah, I know) to allow images from that group? I'm not sure that's possible as the URL will actually probably lead back to the user's page rather than the group know I think about it.

... honestly I think not having embedded images is killing a bit of the fun you can have on a forum.

Not sure how feasible that is. Even if it is, we'll just have people whinging that the same limited amount of pictures are being over-used and we'll end up with complaints similar to complaints about 'yore ma'. Again, more work than benefit, it would seem.

Solution: Honestly, I think this was switched off a little quickly in here.

Thank you was and is not intended as a '+1' thing. It will not be used as such.
A similar enough system could probably be implemented. Are you sure you want one? We're here for discussion (no matter how light-hearted and ill-informed and downright stupid), not to just echo each other. It'd stifle discussion.

Problem: Earthhorse's posts are too long.

Solution: :cool:

Ban you? Ok.


Seriously though, please don't take these as outright dismissals or anything. I appreciate the effort!

Earthhorse

AlmightyCushion wrote: »

Plus they not guaranteed to work. You filter, Yore ma, they'll just say Yorema. You filter that they'll just use Your ma etc. Saying that filtering a word or phrase is simple enough last time I checked so we shouldn't rule that out. I just think people will find away around it so it's not really worth it.

It's better than nothing. Also, you, by which I mean CuLT, can chuck all the variations into the filter. Yore ma, Yorema, y o r e m a. Besides, anyone lazy enough to use it is gonna be too lazy to find their way around the filter.

AlmightyCushion wrote: »

As for the images thing, that sounds like a lot of work. Essentially what you're saying is that images could only be embedded if they were from this group? I don't know if that could even be done and once again if it was I imagine it would be alot of work for what little benefit it gives.

I know they do it on SA. That is, they have certain URLs banned. But they work off a pretty hacked version of vBulletin so maybe that's easier for them. Essentially every URL bar the group would be banned.

Basically, I'm trying to suggest compromises on these issues. Don't ban catchphrases but filter them from time to time to curtail use. Don't ban images but only allow them from certain URLs that are likely to be safe.

KnifeWRENCH

Karoma wrote: »

- "Thank you" - first off, the "thank you" system is not a +1. It was confused as such and was removed from AH. I'll ask CuLT whether we can get a "+1" button that isn't tracked, etc. just for AH. If it is feasible are you sure you want it? Would it not just encourage the practice? The whole "+1" thing was raised in the last of these stickies, you can see the previous discussion (*, I think). Again, it's not something we want to ban for unless someone is really taking the piss.

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but what's the difference between "+1" and "Thank You"? I thought they meant the same thing - that you agree with/appreciate what another poster wrote.

I think either a "Thank You" or a "+1" button would be handy in AH.

AlmightyCushion

Earthhorse wrote: »

It's better than nothing. Also, you, by which I mean CuLT, can chuck all the variations into the filter. Yore ma, Yorema, y o r e m a. Besides, anyone lazy enough to use it is gonna be too lazy to find their way around the filter.

I know we could filter a new one everytime it comes around but it would be so easy to get around it that I don't see the point.

Yoooore ma
yoore maaaaaaa
y0re ma
yore mother
yore muder
yore muther

That's only a few variations that I came up with in no time at all. One of them gets blocked add an extra 'o' or 'a' in there. It'll just get silly and Cult will spend half his time adding yore ma variations to the filter. It could lead to a thread where people come up with even more imaginative ways to get around the yore ma filter.

AlmightyCushion

square_igloo wrote: »

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but what's the difference between "+1" and "Thank You"? I thought they meant the same thing - that you agree with/appreciate what another poster wrote.

I think either a "Thank You" or a "+1" button would be handy in AH.

It's meant as a way of thanking someone useful.

Poster 1: My computers fooked, it won't turn on.
Poster 2: Have you tried plugging it in?

Then Poster 1 would thank poster 2 for being ever so helpful. Just think of it as how you would say thanks in real life.

KnifeWRENCH

AlmightyCushion wrote: »

It's meant as a way of thanking someone useful.

Poster 1: My computers fooked, it won't turn on.
Poster 2: Have you tried plugging it in?

Then Poster 1 would thank poster 2 for being ever so helpful. Just think of it as how you would say thanks in real life.

OK, well that makes sense

I'd thank you for that helpful reply, but alas there's no button...

Earthhorse

Karoma wrote: »

Another phrase will rear its ugly head and another...

Maybe. Internet catchphrases are two a penny. But they tend to have their fifteen minutes and people move on to the next one. Some phrases have been particularly pernicious though and aren't going anwhere without a push.

And also you would have a readymade solution if new catchphrases did spring up!

Karoma wrote: »

Not sure how feasible that is. Even if it is, we'll just have people whinging that the same limited amount of pictures are being over-used and we'll end up with complaints similar to complaints about 'yore ma'. Again, more work than benefit, it would seem.

Well, decent users could just add images to their heart's content so limited image use wouldn't be the issue I think you think it would be (I think). Even if, (and I doubt this is feasible but...), even if we could get the Google SafeSearch data of an image before it's posted. If Google consider it safe we do too! I don't know how much effort to put into thinking about running a Flickr group or allowing certain URLs without knowing what's workable (and also seeing as you are outright dismissing my suggestions :mad:).

Karoma wrote: »

Thank you was and is not intended as a '+1' thing. It will not be used as such. Are you sure you want one?

Meh, like I say I don't use it so I'm indifferent but I don't think it would ruin the place.

Karoma wrote: »

Ban you? Ok.

KO.

Karoma wrote: »

Seriously though, please don't take these as outright dismissals or anything. I appreciate the effort!

Problem: Mod conspiracies.

Solution: Fight the powah!

Eoin

Xavi6 wrote: »

Nothin wrong with a 'Yore Ma' when it's used in a good context. It is used stupidly on numerous occassions though.

'Thanks' should be turned on as well.

And post count turned off.

Earthhorse

AlmightyCushion wrote: »

I know we could filter a new one everytime it comes around but it would be so easy to get around it that I don't see the point.

I'll try and make this my final word on this as I don't want to monopolise the thread; basically, I think you and I have different perceptions of the class of poster involved. Usually they seem to be relatively knew users with only a couple of hundred posts. We have swear filters in place and only a few people know, or could be bothered, working their way around them. Also, I completely cribbed this idea from SomethingAwful and you'd be surprised how many people don't know what's happening or how to get around it when the filters are switched on.

Karoma

I've been trying to find the proper threads with admin input, but Search is being ghey.
rb's post is pretty good on the matter: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=55981139&postcount=11

In summary: it means thank you, not "I agree". An untracked, thank-whoring-free system could work.



ED: Spot the person who left this tab open for a while before hitting submit...

MizzLolly

Probably gona get cyber-stoned for saying this but I'd personally like to see bans/threats handed out to everyone who breaks the rules not just the new posters, txt-spk posters etc..

Just recently I noticed a thread where a poster was shockingly abusive to the OP and yet the person who pointed out the abuse was threatend with a ban?! Really uncalled for. Another mod seemed to have dealt with it though so at least someone was big enough to stray from the clique!

Another one I noticed was a thread (which in fairness, was in the wrong forum) being locked in a pretty sarcastic manner by a mod while another similar one by another poster was left open later in the week. Not that big of a deal but ideally the same rules should apply to each poster.

Personal abuse and aggression seemed to be rampant in AH for the last couple of weeks.


This thread was a great idea.



*awaits another cyber-spanking:rolleyes::o

Caoimhín

MizzLolly wrote: »

Personal abuse and aggression seemed to be rampant in AH for the last couple of weeks.
*awaits another cyber-spanking:rolleyes::o

A lot of it comes from the mods too. Maybe its the stress of doing what they do, but its uncalled for.

Sherifu

MizzLolly wrote: »

*awaits another cyber-spanking:rolleyes::o

Hands off our porn!!!!!111!! :pac:

MizzLolly

Sherifu wrote: »

Hands off our porn!!!!!111!! :pac:

Not that kind of spanking! :rolleyes::pac:

Karoma

MizzLolly wrote: »

Probably gona get cyber-stoned for saying this but I'd personally like to see bans/threats handed out to everyone who breaks the rules not just the new posters, txt-spk posters etc..

... *moves on quickly* ...

Just recently I noticed a thread where a poster was shockingly abusive to the OP and yet the person who pointed out the abuse was threatend with a ban?! Really uncalled for. Another mod seemed to have dealt with it though so at least someone was big enough to stray from the clique!

Post a link.

Another one I noticed was a thread (which in fairness, was in the wrong forum) being locked in a pretty sarcastic manner by a mod while another similar one by another poster was left open later in the week. Not that big of a deal but ideally the same rules should apply to each poster.

Links?

Personal abuse and aggression seemed to be rampant in AH for the last couple of weeks.

Links? I don't see your reported posts...

CuLT

"Thanks" was turned it off at the AH mods request. I will turn it back on at their request. It's used differently in different forums, we have no problem with it being used as a +1 thing if that's how people want to use it.

I did mention that the word "thanks" is probably a little too narrow, but I can't really think of a universally better term to use.

Sherifu

CuLT wrote: »

"Thanks" was turned it off at the AH mods request. I will turn it back on at their request. It's used differently in different forums, we have no problem with it being used as a +1 thing if that's how people want to use it.

I did mention that the word "thanks" is probably a little too narrow, but I can't really think of a universally better term to use.

Huzzah?

MizzLolly

Karoma wrote: »

... *moves on quickly* ...


Post a link.


Links?

Why? As proof? With all due respect Karoma it happens pretty often in AH. Providing links would serve no purpose.

Karoma wrote: »

Links? I don't see your reported posts...

Why would I report it? Mods had obviously seen it.

AlmightyCushion

MizzLolly wrote: »

Why? As proof? With all due respect Karoma it happens pretty often in AH. Providing links would serve no purpose.

He means links to the specific incidents you were referring to. It helps us address these issues.

MizzLolly wrote: »

Why would I report it? Mods had obviously seen it.

Were these mods of after hours or another forum?

Karoma

MizzLolly wrote: »

Why? As proof? With all due respect Karoma it happens pretty often in AH. Providing links would serve no purpose.

Fine. I'll just say you're talking bull****.
(You could be talking about moderators of another forum - a lot of people don't seem to differntiate. You think a moderator was being sarcastic when they weren't... the list goes on. So, rather than you spouting wild accusations and me effortlessly dimissing them, how about you back up what you claim is easily backed up?)

Why would I report it? Mods had obviously seen it.

We work from reported posts. We don't read every single post in AH. I did for a while and it made me a cranky mother****er. To assume that we do is just plain stupid.

CuLT: No Thank You... if you can clone the Thank You system and put it in place without the tracking and leaderboard then fine. Otherwise, the we'll just have a silly amount of thank-whoring that'll annoy us in AH and ruin the system for the rest of boards.ie

Caoimhín

Karoma wrote: »

I did for a while and it made me a cranky mother****er. .

Never... i dont believe that.

MizzLolly

Karoma wrote: »

Fine. I'll just say you're talking bull****.

I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't use bad language when addressing me. It's uncalled for. I don't see why you're taking issue with it either. The thread was started in order to allow people to express any ideas they had on how to improve AH. That's what I've done. Why should that lead you to believe I 'talk bull****'?

Karoma wrote: »

We work from reported posts.

I know and some of the mods do a great job.

Karoma wrote: »

To assume that we do is just plain stupid

Who assumed that you do?


Edit: Nope I'm talking about AH. I don't think providing links would do any good. It would only cause more tension in AH.

CuLT

Karoma wrote: »

CuLT: No Thank You... if you can clone the Thank You system and put it in place without the tracking and leaderboard then fine. Otherwise, the we'll just have a silly amount of thank-whoring that'll annoy us in AH and ruin the system for the rest of boards.ie

The leaderboard is there for my benefit alone really, it just happens to be visible to moderators and subscribers also.

Abi

eoin_s wrote: »

And post count turned off.

I agree. And while I dont mind giving and receiving thanks, the wheres and how manys are irrelevant imo. Whether that can be changed or not..

Its a pity a lot of this stuff isnt viewable only to moderaters tbh.


CuLt was saying that he wasnt sure what to call the button. Simply:

"Thanks/agrees" would suffice.

Tar.Aldarion

CuLT wrote: »

The leaderboard is there for my benefit alone really, it just happens to be visible to moderators and subscribers also.

Oooh a leaderboard! I knew not of that.


--
Tara