The new face of feedback

Steve

Vexorg wrote: »

Some of our smods have been given additional responsibility in the feedback forum.

The purpose of this is to catch threads before they fall into a witch-hunt or lolcatsfest and to assist with a more consistent decision making process. Feedback has been abused by different camps insofar as some legitimate complaints have been lost in lolcats and witch hunts with both the users and moderators both members of the same community frequently taking a trashing due to a relatively small number of vocal/image posting individuals.

So in an effort to get this back on track some of the longest standing members of boards.ie have been added to the feedback/help desk team. We will trial/tweak this process over the next couple of months to see how it works.

Any chance of some guidelines on how it's going to be moderated - I love feedback, it's the best forum on boards and would hate to get banned and made an example of.

Is the recent cat culling by Gordon (which IMO was unwarranted) going to be typical of what happens when someone who starts a ridiculous thread is greeted with the respect that it deserves?

Are you going to let us know who the new mods are so I (and many other humble boardsies) will have a chance to know whether they have a sense of humour or not - or will we have to find out by being banned?

Does this dissolve the commandment from the old testament :
"This is the forum where all users are equal except for the 5 admins:
Vexorg, DeVore, Regi, Ecksor and Cloud"

We wait in joyful hope.

Steve.

dr.bollocko

I agree stevie. The feedback forum is boardsies and mods chance for a proper brutal style poster vs. poster slamming where ranks are discarded and the fistycuffs are fairly reffed.
Valid points are made even in the midst of personal vendettae, despite how much they may sting.
Lolcats are also a vital form of expressionism for many posters and feedback is one of the rare fora where they are welcomed with open arms when appropriate, and shunned when uncalled for.
Looking at the past few feedback threads, and the entertainment and insight offered to posters on the fringe, they are a valuable way of finding out how boards works and any changes would have to be subject to close patronage to ensure that the balance is not upset.

cornbb

I for one welcome our new Smod overlords. While the "rowdy" nature of Feedback has alway been amusing for the masses, it is an unpleasant experience to be at the recieving end of the mob's wrath (as a user making a complaint, whether it is perceived to be valid or not, or in the role of a mod) and it has never been entirely fair. I welcome this change and hope it brings the airing of dirty laundry and veiled personal abuse to an end.

Edit: just to clarify - is it still cool to use lolcats if done in a tasteful way and in the spirit of the moment (e.g. in a thread which is light hearted and needn't be taken too seriously)? I think I'd miss them if they were banned altogether

dr.bollocko

cornbb wrote: »

I for one welcome our new Smod overlords. While the "rowdy" nature of Feedback has alway been amusing for the masses, it is an unpleasant experience to be at the recieving end of the mob's wrath (whether as a user or a mod) and it has never been entirely fair. I welcome this change and hope it brings the airing of dirty laundry and veiled personal abuse to an end.

Fair point.
I reckon that receiving end must sting and I have seen some unnecessary statements.
Wouldn't mind a nice breakdown of what the rules mean practically so I can tow the line.

cornbb

dr.bollocko wrote: »

Wouldn't mind a nice breakdown of what the rules mean practically so I can tow the line.

I'm with ya!

I think Feedback will still serve the same purpose, it'll still give an insight into how boards work and we'll have some great debates. But active moderation by the most experienced mods on boards should put an end to some of the petty mudslinging.

dr.bollocko

cornbb wrote: »

I'm with ya!

I think Feedback will still serve the same purpose, it'll still give an insight into how boards work and we'll have some great debates. But active moderation by the most experienced mods on boards should put an end to some of the petty mudslinging.

I see what you're getting at.

/calls off troops..... for now.:D

Adam

I support this product/service and would like to subscribe to the newsletter.

Best of luck to the new mods!

Beruthiel

SteveC wrote: »

Any chance of some guidelines on how it's going to be moderated - I love feedback, it's the best forum on boards and would hate to get banned and made an example of.

There will only be bannings if someone is extreemly out of order.

Is the recent cat culling by Gordon (which IMO was unwarranted) going to be typical of what happens when someone who starts a ridiculous thread is greeted with the respect that it deserves?

We'll see how it goes. I'd miss not seeing the odd cat pic.

Are you going to let us know who the new mods are

Beruthiel, Gordon, seamus, Ruu, sceptre, regi, DeVore, Cloud

so I (and many other humble boardsies) will have a chance to know whether they have a sense of humour or not

I assure you, we all have well developed senses of humour.

Adam

Beruthiel wrote: »

There will only be bannings if someone is extreemly out of order. We'll see how it goes. I'd miss not seeing the odd cat pic.

Are you going to let us know who the new mods are

Beruthiel, Gordon, seamus, Ruu, sceptre, regi, DeVore, Cloud



I assure you, we all have well developed senses of humour.

Except Gordon.


:pac:

Karl Hungus

About time, tbh.

But, do we need a new feedback mascot? Not just cats, but a singular face to represent feedback. I say it should be this guy.

Beruthiel

Karl Hungus wrote: »

But, do we need a new feedback mascot? Not just cats, but a singular face to represent feedback. I say it should be this guy.

A murderer with a sense of morals.
Good choice

dr.bollocko

Karl Hungus wrote: »

About time, tbh.

But, do we need a new feedback mascot? Not just cats, but a singular face to represent feedback. I say it should be this guy.

Nice.
A quick dirty job.
No bullets.
Everyone's happy or someone's about to die. I like it.

Steve

cornbb wrote: »

While the "rowdy" nature of Feedback has alway been amusing for the masses, it is an unpleasant experience to be at the recieving end of the mob's wrath (as a user making a complaint, whether it is perceived to be valid or not, or in the role of a mod) and it has never been entirely fair. I welcome this change and hope it brings the airing of dirty laundry and veiled personal abuse to an end.

I would add to that - the practice of mods telling new posters to 'take it to feedback' needs to be questioned. It's not fair to throw an inexperienced boardsie to the lions cats for a simple n00b mistake. it is also not fair on the admins /smods to tell them to go to helpdesk as it would get swamped. Maybe a new, heavily moderated intermediate 'n00b complaints' forum is required.

cornbb

SteveC wrote: »

Maybe a new, heavily moderated intermediate 'n00b complaints' forum is required.

Hopefully Feedback can now be that forum, if it stops being such a lion's den. Starting a Feedback thread, or being at the receiving end of a thread, has always been an intimidating experience, maybe that will stop now.

Beruthiel

cornbb wrote: »

Hopefully Feedback can now be that forum, if it stops being such a lion's den. Starting a Feedback thread, or being at the receiving end of a thread, has always been an intimidating experience, maybe that will stop now.

That is our hope.

seamus

As Ber says, this is very much going to be a kid gloves approach from us. I think our main aim is to keep the discussion remotely relevant for at least one page.

DeV was always very keen on the "public gallery" aspect of Feedback, and I don't think any of us want to stop that. But stuff that belongs in the thunderdome, doesn't belong on feedback

Rules will still be "looser" than other forums - banning someone is denying them the ability to provide feedback, so there'll be more leniency on that front.

Steve

Beruthiel wrote: »

That is our hope.

Are you saying then that innocent new users who are sent here to complain about their infraction will be treated differently to someone with 3k posts who should have known better?

dr.bollocko

seamus wrote: »

"looser"

And feedback noobs take note:
This is the correct usage for the word "looser".

Jack Sheehan

Beruthiel wrote: »

Beruthiel, Gordon, seamus, Ruu, sceptre, regi, DeVore, Cloud



I assure you, we all have well developed senses of humour.

Jesus H, you could invade a small country with that many admins.

Beruthiel

SteveC wrote: »

Are you saying then that innocent new users who are sent here to complain about their infraction will be treated differently to someone with 3k posts who should have known better?

I don't believe I said that at all.
Everyone will be treated exactly how they deserve to be treated.

Nerin

Karl Hungus wrote: »

About time, tbh.

But, do we need a new feedback mascot? Not just cats, but a singular face to represent feedback. I say it should be this guy.

lol iguanas?

seamus

SteveC wrote: »

Are you saying then that innocent new users who are sent here to complain about their infraction will be treated differently to someone with 3k posts who should have known better?

With any luck, having three or four of us who don't seem to do anything in work all day except sit on boards means that said n00bs will get a proper response before the abuse piles in.

Steve

Beruthiel wrote: »

I don't believe I said that at all.
Everyone will be treated exactly how they deserve to be treated.

Sorry, I didn't say you said it, I was genuinely asking.

dr.bollocko

Nerin wrote: »

lol iguanas?

TBH

Steve

seamus wrote: »

With any luck, having three or four of us who don't seem to do anything in work all day except sit on boards means that said n00bs will get a proper response before the abuse piles in.

I hope so and I fully support that.

/raises glass
here's to teh new feedback.:D

Ponster

SteveC wrote: »

it is also not fair on the admins /smods to tell them to go to helpdesk as it would get swamped. Maybe a new, heavily moderated intermediate 'n00b complaints' forum is required.

I don't understand how it would get 'swamped'?

I always direct new members to helpdesk if I feel that they're looking for a valid response from senior staff and not lolcats

Overheal

Karl Hungus wrote: »

About time, tbh.

But, do we need a new feedback mascot?

Ive got it!



It symbolizes the little guys ganging up to take down the man.

And its cute ;_;

Steve

Ponster wrote: »

I don't understand how it would get 'swamped'?

I always direct new members to helpdesk if I feel that they're looking for a valid response from senior staff and not lolcats

I'm only going on what I see in feedback so I commend you if you do.

Ruu_Old

/me dusts off bat with rusty nails sticking from end

Toto Wolfcastle

Ruu wrote: »

/me dusts off bat with rusty nails sticking from end

Sexy.

Hoping lolcats will be allowed in the ridiculous 'fight the powah' threads that pop up every once in awhile. (As in, a lot!)

Overheal

As long as I hang on to just one of these, you cant touch me Ruu! nyah

Steve

Ruu wrote: »

/me dusts off bat with rusty nails sticking from end

grit yer teeth, I'm coming in dry.......

/winces

Gordon

SteveC wrote: »

Is the recent cat culling by Gordon (which IMO was unwarranted) going to be typical of what happens when someone who starts a ridiculous thread is greeted with the respect that it deserves?

Ridiculous threads will still be treated with the respect they deserve, it's just that the level of ridiculousness will have a few more pairs of eyes to judge what level of ridiculousness it is deemed to be.

RoundyMooney

Doctors differ and spoil the broth.

Hey, it's Feedback, it was always a mishmash of opinion (and now metaphors, too )

Basically, it's evolved into Judge Judy meets Jerry Springer, where the final say still rests (generally) with the relevant mod, but with the baying of the ubiquitous mob thrown in for good measure.

What I'm basically saying is, easy on the editing there, Harry.

/end off the wall reference to Eighties Miracle Whip adverts

Adam

Gordon wrote: »

Ridiculous threads will still be treated with the respect they deserve, it's just that the level of ridiculousness will have a few more pairs of eyes to judge what level of ridiculousness it is deemed to be.

That's ridiculous.

Overheal

I promise only to sue longcat in the most relevant of circumstances.

and believe me ill think of something - and it will knock your socks on if and when it ever happens. For now though universal longcat is going into hiatus.

RoundyMooney

Overheal wrote: »

I promise only to sue longcat in the most relevant of circumstances.

and believe me ill think of something - and it will knock your socks on if and when it ever happens. For now though universal longcat is going into hiatus.

Pussy.

hussey

Gordon wrote: »

Ridiculous threads will still be treated with the respect they deserve, it's just that the level of ridiculousness will have a few more pairs of eyes to judge what level of ridiculousness it is deemed to be.

Then surely it should be locked than culled?

Overheal

RoundyMooney wrote: »

Pussy.

I said sue not use

in fairness though a think 4 and 5 galactic longcats are part of the reason that lolcat thread has been deleted or whatever.

Bob the Builder

and i suppose if someone has a problem with a mod in feedback, they have to take it to feedback?

I personally think that this is a good step, and lolcats, etc. aren't looking like they're going to be banned altogether, but merely that will force people to be more responsible for what they post.

seeing that this is feedback, i personally would like to complain about the SMods. they have been acting.......

Gordon

hussey wrote: »

Then surely it should be locked than culled?

What should be?

randylonghorn

This sounds good, tbh.

IMO, Feedback works in its own slightly weird way. There have been times, however, when the gallery aspect has been a bit too much like the lions and the Christians, and in particular I have noticed that when the bloodlust was aroused by one idiotic rant, it has tended to spill over on more genuine / naive OPs, which is a pity.

Similarly, some mods have ended up the victims of witchhunts, which is hardly fair to people who give up their time voluntarily to help out.

A quicker resolution / input from experienced hands could also help in some cases which in my opinion have been allowed to drag out for far too long. We had one example very recently where a mammoth thread was created; whatever about the rights and wrongs, and personally I could see both sides of the argument, by the end of it the mods in particular must have been feeling exhausted and exposed, and wondering why they bothered.

A few more hands on deck to help keep the place on track has the potential to greatly ameliorate all of these issues, without necessarily changing the basics of the forum in a major way. For example, I argued in the other threat for the retention of lolcats, in their proper place and at the proper time (note emphasis). As DeV said in that thread, when used properly, they often express an opinion in their own inimitable way, and, for example, I suspect a lot of people would end up being far more personally abusive to ridiculous fite-teh-powah OPs if they didn't have a cathartic lolcat to throw instead.

Now if we could only find a way to persuade certain users that this is a discussion website and not the freakin' UN, and not to take it all so bloody srsly!!

Steve

randylonghorn wrote: »

Now if we could only find a way to persuade certain users that this is a discussion website and not the freakin' UN, and not to take it all so bloody srsly!!

+1

Sense you speak.

Hobbes

witches, lions, talking cats.. When did this place turn into a C.S. Lewis novel?

Jordon

Hobbes wrote: »

witches, lions, talking cats.. When did this place turn into a C.S. Lewis novel?

:D:D:D:D:D: haha that was good :D:D:D

Overheal

randylonghorn wrote: »

Now if we could only find a way to persuade certain users that this is a discussion website and not the freakin' UN, and not to take it all so bloody srsly!!

Fie, I demand a Dublin Treaty :pac:

A-Trak

Overheal wrote: »

For now though universal longcat is going into hiatus.

RoundyMooney wrote: »

Pussy.

Pfft...you've been trumped is all.



I think I can hear Snyper crying looking at his now defunct 5 gig folder of lolcats and meme images he was waiting to shoehorn in at any spurious chance when admitted back into feedback

RoundyMooney

Nerin

A-Trak wrote: »

I think I can hear Snyper crying looking at his now defunct 5 gig folder of lolcats and meme images he was waiting to shoehorn in at any spurious chance when admitted back into feedback

i must have that folder!!!
:cool:

A-Trak

RoundyMooney wrote: »

I now regret using the word "Trumped," in my previous post.

justsomebloke

seamus wrote: »

I think our main aim is to keep the discussion remotely relevant for at least one page.

How many posts per page do you see by the way