Site is a graveyard - How can boards save itself? [Threadbanned users in 1st post]

TheChrisD

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121993722#Comment_121993722

Honestly, I'm only still here because I've been here for ages. If I was a new user, I'd far prefer Reddit for sheer amount of topics with dedicated discussion portals.

odyssey06

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121994169#Comment_121994169

The thread as it evolved into contentious debate yes it would have been better served in CA.

knucklehead6

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121993722#Comment_121993722

the everything and anything

when I joined boards I had been a member on a different site that ended up dying after a turkish hack.

And this place had been slagged to high heaven over there too.

Anyway, I joined and found that there are a huge amount of forums catering for every itch you can think of

I’ve asked questions to do with work, I’ve been helped out with the journey from non biker to everyday rider. I’ve a fairly wide range told interests and they’re reflected in my followed forums.

Big Bag of Chips

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121994254#Comment_121994254

I've been threatening to learn to ride a motorbike for a very long time....

I might have a look through your posting history 😉

Tell me how

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121994011#Comment_121994011

I posted the following Saturday night, I posted it immediately after my post in which I listed issues I have with moderation that did get some commentary and reaction. I posted this as I felt there were 3 unique elements relating to discussion around the site that I was curious to see whether or not they would provoke conversation.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121986528#Comment_121986528

I've also said on here that the 'Best' threads that one poster used to run were fun. Or the same type of threads about various tracks within different genres of music. I enjoyed some of the AMA threads also and appreciated the effort the site made in organizing them.

There used to be fun nonsensical threads amongst 20-30 frequent posters who'd just comment on their day and so on that usually seemed like a nice little community. That was probably 30-50 people who logged on casually just to see how the thread was going and maybe they dropped in to other threads too and left a post or 2.

I remember a couple years ago, someone started a thread about a Cardi B song in the music forum. It had multiple posts from multiple users within a few hours. Then it was closed. I messaged the mod and asked why and they said that the question asked in the OP was answered. That conversation died right there. In my view, threads like that should never be closed unless there's been zero posts added in 24 or 48 or 72 hrs or something. On a site struggling with numbers, to be shutting down discussions because of the pedantry of questions asked and answered is madness. Move the discussion elsewhere if you wish, but don't silence it.

I used to enjoy reading the soccer threads but the views in there were too partisan for even me to tolerate so I never requested access to the forum which would have allowed me to post. I don't think I've seen a soccer forum thread since the changeover, it's obviously hidden away in some corner.

In terms specifically of improving activity I mentioned threads in the past (mostly in AH) that I would find and would spend a long time catching up on them and really loving the content. Completely pointless threads in terms of the content but they would be entertaining and give you the type of warm fuzzy feeling that would bring you back. Stories about funny incidents dating, or house sharing, or random work colleagues or friends/neighbors or whatever. But they were heavily influenced by the vibe around here and I think we can all agree that vibe just isn't there right now and it can't be forced unless the environment is right for it.

I think Boards could help launch threads at times to promote conversation, same way as people who get together at the same time to watch a TV show and comment it on here. A Thread on the Thursday before a Bank Holiday weekend called 'Jesus, I remember one time…..' when the OP swore they wouldn't go out to save money but ended up on a ferry back from the UK 3 days later would lead to funny stories from others who are happy to reminisce without having to deal with the 7 day hangover that most of us would have to consider if we went on a Bank Holiday session now.

Aside from using Facebook or Twitter or the like, make use of the email function to tell users that a conversation on a topic is gaining traction is a simple thing to reach people who already have accounts. Or to let others know who had accounts, but haven't used them in a long time that they are missed and the site is active and they'd like to be welcomed back. Blanket emails sent to whatever database is holding log in details could have a significant impact. One thing I should say, that during the period of about 2015 to 2021, I often thought that Boards was worth a lot to me in terms of the amount of hours entertainment I got from it. I never recall seeing the likes of messages Wikipedia or the Guardian or Donald Trump put out reminding people of what they offer and asking for one off donations.

But, as I said it my post above, what do those who own/run/hold sway over the site think can and could/should be done to help promote the right sort of activity on here?

Backstreet Moyes

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121994105#Comment_121994105

It really depends where you are posting and if you are a regular you will know yourself.

I had a post removed about a trans dart player being in 3rd position and if he finishes second he will qualify for the world championship.

I said I hope he doesn't because nobody deserves abuse from drunk idiots and It would mentally scar him.

Now the reason it was removed is because i called a biological man a he.

Now if that persons body was ever found with skeletal remains they wouldn't be looking for information on a women for obvious reasons, so why is a mod deleting posts that are the truth.

If you look, it's the same mod who is the mod of the lgbt forum.

An apt comparison would be a moderator and fan of a man United forum being tasked with moderating a combined thread on Liverpool vs. man United.

I am sure the mod might do their best to be impartial, but it's like telling me santa claus is real.

A mod with a conflict of interest should have no business modding threads, its the reason the 6 or 7 posters everyone talks about who get away with murder are allowed to get away with it.

AAdding a new mod to CA to oversee such threads would make a very big improvement.

knucklehead6

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121994269#Comment_121994269

dammit!! Now I’m on the admin radar!!

farewell cruel world. I’m about to be banned from the internet in its entirety!😜

Vote4Squirrels

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121994290#Comment_121994290

I don’t know for sure who removed it but there is a moderator who is on there from that forum so it might be the same person.

I didn’t use anyone pronouns - there was a post about an adult biological male competing in swimming against teenage girls and my exact post was “Jesus wept how is that allowed??”

I really don’t get why it was removed but it does strike me as rather underhanded.

nachouser

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121994301#Comment_121994301

It always comes back to the trans stuff. Would you post it in a work chat? Nah. But folks will do it on here and then complain about Boards.ie moderating them. Yawn.

pjohnson

Ah this thread had a decent run before the trans guff started.

Big Bag of Chips

Lads I don't want to start deleting posts on this thread but as always if you have a problem with a moderator or action taken please contact the moderator or C-Mod.

Back on topic here please.

Thanks

Backstreet Moyes

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121994369#Comment_121994369

This is a feedback thread and my feedback is that a mod who is a mod of the lgbt forum cannot be expected to be impartial when modding threads about trans related or lgbt topics.

It's not that I have a problem with the mod, I am sure they tŕy to be unbiased.

It would be better for the mod and discussion if someone without bias would oversee those type of threads.

Big Bag of Chips

I'm not discussing specific cases or moderators on this thread. If you have a complaint please make it through the correct channels.

nachouser

The two main yokes on the Criminal justice thread having a go at trans people joined on the same day within 8 mins of each other.

Furze99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121993952#Comment_121993952

Well I pop in for a variety of reasons: to learn things in both current news but also re hobby/ diy etc, read other people's views, discuss some views, help some queries if I can, share a thought. That's about it.

What helps that is light moderation, that would boost the positives. It's not a school playground, most people here are of an age to be responsible. So silly unwarranted warnings, posting limits and bans can undermine the positives quickly.

StrawbsM

A thread popped up earlier on the main page about driving tests being cancelled because the green part of the insurance cert had discoloured. It was such a random title that I just had to click into it.
The thread was 4 pages long. It was first posted in in 2021 and the last post was from someone who had experienced the same issue today. A few people, including myself, posted after them.

I saw a new post a couple of hours ago and when I clicked into it…… the thread has been nuked. I don’t even know what forum it was in. Seems nonsensical to me as there wasn’t many posts in it (took me 10 minutes to read) and it highlighted a crazy but legal and costly issue that people are not aware of.

Deleting threads like that does my head in.

Leg End Reject

Yes, let zombie threads run if someone is interested, I think I've already said that. A mod note telling someone not to post in an old thread looks awful, especially if it's a new poster who probably found the thread via Google.

Arghus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121994493#Comment_121994493

Yeah, that's one thing I've never really got. Let the threads fall back into obscurity of their own accord.

anewme

I’ve got some really good advice from people on certain forums, mainly about the house / garden some people went out if their way to send personal mails with their recommendations / experiences and that is most helpful. I also like the food forum and love watching what others cook and the recipes.

There is a need for more positivity to drive traffic through the site, the Wokeism thread was just negative bashing people and even here, the trans digs are painful and not necessary.

I also feel “don’t be a dick” is subjective and open to interpretation from everyone’s viewpoint.

Glaceon

Exactly. Either let the thread run or if it’s that big a deal, enable autolocking of threads after a certain period of time.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121994493#Comment_121994493

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121994508#Comment_121994508

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121994554#Comment_121994554

I will say that some zombie threads are better off closed and if the topic is worth discussing start a new thread.

You’ll find people joining in but not actually realising it’s an old thread then arguing with something that was said years ago. Also portions may be completely out of date or irrelevant.

I’d usually just close it off if it’s inclined to fall into the above or the reply is irrelevant and just some lost soul.

StrawbsM

It was deleted though so there’s absolutely no evidence of it ever existing. Did anyone see the thread I’m talking about and do they know what forum it was posted in?

con747

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121994606#Comment_121994606

It was here but as you said it vanished. https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058194469/driving-test-cancelled-due-to-the-disc-strip-is-faded-from-green-to-blue/p2

Glaceon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121994606#Comment_121994606

I saw it too, I remembered it from first time around and clicked into it again.

Goldengirl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121991308#Comment_121991308

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121991334#Comment_121991334

These are examples of low level trolling of another poster imo , discussing them in a cowardly way.

How is their threadban being lifted any of your business ,?

Others have been similarly reversed for worse infractions .

I know who you are referring to now and so do others It's very unfair on them . where is their right of reply ?

And people then wonder why they get actioned for trolling? Beggars belief ..this is just the sort of bullying that is driving good posters from boards !

Posting it here to get a dig in at someone who is unaware they are being discussed like this , hopefully without getting sanctioned .

Big Bag of Chips

There is a need for more positivity to drive traffic through the site

I 100% agree. The amount of negativity on the site and in this thread is astounding. We've had 33 pages of negativity here. I asked for some positive suggestions and I'm not sure it even got to a full page before people dragged it back down with negativity again.

Being happy and just having a bit of craic seems to be something that most people have lost. Angry people preferring to be angry and making those around them angry.

I'm not really sure that there's any cure for that particular blight.

It seems this thread has descended to complaining about the mods by the usual suspects with a persecution complex.

StrawbsM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121994649#Comment_121994649

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121994748#Comment_121994748

My first ever reason for posting on boards is when I was looking to an answer to a question and google led me here. That was back in 2010.

I have no idea if the person who resurrected that thread today was a new poster or not as I took no notice. They said their child had their driving test cancelled by the tester on the day of the test. Did that poster go to google and follow a link to that thread? Did they register with boards to ask the question? If they did, then they’re not being enticed to stay and look around at what more boards.ie has to offer them.

How can boards function as a business if it rejects customers?

This content has been removed.

con747

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121994925#Comment_121994925

Like the thread I posted about a few pages back where the thread was closed with no reason given and a moderator being able to post in the closed thread 8 hours after it was closed, no explanations given. It's annoying.