What has happened to boards

Giblet

Too many Polls/Top ten/bestest ever Threads.
Too many newbies who really haven't got a clue.
Not enough wars.
Too many people asking for more censorship.
Too many people asking for threads to be moved if they are *slightly* off topic.
To many spam posters who aren't doing it in a funny way "like come theres some people who have over 10 posts per day AND RISING"
Too many new forums that are too similar.
Theres alot more, but Thats just my opinion. I know boards.ie is free for anyone to use and say whatever so blah blah.

phaxx

Yeah well why don't you go and start your own forums, with hookers, and flapja... I'll be quiet.

tman

and gambling...



ah screw it, i'll just get a couple of hookers

The Gopher

Giblet-if you think this place is bad you should visit the other forums on the internet,particularly the British forums.Jebus-theyre not forums,theyre ****ing chatrooms!You go to them and you see a potentially interesting thread,but once a few people have made some good replies some load of faggots comes in and starts chatting with their own private jokes and innuendo and references to when they met up and so forth.99% of the users who actually interact with people that they havent met on the net dont care for these conversations-these sad bastards just try and impopse their boring lives on the rest of us.Thankfully boards.ie is a place where people like that get banned:) Speaking of bans,i was given a one week ban from the said forum for overusage of obscene language.Check out my latest post in the would you do big brother thread to see why:)
Though to tell you the truth they were most probably miffed that i referred to the fans of that show in terms such as"sad c*nts""dickheads"and"**** brigade".
Long live boards.ie!

pat kenny

Its still all good.
The dream is still alive.

But was the "Personal issues" board really needed. I recon its only there so people can prove they have real lives.
Real lives are for losers, the internet is for winners.


Pats answer: Cut down the number of pointless forums.

Venom

Too many Polls/Top ten/bestest ever Threads

Most of the polls are from Pigman.

Too many newbies who really haven't got a clue.

Everyone's a noob at some point but sadly to many people on this board never stop being noobs.

Too many new forums that are too similar.

Yup.A good pruning needs to be done.

Not enough wars.

This is coz people just go crying to Dev if someone say's boo to them.

Rest of your points are pretty valid as well.

Slutmonkey57b

The ratio of muppets is ever constant dear boy, it is merely the number of users that has increased. There is always a lot of danger of repetition on bulletin boards, but at least there's the option to search the threads to see if the answer you're looking for has already been questioned. The fact that it is rarely used is hardly the boards' fault.

Surely wars are just as bad for boards as polls and lists? What you get with wars is the same muppets taking their issues with each other across thread after thread after thread and disturbing everyone else's thoughts. What you get with polls is people who are temporarily lacking inspiration. Sod it, it keeps things ticking over. I've particularly enjoyed the cartoon thread in films/tv, which is going to be total old hat and redone hundreds of times before, but do I mind? noooo. See a thread you think you've heard before? Don't read it, nuff said.

The Corinthian

Originally posted by Giblet
Too many people asking for threads to be moved if they are *slightly* off topic.

Ironically, in much the same way this thread should be on the Admin board.

Mercury_Tilt

This post has been deleted.

Thanx 4 The Fish

All in favour of Merc-T as the new UberMod with abilities to summarize threads and make them shorter, punchier and altogether more fun call

09011 - 1544 - MERC

Fidelis

Originally posted by pat kenny
Real lives are for losers, the internet is for winners

Aha! Conor, you big fecking eejit. I thought you were dead

seamus

Originally posted by Venom
Most of the polls are from Pigman.

Indeed, that chap worries me. Whenever anyone else posts a 'whats your favourite.....' thread, he almost immediately replies with a 100-entry list. Sometimes it seems like he just sits at home and makes lists of stuff all day

Bomberman

Yea i agree it use to be Giblet
Use to be better but things change.

pauldeehan

I must say that the humour board has really taken a down turn.

orangerooster

This is coz people just go crying to Dev if someone say's boo to them.

Damn true no one can say nothin no more or a mighty wrath is incurred but then again to much flaming would destroy boards and turn into an orgy of true horror and twelve clicking and people like sonic10,zeemoud and UNSANE!!!!!it is unlikely that a solution will be found but then we can live in hope.

DeVore

interesting.

If you even look at this thread (which is what, 15 posts from the 9000 odd members we have) you'll see differing views on whats actually wrong and vey few (if any?) suggestions as to how to fix it (if there *is* actually a problem).

I'm not saying theres not a problem but all users go through a period when the "newness" of boards wears off and they make it part of their internet lives (or wander away as I'm sure happens too).

I've been thinking about the stability of a system in such high growth (we've gone from 100 users to 9000 in 4 years, much of that in the last 2) and how to manage it going forward.
Should we even *go* forwards? Stop taking new users?
Only allow mates of current users to join?

One thing I've noticed (and this is no reflection on anyone posting here, btw) is that people on boards are quick to spot problems but a lot slower to offer constructive workable solutions...

DeV.

Johnny_the_fox

Originally posted by DeVore

Only allow mates of current users to join?

You could apply for a user account..... and the user would have to have a reference from a member???

Puck

I know it's a bit of a touchy subject but a small anual subscription fee would keep a whole lot of muppets out of the place.

They wouldn't like to pay no matter how small the sum if they just want to arse around and piss people off, so even if it was, say, a tenner a year that might work. I'm broke all the time but I know I could fork out €10 for my favourite website.

It would also keep a lot of people out that come here for the sole reason of advertising for free.

Plus I still can't get my head around the fact that the admins do all this work for free!!:eek:

Clintons Cat

ok my two cents

firstly if people pay for the service boards is going to get a fair number of subscribers who will sign up,get offended and then demand a refund and/or removal of moderators.Given the ammount of whinning that goes on on the admin board every time someones post is deleted/edited or someone gets offended whilst the service is free,then imagine what it would be like when people are paying for the privallege
i have no problem with boards being a self financing opperation i just feel subscription is the wrong path to go down.

secondly its a cliche but the more effort people put into their posts the more enjoyment they will receive.Not enough funny/sad/intelligent/informative/spammy threads for your liking?
then go and create some.two of "my" favorite threads that i started received very little traffic or comment but that doesnt detract from the personal satisfaction i derived from composing them.

Puck

I see your point and I think it is a very good one. This has been discussed in the past and that was one of the major hurdles.

Fortunately I don't think there actually is anything wrong with Boards.ie atm. There's the usual heap of muppets and morons sure but they've almost always been an infestation here. It's really just a problem with people's behaviour and attitude towards the boards and other members. Perhaps the Boards Awards may help in showing people what sort of behaviour gets you noticed for being a respected, valuable contributer to the community or a "can of piss".

PS: is it just me CC or is your God of Kittens a mouse??

Clintons Cat

Fortunately I don't think there actually is anything wrong with Boards.ie atm. There's the usual heap of muppets and morons sure but they've almost always been an infestation here. It's really just a problem with people's behaviour and attitude towards the boards and other members.

agreed.

PS: is it just me CC or is your God of Kittens a mouse??

that is a good question,that been the subject of heated kitten theological debate and the occasional holy war for niegh on 14 centuries when the original God of Kittens revealed himself to the Holy Prophet Tiddles.
At the time the God of Kittens Commanded Tiddles never to reveal his true identity or try to capture his likeness in material form.
Unfortunately Tiddles being in nature and essence a cat totally disobeyed his owner/creator and tried to sculpt the likeness he had seen in clay.
Given the lack of opposable thumbs the results were to be honest a little disappointing,however the god of kittens is a vengeful god,all old testament and smiting his opponents mightily with rolled up newspapers.And cast out tiddles into the wilderness.

ps lack of sleep=satirical spam

Venom

I've been thinking about the stability of a system in such high growth (we've gone from 100 users to 9000 in 4 years, much of that in the last 2)

Quality over quanity works out better all the time mate.

Jaden

Basic Problem: Muppets invading boards, spam, off topic posts.

Solution: More talking about rocket launchers, less about sad, touchy feeley notions about "Why nobody likes me" or "Where can I get my PS2 chipped for 30 cents.".

DM3 CA Damage Mod - All your worries will fade away.

Giblet

Originally posted by The Corinthian

Ironically, in much the same way this thread should be on the Admin board.

It's a discussion. Dumbass

WhiteWashMan

the problem if it became a fee paying obard, then it means Dev can make me be nice to people like pornapster.

and thats never gonna happen daddio!


my problems with boards?

lets see....

too many people with no humour.
that cant be helped.

too many muppets.
again, its a ratio thing.

too many cry babies.
ok, personal issues aside (theirs, not the board) i cant help it if people get offended at jokes about kittens or whatever

too much spam.
jesus, someone brings up something deemed off topic and things go mayhem, someone moans on admin and dev feels he has to get involved.

the mnain problem with boards.ie is that too many people here are too goddam PC.
i mean anyone who puts forward a view that is not in with the run of the mill sheep like mentailty, and immediately youre a spammer, a troll, or should be banned and burned at the stake.

my solution.
i think its up to the mods to be more aware.
its not good enough that someone goes straight to dev.
thats just rubbish.
if someone gives someone a bollocking on the boards, then let us all see it. if youre stupid enough to write it, then goddam it, you should be made to pay by letting us laugh at you.
these boards were originally designed for people who were into a small community gaming scene who all know each other. the crap flung at each other would make half the people who read these boards faint. it used to be very funny. bring back damo v hobbes i say!
however i digress.
the mods are there to look after a board.
if a board gets spammed, then delete it. its not a big deal.
hell, every one of us spams at one point or another. you gonna cry out for us all to be banned.
hell, ive lost count of the amount of people that want me banned, but i dont give a toss for two reasons.
1) im actually a damn good mod on my own boards
and
2) i actually from time to time add something constructive to a topic.

but just becuase its a boards, doesnt mean i have to.
im not obliged to give my heartfelt opinion on every topic.
if i want to take the píss out of poor johny with the broken heart who ithink deserved it, i will. and anyone who says im harsh can go away. its my opinion.
too many soft mods who should just do their job (and no, im not singling out anyone for you paranoid out there) and too many people who feel that boards is their private property and who demand x,y and z.
i treat boards.ie like my playground. i come here to have fun. but never make the mistake that you own the place. get a grip, its a virtual world. if we all met in the pub it would be pints all around, and no-one gives a toss if you said that and he said the other and she wasnt interested in anything either of you said.

so, just skip all the above and read this.
devore, youre too involved, sit back and let the people who are suppose to be patrolling patrol.
that will stop the stupid whinging.


hmm, i wonder if i have made any sense at all?

Rabies

Originally posted by WhiteWashMan
let the people who are suppose to be patrolling patrol.
that will stop the stupid whinging.

hmm, i wonder if i have made any sense at all?

wow,
i'm amazed, you made perfect sense.

i would have to agree with you on all the points made.

let the mods stand up more on the boards they mod. too many users go to the admin board and start looking for backup from the admins. why can't the person take it up with the mod in question and try to sort it out there and then. there should be no need to involve the admins unless things get out of hand...

some people just need to lighten up a bit.

seamus

To add to what WWM said, maybe a little 'freshers pack' should be added to the welcome email. Specifically written in big bold letters:

IF YOU ENCOUNTER A PROBLEM WITH CONDUCT ON A BOARD, TAKE IT UP WITH THE BOARD MODERATOR FIRST. ALL REQUESTS FOR ADMIN INTERVENTION WILL BE IGNORED/DELETED IF THE MODERATOR HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED FIRST.

Sorry for the caps, but you gotta make an impact. There'd be no point in putting it in the 'Terms and Conditions' yokie, cos we know no-one reads that anyway.

Or a small little paragraph detailing 'What to do if I have a problem' and each level of support.

DeVore

Personally I dont think theres anything wrong except that we are feeling the strain of volume of posts and boards.
Hence the work I've been doing on the personalisation of boards.ie

The suggestion of paying for access to boards is not a flier for many different reasons. Not the least of which is our commitment to keeping it free and community based. So payment would be opt in at best and more likely will be supported by quarterly drinking binges.

DeV.

WhiteWashMan

ahh, speak of an ass, and its sure to pass

(hope this isnt trolling)

Karl Hungus

You know what boards really needs?
More pop-ups.
That'd shut people up.

Gavin

I'd have to agree with Giblet/Venom on this. Boards just isn't as good as it used to be. ( my humble opinion of course, I will explain why )

The two main problems I see with it are,

1) lack of tolerance of new users/elitism
2) annoying repetition of questions.

1)
A lot of new users will post something perhaps stupid/controversial and be slammed by the older members. Fair enough, if they keep doing it, then persecute them, but up until that point a bit of leeway should be given. Instead of shouting shut the **** up at them, tell them politely, no we don't do that here.
Or if a guy with 1 post replies to a question with an intelligent technical reply, he also get's slammed. The elitist crap coming in again. ( hangover from the quake days as well ) Mod's should crack down on this.

2)
Repetition of questions. Have FAQ's on the boards, and when someone asks a bog standard question, point them to the faq and lock the topic. That simple. Mod's can judge as to whether or not the topic deserves debate/conversation.

anyway, my 2 euro cents.

Gav

Thorbar

I find nothing wrong with elitism. It’s a natural responds when you have a small close group suddenly explode into a huge pack of strangers. Personally when I see someone thinking their better just because they're registration date is a few years older I'll ignore them and after a few months they'll get used to ya and accept you. I mean unless you were one of the founding members of boards, all of us had to go through a stage of being a newbie and everyone looking down on you. Esp. if you started out in the quake/cs scene, but once you've been around a bit and start to fit in it kinda makes it feel more worthwhile. Of course all things in moderation, I'm not advocating everyone rips the piss out of every new person who comes to boards purely because they're new. I just think if someone acts the gimp they deserve to have a bit of a poking.

One suggestion I would have for the boards is that for new members there's a certain period of time where you can only read posts and not post yourself. I don't know two weeks or whatever. Its kinda like the time limit they have in America for buying guns so you're rage can subside. It will stop people at pissups making new accounts and spamming away. Might slow bubbles down a bit, and it will also give genuine new members a chance to figure out how they should behave here and what to expect when they start posting.

bubbles

I aggree

Pigman

Originally posted by seamus


Indeed, that chap worries me. Whenever anyone else posts a 'whats your favourite.....' thread, he almost immediately replies with a 100-entry list. Sometimes it seems like he just sits at home and makes lists of stuff all day

Wow you really got my number there Seamus, fair play to you ya fecking idiot. :rolleyes:

*sigh* N-E-way .... Yep, I probably make most of the polls (on the boards that I read at least) ... and I'm not denying it.

But in my defence I've seen polls I've made get more than 100 responses, so clearly some people in here are interested in using them! Therefore as long as I've something I'd like to 'vox pop' (so to speak) I'll keep posting polls.

Anyway I can't see how something (such as a poll) that identifies itself as such before you even open the thread could annoy people as much as a spammer. Therefore I don't see where the problem is?

Finally to the guy who suggested a two week 'cooling off period' after registration : It's a good idea but it simply won't work because the only reason anyone is going to register in the first place is because they want to make that initial post and a waiting period will just discourage them from siginging up at all.

The guy who started the thread seems to want 'more confrontation/less newbie action' so why don't the mods give him what he wants with a new 'anything goes' board limited only to people with +1000 post or 12 months experience here or whatever floats your boat.

Repli

I think it's not as good any more because it's more defined as a community and with strict rules and guidelines
The CS boards used to actually be funny to read, now they are just dull

seamus

Originally posted by Pigman
Wow you really got my number there Seamus, fair play to you ya fecking idiot. :rolleyes:

No no no no no....that's completely wrong. Didn't you do your homework?When someone makes a small, noncomittal poke at you, then you must respond with a wittier, more abusive remark, along the lines of:

Originally posted by Pigman
No seamus, I only make out those lists while waiting for YORE MA to finish with her other clients

See? Now go and write "I will not take anything said on boards.ie as a serious representation of its author's opinions" one hundred times.

But in my defence I've seen polls I've made get more than 100 responses, so clearly some people in here are interested in using them! Therefore as long as I've something I'd like to 'vox pop' (so to speak) I'll keep posting polls.

Agreed. They are interesting, but annoying.

<major vBulletin hack suggestion>Maybe if moderators could falg threads as 'popular', which would then prevent them from showing up in 'View new posts', people wouldn't be so annoyed by them.</major vBulletin hack suggestion>

A prime example is the "What tune are you currently listen to now?" thread. Annoying as f*ck, but it's always gonna be there....

Pigman

Originally posted by seamus

No no no no no....that's completely wrong. Didn't you do your homework?When someone makes a small, noncomittal poke at you, then you must respond with a wittier, more abusive remark, along the lines of:
No seamus, I only make out those lists while waiting for YORE MA to finish with her other clients

Yore Ma eh? Very good! I suppose I could but then I thought the boards.ie slot for writing in the style of childish 17 year old virgin whose only sexual experience was with a vacium cleaner had already been filled by you?

See? Now go and write "I will not take anything said on boards.ie as a serious representation of its author's opinions" one hundred times.

That sounds like a cool philosophy, which I now intend to follow you intelligent, articulate fountain of wit.

TacT

^^ see someone always gets offended :rolleyes:

The suggestion for threads to be automatically locked after no new post has appeared within say 2 weeks/month seems vg and would at least stop the stupid thread diggers like that lad on the humour board a while back amongst others, this is one of the most annoying things a new user can do.

Surely if cloud can write an automatic script to delete sigs, dev's included then surely we could have a sript in place to auto lock threads after said time of inactivity?

People can be too pc? Well we do type our replies on them and I'd say it's safe to say so many people spend so much time on them (myself included) it's a wonder we haven't turned into one.......yet! Or that we haven't turned into some sort of collective resembling the borg (ref. any trekkie)

daveirl

This post has been deleted.

seamus

Originally posted by Pigman

Yore Ma eh? Very good! I suppose I could but then I thought the boards.ie slot for writing in the style of childish 17 year old virgin whose only sexual experience was with a vacium cleaner had already been filled by you?

Ah, that's better! We'll make a flamer out of you yet! (700 posts since april? fs...)

That sounds like a cool philosophy, which I now intend to follow you intelligent, articulate fountain of wit.

Flattery will get you everywhere. You're really beginning to get the hang of boards.ie

WhiteWashMan

Originally posted by seamus


Ah, that's better! We'll make a flamer out of you yet! (700 posts since april? fs...)


Flattery will get you everywhere. You're really beginning to get the hang of boards.ie

you know what, you should try and look at the average posts per day.
you complain about 700 posts since april. well look again. youre not exactly well eblow are you.

flame?
you wouldnt even be a match beside me mate.

get back in your box and stop talking rubbish and let the people have their say......

Pigman

Originally posted by seamus

Ah, that's better! We'll make a flamer out of you yet! (700 posts since april? fs...)

Great.

Check your own ratio by the way. I still have newbie 'novelty-value' as an excuse. You've clocked 2000+ and are still at 5.23

Originally posted by seamus
Flattery will get you everywhere. You're really beginning to get the hang of boards.ie [/B]

Yeah, that whole type-and-post concept really has so many layers to it. You should be proud to have mastered it.