The slow death of forums see OP for Admin warning and update 28/02/18

dusty207 · 01-01-2018 11:41PM

I've shag all posts but been here for a good few years. I lurk and notice there's a lot of posters with 25,000+ over the same time.
It only takes a few of these posters to die, give up their desk jobs or otherwise to reduce the total numbers of posts.
Plus I've been shot down a few times which reduces my inclination to post.
Like this post probably will lead too.
But, in spite of all the dross that people post there are a huge amount of decent topics being discussed with valuable insights that makes boards worthwhile.
It's a matter of quality, not quantity.

dxhound2005 · 01-01-2018 11:42PM

Vronsky wrote: »

I have been around for a long time thanks.

It may not be a great topic granted, but if people are not permitted to talk and discuss what they want to talk about here then they will go somewhere else. Grand some might say, we don't want that kind of commentary around here but we cannot turn around surprised when we see good contributors leaving and the overall post count falling.

Actions have consequences.

I just checked Page 5 for closed threads, none there. So that is three topics out of approx one hundred which have been shut down. You are exaggerating about people not being allowed to have discussions.

GreeBo · 01-01-2018 11:44PM

dusty207 wrote: »

It's a matter of quality, not quantity.

I don't disagree that there is some quality, but thats only enough if the lack of quantity doesn't drive people away.

Beasty · 01-01-2018 11:45PM

I will cover this again - this is the 2nd or 3rd time this thread has covered the topic of thread closing, now leave it there. Any more posts on the topic will be deleted

MadDog76 · 01-01-2018 11:46PM

I think a Sticky with a list of topics/issues that we're not allowed to discuss would be helpful ......... ???

Because I'm never sure anymore if it's ok to give an honest opinion on xyz .......

ps Not necessarily referring to any recent Mod/thread actions ......... just, in general, what topics are off the table for debate?

01-01-2018 11:49PM

With regards to building a solid community within Boards I think each forum should take responsibilty for that. Let's say for example there are places here that have a reputation for being unwelcome, well maybe set about changing that. Or if a forum is heavy on the moderation then it's local mods and users could look at why that is. Something else to consider might be the criteria used for selecting mods and to ensure a wide range of people are chosen.

Buford T. Justice XIX · 01-01-2018 11:51PM

RDM_83 again wrote: »

Yep still wondering why no response about my example of the way different posters are treated here

Tbh, I tried making sense of it and failed. My fault probably but if you could perhaps make it a little clearer please?

Turtyturd · 01-01-2018 11:54PM

RDM_83 again wrote: »

Yep still wondering why no response about my example of the way different posters are treated here

You’ll be lucky to get one tbh. It’s rampant on another forum I post in. Poster A and Poster B make the same post, the mod who deals with it has something in common with Poster A so his post is deleted and Poster B’s is carded. Poster B questions it and is met with the blanket of we don’t discuss other posts. I actually think people would be more accepting of the moderation if it was consistent and wasn’t so obviously biased while trying to convince you it’s not.

Alas, It’s the boards way.

the_pen_turner · 01-01-2018 11:54PM

how about if some of the mods or maybe a special role created where their job is to promote or save the dying sections. surely they could find members that used to post and lure them back along with finding topics to discuss . even if they are 10 year old rehash threads. they might get some members interested in that section and contribute

dxhound2005 · 01-01-2018 11:58PM

the_pen_turner wrote: »

how about if some of the mods or maybe a special role created where their job is to promote or save the dying sections. surely they could find members that used to post and lure them back along with finding topics to discuss . even if they are 10 year old rehash threads. they might get some members interested in that section and contribute

I still think Moderation has very little to do with it. I was told earlier that there has been no major change to how it is implemented over the years. It simply cannot explain a drop from 5.6 million posts in 2011 to 3.1 million in 2017.

Insect Overlord · 02-01-2018 12:00AM

the_pen_turner wrote: »

how about if some of the mods or maybe a special role created where their job is to promote or save the dying sections. surely they could find members that used to post and lure them back along with finding topics to discuss . even if they are 10 year old rehash threads. they might get some members interested in that section and contribute

I tried that with my old favourite forum a few times. People just won't come back to it.

5 or 6 couples met through the forum back in the early days and they've all split up since. One of the most popular characters in the group passed away a few years ago and that was pretty much the end of it. Too much heavy baggage.

the_pen_turner · 02-01-2018 12:01AM

dxhound2005 wrote: »

I still think Moderation has very little to do with it. I was told earlier that there has been no major change to how it is implemented over the years. It simply cannot explain a drop from 5.6 million posts in 2011 to 3.1 million in 2017.

I agree . moderation is only a small part of the problem. nobody here will complain about banning the trolls. it is the 99% good posters getting banned (or just pissed off and leaving) that is the problem.

combine that with facebook ,reddit etc gaining huge popularity

most people are just going else where for various reasons. some micro level on this forum and other macro issues faceing all forums

02-01-2018 12:02AM

Turtyturd wrote: »

You’ll be lucky to get one tbh. It’s rampant on another forum I post in. Poster A and Poster B make the same post, the mod who deals with it has something in common with Poster A so his post is deleted and Poster B’s is carded. Poster B questions it and is met with the blanket of we don’t discuss other posts. I actually think people would be more accepting of the moderation if it was consistent and wasn’t so obviously biased while trying to convince you it’s not.

Alas, It’s the boards way.

There is another possibility. I'll use myself as an example and am aware I'm being rather presumptuous here but anyway.

I'm a fairly even handed poster who rarely gets riled up or involved in heavy discussions here. When I do involve myself it's with a level of diplomacy and respect. Let's say one day all that goes out the window and I post in an out of character manner. I receive no infraction or warning. This is most likely because the mods see it as not being necessary for a poster who is probably just having a bad day. It's not because they are friendly with me or anything like that.

Beasty · 02-01-2018 12:06AM

Insect Overlord wrote: »

I tried that with my old favourite forum a few times. People just won't come back to it.

5 or 6 couples met through the forum back in the early days and they've all split up since. One of the most popular characters in the group passed away a few years ago and that was pretty much the end of it. Too much heavy baggage.

I've seen it tried with a number of different forums. In some cases they do burst to life only then to slowly decline again. In other cases those who do attempt to bring some life back to a forum end up feeling like they are banging their heads against a brick wall

I think it is one of the issues of having such a wide variety of forums. Posters tend to stick to a relatively small number. I do think we are long overdue a cull of the dead forums, and a wider tidy up of structure. Those are personal views though. Yes we touch upon these points amongst the Admins, and some progress has been made but there is, in my view, a very long way to go.

Again it is a personal view but I would see the site condensing to perhaps 10% of the current numbers of forums, although some may survive as quiet sub-forums

MadDog76 · 02-01-2018 12:11AM

Deleted User wrote: »

There is another possibility. I'll use myself as an example and am aware I'm being rather presumptuous here but anyway.

I'm a fairly even handed poster who rarely gets riled up or involved in heavy discussions here. When I do involve myself it's with a level of diplomacy and respect. Let's say one day all that goes out the window and I post in an out of character manner. I receive no infraction or warning. This is most likely because the mods see it as not being necessary for a poster who is probably just having a bad day. It's not because they are friendly with me or anything like that.

I'm not sure if you're talking hypothetically or from personal experience Perse but that would be a disastrous action (or inaction?) for a Mod to take ......... if your out of character post was directed at another Poster and he/she retorted in kind only to receive a Warning/Infraction/Ban (and you didn't) then that would seem extremely unfair, biased, inconsistent etc.
The same if a Poster read your post and Reported it but nothing was done about your post .......... or if a Poster thought "well if Perse can post something like that then surely I'm allowed" etc.

GreeBo · 02-01-2018 12:13AM

Deleted User wrote: »

There is another possibility. I'll use myself as an example and am aware I'm being rather presumptuous here but anyway.

I'm a fairly even handed poster who rarely gets riled up or involved in heavy discussions here. When I do involve myself it's with a level of diplomacy and respect. Let's say one day all that goes out the window and I post in an out of character manner. I receive no infraction or warning. This is most likely because the mods see it as not being necessary for a poster who is probably just having a bad day. It's not because they are friendly with me or anything like that.

So you are saying mods should have favorites?
How do you explain that to the new guy?

"Oh Persepoly has different rules than you do because he bought me a drink at a boards beers"?

How do they differentiate that from
"Persepoly has different rules than you do because I agree with his opinion"
?

MadDog76 · 02-01-2018 12:18AM

GreeBo wrote: »

So you are saying mods should have favorites?
How do you explain that to the new guy?

"Oh Persopoly has different rules than you do because he bought me a drink at a boards beers"?

How do they differentiate that from
"Persopoly has different rules than you do because I agree with his opinion"
?

I don't think Perse is saying Mods should/do have favourite Posters as such ........ it's more that a Mod, knowing Perse's Boards personality, will know that she's not a typically troublesome Poster and might be a bit lenient ......... in any case, I think a Mod should act consistently regardless of who the Poster is, even if it's just a one-off bad day/post for said Poster.

tomwaterford · 02-01-2018 12:18AM

GreeBo wrote: »

So you are saying mods should have favorites?
How do you explain that to the new guy?

"Oh Persopoly has different rules than you do because he bought me a drink at a boards beers"?

How do they differentiate that from
"Persopoly has different rules than you do because I agree with his opinion"
?

I think she's just verbalising a sort of unwritten rule that someone who has long history of no trouble.....is given leeway (within reason)

I doubt in any debate she's going to go from being relatively normal to supporting ethnic cleansing like??

Wheter that approach is right/wrong is another question altogether like

9or10 · 02-01-2018 12:18AM

evolving_doors wrote: »

'Moderate and facilitate a discussion' on travellers!
Surely you've read traveller threads and seen 'where they went'.

Shocking stuff https://touch.boards.ie/thread/2057383006/15/#post94345015

...
Or maybe people haven't seen these threads.
I think it's down to experience.
Mods know where things are going as they've seen it quite a bit before.

Where does it go...
Cards,Bans, Squabbling , he said she said, pm's , appeals, mod bashing, revenge, doxxing.
Ain't no mod got time for that.

Yep sadly true.

There was an AMA from a traveller back in Dev's day. Started off interesting. Then it became an absolute tucking frainwreck.

I felt quite sorry for the person.

02-01-2018 12:18AM

Beasty wrote: »

Again it is a personal view but I would see the site condensing to perhaps 10% of the current numbers of forums, although some may survive as quiet sub-forums

i think last year there was a thread on private forums in Feedback. One of the resounding points made by a number of posters was that those in private forums tended to stick to private forums and don’t tend to post elsewhere on the site.

I understand (but don’t necessarily agree) with their reasons for doing so but their lack of contribution to the wider visible side of this website doesn’t help sustain the site in general.

Turtyturd · 02-01-2018 12:20AM

[Deleted User] wrote: »

There is another possibility. I'll use myself as an example and am aware I'm being rather presumptuous here but anyway.

I'm a fairly even handed poster who rarely gets riled up or involved in heavy discussions here. When I do involve myself it's with a level of diplomacy and respect. Let's say one day all that goes out the window and I post in an out of character manner. I receive no infraction or warning. This is most likely because the mods see it as not being necessary for a poster who is probably just having a bad day. It's not because they are friendly with me or anything like that.

That’s unfair on any other poster who is carded for breaking the same rule. The post should be judged by itself on whether it breaks the rule or not. Having that grey area is what leads to the situation I mentioned.

Although the forum I’m talking about is a more obvious case than your example.

Quazzie · 02-01-2018 12:20AM

9or10 wrote: »

Yep sadly true.

There was an AMA from a traveller back in Dev's day. Started off interesting. Then it became an absolute tucking frainwreck.

I felt quite sorry for the person.

To be fair she wanted to answer questions about anything except actually being a traveller. When she refused to answer some very basic questions, it was always going to go one way. AMA stands for "Ask me Anything" not "Ask me questions I feel comfortable answering"

MadDog76 · 02-01-2018 12:22AM

tomwaterford wrote: »

I think she's just verbalising a sort of unwritten rule that someone who has long history of no trouble.....is given leeway (within reason)

I doubt in any debate she's going to go from being relatively normal to supporting ethnic cleansing like??

Does that "unwritten rule" actually exist though? Are Mods/Admins being more/less lenient on some Posters as opposed to others??

I noticed Beasty Thanked Perse's post so maybe there is some truth to Perse's theory ......... ???

GreeBo · 02-01-2018 12:23AM

MadDog76 wrote: »

I don't think Perse is saying Mods should/do have favourite Posters as such ........ it's more that a Mod, knowing Perse's Boards personality, will know that she's not a typically troublesome Poster and might be a bit lenient ......... in any case, I think a Mod should act consistently regardless of who the Poster is, even if it's just a one-off bad day/post for said Poster.

But it has to be one of the other.

The post should be judged, not the poster.
Otherwise you erode any respect you might have as a mod from the rest of the forum members.
It then turns into a clique and then people wonder why no one new joins in.

Beasty · 02-01-2018 12:24AM

Turtyturd wrote: »

That’s unfair on any other poster who is carded for breaking the same rule. The post should be judged by itself on whether it breaks the rule or not. Having that grey area is what leads to the situation I mentioned.

Although the forum I’m talking about is a more obvious case than your example.

Absolutely not. A poster's history should be considered when looking at borderline cases in particular. Like it or not, but a lot of modding is subjective

Tom Mann Centuria · 02-01-2018 12:25AM

Turtyturd wrote: »

That’s unfair on any other poster who is carded for breaking the same rule. The post should be judged by itself on whether it breaks the rule or not. Having that grey area is what leads to the situation I mentioned.

Although the forum I’m talking about is a more obvious case than your example.

Can't disagree with your point, I'd also prefer to see consistency with modding, and wouldn't agree with a longer standing poster being let off something a newer poster got carded for.

MadDog76 · 02-01-2018 12:26AM

Beasty wrote: »

Absolutely not. A poster's history should be considered when looking at borderline cases in particular. Like it or not, but a lot of modding is subjective

That would explain why some Posters feel unfairly treated so ........

Turtyturd · 02-01-2018 12:26AM

GreeBo wrote: »

But it has to be one of the other.

The post should be judged, not the poster.
Otherwise you erode any respect you might have as a mod from the rest of the forum members.
It then turns into a clique and then people wonder why no one new joins in.

It’s stated numerous times on the dispute resolution forum that this isn’t the case. Also plenty of examples of threatening to increase bans based on posts that weren’t even carded.

02-01-2018 12:26AM

MadDog76 wrote: »

I'm not sure if you're talking hypothetically or from personal experience Perse but that would be a disastrous action (or inaction?) for a Mod to take ......... if your out of character post was directed at another Poster and he/she retorted in kind only to receive a Warning/Infraction/Ban (and you didn't) then that would seem extremely unfair, biased, inconsistent etc.
The same if a Poster read your post and Reported it but nothing was done about your post .......... or if a Poster thought "well if Perse can post something like that then surely I'm allowed" etc.

I'm talking hypothethically and I'm not necessarily saying it's right. When it comes to moderation I don't think it's possible to have it very cut and dried because people are simply not like that. It's a judgement call. Using the example I did wasn't the best.

Let's say I was a mod and there was a particular tone that the forum followed. Someone new appeared and every now and then veered off the path. Yet this was an overall good and respectful poster. However regular members complained and I felt action was required. I pm'd the poster in question and asked them to tone it down a bit. What I would not do is post an in bold warning on thread telling that person to cut it out.

That's the kind of thing I mean.

Arghus · 02-01-2018 12:27AM

Deleted User wrote: »

There is another possibility. I'll use myself as an example and am aware I'm being rather presumptuous here but anyway.

I'm a fairly even handed poster who rarely gets riled up or involved in heavy discussions here. When I do involve myself it's with a level of diplomacy and respect. Let's say one day all that goes out the window and I post in an out of character manner. I receive no infraction or warning. This is most likely because the mods see it as not being necessary for a poster who is probably just having a bad day. It's not because they are friendly with me or anything like that.

In fairness, while I think that moderation and it's standards etc, etc isn't the root cause of Boards decline, the example you've used to illustrate your point there does read like you are talking about something that looks like blatant favouritism -

"Ah yeah, Poster A, yeah, let's cut them some slack, because y'know we know their usual schtick - they could be having a bad day, sure it happens!"

"Who is this Poster B asshole? Well they won't get away with saying that!"

I like to think of myself as, or at least I aspire to be, a (relatively) fair-minded poster, but if I step out of line and start posting daft stuff I would hope that I'd be held to account for it, just like anybody else. Otherwise it's all a bit of a nonsense.

Edit: I see what you've said in the above post. Yeah, I see your point.

The slow death of forums *see OP for Admin warning and update 28/02/18*

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The slow death of forums see OP for Admin warning and update 28/02/18