Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Help Keep Boards Alive. Support us by going ad free today. See here: https://subscriptions.boards.ie/.
If we do not hit our goal we will be forced to close the site.

Current status: https://keepboardsalive.com/

Annual subs are best for most impact. If you are still undecided on going Ad Free - you can also donate using the Paypal Donate option. All contribution helps. Thank you.
https://www.boards.ie/group/1878-subscribers-forum

Private Group for paid up members of Boards.ie. Join the club.

'Off-topic' thread for AH - good or bad idea?

123578

Comments

  • #122
    MaybeLogic
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,462 ✭✭✭MaybeLogic


    Just think.
    If this thread is never closed, this will be the AH 'Off-topic thread' and Pete's wish will have been granted.


  • #123
    Stercus Accidit
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,758 ✭✭✭Stercus Accidit


    No
    Kiera wrote: »
    Why should the mods have more work piled on them tho? It will need to be moderated and will be a nightmare seeing as there are so many posters in AH at any one time. Its is their (unpaid) job to look after the forum and if they dont want it then the buck should stop there.

    You dont see people going nuts because we cannot talk about sport and the likes. They move on to a different forum where sports talk is allowed.

    Its not like the last time a thread looking for mods for AH wasn't inundated with applicants.

    If the mods don't like it, get more mods, get new mods, start a thread looking for people to volunteer to take up the workload this thread may add, see how popular it will be.


  • #124
    OutlawPete
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,689 ✭✭✭✭OutlawPete


    No
    Kiera wrote: »
    You dont see people going nuts because we cannot talk about sport and the likes.

    Ahem.. :)

    You do when it is current affairs.

    Mods Don't Own Forums - The Posters Are What Makes The Forums


  • #125
    Kiera
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,130 ✭✭✭✭Kiera


    I'm a boring fence sitter by nature
    Stercus Accidit wrote: »
    Its not like the last time a thread looking for mods for AH wasn't inundated with applicants.

    If the mods don't like it, get more mods, get new mods, start a thread looking for people to volunteer to take up the workload this thread may add, see how popular it will be.
    You'd be hard pushed to find someone to mod AH :)


  • #126
    Stercus Accidit
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,758 ✭✭✭Stercus Accidit


    No
    opinion guy wrote: »
    That may be so, but the question remains - are you volunteering to moderate the proposed thread ? I think if one is giving their free time to something, one is entitled to say when whats being asked is too much. No ?

    See my above post /\

    You would NOT be short of volunteers, I would be wholly unsuitable, I do not like a hell of a lot of the threads in AH, but what matters is what the people who DO like this forum want, the regulars and casual reader, all posters here.

    This is boiling down to 'we don't want to do extra work, we don't want to expand'.

    In any paid job you'd be fired, the solution is more mods, if they will be even needed.

    'Why don't YOU be a mod' A different forum maybe, but the number of bannings, chastisings and thread locks under my snooty nosed regime would be far more damaging to boards.ie the business than increasing the popularity and user friendliness of its biggest customer draw.


  • Advertisement
  • #127
    Kiera
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,130 ✭✭✭✭Kiera


    I'm a boring fence sitter by nature
    OutlawPete wrote: »
    Ahem.. :)

    You do when it is current affairs.

    Mods Don't Own Forums - The Posters Are What Makes The Forums
    I knew you would post that. I should have included it in my post: That was a once off and TZ said because it was such a heart-string topic for the posters of AH that he'd make one mega thread for a week for it.

    You dont see Chelsea supporters in here going ape because Spurs beat them on Saturday. Why? Because there is a forum for that kind of thing.

    Just like there are forums where you can chat in a mega thread.


  • #128
    Stercus Accidit
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,758 ✭✭✭Stercus Accidit


    No
    Kiera wrote: »
    You'd be hard pushed to find someone to mod AH :)

    To find a good mod, I agree, but if there was a recruitment drive, you'd see plenty of good people apply I'd imagine.

    Boards is full of good posters, I interact with them every day, its why I use the website.

    If the demand is there, supply the product, people forget this is a business, and trot out the voluntary work argument again and again.

    Boards.ie is run by the owners and even daft.ie is a shareholder, when voluntary workers oppose improvements and so on, it become a problem.


  • #129
    OutlawPete
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,689 ✭✭✭✭OutlawPete


    No
    Stercus Accidit wrote: »
    To find a good mod, I agree, but if there was a recruitment drive, you'd see plenty of good people apply I'd imagine. Boards is full of good posters, I interact with them every day

    Precisely and there was a Poll (all be it a tongue in cheek one) on this very subject.

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055799802

    Surely Admin could select one Mod from those that seem to be popular with their respective forums.

    Not that I think a popularity contest is always the way to go exactly but it should certainly provide the pool of members from which Admin make their selections imo.


  • #130
    opinion guy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11,000 ✭✭✭✭opinion guy


    I'm a boring fence sitter by nature
    Stercus Accidit wrote: »
    'Why don't YOU be a mod' A different forum maybe, but the number of bannings, chastisings and thread locks under my snooty nosed regime would be far more damaging to boards.ie the business than increasing the popularity and user friendliness of its biggest customer draw.

    Aww come on now 'I'd be bad at it' - thats a bit of a cop-out. You're calling for this thread but you would be unwilling to mod it yourself


  • #131
    Wazdakka
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,467 ✭✭✭Wazdakka


    I'm a boring fence sitter by nature
    OutlawPete wrote: »
    Precisely and there was a Poll (all be it a tongue in cheek one) on this very subject.

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055799802

    Surely Admin could select one Mod from those that seem to be popular with their respective forums.

    Not that I think a popularity contest is always the way to go exactly but it should certainly provide the pool of members from which Admin make their selections imo.
    *Gasps*
    The forbidden Poll

    *Dives out of thread to dodge a cascade of recently freed worms*


  • Advertisement
  • #132
    OutlawPete
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,689 ✭✭✭✭OutlawPete


    No
    Wazdakka wrote: »
    *Gasps*
    The forbidden Poll

    *Dives out of thread to dodge a cascade of recently freed worms*

    You don't think Mugabe would be good? :mad:


  • #133
    dr.bollocko
    Moderators, Music Moderators Posts: 35,948 Mod ✭✭✭✭dr.bollocko


    I'm a boring fence sitter by nature
    More mods =/= better moderation.


  • #134
    opinion guy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11,000 ✭✭✭✭opinion guy


    I'm a boring fence sitter by nature
    Hmmm I'll tell you what. I'd support this off-topic thread if, and only if, Facekicker is brought back to mod it :P


  • #135
    MaybeLogic
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,462 ✭✭✭MaybeLogic


    opinion guy wrote: »
    That may be so, but the question remains - are you volunteering to moderate the proposed thread ? I think if one is giving their free time to something, one is entitled to say when whats being asked is too much. No ?

    Why don't they pay some wages, say, on forums that get x anmount of hits a day? Surely the interest created by AH and other large forums contributes to the revenues that Boards owners are making.
    I mean, here we are bickering about mods and threads while DeVore is down on the Med somewhere, listening to the gentle lapping of the sea and sipping on margaritas.


  • #136
    opinion guy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11,000 ✭✭✭✭opinion guy


    I'm a boring fence sitter by nature
    MaybeLogic wrote: »
    DeVore
    Who ??:confused:


  • #137
    Stercus Accidit
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,758 ✭✭✭Stercus Accidit


    No
    opinion guy wrote: »
    Aww come on now 'I'd be bad at it' - thats a bit of a cop-out. You're calling for this thread but you would be unwilling to mod it yourself

    YOUR ARGUMENT IS NOT EVEN AN ARGUMENT.

    I am proposing that in the face of needing more mods, more mods should be found.

    It does not matter who we use, it only matters that they do a good job.

    What is your point? Am I the only person who can mod? To state that we need more mods IF WE NEEDED MORE MODS, inherently puts the requirement on my shoulders?

    Your point is pointless.


  • #138
    Stercus Accidit
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,758 ✭✭✭Stercus Accidit


    No
    dr.bollocko wrote: »
    More mods =/= better moderation.

    Tru dat


    But more good ones would surely lighten the work load? Thats the whole argument against the additional traffic and potential issues such a thread may cause.

    TBH I don't think it would cause extra hassle, just extra traffic, and friendlier posters who know each other better, and are less short with each other.

    A set of rules in place and a general tone would cover it, my favourite forums have banter threads, and usually they are very light in tone, with youtube videos, complaining about not having internet at home because of inept providers, and so on.


  • #139
    dr.bollocko
    Moderators, Music Moderators Posts: 35,948 Mod ✭✭✭✭dr.bollocko


    I'm a boring fence sitter by nature
    Stercus Accidit wrote: »
    Tru dat


    But more good ones would surely lighten the work load? Thats the whole argument against the additional traffic and potential issues such a thread may cause.

    TBH I don't think it would cause extra hassle, just extra traffic, and friendlier posters who know each other better, and are less short with each other.

    A set of rules in place and a general tone would cover it, my favourite forums have banter threads, and usually they are very light in tone, with youtube videos, complaining about not having internet at home because of inept providers, and so on.

    I didn't think the "nightmare to mod" element was the main argument against. Yeah I don't really buy the "too much work" thing as an excuse either.
    I think it was that a bunch of people thought it would encourage the bad elements of AH in the one place, stunt new threads and be difficult for new posters to follow, potentially growing a flirty clique. Of course that then depends on the content of an off topic thread. Generally in other OT threads on big forums the content has been banter and AH material.
    Interesting discussion though.


  • #140
    we'llallhavetea_old
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,971 ✭✭✭we'llallhavetea_old


    No
    Kiera wrote: »
    Why should the mods have more work piled on them tho? It will need to be moderated and will be a nightmare seeing as there are so many posters in AH at any one time. Its is their (unpaid) job to look after the forum and if they dont want it then the buck should stop there.

    sorry, but, its a job? if you're told to do something in any job, you do it. if not, quit. there will always be someone to replace a mod.
    opinion guy wrote: »
    Aww come on now 'I'd be bad at it' - thats a bit of a cop-out. You're calling for this thread but you would be unwilling to mod it yourself

    what are you on about? thats like saying i should be willing to become the minister of finance because i don't want to pay so much tax. :confused:


  • #141
    Stercus Accidit
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,758 ✭✭✭Stercus Accidit


    No
    dr.bollocko wrote: »
    I didn't think the "nightmare to mod" element was the main argument against. Yeah I don't really buy the "too much work" thing as an excuse either.
    I think it was that a bunch of people thought it would encourage the bad elements of AH in the one place, stunt new threads and be difficult for new posters to follow, potentially growing a flirty clique. Of course that then depends on the content of an off topic thread. Generally in other OT threads on big forums the content has been banter and AH material.
    Interesting discussion though.

    Aye, it was one argument though, one with a plain solution I thought.

    The clique would be less prevelant imo if more ordinary posters had a place to just banter, post jokes and so on, allowing them to penetrate the inner sanctum of AH regulars, and of course expose themselves(socially) without having to be on about a particular topic.


  • Advertisement
  • #142
    opinion guy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11,000 ✭✭✭✭opinion guy


    I'm a boring fence sitter by nature
    Stercus Accidit wrote: »
    YOUR ARGUMENT IS NOT EVEN AN ARGUMENT.

    I am proposing that in the face of needing more mods, more mods should be found.

    It does not matter who we use, it only matters that they do a good job.

    What is your point? Am I the only person who can mod? To state that we need more mods IF WE NEEDED MORE MODS, inherently puts the requirement on my shoulders?

    Your point is pointless.
    we'llallhavetea wrote: »
    what are you on about? thats like saying i should be willing to become the minister of finance because i don't want to pay so much tax. :confused:


    Err sorry. Stercus was earlier calling for mass mod resignations because they don't want to mod the proposed thread. He has since admitted he wouldn't want to mod it either. Thats my point. I think it very high and mighty to condemn others for not doing something he is unwilling to do himself.

    I would have thought this was fairly self-explanatory


  • #143
    OutlawPete
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,689 ✭✭✭✭OutlawPete


    No
    Kiera wrote: »
    You dont see Chelsea supporters in here going ape because Spurs beat them on Saturday. Why? Because there is a forum for that kind of thing.

    That is a specific team and and specific supporters.

    If people were allowed to start such threads here, it would piss others off no end and would cause mayhem.

    Sport threads when they have a significant 'current affair' aspect to them should be allowed in my opinion.

    Using your logic most threads would not be here.

    We have 'politics' threads, yet there is a Politics Forum.

    We have 'song' threads, yet there is a Music forum.

    We have 'film' themed threads, yet there is a Film forum.

    We have 'celebrity' threads, yet there is Celebrity & Showbiz forum.

    And so on and so forth ..

    There is a common theory that if something is currently a topic of conversation down the pub, then you should be able to start a thread on it.

    When the Grand National was on, a bunch of threads got closed, why?

    Why couldn't all the After Hours regulars have just ONE Grand National thread to banter about what horse they backed?

    Would have been a good laugh.


  • #144
    Kasabian
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,688 ✭✭✭Kasabian


    No
    If I was a mod I would ban the fence sitters and make the yes votes count double .:pac:

    What Jesus Christ harm would an off topic thread do . If it's not working close it.


  • #145
    Stercus Accidit
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,758 ✭✭✭Stercus Accidit


    No
    opinion guy wrote: »
    Err sorry. Stercus was earlier calling for mass mod resignations because they don't want to mod the proposed thread. He has since admitted he wouldn't want to mod it either. Thats my point. I think it very high and mighty to condemn others for not doing something he is unwilling to do himself.

    I would have thought this was fairly self-explanatory

    Utter crap.

    The post made was that where a mod went against the will of 1000 users, he should be allowed, I said that he should be replaced, it was an analogy.

    But you knew that didn't you, you are just attacking a straw man.

    Pathetic really.


  • #146
    we'llallhavetea_old
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,971 ✭✭✭we'llallhavetea_old


    No
    opinion guy wrote: »
    Err sorry. Stercus was earlier calling for mass mod resignations because they don't want to mod the proposed thread. He has since admitted he wouldn't want to mod it either. Thats my point. I think it very high and mighty to condemn others for not doing something he is unwilling to do himself.

    I would have thought this was fairly self-explanatory

    he wouldn't want to mod AH as it is. not because of an off topic thread.

    if you think he's being "high and mighty" as you put it then why not come out and say that instead?

    i don't think your point is very valid. there's a million and one jobs that i think are important but wouldn't do myself. :confused:


  • #147
    opinion guy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11,000 ✭✭✭✭opinion guy


    I'm a boring fence sitter by nature
    Stercus Accidit wrote: »
    Utter crap.

    The post made was that where a mod went against the will of 1000 users, he should be allowed, I said that he should be replaced, it was an analogy.

    But you knew that didn't you, you are just attacking a straw man.

    Pathetic really.

    You know what - mind the personal abuse there would you ?

    As to straw men. You said the mod went against the will of 1000 users. But thats not the case. At least not simply. The mods are very obvisouyl against this because they don't want to mod it. So its not a case of them wanting to go against anyone, but more they don't want the extra repsonsiblity. So actually YOU are the one straw-manning. I just called you on it without specifically saying it.

    And I'll do it without calling you names or putting you down


  • #148
    Kasabian
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,688 ✭✭✭Kasabian


    No
    Off topic , I have just heard a plane fly over , we are saved.


  • #149
    Stercus Accidit
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,758 ✭✭✭Stercus Accidit


    No
    opinion guy wrote: »
    You know what - mind the personal abuse there would you ?

    If you think my countering a frankly stupid point constitutes personal abuse, use the report function, don't whine to me, I don't care about your sensitive disposition.
    As to straw men. You said the mod went against the will of 1000 users.

    No I did not, another user did, it was an analogy, I responded to that analogy. Do try to get something right.
    But thats not the case. At least not simply. The mods are very obvisouyl against this because they don't want to mod it. So its not a case of them wanting to go against anyone, but more they don't want the extra repsonsiblity. So actually YOU are the one straw-manning. I just called you on it without specifically saying it.

    The mods are supposed to moderate the forum, the forum caters to the users, all of these points have been well covered, despite your flailing at non issues in your posts.
    And I'll do it without calling you names or putting you down

    What name did I call you? How did I put you down? Your point is utter rubbish, I am attacking your stance, not you, your points however are designed to undermine my own without actually addressing them, hence, straw man.


  • #150
    opinion guy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11,000 ✭✭✭✭opinion guy


    I'm a boring fence sitter by nature
    Stercus Accidit wrote: »
    If you think my countering a frankly stupid point constitutes personal abuse, use the report function, don't whine to me, I don't care about your sensitive disposition.

    I did. But also I told you in person because I'm simply not allowing you to bully me into submission. Your doing it again now saying my point is stupid. You might not like my point. But I'm entitled to have it. And you use of terms like pathetic and stupid is the very opposite of attacking the post - you are attacking me -you are just too afraid to say it directly since you know you'll get slapped for it. Attack the post means point out the flaws. It doesn't mean use the point as a substitute for the poster in order to throw abuse.

    No I did not, another user did, it was an analogy, I responded to that analogy. Do try to get something right.

    The relevant bits:
    Saibh wrote: »
    You could have 1,000 people say they want it, but unless you have the backing of the AH mods I can't see it happening.

    /my 2 cents
    Stercus Accidit wrote: »
    Then the mods should step down or be removed, they are here to service the forum, the forum is here for the posters, not them.
    Stercus Accidit wrote: »
    See my above post /\

    I'd say it would be fair for the mods to offer their perspective in this thread on why they think it wouldn't work, but if the posters of AH want it, the mods are here to facilitate that, and as such should sit on the fence for the vote.
    <snip>

    The reason your opinoin is a straw man is because you are implying the mods are here to serve the will of the people. THere is no democracy or free speech here. The mods are not here to facilitate the posters will, they are here to run the boards as the management of boards.ie ask them too. As I said there is no demcroacy or free speech involved. Moreso - the mods are NOT going against the will of 1000 people, they are going against the extra work. You may not have come up with the 1000 people analogy, but nevertheless you are arguing it. And it is a straw man.
    What name did I call you? How did I put you down? Your point is utter rubbish, I am attacking your stance, not you, your points however are designed to undermine my own without actually addressing them, hence, straw man.

    You didn't call me a name. You did call my posts "utter crap", "pathetic" and "stupid". Since these are not objective criticisms but are in fact abuse directed at my opinions because you happen to disagree with them. I take that as personal abuse.

    Frankly your posting style here is akin to the school bully. I'm not going to shut up just because you want me to or consider my posts stupid.


  • Advertisement
  • #151
    Stercus Accidit
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,758 ✭✭✭Stercus Accidit


    No
    opinion guy wrote: »
    I did. But also I told you in person because I'm simply not allowing you to bully me into submission.

    The fictional Stercus accidit in your head may be a bully, but the actual poster is debating you on a forum, try to respond to him, ignore the bully, he doesn't exist.
    Your doing it again now saying my point is stupid. You might not like my point. But I'm entitled to have it. And you use of terms like pathetic and stupid is the very opposite of attacking the post - you are attacking me -you are just too afraid to say it directly since you know you'll get slapped for it.

    I do think your points are stupid, there is no fear in not calling you names, I am thankful these debates don't degrade to that, but I also may disagree with you, and not be called a bully, or accused of cowardice. Can I call you a bully, because you aren't agreeing with me?

    Regarding everything you posted about my position, perhaps you should have addressed them directly several pages back, when I posted them, instead of going for the intellectually dishonest tactic of using straw men. I did make my points and made them well, why should I pander to your new tactic of back tracking and playing victim, and be forced to repeat myself?

    If I did repeat myself, would you make the same posts, or evolve them slightly with the focus on crying free speech, bullying and directly accusing me of using straw men, on things I never said, ie. the well covered 1000 posters analogy made several pages back.

    You don't get another crack at responding, I won't repeat myself again and again, just for you. Maybe this is the victory you have been seeking, through redirection and dishonesty. Enjoy it.


This discussion has been closed.
Advertisement