Please Keep On Message, Please!

Lance · Oct 24, 2006, 09:17:36

Quote from: drummer on Oct 24, 2006, 03:08:35

You can all get back to your bananas now.

Thank god for that!

quandam · Oct 24, 2006, 16:56:40

drummer

Thanks for your comments. I have to say that you have hit the nail right on the head and have put the point across a lot better than I managed.

quandam · Oct 24, 2006, 17:31:22

Quote from: maxping on Oct 23, 2006, 19:04:05
This thread was posted to ask users to keep the thread "'Contribute To Idnet FAQ's'" on topic, not to keep this thread on topic

maxping

I would have thought that the general thrust of my posts on this subject implied that they were directed to most threads where a serious subject was being discussed. If that was not made clear I apologise.

The post by 'drummer' has explained my feelings far better than I achieved with mine.

Things have moved on here dramatically in recent weeks and months and as 'drummer' points out many people are now seeking a new ISP and will visit this forum initially to obtain some useful and intelligent input from its contributors. Overall I don't think we have a good record in this field.

I am well aware of the problems that moderators face but I do think that any 'serious' threads should basically include sensible and useful input and always, of course, tinged with a sense of humour.

Fun, jokes, bananas and general chat have their place but in the right category.

Hopefully the moderators will take 'drummer's' and my views on board (that's all we can ask) and make IDnetters an even more enjoyable experience for its visitors.

quandam · Oct 24, 2006, 17:52:16

I would like to add to the above (I was timed out re update) the category we are dealing with here is 'IDnet Help' I honestly cannot see much 'help' offered to visitors to the forum within this thread.

Scott · Oct 24, 2006, 22:28:04

I can see the merit on both sides here guys...we don't rule with an iron fist in here...it's fun and informative first above all else.

I have no problem where threads go...I trust you lot to steer things back on course where necessary and crisp up anyone who deserves it (undeserving toastiness obviously WILL attract our ire !!)

It's the Interweb...I ain't gonna censor you going OT or not so get on with it !!

OOOOOH H cr@pola !!!!This was my 666th post...bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger

maxping · Oct 24, 2006, 22:50:15

Quote from: Scott on Oct 24, 2006, 22:28:04

OOOOOH H cr@pola !!!!This was my 666th post...bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger

Hey stay on topic you should know better

MoHux · Oct 25, 2006, 00:42:15

Quote from: ScottOOOOOH H cr@pola !!!!This was my 666th post...bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger bugger

Oh! How beastly!!

maxping · Oct 25, 2006, 01:14:52

Hey Mo you quoted yourself

wolverene · Oct 25, 2006, 02:32:52

As was mentioned I feel sure that no insult was intended to anyone but I for one come on this Forum to not only gain knowledge from those "sensible" people but to enjoy the company of my peers and ,yes, certain topics such as the FAQ are very useful but need not be regimental, and as for

prospective joining candidates I would hope they feel that they could glean information and realise what a "chilled out" community we are rather than be put off.

Hopefully all of us have had our say and possibly now might be a good time to let this OLD horse die off peacefully?

Nice comments Scott and happy 666 birthday

drummer · Oct 25, 2006, 02:55:53

Okay fairy nuff mods/admin, you've made your position clear - this isn't a serious forum but simply a place where you can indulge in schoolboy humour and whinge about high pings.

It's your bat and ball after all and I guess I'll leave you to it.

I will keep checking out this forum though as it's all there is, plus it will be interesting to hear how you're dealing with puberty.

Offensive? Nah, just keeping the spirit alive...

quandam · Oct 25, 2006, 09:43:01

Quote from: drummer on Oct 25, 2006, 02:55:53
Okay fairy nuff mods/admin, you've made your position clear - this isn't a serious forum but simply a place where you can indulge in schoolboy humour and whinge about high pings.

It's your bat and ball after all and I guess I'll leave you to it.

I will keep checking out this forum though as it's all there is, plus it will be interesting to hear how you're dealing with puberty.

Offensive? Nah, just keeping the spirit alive...

DITTO!

Nerval · Oct 25, 2006, 09:47:36

Scott's right , and even if he wasn't he's in charge.

It's not as if the FAQ themselves were full of trivia, there are just a few light-hearted comments in the suggestions thread. Given the grinding work necessary to do something like compile a FAQ, I'd have though a little humour in the suggestions would help, not hinder.

I've seen before where mods have been cowed by the PC brigade into silly over-moderation, and would just like to say well done Scott for sticking with it.

sallyandjames · Oct 25, 2006, 12:43:25

Oi! Hope you aren't talking about me!

Moderation is a hard line to draw though, once you start with some bits, it can quickly snowball into having to moderate lots of things not really neccessary.

I suppose thats one of the big benefits of this being an unofficial forum - IDNet are distant enough to not need people to maintain any sort of corporate image.

It is however always worthwhile having some sort of moderation policy in the public domain, at least then people know what to expect, and what not to.

To use Plusnet *spits* as an example, we have three different forums for people to chat in.
There is the official Plusnet Forum, with pretty strict moderation. Folks can say whatever they like, so long as it is in line with the rules, which are laid out publically for all to see. I'm sure @Nerval (and others) will agree that pretty much anything could be said, so long as it was said in the correct manner.

Still close to PN, there is a Plusnet Usergroup Forum, which gets a lot of input from people at PN, and has a much more relaxed moderation policy. IIRC the only things not allowed are personal attacks and a few of the naughtier words. Everything else goes, so long as its posted in the right board.

Further away from PN is the Plusnetters forum, which is completely unofficial, but still gets input from staffers on occasion. Anybody can post anything in this forum, and conversation mainly revolves around bizzare bets, drinking, and the Mod's incurable shyness.

Three completely different forums, and three completely different moderation policies.
Each one works well, and fits with the intent of the board.

I guess I'm saying a lot, without actually saying much at all (call me pleonastic if you wish)

Perhaps write a policy/intoductory post explaining the Mods standpoint, and the intent of the forum, and then folks will be under no illusion as to what to expect.

Nerval · Oct 25, 2006, 13:00:46

Quote from: sallyandjames on Oct 25, 2006, 12:43:25
Oi! Hope you aren't talking about me!

Course not,

I can't remember the circumstances now, but some prat came on complaining that "some people may be offended by" something or other, and the mods backed down and took off the post in case somebody might be offended.

And on your Plusnetters forum, everything is allowed provided you don't make fun of Plusnet management and their silly announcements. Don't sound all that relaxed to me.

We could do with a bit more action here, and hopefully that will come as the members find the forum and see the bananas and other good stuff, but why strangle it by having a moderation policy?

sallyandjames · Oct 25, 2006, 13:31:38

Don't get me wrong, a policy doesn't have to be a list of restrictions, rather I meant that it could be published that the Mods aren't gonna go around stressing over little things.

I only looked at Plusnetters for the first time a month or two ago, and don't look in there very often TBH - it certainly aint my Plusnetters forum

Its a good example of moderating for moderatings sake though - much better to go with the flow.

I didn't really say what I meant to say before, and I'm still not really sure what it is that I'm trying to say.... coffee then re-think required methinks

quandam · Oct 25, 2006, 13:51:41

Quote from: sallyandjames on Oct 25, 2006, 12:43:25
It is however always worthwhile having some sort of moderation policy in the public domain, at least then people know what to expect, and what not to.

Perhaps write a policy/intoductory post explaining the Mods standpoint, and the intent of the forum, and then folks will be under no illusion as to what to expect.

Two superb suggestions.

What is 'pleonastic? (I know some big words as well....'Marmalade' and 'Corrugated' so there!

MoHux · Oct 25, 2006, 14:29:02

Long-winded!!

Nerval · Oct 25, 2006, 14:39:33

My ex-boss was pleonastic. He kept making people redundant.

wolverene · Oct 25, 2006, 15:06:01

Thats the spitit Quandam - see it doesn`t hurt

maxping · Oct 25, 2006, 18:38:58

Quote
Okay fairy nuff mods/admin, you've made your position clear - this isn't a serious forum but simply a place where you can indulge in schoolboy humour and whinge about high pings.

Jeez mate you want to chill out, there are loads of "serious" threads where no one has posted anything silly and to be honest i think 99% of the "serious" threads stay on topic.
As for your comment "whinge about pings" , this was a serious issue for a while , serious enough for us to lose 2 regular members here who migrated because of it, to you bad pings may seem trivial to US gamers its what we got broadband for , hardly whinging.

QuoteI will keep checking out this forum though as it's all there is, plus it will be interesting to hear how you're dealing with puberty.

Offensive? Nah, just keeping the spirit alive...

Theres a lot of difference between making a light hearted comment in a thread (even if it does take it off topic slightly) and name calling that could easily start a flame war.

To answer your "dealing with puberty" comment i would rather people had a bit of a laugh in the forums even if some (insert 2 users here) think its immature than all users thinking they cannot have a joke for fear of being banned.

If you want a ultra serious forum i think you need to look elsewhere, as theres only 2 of you complaining and everyone else seems happy i cannot see things changing.

quandam · Oct 25, 2006, 19:05:29

quote from Maxping

"If you want a ultra serious forum i think you need to look elsewhere, as theres only 2 of you complaining and everyone else seems happy i cannot see things changing."

Maxping

It appears to me that you are dismissing the genuine views and thoughts of two contributors virtually out of hand. You have carried out your own 'personal' poll and acted as judge and jury and handed down the 'sentence'.

I don't for one moment think that drummer was asking for an 'ultra' serious forum just that certain threads should be dealt with in a fairly serious manner and others allowed to 'do their own thing'.

The fact that 'only' two of us are airing our views on the subject smacks of 'you two don't know what you are talking about' and not much thought or consideration has gone into trying to take steps to incorporate our views.

In fact I think that very little thought has gone into our concerns and to say that drummer (and myself for that matter) should look elsewhere lacks perception and forethought. Also, to say that you cannot see things changing does not give much hope for the future.

Nerval · Oct 25, 2006, 19:50:07

As an observer, can I suggest that this thread is going nowhere.

The two parties have opposing views, and perhaps quandam should note that however genuinely his views are held, that genuineness does not oblige anybody else to agree with him, nor to give in to him.

maxping · Oct 25, 2006, 19:56:08

Quote

It appears to me that you are dismissing the genuine views and thoughts of two contributors virtually out of hand. You have carried out your own 'personal' poll and acted as judge and jury and handed down the 'sentence'.

I said in my last post 99% of "serious" threads are not hijacked , i think you are making a mountain out of a mole hill, my post was my personal view, i would have posted the same comment even if i wasn't a mod.

QuoteI don't for one moment think that drummer was asking for an 'ultra' serious forum just that certain threads should be dealt with in a fairly serious manner and others allowed to 'do their own thing'.

See my comment above.

QuoteThe fact that 'only' two of us are airing our views on the subject smacks of 'you two don't know what you are talking about' and not much thought or consideration has gone into trying to take steps to incorporate our views
In fact I think that very little thought has gone into our concerns and to say that drummer (and myself for that matter) should look elsewhere lacks perception and forethought. Also, to say that you cannot see things changing does not give much hope for the future..

As i have already said there are hardly any threads that have been hijacked and the forums have been running for a long time with a very little intervention from the moderators, i for one don't want to see this change , that MY view and nothing to do with me being a moderator.

Why get heavy handed over a couple of daft comments and spoil the crack here?

Lance · Oct 26, 2006, 08:24:50

i have to say as a user of this forum i entirely agree with maxping on this matter.

Quote from: Nerval on Oct 25, 2006, 19:50:07
As an observer, can I suggest that this thread is going nowhere.

The two parties have opposing views, and perhaps quandam should note that however genuinely his views are held, that genuineness does not oblige anybody else to agree with him, nor to give in to him.

well said Nerval!!!

Lance