I have started this thread as to give myself some space to explain how I see my job as a moderator to the community. Especially in regards to how I feel I should deal with some situations such as those mentioned in the thread title. Also to prevent myself from taking another thread off in a tangent that has no regard or context to the original post. The quote below is taken from the Teamwork? What's Teamwork? Thread. I'm using it as a example because its one of the threads that I specifically have had issues with during the course of life.

 

Psyrus has a valid point. If this thread gets closed it will only be a matter of time before people post new threads about the same topic.

 

Yes but at least they will be threads about a specific topic not 3 or 4 different things that a barely related other than they happened on the server and someone got a little angry about it.

 

The way I look at it is if I want a recipe for muffins I look in a cook book I don't look in a dictionary. Threads should be the same if I'm looking for a thread about say Mumble I will look for a thread about mumble. I shouldn't have to troll though 8 pages* to find a discussion in the middle about how mumble can have a positive effect on team work.

 

Like I said before its not a problem if people want to start threads to air there grievances with something that is annoying them. Assuming they do it in a reasonable fashion and don't insult other players and the community can be gracious enough to have a sensible discussion about how to fix it. But why is it that every time I try to collate some data from these forums I am blocked by incorrect thread names or off topic discussions?

Is it not reasonable that a moderator should police the forums in such a way that they are well ordered and can accessed easily with either a little forethought or using the search function? So with that in mind what do you all think?

 

*I use the highest number of posts per page setting

Yes but at least they will be threads about a specific topic not 3 or 4 different things that a barely related other than they happened on the server and someone got a little angry about it.

 

The way I look at it is if I want a recipe for muffins I look in a cook book I don't look in a dictionary. Threads should be the same if I'm looking for a thread about say Mumble I will look for a thread about mumble. I shouldn't have to troll though 8 pages* to find a discussion in the middle about how mumble can have a positive effect on team work.

 

I'll be the first game enough to reply (well first as i type this anyways) (o;

 

I can see your point with regards to having organized threads etc but this being the internet and the jumbled mess that it is, if its kept organized along the lines i think your eluding to then wouldn't the forum itself become a mess of threads that are all specific about certain things yet could be lumped into a master thread of sorts, kinda like how we have the General master thread with sub threads under it.

 

Personally i dont see a problem with the example you've given regarding mumble in the Team Work thread thats running, IF its related to how it helps teamwork.

 

Then again, i'm not a mod so i dont know what you guys that do mod have to go through when checking threads etc to keep them on topic etc etc.

 

[edit] - re-reading your post again Vis an ignoring all other things bar your last question in bold, i do agree.

Edited June 24, 200915 yr by Heat-seeker

regarding the swearing thing in the other post you mentioned. I didn't even realise there was a swear word filter, and had no idea I was circumventing it.

 

I thought I was doing the right thing by putting some symbols in there. I don't read every post on these forums, and the chances of me remebering the foum rules 10 seconds after I have read them several moons ago is pretty slim.

 

I don't think people are actively trying to do it, it just happens.. anywaz back on topic before I derail another thread

When i arrived on this forum and was surprised by the rules in place. eg no political/religious debates. A stark contrast to another genre specific forum (specifically climbing related) i frequent where the basic rules are no spam and personal abuse but heated and confrontational arguments are fine. And it works well too, the occasional person is sent on a holiday for abusing/offending entire populations or spamming buts about it. Topics fluctuate and nearly always go off topic when people start to get bored but generally everything important has already been said.

 

However, i realise these are different forums with different rules - fair enough. But i do feel that the mods here would be giving themselves a huge job in trying to keep every thread neat and tidy. Threads are bound to get hijacked but thats usually only after the major points have been addressed. People are bound to argue and get all worked up - again that should be fine, ones mans rant is another man entertainment, with popcorn!

 

At the end of the day, a forum such as this should be a place full of banter, laughs, debate and advice. Imposing rules that make people feel inhibited will only yield a stale boring forum.

 

As for this forum, the information side of things ie the tech issues area is orderly, and can be easily accessed, and of course the search function works perfectly to find useful threads, which generally contain the info needed. As for other areas, well does it matter? Does it matter that the threads in the general discussion areas aren't well organised or full of random musings? I don't think so. Trying to police off topic discussions would be an impossible task, and despite maybe cleaning things up, i feel it would have an inhibiting effect on posters.

 

I can understand your frustration Vis, but

1) this forum is already well organised, far more than others and

2) people will always hijack threads, sad but true!

 

Moderate conduct and enforce the rules, then let everything else sort itself out. People will ask questions and get answers, debates will be held etc. Sure mud will get thrown around, people will have tanties and walk away never to be seen again but thats all part of the fun!

 

Edit: Oh and i didn't mean to be rude by saying any of this and i realise I haven't been here as long as others so i am probably less aware of the state of things. However these have been my first impressions!

Edited June 24, 200915 yr by PhoeniFOX

Good post Xaboo. In fact, great post. Rep for you.

 

Threads have a way of evolving through discussion, just like conversations (which they are). Not often will you start talking to someone in a pub from start to end and stay on the one topic. You will end up finding out how you both know Kevin Bacon if you let the conversation flow.

 

This forum, as opposed to other forums, do things differently. Lately, and I have to say it, since Jim left, the threads have been allowed to go into different territories and people have been allowed to debate/argue their points before anything gets locked, this is a good thing. In general, threads have the pertinent question answered in the first few pages, then the thread usually peters out and disappears into the ether.

 

Your point Vis, about searching is valid, but most technical questions never go off-topic, are answered quickly and remain searchable. Philosophical questions on the other hand, I wouldn't want to search. If you wanted to go very ordered, you could create a child forum for those questions/threads and make it un-searchable.

 

Sure, apparently my arguments have "ruined the forums" (and I quote) for some people, and for that, I ask you to put me on your Ignore list if it bothers you so much. Heated debate is normal, and not everyone will like each other. As long as the posts don't become too personal or abusive, I say let them go.

Edited June 24, 200915 yr by captncrunch240

Is it not reasonable that a moderator should police the forums in such a way that they are well ordered and can accessed easily with either a little forethought or using the search function?

 

So with that in mind what do you all think?

 

Personally I don't care who or how the forums are moderated as long as it is done with consistency.

 

A lot of the rules I don't agree with, but if you are hell bent on making people stick to them - hand out infractions, holiday's and all the rest if you are so concerned about people following them.

 

if you say well if we did that there would be no one left on the forums then maybe that's a sign that the way the admins want to run the forums is not the the way the community wants it. And lets face it, it's the community that makes these forums.

 

And as you now know Vis, a sure sign that threads are really going off-topic is when some one uses Hitler or Nazis comparisons

I'm more concerned regarding the unsubstantiated claims (if you're going to make an argument - please provide references) and pointless spam going on in threads tbh.

 

Personally I don't care who or how the forums are moderated as long as it is done with consistency.

 

I think that's the key - and I know it's pretty hard to monitor. Forum admins can only do so much - can't be expected to be on-line every minute to police the forums. So as with any behaviour in-game where TMR's should be submitted for tardish behaviour, community members should be clicking the report post button when they see something going off tangent or inappropriate.

IMO its moderated a bit harshly at times, and threads are locked/closed/infractions etc at what seems to be the slightest things sometimes. It often seems as if were treated at children who are going to cry and sulk at being called the slightest name or having someone disagree with our/mods point of view.

 

In saying that, Im never going to throw a tantrum or lead an uprising, and Ill continue to use the forums and (attempt to) adhere to the rules. Were lucky to have these forums as a point of contact for the Aus PR community. But just thought I would point that out.

community members should be clicking the report post button when they see something going off tangent or inappropriate.

Inappropriate, yes.

 

Off tangent, petty and isn't really needed. Personal opinion.

 

 

Soon, the Report Post button will be akin to Page Down/Punish in PR. Apparently I get a few, thanks guys!

Inappropriate, yes.

Off tangent, petty and isn't really needed. Personal opinion.

 

+10

might aswell say these forums are moderated fine by me. ive been dealt some infractions and what not, im not teary about it. You can see when threads get mega-derailed and they are locked, but some of the long lasting ones like PB tissue issues and TS and our [N/A] threads are generally pretty good.

our [N/A] threads are generally pretty good.

thats cos we have cowbell man (o;

Keeping the Forums PG is fair even though most of us are 18+ it is fair for the Admin to request thing for the public arena ie no swearing, violent or sexual post ect.

It should be a site that parents shouldnt be concerned 12-14 yr old Jimmy is going to be harmed by

 

As for allowing general banter and debate I understand why the no religious, political thread rule is there... Its so the Admins dont have to spend soooo much time moderating and thats fair enough.

 

But in general threads like the one that brought this to bare should be allowed to role on and be revived at will for people to blow chunks of steaming heaped dog food when they feel like it.

 

Threads that bring about a debate relating to rules/ community opinions are great because it allows people to accrue a feeling for the general concensus, some good things have come from this.

 

Attacking each other is the issue that banes the Admin the most, if they didnt have to deal with this there wouldnt be such heavy handedness, although I must say this is a rarity now days less agression more gest

thats cos we have cowbell man (o;

 

 

As a result of this comment by McFies it obvious that this thread has gone way off topic...VIS...maybe you should just lock this one down....

Just remember, the forum as a whole is a beast created by every member. If you don't like it's heavy hands, then don't give it reason to have any.

Attacking each other is the issue that banes the Admin the most, if they didnt have to deal with this there wouldnt be such heavy handedness, although I must say this is a rarity now days less agression more ges

 

You hit the nail on the head pretty well mate its when people start naming names and calling people out that we generally start getting the reports rolling in and the infractions going out. I personally think its because the team is pretty retro active in that respect that the forums haven't turned into the usual epeen bashing that BF2 related websites seem to be. Sort of a case of the old nip it in the bud before it gets to bad or atleast that seems to be the ideal way.

 

Anyway as always thanks everyone for posting in regards to what I have said its interesting to see what you all think. I've certainly taken it on board and you have all had something important to say and its good to understand what you all think. I'll leave the thread unlocked and feel free to post anything else you have to say if you haven't already.

 

BTW as for the Clan sub sections I personally leave them well alone for obvious reasons I may not have access to some and really would not be pertinent for me to given my own affiliations. :hi:

Thanks for weighing in, Visone. Was hoping you, or the other moderators, would have something to say, besides the first post.

regarding the swearing thing in the other post you mentioned. I didn't even realise there was a swear word filter, and had no idea I was circumventing it.

 

I thought I was doing the right thing by putting some symbols in there. I don't read every post on these forums, and the chances of me remebering the foum rules 10 seconds after I have read them several moons ago is pretty slim.

 

I don't think people are actively trying to do it, it just happens.. anywaz back on topic before I derail another thread

 

Might be a little late but relief to you i didin't remember until i had a giant robot with claws stabbing me in the back either........:wine:

Was just making a post... and saw something. Do I get an infraction for using this smiley? - :ranting2:

 

Trying to get around the swear filter. I believe so.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/87/1983-Australian-2-cent-coin.JPG/150px-1983-Australian-2-cent-coin.JPG

 

we are such a small and close knit community i really don't think that there is alot of problems atm. sure, people started complaining in certain threads but theres nothing wrong with that, i like people complaining because it allows them to get something off their chest and just mellow out.

 

i for one, know that debates around certain things are a no-go zone. im a communist and i hate the fact that capitalism rules our world and the fact that religion isn't banned, but my best mate is a christian.

 

we're so close that everyone knows at least 50% about the other persons beliefs. e.g lycett is a morman, and i respect that so im not going to say anything bad about it too him because i believe he doesn't deserve it.

 

i think i went way off topic here but overall we're too small to have a hueg major problem, unless devilz starts posting

*****self Moderated*****

Edited July 9, 200915 yr by Chance1