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View Full Version : Starting threads, new members--post count snafu



Matt
04-23-2008, 07:15 AM
You may have all notice that there was a thread here discussing weather or not we should require a certain amount of posts before they could start a thread.

Then there was another one and in the act of merging...mistakes were made. :lol:

Now they are both gone to Todash as it seems, but it was a pure accident. :fairy:

But it seems like folks got there opinions out so it was probably time to move it to a management discussion which I am doing now. I had a chance to read most of the thread before it went.

I am going to suspend deciding until I find out what management's opinion but I will leave my personal opinion in here as well.

I actually agree with Unfound and Brice in this case. I think we should promote new people on this site getting involved. If that means we have to merge a few threads, that serves as a way to refresh and rehash conversations. We have the staff to accommodate merges and being able to start a thread with your own thoughts makes people feel good.

Then we swoop in with a polite message that says its already going on and merge.

Not to mention, there are nuances. Someone could see threads about the Horn--why Roland had it...the origin of how he picked it up but maybe not...(for instance) where it came from.

Someone may feel like they have a fresh perspective on an old topic and I want to see those.

So this is up for management discussion, we'll hash something out. Thanks for the input and opinions everyone.

Jean
04-23-2008, 07:24 AM
sorry, I posted in the wrong thread http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k291/mishemplushem/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif

Matt
04-23-2008, 07:34 AM
I also don't think we have to use any populist policies to enhance our attractiveness: new members do feel welcome here, and it doesn't come from any superficially popular measures, but from the general atmosphere and personal involvement of all our staff as well as the older members; friendliness and feeling welcome and at home are there, quite independently of whether or not someone can start a thread.

I agree, but I'm also not opposed to enhancing that feeling whenever we can Jean :couple:

But like I said, I'm still open to the idea--I would just rather do paperwork than give the impression that any DT topic has "already been talked about".

A new perspective on stuff like this invigorates us all.

Mr. Rabbit Trick
04-23-2008, 07:35 AM
Someone may feel like they have a fresh perspective on an old topic and I want to see those.


This is important.

Wuducynn
04-23-2008, 07:38 AM
I don't think having a post count restriction before making a new thread keeps anyone from posting fresh opinions on topics. It didn't on .Net and I don't see why on here it would be any different.
What happened on .Net was invariably a newbie would post that they couldn't make a new thread and they have this topic that they're excited about and someone would just point them in the right direction. Easy peesy Japanesey.

Wuducynn
04-23-2008, 07:39 AM
Or if it was really something that hadn't been discussed before someone would start it for them...I actually did that quite a bit because I'm such a fucking sweet-heart.

Jean
04-23-2008, 07:41 AM
Someone may feel like they have a fresh perspective on an old topic and I want to see those.


This is important.

why can't a fresh perspective be developed inside the old thread? If a perspective is so fresh that it does require a new thread, why can't it wait? where's the urgency?

Wuducynn
04-23-2008, 07:44 AM
Not only can you, but it is done lots of times.

Matt
04-23-2008, 07:48 AM
Or if it was really something that hadn't been discussed before someone would start it for them...I actually did that quite a bit because I'm such a fucking sweet-heart.

In that case, we should have just let them start it. :lol:

This is what I am getting at, it takes freedom away from the individual a bit

And fresh perspective will be "enveloped" into existing threads if they need to be after the member has gotten the idea that it already exists

and what if they only post in off topic forums, they will never get there.

Wuducynn
04-23-2008, 07:59 AM
Or if it was really something that hadn't been discussed before someone would start it for them...I actually did that quite a bit because I'm such a fucking sweet-heart.

In that case, we should have just let them start it. :lol:

This is what I am getting at, it takes freedom away from the individual a bit

And fresh perspective will be "enveloped" into existing threads if they need to be after the member has gotten the idea that it already exists

and what if they only post in off topic forums, they will never get there.

Believe me..like I said before, it wasn't a problem. Most newbies found a thread for their topic easy enough when they asked and were explained that they needed fifty (or however many at the time) posts to make a new thread. And it didn't stifle anyone either.

Nerak
04-23-2008, 08:49 AM
I think we should just let them. Point them in the right direction if one already has been started.

Daghain
04-23-2008, 09:06 AM
I agree with that. We have enough mods on top of stuff to merge posts as needed. I don't think it's a huge deal, and I don't think it's all that difficult to just politely point out to the new member that there is an existing thread.

There's a ton of stuff on this board, and even people who are really board savvy are going to have a learning curve when it comes to finding where things are.

Jon
04-24-2008, 05:02 AM
The only disadvantage I can see is a pornbot signing up, making no posts but starting a thread to advertise. This happened at .net a million times.

jayson
04-24-2008, 05:32 AM
The only disadvantage I can see is a pornbot signing up, making no posts but starting a thread to advertise. This happened at .net a million times.

can't we just merge them into the existing porn threads? :lol:

Odetta
04-24-2008, 06:22 AM
:lol:

Wuducynn
04-24-2008, 06:54 AM
I've got some great offers I'm sure Matt won't mind me posting them at random threads throughout the message board...no one would turn down a great offer right?

Brice
04-24-2008, 06:54 AM
The only disadvantage I can see is a pornbot signing up, making no posts but starting a thread to advertise. This happened at .net a million times.

can't we just merge them into the existing porn threads? :lol:

Huh! :fairy: What!!!! You weren't supposed to know about those DAMMIT! :angry: Who told you?

turtlex
04-24-2008, 06:57 AM
Hey, as a noob, I have created threads and been redirected - I didn't mind at all... At least I knew one person read what I wrote. :)

Storyslinger
04-24-2008, 06:58 AM
^^^^Living proof.

Wuducynn
04-24-2008, 07:00 AM
Of what? That newbies can be directed to the right thread? Thats news?

Wuducynn
04-24-2008, 07:06 AM
Anyway....since the mods don't care about duplicate threads, I'll just drop it.

Brice
04-24-2008, 07:06 AM
All this talk of new members and old members just leads me to one thought: there are none of either. There are just members. If a member (any member) needs help or guidance we should kindly give it to them. I see no need for any new rule. As for duplicate threads I still see no reason to not do as we have.

Matt
04-24-2008, 07:08 AM
:D

Okay, this has been a fun discussion but a decision has been made on it.

We are not going to do a post requirement to start new threads. Its been decided by the staff that they would much rather use any new threads as a way to engage new members and help them out if that is warranted.

I would really appreciate patience on the part of our existing members when we end up with duplicate threads. No one like to feel like an idiot for something like that. :grouphug:

Thanks to everyone involved and especially the new folks that came in and gave your opinion, that is exactly what I was looking for.

This thread will be given a few days for opinions--then moved off to the clearing.

Thanks,
Matt

Brice
04-24-2008, 07:09 AM
Anyway....since the mods don't care about duplicate threads, I'll just drop it.


I care. I just disagree with you on this Matthew. I don't see there being a duplicate thread for a day or two being a really big problem.

Wuducynn
04-24-2008, 07:12 AM
None of the mods has said they had a problem with duplicate threads, Brice. Thats what I mean.

Brice
04-24-2008, 07:15 AM
Okay, I understand.

Matt
04-24-2008, 07:18 AM
I just wanted to make sure this made it to the new page.


:D

Okay, this has been a fun discussion but a decision has been made on it.

We are not going to do a post requirement to start new threads. Its been decided by the staff that they would much rather use any new threads as a way to engage new members and help them out if that is warranted.

I would really appreciate patience on the part of our existing members when we end up with duplicate threads. No one like to feel like an idiot for something like that. :grouphug:

Thanks to everyone involved and especially the new folks that came in and gave your opinion, that is exactly what I was looking for.

This thread will be given a few days for opinions--then moved off to the clearing.

Thanks,
Matt

ATG
04-24-2008, 07:23 AM
It's funny the stuff you find when googling thedarktower.org. (http://forum.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=messageboard.viewThread&entryID=34057913&groupID=104452274&adTopicID=19&Mytoken=21B540FB-82F6-44E7-98A603033097A3D7783920)

Matt
04-24-2008, 07:28 AM
That was Aaron-when we were looking for staff. :lol:

Nobody really stepped up I don't think so we stuck with people we knew.

(very smart in hindsight :wub:)

Randall Flagg
04-24-2008, 01:18 PM
It's funny the stuff you find when googling thedarktower.org. (http://forum.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=messageboard.viewThread&entryID=34057913&groupID=104452274&adTopicID=19&Mytoken=21B540FB-82F6-44E7-98A603033097A3D7783920)

It is, funny, but completely irrelevant to this topic.
Since a decision has been made, I move we send this to The Clearing in the very near future.

Matt
04-24-2008, 01:51 PM
I agree, I'm moving it now. :rock: