Starting threads, new members--post count snafu

[Matt]

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.

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

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]

sorry, I posted in the wrong thread

[Matt]

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

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]

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

This is important.

[Wuducynn]

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]

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]

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]

Not only can you, but it is done lots of times.

[Matt]

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.

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]

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.

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]

I think we should just let them. Point them in the right direction if one already has been started.

[Daghain]

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]

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]

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?

[Odetta]

[Wuducynn]

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]

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?

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

[turtlex]

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]

^^^^Living proof.

[Wuducynn]

Of what? That newbies can be directed to the right thread? Thats news?

[Wuducynn]

Anyway....since the mods don't care about duplicate threads, I'll just drop it.

[Brice]

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]

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.

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]

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]

None of the mods has said they had a problem with duplicate threads, Brice. Thats what I mean.