Adapting the boards for a broader audience Options

[Psykopath]

This has been brought up a lot recently with the revived push for new members.

Too many random BS posts (be it crude, sexual, etc.) are flooding the boards in random places. Certain threads are understandable (like in LR&AR), but to post about "tit hats" in a "Letters of Recommendation" thread is getting annoying.

I understand that this is the internet, yadda yadda, and I don't necessarily mind random crude humor...but we will not attract new members by continuing such childish e-behavior.


BUT!!!... we mods have been chastised in the past for doing such things as controlling excessive language.

SO, what's it going to be? Free for all and no new members?
or
Mods keeping things as the rules say & have a more friendly messageboard to attract newer members?

This post has been edited by Psykopath: Sep 29 2007, 12:09 AM

[impala454]

I don't think NSFW pics should be allowed period. If it must be posted, it needs to be linked and have a description of what it is. Just because it's the LRAR forum doesn't mean every thread should be subject to NSFW pics.

And when we're all debating, the condescending crap like "well you obviously can't comprehend english bc blah blah blah" kinda crap needs to stop. The object isn't necessarily to change anyone's mind, just to explore the topic completely. We can have intelligent (albeit heated) debates without this crap. Just read over your post a few times before submitting and ask yourself:
1. Is this addressing the original topic? (if not, maybe start a new topic?)
2. Am I calling any specific poster a name, or slandering another poster? I don't see a problem with targeting groups of people in general, just not another specific member of the board.
3. Are there a few places I could remove unnecessary bad language?
4. Is this comment furthering the conversation at all?

I know I myself have refrained from lots of posts over the past several weeks after reading over them a couple of times and realizing they didn't really contribute anything to the topic.

Other random ideas:
- The "OMGZ that is so old" stuff gets... well... old. It may be old to you, but it obviously isn't to the person posting it, and may not be to lots of others. Nobody is impressed that you heard of it a long time ago. Along the same lines: "OMG Why is this thread still going?"
- If the mods are seeing things they feel are out of line, maybe PM the person and let them know why, rather than just removing/editing the post without comment. Same with banning people. People tend to get pretty pissed when their comments are edited/removed and they do not know why (maybe it's obvious to the mod but not to the poster).
- Keep the personal squabbles personal... The drama that nobody else knows about isn't interesting and will push new people away quickly, bc they don't know the people involved.

[GOB]

2. Am I calling any specific poster a name, or slandering another poster? I don't see a problem with targeting groups of people in general, just not another specific member of the board.

you just want this one because it happens to you all the time

[impala454]

you just want this one because it happens to you all the time

I'm saying it because I don't think it should happen... do you think it helps the discussions?

[GOB]

I'm saying it because I don't think it should happen... do you think it helps the discussions?

depends on who is involved