Topic: Heavy handed approach closing harmless topics may deter people permanently (Read 7675 times)

Barry · « **on:** July 05, 2007, 16:43:42 »

Heavy handed approach closing harmless topics may deter people permanently from posting.
Especially is you wish to discuss the more serious aspects of a the vstep simulator as well as the "game" element.

Just an opinion of an older person and the impression I get reading the forum these days.

Barry

Shipaddict · « **Reply #1 on:** July 05, 2007, 16:58:11 »

I agree. Sadly it's true.

Captain Davies · « **Reply #2 on:** July 05, 2007, 17:02:07 »

Well if they make a post discussing the 'more serious aspects of the simulator' then it won't be closed. Especially if they check that no one has already posted a similar topic. Perhaps it would help if at the top of the page there was a reminder to new users to use the search function before posting.

Shipaddict · « **Reply #3 on:** July 05, 2007, 17:04:22 »

Good idea

Captain Kool · « **Reply #4 on:** July 06, 2007, 06:01:05 »

I'm pretty sure when you sign up to forum you have to read the T&C.
It has forum rules in there.
They should know the rules, if they haven't read it. It's their fault, we cannot treat people who are too lazy to read things differently.
My opinion.

Captain Davies · « **Reply #5 on:** July 06, 2007, 18:46:37 »

I can't remember just how the T&C's were laid out, but maybe they are not simple enough. Many people merely want support for their game, and shouldn't be forced to sit through pages and pages of legal babble just to be able to do that.

Captain Kool · « **Reply #6 on:** July 07, 2007, 02:50:12 »

Maybe an idea is at the top of the forum it says 'please use search before making a new topic' or somthing like that.

Captain Davies · « **Reply #7 on:** July 07, 2007, 11:45:06 »

Quote from: Captain Kool on July 07, 2007, 02:50:12

Maybe an idea is at the top of the forum it says 'please use search before making a new topic' or somthing like that.

And I direct the right honourable gentleman to my earlier post:

Quote from: Captain Davies on July 05, 2007, 17:02:07

Perhaps it would help if at the top of the page there was a reminder to new users to use the search function before posting.

Stuart2007 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 08, 2007, 00:22:53 »

Pedantic mode on... To be called a 'right honourable gentleman' one must be a member of the privvy council.

What, may I ask, actually spurred this thread on ayway.

Stu

Captain Davies · « **Reply #9 on:** July 09, 2007, 18:31:08 »

Captain kool, you wouldn't happen to be a memeber of the 'privvy council' would you?

Orinoco · « **Reply #10 on:** July 09, 2007, 22:19:58 »

Quote from: Captain Kool on July 06, 2007, 06:01:05

I'm pretty sure when you sign up to forum you have to read the T&C.
It has forum rules in there.
They should know the rules, if they haven't read it. It's their fault, we cannot treat people who are too lazy to read things differently.
My opinion.

I'm curious, did you read the manual for your tv before using it? Or your microwave oven? Did you read the EULA for windows, the whole thing? How about for every other piece of software you've ever installed?

wazzzzzzy · « **Reply #11 on:** July 09, 2007, 22:25:06 »

yea i agree this post is espcially made for DJW.....(lol just jokin no offense)

Captain Kool · « **Reply #12 on:** July 10, 2007, 07:05:33 »

Quote from: Orinoco on July 09, 2007, 22:19:58

I'm curious, did you read the manual for your tv before using it? Or your microwave oven? Did you read the EULA for windows, the whole thing? How about for every other piece of software you've ever installed?

Yes, proove I haven't

captain_paul · « **Reply #13 on:** July 11, 2007, 15:05:05 »

I agree, its not much of a forum if they tell you what you can and cannot talk about. sounds like a dictatorship. what happened to free speach.

Orinoco · « **Reply #14 on:** July 11, 2007, 15:24:47 »

Quote from: captain_paul on July 11, 2007, 15:05:05

I agree, its not much of a forum if they tell you what you can and cannot talk about. sounds like a dictatorship. what happened to free speach.

Not only that, but it will mean that the forum never develops its own character, the users will never be able to interact properly and everyone will get bored and leave. The forum will then die.

Captain Davies · « **Reply #15 on:** July 11, 2007, 16:03:53 »

Quote from: captain_paul on July 11, 2007, 15:05:05

I agree, its not much of a forum if they tell you what you can and cannot talk about. sounds like a dictatorship. what happened to free speach.

The forum is here for a reason, to help people with the game and keep them informed on things regarding tthe game as well as things related to the game. It's not here for people to talk about whatever they want. And seeing as Vstep are paying for the servers that make this forum possible they are perfectly within their rights to choose what it should be used for. Would you go to someone's house and then disrespect their wishes? And if you did, would you not expect them to throw you out?

Orinoco · « **Reply #16 on:** July 11, 2007, 16:09:40 »

Quote from: Captain Davies on July 11, 2007, 16:03:53

The forum is here for a reason, to help people with the game and keep them informed on things regarding tthe game as well as things related to the game. It's not here for people to talk about whatever they want. And seeing as Vstep are paying for the servers that make this forum possible they are perfectly within their rights to choose what it should be used for. Would you go to someone's house and then disrespect their wishes? And if you did, would you not expect them to throw you out?

I don't pay to go into someone's house. I do pay VStep for their product, which in turn pays for this forum.

I think it's only fair therefore, that the users of this forum get some say in how it is run. I realise that forums cannot be mini democracies, but concerns of users should at least be acknowledged.

Captain Davies · « **Reply #17 on:** July 11, 2007, 16:20:22 »

And I'm sure they are, but the fact remains that Vstep have already spent a lot of money making the game, then they get some more back in profits. They then use some of those hard earned profits to create a forum for feedback and customer support, plus a little bit of fun. They don't work to supply us with a place for general chat, they work to provide us with a game. Besides, it's likely that the majority of people on this forum would rather not have it filled with such general posts.

Wout · « **Reply #18 on:** July 11, 2007, 19:33:36 »

I've followed this whole discussion (without interfering

) but it does raise some questions with me.

This topic is in the wrong forum. It should have been in the small talk section, yet I haven't moved it. Neither did any other moderator. However, it is common practise to move topics to the right forum when wrongly placed. Would you like us to stop moving topics?
Do you want us to allow double, triple etc. topics? Or do we have to be more strict about double topics?
Can you give one example where we (moderators/administrators) try to influence the opinion of members or even make it impossible for members to say whatever they want to say?
Orinoco, you are talking about influence members should have concerning forum issues. In what way do you want to have influence? What do you dislike about the forum which you have told us about what we ignored? Can you give a concrete example where we (moderators, administrators or developers) did not listen to the members?

And have you read all the laws that apply to you? If not, does that mean you disobey those laws?

Where did we prevent serious, perpousfull discussions to take place?

I look forward to your answers.

Greetings,

Orinoco · « **Reply #19 on:** July 11, 2007, 19:58:55 »

Wout,

You said:

Quote

Orinoco, you are talking about influence members should have concerning forum issues. In what way do you want to have influence? What do you dislike about the forum which you have told us about what we ignored? Can you give a concrete example where we (moderators, administrators or developers) did not listen to the members?

I'm not talking about issues being ignored. But surely even you've noticed the outcry from members about heavy-handed moderator action?

I have a suggestion.

In most cases of 'closed threads' I've come across, the (normally new) member is scalded for not using the search feature. I moderate on a Police forum, so I can understand that duplicate threads is both annoying and a waste of bandwith. However, what this forum is currently lacking, is mostly good customer service. When a thread is locked, instead of just stating 'use the search feature' - it might be a good idea if the moderator could direct the member to an appropriate existing thread - or leave the thread open long enough for the community to do this instead, and then lock it.

Just an idea.

Wout · « **Reply #20 on:** July 11, 2007, 20:10:47 »

You do have a point there. If you see any foul moderator actions, remember to report those too by clicking the 'report to moderator' button. We'll go over our own actions again. Or you can send the moderator a private message about his action.

Sometimes it is helpful if someone keeps a mirror in front of your face so you can see yourself. And no better person to hold a mirror in front of your face then a member. Different perspectives. Thank you for your reply.

Captain Davies · « **Reply #21 on:** July 11, 2007, 20:24:04 »

Quote from: Wout on July 11, 2007, 19:33:36

This topic is in the wrong forum. It should have been in the small talk section, yet I haven't moved it. Neither did any other moderator. However, it is common practise to move topics to the right forum when wrongly placed. Would you like us to stop moving topics?
Do you want us to allow double, triple etc. topics? Or do we have to be more strict about double topics?

I think you should continue to move topics, I use the latest post feature to view each time I log on, but should I ever need to find an old one, it would be easier to find them in the place I assume them to be.
Perhaps you could just delete the thread and send a PM to the poster, aswell as put my aforementioned reminder at the top of the page. Maybe you could even bump the original thread on the topic up.

Stuart2007 · « **Reply #22 on:** July 12, 2007, 00:41:13 »

Maybe sometimes moderator 'interference' can be seen as terse or abrupt, but there may well be lot of work for the moderators to do and not have time for a nice long explanation about locking a thread etc.

Also with moderators from several different countries, even fluent 2nd languages can still lead to minor confusion by using 'alternative' dialects.

I think generally we DO get to run the forum our own way anyway. What percentage of posts are ammended? Low. Un-neccessarily? Very low.

Stu

mporter · « **Reply #23 on:** July 12, 2007, 02:25:25 »

Quote from: Stuart2007 on July 12, 2007, 00:41:13

Maybe sometimes moderator 'interference' can be seen as terse or abrupt, but there may well be lot of work for the moderators to do and not have time for a nice long explanation about locking a thread etc.

Also with moderators from several different countries, even fluent 2nd languages can still lead to minor confusion by using 'alternative' dialects.

I think generally we DO get to run the forum our own way anyway. What percentage of posts are ammended? Low. Un-neccessarily? Very low.

Stu

No doubt to his shock, I agree with Stuart.

In fact, with the recent surge of juvenile activity on the forum, I'd rather see more moderator activity than less.

Cheers,
Michael

Captain Kool · « **Reply #24 on:** July 12, 2007, 03:59:38 »

Quote from: mporter on July 12, 2007, 02:25:25

No doubt to his shock, I agree with Stuart.

In fact, with the recent surge of juvenile activity on the forum, I'd rather see more moderator activity than less.

Cheers,
Michael

Agree entirely with you there Michael. The moderators are there to help and that's what they do. We should be thanking them.

Author Topic: Heavy handed approach closing harmless topics may deter people permanently (Read 7675 times)

Barry