Degredation of the Forums?

[DaveW]

Hey, i want to clear a few things up: yes, Maximan has been given a 10 day ban. I was a bit overly-cautious with my banning button, being new to all this, and although I wanted to, I put off a ban untill Rankenphile stepped in and booted him.

Anyone honestly not think he had it coming?

Well Rankenphile's a little bit (Note: understatement) pissed at the sort of crap that's been going on recently in the forums, with folks acting like kids and posting what is, let's face it, spam on the boards.

To combat this, i'm going to attempt to, over the next 3 days or so, start up some intelligent conversation about modding and although you don't need to contribute, we're both a bit fed up with pointless, rubbish posts like the ones in the 'ranks' thread (if you can't find it, it's been deleted), so we're not going to put up with it anymore.

The long and short of the situation is this: we're mostly a community of people who are serious about their hobby, and at the very least, like to talk about it with others like us. These 'others like us' will pop in, see things like the crapolla that's been posted recently, and instantly go somewhere else.

So no more 'random threads', no more 'double posting' and nothing that even looks remotely like spam.

Try and keep it intelligent and civil-at the end of the day, the message here is; please, just grow up a bit.

Note: I'll delete this thread soon, when i've posted some stuff to encourage real conversations.

-Dave

[DaveW]

can i get some respect here. this is by far the worst forum at keeping on topic. this is
a project log. i might stop posting here if this keeps going off topic.

This quote from qoou proves my point. Good modders are being scared away by crap like this.

-Dave

[Slug Toy]

haha. point taken.

ill admit... ive instigated a bit of the random chaos thats been popping up. its something that keeps me from going completely insane, although it might be too late for that.

ill also say this though. from what i can remember posting, ive only put pointless crap in not-so-important threads. i definitely leave worklogs and stuff like that alone.... and thats how it should be.

so what about in the chatterbox then? are we still allowed to go crazy if the thread isnt meant for anything more than that?

[crenn]

I'm getting a bit fed up as well, if they want to go somewhere to talk, go to another forum. I see new users constantly spamming the forum, I've gotten to the point of just reporting the posts now.

[DaveW]

so what about in the chatterbox then? are we still allowed to go crazy if the thread isnt meant for anything more than that?

I think everyone would be happier if you could go crazy in a manner that doesn't make the forums look like it's members are idiots. In other words, keep it mature.

-Dave

[blue73]

I feel the need to apologise if I've been out of line. I never meant to offend anyone.

[Rankenphile]

It is really just the fact that things have been getting out of hand lately. More and more off-topic posts all over the place, a ton of off-color and outlandish posts in the chatterbox and a large number of fights and obscene posts in recent weeks and months.

The fact is that this is a place for case modders. There is nothing wrong with making a few jokes or having a bit of fun - that's why were here, among other things. But TBCS should always strive to be helpful, supportive of newcomers and old hands alike, and most of all respectful of those who deserve it. If you disagree with someone, fine. You have every right to. But don't start flame wars. Don't derail other peoples' worklogs. Don't tell them "you're stupid for thinking that way, so there" or "that will never work so don't bother. why don't you just do something simple and then go take a nap". Those kinds of posts don't help anyone.

There is nothing wrong with being ambitious, or thinking differently. I'm not trying to squash any of that - in fact, I would like to encourage it. But creating a hostile environment for newcomers, putting down others' creative ideas and being disrespectful of their work has no place here, and will not be tollerated.

This post can be considered a last warning. We're going to be enforcing these rules a lot more strongly for a while, and if you cannot work within them, you can find somewhere else to go.

Now play nice! We're here to have fun, and to help each other.

[.Maleficus.]

I would like to appologize too. I like the people here, and I would hate to be banned after just joining.

[tybrenis]

First I would like to apologize for any time I may have been out of line or participated in this crap.

Second, I would like to thank DaveW and Rankenphile. I'm sure they don't wake up every morning and say, "I can't wait to go babysit a bunch of immature idiots online!". I thank both of you for always keeping your cool - no matter what you are both always the bigger man and it seems that when you step in, everyone else ends up feeling like a moron due to their own faults.

You're right. These forums aren't the place for immature antics. You might say, well, a lot of these people act immature because well, they are immature. Physically and mentally. A lot of people on these forums are between the ages of 12-15. To all of you (including myself): your age doesn't matter on these forums. This is a chance to show that you aren't just a little kid. Seriously, people like maximan are making us kids look even less mature than we may be.

[.alchinko.]

hey i would like to appologize for any off topic comments i may have posted. i would also like to appologize for my not-so-good gramar, Im not sure if i spelled that right so sorry, anyways i guess my C in English shows.

My appologizies, Billy Lundin

[d_stilgar]

To add to Rank and DaveW, I would like to comment on general flaming.

We are all at different points in our modding experience, and we are all looking to learn new things. I see a lot of sarcasm directed at people who are not at the 'wonderful god-like level of modding' that others are at. Remember that as much as you know, there is someone who pwns you in experience as well. People come here to ask questions and the community is better if we are all patient. Yes, the same questions come up at least once a week (ex: how to paint). This is no reason to scream at someone to "USE THE SEARCH FUNCTION IDIOT!" The point is clear that if you cannot contiribute in a constructive way, do not reply. If a thread needs to be deleted, report it. Do not post.

[.jrauck]

I don't think ive been posting too many "random, crap threads" but if I have someone just om me and tell me. I kind if get a little excited sometimes. But yes please guys make the so called "noobs" (like me) feel welcome their first few days while they are getting to know us. This forum I know has a lot of experienced modders which can help out the modding community but lately it has been kaos of immaturity such as fighting and such.

Also well said d_stilgar.

[crenn]

Maybe we should have a little 'directory' so that new members can quickly see if a guide is already written for what they need.

[Aero]

Many if not asll the guides can be easily found in the "Tips and Tricks" section. So I don't really think thats much of a problem.

I would like to thank Rank and Dave for taking care of this problem. I havn't had much time to comment on this lately but it was getting very annoying. There is no reason for this random crap ont his board. Spam, no matter where it is, in the Chatterbox or not, always makes a forum less attractive to new comers, and experienced modders alike. Hopefully now we can all get back to modding and not high fat canned meat.(SPAM)

[DaveW]

Hopefully now we can all get back to modding and not high fat canned meat.(SPAM)

Nicely said :)


Maybe we should have a little 'directory' so that new members can quickly see if a guide is already written for what they need.

That's something we're considering.

-Dave

[xmastree]

Here's a suggestion. Take a look at ubuntu forums (http://www.ubuntuforums.org/forumdisplay.php?f=121). There's a 'backyard' there, where one can post risky things, and also threads which get out of hand are moved there by the mods. take it outside

If it's too much for the backyard, there's also a jail. (I've been in there...)
Just a thought.

[Cool1Net6]

Haha! Forums pretending to be a small town. Creative...

-Cool-

[xmastree]

More like a community than a small town.

[qoou]

Good Job!:) I'm glad the moderators have stepped up. Thanks. when i first came to the forums, i had a high level of respect for this website(being that they are featured in modding books.). at first i did, then it started to go down. now with the great moderators this forum has, that respect has come back up. looking forward to posting here.