Stop The Insanity

I don't want to sound like a grumpy bastard, but this place is a little out of control.

the boards have become a kiddy hangout, thread after thread after thread about movies, and video games, etc etc etc. If I wanted to hang at a site like that, I would go somewhere else.

I'm slowly losing interest in this site, because of this. I know there are lots of members that like to chat about this stuff, but these boards arent really about that. I like the days when there would be 5 new threads about mac this and pc that, now I come here, and I have to sift through garbage posts. Its getting annoying, hell half the threads I see have nothing to do with computers period.

On to the news, I have seen news posts that are no where near related to anything having to do with this site, so i plea with the newsposters, to please stick to the topic.

i cant hang here all day, like many of you, i stop in once or twice, and the recent posts list is polluted with garbage. The news contains things that are related to the friends of the newsposters. I have to physically go through every single thread to see whats new, and do you know whats new, NOTHING.

#105803

I couldn't help myself.. Poor Stevie BM is getting lumbered with cleaning up quite a bit of the "mr. hankey" threads.

And, there does seem to be alot of crap nowadays.. My god! Agreeing with Photo678! I never thought I'd live to see the day.. :canadian:

#105806

Now you guys realize why I left. This place has gone to the dogs. I'm just back here every couple of months to flame Goku and Timan (coz it's fun) :6

Later y'all..

Sid

#105807

I'm trying my hardest to strike a balance, guys...

It's bloody hard, though, when you have to sleep 8 hours a day

Seriously, I'm trying my best to close all the crap threads (I'm loathe to "delete" them for a while, so that there's proof of what I've done).

And es.xxi, you really do have too much time on your hands , but thanks

#105811

Stevie,

this wasnt directed towards you at all, or any of the mods for that matter. You guys do what you can and I think most of us understand that.

but any thanks for doing your best, i for one appreciate it

#105818

Originally posted by Photo678@Jan 27 2004, 09:10 AM

Stevie,

this wasnt directed towards you at all, or any of the mods for that matter.  You guys do what you can and I think most of us understand that.

but any thanks for doing your best, i for one appreciate it

I know it wasn't directed at me, and I didn't take it that way...

I do, however, feel very much responsible when this sort of thing happens - it's my duty as a mod to try to stop it as much as I can.

#105821

why don't you have 1 utter bezerk day a week where you just shut down anything that is in the grey, warn people that its your day, and your not gonna care what they say and just go on a crossboard deleting frenzy.

or maybe have it so that general discussion can be blocked(in the control panel settings) from the 'view new posts' results.

i gotta say photos right, even though i'm not 'innocent', i don't spam, and there's generally too much pap here.

Get violent stevieBM, slaughter them all!

#105822

Well you can't be watching every hour of every day, you all do what you can and we all appreciate that. And your welcome.

#105824

Ironically, all this garbage thread is post in General Discussion, a place to talk about anything else other than aqua..

Hmmm........maybe the general discussion forum also have to be specified, like no garbage post about gaming, music, movie, porno etc.

#105827

Originally posted by es.xxi@Jan 27 2004, 09:13 AM

Well you can't be watching every hour of every day, you all do what you can and we all appreciate that. And your welcome.

I know I can't, but I feel that I should.

I would really like to be able to do more about it, but I can't because I'm already stupidly busy >.<

#105829

to be fair it's mostly just one member at the moment, can't an admin restrict noefex's account?

#105831

Steviebm, your kinda solo mod nowadays eh?

seems like everyone else has abandoned ship in terms of ratio of modding done.

Ludge is spot on too.

#105835

Originally posted by Ludge+Jan 27 2004, 09:19 AM-->

QUOTE(Ludge @ Jan 27 2004, 09:19 AM)

to be fair it's mostly just one member at the moment, can't an admin restrict noefex's account?

It's been done.

He's not posting for 7 days.

#105836

yeah, figure that'll happen, good on yah, and

good decision.

#105838

Now besides the spammer we recently had here...

This is how it works...

As a community it changes over time, people get bored of the main topic of the site. So time after time the site starts to head in another direction, people come here to hang out more now than they did when all they wanted was a wallpaper or a weakly ported Mac theme. People have become attached to the site in some sick lonely way so they come here and post just general stuff.

I do agree we should split the off topic stuff with the on topic stuff.

I am currently looking into removing certain forums from search results (a.k.a. : new posts / active posts)

Steve BM seems to be the only true active mod these days... so maybe we'll get some new staff to help get the site on track.

But we will not remove the General Discussion forum because you guys would not leave us alone about letting off topic posts on the site. Has it even been 2/3 months?

Also news posting does need to go back on topic till we get some way of sections for news (still currently looking into the issue)

I request that all staff that do feel they are no longer doing their job to send me a pm, So I may revoke your status and give it to someone else who will take action when do...

#105839

I've got to agree with what Timan has said.

It's the thing about being attached to the site and other things. When a forum starts off, bonds are scarce and matters kept to the most platonic level, even more for those who simply join to enjoy (read leech) the hard work of others, some without a word of gratitude.

But progression goes in such a way as new bonds forge and the objective of the site goes off tangent to some degree to talk about the more mundane matters in life. Take that as thought-sharing between friends.

And as most pointed out, since this is an issue most recurring in the general discussion forum, it would be the most ideal of there's an option available for toggling off search for new/active posts in this forum. However, banning it totally might just kill the culture that is maturing.

Just some thoughts.

#105847

Photo, when you talk about the newsposters, ould you please be more specific? i would love to work on it if there are any mistakes i have been making (or my fellow newsposters for that matter).

StevieBM, dont beat yourself, photo would not be here complaining, he would have been far gone if it wasnt for you.

I for one have seen the difference, not only on how flames (possible flames in this case ) dissappear but also in how ordered the boards have become. True, we could have less "playstation rocks" threads but people in a general sense are also allowed to post about it .

Guys, keep it up, as i see it, it is not a matter of how the mods handle it (hey, the only way to go a bout it would be deleting threads as if they were branches in the jungle!, and that is not he way it goes) but a matter of the community growing as Tim mentioned.

More people more views, more interests, more collisions .

Eventough, the last past months this has been a board ruled by Tim and Stevie (no offence guys but see for yourself), i think its holding up pretty good.

Seph

EDIT: Just read SIlencedge's post, true, deleting the general discussion is no way to go, i would most probably end up desintegrating the community (heck there are computer related subjects i have posted about that do not fall in any other category!)

#105849

Originally posted by Timan@Jan 27 2004, 10:51 AM

People have become attached to the site in some sick lonely way so they come here and post just general stuff.

I think that's very true. I for one, am a little weary of emulating the OS X (especially after seeing the difference by toying on the real thing), but I stay because I've made a number of friends and I enjoy participating in this community. And when I can I give back with walls/etc.

I do think that getting rid of the General Discussion would tear out a big part of what alot of us talk about, and wouldn't be the answer. The only thing I think that would work would be harsher punishment on spamming and going offtopic or making General Discussion not count towards post count (I think alot of spammy posts are simply made to bump that).

/Me shrugs

#105870

I am partly to blame for this outbreak. I'll admit that.

And Photo, examples please? I have fixed everything that I have been doing that staff has told me not to do in my posts. All I see are walls, docklets, themes and programs that customize your desktop. If all you want are things that directly emulate Mac OS X, this site would probably be dead now. Some people have moved on from Aqua and now want artistic themes, but in the Aqua sense.

This site is not full of immature posts and threads, trust me, I used to be a part of a lot worse. This is actually very professional. And remember, this is the internet. It is not a clubhouse at your golf course. Not all people can be content with a little "I released a Boot Screen today" posts.

Not only that, the essence of this site has not vanished. We are still helping people emulate OSX on their WinBoxes and help troubleshooting. And even better things are coming out of it. AndreasV joined here and he is creating excellent apps. Do you really think that the occasional "Post your pic" would really drive him away? Unbeliever is creating awesome Samurize scripts now. Among others creating their own masterpieces.

I agree with Timan, this site has to evolve. Otherwise you will not have deticated people to come back and help. I know I would not be here if it was not as fun as it is. Without these topics that interst others, I do believe that this site would be struggleing has it has in the past. Granite, in the past, people have claimed were the better day os A-S. However, you need to keep in mind that this is no longer a group on enthusiast, but now a community. A larger, more complex group of people.

So, please try to understand that these are growing pains of a community, not a downfall.

#105926

stevie, you've been doing a great job. i don't really see many off-topic posts, though, except in the general discussion section. the other sections are relatively organized and have very germane threads.

i could be a mod and move posts. i'm practically on all day anyways.

#105966

okay, i'll admit to that accent mark thread, sorry!

-Louie

#106010

I'm sure Duckie would be rubbing all of our noses in this if he was here, saying, "I told you so!"

The truth is, General Discussion is for just that- discussion about anything. Until the other day, that forum was fine. Then we got a ****ie who's first topic was titled "How do I get rid of the '****ie' title under my Name?". Naturally, someone told him that it would go away after he posted more, so guess what? He did. He spammed our forum with redundant topics, all for the sake of upping his post count.

My point is that the General Discussion forum is needed here as a getaway for those who need a break from skinning. However, ther is a difference between a viable discussion/question and several threads started to raise your post count. Unfortunately, having forums such as these opens up the door for someone to abuse them like that one member did. However, I think it is unfair to run around like he sky is falling because one member abused their posting privledges.

And as far as legitimate topics that are steered horribly off track- it is a problem, and it seems as though there is a bit of a group who seems determined to sidetrack topics. Contra and I have both closed topics because of you (you know who you are), and although it has subsided a bit, action may have to be taken if it persists.

All members here are welcome; they are what makes a community. However, being a member carries certain responsibilities, and one of those is to not abuse the privledges given to you as a member.

-godpunk

#106011

Tim: Can you say hypocrite? I want to help, I really do, but you don't let us do anything. We cant delete posts, we cant close something without begging for permission, how effective are we suppose to be? Last time I closed a thread, People posted even more threads complaining about it!

I agree with the thread starter, this place has gotten all screwed up. I want to make it better.

Now, I really should close THIS thread, people are insulting the staff (me and seph), but of course, I cant.

If you want me to leave, I can take a hint.

#106045

You guys can not delete posts because you guys deleted posts that are not needed to be deleted. You guys can close posts just not in the Site and Forum Issues category! Big deal posts here should be handled by admins anyway...

If you close a thread and it is truely not needed then that member that is "female dog"ing needs an ass whooping, its called warning them, send them a nice pm gram saying I closed your thread so stop whinning type thing...

#106081

My apologies go out to everyone involved here. I started this thread not to start bickering and the like. I started it simply because I get annoyed at much of what is happening here. I feel that many of the newer/younger members have too much say in what goes on here, and they are controlling what this forum has and will become. The mods admins and vet members should have more of a say of what goes on here.

No offense to anyone here, but honestly if I see one more video game post im going to vomit. Threads are vastily becoming chit chat bullshiite. What happened to the days where further discussion of a topic was to be taken to pms or im or whatever.

People this isnt a chat group, and that is what is happening, and I dont like it.

Look at my post count, I have been here for years now, and my post count is scant 800, why is it that people that joined a few months ago, have post counts in the 1000's already? Granted some of those people have posts that are genuinely helpful and not mindless chit chat.

I plead with the senior members and admins, to please get this under control. The thing that seperated this board from the rest of the places was the lack of useless shiite. It stayed on topic. Now all people want to do is hang out here ALL day long, and respond to every thread they can, create mindless boring topics. When did this place become a place where how many little apples you had below your name become important. ****s, had a certain respect for their elders (senior members in this case) Those days are long gone.

Timan, I understand its a feather in your cap to have a large number of members here, and by giving in to the outcry of the people that complain about threads being closed, or posts being deleted, you are giving control to these people.

Take control back, clean out the garbage, if people dont like that their post about a movie or video game, or post your picture, than they need to go somewhere else.

Why is is that our most respected members dont even come here anymore, these are people that, have always contributed to this community in ways that are unknown to many of the members here? Grusic is gone, duckie is gone, alilm is not around, goku hates it, pixelmatrix vacated, Contra is getting fed up, even Stevei BM is starting to feel the stress. Granted I cant speak for all these people as to why they left, but I dont think it takes a genius to figure out why. Timan, I ask you, is it not more important to keep the people who have made a major impact on this community happy, than to vindicate the newer members who will likely be gone in a few months anyway?

As to my comments about the news, I will not name specific names, but I have seen news threads which included opinions about this or that, I dont want to read that garbage, I dont care how so and so feels about companies, or clothing stores, or soda, or whatever. You are newsposters, you have one job and one job only, post the damn news, not teasers, not previews of things that are just sketches, NEWS.

I rarely complain about things, and I thought the state of this board would get better once the ****s got bored, but it isnt. It is gettng worse and worse. I like to see communities grow, based on what they are, not because they are becoming what people want.

My prediction is that come summer, this board will be just a gathering place for LOTR discussions, video game hints, and the occasional computer question.

#106092