I personally don't have much beef with the forums, (possibly because I'm more of a lurker).
One thing that may seem like a bit of a problem is that what constitutes as locked can be a bit ambiguous.
The <a href='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/index.php?act=ST&f=10&t=38333' target='_blank'>NS Hot Chix</a> topic was locked, whereas the <a href='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/index.php?act=ST&f=10&t=36453&hl=philly' target='_blank'>Hottest Teacher in Philly</a> topic was free to thrive, (my guess being that the former had the pictures directly posted, and the latter was linked)
The biggest problem is possibly with "discussion" topics; some, like the femminist are okay, whereas others have been promptly shot down. My guess is that things will go smoovely after July 31, if the official Discussions forum is reopened.
Whether a topic is locked or left open here follows no logical pattern or rule set I could discern. Apparently it depends on the mood of the moderator. That means a poster has no way to predict whether the time and effort he takes to write a meaningful post will become wasted; the risk of arbitrary censorship is too high.
Result: Nobody invests time into meaningful thoughts anymore, and mindless nonsense floods the boards: The ultimate destiny of all carebear forums.
As the link in the original post doesn't even work, let me recommend a good forum:
<!--QuoteBegin--Mr-Stabby+Jul 15 2003, 08:05 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Mr-Stabby @ Jul 15 2003, 08:05 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> of course i am
i pay good money for the hosting and the website
i just hate the fact that i'm wasting my money because all the halflifers who are likely to use my forum are all here <!--emo&:angry:--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/mad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='mad.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--emo&:angry:--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/mad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='mad.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> A few thoughts on your statement there dude.
Bad mouthing a forum or the moderators to gain extra hits to your site is bad, mm'kay. But the simple fact of the matter is that if it really were so bad here people would flood over to another / your forum. But it's not that bad here, and it seems to be an isolated small group of you that are "defecting". Sorry, but if things turn completely rotten here, then i'm sure people will move communities, but quite frankly, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" springs to mind.
<!--QuoteBegin--::esuna::+Jul 16 2003, 01:17 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (::esuna:: @ Jul 16 2003, 01:17 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Am i the only person that doesn't find that the admins are doing a bad job at all?
EDIT: Itte rasshai. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> Pfft hell no.. the admins do a tight job.
as far as im concerned any of these forum admins can come to my house and **** my sister. LOL
admins do a proper nice job just cos some people are leaving that fair enough dont turn this into a problem with admins...
Interesting, I didn't know there was so much stored hate against the moderators. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
Anyway, I don't feel that the admins or mods are unfair or over-strict... The flaming/useless/unapropriate/etc topics get locked for a reason, you know. I've been on many boards and it was a sad sight to see them burn up in flames (and yes, post flames). The community fell apart because the lack of good moderators.
So, I'm pretty satisfied with the current 'thugs'. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
<!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->But the simple fact of the matter is that if it really were so bad here people would flood over to another / your forum.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> Not necessarily. Good and bad are always relative terms. Someone who's relatively new to Internet forums and lacks material for comparison might look at n-s.org and come to the conclusion that they, more or less, maintain law and order, which is correct.
However, that doesn't prove that there aren't much better ways to reach the same goal, without creating a tense atmosphere in which non-moderators feel it's their duty to play deputy and threaten fellow members. These "would-be-moderators" are a direct result of the tone set by the moderating staff, whether they realize it or not. It's very possible to be rational, friendly, non-condescending and open for dialogue while enforcing a Code of Conduct.
<!--QuoteBegin--::esuna::+Jul 15 2003, 07:17 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (::esuna:: @ Jul 15 2003, 07:17 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Am i the only person that doesn't find that the admins are doing a bad job at all?
EDIT: Itte rasshai. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> No <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo--> Wooohoo Go Nemesis Zero <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->
<!--QuoteBegin--Twex+Jul 16 2003, 04:38 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Twex @ Jul 16 2003, 04:38 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> ... without creating a tense atmosphere in which non-moderators feel it's their duty to play deputy and threaten fellow members. ... <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> I'd have to agree with you, i do disagree with these "would-be-moderators" while (i know i'm not totally blameless here) but i can't see why people enforcing the rules / COC while the moderators are away would be a problem. You'd think that at least. But a good deal of us (i like to think myself included) do advise on the rules, directing people to search and so on, in the moderators absense, but in a constructive and helpful way (Except when it comes to SNiperMarine.). But there does seem to be a good deal of "Holier-than-thou" pseudo-mods who needlessly beat down or flame when someone breaks the rules. But these people aren't the mods' fault at all.
Those now receive dirty-spyder PMs informing them that after they hit the "Report this post to moderator" button, their work is done. No need to add a reply.
I don't stop myself from giving people friendly advice, directing them to forum rules or just enlightening them... But I don't go playing a moderator and 'enforcing' the forum rules with words...
<!--QuoteBegin--xioutlawix+Jul 15 2003, 07:24 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (xioutlawix @ Jul 15 2003, 07:24 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I find that the admin's run the forums very well. If a small vocal minority wants to make a few grunts because they can't dedicate a thread to picture of naked chicks or curse their lil mouths off because they've run across a differing opinion, so be it.
If you want to see a poorly run forum, go check out the battle.net forums <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> hehe yeh indeed it's funny to see 50 threads with the title "XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX" while the author doesn't get banned for it xD
i just hate the fact that i'm wasting my money because all the halflifers who are likely to use my forum are all here <!--emo&:angry:--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/mad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='mad.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--emo&:angry:--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/mad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='mad.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> A few thoughts on your statement there dude.
Bad mouthing a forum or the moderators to gain extra hits to your site is bad, mm'kay. But the simple fact of the matter is that if it really were so bad here people would flood over to another / your forum. But it's not that bad here, and it seems to be an isolated small group of you that are "defecting". Sorry, but if things turn completely rotten here, then i'm sure people will move communities, but quite frankly, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" springs to mind. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> I can not actually see anything in my original statement which is bad mouthing this forum m8
Its called DOOManiac, Comprox, MonsE, coil, SpyderMonkey, Fam, Flayra, Nemesis Zero, (I can't think of them off hand)
These are some of the nicest guys I have ever had the pleasure of meeting in an online environment and as a group of guys work so well together.
I don't think I'll be leaving this community until those guys leave and when they do I'll probably follow them to whichever forum they all decide to go to!
This is the only forum I'm in and I like it. You can say swears if you want it will be censored but they'll probably know what you mean. Discussions are flamebait and as such are locked. Noone has even hinted at flaming in the women's rights discussion so it remains *tadaa* unlocked.
Comments
One thing that may seem like a bit of a problem is that what constitutes as locked can be a bit ambiguous.
The <a href='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/index.php?act=ST&f=10&t=38333' target='_blank'>NS Hot Chix</a> topic was locked, whereas the <a href='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/index.php?act=ST&f=10&t=36453&hl=philly' target='_blank'>Hottest Teacher in Philly</a> topic was free to thrive, (my guess being that the former had the pictures directly posted, and the latter was linked)
The biggest problem is possibly with "discussion" topics; some, like the femminist are okay, whereas others have been promptly shot down. My guess is that things will go smoovely after July 31, if the official Discussions forum is reopened.
Result: Nobody invests time into meaningful thoughts anymore, and mindless nonsense floods the boards: The ultimate destiny of all carebear forums.
As the link in the original post doesn't even work, let me recommend a good forum:
<a href='http://216.127.78.116/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi' target='_blank'>GoneGold</a>
Even includes a functional off-topic section for controversial topics, something n-s.org will never manage with the current staff.
i pay good money for the hosting and the website
i just hate the fact that i'm wasting my money because all the halflifers who are likely to use my forum are all here <!--emo&:angry:--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/mad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='mad.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--emo&:angry:--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/mad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='mad.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
A few thoughts on your statement there dude.
Bad mouthing a forum or the moderators to gain extra hits to your site is bad, mm'kay. But the simple fact of the matter is that if it really were so bad here people would flood over to another / your forum. But it's not that bad here, and it seems to be an isolated small group of you that are "defecting". Sorry, but if things turn completely rotten here, then i'm sure people will move communities, but quite frankly, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" springs to mind.
EDIT: Itte rasshai. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Pfft hell no.. the admins do a tight job.
as far as im concerned any of these forum admins can come to my house and **** my sister. LOL
admins do a proper nice job just cos some people are leaving that fair enough dont turn this into a problem with admins...
EDIT: your forums aint got shizzle on these.
Anyway, I don't feel that the admins or mods are unfair or over-strict... The flaming/useless/unapropriate/etc topics get locked for a reason, you know. I've been on many boards and it was a sad sight to see them burn up in flames (and yes, post flames). The community fell apart because the lack of good moderators.
So, I'm pretty satisfied with the current 'thugs'. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
Not necessarily. Good and bad are always relative terms. Someone who's relatively new to Internet forums and lacks material for comparison might look at n-s.org and come to the conclusion that they, more or less, maintain law and order, which is correct.
However, that doesn't prove that there aren't much better ways to reach the same goal, without creating a tense atmosphere in which non-moderators feel it's their duty to play deputy and threaten fellow members. These "would-be-moderators" are a direct result of the tone set by the moderating staff, whether they realize it or not. It's very possible to be rational, friendly, non-condescending and open for dialogue while enforcing a Code of Conduct.
EDIT: Itte rasshai. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
No <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo--> Wooohoo Go Nemesis Zero <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->
I'd have to agree with you, i do disagree with these "would-be-moderators" while (i know i'm not totally blameless here) but i can't see why people enforcing the rules / COC while the moderators are away would be a problem. You'd think that at least. But a good deal of us (i like to think myself included) do advise on the rules, directing people to search and so on, in the moderators absense, but in a constructive and helpful way (Except when it comes to SNiperMarine.). But there does seem to be a good deal of "Holier-than-thou" pseudo-mods who needlessly beat down or flame when someone breaks the rules. But these people aren't the mods' fault at all.
If you want to see a poorly run forum, go check out the battle.net forums <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
hehe yeh indeed
it's funny to see 50 threads with the title "XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX" while the author doesn't get banned for it xD
i pay good money for the hosting and the website
i just hate the fact that i'm wasting my money because all the halflifers who are likely to use my forum are all here <!--emo&:angry:--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/mad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='mad.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--emo&:angry:--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/mad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='mad.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
A few thoughts on your statement there dude.
Bad mouthing a forum or the moderators to gain extra hits to your site is bad, mm'kay. But the simple fact of the matter is that if it really were so bad here people would flood over to another / your forum. But it's not that bad here, and it seems to be an isolated small group of you that are "defecting". Sorry, but if things turn completely rotten here, then i'm sure people will move communities, but quite frankly, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" springs to mind. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
I can not actually see anything in my original statement which is bad mouthing this forum m8
Its called DOOManiac, Comprox, MonsE, coil, SpyderMonkey, Fam, Flayra, Nemesis Zero,
(I can't think of them off hand)
These are some of the nicest guys I have ever had the pleasure of meeting in an online environment and as a group of guys work so well together.
I don't think I'll be leaving this community until those guys leave and when they do I'll probably follow them to whichever forum they all decide to go to!