These Forums are Becoming Awful

[cmhardw]

Maybe you could have an admin or mod approve new threads then?

If they decide to reject it, they can send the user a reason and if necessary, links to threads where similar content is posted or their question answered.

The memory sports group does this for new users. Your first new thread has to be approved by a moderator. Assuming your thread is approved, you can then make threads whenever you please. This may be a good way to gauge when a new user has advanced to the point of being allowed to make threads whenever they please (and make sure that those threads will be of a fairly high quality).

I wouldn't mind if there was a queue for new threads waiting to be approved just like there's a queue for reported posts. With as many moderators as there are there shouldn't be a very long delay before a new (good) thread would be approved.

 

[RyanReese09]

I like this idea. I think that if someone were to create it, the video should pop up before the user can actually use the forums.

If I joined a new forum and they wanted me to watch a video, I wouldn't watch it.

Maybe you could have an admin or mod approve new threads then?

If they decide to reject it, they can send the user a reason and if necessary, links to threads where similar content is posted or their question answered.

I do, however, like this idea. And for those mods who complain it's more work. Either
1) Put more mods on
2) Quite honestly, deal with it. There aren't many threads a day. It can't be *that* much work. I know mods have a lot to deal with already but this is minuscule and will improve the forums.

 

[ianography]

I do appreciate your opinion. Do you have any suggestions to make it become better?

We've been dealing with the degrading quality issue for several years now. It is a very difficult issue to resolve without ruining it for any future members (for example, we considered shutting off all new registrations and slowly weeding out people who cause trouble - this would work, but would prohibit any new cubers from getting involved). We tried many, many things, and also discuss new ideas quite often. One thing that was suggested awhile back but never implemented was a welcome video which shows new users around the site. Even though this hasn't been created, there are welcome PM's sent to all new members with links to various pages throughout the site and also what to do and not to do. Aside from that, we deal with every reported post and also try to moderate as many of the new posts on a daily basis.

I'd be interested in hearing any suggestions you may have. Thanks.

I'm glad to hear that the creator of this website knows that it isn't at it's finest. It's also good that you and others are trying to resolve this problem. Now, while I myself don't have any original ideas to fix this constantly growing issue, I do believe that some ideas could handle this situation quite well.

Maybe a minimum post limit to start threads?

This, as stated many times before, will not work as some new members have very good ideas and things to offer. Take Walter Souza and Luis. Walter Souza's first thread was about Prisma Puzzle Timer, which is a phenomenal timer and many (such as I) use it. And Luis presented Twist The Web, which allows cubers from all over to compete and talk to each other.

Maybe when new members join the forum, automatically email a list of links (such as the OAQT thread, http://www.speedsolving.com/wiki/index.php/FAQ, or any other important page)?

Wait, do you already do this?

Like Hershey, I don't know if this is already done. But, if not, it should be implemented as soon as possible. It would be helpful to new members and there would be less threads devoted to only simple questions.

I like this idea. I think that if someone were to create it, the video should pop up before the user can actually use the forums.

I'm supportive of this idea too. I prefer watching a video rather than reading because I think it would go faster and I would learn easier. Although, the major problem I see with this is the restrictions on YouTube in different countries, as most likely the video will end up going on YouTube. Unless, we were to put it up on both YouTube and youku and provide links, then that would be easily fixed.

Maybe you could have an admin or mod approve new threads then?

If they decide to reject it, they can send the user a reason and if necessary, links to threads where similar content is posted or their question answered.

The memory sports group does this for new users. Your first new thread has to be approved by a moderator. Assuming your thread is approved, you can then make threads whenever you please. This may be a good way to gauge when a new user has advanced to the point of being allowed to make threads whenever they please (and make sure that those threads will be of a fairly high quality).

I wouldn't mind if there was a queue for new threads waiting to be approved just like there's a queue for reported posts. With as many moderators as there are there shouldn't be a very long delay before a new (good) thread would be approved.

I do, however, like this idea. And for those mods who complain it's more work. Either
1) Put more mods on
2) Quite honestly, deal with it. There aren't many threads a day. It can't be *that* much work. I know mods have a lot to deal with already but this is minuscule and will improve the forums.

This, in my opinion, is the best option. I think it would be best for the first two threads that a person makes, and then after that they are allowed to make a new thread whenever. Not only will it get more moderators on the forum, but it will also show new members what is right and wrong to post.

Anyway, that is all I have to offer. Thank you all for your concerns and suggestions. It is nice to know that I'm not the only one concerned for this forum.

 

[gundamslicer]

Hmm. Maybe when creatin a new thread, they will have auto suggestions and if yours doesn't match, then It can be posted?

 

[Jungleterrain]

I like this idea. I think that if someone were to create it, the video should pop up before the user can actually use the forums.

Yes. Force the new member to watch a short video. If it's too long and dull, people can just open a new tab and lower the volume of the video and not pay attention to it. This gets the point across, but it still does not stop people from being trolls or anything like that. Anyone on the forums can become a jerk for no reason, no matter if they are "immune" or simply a new member.

On Topic: I've had my fair share of jerk comments. I honestly do get irritated (not to a super large degree, but you get what I mean) with some posts/threads for lack of noticeable quality even though I'm still quite new to the forums. I notice a lack quality of posts/threads, as well as how it can be somewhat intimidating to post something because there is a fear of being flamed/laughed at/insulted. I've gotten an infraction, which I'm not proud of, but I agree it was definitely well earned on my part. I was being a jerk, and I constantly forget that there is someone else on the other side of the computer screen with a life just as difficult as mine, unique and distinct, a person with feelings which can be hurt or a person ready to blow, waiting for a spark from a jerk comment like the ones I post every once in a while. However, I learned my lesson and I hope anyone else that receives any sort of discipline/advice of the same kind will take mind before typing something hurtful or unproductive to the community and to other persons.

 

[Reinier Schippers]

I think older users become annoyed by new people asking like: how to get faster, what cube etc. This happens at least twice a day, this annoys me very much. Still I mostly post like: Get this cube and use the one answer question thread in the future please. But some people can't manage to do this and just start trolling.

 

[5BLD]

I agree with you, Ian.
I would write a very long post on how people have taken to being rude to each other, flaming etc, but everyone who has posted here have basically states what I wanted to say.

 

[irontwig]

Maybe a minimum post limit to start threads?

Wouldn't that just encourage people to make more useless posts so that they would be able to start useless threads?

 

[chrissyD]

Sometimes I feel like i can't post anything without the next poster writing a full review on how everything I wrote is wrong and how my argument is invalid because i misspelled a word or missed out a bit of punctuation. Some forums are like that though, people make other feel small to make them feel better. I'd imagine most of us post stupid stuff sometimes, i know i have but we shouldn't judge people because of one post they have made this forum isn't a place to make enemies

 

[Kirjava]

The problem is the hoard of fools filling up constructive threads with inane posts. This is the real issue - actual content getting buried by a flood of noise.

I really don't care about the attitude of people as much as the quality of posts. I find that there is as much productive discussion as ever, but this doesn't look as abundant when people post the same threads over and over again and fill up the threads with original content with mindless drivel while never posting anything useful.

 

[MostEd]

this is the major reason i barely post, trolls everywhere.

 

[asportking]

Maybe, when people try to make a thread, there could be a giant notification that says "DO NOT MAKE THREADS ABOUT (insert things people shouldn't make threads about here)." Because most of the people making useless threads aren't making them useless on purpose; they honestly think they're good threads.
I also like the idea of a mod approving threads. That would probably work even better, although maybe after a certain amount of posts, they wouldn't have to have it approved?

 

[5BLD]

this is the major reason i barely post, trolls everywhere.

Not just trolls that annoy me... Also people who think too highly of themselves and criticise people :/
Meh. I know I'm a heavy poster, but I'm cutting down now.

 

[insane569]

how about when some one is gonna make a thread the title is searched automatically
if i type "what cube should i get" or "how to get faster" i get a list of other threads similar and i get the proper threads for my questions
i cant really explain it but most people dont search their topic so if SS does it for them then the useless threads might stop being made

 

[cityzach]

how about when some one is gonna make a thread the title is searched automatically
if i type "what cube should i get" or "how to get faster" i get a list of other threads similar and i get the proper threads for my questions
i cant really explain it but most people dont search their topic so if SS does it for them then the useless threads might stop being made

i like this idea. then there wont be so many of the same threads

 

[Escher]

The problem is the hoard of fools filling up constructive threads with inane posts. This is the real issue - actual content getting buried by a flood of noise.

I really don't care about the attitude of people as much as the quality of posts. I find that there is as much productive discussion as ever, but this doesn't look as abundant when people post the same threads over and over again and fill up the threads with original content with mindless drivel while never posting anything useful.

^This.

It honestly doesn't matter that new cubers ask cookie questions, that is to be expected in every community with new users. Imo it also doesn't matter that they might create 'useless' threads. The beginner section exists for these people and nobody apart from a new cuber goes there for content.

The problems arise when the only place you can easily find good information in a thread is the OP. Kir (amongst others) has had more than one thread essentially ruined by information-less posts filling up several pages. By information-less, I mean not relating to the OP or any related topics.

Attitude-wise, again, the only place it really matters is the beginner's section. It can only be a good thing that cubing grows; 'older' users firing off condescension will just stop people from wanting to explore the forums/community further.

People being asses to each other elsewhere isn't a 'problem' in and of itself, just something that should always be reported, even if it's not that extreme. Slaps on the wrist are the only way to make people on this forum be more polite to one another, especially when most of them are amazingly intellectually egotistical and socially inept.

Also nobody on SS (cept Thompson) knows how to troll or be trolled, apparently everybody thinks trolling = bullying/being a dick.

 

[StachuK1992]

I'm just going to start super merging beginners threads when their questions have already been answered.

I think 10 threads would take care of 95% of the beginner's section.


Is anyone opposed to this?

 

[asportking]

I'm just going to start super merging beginners threads when their questions have already been answered.

I think 10 threads would take care of 95% of the beginner's section.


Is anyone opposed to this?

I'm fine with it.

 

[Vinny]

When someone goes to make a thread, the first page it brings them to should be a page saying something along the lines of "did you check to see if this thread was already made?" There could be a checkbox below it saying that you did, or there could be a search bar right next to that.

 

[vcuber13]

that already exists
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