Page 1 of 2

A suggestion to make the forum cleaner

Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 4:38 pm
by Kjarkur
Let me just start by congratulating the moderators for the fantastic job they're doing.

I'd just like to make a suggestion for you, for example in the general section, when somebody posts a topic that's not in the right section, instead of leaving a redirect thread, just move it and Pm the author and tell him/her you moved the thread. IMO it looks unprofessional to leave a redirect thread.

It would look much better. Let's say if the authors mission is to put it in the wrong section for more people to see it, he/she wont benefit from it since their wont be a redirect thread for everyone to see(cause as you know, more people look in their then other section of the forums)

We did it on another forum I moderate, with good results.

Maybe you don't agree but I think it's a good idea.

Just my two cents.

Best regards,
KJ

Re: A suggestion to make the forum cleaner

Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 4:41 pm
by Empy
I'd be willing to do the extra work of a simple PM, but I can see other people not finding the effort worthwhile.

Re: A suggestion to make the forum cleaner

Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 5:21 pm
by Kjarkur
The effort might pay off, at least that is my hope.
I can imagine some people exploiting the fact that you leave a redirect thread, let's say I'd leave the game and returned. I wanted everyone to see the thread, so instead of posting it in the appropriate section I'd post it in general. I'd know the mods would move it but leave a redirect thread, so my mission of making as many people as possible see it, would succeed.

So I.E in the long run, it might pay off as people wouldn't bother posting in the wrong section on purpose. (Not that I'm accusing everyone who posts in the wrong section of doing it knowing it's in the wrong section, how ever I know for a fact some do!)

Regards,
KJ

Re: A suggestion to make the forum cleaner

Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 8:54 pm
by Clarkey
It's a good idea to do this.

But if it's not taken onboard then at least remove the "shadow" topics after a couple of days. There's no need for them to sit there forever.

Re: A suggestion to make the forum cleaner

Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 9:57 pm
by Zeratul
hmm... interesting idea... no judgement yet...


shadow topics are usually removed after a while...

Re: A suggestion to make the forum cleaner

Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 10:54 pm
by Jim
Nice idea. As long as there is easy access to proof it was moved or something. I have always wondered about shadow topics but never said anything.
I think its a good idea.

Re: A suggestion to make the forum cleaner

Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 10:58 pm
by Clarkey
Jim wrote:Nice idea. As long as there is easy access to proof it was moved or something. I have always wondered about shadow topics but never said anything.
I think its a good idea.

I don't mind shadow topics because it stops people repeatedly asking where did such and such thread go.

I know the idea here is to PM the author to tell them where it's gone, but others may still ask because they won't get PMs. Whereas a shadow topic is there for all to see.

The only thing about the way it is now is that there are shadow topics filling up General that go back as far as atleast August 2009. #-o

Re: A suggestion to make the forum cleaner

Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 11:00 pm
by Jim
Clarkey wrote:
Jim wrote:Nice idea. As long as there is easy access to proof it was moved or something. I have always wondered about shadow topics but never said anything.
I think its a good idea.

I don't mind shadow topics because it stops people repeatedly asking where did such and such thread go.

I know the idea here is to PM the author to tell them where it's gone, but others may still ask because they won't get PMs. Whereas a shadow topic is there for all to see.

The only thing about the way it is now is that there are shadow topics filling up General that go back as far as atleast August 2009. #-o

:-k Any way to set shadow topics to auto-expire after a day or so?

Re: A suggestion to make the forum cleaner

Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 11:06 pm
by Clarkey
Jim wrote: :-k Any way to set shadow topics to auto-expire after a day or so?
I believe it would require a Mod to do this, but that very rarely happens on this forum. Shame.

Re: A suggestion to make the forum cleaner

Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 11:17 pm
by Juliette
So the choice is we either PM the author (1 person) or we leave a redirection thread informing everyone (∞ persons)?

I'm sorry Kjarkur. I see your point, but I don't see the merit in excluding ∞-1 people from the information about the thread having been moved. It is just not .. efficient. Unless I'm missing some point of your argument?


*listens intently*


#Shadows: They are deleted when we want them to be deleted. I.e. when an archive/dump run of the section is done. (Or when there are a particularly high number of them on the first page. Interestingly enough, that coincides with spammers receiving warnings.)

Re: A suggestion to make the forum cleaner

Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 11:19 pm
by Empy
Clarkey wrote:
Jim wrote: :-k Any way to set shadow topics to auto-expire after a day or so?
I believe it would require a Mod to do this, but that very rarely happens on this forum. Shame.
Indeed, Jason does not like Mods... For some odd reason.

@Juliette: I believe his main point is that the Shadow Topics look bad sitting there (I agree) and when topics that don't belong, for example, in general are put there. Really they stay there because of the Shadow Topic. At least until other topics pile on top of them. If it didn't come across >_>

Re: A suggestion to make the forum cleaner

Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 11:22 pm
by Juliette
Empy wrote:
Clarkey wrote:
Jim wrote: :-k Any way to set shadow topics to auto-expire after a day or so?
I believe it would require a Mod to do this, but that very rarely happens on this forum. Shame.
Indeed, Jason does not like Mods... For some odd reason.

@Juliette: I believe his main point is that the Shadow Topics look bad sitting there (I agree) and when topics that don't belong, for example, in general are put there. Really they stay there because of the Shadow Topic. At least until other topics pile on top of them. If it didn't come across >_>
The aesthetics-argument did come across.. but I fail to see how the cosmetic benefits outweigh the lack of information to the masses.

Re: A suggestion to make the forum cleaner

Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 11:24 pm
by Clarkey
Empy wrote:
Clarkey wrote:
Jim wrote: :-k Any way to set shadow topics to auto-expire after a day or so?
I believe it would require a Mod to do this, but that very rarely happens on this forum. Shame.
Indeed, Jason does not like Mods... For some odd reason.
Some Mods require template edits which can become extremely frustrating as you need to make those edits whenever forum upgrades are made.

However, i do believe a Mod of this sort would not require template edits as it would be a control that is set within the ACP.

Re: A suggestion to make the forum cleaner

Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 11:25 pm
by Empy
Clarkey wrote:
Empy wrote:
Clarkey wrote:
Jim wrote: :-k Any way to set shadow topics to auto-expire after a day or so?
I believe it would require a Mod to do this, but that very rarely happens on this forum. Shame.
Indeed, Jason does not like Mods... For some odd reason.
Some Mods require template edits which can become extremely frustrating as you need to make those edits whenever forum upgrades are made.

However, i do believe a Mod of this sort would not require template edits as it would be a control that is set within the ACP.
Oh ya... I remember him or someone saying that before (probably you). Makes sense I suppose. Over my head to be honest, lol.

Re: A suggestion to make the forum cleaner

Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 4:30 am
by Kjarkur
Juliette wrote:The aesthetics-argument did come across.. but I fail to see how the cosmetic benefits outweigh the lack of information to the masses.


I don't see why everyone has to know. Only the author has to, if the topic was let's say about sports... and put in general for more people to see it. Well if I wanna read a sport-topic I'll go in the sports section.

Only the author will want to keep a special eye on the topic. If other members wanna read it, I'm sure they'll be able to find it in the appropriate section of the forums.

Of course this is up to you guys, just a thought. Cause I do believe that alot of the people that post threads in the general - know very well that their threads don't belong in that section. They just want the attention.

You could also leave a redirecthread for let's say, 24 hours?

-KJ