offtopic posts

[LigH]

Reasons for off-topic replies are quite different (a large range between an accident, a mistake ... to ignorance and trolling on purpose).

Reactions need to be just as different. An accidental reply in the wrong thread, or a reply which should have become a new thread instead, do not need to lead to a warning or ban. But just watching threads being kidnapped without any sign of moderation is "bad public relation".

[novacadian]

My questions was kind of serious though...Is this about only moving complains to the correct board or to do something about off-topic posts like advertising own projects in every thread, littering RP threads or the usual "It's not broken...go and play on IRC" answers to complains also?

The example thread pointed to, at the top of the this thread, seems to make it more than clear the purpose of the new policy and what it has been put in place to fix.

- Nova

[Aiwendil]

Didn't know you are a moderator now....the question was for them. Not really interested in what you think it means.

[novacadian]

Didn't know you are a moderator now....

The example thread was placed there by the moderator, not me.

- Nova

[Sangwa]

Illysia's right, usually we start bickering when the thread's dead already. Not what happened in one of the threads, but that was an isolated happening. As far as the "I Need Help" thread is concerned, Catlemur got his response multiplied by 10 in the first 10 minutes. Also, requesting for new Quests should be a kind of wish...

I think that if you input some actual on-topic information, then the post isn't actually off-topic. It just has additional info. Like... Let's say... Advertising the Dark Empire in the middle of this post, which is great since it's an awesome organization.
Plus I believe it's all about moderation as in the "quality of being moderated." Things aren't black and white, they're less or more grey. If someone's abusing (like it did happen in the "I Need Help..." thread, even though it had expired its usefulness), there should be intervention as far as moderating is concerned. If it's just punctual, it's not really a problem. Aiwendil mate, chill.

[Illysia]

I say that if you are going to cut down on the bickering that you should start at the beginning and be sure to get the people that intentionally try to provoke malcontents as well. It is perfectly possible to disagree, discuss the disagreement at length, and not have a bickerfest. The bickering usually starts when personal attacks are made by the party that is less interested in arguing a point (but rather are just trying to win an argument) runs out of points to make and then decides that personal attacks somehow prove their point rather than make them look like a comparable problem. I know for a fact it can work as I did it all the time with Lhaa in the past, and even now, and the disagreements never turned into the mess that come when most people argue with Lhaa.

If you are going to apply the rules... just apply them evenly. Let people argue but stop it once it gets personal and then people are less likely to have a run away argument.

[RlyDontKnow]

I say that if you are going to cut down on the bickering that you should start at the beginning and be sure to get the people that intentionally try to provoke malcontents as well. It is perfectly possible to disagree, discuss the disagreement at length, and not have a bickerfest. The bickering usually starts when personal attacks are made by the party that is less interested in arguing a point (but rather are just trying to win an argument) runs out of points to make and then decides that personal attacks somehow prove their point rather than make them look like a comparable problem. I know for a fact it can work as I did it all the time with Lhaa in the past, and even now, and the disagreements never turned into the mess that come when most people argue with Lhaa.

If you are going to apply the rules... just apply them evenly. Let people argue but stop it once it gets personal and then people are less likely to have a run away argument.

try to read again what this thread is about. it's *far* before personal attacks, it's just dragging threads all the way off (in this case already the first reply) without any real reason. if someone states a simple question, go and answer it. but not "here's one sentence answer, but: everything sucks, booohooo, *cry*"(intentionally exaggerated, don't take it personal/serious aiw ) starting a flame war without any reason at all. *if* you want to discuss such things, go and make a thread about it. but wait... it's already been discussed over and over and over and over and ... so of course such a thread would get locked with a link to the very same one you had yesterday/last week/whatever. so instead of spreading you pointless cries all over the place, keep them where they belong.

it's not an argument at all if you keep repeating the same old stuff every other day just cause you failed to convince someone.

[Illysia]

Once again you prove why the "pointless arguments" persist... try unpluging your ears and maybe you won't have so many instances of the same complaint as many iterations come from trying to get through thick skulls and shut ears. First, people are convinced when these things happen, the problem is that often the target audience persists in th... you know what nevermind Rly as answering you would start another back and forth and I am trying to be nice about this as Neko did ask nicely.

Long story short, you keep setting off the very wildfires you complain about. You got a problem with them? Then take your own advice and change your attitude. Your attitude creates more likelihood that someone will get offended and start complaining. Try not contributing to the problem for once.

[Sangwa]

You're hopeless, naggity nag.

[neko kyouran]

My questions was kind of serious though...Is this about only moving complains to the correct board or to do something about off-topic posts like advertising own projects in every thread, littering RP threads or the usual "It's not broken...go and play on IRC" answers to complains also?

if you feel a thread should have a closer look taken at it due to a series of posts in it that diverge too far from the topic of the thread, poke a mod or admin and we'll determine the best course of action required.

You're hopeless, naggity nag.

personal insults are not needed.  please refrain from posting them.

[Illysia]

You're hopeless, naggity nag.

Case in point. Trolls may not back down but people like sangwa pour on the fuel and then try to hide their hand as being partly responsible for the messes made. Thanks for commenting on the needlessness of that too Neko.

[Sangwa]

I'll refrain from what you consider personal insults, since it harms so many sensibilities. But let it be known that my work will be missed.

[Illysia]

Not really...

Respect the opinions of others.
Often arguments can’t be won, so if you have a contrasting opinion, please state it simply and clearly. If necessary, agree to disagree with others who may have differing opinions. When discussions turn to long, hostile arguments, the thread will be closed or removed. Sometimes people can write something that you may find offensive, but before launching into a public condemnation, please consider that the person may not have intended to cause offense. It is very easy to misinterpret a post on forums. There is absolutely no need to resort to insults. Respect others' views even if you disagree with them.

Forum rules... apply to defenders of the game as well.

[Geoni]

[Sangwa]

I'll certainly miss it Illysia. And let me tell you I find it insulting that you consider me no one... It's specially so hard to take when you're obviously tempting me into trolling. So hard to take...

I kid you all. Just relax and enjoy the show. Why should we get all worried about what goes into complaints and what is kept or deleted? Why can't you moderators just do it and warn the people involved privately? It'd cause a lot less noise.
As far as moderators are deleting and moving stuff, no one should need to worry. If something is deleted in a thread, everyone gets the idea. Plus, theirs is the rule, whether we agree or not. Like they're actually the ones who interpret who is condemning a person who was just expressing a short, resume of his opinion and who was insulting.
And you know what America? I trust you guys. And I shall comply. After this post, that is.